Lil Nas X, Japanese Breakfast, Vince Staples (pictured above) and more share their favorite music of 2021 with NPR. Photo Illustration by Renee Klahr/NPR; Getty Images; Album art courtesy of Polydor & Wolf Tone Records, Saddle Creek Records, Kemosabe & RCA Records hide caption
Doja Cat. Daniel Boczarski/Getty Images for iHeartRadio hide caption
Zayn Malik. Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images for Disney hide caption
Doja Cat and SZA's song "Kiss Me More" has been one of 2021's most inescapable tracks. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Doja Cat's latest full-length, Planet Her, is on our shortlist of the best albums out June 25. Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Cover art for Doja Cat's "Need to Know" RCA Records hide caption
It's not a genre; it's a lifestyle. Kara Frame/NPR hide caption
Kaytranada's song "What You Need" is featured in this month's edition of Heavy Rotation. Brian Ach/Getty Images hide caption
Ness Nite subverts hip-hop tropes with "Gucciprada." Enmi Yang/Courtesy of the artist hide caption
Favorite Albums So Far Angela Hsieh/NPR hide caption