Artists of the 2010s: Part l

Well, 2019 is almost coming to an end which means it is also the end of the 2010s decade. Next year will be in the year 2020, and this start a new decade. Looking back, we think about all the moments in our pop culture including food, trends and music. I’m looking at which music artists ruled this decade. So much great music came out and has shifted the music world forever. I personally think each year a artist capitalized and made their mark on the music world and stood through all the rest. Here’s a look at my list and see if you agree.

2010 – Eminem

Eminem has been considered one of Hip-Hop greats ever since the late 90’s. The Detroit native has earned his respect in the hip-hop community and has gave us classics such as The Marshall Mathers LP, The Eminem Show & Encore. He then went on a hiatus for a few years but In 2010, he was able to win us back with the album Recovery, released on June 18, 2010. He gave us so many critical acclaim songs off this album like “Love The Way You Lie” and “Space Bound.” It later became the best selling album of 2010 and has sold 7 million copies since its release, and debuted at #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. It has also been able to win 2 Grammys since then .

2011 – Drake

Even though Drake started his career back in 2009, he was on top of the world when he dropped his classics album this year, Take Care. Ever since his career has started, Drake has been nonstop with his music career this decade. He’s given us numerous hits like “God’s Plan,” “Worst Behavior” and “Hotline Bling.” With this has been cemented as a classic as it won him his first ever Grammy and became one of the best selling albums of that year. Drake has definitely earned his place in the music game and can showcase and widened his musical catalog

2012 – Nicki Minaj

Nicki Minaj has been the leading female rap artist this decade for sure. She was first presented to me with her song in 2010, “Moment 4 Life.” She has been present on many guest features including “Monster,” & “Bedrock” She dropped her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded in April 2012 with charting singles like “Starships,” “Beez in The Trap” & “Va Va Voom.” Over the past years, she has asserted herself as the leading female rapper in the game and this was one of her most highlighted years.

2013 – Kendrick Lamar

Kendrick Lamar is undoubtedly one of the best lyricists in the game right now. As I said in previous stories, he is leading hip hop in the right direction but this is the year I officially became a fan of Kendrick. He dropped the album good kid, m.A.A.d city in December of 2012. It cemented Kendrick as a well known lyricist and called a classic album. I highlight it because the next year, he was starting to get the recognition he deserve and dropped unlimited charting singles like “Swimming Pools” and “Poetic Justice,” and “Bitch, Don’t Kill My Vibe.”

2014 – J.Cole

J. Cole is also another artist who I mentioned earlier is pushing the rap game right now. What made me fall in love with him was his incredible storytelling and life lessons he gives along the lines. He’s been out with music since 2009 with his mixtape, The Warm Up, but the able that made him dominate the year was 2014 Forest Hills Drive. It was released in December 2014 with hit singles like “No Role Modelz,” “G.O.M.D” and “Wet Dreamz.” The album later went platinum with no features and it hasn’t been done in years by a solo artist. His potential of becoming a great MC was finally being recognized and cited this album as a classic and the best project of that year.