The most anticipated albums of 2021

While 2020 has been a rough year, to say the least, one of the few things that kept us going and brought us some joy was the music.

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From Ariana Grande, Lady Gaga, and multiple surprise albums from Taylor Swift, to great local tracks from Matthew Mole, Jeremy Loops, and the biggest hit of the year, Jerusalema.

These are just a handful of the artists who helped us get through this year.

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Luckily it's coming to an end, which means we have a new year filled with new amazing tunes to look forward to!

Here are just some of the artists who you can expect some banging new tunes from in the year 2021:

1. Drake

During an Instagram Live, the rapper described his forthcoming album as something fans may dislike, but called it "music to evolve to."

The album's lead single 'Laugh Now, Cry Later' has already been released, along with a music video, and his sixth album will be available in January 2021.

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2. Kanye West

After many hits and his fair share of misses, Kanye will be leaving behind all presidential ambitions (for now) and instead will be returning to music in 2021.

He teased fans with multiple snippets of songs, including one titled 'Donda', which is not only the name of his mother who passed away in 2007, but the song also features her voice reciting lyrics to KRS-One's 'Sound of da Police'.

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3. Zayn Malik

While the young star spent most of his time in 2020 preparing for fatherhood and welcomed his first-born, Malik isn't leaving the music world just yet.

He released his new single 'Better' in September fueling rumours that the new record could have the same name.

Although no release dates have been confirmed, Zayn has definitely been working on new music with an accompanying press release statement revealing: "With total creative rein on his third album, Zayn is making the music he has always wanted to."

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4. Lil Nas X

The "Old Town Road"- hitmaker has not only ended 2020 on a high note with his single "Holiday" (a Christmas-themed tune) but has made it clear that 2021 will be his year.

Though no official date has been announced the rapper told 'Complex' magazine that he will definitely be releasing a new album in the new year and can't wait to share it with his fans.

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5. Adele

After it was announced that the songstress would appear on 'Saturday Night Live', fans were going crazy with the anticipation of new music. They thought this was the unofficial, official announcement that music is on its way.

But even though 2020 was supposed to be the year for new Adele, the pandemic had other plans, and her manager confirmed that work on the album has been delayed indefinitely.

The singer has made it very clear that she is planning on putting new music in the world when she's ready saying on Instagram: "I'm quarantining. Wear a mask and be patient."

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6. Rihanna

The most highly sought after album on this entire list.

2021 will mark five years since her last release, 'Anti', and fans can not take the wait any longer.

We know BadGirl Riri has been busy with her many business ventures, but can we at least have a little teaser instead of her just teasing us?

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Luckily Rihanna has confirmed that there is new music on the way, we just have no idea when she is planning on sharing it with the world.

In an interview with Vogue she said: "I can’t say when I’m going to drop. But I am very aggressively working on music.”

Well while she aggressively works, we'll continue waiting aggressively.

At the end of the day, we're looking forward to the new year and all the amazing tunes it will bring!

For more unmissable Carol Ofori moments, listen here:

Main image courtesy of Drake Official Instagram and Rihanna Official Twitter