In a year music fans thought would be another dry spell in terms of releases, 2021 had a lot of great and innovative projects released. Hip-hop had a lot to say with solid projects dropping each month of the year, from the heavy hitters to the new beginners. Below—in no particular order—are five projects that challenged and broke down the genre of hip-hop this year through their ability to transcend their sound and vocal delivery. Boldy James Bo Jackson ALC Records After the critically and listener acclaimed 2020 album The Cost of Tea in China, Boldy and legendary producer, The Alchemist, link up for yet another classic. Bo Jackson steers from the typical conventions of street rap by breaking its boundaries down brick by brick. The project turns the genre on its head with ominous, yet tru...