In Ireland, meanwhile, Celaviedmai and Denise Chaila marked themselves as two of the most authoritative voices in homegrown hip-hop, with a string of well Р’Вreceived, genre-blurring singles. The likes of Rapsody, BIA, Cai Leray, Young M.A., Doja Cat, Tierra Whack, BbyAfricka, Flo Milli, Megan Thee Stallion, Cardi B, Rico Nasty and Tkay Maidza also continued making major waves. While we eagerly await both artists' next albums, Noname returned with the revolutionary 'Rainforest', while Saweetie shared her acclaimed seven-track EP, Pretty Summer Playlist: Season 1. In addition to the artists who made it onto our list, there were also unforgettable singles, EPs and mixtapes released this year-with an increasing number of women establishing themselves as serious forces to be reckoned with on the scene. As our list of Best Hip-Hop Albums of the Year attests, whether you're listening to the melodic mainstream or idiosyncratic underground sounds, this is a genre that refuses to settle. Over the years, Hennessy has become deeply intertwined into the very fabric of the genre, increasingly so on these shores -which is fitting, given that the company was founded by an Irishman, Richard Hennessy.Р”Р„nd just like Hennessy, innovation and heritage both remain at the heart of hip-hop in 2021. Icons from every corner of rap's history have paid tribute to the iconic cognac in their lyrics, including the likes of 2Pac, The Notorious B.I.G., Nas, Kanye West, Drake, Young M.A. Just as Hot Press has been charting all the latest happenings in international and homegrown hip-hop - both in these pages and on - Hennessy has also continued to play a major role in the culture. Across the board, and across borders, hip-hop continues to build on its groundbreaking origins, while consistently expanding its horizons. But it's not just the big names that have made the past 12 months ones to remember.

With heavy-hitters like J.Cole, Nas, Kanye West, Drake and Tyler, The Creator all returning with new projects this year, there's no denying that 2021 has featured plenty of major moments in hip-hop- particularly after a noticeably unspectacular 2020 for the genre.

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