And so ends another strange year on planet Earth. When we ran this column last year, we lamented the pause on live music and the very sudden readjustments musicians were having to make as they frantically tried to monetise live-streaming and try to keep their heads above water. Covid strain Omicron B notwithstanding, we appear to be probably/possibly/maybe out of the woods... Sort of.
Live music is back with a bang and the music itself has somehow gotten even better. Suffice to say, those of us who scratch a living writing about music have had a lot to talk about. It was a time of our own homegrown stars rising up, snatching crowns and achieving generational greatness. Adele, of course, dominated with 30, but just as worthy of premiership status are Dave, Ghetts, Little Simz, Arlo Parks, Cleo Sol and Children Of Zeus, as well as newer stars like ENNY, Knucks, KAM-BU and BERWYN shaking up their respective scenes, shattering genre boundaries and generally making the world of UK music more thrilling than ever.
Sadly, as well as welcoming new greats, we also said goodbye to some others, including the untimely passing of rap icons DMX and Biz Markie, and music/fashion powerhouse Virgil Abloh. And, as always, there have been plenty of discussions dominating the timeline—from major labels choking vinyl pressing plants to streaming platforms dictating our listening habits and, sadly, the unimaginable horror of Astroworld where 10 audience members tragically lost their lives. As ever, it’s only through honest and responsible reporting that we can do these conversations justice.
With that in mind, here are some of the best pieces of music journalism that dropped in 2021, chosen by the Complex UK music team (and extended family).
Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson, EIC
Santan Dave: Rap’s Prodigal Son Returns
By Ciaran Thapar, British GQ
July 6, 2021
Breaking Down The Many Indignities Of Ed Sheeran’s UK Drill Video
By Alphonse Pierre, Pitchfork
Aug. 20, 2021
Doing A Madness: ENNY Is The Inspirational Artist UK Rap Needs
By Chanté Joseph, Mixmag
Aug. 21, 2021
Is UK Rap Lacking Artist Development?
By Yemi Abiade, TRENCH Magazine
Oct. 7, 2021
Adele: What The World Is Waiting For
By Candice Carty-Williams, The FACE
Nov. 18, 2021
James Keith, Staff Writer
UK Funky Isn’t Back — It Never Left
By Sam Davies, DJ Mag
Jan. 19, 2021
By Craig Jenkins, Vulture
April 12, 2021
Karen Nyame KG: “I Tell My Story To Highlight How Progressive The Music Industry Has Become”
By Tice Cin, Mixmag
July 8, 2021
Behind The Beat: How 03 Greedo & Ron-Ron Changed West Coast Rap With “Rude”
By Thomas Hobbs, OkayPlayer
Aug. 24, 2021
By Natty Kasambala, PORT Magazine
Oct. 15, 2021
Yemi Abiade, Contributor
Sons Of Kemet Are Moving On Up
By Hugh Morris, TRENCH Magazine
Jun 3, 2021
Def Jam: How A New British Imprint Of The Iconic Rap Label Poached Stormzy
By Joseph ‘JP’ Patterson, The Guardian
Jun 18, 2021
By Edwin Stats Houghton, GQ
Sept. 15, 2021
Jesy Nelson’s Blackfishing Controversy Was Preventable. Both She And Her Team Are Responsible.
By Nicolas-Tyrell Scott, iNews
Oct. 15, 2021
‘Dancing Kept Me Sane’: How Black British Youth Found A Home In Northern Soul
By Lanre Bakare, The Guardian
Nov. 26, 2021
Chantelle Fiddy, Contributor
By Will Pritchard, The FACE
March 12, 2021
Genre Is Disappearing. What Comes Next?
By Amanda Petrusich, The New Yorker
March 15, 2021
Inside The Dirty Business Of Hit Songwriting
By Jim Aswad, Variety
April 7, 2021
Sinead O’Connor: “I’ll Always Be A Bit Crazy, But That’s OK”
By Simon Hattenstone, The Guardian
May 29, 2021
Lady Leshurr: ‘Home’ Cover Story
By Chanté Joseph, TRENCH Magazine
Aug. 16, 2021
Jesse Bernard, Contributor
‘Hip Hop Uncovered’ Tells The Story Of The Feared ‘Haitian Jack’
By Justin Charity, The Undefeated
Feb. 12, 2021
Freddie Gibbs Is Conquering Hip-Hop On His Own Terms
By Nicolas-Scott Tyrell, Mixmag
April 6, 2021
By Clover Hope, Pitchfork
April 13, 2021
Inside The World Of Brazilian Grime
By Sam Davies, DJ Mag
Aug. 11, 2021
“Take Ownership And Command Respect”: Sherelle Is Leading A Paradigm Shift In Dance Music
By Seb Wheeler, Mixmag
Oct. 18, 2021
Robert Kazandjian
