Big name collaborations are supposed to elevate each other's craft and this falls well short of doing that. Just another project that'll get lost in the current. I thinks it's time we start rethinking this whole 'collaboration' thing and only reserve it for truly special moments (Kendrick, J. Cole I'm looking at y'all).
I consider Black Milk to be one of the torchbearers of the pure essence of hip-hop and the way he melds in jazz and neo-soul influences is unlike anyone else out there. His use of live instrumentation really makes his sound stand out; there's just a soul and intimacy to his production that a machine could never replicate. He may just be a serviceable lyricist but he's earnest with it and when paired with his strong production, it makes it more than worth a listen or 2 or 3.
There's not much more that can be said about the tape other than if you love bars and you love the true essence of hip-hop which came from the heart and truly having something to say, then there's no reason you shouldn't be listening to this project as we speak. Black Thought & 9th Wonder are hip-hop to their core and the Vol. 1 implies that he's only just begun coming for his respect.
Boogie's major debut won't go down as a game changer but it is a highly focused project that delivers on his vision and is true to his artistry. Albeit, it could have benefited from a few more bright spots on the otherwise melancholic affair.
Cam'ron picks up right where he left off years ago, and while The Program doesn't bring anything particularly new to the table, it does show how much the game could do with a little more Cam'ron in it.
Rising rapper Kid Coffin is back with a hard-hitting new single titled "BLOODXDRUNK," full of heavy punchlines and knocking bass.
Carnage's "Battered, Bruised, & Bloody" is a largely forgettable collection of generic trending beats, repetitive songwriting, and weak features.
CheVy is set to captivate hearts with the release of his latest single, "Falling In Love," a testament to the enduring power of love.
Black America Again is angry, emotional, politically charged music that's unapologetically black. Basically, it's Common back to his roots, toeing the edge of being too heavy.
Check out our sit down with NJ rapper Don Michael Jr. We talked about his new album 'The Wolves Smell Joy', producing for Fat Joe & Terror Squad in the '90s, rapping in your 40s, cracking the social media code, Billboard's 50 Greatest Rappers list, and much more.
Check out our sit down with the enigmatic, mask-wearing, rapper/singer-songwriter RMR, where we talk about his new single "Crazy" with renowned producer Ryan Lewis, his mega-viral hit "Rascal", tearing down genre boundaries, his mysterious persona, and much more.
Check out our sit down with rising rapper West, where we talk about his new single and video "Checks", going viral with his previous song "Euro$tep", Chinese rappers and influence, writing vs freestyling, and more.
Big Sean may not get the full respect he deserves from people, myself included, but he has proved yet again that he's one of hip-hop's most solid, consistent artists out there today. While I Decided. is more of a half-step forward for Sean than a giant leap ahead, it shows why it's time he gets mentioned among hip-hop's elite.
Black Panther The Album's greatest strength is that it can both stand on it's own and work in the context of the movie it's connected to, and much like Black Panther will undoubtedly change the movie scene I expect this to do the same for soundtracks.
BlocBoy JB's album is a safe project that triples down on everything that's gotten him to this point, but it still remains to be seen if he has what it takes to outlast his own dance craze.
Bryson Tiller's follow-up to his massive first project feels like a quarter step forward than a major leap ahead. That's not a bad thing as he still sounds great, just expect more of a remaster of something already stellar instead of something wholly new and exciting.
Lil Wayne started this outpouring of mixtapes and artists like Future, Young Thug, and Curren$y have since tried to emulate that mythical run, but the purpose and definition of a mixtape has changed drastically since those early days. It's time we stopped applauding this endless wave of mediocre mixtapes and started calling it out for the cop out it is.
Cardi B's debut isn't great by any stretch of the imagination but it's not that bad either. It's a more listenable project than I expected and has more than a few noteworthy moments. I guess what really makes it a decent project is that all of her best songs sound like a more than serviceable approximation of whatever artist she's feeling in that moment. They say the best artists steal, so in that sense she's more than on her way.
It's been a long road to redemption for Charles Hamilton, but one monkey has been lifted off his back. His long awaited debut, Hamilton, Charles, didn't quite live up to the immense expectations, but it was a solid start. Full of bright, bouncy beats that evoke a feeling of hope and positivity; emotions that carry over to his still strong lyricism. His style and delivery however, you either love it or you hate it.
Flytrap was an unexpectedly dope album for me; fusing traditional East hip-hop with modern Southern influences to create some of the best modern East coast hip-hop I've heard in a while. Pro Era just might have their next breakout artist.
Check out our sit down with Amber Ryann, a rising independent artist, as we talk to her about her new album 'Even When It Falls Apart,' Underrated Artist Season, artist independence, and much more.
Check out our sit down with Layto, a rising artist, as we talk to him about his latest project 'Arrived,' making it out of a small town, bending genres, and much more.
Check out our sit down with S-Wrap and Rashad thaPoet, musicians and spoken word artists as we talk to them about their latest album The Other Side Too, modern day spoken word, being recognized by the Grammys, and much more.
One Night Only is a project full of great vibes and catchy hooks but it still lacks much of the depth or out of the box creativity that will be needed to take his career to the next level.