4
J.I.D – DiCaprio 2 Reaction
'DiCaprio 2' is a technically impressive project that shows off J.I.D's deep lyrical arsenal, and has him clearly poised for stardom - just not quite yet....
Rap
4
3
Jaden Smith – The Sunset Tapes: A Cool Tape Story Reaction
Jaden Smith is still firmly in the lane he created for himself with 'SYRE' and doesn't show a lot of improvement or growth since then but it's still solid music despite it lacking any 'wow' moments....
4.6
Meek Mill – Championships Reaction
While not perfect, Meek Mill does live up to the hype and manages to balance his usual bangers with his new found social awareness. It all feels authentic and makes 'Championships' his most impactful album yet....
3.7
Lil Baby – Street Gossip Reaction
Lil Baby keeps things the exact same for what is essentially 'Harder Than Ever 1.5'; enjoyable but inconsequential. ...
3.5
The Diplomats – Diplomatic Ties Reaction
The Diplomats made a much stronger return than I ever expected they were capable of and while they do play things a bit too safe, they manage to capture some of that magic that made them such a unique movement back in the early 2000s....
3.5
Mike WiLL Made-It – Creed II: The Album Reaction
While not as realized or surprising as Kendrick's 'Black Panther' album, Mike WiLL Made-It still delivers a largely enjoyable album that will surely push more collaborations between Hollywood and hip-hop....
3
Metro Boomin – Not All Heroes Wear Capes Reaction
Metro Boomin's latest, while technically competent, is a sluggish affair that doesn't live up to his past or pave a clear way forward. A mixed bag of mundane....
2.8
6IX9INE – DUMMY BOY Reaction
'DUMMY BOY' is a convoluted collection of singles solely aimed for the charts, and while there are few moments that may stick with you, they're about as shallow as the caricature of 6IX9INE himself....
4.5
Lil Peep – Come Over When You’re Sober Pt. 2 Reaction
While there's no way that this was the exact vision Lil Peep had for this project, they still did a good job of highlighting the immense talent and potential he had as an artist that could blur genre lines and be the face of this new "emo rap" wave....
4.3
Trippie Redd – A Love Letter To You 3 Reaction
Trippie Redd's latest is a surprisingly solid project that shows an impressive amount of growth from just a few months ago. This is probably his most fully realized one yet....
4.5
Vince Staples – FM! Reaction
Vince Staples' latest shows full love to west coast hip-hop and although extremely short, it delivers fully on its concept and gives us what would have been some fantastic summertime tunes. Great music nonetheless and a welcome return to his foundations....
4
Swizz Beatz – Poison Reaction
Swizz Beatz came with one of the biggest suprises of the fall, an unexpectedly versatile collection of songs that brings out the best of each and every guest feature. He's still got it....
1
Future & Juice WRLD Present…WRLD ON DRUGS Reaction
Future & Juice WRLD is yet another collaboration that really has no reason for existing other than streaming numbers. A lifeless listen that doesn't bring out the best of either artist....
3.2
Action Bronson – White Bronco Reaction
For his first fully independent project in a while Action Bronson plays things surprisingly safe and outside of a few instances, he doesn't really deliver any 'wow' moments like we're used to....
4.6
T.I. – Dime Trap Reaction
T.I. has finally figured out how to bridge the gap between the old 'trap king' we loved and grew up with and the more socially charged side we've been getting in recent years. 'Dime Trap' is his best project in years and should not be slept on....
3.5
Dave East & Styles P – Beloved Reaction
'Beloved' is solid core NY hip-hop and while it is yet another non-essential collab, more Styles P is always a welcome thing....
3.5
Takeoff – The Last Rocket Reaction
Takeoff's solo is substantially better than what we got from Quavo, but he still largely falls short of the immense hype surrounding him....
4
Tory Lanez – LoVE me NOw Reaction
Tory Lanez is an undeniable talent and he continues to put out extremely solid music but, it's still not all that compelling or particularly original....
3
MadeinTYO – Sincerely, Tokyo Reaction
After first breaking onto the scene with his unique style some years back, MadeinTYO's long gestating debut is passable but about 2 or 3 years too late....
2.5
Quavo – Quavo Huncho Reaction
At one point a solo Quavo project was something that we all thought we wanted, but now it's painfully apparent that it's something that we definitely don't need....
4.2
Mozzy – Gangland Landlord Reaction
If you're already a fan of Mozzy then you'll fall right in with 'Gangland Landlord' and if you're not, then now's as good a time as any to check in....
1
Sheck Wes – Mudboy Reaction
Sheck Wes has great charisma and personality for an artist but he's severely lacking on the musicianship side of things and a full project isn't something we needed from him. ...
4.3
Lil Wayne – Tha Carter V Reaction
While not as musically impressive as 'Tha Carter' or 'Tha Carter II', or as impactful as 'Tha Carter III', Lil Wayne's 'Tha Carter V' was still impressive, especially considering it's countless delays....
2.8
Lil Baby & Gunna – Drip Harder Reaction
Lil Baby & Gunna's latest is yet another collab project that does very little, if anything, to push either one of their careers forward. It's largely an unremarkable cash grab....