EPs or Extended Plays allow artists to drop bodies of work without dropping a full length album. Whether it’s to hold fans over until the full project or to just apply pressure, EPs are crucial. These are my Top 10 EPs of 2021.
Vonzell Sly had a pretty impressive 2021. Between “Insomniac” and “Full Force” his wonky style is really catching on. Tracks like “Spy VS Spy” and “Dali Face Bandit” are standouts.
With production provided by Six Ave, Tre Butler drops yet another introspective project with “To Whom It May”, filled with some of the best beats and bars the 727 has to offer. This project has me hype for whatever Tre drops next. Where’s that video for “L2L” at?
Part 1 of the “Manic” series was unleashed earlier this year, continuing Andy’s dominance of the St.Pete Underground. With new bangers like “Expensive Taste” and “Issue” featuring Breezy Montclair, as well as introspective songs like “Mirror”. Andy has grown a lot with his music in just a years time. “Manic Part 2” coming soon.
I really dig the vibe of this project. “1 Spliff” is one of my favorite tracks of the year. The emphasis on samples and boom bap production is hopefully a trend we see more of in 2022, with Skully at the forefront of the movement.
Despite not getting a solo project from Dro this year, he was still able to stay at the top of his game with collab projects, singles, and his compilation EP “Dro & Friends 2”. Not only did this introduce me to new artists like OK.Tav and Notsew, but it also gave me two of my new favorite tracks from Dro “It ain’t gon work” and “AllOFTHISMONEY”, and of course you know Kushh Newton is on production.
AV dropped not one but two EPs this year but his “The Motivator” project was my favorite. With street bangers “Get Your Money Up” and “Believe” getting heavy rotation in the city, it’s safe to say AV is still at the top when it comes to this 727 street shit. “Ballin On Purpose” is my shit though.
Who said we can’t Drill in Tampa Bay. Outside World ENTs own Ay08 & Fetti Suo joined forces to create a Drill blueprint for the city. “Unlucky” and “Fetti Hunna” are solid bangers that set the tone for the EP, but it’s the classic “Suo Suo” that ran it up for me. Shout out to Guapo and Illz.
After really impressing me with “Oh Boy, It’s My Lucky Day”, Deleteeglitch went even harder on the “Primordial Soup EP”. We need a small super group album between Glitch, Sunny Fritz, and Breezy Montclair, that shit would be legendary. “THETRUTHWILLPISSYOUOFF” featuring Døøf is reason enough to check out this project.
St.Pete’s own Chester Watson came back on the scene with his DOOM esque tribute album “1997”. Possibly the best produced project of the year, Watson was able to pay homage to the Metal Faced villain without coming off as corny. “Sunbeam” is one of my favorite tracks of all time now. That Danny Brown feature was wild.
2020s album of the year winner came back strong with two of the cities best EPs “Fire” and “Earth”. Personally I like “Fire” more, probably cause I have sat more with the project, or it could be the Leo energy, but either way Onlyonetwo is one of my favorite MCs in the game period. “Been Fair” is still my favorite song from the homie but “Downfall” is now a close second.
This shit right here mane is a classic. The St.Pete lifestyle raps, combined with the Southern Hip Hop esthetic makes “Good Fellas EP” EP of the year. Every song is fire and a different vibe. “Think Tank” and “Tango” are my favorite tracks but with each listen I feel that changes. Jotta & Nova really cemented themselves not only as a duo but as solo MCs building anticipation for whatever comes next. With the $lugg group project in the works, I am sure 2022 will be a huge year for the Goodfellas.