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Mook Life Music Top 100 Projects of 2018

Music

Another year down, another best albums list to put together and this one was really difficult to narrow down. In fact it was so difficult that I had extend the list from the usual 40 or 50 up to 100, and there are still a few albums I wanted to include but couldn’t quite fit in. The stream of new releases in 2018 was relentless with lots of established artists putting out projects as well as up and coming acts dropping quality work. To make things even more overwhelming, many artists put out multiple albums this year with a some having 3 or even 4 projects appearing in this list. It truly is an exciting time in music and especially for hip-hop.

I’ve seen a lot of people saying that 2018 is a legendary year for hip-hop and while I agree to an extent, I have different reasons for thinking so. It really did seem like most big names in rap had albums out in 2018 but I personally found a lot of them underwhelming. Drake, Migos, Eminem, Nas, Kanye, Lil Wayne, J Cole, Travis Scott and many other big names dropped albums but very few of them interested me. From a quality standpoint the trap scene was in decline in 2017 but in 2018 the subgenre almost felt like it was dying off. There were still some very solid trap releases from guys like Blac Youngsta, Rich Homie Quan and Ralo although they were mostly overlooked. Instead the spotlight was shining on big releases from Migos and their ilk who are putting out a sound that has gotten stale, the production is uninspired and their rap style is getting tired.

Conversely, the underground was on fire in 2018 pumping out an endless barrage of great music. The albums this year that I was eagerly anticipating often let me down but I was blown away by many releases that I didn’t know where dropping and I discovered some fantastic artists that were new to me. I’m always on the lookout for new artists and I do generally prefer underground music but up and coming artists dominated my listening even more than usual this year.

I think the most important music movement in 2018 was the boom bap renaissance that gained a lot of steam with rappers rejuvenating the sound with a new minimal grittiness. The scene started to gain traction in the last few years with guys such as Mach-Hommy, Roc Marciano, Fly Anakin and Westside Gunn but really flourished in 2018. These names continued their stellar work and were joined by the likes of ANKHLEJOHN, Estee Nack, Raheem Supreme, Nowaah The Flood and many others. Every week I discovered a new artist putting out their own brand of stripped back, raw, sample based hip-hop, capturing the mid-90s East Coast vibe and transforming it in to something fresh.

There were a number of artists pushing boundaries with their hip-hop releases, experimenting with the artform. Busdriver put together an ambitious monster of album in ‘Electricity Is On Our Side’, fusing together a lot of the sounds that he’s used throughout the years to create a psychedelic, jazzy masterpiece blended with colourful electronic undertones. Serengetiraps stretched hip-hop to breaking point on his phenomenal ‘Dennis 6e’ which acted as the last piece in the story of his Kenny Dennis alter ego. Using some of the strangest instrumentals I’ve ever heard and crafting a subtle narrative through his eccentric character this album is something that will stick with me for a long time. Underground hip-hop’s power couple Jean Grae and Quelle Chris released a poignant album examining various aspects of modern society, with an off the wall sense of humour and bizarre set of beats.

Contrary to what much of the internet will tell you, it was a great year for fans of lyrical rap. Phonte made a triumphant return with an album full of personal insights while still showing an ability to go in with some killer punchlines and word play. MC Paul Barman had me reaching for the dictionary as he spun lyrical tapestries using a complex vocabulary and poetic style, dipping in to the realms of politics, comedy and fantasy along the way. In dropping another very lyrically dense album Ka cements himself as the best pure lyricist currently active. A combination of intricate rhyme schemes, powerful imagery and elaborate metaphors prove that Ka is not only an incredible rapper but also an artist easily comparable to some of history’s greatest poets.

It wasn’t the greatest year for UK hip-hop and grime but there were still a decent amount of great releases. London usually dominates the UK urban music scene but in 2018 it was mostly acts from outside of the capital that were releasing the more interesting projects. It was a fantastic year for Nottingham as Juga-Naut released two decadent albums, Cappo & Cyrus Malachi got heavy and dark on ‘Postmodernism’ and Mez dropped an EP of back to back grime bangers. Sheffield MC Rawkid brought unparalleled levels of energy and erratic flows over some superb production on Grum Vol. 1. Even Ireland was getting in on the action as Dublin rapper Kojaque crafted the beautifully moody ‘Deli Daydreams’.

For the most part guitar music in 2018 was very stagnant, stuck in banality and repetition. I really went out of my way to check out some new bands and singer-songwriters this year but found the majority of them boring, annoying, or simply weaker clones of past musicians. It wasn’t all bad though, Mitski conjured up a gently infectious collection of rock songs while Daughters came back with a ferocious nightmare of an album. Japanese prog-rock band Koenji Hyakkei really blew me away with their utterly insane album Dhorimviskha. Brimming with Frank Zappa-esque jazz rock musicianship and some seriously diverse vocals, Koenji Kyakkei’s music accomplishes the difficult feat of being simultaneously intricate, progressive and catchy.

Below you can look through my top 100 albums and check out my podcast series where I play a track from each project and tell you what I love about them. If you just want some music then check out this YouTube playlist with a track from each project.

100. The NorthaZe – Pulp Diction 3

99. $ilkMoney – I Hate My Life And I Really Wish People Would Stop Telling Me Not To

98. J.I.D – DiCaprio 2

97. Curly Castro – Tosh

96. East Man – Red, White & Zero

95. Vic Spencer – A Smile Killed my Demons

94. Big Kahuna OG – Weapon Ox

93. Spectacular Diagnostics – Raw Studies

92. Estee Nack – #Mini Mansion Dust Vol. 2

91. Pink Siifu – Ensley

90. Lando Chill – Black Ego

89. Planet Asia x Killa Kali – Border Brothers

88. Black Josh – Yung Sweg Lawd

87. The Grouch – Unlock The Box

86. Rome Streetz and Farma Beats – Street Farmacy

85. Grems – Sans Titre #7

84. Estee Nack x Recognize Ali – Post Tenebras Lux

83. Napoleon Da Legend x Giallo Point – Coup D’Etat

82. Denzel Curry – TA13OO

81. Jeremiah Jae – Daffi

80. Dark Lo x V Don – Timeless

79. Rahiem Supreme – Black Cinema

78. Bisk – MOONSHINE

77. Kojaque – Deli Daydreams

76. Benny Sings – Beat Tape

75. Nowaah The Flood x DirtyDiggs – Private Stock

74. Action Bronson – White Bronco

73. Termanology – Bad Decisions

72. Craig Xen – Hell Bent

71. Sleep Sinatra – Sanctuary

70. Robb Bank$ – Molly World

69. LNDN DRGS, Left Brain & Jay Worthy – Brain On DRGS

68. Earl Sweatshirt – Song Rap Songs

67. Trapo – Oil Change

66. Maxo Kream – Punken

65. Break – Another Way

64. Tha God Fahim – Dump Gawd: Dream Killer

63. Rahiem Supreme – Genesis Pt.2

62. Sir Michael Rocks – Funds and Access

61. Mach-Hommy & Tha God Fahim – Notorious Dump Legends

60. Pusha T – Daytona

59. Mach-Hommy – Bulletproof Luh

58. Blac Youngsta – 2.23

57. Denmark Vessey – Sun Go Nova

56. Dom Kennedy – Volume Two

55. Jakprogresso x Aloeight – Toadmilk

54. Marlowe – Marlowe

53. Westside Gunn – Hitler Wears Hermes 6

52. Daughters – You Won’t Get What You Want

51. Blackfist – Strapped For Survival

50. Vic Spencer – STUPID

49. Mitski – Be The Cowboy

48. Estee Nack – #Mini Mansion Dust Vol. 3

47. Tha God Fahim and Smoke – Dump Gawd: By Anything’s Necessary

46. 21 Savage – I Am > I Was

45. MIKE – War In My Pen

44. Benny – Tana Talk 3

43. ANKHLEJOHN – The Yellow House

42. Knowledge – Flintlock

41. Vic Spencer – Spencer For Higher

40. Ralo – Diary Of The Streets 3

39. Googie – Floating Polygons

38. Tuamie – Emergency Raps Vol. 3

37. Saba – Care For Me

36. Juga-Naut and SonnyJim – The Purple Door

35. Homeboy Sandman and Edan – Humble Pi

34. Rich Homie Quan – Rich as in Spirit

33. Koenji Hyakkei – Dhorimvishka

32. Armand Hammer – Paraffin

31. Mick Jenkins – Pieces of a Man

30. Manga Saint Hilare – Outsiders Live Forever

29. Lojii – Lofeye

28. Young Nudy – SlimeBall 3

27. Fly Anakin & Ohbliv – Backyard Boogie

26. Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Fetti

25. Westside Gunn – Supreme Blientele

24. Nostrum Grocers – Nostrum Grocers

23. DJ Muggs & Roc Marciano – Kaos

22. Juga-Naut – Bon Vivant

21. ANKHLEJOHN – Ankh Nasty

20. Chris Crack – Thanks Uncle Trill

18. MC Paul Barman – (((Echo Chamber)))

18. Cappo & Cyrus Malachi – Postmodernism

17. Mez – Tyrone EP

16. Ramirez – Blood Diamonds 2

15. Tha God Fahim and Jay Nice – Strictly For My D.U.M.P.E.R.Z

14. Roc Marciano – Behold Dark Horse

13. Black Milk – Fever

12. Chris Crack – Being Woke Ain’t Fun

11. Milo – Budding Ornithologists Are Weary of Tired Analogies

10. DJ Taye – Still Trippin’

9. Cavalier – Private Stock

8. Rawkid – Grum Vol. 1

7. Nickelus F – Stuck

6. Quelle Chris & Jean Grae – Everything’s Fine

5. Busdriver – Electricity is on Our Side

4. Hermit and The Recluse – Orpheus vs The Sirens

3. Phonte – No News is Good News

2. Kenny Dennis – Dennis 6e

1. Roc Marciano – Rosebudd’s Revenge 2: The Bitter Dose

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Mooklife Music’s Top 40 Releases Of 2015

Music

I think most people can agree that 2015 was a really great year for music and especially for hip-hop. I’ve read through many top albums of 2015 and while I’ve enjoyed a lot of the choices others have made I’ve noticed that many of my favourite releases have gone mostly unmentioned. Because of this I really wanted to put together my own top releases of 2015 (and chose 40 because I spent my youth watching Top Of The Pops) to give some of those overlooked artists some appreciation.

If you’ve been following my posts over the last year you’ll know just how much music I’ve been listening to which has made it very hard to narrow this list down. I’ve never done a ranked list like this before because it’s always so hard and usually just makes people angry when they don’t agree, but I’m sure this list will get people riled up anyway so I’m going for it.

Remember, these are my favourite releases of 2015, I’m not trying to tell other people they’re wrong, I’m just trying to show some love for the artists that have provided the soundtrack to my 2015. I’ve decided to write this article later than most other media outlets have because I wanted to give some late entries a chance and let the dust settle before I made my mind up. I didn’t mean to publish the article quite this late though, I’ve just been busier than I expected.

So here it is, probably the last best albums of 2015 list that you’ll read. I hope you enjoy the read, find some new favourites of your own and try not to get too mad that you’re favourite album isn’t included. Oh, and try not to lose your minds over the fact that I haven’t even even included ‘To Pimp A Butterfly’.

Here’s a Youtube playlist with a track from each release to make listening easier.

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40. Busdriver – Thumbs

Busdriver rarely disappoints with his albums, always giving us something interesting, unique and cohesive. After his mostly upbeat and playful 2014 release ‘Perfect Hair’ Busdriver has delivered a much more serious album with ‘Thumbs’. Don’t get me wrong, this isn’t your hard hitting political rap but Busdriver seems to have been somewhat affected by all the horrible events that plagued 2015. This is very evident at the end of the track ‘Species of Property’ which he says he wrote for Baltimore. The beats support this melancholy turn as they plod along, driven by heavy synths and at times descending into drum filled chaos.

Listen on Youtube here

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39. Tuxedo – Tuxedo

I spent some of my favourite evenings of 2015 sat in the garden on one of our rare sunny days, and this album was the perfect soundtrack for it. Mayer Hawthorne has one of the most soothing voices in modern music and hip-hop producer Jake One really brings the funk with the instrumentals, creating an album that feels like a really happy head massage. Every song on this album brings a smile to my face and I think the world needs more music like that.

Listen on Youtube here

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38. Clear Soul Forces – Fab Five

Underground hip-hop group Clear Soul Forces have been making a name for themselves since the late 00s and have refined their sound to produce their best album to date. The album is produced entirely by Nameless who takes the art of sampling to another level, cutting up soul tracks and transforming them into knocking beats. The 4 MCs in the group deliver non-stop punchlines with impeccable flows. The track ‘Bpswr’; an acronym for Back Pack Sub Woofer Rap sums up the album well. ‘Fab Five’ is all the vibes of that early 90s hip-hop that everyone loves so much but updated it with a more developed rap style and really luscious production.

Listen on Youtube here

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37. Chuck Inglish – Everybody’s Big Brother

It’s strange how sometimes music can go so old school that it starts to sound futuristic again. That’s what this album sounds like to me. The beats have that 80s gangsta rap feel, packed with simple 808 drums, deep basslines and catchy keyboard riffs. The album features a plethora of guest appearances from the likes of Donnie Trumpet, Boldy James, ManManSavage and a number of rappers I was not previously familiar with but they all deliver raps fitting of the vibe.

Listen on Youtube here

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36. Lynx – I Am Lynx

Drum & Bass isn’t as popular as it was 5 years ago but there are still lots of producers out there working hard to keep the genre exciting. Lynx has been making Drum & Bass for over 10 years now and has always stayed original. This latest album does something a lot of dance albums don’t manage, it stays interesting throughout. I love dance music but a lot of the time tracks are made to be mixed so you wont hear the whole thing and because of this full albums can become tiresome. I Am Lynx steps away from this by delivering frenetic, complex Drum & Bass that progresses enough to stay exciting throughout. Heavy basslines, intricate percussion and unique synth sounds make for a very satisfying listen.

Listen on Youtube here

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35. Georgia Anne Muldrow – A Thoughtiverse Unmarred

Georgia Anne Muldrow has been making music for a long time now and has stuck mostly to singing but on this album she shows that’s she actually an amazing MC as well. Georgia has one of those voices that is simply a pleasure to listen to and has an accomplished flow to match, switching between rhythmic rhymes and soulful singing. Chris Keys provided some of 2015’s best production and a lot of that is present on this album which he produced in its entirety. The album is very strong lyrically with Georgia delivering powerful lines about racism, spirituality and the mainstream media.

Listen on Youtube here

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34. EarthGang – Strays With Rabies

I first heard of EarthGang in February last year when they released their mixtape “Torba”. I wasn’t blown away by the tape but it was easily good enough to get me to listen to Strays With Rabies and I’m so glad I did. The Atlanta duo have put together a superb album that’s easy going and accessible yet stays fresh and interesting. The beats are soulful with a bass heavy edge to them, really standing out on “Liquor Sto'” which has a crazy, unexpected drop a few bars in to the verse. I can see these guys being very popular in the near future, they have the appeal of 90s Outkast with a modern twist.

Listen on Youtube here

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33. Father – Who’s Gonna Get Fucked First?

I have to admit, I overlooked Father for quite a while. When I first heard this album I didn’t get the appeal, it wasn’t until I became obsessed with his earlier track “Look At Wrist” that I started understand. Father’s music is almost self-contradicting in that it’s simultaneously understated and outrageous. The beats are very low key, stripped down beats with repetitive samples and booming basslines. It’s Father’s personality that shines and makes his music so unique, he rambles through his bars in a monotone flow that is interrupted sporadically by odd intonations as he details his sex and drug fuelled escapades.

Listen on Youtube here

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32. Bones – Powder

It’s amazing what you get from an artist when they aren’t restrained by a record label or even the need to sell records. Bones releases all of his music for free and this gives him an amazing creative freedom that not many musicians show. Powder is a brilliant showcase of Bones’ abilities in a variety of genres He’s basically making whatever music he feels like but his personality ties it all together to keep the mixtape cohesive. From floaty cloud rap, to jazzy hip-hop and all way through to Pavement-esque indie rock, Bones proves himself to be one of the most exciting and versatile musicians working today.

Listen on Youtube here

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31. Billy Woods – Today I Wrote Nothing

Billy Woods has been steadily releasing fantastically dark albums for over 10 years now and he has refined his sound. Woods raps with a poetic intensity that you don’t hear very often, his flow is unique and sounds more like spoken word poetry than rap at times. His lyrics paint harrowing urban landscapes while the instrumentals complement them with jazzy, off kilter drums and melancholy piano riffs.

Listen on Youtube here

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30. Young Thug – Slime Season

Young Thug has improved massively over the last few years and positioned himself as one of the most talked about artists in hip-hop. This is a solid collection of tracks featuring some crazy beats and even crazier flows. Thugger is the only artist to have two releases on this list so I’m saving more of my love for later.

Listen on Youtube here

Download for free here

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29. Sean Price – Songs In The Key Of Price

Sean Price has always been one of my favourite rappers so I was upset when I heard he passed, my thoughts go out to his family and I can’t believe we will never again hear fresh bars from one of the best MC’s to ever do it. This EP came out soon after Price passed away and is a great monument to the man. P brings it as always, spitting his insane flow with some serious punchlines. The beats are interesting and minimal, we haven’t heard Price on beats quite like this before but it felt really natural. There was a second release of the EP, adding a lot more tracks and although there are some good extras in there I think the original is stronger. I urge you to buy this, not just because it’s a great listen but because the funds raised go to Price’s family at this difficult time.

Listen on Youtube here

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28. Quelle Chris – Innocent Country

Quelle Chris hits us with a text book underground hip-hop album. Chris Keys produced 4 sublime albums last year (Jean Grae – iSweatergawd, Declaime – Southside Story, Georgia Anne Muldrow – A Thoughtiverse Unmarred and Quelle Chris – Innocent Country) but this is my favourite. The instrumentals are mainly repetitive and at times unsettling with a few rays of sunshine coming through in the form of beautiful piano riffs. This backdrop really lends itself to Quelle Chris’ effortless raps which cover topics from compulsive liars to conversations with God.

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27. Various Artists – Iberian Juke & Friends 

Including this is kind of breaking the rules as it’s not so much an album, EP or mixtape but a 3 hour long compilation. Some exceptions have to be made though and this collection is too good not to mention. Iberian Juke is a collective of juke and footwork producers based in Spain. This is their second compilation and for this one they have called in producers from all over the world to contribute. The Juke and Footwork scene is one of the most exciting electronic music scenes of the last few years, I love the complexity, progression and off-kilter grooves that the genre offers. This compilation is an amazing showcase of talent that is on the scene worldwide, delivering a taste of the different styles developing and giving us some serious bangers.

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Free download here

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26. L’Orange & Jeremiah Jae – The Night Took Us In Like Family

L’Orange has really made a name for himself over the last 5 or so years, working with some gifted MCs as well as putting out some stellar instrumental works. Jeremiah Jae has also been putting in work over that time, staying firmly underground but making some breathtaking albums. Together we have one of the most fitting collaborations since Madvillain. This album is so cohesive, it all flows seamlessly and the sporadic instrumental breaks littered with old movie samples create an extremely cinematic feel. The old jazz samples are used in a really fresh way, forming these melancholy vibes that Jeremiah Jae uses to paint pictures of urban despair and cold-hearted criminals.

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25. Freddie Gibbs – Shadow Of A Doubt

Freddie Gibbs stepped away from his usual style on the Madlib produced “Pinata” but he’s back to his gangster vibes with Shadow Of A Doubt. The soul samples are mostly gone and this album is a lot more reminiscent of “ESGN”, straight up hard flows, 808 driven beats and booming sub bass. We do see a slightly smoother Gibbs on this album as he takes to singing on a few tracks and kicks out an R&B classic with “Basketball Wives”.

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24. Knxwledge – Hexual Sealings Prt.8

It was a big year for Knxwledge in 2015, he got signed to Stones Throw, released an EP with one of the most hyped up artists of the year Anderson .Paak and had a beat on Kendrick Lamar’s critically acclaimed “To Pimp A Butterfly”. Despite all of this it was the next edition of Knxwledge’s long running album series Hexual Sealings that really impressed me. The first “Hexual Sealings” was the third of Knxwledge’s many releases and he’s kept the same unique sound running since. This album features more unhinged remixes of classic R&B and hip-hop tracks, replacing the original instrumentals with vibrant jazz samples mangled together to create beautifully messy grooves.

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23. Cavanaugh (Open Mike Eagle & Serengeti) – Time & Materials

Open Mike Eagle made one of my favourite albums of 2014 and Serengeti has been putting out amazingly creative music for years so when this album was announced I was really excited. The finished product definitely lived up to expectations, the two musicians really rubbed off on each other, Serengeti has brought out the dark, moody side in Open Mike Eagle and Open Mike Eagle’s more jovial side has rubbed off on Serengeti. What we’re left with is a very atmospheric album that’s profound one minute and tongue in cheek the next. This is the first project entirely produced by Open Mike and I cant wait to hear more, he has twisted droning guitar sounds in to atmospheric marvels.

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22. Dr. Yen Lo (Ka and Perseverance) – Days With Dr. Yen Lo

Sometimes in music someone comes along and drastically alters one of the defining aspects of a genre. Hip-Hop has always been very percussion driven but this album is almost entirely void of drums, and it sounds amazing. The instrumentals are stripped down to repetitive (mostly guitar) samples creating an intense feeling that sounds like a film score at times. Ka’s rapping is perfect for these sparse instrumentals, he flows in a laid back, rhythmic manner laying down complex rhyme schemes and conjuring up dark images of inner city sagas.

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21. Hurt Everybody – 2K47

Chicago trio Hurt Everybody sound like the future. Switching between biting raps and sorrowful singing, vocally these guys are bringing something incredibly fresh to the table. The vibes on the mixtape vary between euphoric and introspective to menacing and violent. Most of the production is handled in house and is very exciting, mostly synth driven and scattered with intricate percussion. Fellow Chicago native Twista even drops by and gives us one of his tightest verses in years.

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20. Jonwayne – Jonwayne Is Retired

I’ve been a big fan of Jonwayne’s beats for a while now and this album cements that even further. There is so much space in these instrumentals, they’re mostly simple boom bap drum loops with just a basic but incredibly high quality riff on either a bass guitar or synth. It’s a real testament to Jowayne’s production that he can make such basic beats sound so crisp and beautiful that you don’t want tracks to end. It’s not just the beats that shine on this album though, Jonwayne really brings his A game on the mic, he strongly punctuates his lines and flows fantastically proving he’s one of the best all round musicians in hip-hop.

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19. Bilal – In Another Life

It’s always been hard to pin down Bilal, he’s often been labelled neo soul but has worked in and around other genres. “In Another Life” is hard to pin down too, it’s oozing with funk, his vocals are soothingly soulful and there are some heavy psychedelic rock vibes in there too. The drums on the album really stand out, slightly distorted and played to perfection, driving the tracks forward. Bilal’s voice is so serene which makes it even more shocking when he suddenly strays from his soft tones. This album not like anything else I’ve heard from Bilal, it’s not quite like anything I’ve heard from anyone but it is magnificent.

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18. Lofty305 X DJ Complex – Haitian Silk

I’m sure some of you will hear this EP and not get why I would put it in a top releases list. When I first heard it myself I was a bit unsure, it’s very lo fi and Lofty305’s vocals are strange. It is these things that make this so good though, it’s raw and filthy but at the same time the beats are packed with soul and emotion. The alluring samples are beefed up with rough, distorted drum samples that you cant help but nod your head to. Lofty305’s vocals are half way between rapping and singing, he slurs his words and croons out of tune, rambling about his sexual exploits. This EP sounds weird, and it is, but Lofty pulls it off in a way no one else can.

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17. Future – 56 Nights

Future is definitely one of the biggest names in hip-hop right now with a string of really solid releases, starting with his near perfect mixtape “Monster” that was out in 2014. This tape was released back in March and although he had 3 more releases later in the year 56 Nights is firmly my favourite. All the tracks on the tape are produced by Southside apart from “March Madness” which is produced by fellow 808 Mafia member Tarentino, and these dark, murky beats all sound incredibly hard. Future is one of the few guys who really knows how to ride these simple beats, many other rappers would sound boring on such sparse back drops but Future makes them come to life. Future’s vocals sound drugged out as he rambles through lines that at times don’t even rhyme, he’s not your average rapper but there is a sincerity in his voice that really shines through and his ability to convey emotion is almost unparalleled.

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16. Joanna Newsom – Divers

It’s been quite a few years since we heard from Joanna Newsom and it was only when I heard this album that I realised how much I missed her. There is a magic about Joanna Newsom’s music that is hard to explain, she really is one of the best musicians of the last 15 years. Newsom’s last album album “Have One On Me” was fantastic but wasn’t quite as enchanting as her 2006 album “Ys”, the addition of other instruments somewhat detracted from the sheer beauty of Joanna and her harp. “Divers” is definitely more like “Ys” than her other albums but has just the right amount of backing instruments to create a more textured sound. Every song on the album is an intensely euphoric saga, they take you on a journey as the melodies progress throughout. As always with Joanna Newsom, this is a challenging listen, after hearing the album through at least 20 times I’m still getting to grips with the compositions and I continue to love it even more.

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15. Gangrene (Alchemist & Oh No) – You Disgust Me

The best rapper/producer and rapper/producer duo since Jaylib returned last year with what I think is their strongest project to date. Both of these guys make phenominal beats and their styles mesh very well. What I love so much about this album is how cohesive it is, littered with odd samples conjuring up city images and grimy beats to match. The production is mainly sample based, using jazzy samples in their trademark fashion, layering them to create unrelenting beats that sound simple on first listen but have subtle complexities hidden in the musical depths. The duo both more than hold their own on the mic, they have steady flows that fit perfect with the overall vibe of the album and even with the plethora of accomplished guest MCs on the release they never sound outmatched.

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14. Robb Banks – Year Of The Savage

There are few rappers out there that have such an amazing cadence to their voice that you could listen to them rap about anything and for me Robb Banks is one of those guys. There is a certain charisma to Banks that I’ve always found very exciting, there is an intense and unsettling character to his music that makes it stand out. I’ve been following Robb Banks’ career for a few years now as he released solid mixtapes and EPs but he steps it up a lot on this debut album. The instrumentals here are so menacing and violent yet understated; 808 drums, deep bass and discordant riffs create a seriously hard and satisfying backdrop. Banks shows he can rock a number of different styles and flows as he goes fast over some tracks but also shines when he slurs his words and slows it down to a steady, methodical delivery. Just check out 2Phoneshawty to hear how Banks can kill even the craziest beats.

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13. DJ Paypal – Sold Out

There are a lot of haters out there who criticise electronic music, saying it’s not real music, it’s easy to make or that it’s too simple and I think this album is great proof of how misinformed they are. Footwork took a massive blow when DJ Rashad died, it felt like a lot of the momentum the genre had built up just disappeared, but on this release I can feel that same excitement and ingenuity that we lost. From start to finish this album is simply phenomenal, this music is rich, complicated and exudes a great variety of emotion. The album starts off with the title which works as a great opener, buzzing around and constantly building up but never quite dropping how you would expect. The following tracks are frantic and jazzy, constantly progressing and rattling around with a sophisticated groove. Moving through some magnificently soulful footwork tracks and finishing on the epically euphoric “Say Goodbye” DJ Paypal proves he is ready to take footwork to new levels.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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12. Ray West & Kool Keith – A Couple Of Slices

Kool Keith is a real anomaly, he is definitely a massive weirdo (in a good way) but that’s not what makes him so unique. The majority of musicians in any genre hit their peak early in their career and while some do show a level of longevity they tend to burn out fairly quick. Kool Keith has now been rapping for over 30 years, has more than 20 albums to his name and amazingly he has recently been putting out some of his strongest work to date. Last year Kool Keith put out a collaborative album with producer L’Orange and while it was a great release it is this work with Ray West that has me the most impressed. Ray’s beats are soulful but stripped down, the samples are repeated with little variation and minimal percussion. I’ve never heard Kool Keith on instrumentals like these and I’ve never thought that it would work but on this album the production has brought out the best in him. Keith’s style is bizarre, his rhyme patterns are odd, he delivers non-nonsensical lyrics in an almost conversational manner and that works perfectly over Ray West’s instrumentals. If Motown records was based on Mars it would sound something like this.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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11. Young Fathers – White Men Are Black Men Too

I’ve always been a fan of a very wide range of music and I used to listen to a lot of punk, metal, indie, hardcore etc. but I have found that over the last 5 years I have become less and less interested in the umbrella genre of rock. It feels to me like “guitar music” has become a bit stagnated while hip-hop and dance music continue to evolve and stay exciting. It kind of makes sense then that the first rock album in years that I really enjoy is from a hip-hop group (kind of). Young Fathers started off making hip-hop and have moved further away from the genre with every album until we’ve got to this release which is almost unclassifiable but is definitely some kind of rock. The tracks on this album are raw and lo-fi, on tracks like “Rain Or Shine” and “Old Rock n Roll” they bring a brutal heaviness while on “Shame” and “Still Running” we see a much more melodic and heartwarming sound. If you’ve been craving some rock recently but haven’t found anything to excite then you need to get this album in your life.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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10. Sir Michael Rocks – Populair

Ex member of The Cool Kids; Sir Michael Rocks got me very interested in him when he released his 2014 album “Banco”. The album was a definite progression from his time with The Cool Kids and had some really unique, inspired moments but overall I didn’t think we’d seen this guy reach his full potential. That potential has certainly come closer to being fulfilled as this EP blew me away the first time I heard it, the sound of this release is not like any other hip-hop I’ve heard. The beats are so fresh and different, they make you want to dance at times but at others instil a sense foreboding. I’ve wanted to hear someone rap over footwork beats for a long time now so I was so happy to hear the heavy influence on some of these tracks. “Come Outside” is an awesome song which I’m pretty sure samples “It’s Wack” by Rashad and Heaave D. It’s not just the instrumentals that are so good though, Sir Michael Rocks is incredibly versatile, going from a conversational style, to singing, to a crazy flow reminiscent of The Pharcyde. The last track on the album “Alone” is a melancholy and introspective track about the things Sir Michael Rocks hates in his life and is one of the most personal tracks I heard all year.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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9. Cavalier – Lemonade

I had never heard of Cavalier before this album but when I saw Iman Omari took care of the production I had to check it out and I’m so glad I did. I’ve seriously enjoyed Iman Omari’s solo work, he makes complex psychadelic beats from jazz samples and is obviously influenced by the fantastic Knxwledge. Iman actually has some of his strongest beats on this release, the colourful jazz samples and staggered percussion is given an extra depth in the form of rich bass sounds, all of this combines to make a dreamy back drop. The superb production is matched by Cavlier’s vocals, he is very fluid, riding the difficult and varied rhythms with gusto. Cavaliers lyrics have that perfect mix of insight and humour, particularly shining on “Commitment” which plays on the word’s different meanings.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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8. Milo – So The Flies Don’t Come

Musicians don’t come much more poetic than Milo and with a few releases now under his belt the Wisconsin MC has truly perfected his style. I’ve been a fan of Milo since his 2013 mixtape “Cavalcade” but I’ve found that his overly poetic style can feel a little bit forced at times although the ingenuity definitely outweighed any of his negative traits. Milo has changed his style a little bit on this album, he’s using a more traditional flow which gives the music more of a groove but he still has that complex poetic delivery that makes him so unique. The production was handled entirely by Kenny Segal who is a magician when it comes to making beats. Kenny creates some beautiful instrumentals on this project, full of serene melodies and descending synth notes, overall the sound is very full and rich. Every time I listen to this album I notice even more of its nuances and become hypnotised by the beauty of Milo’s lyrics.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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7. Main Attrakionz – 808s and Dark Grapes III

The cloud rap scene that was so big a few years ago seems to have almost died out but these pioneers of the genre just created one of its best albums yet. Friendzone hold down the production and have created some of 2015s best beats on this release. Dreamy, lush and complex, the beats spiral around in to colourful kaleidoscopes of sound. Stand out track “Dip” has an intensely intricate riff played on a harp like instrument with euphoric results. As is often the case with cloud rap it is the beats that hold a lot of the importance but MCs Squadda B and Mondre M.A.N. have stepped up their game, showing that they can pull off some difficult, fast flows as well as continuing their smooth, laid back style.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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6. P Money – Money Over Everyone 2

Grime was going through a massive resurgence last year as MCs like Skepta and Stormzy were even getting a lot of hype in the U.S. Although these big names were making waves across the Atlantic it was London MC P Money who came with one of the most high octane and entertaining grime albums I’ve heard in years. The energy on this album is through the roof, almost every track is an absolute banger and the few that aren’t just show a more lyrically astute P Money. I don’t think I can remember a more fun release than this, from viciously funny battle raps on “Crushed” to straight up good vibes with the aptly named “On A Fun One”. It’s not all fun and games though, tracks like “Roll Up” and “Yearrrh” are the definition of gully. If you’re looking to get deeper in to grime or need a good party album then look no further, this album is so full of tunes you don’t need to make a playlist to get hyped to.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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5. Tree & Vic Spencer – VicTree

Tree was responsible for one of my favourite releases of 2014 (THE @MCTREEG EP) and had me very excited to hear more of his “soul trap” style  but although his next release (Trap Genius) was good it lacked that sound I was craving. When this EP came out I wasn’t familiar with Vic Spencer but knowing Tree was involved and seeing “SOULTRAP” written on the cover had me hyped. I definitely wasn’t disappointed as this is the sound I have been waiting for. The beats are more lo fi and raw than they are on “THE @MCTREEG EP” but they have the same emotive, off-kilter vibe and the rawness makes things even better. The Chicago flavour is strong on here as you can feel the footwork vibes coming through on the instrumentals, not so much in the actual style but the method in which they’re made, with beautiful soul samples brutalised by well placed 808 sounds. Vic Spencer’s vocals also continue the soul trap vibe as he often strays from the beat, verging on singing then kicking his flow back in to the rhythm. There is a real soul to Spencer’s voice that shines through, he sounds like an old blues singer with his gravely voice laying his essence out on to the tracks.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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4. Van Hunt – The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets

Being as obsessed with hip-hop and other electronic music as I am it takes something really special outside of that to truly interest me. “The Fun Rises, The Fun Sets” had me mesmerized from the first time I heard it, taking so many influences from sounds I’m familiar with but combining them in to something completely unique and immensely creative. If I had to pigeon hole the album I’d say it was soul or neo soul but it’s so much more than that. The funk influences are very strong here as well as R&B, psych rock, indie rock, jazz and even a bit of Bowie-esque glam rock, but the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Van Hunt’s voice is spectacular, it’s soothing and pure whether he’s making you dance with a funky number or seducing you with his bizarre love songs. The lyrics on the album are often nonsensical but have a certain beauty to them, I’m not certain what he’s getting at when he sings “If I want to dance with you, I have to use my remote control” but there is something strangely poetic about. From the funky opening track to the grand, euphoric title track ender (which I’m pretty sure is about your lover being on her period, it’s odd) this album is exceptional.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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3. MED, Blu & Madlib – Bad Neighbor

Hip-hop is one of the only genres were you get so much collaboration and it’s one of the things I love about it. It’s not that rare in hip-hop that you get to hear a number of your favourite musicians together on the same track, it is rarer though to hear them make a full album, and one that sounds as good as this. Madlib is well known for putting out amazing albums and brining out the best in people, his ear for samples is second to none and he’s responsible for a number of classic albums. Blu has been putting out fantastic underground hip-hop albums for years now, spanning a number of different styles but always keeping it creative. Signed to Stones Throw record label, M.E.D. has been releasing solid work for over ten years and has one of those steady flows that works on almost any beat. Put these three guys together and you have one hell of an album. As is expected from Madlib, the instrumentals on this album are really superb but what makes them so special is the variation of sounds he gives us. Recently Madlib has been sticking more to his dusty, soulful, jazzy beats and as good as he is at that I’ve been wanting to hear him break away from that style a bit. Way back in 2004 Madlib produced De La Soul’s “Shopping Bags” and that beat blew my mind, it sounded like a raw and twisted Neptunes beat, but since then we haven’t heard much of that sound from him. It seems Madlib has answered my prayers because on this album we get more of these synth driven tracks that I’ve been craving, one of which is the obscenely good “The Stroll” which has a beat so off the wall people won’t truly get their head around it for years. Later on in the album we do hear more of the soulfulness we expect from Madlib so we really do get the best of both worlds here. Although to an extant it is the beats that make this LP so outstanding the raps are from average. MED and Blu both drop a lot of great verses. Blu has a very recognisable voice and there’s something about his delivery that I find comforting, he just has a very enjoyable voice to listen to. I know a lot of people will hate me for saying this but I think “Bad Neighor” is the best Madlib collaboration album since “Madvillainy” and although it’s not getting that much attention now, just like his legendary album with DOOM this will be one that will grow in popularity as people start to understand it.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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2. Young Thug – Barter 6

As is often the case with great musicians, Young Thug was one if the most polarising rappers of 2015. Dismissed by many because of his strange delivery and obscene lyrics but loved by others for the same reasons, Young Thug definitely stands out from the crowd. After a string of decent mixtapes in 2014 Thug had been making steady improvements and this came to a peak with the phenomenal Barter 6. Few MCs have a voice as recognisable as Young Thug’s, he has a very strange cadence which can be shrill one moment but smooth the next and his delivery is incredible with his many different flows which he switches between to suit whatever beat he is on. The instrumentals on this album are mostly quite understated, off key synths dance on top of deep sub bass and crisp 808 drums, building up and dropping out as the tracks progress, creating the perfect obstacles for Thug to manoeuvre along. Lyrically you’re not going to find anything profound on this album but that doesn’t matter, the most important aspect of music is that it sounds good and Barter 6 sounds glorious!

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

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1. Denzel Curry – 32 Zel / Planet Shrooms

Denzel Curry grabbed a lot of people’s attention with his 2013 album “Nostolgic 64” which has some amazing tracks like the violence inducing “Threatz” and the luxuriously smooth “Denny Cascade”. Although that album was very good, it felt a little bit disjointed at times and Curry was definitely still finding his feet musically. “32 Zel / Planet Shrooms” was released as a “double EP” and shows a lot of progression from the young Florida rapper as he’s created an incredibly fluid and visceral collection of tracks. The first EP “32 Zel” has a spacey feel to it, the beats are quite heavy with beeps and blips bouncing to the groove. This sci-fi journey quickly goes in to overdrive on the release’s 4th track “Ultimate” which along with being my favourite song of 2015 is one of the most aggressive songs I’ve heard. Throughout the album Denzel’s flow is relentless but he really goes berserk on “Ultimate” as he rapidly shouts his bars with an energy that is more familiar to hardcore punk than hip-hop. The first half of the release continues to flow along with the same futuristic vibe, often ending tracks with intricate little beat interludes that really tie everything together. Although this double EP is very fresh and unique there are some strong Outkast influences in there, initially showing up strongly on “Delusional Shone” which has a very “B.O.B.” style guitar solo / scratching breaking down and later the Outkast sound is also noticeable on “Past The Wudz Intro” and “Planet Shrooms”. The vibe really switches up when “Planet Shrooms” kicks in, bringing that psychedelic sound. As the name suggests “Planet Shrooms” feels like a trip, starting out with a chilled out, organic vibe which quickly gets vibrant on the excellently floaty “Captain Sea Fonk”. Things continue in this dreamy manner until the title track takes you to a darker place with its cascading synths and intense snare drums before the EP is rounded off nicely with the more settling tones of “Void”. Overall this release sounds like a lot of thought has gone in to it, the tracks follow on naturally from each other, the beats are magnificently composed and even Curry’s voice is distorted in a number of different ways to fit whatever song he is on. The hip-hop scene is full of innovators right now but Denzel Curry is leading the pack with his abrasive, high energy style that has me desperate to hear his next release.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

 

Music Round Up – May 2015

Music

A little late again but I’m back with another huge round up of what’s been released recently, and boy it’s a good one. We’ve been blessed with an abundance of funky sunshine vibes just in time summer as well as some real bangers to keep the party going. Most of the releases have come out since the beginning of April but there are some older releases that I didn’t get chance to check out in time for the last round up.

As always I’ve included a short description, a link to listen to a track from each release on Youtube (where possible) and a link to buy/download. You can find all the tracks in one Youtube playlist here.

Abstract Rude – Keep The Feel: A Legacy of Hip-Hop Soul

Abstract Rude has been a big figure on the West Coast underground scene for a long time now so it’s great to see him come out with such a solid album at this stage in his career. This is actually one of my favourite albums from Abstract Rude, packed with smooth, funky vibes and some sublime posse cuts, featuring an obscene verse from the always impressive Busdriver.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

ATF x Doc Heller – Doc Fingers

Instrumental hip-hop layered with lush synths and plodding drums.

Name your price download here

Audio Push – The Good Vibe Tribe

Audio Push got me interested with previous releases but I found some of their tracks a bit underwhelming and hoped for more from them. Thankfully they delivered in a big way with this new mixtape. There is a perfect blend of styles on this mixtape from chilled Quest-esque vibes to up beat, club friendly flavours.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Billy Woods – Today, I Wrote Nothing

I’ve been a fan of Billy Woods for a while now but this album really blew me away. Destined to stay criminally slept on, Woods has crafted a moody masterpiece as he spits his vicious, almost spoken word style raps over dark jazzy beats. Please do yourself a favour and listen to this.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Bones – Powder

Bones continues to improve with every release and this mixtape is probably my favourite of his so far. The production is cleaner than a lot of his other releases and he’s really mixing up the styles throughout. His usual rapid fire flow over murky trap beats is still present but what’s really interesting is the early 90s indie rock sounding tracks Bones has put together. On tracks like ItAllComesTogetherInTheFinalAct and ModestGoals I almost feel like I’m listening to Pavement’s classic album Slanted and Enchanted, but the addition of 808 drum samples make these tracks incredibly fresh.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Bones – YouShouldHaveSeenYourFace

Yet another great Bones release. This one is rather synth heavy with a cloudy vibe.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Camp Lo – Ragtime Hightimes

Underground legends Camp Lo prove they’ve still got it on this one. Sticking with their usual smooth but funky style, Ragtime Hightimes is perfect for a sunny day session.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Chris Travis & Robb Bank$ – No Trespassing

A fantastic EP from two guys who have impressive chemistry together when putting out these dark and cloudy trap vibes.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Cities Aviv – Your Discretion Is Trust

More minimal than previous releases, “Your Discretion Is Trust” sees Cities Aviv take things in a slightly different direction but still pushing boundaries. Coarse and experimental, this is a challenging listen but fantastic for anyone looking for something a bit different.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Clear Soul Forces – Fab 5ive

Clear Soul Forces have an incredible ability to create golden age style hip-hop but with an edge that keeps things sounding fresh and original. An immensely enjoyable listen.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Curren$y – Even More Saturday Night Car Tunes

All Curren$y is good Curren$y and this little collection is no exception.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Curren$y – Pilot Talk III

The long awaited sequel to Pilot Talk II (one of my favourite albums ever) is finally here and is exactly what we all wanted. Beats so laid back they’re almost falling over and Curren$y’s signature buttery flow will never get old. Curren$y is extremely prolific and never disappoints but he really brings his A game here.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Dr Yen Lo (Ka) – Days With Dr. Yen Lo

Some albums take multiple listens to really appreciate, their complex subtlety needs time to settle in your head in order to decipher the product properly. All of Ka’s releases fit in this description and it’s one of the main reasons he will probably never get that much fame despite his accomplished rapping ability. The beats are atmospheric and minimal with little percussion while Ka’s raps meander rhythmically over these simple backdrops.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Earl Sweatshirt – I Don’t Like Shit I Don’t Go Outside

I’ve never been a massive Odd Future fan so I wasn’t all that excited for this release but after hearing it I have started to see Earl’s appeal. The cadence of Earl’s voice that put me off before seems to be a bit toned down here, making his delivery sound more relaxed. This change in flow and excellent choice in drudging beats make this my favourite Earl release by far.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

DJ EFN – Another Time

Producer DJ EFN brings an all star cast of rappers together over his underground hip-hop beats.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

eMC – The Tonite Show

Masta Ace, Wordsworth and Stricklin return with a solid concept album.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Evil Needle – Reminisce

Soothing, intricate beats.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Fortune – Venha Comigo

Floaty and soulful 808 powered instrumentals.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Fredo Santana – Ain’t No Money Like Trap Money

Solid mixtape from the trap heavyweight.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Future – 56 Nights

Future has been on a roll recently, putting out some fantastic material. After the more melodic Beast Mode mixtape Future is back to his dark, trap style as he slurs over 808 Mafia beats in the way only he can. There is a hidden depth in a lot of Future’s lyrics that put him ahead of the pack, along with his braggadocios party lines we see in to his deeper side with lines about addiction and stress. You’d be making a big mistake if you overlooked Future as a standard “gangster” rapper because he really is one of the most exciting acts in hip-hop right now.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Georgia Anne Muldrow – A Thoughtiverse Unmarred

Trippy and soulful hip-hop release from the Georgia Anne Muldrow. Although she’s usually a singer you wouldn’t know it with how relaxed she sounds spitting rap verses.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Gucci Mane – King Gucci

With so much Gucci Mane releases coming out all the time it’s hard to keep up. This is one of his more accessible mixtapes with superb production from the likes of Metro Boomin and TM88.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Gucci Mane – Trap House 5 (The Final Chapter)

Gucci Mane’s work rate is second to none and this latest release in the Trap House series is one of his better collections of pure trap greatness.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Hermitude – Dark Night Sweet Light

Space age electronic instrumental hip-hop.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

ILOVEMAKONNEN – Drink More Water 5

I really wasn’t sure about ILOVEMAKONNEN when I first heard him. His sound is definitely not for everyone but there is something really interesting about what he’s doing. This mixtape includes a number of catchy trap and club style tracks featuring Gucci Mane, Migos and Rome Fortune but also has some strange, messy piano lead tracks that ILOVEMAKONNEN croons over. Now ILOVEMAKONNEN definitely is not the best singer but he has a quality to his voice that strikes a chord with me. At times on this tape I get a Daniel Johnston vibe in the sad, off key ballads like Leave U 4 Myself. I’m definitely interested to see where he takes his sound from here.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

J-Live – His Own Self

J-Live is one of those guys who consistently releases good music but remains deep underground in the world of hip-hop. His latest album is highly lyrical as always and features some well crafted boom bap beats. Bonus points for the fantastically ridiculous album cover.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

J-Zone – J-Zone Instrumental Box Set : The Headband Years 1999-2006

J-Zone is one of my all time favourite artists, one of hip-hop’s most underrated acts and one of the best producers of the early/mid 2000s. I like this guy, a lot, so I am happy as hell that he’s delved in to his back catalogue and released a massive collection of his instrumentals. This album is full of classic beats from tracks like Eatadiccup, Bum Bitch Ballad and Ho Kung-Fu. All of these tracks bump so do yourself a favour and buy it now.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Jazz Spastiks & Rebel To The Grain – Unkut Fresh

Chilled out, jazzy hip-hop bringing the good vibes.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

JME – Integrity

Grime legend with an excellent album featuring some older tunes and a bunch of a new ones. The next wave of grime is in full swing!

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Jonwayne – Jonwayne Is Retired

Jonwayne’s beats are a real joy, interesting and crisp. He’s a stellar MC too and this EP is him at his best; perfect underground hip-hop,

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

The Knux – Eleven

Funky and innovative hip-hop with live sounding beats.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Knxwledge – HS8.8

The latest in my favourite series of albums ever. “Hexual Sealings” never disappoints, Knxwledge just has this way of making insane jazzy remixes and I cant get enough of it.

Buy here

Knxwledge – Hud Dreems

One of the best producers making music right now. Knxwledge is really pushing boundaries with his insane, jarring jazz beats. Having already amounted a huge catalogue of music to his name, this is Knxwledge’s debut full length LP on Stones Throw and is an amazing way to introduce himself to a wider audience.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

L’Orange & Jeremiah Jae – The Night Took Us In Like Family

L’Orange is quickly making a name for himself as a producer to watch closely and Jeremiah Jae has been releasing delightfully strange music for the last few years. This wasn’t a teaming that I had really though about until I heard they had an album in the works but it makes perfect sense when you hear it. The instrumentals are sculpted from old ghoulish jazz samples while Jeremiah’s meandering flows paint a crime noir movie in your mind. This is one of those magical producer/rapper pairings up there with the likes of Madvillain.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Lil Ugly Mane – Third Side Of Tape

The elusive Lil Ugly Mane back with another ensemble of twisted beats.

Buy here

Lofty305 X Wonderland – Liquit Dinosaur

Lofty305 is a truly unique figure. I think of as the rap game Sonic Youth. Like Sonic Youth, his sound is abrasive and discordant, his singing and rapping is not what most people would consider accomplished but there is genius to it, and a raw emotion that shines through in his experimentation. Every one of Lofty’s releases has a different feel to it and this latest offering is full of dark 80s sounding synths put together in a unique fashion over lo fi 808 drums. Far from easy listening, but excellent music for those who like their artists to push boundaries.

Name your price download here

Ludacris – Ludaversal

Big time Southern veteran back on top form.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Lyrics Born – Real People

Lyrics Born has always been a fantastic MC with a crazy flow and a charismatic delivery. On his latest outing he has turned his attention away from hip-hop and further in to funk. He still raps on many songs but Lyrics Born is singing more than usual on this album and has brought in a skilled line up of New Orleans funk musicians to deliver an authentically funky album to keep you vibing through the summer.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Mayhem NODB – Gassum The Mixtape

Hard hitting grime and UK hip-hop out of Birmingham.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Mello Music Group – Persona

The best record label of the last two years (at least) with a beautiful sample of what their acts have to offer. Featuring the likes of Oh No, Apollo Brown, Rapper Big Pooh, Open Mike Eagle and many more.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Mike G – Verses II

Odd Future member gets all spacey on what I think is his strongest release yet.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

MishkaNYC – Jetlag and Seasick

MishkaNYC put together another superb compilation of beats made by producers from all around the world.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here and here

Mr. Green – Live From The Streets

Producer Mr. Green came up with the truly inspired idea of going around, recording street performers and other street sounds, then sampling these sounds to make beats for an all star cast of underground MCs to spit on. A truly unique vision that has translated in to a wonderful listening experience.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Nappy Roots – The 40 Akerz Project

Underground hip-hop group keeping it fresh 20 years after forming. Some amazing beats that at times draw on dance music sounds while the group show they can still hold their own lyrically.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Oddisee – The Good Fight

The king of modern boom bap with a perfectly smooth album. Lyrically and instrumentally refined, Oddisee is a future legend.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

OG Maco – I Made This Shit Before You Guessed It

OG Maco’s work ethic has been incredible this year, putting out releases month after month with varying sounds on each. This short EP has a more traditional hip-hop sound to it compared to much of his other work and really shows Maco’s versatility.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

OG Maco & Zaytoven – OGZAY

Yet another release from OG Maco, this time teaming up with heavyweight trap producer Zaytoven. This EP does what it says on the tin, OG Maco dropping his slurred flow over Zaytoven’s signature bass heavy, piano driven beats.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Oh No & The Alchemist – Welcome To Los Santos

Two of the best producers in hip-hop, Alchemist and Oh No team up to drop a GTA themed album with an all star cast of rapper dropping guest verses. This album didn’t quite live up to my expectations and I could have done without the indie rock style tracks but there are some sublime songs in here that really some up that West Coast Gangster vibe that GTA is all about.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Olos – Reverse Psychology

Rock/rap crossovers go wrong so often that it’s easy to overlook them all, but you’d be making a huge mistake if you missed these guys. Sounding something like a UK hip-hop version of Rage Against The Machine, Olos blend accomplished musicianship with high energy charisma. If these guys don’t blow up soon there is no justice.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

Planet Asia and DirtyDiggs – Nautica Nagas

Planet Asia is always best over soulful beats and it doesn’t get much more soulful than this.

Listen on Youtube here

Buy here

The Purist – Pyrex Scholar Masters

This album sounds like the soundtrack to a Blaxploitation film, with beats perfectly built from funk samples and guest features from Roc Marciano, Freddie Gibbs and Tree among others. Pyrex Scholar Masters is one of those albums that flows excellently and the tone of the whole album is very consistent without feeling samey, we need more albums like this.

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Raekwon – Fly International Luxurious Art

Certified hip-hop legend still doing his thing. Far from classic but more than worth a listen for any hardcore fans.

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Rapper Big Pooh – Words Paint Pictures

Like Danger Mouse did in the early 90s, for the last few years Apollo Brown has been drafting in underground legends from the shadows and bringing out the best in them. The latest to accompany Apollo Brown’s fantastically soulful beats is ex Little Brother member Big Pooh, and as expected the outcome is sublime.

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Raz Simone – Baby Jesus

Intense and moody beats make a perfect back drop for Raz Simone’s often hard and always sincere raps.

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Free download here

Raz Simone – Cognitive Dissonance Part 2

A nice mix of heavy trap vibes and some deeper more emotional tracks. An interesting and dark listen, Raz Simone is definitely someone to watch going forward.

Listen on Youtube here

Free download here

Red Pill – Look What This World Did To Us

I don’t think Mello Music Group are capable of releasing a bad album and Detroit MC Red Pill is no exception to this. “Look What This World Did To Us” is more of what we have come to expect from the label (this is far from a bad thing); insightful lyrics and soulful beats.

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Rich Homie Quan – If You Ever Think I Will Stop Going In Ask RR

Rich Gang member continues to go in (you know he will never stop) over some amazing trap beats. One of this years most fun mixtapes.

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RJD2 and Sugar Tongue Slim – STS x RJD2

This album was my first time hearing Atlanta MC Sugar Tongue Slim, and what better introduction than a collaboration with RJD2? STS’s rap style sounds somewhere between Andre 3000 and Devin The Dude but he’s far from a copy cat. RJD2’s luxurious beats set a perfect back drop for the varied subject matter that is covered by STS throughout this album, I cant wait to hear more.

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Robb Bank$ – 2phoneshawty

Strange, spaced out trap.

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Free download here

Rocko – Expect The Unexpected

Wonky trap vibes.

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Sinitus Tempo – Egocortex

Interesting and soulful hip-hop instrumentals with a complexity that makes them stand out from the rest.

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Snoop Dogg – Bush

It’s crazy to think that Snoop Dogg has been making music for over 20 years now and he’s still reinventing himself and coming out with fresh sounding music. Last year saw Snoop move away from the reggae he had been making recently and in to funk with his overlooked but incredible “7 Days Of Funk” album produced by Dam Funk. This year he’s carried on down the path to funk and recruited Pharrell Williams to produce a full album. The end product is a superb summer album packed with good vibes, fun lyrics and catchy tunes.

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SpaceGhostPurrp – Money Mendoza

Soon after this release SpaceGhostPurrp apparently changed his name to Money Mendoza, I’m not sure how I feel about that because I loved his previous moniker but this tape is my favourite thing I’ve heard from him in a while. Lo-fi trap at its best.

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Free download here

$uicideboy$ – Gray/Grey

Cloud rap mixtape with some incredible beats.

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Towkio – .Wav Theory

Chance the Rapper affiliate Towkio drops a nice little EP. You can feel that Chance influence but Towkio has his own individual style, utilizing complex, future garage style percussion.

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Free download here

Tuxedo – Tuxedo

Super funky, soul singer Mayor Hawthorne teams up with hip-hop producer Jake One to create a beautiful album of infectious feel good music.

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Twista & Do Or Die – Withdrawal

Do Or Die’s solid flows and Twista’s mind-bendingly fast raps over fresh beats.

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Twit One – The Sit-In

Serene and soulful instrumental hip-hop.

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Various Artists – Movin’ Forward – A Tribute To DJ Rashad

It’s been over a year now since one of music’s greatest losses. DJ Rashad is gone but will never be forgotten. This exceptional EP, lead by Machinedrum is a great way to remember the legend.

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Versatyl – Summer Grooves Vol. 2

Magnificently produced hip-hop beats, a perfect soundtrack for a sunny day. Versatyl flips soul samples with such beauty that you’ll have this collection on repeat for the whole summer.

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Free download here

Young Chop & King 100 James – Fat Gang: The Mixtape

Hard hitting and grimey trap mixtape.

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Free download here

Young Fathers – White Men Are Black Men Too

Young Fathers continue to venture further away from hip-hop with their latest release which I can only describe as some kind of lo-fi indie pop/rock. Leave it to a hip-hop group to make one of my favourite rock albums in years. This is a unique, interesting album with varied and accomplished lyricism.

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Young Thug – Barter 6

Following a strange decision to name his latest mixtape after Lil Wayne’s famous series of albums, a brief spot of rap beef and a legal threat we got to hear the latest selection of Thugger tracks. Less hype than much of Young Thug’s output, Barter 6 gives us some classic tracks with a more mellow vibe but still packed with the signature insane flow we’ve all come to love (or hate). Great musicians often polarise their audience and Young Thug is a prime example of this, you cant deny that he’s bringing something different to the table though.

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Things You May Have Missed Part 4

Music

Click here for part 1, part 2, part 3, part 5 and part 6.

Homeboy Sandman – White Sands

Homeboy Sandman is surely one of the best MCs out there right now, he has everything, the flow, the delivery and his lyrics go from being incredibly profound, to hilarious, to viciously political. Combine that with Paul White on production and you have an impeccable collection of tracks.

Buy it here

J Rawls – The Legacy

Long time underground producer gets on the mic with positive results.

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Jeru The Damaja – The Hammer

Not one of his best releases by far but it’s always great to hear anything from such a legend.

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Ka – 1200 B.C.

Laid back flow with crazy rhyme schemes on melancholy beats. I was excited to see the track “To Hull and Back” on here as Hull is my home town, strangely though the track seems to have nothing to do with the place.

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Katalyst – Designer Drugs

I downloaded this tape because I thought it was by the Australian producer Katalyst. Turns out it’s American rapper Katalyst but I was pleasantly surprised as he is a solid rapper and the beats are fantastically varied.

Free download here

Kokane – Shut da F Up and Cut da Checc

When this came out and I saw the name Kokane it really took me back. This guy was featured heavily on West Coast Gangsta albums in the late 90s and early 2000s but despite even making an appearance on the legendary Chronic 2001 he soon faded in to obscurity. Kokane’s style hasn’t progressed a lot since then but it’s a nice dose of nostalgia to hear this kind of music again.

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Kool A.D. – Word OK

Das Racist seemed set to blow up back in 2012 but since the group split Kool A.D. and Heems stepped out of the limelight some what. Since that time the two have had some decent releases but where Heems has been a bit inconsistent, Kool A.D. has really come in to his own. Word OK has superbly interesting beats and Kool AD’s relaxed, fluids raps are better than ever.

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Lil Ugly Mane – Absence of Shitperson

Not so much a new mixtape as a collection of previously released tracks from Lil Ugly Mane, which makes this a great place to start for anyone trying to get in to this incredibly fresh producer.

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L’Orange – The Orchid Days

Old jazz samples assembled in to a melancholy selection, with some great features from the likes of Homeboy Sandman and Blu.

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MC Tree – The @MCTREEG EP

Coming with a sound he calls “soul trap”, MC Tree delivers a beautiful EP, heavy with emotion and pleasing to the ear.

Free download here

Proceed to part 5.