This isn't about my favorite projects of 2020 (even though all of these are up there), but more so about projects that fell under the radar for a lot of folks because of the amount of great music this year + quarantine.

And by "underappreciated", I don't mean artists a little more well known like Ka or Rina Sawayama (even though they killed it this year). These are artists, bands, and groups that either don't have much of a following or aren't talked about much on KTT. This list is also gonna go beyond just hip-hop as well.

1. Shabaka and the Ancestors - We Are Sent Here by History

GENRE: Jazz

FAVORITE SONGS: Requires a full play-through.

Shabaka Hutchings is one of the most creative and forward-thinking jazz musicians of this decade. Born in the UK, he leads two of my favorite jazz bands of all time-- Sons of Kemet and Shabaka and the Ancestors.

Shabaka isn't your usual jazz artist, though. He twists and morphs what it means to be "jazz", incorporating traditional African instruments, beats, melodies, and transfiguring them with acid house, hip-hop, and other genres in order to create some of the most bombastic and interesting jazz I've ever heard.

2. Kamaiyah - No Explanations

GENRE: Hip-Hop

FAVORITE SONGS: Art of War, Chosen, Momma Said

FAVORITE VERSE:

I’m just one of a kind and I know it
Trying to knock me off my pivot and it’s showing
I’m a top tier b****, I’m the coldest
To knock off raw s***, I’m appointed

I had no idea Kamaiyah was part of the XXL Freshman list of 2017. Her debut mixtape, A Good Night in the Ghetto, was one of my favorite mixtapes of last decade, and she didn't disappoint with her debut studio album. Hard west-coast raps and beats, reminiscent of that old YG sound, but with her own twist. Catchy hooks, strong beats, and multiple introspective verses strewn throughout.

Seriously, if you love west coast rap, you are doing yourself a massive disservice not listening.

3. Oddisee - ODD CURE EP

GENRE: Hip-Hop

FAVORITE SONGS: The Cure, Shoot Your Shot, Go To Mars

FAVORITE VERSE:

If you go under learn to take a long breath
Wait it on out, come back with a flex
Looking for a hand, all I ever got was steps
Walked on once, now I walk on quest
I could walk on water, I could walk on set
My drip game only thing wet

After a three year wait, one of my favorite hip-hop artists decided to finally drop an EP. And he hasn't disappointed. Heavily inspired by legendary acts like Rakim and De La Soul, Oddisee also was a big part of the underground "happy rapping" movement, and his strengths are clearly shown in full force here. It's a short listen, but it's filled with introspective, political, and social commentary.

Fully written and produced by the man himself, Oddisee gives you a glimpse into what he's working on for 2021. Keep on the lookout for one of the most sleeper underground acts of the last decade.

4. Meitei - Kofu

GENRE: Ambience, Deconstructed

FAVORITE SONGS: Requires a full play-through.

The finale of a trilogy, Kofu is a deconstruction of traditional Japanese aesthetic. Unlike the previous two projects, Kofu is distorted. Modern. Ominous. But also beautiful. It gives you a sense of nostalgia, but there exists a tinge of melancholy. One of the most unique set of projects I've ever heard in my life, period.

If you already have hesitations about the ambience genre, or maybe never delved into it, please check this out. You'll be pleasantly surprised. Producers who are looking for a spark of inspiration may find this set of projects a treasure trove as well.

5. Anna von Hausswolff - All Thoughts Fly

GENRE: Neo-classical, Church Organ

FAVORITE SONGS: Sacro Bosco, All Thoughts Fly, Theatre of Nature

One of the most beautiful albums I've heard this year, All Thoughts Fly is an entirely instrumental album featuring Anna von Hausswolff, an organist from Sweden whose been making neo-classical music for well over a decade. The abstract, harmonic melodies and the strong composition of songs lends itself as one of my favorite instrumental projects in awhile, and it's from a genre that I would've never had guessed.

It's not a project for everyone, but it's absolutely worth a listen just to appreciate the work done on it. A short listen, but the textured playing and production really immerses you for its entire duration.

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I hope you guys enjoyed the write-ups. I really do recommend you guys check at least a couple projects out here. These artists deserve a lot more recognition, and I hope this can get them a little more traction on here.

OP has certified good taste so I’m in gonna check these out bro

No Explanations is so great
Gonna check the rest of these bc op has exquisite taste

back at ya man, thank you

Who hurt you

Lets go adding all these to my AM backlog immediately

looks very interesting. Appreciate the effort I will check them out

In literally havent heard any of these

Real for Kamaiyah

Great thread, all albums I’ve not yet heard, thanks @op

your thread inspired me

Bump spreading the good music around

Checked out albums 1, 4, and 5. All heat respecitvely, especially that Shabaka and the Ancestors

Ty for putting me on, @Asaki

I'm glad you liked them man.

Shabaka really is a genius.