October 2025 Honorable Mentions

October 2025 Honorable Mentions CLICK HERE

Erg One & BoneWeso - The Life Of Erg

The Life of Erg pairs Erg One’s confident delivery with BoneWeso’s layered, sample-driven beats. BoneWeso’s production blends jazz, soul, and funk influences, giving the tracks a textured, cinematic feel. Features from Estee Nack and Mini Mansion affiliates add energy and moments of excitement, though Erg One’s verses often feel uneven, lacking the polish of his collaborators. The album works best in segments where BoneWeso’s instrumentals dominate, offering enjoyable, hard-hitting loops even when the MC’s impact falls short.

Release date: September 30, 2025.

Bluehillbill & Grubby Pawz - Billy's Revenge

Billy’s Revenge pairs Boston rapper Bluehillbill with producer Grubby Pawz for a sleek, moody underground record that hits hard without overreaching. Bluehillbill raps with a clear debt to Westside Gunn’s typical style—though Bluehillbill’s delivery is less irritating and easier to ride with. His charisma cuts through the gloom of Grubby Pawz’s cinematic beats, built from dusty loops, muted drums, and sharp vocal samples. The record’s atmosphere is rich and deliberate. It’s dope work—maybe not for everyone, but undeniable in craft and intent.

Release date: September 30, 2025.

The Spookz - The Spookz Who Sat By The Speaker

The Spookz Who Sat By The Speaker is a grounded, purpose-driven Hip Hop album from Virginia duo Ambassador Rick X and Grunge Gallardo. Across 17 tracks, they build a sound that’s rugged, soulful, and steeped in culture—echoing the golden-era focus on message and rhythm. Executive produced by Lord Jamar, with beats from Ukat and Fonk Starr, the production moves with dusty drums, thick basslines, and sharp cuts from DJ I.N.C. and DJ Frank Cola. Guest spots from Stic and Lord Jamar add weight, but the strength lies in The Spookz’ delivery—measured, direct, and rooted in conviction.

Release date: September 29, 2025.

Da Buze Bruvaz & Giallo Point - Yeast Infection

Da Buze Bruvaz and UK producer Giallo Point reunite on Yeast Infection, a grimy Philly-to-London connection that adheres to their established formula. Him Lo and Clever 1 trade bruising bars full of humor, menace, and street detail, while Giallo supplies dark, cinematic boom-bap built from dusty samples and sharp drums. It’s face-slappin’, beer-drinkin’ Hip Hop with no polish—exactly what fans expect. Nothing new here, but the consistency makes it a dope, uncompromising project.

Release date: September 26, 2025.

Guy Grams - Actors & Ballplayers

Actors & Ballplayers is another solid entry from Baltimore MC Guy Grams. The album sticks to his lane of tough, focused boom-bap—gravelly rhymes over dark, sample-driven beats. Tracks like “Len Bias Dope” and “Pistol Pete Maravich” show his sharp delivery and street precision, while producers like Flu and The Prxspect keep the drums tight and the mood tense. Nothing groundbreaking here, but it’s well-built, heavy Hip Hop that earns its replay. Definitely worth a spin.

Release date: September 25, 2025.

ZelooperZ - Dali Aint Dead

Dali Ain’t Dead finds Detroit’s ZelooperZ sharpening his eccentric style with sharper focus. Partnering again with producer Dilip, the record balances surreal humor and off-kilter energy with tighter structure than his past work. Dilip’s beats swing between soulful chops, quirky synths, and cloudy textures, giving Z plenty of room to twist his delivery. The result is vivid, unpredictable Hip Hop that stays engaging from start to finish. It’s one of ZelooperZ’s most consistent projects, pairing chaos with control.

Release date: September 24, 2025.

Lt Headtrip & Steel Tipped Dove - Hostile Engineering

Hostile Engineering runs a little over 30 minutes, too brief to feel like a fully realized album, but strong enough to demand attention. Lt Headtrip spits with urgency, dissecting daily struggles and systemic failures in sharp, unflinching detail. Steel Tipped Dove’s production is the real hook: industrial edges, ghostly synths, and rugged drums stitched into tense, unpredictable rhythms. The record works as a focused burst of discontent, its brevity offset by the weight of its mood and its left-field approach to Hip Hop.

Release date: September 23, 2025.

Nacho Picasso & Televangel - Seance Musique

Séance Musique pairs Seattle rapper Nacho Picasso with longtime collaborator Televangel, known for his work as part of the duo Blue Sky Black Death. Nacho’s rapping style is an acquired taste—his sardonic humor, mythological references, and flat, deliberate tone can sound polarizing—but over Televangel’s cinematic, moody production, it lands with weight. The beats are dense and hazy, drawing from cloud rap’s darker textures while staying sharp. The album is focused and immersive, a strong continuation of their creative partnership that fans of atmospheric, left-field Hip Hop will find deeply satisfying.

Release date: September 23, 2025.

Awol One - Spiritual Warfare

Awol One’s Spiritual Warfare is another reminder of why his records are an acquired taste—and why we usually dig them. His gravelly, slow-motion drawl moves across production that’s mid-tempo, moody, and slightly off-center, creating a world where melancholy and dark humor mingle. Tracks like “Spirits Travel On Your Breath” and “Skeletons For Breakfast Time” lean into his strength for eccentric, poetic writing, where personal reflection meets surreal imagery. It’s a record that doesn’t chase trends but instead doubles down on Awol’s singular voice. Spiritual Warfare is a dope release, firmly rooted in his idiosyncratic style.

Release date: September 22, 2025.

Deniro Farrar & Marc Spano - Stellar Reputation

Charlotte, North Carolina rapper Deniro Farrar and producer Marc Spano’s Stellar Reputation is one of the most chilled-out albums you’ll hear this year. Farrar’s laid-back delivery carries a gravelly calm, turning heavy subject matter into something steady and unhurried. Spano matches him with mellow, almost meditative production built on soft drums, hazy keys, and atmospheric layers. The result is an album that rewards close attention to the detail in Farrar’s words, but also works as a smooth background listen. It’s restrained, thoughtful Hip Hop that lingers without forcing itself.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Bless Picasso - Rillest In The Room 3

Rillest In The Room 3 continues Bless Picasso’s East Coast-inspired formula with sharp lyricism and moody production across 13 tracks. Nature, Vicasso, and P.U.R.E. add dimension, but the core remains Picasso’s steady delivery and ear for tight beats. It’s a polished, cohesive project that keeps the series moving, though nothing here pushes beyond familiar territory. The record is strong in craft and execution, even if it doesn’t leave a deep impression once the music fades.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Joell Ortiz - Love, Peace & Trauma

Joell Ortiz has been one of Brooklyn’s sharpest lyricists for two decades, and Love, Peace & Trauma underlines that he hasn’t lost his edge. Across 13 tracks, Ortiz writes with clarity and weight, unpacking themes of struggle, faith, and survival with the seasoned presence we expect from him. The Heatmakerz handle most of the production, giving the record its soulful backbone, though their beats sometimes sound too safe and hold the album back from true greatness. Still, Ortiz’s writing and rapping are strong, and listeners who enjoy the Heatmakerz’ sound more than we do will find plenty to appreciate here.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Payroll Giovanni - If Not Me Then Who

Payroll Giovanni’s If Not Me Then Who reinforces the Detroit rapper’s street rap identity while hinting at his Bay Area roots. Over 19 tracks and 55 minutes, Cardo and other producers build warm, rolling beats that support Payroll’s measured, deliberate flow. Guest features like Peezy and Mack Nickels add texture, but the focus remains on Payroll’s commanding presence and lyrical precision.

Having released albums and mixtapes steadily for over a decade, this project feels substantial, synthesizing the experience of his career into a cohesive statement. The album doesn’t stray far from his familiar template of hustler narratives and moody instrumentals, but his timing, delivery, and sense of atmosphere give the record weight and confidence. If Not Me Then Who affirms Payroll Giovanni’s enduring relevance, demonstrating that he can still craft a compelling, immersive Hip Hop experience rooted in both Detroit grit and Bay Area breeze.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Namek & Yogisoul - Moss Angeles

Moss Angeles is a run-of-the-mill G-Funk record, but it’s a smooth and enjoyable listen throughout. Yogisoul’s glossy production sets the stage for Namek, and the guest list—including South Central Cartel, Kokane, King Tee, Tash—gives the project some weight.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Knowledge The Pirate - Before Common Era

Knowledge the Pirate’s Before Common Era is familiar territory, but it plays to his strengths. Across production from E.L.E.M.N.T, VVStears, and DJ Brown, he moves through the atmospheric street rap style shaped by Knowledge the Pirate’s frequent collaborator Roc Marciano. The beats here are shadowy and deliberate, built for his husky delivery and sharp, coded imagery. Crimeapple adds grit on “Upper Echelon,” while RJ Payne brings intensity to “Night Crimes.” While The Round Table, his Roc Marci-produced project released earlier in 2025, hit harder, this one still lands as a strong and focused listen.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Cappadonna - Solar Eclipse

Cappadonna’s solo catalog is long but spotty, and Solar Eclipse lands as one of his stronger outings. The beats are bright and playful, his verses swing between wild punchlines and sharp storytelling, and the whole record carries surprising energy for a late-career release.

Release date: September 19, 2025. 

Vic Spencer - Trees Are Undefeated

Vic Spencer’s Trees Are Undefeated is sharp, grimy, and playful all at once, a record that thrives on his off-kilter wit and cartoon-villain delivery. The Chicago veteran packs the project with dense weed-drenched rhymes full of humor, menace, and sharp side-eye, carried by beats from producers like August Fanon, Futurewave, and Mike Shabb. The production relies on eerie loops, dusty drums, and chopped samples, giving Vic room to stretch his voice into sneers, laughs, and sudden growls. Guest verses from Quelle Chris, Cavalier, and Rim weave smoothly into the mix, but it’s Vic’s strange charisma that drives the record. At 13 tracks, the album flows with purpose, each cut distinct without dragging the pace. Trees Are Undefeated is one of his strongest projects to date, right in line with the excellent Psychological Cheat Sheet and Spencer For Higher series—dense, funny, and uncompromising Chicago Hip Hop.

Release date: September 19, 2025.

Willie The Kid & Soop - A Fly in The Soup

Willie The Kid teams with producer Soop for twelve tracks of polished, mid-tempo Hip Hop that glides without leaving much impact. Soop’s beats lean heavily on dusty samples and muted drums, creating a consistent backdrop for Willie’s precise delivery. The Grand Rapids rapper drops clever wordplay throughout, particularly on tracks featuring Abe Linx and Tully C, where the chemistry feels natural. The production maintains a professional sheen across A Fly in The Soup, with each track blending into the next. Willie’s technical skill remains sharp, his flow controlled, and his vocabulary colorful. The album plays smoothly from start to finish, providing competent Hip Hop that satisfies in the moment before dissolving from memory.

Release date: September 17, 2025.

Wordsmith - Masterpiece Theater

Masterpiece Theater finds Baltimore rapper Wordsmith weaving Hip Hop with jazz textures, orchestral flourishes, and a theatrical structure. Across 16 tracks filled with interludes and previews, he explores themes of identity, family, and ambition through sharp, clean lyricism. The album is framed like a stage production, moving deliberately from curtain-raising moments to reflective pauses. Wordsmith’s delivery is precise and commanding, keeping the concept intact while maintaining an accessible, engaging listen. A strong, thoughtfully executed project.

Release date: September 16, 2025.

Locksmith & The Heatmakerz - Wine & Circus

Wine & Circus pairs Richmond, California emcee Locksmith with New York production duo The Heatmakerz for one of his sharpest full-length statements in years. The Heatmakerz lean on their signature chipmunk soul and gospel-tinged flips, creating a bright yet tense backdrop for the record. Locksmith moves through it with precision—whether he’s skewering America’s broken politics on “Culture” alongside Styles P, calling out empty talk on “Closed Caption” with Joell Ortiz, or drilling into personal resilience on “Under Pressure.” Mysonne closes the album with “Culture 2,” extending the project’s political edge without losing focus. Across 34 minutes, the pacing is tight, the beats are consistently strong, and Locksmith’s verses strike with clarity and conviction. The Bay Area vet has long thrived when working with a single producer, and with The Heatmakerz at the helm, Wine & Circus stands as one of his most cohesive and commanding records to date.

Release date: September 16, 2025.

King Iso - Ghetto Psycho

Ghetto Psycho is King Iso’s most ambitious project yet: 24 tracks of sharp, high-speed rhymes and dense, self-produced beats. From Omaha, Nebraska, Iso digs deep into themes of poverty, paranoia, and survival, shifting between trap aggression, eerie atmospheres, and bursts of G-funk influence. Guests like E-40, Starlito, Kuniva, and Don Trip add variety without breaking the album’s cohesion. The length can be overwhelming, but Iso’s technical precision and relentless energy keep it moving. It’s heavy, intense Hip Hop that doesn’t shy away from dark corners while still pushing Iso’s craft forward.

Release date: September 12, 2025.

K.A.A.N. & DJ Hoppa - Anger Management

Anger Management pairs prolific Maryland rapper K.A.A.N. with Los Angeles producer DJ Hoppa for a relentless project packed with urgency. K.A.A.N. spits in rapid bursts, his delivery sharp and restless, while Hoppa builds tense backdrops from dark keys, booming drums, and cinematic textures. The record moves fast but stays cohesive, each track feeding off the last. It’s direct, tightly constructed Hip Hop with weight and bite.

Release date: September 12, 2025.

Ice Cube - Man Up

Ice Cube’s Man Up, released shortly after he was part of the worst movie of 2025, makes it clear he’s never going to drop another great album, but there’s some entertainment here. The production is stronger than expected, built on slick beats that keep the energy up, even when Cube’s writing falls flat. The opener crosses into offensive territory, and corny bars are everywhere, though the anti-AI cut “Freedumb” has sharper messaging. It’s dad rap through and through—hit-and-miss, sometimes campy, but still delivered with a sense that Cube’s having fun.

Release date: September 12, 2025.

Daz Dillinger - Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back 3

Daz Dillinger, the Long Beach veteran and one-half of Tha Dogg Pound, returns with Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back 3, a continuation of the series he began back in 1998. The 15-track project blends gangsta rap grit with flashes of G-funk nostalgia, while weaving in touches of trap and even rap rock. Lyrically, Daz is direct and defiant, channeling decades of street experience into bars about retaliation, loyalty, and survival. Some tracks bang with energy, others drag with dated production choices, but the overall mood is aggressive and uncompromising. Longtime fans will find the familiar Daz presence—gruff, commanding, and rooted in West Coast tradition—while the record’s uneven beats keep it from hitting as hard as it might. Still, the trilogy ends with a project true to his style.

Release date: September 11, 2025.

Anthony Danza - Reaganomic

Anthony Danza’s Reaganomic is a solid underground release—gritty, steady, and grounded in streetwise detail. The beats are dark and moody, giving space for Danza’s sharp-tongued delivery, while guests like Conway the Machine and OT the Real slide in naturally. It’s an enjoyable record that plays to familiar strengths: tough talk, slick production, and a no-frills approach. Nothing groundbreaking, but it does its job well.

Release date: September 11, 2025.

100GrandRoyce & 183rd - Memoirs Of A Quiet Don

Memoirs Of A Quiet Don pairs Harlem rapper 100GrandRoyce with Bronx producer 183rd for a project steeped in New York grit. Royce delivers sharp, grounded bars that lean on detail and lived-in perspective, while 183rd lays down moody, boom-bap-rooted beats that keep the mood tense and cinematic. The chemistry is clear, and the album holds a consistent vibe, but in a crowded underground lane, the project doesn’t always break through with moments that linger. Strong in execution, steady in tone, but missing a spark that would lift it higher.

Release date: September 9, 2025.

Salute Da Kidd & Bronze Nazareth - Time Heals All Wounds

Salute Da Kidd returns with Detroit veteran Bronze Nazareth handling all production duties on Time Heals All Wounds. The album mines prison experiences through boom bap beats layered with soul samples and gospel elements. Salute’s passionate delivery anchors tracks like “Why?” where organ stabs punctuate his reflections on lost time. Bronze crafts varied backdrops, from the chipmunk soul of “Rock Magician” featuring Termanology to the piano-heavy “Sliders” with June Megalodon and Recognize Ali. Guest appearances from 38 Spesh and posthumous bars from Kevlaar 7 add depth to the project’s introspective themes. The production maintains Bronze’s signature dusty aesthetic while giving Salute space to process his incarceration with conviction and clarity.

Release date: September 6, 2025.

DJ Mirage - Background Check

DJ Mirage’s Background Check is worth the listener’s attention. At a time when most projects wrap up in 30 minutes, this is a carefully curated, almost hour-long presentation rooted in 90s-centric Hip Hop. Mirage supplies dope, head-nodding beats that feel lived-in rather than recycled, giving space for an impressive cast of emcees, including B-Real, Masta Ace, Edo G, Lil Fame, Capone, Reks, and Planet Asia. The structure is deliberate, flowing like a DJ set that balances grit, nostalgia, and sharp lyricism without wasting a second. As always, on a long producer’s album like this one, some tracks are stronger than others—but overall this is one of the better albums of its kind you will hear this year.

Release date: September 5, 2025.

Saigon & Buckwild - Paint The World Black

Paint the World Black finds Saigon linking with veteran producer Buckwild for his sixth studio album, released through It Goes Up Entertainment in partnership with Strange Music and Virgin. The record is steeped in soul samples, live instrumentation, and crisp boom bap drums that give Saigon’s voice weight and urgency. Tracks like “Whose 4 da Young” and “My Child” draw power from their gospel-tinged warmth, while “No Witness” featuring Benny the Butcher rides a flute loop into darker territory. Buckwild’s production is versatile, shifting from reflective cuts to harder street records without losing cohesion. Saigon’s writing blends sharp analysis with direct storytelling, switching between cautionary advice, political reflection, and personal testimony. The skits add to the thematic arc without dragging down the pacing too much, and the closing “Yardfather Talk Pt. 2” ties it together with grit and reflection. At over an hour, the album has a few padded stretches, but its high points are striking and focused.

Release date: September 5, 2025. 

Roc C & Ariano - Homegrown

Roc C and Ariano deliver twenty tracks of California underground Hip Hop on Homegrown, with Ariano’s production providing consistent atmospheric backdrops for Roc’s gruff storytelling. The beats blend moody strings with punchy drums, creating haunting soundscapes that match the weighty subject matter. Tracks like “Spoken Consciousness” layer ominous sirens over brooding melodies while Roc recounts street experiences with vivid detail. Guest appearances from Sage X Price and Emma Salisbury add melodic contrast. DJ Romes contributes scratch work on “Abstraction,” adding texture to Ariano’s intricate production. The runtime allows deep exploration of themes like violence, relationships, and survival. Homegrown benefits from the duo’s two decades of experience, resulting in mature songcraft that rewards patient listening.

Release date: September 5, 2025.

Duffel Bag Hottie - Could Be Worse

Duffel Bag Hottie delivers his fourth studio album from behind bars, blending trap percussion with soul samples across twelve tracks. The Buffalo rapper’s prison phone verses carry weight, especially on “Reminisce” where distorted vocals float over chopped-up soul loops. “You & Me Against the World” fuses chipmunk soul with heavy 808s, creating an oddly comforting tension. The production stays consistent throughout, favoring warm samples over stark beats. Jae Skeese’s appearance on “71 Redrum” adds needed energy to the album’s contemplative mood. Could Be Worse maintains Hottie’s introspective edge despite the constraints of incarceration.

Release date: September 5, 2025. 

Crimeapple & V Don - Bulletproof Chicken

Bulletproof Chicken pairs Crimeapple’s sharp delivery with V Don’s heavy-handed production for a record that thrives on its beats. The New Jersey rapper brings his usual mix of braggadocio and streetwise detail, but it’s V Don’s ear for dark, layered textures that drives the project. Tracks seamlessly transition between drumless loops, booming boom-bap, and jazz-tinged flourishes, providing the album with variety without compromising cohesion. Guest spots from T.F, Primo Profit, and Bruiser Wolf add dimension, but ultimately this project hits hardest through its production.

Release date: September 3, 2025.

Jamil Honesty & JR Swiftz - M.E.M.O.I.R.S.

M.E.M.O.I.R.S. pairs Baltimore emcee Jamil Honesty with producer JR Swiftz for a project that runs just over 30 minutes—too short to feel like a full album, but packed with quality. Swiftz layers dusty drums and jazz textures into a cinematic framework, giving Jamil’s precise bars a steady backdrop. The emcee raps with clarity about legacy, culture, and truth, carrying the project with focus. Guest spots from Blu, Kev Brown, Awon, and Jay Royale add weight, but the core chemistry is the draw.

Release date: September 2, 2025.

CZARnicholas - Major Factor

CZARnicholas channels classic Bay Area G-funk across Major Factor, delivering thick basslines and Parliament-inspired synths that recall Too $hort’s golden era. The Norfolk rapper’s smooth delivery floats over vintage drum programming, while guest spots from Black C and Mac Minister add authentic West Coast credentials. Songs drip with analog warmth, layering talk-box effects over rolling 808s. CZARnicholas keeps the energy consistent throughout, his laid-back flow matching the unhurried groove. The production leans heavily into nostalgia without feeling stale. Essential listening for fans of ’90s Bay Area funk who crave that original formula executed with modern precision.

Release date: September 1, 2025.

Primo JAB & Hobgoblin - The Revenge Of JABgoblin

We always follow UK producer Hobgoblin with special attention, as he remains one of the sharpest in this niche of gritty, modern underground boom-bap. On The Revenge Of JABgoblin, his beats thump with grime and texture, heavy with mood but never cluttered. Primo JAB matches the production with hard, precise bars, and the guest spots from Con$piracy, Big Trip, and others add extra bite without breaking the flow. This is a dope, tightly executed project worth running back.

Release date: September 1, 2025.

Curren$y - 8/30

8/30 finds Curren$y gliding over soulful, smoke-drenched beats with his usual ease, weaving sharp car talk and laid-back reflections into tight verses. Features from Killer Mike, MadeinTYO, and Freeway add muscle, while the skits keep the record loose. It’s concise, smooth, and full of replay value.

Release date: August 30, 2025.

Mega Kulis & Big2DaBoy - Cruisin Down, Hood Patrol

Cruisin Down, Hood Patrol rides heavy on G-funk grooves, stacked with synth leads, rubbery basslines, and cruising tempos built for car speakers. Mega Kulis and Big2DaBoy keep it street-focused and unhurried, with guests like MC Eiht, RBX, and Goldie Loc adding grit and range to the West Coast atmosphere.

Release date: August 30, 2025.

Joey Bada$$ - Lonely At The Top

Joey Bada$$’s Lonely At The Top crackles with the hunger of his early work, blending sharp lyricism with a restless energy. The sound is a mix of gritty boom-bap and cinematic flourishes, with tracks like “DARK AURA” setting a menacing tone through orchestral stabs and a thumping bassline. Joey’s delivery is fierce, his verses dense with vivid imagery, especially on “SWANK WHITE,” where Westside Gunn’s gravelly feature adds grit to a soul-sampled beat. The mood shifts between brash confidence and introspective weight, reflecting Joey’s navigation of fame and personal loss.

“BK’S FINEST” is a standout, its string-laced production driving fiery verses from Joey, Rome Streetz, and CJ Fly. “STILL” delivers too, with Statik Selektah’s eerie piano loops anchoring Joey’s reflective bars alongside Ab-Soul and Rapsody’s soulful hook. “LONELY AT THE TOP” closes with jazzy piano and Joey’s nostalgic flow, a nod to his 1999 roots.

But the pop-leaning cuts stumble. “HIGHROLLER” and “READY TO LOVE” aim for radio-friendly vibes with electronic beats and R&B hooks, but feel hollow. “UNDERWATER” and “3 FEET AWAY” feature Joey singing, which lacks the strength of his rapping, thereby dragging the pace. The production here feels glossy, missing the raw edge of the harder tracks. Lonely At The Top shines when Joey sticks to Hip Hop’s core, but the pop experiments dilute its impact.

Release date: August 29, 2025.

Westside Gunn - Heels Have Eyes 2

Heels Have Eyes 2 is Westside Gunn in familiar territory: grimy, stylish, and packed with features from Benny the Butcher, Stove God Cooks, and Skyzoo. His ear for dusty boom-bap beats remains sharp, with Conductor Williams and DJ Muggs delivering eerie loops and heavy drums. The writing is vivid and cinematic, though Gunn’s high-pitched voice may continue to divide listeners—those who can handle it will find plenty to enjoy here. For others, the production may be the bigger draw, carrying the record’s mood with menace and flair. It’s another Griselda release built on atmosphere, detail, and a steady mix of chaos and polish.

Release date: August 28, 2025.

Joey Majors - Draft Day

Draft Day, released on Black Soprano Family / VIP Life Music Group, is a straight-ahead New York record, heavy on sharp bars and tight loops. Joey Majors raps with steady focus, moving through street detail and hard-earned confidence. The beats stay gritty, with guests like Rigz and Eto adding their weight. It’s consistent, if not especially surprising.

Release date: August 28, 2025.

Declaime & Spectacular Diagnostics - What If

What If, a collaboration between Oxnard rapper-singer Declaime and producer Spectacular Diagnostics, carries a loose, hypnotic energy that pulls you in track by track. The beats lean dusty and unhurried, dripping with grainy textures and subtle melodic loops, while Declaime’s voice cuts through with an unmistakable grit—playful in tone, sharp in delivery. Blu and Sean Biggs add flashes of contrast, but the heart of the record is the chemistry between Declaime’s off-kilter rhyme patterns and Spectacular Diagnostics’ tightly shaped grooves. The album sounds lived-in and intimate—a strong listen.

Release date: August 26, 2025.

ShrapKnel & Ohbliv - Armature

Armature closes out ShrapKnel’s 2025 trilogy, this one with Virginia producer Ohbliv behind the boards. His beats are hazy and fluid, moving between dusty drum patterns and stretches of near-weightless space, giving Curly Castro and PremRock room to stretch their voices in sharper, looser directions. The features—AJ Suede, Bigg Jus, and Still Rift—drop in with energy that matches the mood without breaking its glow. At barely over 30 minutes, the project feels too brief, but the warmth of Ohbliv’s textures and the precision of the raps make it linger longer than its runtime suggests.

Release date: August 25, 2025.

Wildchild - Child Of A Kingsman

Wildchild’s Child of a Kingsman is a vivid, layered album built on live Jazz textures, Neo-Soul warmth, and sharp Hip Hop lyricism. Across 17 tracks, the Oxnard veteran moves with purpose, weaving personal reflection with cultural commentary. Cuts like “Black Man Blues” and “Change for My 2¢” carry weight through their grounded storytelling, while collaborations with artists like A.G., Keyon Harrold and Amber Navran expand the sonic palette. The record is loose yet detailed, ambitious without losing intimacy.

Release date: August 22, 2025.

Ignorancia Sofisticada & RLX - Gusto

Gusto pairs RLX’s calm, deliberate delivery with Ignorancia Sofisticada’s dusty boom-bap production. The beats lean on warm samples and steady drums, giving the record a grounded, late-night mood. RLX raps with measured control, letting the words breathe against the sparse backdrops. The project moves with consistency—focused, chilled-out, and unhurried. For listeners tuned into underground Hip Hop with an ear for texture and restraint, this is worth digging into.

Release date: August 22, 2025.

FirstRepair - The Reckoning

The Reckoning by FirstRepair draws its urgency and conviction from the nonprofit’s deep roots in reparative advocacy. Founded in Evanston, Illinois by Robin Rue Simmons—who led the city’s landmark reparations efforts—FirstRepair is a resource for education, policy development, and community empowerment, focusing on racial justice and concrete support for Black communities. The album channels FirstRepair’s mission directly into Hip Hop, using crisp, heavy beats and potent lyrics from legends like KRS-One, Dead Prez, Ras Kass, and Scarface. The album speaks plainly about history, repair, and action, giving voice to lived experience and forward momentum. Structure is tight, momentum builds track to track, and spoken interludes ground each segment in real community context. Each song is a call to engagement, amplifying FirstRepair’s vision for justice through every verse and rhythm. This harks back to the early days of Hip Hop, when the music focused on upliftment, social consciousness, and empowering communities through musical expression. We are here for FirstRepair, and you should be too.

Release date: August 21, 2025. 

The Musalini & Khrysis - Pure IZM 2

Pure IZM 2 pairs The Musalini’s smooth delivery with Khrysis’ ear for lush, soul-heavy beats. The record drifts between smoky late-night grooves and crisp drum patterns, giving Musalini space to glide through verses about ambition, hustle, and luxury. Tracks like “99 Groove” and “On The Go” highlight the chemistry, while the sequencing keeps momentum tight across the project. The result is polished Hip Hop that values mood, detail, and rhythm in equal measure.

Release date: August 19, 2025.

Kal Banx - Rhoda

Rhoda, Kal Banx’s debut with Top Dawg Entertainment, is a sprawling Hip Hop epic, brimming with mainstream appeal yet grounded in soulful grit. The sound blends Texas swagger with jazzy West Coast vibes, like a humid Dallas night meeting a breezy LA dusk. “Sequoia,” featuring Rose Gold, opens with lush, gospel-tinged keys, Banx’s smooth bars gliding over thick bass. “Hop Out Cho Feelins,” with Smino and Buddy, pops with vibrant, bouncy rhythms, while “Rob The Robber,” featuring Maxo Kream, thumps with gritty Southern drums. The record shifts from high-energy posse cuts like “Tech Tech Tech” to introspective tracks like “Stepping Stone,” where Banx’s reflective flow meets moody, soulful production. Guest-heavy tracks, including Isaiah Rashad and Audrey Nuna, keep the energy dynamic, though the mainstream polish occasionally overshadows Banx’s voice. Despite its excessive length, Rhoda remains engaging, a lively, ambitious debut that weaves diverse influences into a cohesive, enjoyable ride.

Release date: August 15, 2025.

Chance The Rapper - Star Line

Star Line, Chance The Rapper’s return after 2019’s spectacularly awful The Big Day, is a mixed bag of vibrant Hip Hop that pulses with Chicago grit and soul. The sound is a lively blend of jazzy horns and trap beats, like a summer night on the South Side. “Star Side Intro” kicks off with crisp drums and Chance’s confident flow, weaving sharp reflections on personal growth. “No More Old Men,” featuring Jamila Woods, glows with soulful poetry over jazzy keys, while “Drapetomania” thumps with frenetic energy, its heavy bass driving Chance’s urgent bars.

The record swings between highs and lows. “The Highs & The Lows,” with Joey Bada$$, channels Golden Age funk, but tracks like “Tree,” featuring Lil Wayne, drag with sluggish pacing and uneven verses. Chance’s lyrical wit shines on “Letters,” tackling faith and injustice with fiery precision, yet some songs feel undercooked, lacking the focus of his earlier work like Coloring Book. Producers DexLvL and Rodney Jerkins deliver polished beats, but the sprawling tracklist dilutes the momentum. Guest spots from Jay Electronica and Jazmine Sullivan add spark, though others, like Young Thug’s, falter. Star Line is a huge leap forward from The Big Day, brimming with moments of brilliance, but its inconsistent energy keeps it from soaring consistently.

Release date: August 15, 2025.

Murs - Love & Rockets 3:16 (The Emancipation)

Love & Rockets 3:16 (The Emancipation), Murs’ supposed final solo album and the third in his Love & Rockets trilogy, is a sharp, introspective Hip Hop farewell from the Los Angeles veteran and former Living Legends member. Produced entirely by Jesse Shatkin, its 11 tracks clock in at a lean 31 minutes, feeling too brief to fully anchor its weighty reflections. The mood is nostalgic yet urgent, like a late-night drive through LA’s glowing streets, Murs’ voice carrying the warmth of a seasoned storyteller.

The sound is eclectic, blending experimental trap on “Silverlake Rec League,” with its pulsing bass and crisp snares, and jazzy, flute-tinged boom bap in “F.A.M.I.L.Y.,” where Murs celebrates his fanbase with heartfelt bars. “Chopper (ThisIsNotAnAntiPoliceSongThisIsAnAntiPoliceHelicopterSong),” featuring Reverie, crackles with defiant energy, its skittering drums fueling sharp jabs at the LAPD. “Stylus Groove” closes with a drumless, reflective beat, Murs’ witty lyricism tracing his three-decade career with vivid honesty.

Tracks like “Flowers 4 will.i.am” weave gratitude with soulful keys, while “Lightsabers and Black Forces,” featuring Chace Infinite, pops with playful Star Wars nods over a bouncy rhythm. The production is polished, but the album’s brevity dulls its lasting impact, leaving some ideas underdeveloped. Still, Murs’ precise flow and clever storytelling shine, especially on “Ga$ Prices,” where he muses on everyday struggles with a wry grin. Love & Rockets 3:16 (The Emancipation) is a dope addition to a strong catalog, a concise, vibrant capstone that burns bright but fades too quickly.

Release date: August 15, 2025.

Miles A. - Don't Quit Your Daydream

Miles A., born and raised in St. Louis, Missouri, blends Hip Hop with more pop-oriented sounds, using clever wordplay and jazzy, textured instrumentals. Named after jazz legend Miles Davis, he developed his vocal skills in high school while excelling in football, earning a scholarship to Dartmouth College. He left school to pursue music full-time in Los Angeles, where he quickly built a strong fanbase.

Don’t Quit Your Daydream is packed with jazzy instrumentals, smart wordplay, and a mix of rapping and singing that lands smooth and confident. The mood stays ambitious and reflective, with lyrics digging into perseverance and chasing goals. Tracks move with nimble energy, built around rhythmic grooves and bright hooks that keep momentum strong. This is a tight album, every song driving forward with purpose and sharp attention to detail—his eye for detail is also reflected by the dope cover art.

Release date: August 11, 2025.

Tragedy Khadafi & DJ Supa Dave - Fund-The-Mental

Fund-The-Mental finds Tragedy Khadafi spitting sharp, streetwise verses over DJ Supa Dave’s minimal, punchy beats. The album leans heavily on grimy, sample-driven production that occasionally drifts into forgettable territory, but Tragedy’s delivery and bars hold attention. Tracks shift between reflective moments and hard-hitting content, offering a snapshot of Queensbridge grit. At well under 35 minutes, the album is short, leaving us wanting more of Khadafi’s insight.

Release date: August 10, 2025.

JID - God Does Like Ugly

God Does Like Ugly, JID’s fourth studio album, is a 15-track, 58-minute journey through gritty, soulful Hip Hop, steeped in the Atlanta rapper’s dense lyricism and restless energy. Following 2022’s The Forever Story, this record pulses with a chaotic, vivid mood, like a street sermon delivered under flickering neon lights. The production, helmed by names like Childish Major, Lex Luger, and Boi-1da, weaves warped samples and heavy bass, creating a restless, cinematic backdrop. “YouUgly,” featuring Westside Gunn, opens with jarring 808s and erratic beat switches, JID’s rapid-fire flow slicing through with sharp critiques of fame and struggle.

The album’s sounds are dynamic, shifting from the gospel-tinged “Glory,” where JID’s reflective bars about his incarcerated brother ride Beatnick Dee’s soulful loops, to the aggressive, bass-heavy “WRK,” a motivational anthem with New Orleans bounce. “Community,” featuring Clipse, layers unsettling harmonies and dense drums, JID and Pusha T trading vivid lines about systemic hardship. The mood darkens on “Of Blue,” a six-minute epic with Mereba’s tender vocals and multiple beat switches, from acoustic calm to jazzy chaos, as JID wrestles with faith and purpose.

Guest spots from Vince Staples, Ciara, and EarthGang add texture, though tracks like “What We On” Don Toliver drift into slower, trap-heavy vibes that sap momentum. JID’s lyrical precision shines throughout, especially on “K-Word,” where Pastor Troy’s grizzled vocals amplify the cinematic guitars and JID’s scriptural bars. The closing “For Keeps” offers a soulful, dusty reflection on his rise, brimming with gratitude. God Does Like Ugly is a vibrant, if at times uneven project—alive with JID’s relentless vision, weaving beauty and pain into a gripping portrait of survival, even if it falls short of The Forever Story’s towering impact.

Release date: August 8, 2025.

Passport Rav & RoadsArt - Premiere Mileage

Premiere Mileage by Passport Rav and RoadsArt is a dope little Hip Hop listen, its soulful, cinematic vibe humming like a late-night city drive. RoadsArt’s production, rich with weathered drum loops and warm keys, crafts a moody, reflective atmosphere. “North American Wilderness” pulses with soul-soaked beats, while “Mezcal & Ginger Beer” glides with breezy elegance. Rav’s sharp, introspective bars shine, joined by Lukah on “Tree of Life.” At just over 30 minutes, it’s a (too) short listen, and it lacks a distinct spark to stand out among all the similar projects out these days. Nothing’s wrong here though—just comfortably familiar.

Release date: August 5, 2o25.

Marquee - Black Orphan

Marquee’s Black Orphan is the kind of record that reminds you how full-length Hip Hop albums are supposed to move—straight music, no filler. At 17 tracks and nearly an hour long, it never drags. There are no bullshit skits or half-formed ideas; every cut feels intentional, built with care and focus.

The production roster is stacked—Da Beatminerz, Rockwilder, Buckwild, Jake One, and more—and you can hear the weight of that history without the record slipping into nostalgia cosplay. The beats are rooted in classic New York grit, all heavy kicks, looping basslines, and sharp snares, but the mixing keeps the sound fresh. It’s a throwback in spirit, not in dust.

Marquee’s flow is commanding, smooth but with an edge, threading through the tracks with steady precision. She shifts between swagger-heavy bars and sharper, pointed lines with ease, giving the album range without breaking its cohesion. Guest features feel earned rather than stacked for name value. “Bad Side” with Craig G carries an effortless chemistry, while “Lyrical Barb Wire” pairs her with Shortie No Mass and Monie Love for a cut that pulls from deep Hip Hop lineage without sounding like a history lesson.

What’s striking is how self-assured Black Orphan is. Marquee doesn’t crowd the album with unnecessary gloss or gimmicks. Instead, she delivers a full, tightly constructed LP that runs straight through without a skip. For an artist with roots going back to the ’90s, this project proves she knows exactly how to command a record on her own terms. No hype surrounded the release of this album, but our recommendation is not to sleep on this one.

Release date: August 5, 2025.

Eccentrak - Paradox Of Voiceless Echoes

Paradox Of Voiceless Echoes finds Eccentrak layering moody, dusty beats with sharp, deliberate drums, creating a textured backdrop for guests like Skyzoo, Willie the Kid, Flee Lord, and Jojo Pellegrino. The production sometimes is kind of mid, with certain tracks lacking impact, though jazzy loops and cinematic samples give the stronger moments depth. Lyrics occasionally fall short of the beats’ intensity, but overall the album offers engaging performances and enough dope tracks to warrant a spin.

Release date: August 1, 2025.

OT The Real & 38 Spesh - Possession With Intent

OT The Real and 38 Spesh’s Possession With Intent hits with gritty precision, its 12 tracks clocking in at just over 30 minutes. The sound is pure East Coast Hip Hop—booming drums, jazzy horns, and soul-chopped samples. Tracks like “Big Fish” with Grafh pulse with brassy energy, while “Grease” featuring Dave East leans into a smoky soul vibe. The mood is street-hardened, reflective, and urgent, with OT’s sharp bars cutting through 38 Spesh’s polished beats. The structure is lean, no skits, but feels rushed—songs like “Warlock” end before their weight settles. “Philly Special” with Amir Ali shimmers with wisdom, yet the album’s brevity leaves you wanting more depth. It’s tight, but too short to fully sink in.

Release date: August 1, 2025.

Maze Overlay & Fumes The Threat - Wayward Son

Wayward Son moves with a shadowy weight, driven by Fumes the Threat’s brooding boom-bap and Maze Overlay’s deliberate, story-heavy rhymes. The production relies on eerie samples and heavy drums, creating a cinematic tension that runs through all nine tracks. Maze sounds locked in, his delivery steady and precise. Swab’s work on the cuts adds sharp detail and texture, while Tay Da Crown’s feature on “Riot In Peace” gives the project an extra jolt of energy.

Release date: August 1, 2025.

Blueprint - Vessel

Vessel is a grounded, reflective album built on clean production, steady grooves, and clear lyricism. Blueprint delivers lines with patience and clarity, focusing on personal growth, discipline, and creativity. The beats are melodic and spacious, allowing his thoughtful voice to breathe. He avoids exaggeration, conveying confidence through tight structure and calm presence. With a deep career, Blueprint remains a mainstay in underground Hip Hop, co-founding Greenhouse Effect, recording as part of Soul Position, and operating Weightless Recordings. Beyond music, he co-hosts the podcast Super Duty Tough Work and writes books—an artist who stays in motion, in control, and always purposeful.

Release date: July 29, 2025.

Silent Titan - Dream State

Silent Titan’s Dream State, is a 17-track, 52-minute plunge into atmospheric Hip Hop. Crafted in the elusive producer’s home studio, the album weaves foggy synths, crisp snares, and psych-jazz loops into a surreal, nocturnal soundscape. Tracks like “Daylight Flight” hum with airy keys and skittering drums, evoking a restless twilight drive. “Lucid,” featuring Hakuna Bruv, pulses with distorted bass and glitchy textures, while “Love The Lies,” with Bishop Nehru, layers soulful samples over a digital hum, channeling J Dilla’s warmth with a futuristic edge.

The vibe is introspective and dreamlike, balancing eerie calm with restless energy. Silent Titan’s beats invite lyricists to dig deep, as seen in Nehru’s reflective bars about truth and illusion. The album’s structure flows like a lucid dream, with tracks bleeding into each other through ambient interludes, though occasional vocal mismatches disrupt the haze. Guest MCs, including global spoken-word artists, add eclectic voices, but the production remains the star. Dream State is a hypnotic, immersive listen for late-night contemplators.

Release date: July 25, 2025.

Substance810 & Observe - The Lion's Share 4: The Last Specimen

The Lion’s Share 4: The Last Specimen is heavy and deliberate, built around Observe’s layered, cinematic production. The beats move with a patient intensity—moody loops, sparse drums, and dense atmospheres. Substance810 delivers sharp, tightly structured verses, switching between grit, introspection, and vivid detail. Guest features are well-matched, bringing strong chemistry without crowding the focus. At just over 30 minutes, it’s compact but impactful—focused, dark, and confidently constructed underground Hip Hop.

Release date: July 25, 2025.

Vel Nine - A Beautiful Day To Die

A Beautiful Day To Die hits hard with stripped-down production and sharp, emotionally charged writing. The beats are raw and minimal, giving space to Vel Nine’s voice—steady, pointed, and cutting through with purpose. She switches between anger, humor, and pain without softening the impact. Tracks like “Bumchick” and “Porcelain Sink” underline the range and weight of the record. It’s tense, personal, and delivered with full control.

Release date: July 25, 2025.

Paul Wall & DJ.Fresh - The Tonite Show

The Tonite Show pairs Houston veteran Paul Wall with West Coast producer DJ.Fresh for a laid-back, region-blending album full of polished flows and smooth instrumentals. Fresh brings in jazz loops, blues guitar, and soul textures without losing the grit, while Paul stays focused on hustle, legacy, and daily discipline. Tracks like “Wake Up,” “Husslin for Eons,” and “Get the Paper” ride easy without slipping into autopilot. The production stays interesting throughout, with a clean mix and a strong sense of pacing. This is slow-cruise Hip Hop—unbothered, confident, and consistent.

Release date: July 25, 2025.

Homeboy Sandman & SonnyJim - Soli Deo Gloria

Homeboy Sandman is a veteran MC from Queens known for his dense wordplay, off-kilter rhythms, and prolific catalog. His style is an acquired taste—some listeners might find his delivery flat or meandering—but his content always is sharp, clever, and thoughtful. On Soli Deo Gloria, he teams with UK producer Sonnyjim, who trades rapping for a full focus on dusty, textured beats built from jazz, soul, and psych samples.

This is a slow-burner, light on hooks and full of loose, meditative verses that unfold gradually. The vibe throughout is calm but deliberate, with tracks like “Do You Love Me?” and “Moon Lullaby” drifting into cinematic territory. Others, like “Most Realest” or “Can’t Stop Me,” rely more on repetition and steady pacing. No guests, no flash—just two artists locked into a consistent, minimalist groove. It may take multiple listens to appreciate fully, but the craft and intention are clear throughout.

Release date: July 24, 2025.

Abstract Mindstate - The Art Project

Abstract Mindstate returns with The Art Project, a lyrically rich and tightly produced album built on sharp rhyme patterns, clean beats, and a deep connection to their Chicago roots. The brother-sister duo of E.P. da Hellcat and Olskool Ice-Gre trade verses with clarity and intention, backed by Young RJ’s crisp production that keeps the energy steady throughout. Guests like David Banner, Blu, Slum Village, and J.Ivy add distinct voices without overshadowing the core duo. Tracks like “Bar Louie,” “Still Inspired,” and “Gravity” balance grit and groove, making this a carefully built record with long replay value and true lyrical weight.

Release date: July 18, 2025.

Datkidbravo - Lynn To Milan

Lynn to Milan is a dense and atmospheric album from Datkidbravo, produced entirely by Comma Uno and Emmethe3rd. The beats are moody, textured, and layered with detail—pulling from jazz, ambient, and soul. Datkidbravo delivers gritty, image-heavy verses with steady control, navigating experimental production without losing direction. Guest features like Estee Nack, Al Divino, and Bluehillbill slot naturally into the world built here, adding weight without pulling attention away. The structure moves like a slow drift through vivid scenes—each track locked into its own mood, tied together by sharp focus and consistent tone. This is serious, late-night underground Hip Hop with depth.

Release date: July 18, 2025.

UFO Fev & Big Ghost Ltd - Albizu's Revenge

UFO Fev teams up again with Big Ghost Ltd for Albizu’s Revenge, a sharp, focused follow-up built on tight loops, jazzy textures, and grimy boom bap. Fev’s delivery is calm but cutting, shifting between street wisdom, Puerto Rican pride, and quiet threats. Big Ghost’s production keeps things grim and punchy without dragging, while features like Jose Santiago and Red Inf add texture without crowding the space. It’s dense, confident, and locked into its own rhythm from the start.

Release date: July 15, 2025.

Bizarre & Foul Mouth - He Got a Gun 5: Basement Jazz

He Got a Gun 5: Basement Jazz is the fifth entry in Bizarre’s He Got a Gun series, continuing his long-running collaboration with Detroit producer Foul Mouth. Known as a founding member of D12, Bizarre brings his signature blend of humor, trauma, and street wisdom. The production is raw and textured—dusty drums, jazz licks, soul fragments, and eerie synths. With guests like B-Real, Bruiser Wolf, and Cassidy, the album moves with basement energy and dark, offbeat confidence.

Release date: July 11, 2025.

Larry June & Cardo - Until Night Comes

Another Larry June and Cardo album—and it feels like they keep making the same one. Our favorite Larry June is still The Great Escape with The Alchemist. Cardo’s beats tend to repeat the same laid-back patterns, and Larry’s subdued flow doesn’t bring enough variation to carry them. Still, like all Larry June projects, the mellow Bay Area vibe is intact. It’s a light, easy listen with a relaxed charm.

Release date: July 11, 2025.

Apakalypse - TIME TRAVELER FROM THE FUTURE

Set in a dystopian time-loop where history’s wounds never heal, Time Traveler from the Future is the underground prophecy nobody saw coming—but should’ve. Apakalypse and M25 enter orbit to release a masterpiece spoken through dusty snares, warped rhythms, remnants of hologram dust sampled through machinery, over rugged drum loops. The protagonist is a renegade poet from centuries ahead, transported back to our era to decode society’s self-destruct cycles.

Armed with dusty drum breaks and esoteric scriptures, he roams burned-out city blocks like a cosmic griot, dropping bars that glitch time and bend minds. Each MC on the album brings a piece of thier side of the universe with them. Big Zeb, Illuminati Congo, Lord Gamma, DRP, Money Mogly, Beast 1333, Drew Dollars, NoEmotion, Son of Saturn, Father Abraham, DSG, C Live, Crazy Monk and Death Adept deliver powerful verses, that brings the listeners through fractured timelines and street prophecy. Every bar feels like it was scribbled on a decaying city wall in 2089—urgent, unpolished, and unapologetic.

Release date: July 11, 2025.

Potatohead People & Slippery Elm - Emerald Tablet

Emerald Tablet by Vancouver’s Potatohead People and Slippery Elm, is a 12-track blend of Hip Hop, jazz fusion, and neo-soul. Potatohead People’s production weaves warm Rhodes keys, off-kilter drums, and deep bass, creating a smoky, nocturnal vibe. “Nightbird” sets the tone with soulful vocals over a jazzy groove, while “Up Close,” featuring a crisp verse by Bahamadia, hums with quiet-storm energy. Slippery Elm’s smooth flow glides through vivid stories, grounding the lush beats. The album’s structure flows cohesively, though its 45-minute runtime feels slightly stretched. Tracks like “Jazz In The Rain” shimmer with wistful horns, evoking a rainy cityscape. Emerald Tablet is vibrant and soulful, a rich fusion that lingers.

Release date: July 11, 2025.

Karbine - Street Politics

Karbine’s Street Politics is a 13-track tribute to mid-90s NYC Hip Hop. Crunchy drums and sliced soul samples fuel “96 Olympics,” with Karbine’s dope beats and Rome Streetz’s sharp verses echoing Mobb Deep and D.I.T.C.’s gritty essence. The album’s cinematic mood pulses with vivid street energy, delivering a tight, nostalgic dose of boom-bap mastery.

Release date: July 11, 2025.

Silent Funk - Silence B4 Da Funk

Silence B4 Da Funk is a dope 14-track blast of gritty throwback Hip Hop from Silent Funk. Silent Someone’s production lays thick, dusty boom-bap beats with sharp snares and vinyl crackle. “Collapso” thumps with heavy bass, while “Mega Powers,” featuring Mike Titan, pops with DJ JS-1’s precise scratches. Rhinoceros Funk’s gruff delivery carries a streetwise edge, spitting tales of hustle over moody, nocturnal vibes. The album’s structure is tight, with intros and outros framing a relentless flow. The mood is defiant, evoking Bronx block parties and late-night ciphers.

Release date: July 8, 2025.

Recognize Ali & Tragedy Khadafi - The Past The Present And The Future

The Past The Present And The Future, pairs Ghana’s Recognize Ali with Queensbridge legend Tragedy Khadafi for a 13-track boom-bap assault. The album’s sound is gritty, built on soulful loops and hard-hitting drums, evoking 90s New York with a modern edge. Hobgoblin’s production dominates, with “Will Be Free” setting a moody tone via drumless chipmunk-soul samples, its eerie vocal chops amplifying the duo’s defiant flows. “The Most Real,” featuring Vinnie Paz, crackles with raw energy, its pounding beat and sharp scratches driving their fierce bars.

The mood is unrelenting, steeped in street realism. “Black Coke,” with Trife Diesel, rides a menacing K Sluggah beat, all snares and vocal stabs, while “Gone Tomorrow,” featuring Ransom, blends jazzy piano with a simmering tension. Tracks like “Elevation” introduce symphonic flourishes, adding depth without softening the edge.

Recognize Ali’s relentless cadence pairs well with Tragedy’s seasoned gravitas, their verses packed with vivid street tales and subtle wordplay. Guest spots from Vinnie Paz, Ransom, and Flash add fire without overpowering. The Past The Present And The Future is a potent dose of raw gutter Hip Hop, raw and focused, proving the duo’s enduring strength.

Release date: July 4, 2025.

Daddy-O - East New York Stories

Daddy-O, frontman of the pioneering Hip Hop band Stetsasonic, formed in 1981 and known for the classics On Fire (1986) and In Full Gear (1988), delivers East New York Stories, released in 2025 on SpitSLAM. This 10-track album is a vivid nod to his Brooklyn roots. Soulful samples and crisp drums drive the sound, with “Keep Dat,” featuring Lena Jackson, layering horns over sharp bars. “The Pros 2” fuses trap and reggae, celebrating borough pride. The mood is nostalgic yet urgent, steeped in street grit. At 30 minutes, the tight structure maintains momentum, though the abrupt end leaves you wanting more. Daddy-O’s seasoned flow weaves evocative tales, making East New York Stories a concise, potent reflection of his legacy and hometown.

Release date: July 4, 2025.

Termanology & Myster DL - Terminal Illness

Termanology’s relentless output—nearing 60 projects—continues with Terminal Illness, alongside Myster DL. This 14-track effort is textbook mid-tier Hip Hop. Myster DL’s production delivers predictable boom-bap. Termanology’s flow is solid, weaving gritty street stories, but the 45-minute album’s repetitive vibe makes it forgettable despite occasional sparks. Still, worth a listen.

Release date: July 4, 2025.

L'Undercover - The Breach

L’Undercover’s The Breach is a solid 13-track boom-bap marathon. The Paris producer’s dusty drums and soulful loops, like the gritty keys in “Frontline” with Young Prophet and Ruste Juxx, evoke 90s East Coast Hip Hop. Guest-heavy tracks, including “Akktout” with Lil Fame, deliver raw energy, but the 42-minute album’s beats blur together, making it a dope yet unremarkable listen.

Release date: July 4, 2025.

Mvck Nyce - No More Mr. Nyce Guy

Mvck Nyce’s No More Mr. Nyce Guy is a gritty 18-track dive into Detroit’s underground Hip Hop scene. Boom Bap Benny’s production dominates, blending dusty boom-bap drums with soulful loops. “Autumn Leaves” opens with crackling vinyl and mournful piano, setting a moody tone. Mvck’s delivery is sharp, his bars weaving street tales with clever wordplay. Tracks like “F-150” pulse with uptempo energy, while “Shadows Of Shinobi,” featuring Vega 7 The Ronin, leans into eerie synths, evoking late-night tension.

The album’s structure is dense, with 18 songs clocking in at nearly an hour, though some tracks, like “No Chance In Hell,” feel brief. Supernice’s production on “Supernyce Theme” adds a cinematic edge, with booming bass and crisp snares. The mood stays dark and introspective, reflecting Detroit’s hustle, but moments like “Money” inject playful bravado. Mvck’s flow remains consistent, slicing through beats with precision. The album’s length can drag, but its cohesive grit holds strong. No More Mr. Nyce Guy is a vivid, unpolished gem, showcasing Mvck Nyce’s knack for blending raw lyricism with atmospheric production.

Release date: July 3, 2025.

Tech N9ne - 5816 Forest

5816 Forest is Tech N9ne digging deep into his past with a tight grip on rhythm and structure. The production is cleaner than usual—often built around melodic piano loops, bass-heavy drums, and minimal synths—but still hits hard when needed. Tech’s voice is sharp and commanding, especially on tracks like “The Birth,” “Ball,” and “Triality,” where he unpacks childhood memories and street code with detail and control. Some hooks drag, and a few beats feel too sparse, but the focus on storytelling helps keep things grounded. The album avoids clutter, keeps features light, and moves with intention—one of Tech’s most direct albums in years.

Release date: June 27, 2025.

M-Dot & Confidence - Library Of Sound

Library of Sound is a sharp, no-nonsense throwback built on tight loops, chopped soul samples, and stripped-down drums. Confidence keeps the beats gritty and focused, leaving space for M-Dot to spit dense, rhythmic bars with no filler. Tracks like “The Consistency” and “Rollercoaster” hit with bounce and intent, while “Three Story Building” leans into a darker swing. M-Dot sounds locked in—technical, driven, and never offbeat. Features are minimal, which helps the album stay cohesive, but at just over 30 minutes, it ends fast. Still, it’s a dope little project—short, heavy, and rooted in straight-up Hip Hop with purpose and precision.

Release date: June 27, 2025.

Machacha - The Formula: 250

The Formula: 250 stacks verses from a rotating cast of MCs over Machacha’s stripped-down production—drum-heavy, sample-chopped beats with sharp edges and brief flashes of melody. The mix is uneven: some features cut through with focus and style, others wander or drag. As a full listen, it runs long and loose, but there are a handful of tight moments buried in the sprawl. The album moves fast without always hitting its target.

Release date: June 25, 2025.

The Band Of The Hawk - Rest In Peaces

Rest In Peaces rides a grim pulse built from eerie samples, thudding drums, and chopped vocal stabs. The Band of the Hawk move with a cold precision—each verse paced like a slow march through smoke and memory. Noah Archangel’s beats hit with a haunted texture, pulling from old films and concrete nightmares. It’s a dark, deliberate record shaped by tension and sharpened lyricism.

Release date: June 25, 2025.

Napoleon Da Legend & Clypto - Pen Game 2

Pen Game 2 is focused and stripped-down. Clypto lays down dusty loops and hard snares, while Napoleon Da Legend packs every verse with dense, razor-sharp rhymes. The beats hit with a cold swing, and the features slide in clean. No filler, no fluff—just tight, deliberate Hip Hop with teeth.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Nim K. - Queen Of The Misfits

Queen of the Misfits moves fast—sometimes too fast to settle into—but Nim K. makes a strong first impression. Her voice cuts clean through sharp drums and smooth sample chops, shifting from melodic hooks to quick bursts of rapping. The features do their job, but Nim’s presence holds the focus. The album runs short, leaving ideas underdeveloped, but there’s promise here. She’s a new voice worth watching.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Chubs & Fumes the Threat - Bruiser Brody 2

Bruiser Brody 2 is bruising, no-frills Hip Hop built from thick drums, cracked samples, and heavy-handed energy. Chubs barrels through every track with a gritted-teeth delivery, unloading rugged bars with no let-up. Fumes the Threat’s production stays murky and tense, twisting boom bap through grimy loops and harsh drops. The album hits hard, loud, and without apology.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Fashawn & Marc Spano - Capital

Capital is tightly built and thematically consistent, with Marc Spano’s production laying out crisp drums, clean basslines, and restrained samples. Fashawn delivers his verses with control, shifting from personal history to social commentary without losing the thread. The structure is lean and deliberate, but the impact is muted. Despite its clarity and focus, the record moves without leaving much behind. It’s solid, but forgettable once the final track ends.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Lukah & Statik Selektah - A Lost Language Found

A Lost Language Found brings together Lukah’s steady delivery and Statik Selektah’s tight, boom bap production for an album packed with sharp beats and focused bars. The drums hit clean, with soulful loops and crisp scratches adding warmth and weight. Tracks like “South Still Speaking” and “Concrete Idioms” ride deep grooves, with guest features sliding in smoothly. Lukah’s verses are direct and unhurried, filled with personal reflections, regional pride, and street wisdom. The mood is reflective, with a hint of tension running through the beats. But the frequent spoken monologues tacked onto the ends of tracks drag down the flow. These long outros break the momentum and make it hard to keep the album in rotation or pull individual songs into a playlist. The music hits hard, but these interruptions leave the listening experience feeling scattered. Strong production and solid verses deserve a cleaner, more focused presentation.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Memphis Bleek - Apt 3D

Apt 3D brings Memphis Bleek back with energy that sounds grounded in the streets that shaped him. The production is built on boom bap drums, chipmunk soul chops, and gospel samples that bring warmth and grit without sounding dated. “Durag Bleek” kicks off with a thick bassline and crisp snares, while “Still R.O.C.” rides a gospel loop as Bleek raps about loyalty to his crew. The structure of the album is tight at a mere 32 minutes, moving quick without wasting time. Features like Benny the Butcher and Smoke DZA on “3 Kings” add weight, and “I’m the Type” brings a confident, head-nodding groove. Bleek’s flow stays steady, with clear, direct bars about loyalty, survival, and growth. Tracks like “Choosing You” shift into smoother, melodic territory without losing focus. Apt 3D sounds like a veteran stepping back in with purpose, rapping over beats that hit hard while leaving space for reflection.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Nick Grant - I Took It Personal

I Took It Personal is Atlanta‘s Nick Grant at his sharpest, threading together tight boom bap drums, chopped soul samples, and layered pianos with a voice that stays steady and clear. The opening track, “Unforgettable,” rides a classic piano loop that feels built for reflection, while “Let It Reign / Read Your Contract” flips the mood, moving from confident bars to a sobering look at label politics. The production across the album moves with purpose—chipmunk soul, jazzy flourishes, and even hints of sample drill on “Back Home.” Grant’s flow locks into every pocket, and his writing leans into detail: advice for younger artists, warnings about the game, and stories of love and loss that sound lived-in. Tracks like “Nothing’s Free” layer dark piano and hi-hats, building tension before shifting into orchestral bursts. Every beat, every verse, feels deliberate, giving the album structure without falling into repetition.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

Loyle Carner - hopefully !

hopefully ! by London-based rapper Loyle Carner is an album that leans into warmth, patience, and unguarded reflection. From the first notes of “feel at home,” where breakbeats flutter beneath gentle piano chords, the mood is clear: this is music that invites stillness rather than demanding attention. The production blends soft guitars, loose drum patterns, and occasional playground sounds, creating an atmosphere that feels lived-in and deeply personal.

Carner’s voice carries a sense of weight and closeness. On tracks like “lyin” and “strangers,” his low, steady singing cuts through the mellow instrumentation. There’s an honesty in the way his voice cracks or dips off-key—small human moments that pull the listener closer. His rap flow on songs like “in my mind” and “don’t fix it” drifts lazily, matching the unhurried pulse of the beats.

Parenthood shapes much of the album’s emotional core. Lines about searching for reassurance in small domestic moments or struggling with self-doubt hit hard because they are delivered plainly, without embellishment. The title track “hopefully” brings this into focus, pairing his musings on humanity’s uncertainty with Benjamin Zephaniah’s spoken word, adding a layer of gravity without feeling forced.

What holds hopefully ! together is its consistency. The songs move at a similar tempo, with arrangements that favour space and simplicity. It’s not an album chasing big hooks or sharp contrasts. Instead, it lingers in quiet details—the sound of a child’s toy, the faint hum of a guitar—offering music that is content to be still and thoughtful.

Release date: June 20, 2025.

4-Ize & Bronze Nazareth - Slaveboats With Seatbelts

Slaveboats With Seatbelts, a collaboration between Georgia-based rapper 4-IZE and Wu-Tang affiliate Bronze Nazareth, hums with gritty boom-bap energy, its beats grinding like a city at dusk. Nazareth’s production—thick with Wu-Tang’s ghostly soul—layers dusty drums and eerie loops, crafting a mood that’s heavy yet restless. “Mansa Musa” thumps with mournful horns, 4-IZE’s sharp flow slicing through with wit and weight. The album’s 14 tracks, clocking in at a lean 40 minutes, weave a loose concept around alternate histories and Black identity, though the narrative feels more like a vibe than a straight line.

Tracks like “Pyramids in the Grand Canyon” pulse with skittering snares and jazzy keys, evoking late-night ciphers, while “Bloodshot,” featuring El Da Sensei and Tommy Nova, crackles with urgent bass and vivid bars. “Tartarian Awakening,” with Killah Priest, sounds cinematic, its strings swelling under dense rhymes. The album stays gripping from start to finish, a heady mix of grit and introspection.

Release date: June 19, 2025.

Dell-P - Transition Of Power

Philadelphia emcee Dell-P brings clarity and focus to Transition of Power, a bold, message-driven album rooted in political urgency and personal strength. With nearly two decades of work behind him, Dell-P sounds assured over crisp, hard-hitting production from C-Doc, Snowgoons, and others. His verses reflect a deep commitment to community and self-determination, delivered with calm authority. Guest appearances from Masta Ace, Speech, and Tracey Lee support the message without taking the spotlight. Released through Chuck D’s SpitSlam label, this album sticks to the essentials and keeps the energy steady, direct, and deeply grounded in experience.

Release date: June 19, 2025.

Cam Be & Neak - a film called black

a film called black by Cam Be & Neak is a tightly crafted Hip Hop album shaped by jazz, soul, and gospel textures. The production is rich with live instrumentation—warm basslines, crisp drums, and keys that drift between smooth and tense. From the deep groove of “Eye Wonder” to the layered harmonies of “Salutations,” the sound stays rooted in Black musical traditions. Neak’s verses move with precision, exploring identity, spirituality, and community. “Wade In The Water” and Motherland“ draw on history and faith without slipping into sermon mode. Cam Be builds the album’s structure with purpose—interludes like “Identity in Black” and “Transitions in Black” link the tracks and keep momentum steady. Features from Skyzoo, Add-2, Yaw, and others bring extra depth without distracting from the core vision. The flow between tracks feels natural, creating an album that encourages full plays rather than singles. It’s thoughtful, grounded, and musically rich.

Release date: June 19, 2025.

Ankhlejohn & August Fanon - LIVE! At The Disco

LIVE! At The Disco pairs Ankhlejohn’s sharp, commanding delivery with August Fanon’s laid-back, jazzy production. The beats are built on warm basslines, delicate keys, and soulful loops that leave plenty of space for Ankhlejohn’s voice to cut through. Tracks like “Electric Funk Daddy” and “Replica Jazz Club” ride smooth, drumless grooves, while “Lexus GS300” and “The Lordy Way” add subtle funk touches without breaking the relaxed mood. Ankhlejohn stays focused, spitting confident verses with a steady, unhurried rhythm that fits the production’s mellow vibe. This is a dope little project that keeps a consistent, low-key energy from start to finish.

Release date: June 17, 2025.

Devine Carama & Amadeus 360 The Beat King - Guardians Of The Boom Bap

Guardians of the Boom Bap is built on heavy drums, chopped soul samples, and a clear love for ‘90s Hip Hop. Amadeus 360 the Beat King digs deep into warm vinyl textures—looped horns and filtered basslines give the album a worn, nostalgic feel. Devine Carama keeps his delivery sharp and steady, holding his place among a strong list of guests: Blaq Poet, Sadat X, Craig G, Termanology, Reks, Mikey D’Struction, and King Sun. There’s no modern gloss here—just loop-driven beats and straight verses. The throwback energy runs all the way through, right down to the samples and the cuts & scratches.

Release date: June 13, 2025.

Mary Sue - Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword

Porcelain Shield, Paper Sword is a striking piece of Hip Hop rooted in tension, ritual, and memory. Mary Sue writes with precision—each verse lands with quiet weight, often pulling from personal and cultural fragments that carry more than what’s said outright. The production, built with the Clementi Sound Appreciation Club, blends Southeast Asian textures and jazz-trained intuition into something loose, tender, and slightly off-balance.

Songs like “Thief and the Bell” and “Horse Acupuncture” stretch around grainy samples and live rhythm sections, bending traditional forms without falling into mimicry. “Grace” lingers like incense in still air, while “Crabs” feels jittery, its rhythm shifting underfoot. The saxophone lines don’t always resolve, the drums pull against the grain—this friction gives the record its voice.

At 16 tracks and only 32 minutes, some pieces flash by as brief sketches—“Snake Head” and “Iron Butterflies” carry strong ideas but vanish before they can expand. There’s a delicate touch across the record, but half of the songs are so short they feel more like transitions than full moments. Still, the atmosphere is vivid throughout—smoke, brass, ancestral echoes. The writing cuts with care, and the music sits in its own unsettled space. With more time to stretch, this could’ve hit even harder. As it is, it stays with you anyway—this is a special little album..

Release date: June 13, 2025.

Cymarshall Law & Slimline Mutha - The Peaceful Warrior 2: Raw Self Expression

Cymarshall Law brings his global background—Jamaican roots, UK birth, and New Jersey upbringing—into The Peaceful Warrior 2: Raw Self Expression, an album built on direct lyricism and stripped-back beats. He’s a clear, controlled MC with a steady voice, landing bars that speak to purpose and perseverance without overreaching. Slimline Mutha handles production throughout, leaning into boom bap foundations with dusty samples, tight drum work, and occasional soul and reggae touches. Tracks like “Blowtorch” with Planet Asia and DJ Rhettmatic, and “Back to the Essence” with Wordsworth and DJ Phillip Lee, offer sharp verses and precise cuts. Elsewhere, Ramson Badbonez, Kafeeno, Linton Kush, Christine Elise, and Sadat X add their voices without crowding the space. The record moves with intent—no wasted bars, no cluttered beats. Law’s delivery stays grounded, never rushed, and Slimline Mutha keeps the mood consistent: thoughtful, steady, and firmly rooted in traditional Hip Hop structure.

Release date: June 13, 2025.

Juicy J & Logic - Live And In Color

Live And In Color opens with bright jazz keys, clean drums, and a bounce that’s more Harlem lounge than Memphis strip club. Logic handles all production here, leaning into soul samples and crisp boom bap grooves that pull Juicy J into unexpected territory. Juicy doesn’t fight it—he rides the beats with steady control, leaning into sharper writing and more reflective moments than usual. His cadence is still slick, but there’s more weight behind it.

The album breaks itself up with interludes labeled “Discussions,” which land somewhere between casual podcast and oral history. They don’t always add momentum, but they frame the music with intent. Songs like “Shame” and “20 Years Later” benefit from that context—offering humor, memory, and legacy without overreaching.

Some tracks feel more like sketches than songs, with abrupt endings and short runtimes that disrupt the rhythm. Still, the chemistry is clear. Logic gives Juicy J space—and Juicy uses it.

Release date: June 13, 2025.

Daz Dillinger - Retaliation, Revenge And Get Back 2

Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back 2 reconnects with the sound and spirit of Daz Dillinger’s 1998 solo debut without getting stuck in the past. The underappreciated original Retaliation, Revenge and Get Back was soaked in late-Death Row tension—sharp snares, eerie keys, and anthems built for the Impala and the penitentiary. This new volume keeps that energy alive while letting the beats breathe a little more. The G-Funk backbone is still strong—plenty of Moog-style leads, thick basslines, and talkbox hooks—but the production slips in updated drums and modern bounce without forcing it. Tracks like “Start Bacc Bangin’” and “Switchin’ Lanez” speak to legacy and survival, while “Destiny” and “Mentally Crazy” bring in more reflective moments. Daz’s delivery is laid-back but direct, never trying too hard to impress. The guest spots—Kurupt, Ice-T, B-Legit, Soopafly, and RBX, among others— feel earned, not stuffed in. This isn’t nostalgia—it’s Daz reminding you that what worked in ’98 still knocks in 2025, if you know how to handle it.

Release date: June 13, 2025.

Defcee & Parallel Thought - Other Blues LP

On Other Blues, Defcee raps with precision and weight, threading sharp memories through beats that sit low and thick. Parallel Thought’s production leans into the grain—smoky loops, muffled drums, slow-moving basslines that feel half-lit and weathered. There’s a haze to the mix, but nothing drifts. Each track lands with purpose.

“Chicago Famous” opens fast and tense, a clipped, gritty opener that spills into “Broke,” where the air is heavier, and the rhymes get tighter. Defcee moves through regret, ego, and exhaustion with a tone that stays composed but restless. On “Casket Races” and “You Still Rap?,” he writes like someone taking inventory—of past scenes, missed chances, and small wins that didn’t pay the bills.

Tree floats in on “Big Sisters” with a worn-out croon that pulls the song somewhere deeper. Fatboi Sharif and Swave Sevah leave bruises on “Sigils” and “Road Work,” adding muscle without overloading the frame. The longest cut, “Graduation Picture,” stretches out into something looser—more confessional, less controlled.

The whole record holds together like a lived-in notebook—short entries, cut-up rhythms, space left for breath. Other Blues is full of small details and sharp turns, structured with intention and care. It hits hard without yelling.

Release date: June 6, 2025.

T.F & Khrysis - The Green Bottle

The Green Bottle is sharp, grounded Hip Hop built on lived-in details and steady handwork. Khrysis laces each track with soul loops and funk fragments that crackle with texture—pianos stretched thin, basslines sticky with grit, snares that punch through like clockwork. T.F. moves with precision through it all, voice cool and steady, flow patient, each line shaped for clarity.

Tracks like “Ordells Kangol” and “Lawry’s” lean into swing, the samples curling like smoke around tight, deliberate verses. “Handle Bars,” with Flee Lord and Smoke DZA, hits hard off a dusty horn loop, each MC snapping off quick darts. “Nostalgia,” a drumless duet with Curren$y, lets space do the talking, two voices drifting over a soft soul loop, light as breath.

T.F. doesn’t crowd his lines—he lets the tone do the work. His writing stays clean, focused on the everyday grind and the small choices that stack over time. There’s no posturing here. The Green Bottle doesn’t rush or reach—it rides steady, each beat and bar placed with purpose. It’s a record built for replay, with beats that knock and verses that land like they’ve lived through the story.

Release date: June 6, 2025.

Bruiser Wolf - Potluck

Bruiser Wolf leans into his full bag on Potluck, pulling wild punchlines, surreal street commentary, and sing-song cadences into a grab-bag of production styles that shift from dusty loops to foggy trap to slow-cooked jazz. His delivery remains the main draw—half rapped, half chanted, chopped into zigzag phrases that swing between stand-up comic timing and crooked gospel preacher rhythm. On “Air Fryer,” Harry Fraud laces a loopy beat where Wolf flips kitchen metaphors into dope talk, holding the line like a riddle wrapped in aluminum foil. “Say No More” bounces with a bright Knxwledge groove, and Wolf rides it with wide-eyed confidence, calling out the hate and cracking jokes in the same breath.

There are stumbles. The length drags in the second half, where a few beats thin out and the jokes start looping in on themselves. Tracks like “Whippin” and “Beat the Charge” still land clean, thanks to deeper pockets in the production and more focused hooks. “Fancy” is the sleeper—synth-funk gloss and tight flows with Fat Ray trading bars like they’re passing blunts in a Cadillac. Potluck isn’t airtight, but it’s packed with character, weird rhythms, and one of the most distinct voices in Hip Hop doing it his way—off-key, on purpose.

Release date: May 30, 2025.

Masta Killa - Balance

Masta Killa moves steady through Balance, gliding across beats that lean toward warm, classic New York loops with the occasional left turn. The standout “Eagle Claw” with Raekwon and Cappadonna keeps the groove tight and head-nodding, anchored in low-end grit and sharp-tongued sparring. “BK Harlem” flips the tempo up with a raw bassline and rattling snares, though Head I.C.E. doesn’t match the control Masta Killa holds over the mic. On “Building with the Abbott,” RZA’s soulful chipmunk loops frame a meditative back-and-forth, while “Glad to Meet You” slips into a lighter tone with Method Man and Snoop gliding through smooth, laid-back verses.

There’s a sense of clarity throughout, even when the production dips into experiments like the reggae-laced “King Custom.” Masta Killa’s flow stays measured, never rushing the pocket, and when the lyrics lean into teaching or reflection—as on “City” or “It’s Been a Long Time”—he sharpens the pace without raising his voice. The album does wander toward the end; “Again” is a weak closer that undercuts the control of earlier tracks. Still, Balance mostly lives up to its name—loose in spots, strong in others, and delivered with the calm conviction that has kept Masta Killa’s voice relevant for decades.

Release date: May 30, 2025.

LMNO & D-Styles - Three Mimes & An Elephant

Three Mimes & An Elephant is sharp, with a deliberate edge. Visionaries’ D-Styles digs into his crates for dusty drums, warped melodies, and scratch work that cuts through like broken glass. LMNO rhymes with clarity and control, flipping between reflections, warnings, and meditative bars. “A Dual with a Dual Edge” balances tension and restraint, while “Garlic Braid” rides a cold piano loop. Tracks like “Bloody White Flags” and “Hip Hop AF” hit with a raw, almost ritual energy. The record keeps a tight grip on its groove—wiry, focused, and laced with purpose.

Release date: May 30, 2025.

LE$ & Mr. Rogers - Racer's Edge

Racer’s Edge rolls smooth and clean, built for late-night drives and slow-burning days. LE$ keeps his tone steady and low to the pavement, gliding through Mr. Rogers’ polished production with a drawl that never hurries. The beats are warm—lots of soft bass, soft snares, and synth lines that sparkle without trying too hard. The pacing is tight, with short runtimes and no filler. LE$ doesn’t overreach—he keeps it locked into his lane, confident and calm, sounding sharper the less he forces.

Release date: May 27, 2025.

DJ.Fresh & The Musalini - Live And Let Fly

Live and Let Fly is rich with texture and intent. DJ.Fresh lays down smooth, West Coast-inflected loops—dusty keys, low-end basslines, and crisp snares that ride with patience. The Musalini stays in the pocket, gliding over each beat with a voice that never hurries, always assured. Tracks like “Polo Scarf” and “Old Soul” glow with warm jazz and worn wisdom, while “Good Game” adds a trap snap without breaking the album’s late-night mood. Verses orbit around money, women, and self-made ambition, delivered with control and charisma. The title nods to Kool G Rap’s Live and Let Die, and the vibe carries that same slick, streetwise cool.

Release date: May 23, 2025.

Crimeapple & DJ Skizz - Rose Gold

Rose Gold is slick and moody, built on DJ Skizz’s patient loops and Crimeapple’s cool detachment. The beats lean heavy on muted drums, filtered samples, and smoky interludes—like late-night conversations through cracked windows. Crimeapple moves with precision, flipping Spanglish lines, obscure references, and dry wit without raising his voice. The album sticks to its lane—tight structure, clean transitions, no filler. It’s controlled, confident Hip Hop: measured and flavorful, with just enough dirt under the fingernails to keep it honest. Not Crimeapple’s best, but solid enough.

Release date: May 23, 2025.

Vino La Mano & The Soul Monsters - Season Of Revenge

This self-released 14-track album is a hidden gem. DJ Proof delivers dope 90s-inspired beats, packed with recognizable samples that make for a fun listen. Rob Gonzales shines on the mic, joined by guests like Paula Perry, Frank Nitt, Lord Goat, and Moka Only. End All Be All is a must-hear for fans of classic Hip Hop vibes.

Release date: May 23, 2025.

Stu Bangas & Horror City - The Phantom Of The Operap

At 31 minutes, Phantom of the Operap is too brief to leave a lasting impression but remains a must-listen for fans of Stu Bangas’ signature heavy, dark boom-bap sound and followers of the veteran act Horror City. Contributions from A-F-R-O, Rhyme Va-Lor, 2 Timez, Big Sha, and Chris Addison bring added flair to the project. It’s a solid, engaging listen.

Release date: May 23, 2025.

Cee Gee Incorporated - Rewind, Press Play, Fast Forward (Side A)

Cee Gee Incorporated’s Rewind, Press Play, Fast Forward (Side A) is dense with texture and patience. The beats move like vinyl crackle over deep crate soul—dusty drums, woozy basslines, and sharp loops stretched with care. Each track clicks into place with tightly curated guests who ride the 90s-centric groove without rushing the mood. Cuts from DJ Cutler snap with precision, while emcees like Daniel Son and Pretty Bulli stay grounded in rhythm and grit. The structure is loose but intentional, like a late-night mixtape stitched together by instinct. It’s grounded Hip Hop: built for headphones, low volume, and full attention.

Release date: May 20, 2025.

Xzibit - Kingmaker

Kingmaker opens with confidence and control. Xzibit moves through each track with a steady hand and a voice that cuts through thick, layered beats. The production leans heavy—rich with low-end grit, sharp snares, and a mix of live instrumentation and sample flips that keep things grounded. Tracks like “Play This at My Funeral” and “Been a Long Time 2” hit with clarity, built around hard drums and precise bars, while “The Moment” bursts with energy, Busta Rhymes and JasonMartin jumping into the mix without losing pace.

The album moves across different moods without breaking its focus. “Earth is Over” grinds forward with tense horns and cold realism. “Leave Me Alone” drops into a slower, organ-heavy groove, where X and Dr. Dre keep things stripped down and personal. On “Crash,” Royce da 5’9” brings a sharp edge, and “American Idol” stretches into a darker, more reflective space.

Xzibit sounds fully locked in. The lyrics are blunt, detailed, and direct. He doesn’t waste bars or fall into nostalgia. The guests (including Ice Cube, King Tee, B-Real, T, Redman, and Busta Rhymes) come ready, the beats knock, and the sequencing keeps things tight. Kingmaker doesn’t drift. It stays focused, heavy, and unshaken from start to finish. Comeback albums by Hip Hop vetrans are more often miss than hit, but this one slaps.

Release date: May 16, 2025.

Him Lo & Shar The Analog Bastard - Grand Architect

Grand Architect hits hard from the first bar—Shar the Analog Bastard lines the album with filthy loops, punchy drums, and eerie textures that sound lifted from cracked VHS tapes. Him Lo barrels through every track like a menace with a mic, spitting dense slang, grimy humor, and grim warnings with no filter and no filler. The energy stays mean and focused across 14 tracks. It’s dungeon rap for heads who like their beats dust-caked and their rhymes sharp with grime and venom.

Release date: May 16, 2025.

Snoop Dogg - Iz It A Crime?

Snoop Dogg’s Iz It a Crime? moves like a Sunday drive—unhurried, slightly indulgent, and full of detours that make sense only if you’re already along for the ride. Across 18 tracks, he leans into warmth and groove, working with longtime collaborators like Battlecat, Soopafly, and Nottz to build a sound that sticks close to his comfort zone: mellow funk, soft-edged G-funk, and R&B with a glossy finish. There’s no urgency here—just a well-oiled veteran rapping like he’s on the porch with a drink in hand.

The strongest stretch comes early. The title track, “Joy,” “Unsing Heroes,” and “Sophisticated Crippin’,” hit a clean rhythm: low-end bounce, relaxed hooks, and Snoop in full control of his voice. But the middle sinks into autopilot. Songs like “Can’t Get Enough, ” “Spot,” and “My Friend” drift without direction, padded with predictable melodies and verses that sound more like casual freestyles than finished thoughts.

Even so, there’s charm in how loosely the album is put together. It doesn’t chase trends or force relevance—it just floats. At its best, Iz It a Crime? feels like Snoop making music because he wants to, not because he has to. At its worst, it’s background noise. Either way, it’s unmistakably him.

Release date: May 15, 2025.

Gifted Youngstaz - Lifestylez Of Da Prolific And Gifted

Lifestylez Of Da Prolific And Gifted is grounded in sharp lyricism and tough Boom Bap production. Gifted Youngstaz raps with control and speed, filling each verse with precise internal rhymes and unflinching detail. The beats—mostly dusty, drum-heavy loops—stay rooted in a ’90s mode without sounding stale. Guest verses—from names like Blu, A-F-R-O, and Reks—fit the tone without disrupting the structure. The album keeps a raw, direct pace from top to bottom without drifting off-course or losing focus in the process.

Release date: May 15, 2025.

Dumi Right - Foreword To The Future

Foreword To The Future is direct, thoughtful, and rooted in tradition. Dumi Right brings a steady voice over dusty drums, horn stabs, and sharp loops from producers like Diamond D and Kev Brown. His delivery stays clear and grounded, layering sharp rhymes with purpose and focus. Verses are packed with historical weight, personal insight, and global awareness without veering into abstraction. Guest spots from Chuck D, Chubb Rock, and Speech carry weight without crowding the space. Foreword To The Future relies on stripped-down beats and no-nonsense bars. It’s sharp, clean Hip Hop with purpose.

Release date: May 13, 2025.

The Legendary Traxster - LAMBS

LAMBS is tightly packed with quick turns, smoky loops, and drums that punch through without overreaching. The Legendary Traxster delivers verses with poise, slipping between calm threats and sharp reflections. His production stays in the pocket—grimy soul chops, moody synth stabs, and occasional vocal flips that hang low in the mix. This is a dope little project, pushing that signature Chicago bounce without relying on nostalgia and with some interesting production flourishes. The flows ride clean, and the beats move with a quiet menace. It hits fast, says what it needs, and moves on.

Release date: May 13, 2025.

Maze Overlay - Vintage Lord

Vintage Lord is built on grit and tape hiss, pulling from the Golden Era without getting stuck in nostalgia. Maze Overlay rhymes with a sharp edge—his voice cuts through the mix, landing heavy over loops that crackle and lean low. The beats ride slow and sample-heavy, often stripped to drums, basslines, and fragments of vinyl fuzz. Worth a spin.

Release date: May 9, 2025.

E-Fluent & Reckonize Real - Broken King's III

Broken King’s III is tense and focused. Reckonize Real builds the tracks with grimy drums and eerie loops, while E-Fluent delivers clipped, deliberate verses full of sharp detail. The structure is lean, the mood consistent, the execution tight throughout.

Release date: May 9, 2025.

Mic Bles & Klutch Norris - BLESS

BLESS is steeped in Oxnard grit—grimy loops, sharp scratches, and no filler. Mic Bles stays in the pocket with hard-edged verses, dropping tight rhyme schemes without wasting breath. Klutch Norris builds a stripped-down sound: chopped samples, heavy drums, and low-end pressure. The beats stay grimy and raw without losing clarity. DJ cuts from Romes and TMB slice through the haze with precision. The record holds tight focus, never rushing, never drifting, each track measured and direct, like a well-aimed strike from underground SoCal.

Release date: May 8, 2025.

MIKE & Tony Seltzer - Pinball II

Pinball II finds MIKE and Tony Seltzer leaning harder into the energy that made their first Pinball tape click—this time with sharper hooks, louder drums, and more momentum across a tightly packed 33 minutes. Where Showbiz! felt deeper and more textured, Pinball II moves faster, built for quick hits and punchy rhythms. It’s a slick, bright album that trades MIKE’s usual haze for clarity and bounce.

The beats snap. Seltzer brings a mix of cloudy synths, high-pitched vocal chops, and trap drum kits that swing between playful and intense. Opener “Sin City” starts with warped keys and sirens before exploding into a booming drum break. “Prezzy” and “Amiri” jump between ideas in seconds, cutting hard left mid-verse or letting a loop glitch just long enough to trip you up. The transitions come fast, sometimes jarring, but they work.

MIKE sounds locked in. His delivery rides the production without dragging, clipped and direct, tossing out lines in bursts and leaving space for the beats to breathe. “Money & Power” hits the sweet spot—MIKE sounds hungry, the beat sparkles, and everything moves together. “Shaq & Kobe” and “Jumanji” bring in features from Niontay and Earl Sweatshirt, and both land clean without throwing off the pacing. The shorter track lengths help keep things tight, though some cuts (“Angsty,” “Hell Date”) wrap up before they really settle in.

The downside is that Pinball II doesn’t hit the emotional weight of MIKE’s other recent work. Compared to Showbiz!, this project feels lighter, less grounded in reflection and more focused on rhythm and energy. But that tradeoff mostly works—this is a fun, loud, quick-hit tape with no real duds.

Even if we prefer Showbiz! for its depth, Pinball II is another win for MIKE—streamlined, stylish, and full of replay value.

Release date: May 7, 2025.

BoriRock & BoneWeso - Infinite Wave

Clocking in at just 33 minutes, BoneWeso starts strong but loses some momentum toward the end. Still, it’s a must-listen for fans of dark, underground Griselda-style boom-bap. BoneWeso’s beats hit hard for the most part, and BoriRock delivers solid performances, elevated by guests like Estee Nack, Shaykh Hanif, Al.Divino, The Hidden Character, and Dun Dealy. A compelling, gritty listen.

Release date: May 4, 2025.

BlackLiq & Dub Sonata - Much Given, Much Tested

On Much Given, Much Tested, BlackLiq is joined by a sharp lineup of collaborators. The album features Slug from Atmosphere, Napoleon Da Legend, Nickelus F, Noah-O, and multimedia artist Michael Alan Alien. Scratches are handled by Tone Spliff, and there’s additional production from Evening Elevator. Each guest adds a distinct layer without distracting from the album’s core focus—BlackLiq’s steady, personal delivery over Dub Sonata’s restrained, drum-driven beats.

Release date: May 2, 2025.

Daniel Son & Futurewave - Baggage Claims

Baggage Claims is Daniel Son and Futurewave operating in a familiar pocket—gritty, precise, and built on cold-blooded detail. These aren’t new recordings, but the chemistry is sharp throughout. Futurewave leans on murky loops and low-slung drums, keeping the beats heavy with mood but never overcrowded. Tracks like “Sweet Peppers” and “French River” stay grounded in that smoked-out, Toronto basement feel: slow, tense, and hypnotic.

Daniel Son’s delivery is focused, with a gravel tone that sounds lived-in. He stacks lines with tight control—nothing wasted, no filler. On “Cold Chicken,” he strips things down even further, going drumless while laying out codes of loyalty and loss. Features from al.divino, Recognize Ali, and Asun Eastwood keep things rooted in the scene without pulling away from the tone.

This is a dense project—18 tracks deep—and while it runs long, the consistency holds up. Baggage Claims isn’t glossy or wide-reaching; it’s specific, detailed, and heavy with atmosphere.

Release date: May 1, 2025.

Lloyd Banks - A.O.N. 3: DESPITE MY MISTAKES

All or Nothing Vol. 3: Despite My Mistakes finds Lloyd Banks doubling down on moody, introspective Hip Hop with an ear tuned to somber piano loops, ghostly samples, and dusty drums. The production leans minimal, often stripped of sharp hooks or energy shifts, creating a grey backdrop where his verses do most of the work. Lyrically, Banks is still a technician—his rhyme patterns are tightly wound, and his flow keeps a steady grip on the beat, but the punchlines that once defined his style take a back seat to personal reflection and weighty observations.

Tracks like “Despite My Mistakes” with Styles P and “Endangered Innocence” with Ghostface Killah show glimpses of chemistry and focus, especially when paired with more textured production. Nicholas Craven’s soulful loop work adds some color where much of the album stays flat. The songs often blur together—same tempos, similar structures—leaving little dynamic contrast across the 16-track set.

There’s depth in Banks’ writing, but the sonic choices can drag. The few standout moments come when he pairs sharp lyricism with production that actually cuts through. Without that, the tape can drift into repetition, despite the strength of his pen.

Release date: April 30.

Supreme Cerebral & Macapella - Grime & Glamour

Grime & Glamour is a fine offering of underground boom-bap from Supreme Cerebral and Scotland-based producer Macapella. The beats are cinematic and grimy, laced with soul chops and sharp cuts from DJ TMB. Supreme’s delivery is direct and steady, pulling from street-worn wisdom with guests like Hus Kingpin and Eloh Kush adding extra grit. There’s an elegant edge to the mood, but at 32 minutes, the album ends before it really digs in. With so much similar Hip Hop out right now, it’s hard for this one to linger after the final track fades.

Release date: April 25, 2025.

Fly Anakin - (The) Forever Dream

Fly Anakin’s The Forever Dream is loose and richly textured, drifting between soul-sampling smoothness and jagged abstraction without losing its footing. Executive produced by Quelle Chris, the album moves like a late-night drive through Richmond—steady, intimate, unpredictable. There’s clarity in how it’s built, but the edges stay blurred, by design.

Tracks like “Good Clothes” and “Teen Summit” pull from warm, off-kilter loops, often stripping drums back or removing them entirely. Anakin’s voice fills the space, nimble and conversational, shifting flows without warning. On “CheckOnMe,” he links with lojii over a dusty chipmunk soul loop from August Fanon. It’s sparse, but it lingers. “Not Too Shabby” brings $ilkMoney, Quelle, and Nickelus F together in a swirl of horns and haze, each verse digging into personal wins and long-haul fatigue.

The tone flips often—“Lord Forgives, I Hold Grudges” sounds like a warning muttered through clenched teeth, while “Forever Dream” pulls all rhythm out and leaves Anakin alone with a drifting melody. Even the interludes feel deliberate. Quelle’s fingerprints are all over the sequencing: layered, fluid, sometimes slightly off-balance in a way that draws you closer.

Guests like Pink Siifu, Big Kahuna OG, BbyMutha, and The Alchemist shape the energy without hijacking it. The record ends on “Say Thank You,” a heavy-lidded gospel moment, reflective without dragging.

This isn’t Anakin’s cleanest or catchiest release, but it might be his most sonically daring. He’s rapping like he’s in the middle of a conversation you weren’t supposed to overhear—quietly intense, sometimes funny, always focused. The sound tilts toward the soulful and strange, but it’s grounded by Anakin’s presence. He never tries to sell you anything. He’s just letting you listen in.

Release date: April 25, 2025.

Phill Most Chill - I'm (Volume One & Volume Two )

I’m (Volume One & Volume Two) by Phill Most Chill and DJ MROK is a double-headed dive into classic boom bap with a sharp ear for detail and rhythm. Volume One hits first with heavy drums, gritty loops, and tight, punchy flows that never waste a bar. Phill Most Chill stays in the pocket across every track, delivering verses with a steady mix of swagger, clarity, and pacing that brings the beats to life without ever sounding forced or overly nostalgic.

MROK’s production leans hard into chopped-up breaks, dusty basslines, and subtle scratches. It’s the kind of sound that feels built from hours digging in crates, but it never gets stuck in retro habits. There’s a snap to the drums and a warmth in the mixes that gives the album its forward momentum.

Volume Two isn’t a simple remix album. It pulls the same lyrics into new frames, reworking the beats with alternate textures, rhythms, and moods. Where Volume One might drive with boom-bap force, Volume Two bends the edges—sometimes more aggressively, sometimes slower, with different samples that reframe the tone without losing the grit. It’s more than a rehash—it reimagines.

Across both volumes, Phill Most Chill stays locked in. The rhymes are dense with internal schemes, tight phrasing, and smart wordplay, but they don’t sacrifice bounce. There’s humor, battle bars, and deep-cut references, all delivered with the kind of timing that’s hard to fake.

I’m (Volume One & Volume Two) doesn’t try to reinvent anything. It doubles down on rhythm, vinyl, and rhyme in a way that feels alive. For listeners into stripped-down 80s-centric Hip Hop with no filler, this is built to loop. This is Phill Most Chill’s second strong release of the year, Deal With It (with Djar One) also slaps.

Release date: April 29, 2025.

Kool Keith & Grant Shapiro - Karpenters

Karpenters is short, weird, and fully Kool Keith. The production from Grant Shapiro leans on crisp boom bap drums, eerie loops, and strange flourishes that match Keith’s off-kilter delivery. As always, his bars swing between sharp jabs, cryptic references, and surreal detours, delivered with that familiar deadpan tone. Even at its most abstract, the flow stays locked in—unpredictable, but never sloppy.

Tracks like “Super Hits” hit hard, with dense percussion and a grungy bassline, while guest appearances from Marc Live and Tash bring in extra muscle without overcrowding Keith’s space. The mixing by J-Styles and mastering by Steve Baughman keep everything clean but gritty enough to match the mood.

Karpenters, Keith’s third release of the year, isn’t a full-scale comeback or a heavy concept record—it’s Keith having fun in his own lane, backed by a producer who clearly gets the vision. At around 30 minutes, Karpenters moves (too) fast, but it leaves a mark.

Release date: April 18, 2025.

Too Short - Sir Too Short Vol. 1 (Freaky Tales)

Sir Too Short Vol. 1 (Freaky Tales) is more about presence than reinvention. At 58, Too Short stays true to his playbook: laid-back delivery, raunchy rhymes, and Bay Area funk basslines that ride low and steady. The beats lean on synthy grooves, heavy kicks, and occasional trap touches, but the core is familiar—slow-rolling pimp tales and party talk, handled with the same casual confidence he built his name on. “Still Mackin’” and “You Don’t Know” tap into that late-’80s Mobb flavor, while newer cuts like “Go Bitch” and “Pimpin’ Like Kenny Red” bring in younger collaborators without chasing trends.

This isn’t his sharpest album, but it doesn’t really try to be. It’s about staying active, staying in the mix, and giving longtime fans something to nod to. The storytelling is crude, funny, and sometimes dated, but that’s part of the appeal. Too Short isn’t pretending to be anything else. He’s coasting in his own lane, talking slick over basslines you can feel in your chest. Sir Too Short Vol. 1 may not move the needle, but it keeps the engine running—more nostalgic than essential, but still very much $hort Dog.

Release date: April 18, 2025.

BFB Da Packman - Thats Brilliant!

That’s Brilliant! is loud, funny, and full of personality. Houston-based rapper BFB Da Packman, originally from Flint, Michigan, brings a sharp Midwest cadence and wild sense of humor to a batch of upbeat, synth-heavy beats. His delivery is animated and direct, swinging between offhand jokes and moments of grounded reflection without slowing the pace. The project keeps a loose, high-energy feel throughout, but “MoreThanBRILLIANT!” featuring MIKE and Starlito is the standout cut here—balancing clever writing with a heavier emotional weight. Packman leans into his contradictions without trying to resolve them, giving the project its edge. It’s messy, bold, and hard to ignore.

Release date: April 18, 2025.

Bernadette Price - A Widows Cry

Bernadette Price – A Widow’s Cry moves with the weight of memory and the focus of someone who’s got something to say, not just something to mourn. Ten years after the passing of Sean Price, Bernadette steps forward with her own voice—clear, direct, and cut from the same Brooklyn cloth. Her delivery is grounded, no flash, just truth, laid over rugged boom bap built by producers like Stu Bangas, Khrysis, and Da Beatminerz. Tracks like “Drama Time” and “Bars” hit hard with sharp drums and street-level perspective, while “Sean’s Gone” shifts into soulful reflection without softening the edges. Sean appears posthumously on “Shut da Fuck Up,” a moment that’s both raw and precise, tying past to present without sentimentality. The album is structured tightly—no filler, no gloss—letting Bernadette’s steady tone and unshaken presence carry through. A Widow’s Cry doesn’t look back. It moves forward, with her voice front and center, and Sean in the room.

Release date: April 18, 2025.

Heem B$F - Bars & Noble 2

Bars & Noble 2 is a cold-weather record—built on moody loops, heavy drums, and quiet focus. Heem B$F sounds locked in, rapping with a clipped precision that cuts through the murky production without rushing the moment. The opener “187” is tense and unflinching, setting the tone with eerie keys and a clear-eyed sense of threat. “1993” moves slower, draped in nostalgia but never leaning on it. The beats are mostly boom bap-driven, dusty and stripped down, giving Heem room to land each word. Tracks like “Gangsta Pain” and “Dog Eat Dog” lean into hard truths without glamor, showing how loss and pressure shape the world around him. “Retro Flow” loosens up with bounce and attitude, while “Simon Says” spins the crew’s energy into something wired and aggressive. Heem doesn’t waste bars or overextend—Bars & Noble 2 stays tight, with its sharp edges and sharp focus, rooted in Buffalo, but speaking to everywhere that moves the same.

Release date: April 18, 2025.

Cappadonna - Godly Wealthy & Beautiful

Cappadonna never really succeeded in releasing a strong album after his solo debut, and Godly Wealthy & Beautiful doesn’t change that. It’s not even his worst, but the lack of focus, clunky transitions, and uneven production make it hard to recommend. There are glimpses of the charisma that once made him a standout voice, but they’re buried under half-baked ideas and forgettable beats. At this point, the album is really only worth checking out for diehard Cappadonna fans who are already committed to digging through the clutter for the occasional spark.

Release date: April 17, 2025.

Sol Messiah - War Of The Gods

War Of The Gods is a gritty, percussive collection from Atlanta producer Sol Messiah, packed with tight loops, sharp snares, and a lineup of lyricists who come with purpose. The beats lean heavy on chopped soul samples, layered textures, and neck-snapping drums that ground the album in classic East Coast tradition without sounding dated. Each track brings a different voice—Skyzoo’s steady control, Sa-Roc’s precision, Cambatta’s layered metaphors—but the tone stays consistent: urgent and unflinching. There’s little room for filler; songs are short and snappy, verses hit fast and often. At times, the sequencing can feel dense, but Sol Messiah’s ear for rhythm and texture keeps it engaging. War Of The Gods is packed with sharp moments that reward a focused listen.

Release date: April 15, 2025.

Precyce Politix - The Great And Terrible

The Great And Terrible is a gritty, focused record with sharp beats and sharper rhymes. Precyce Politix delivers dense, no-frills verses over raw production from DRUGS Beats, Trblmkr, Ace Dizzy Flow, and more. The drums knock, the samples crackle, and the energy stays tight throughout. Tracks like “God’s Number” with K-Hill hit hard—lyrically tight and sonically aggressive without losing clarity. Precyce is direct, clever, and grounded in experience, flipping thoughtful lines with confidence. The album is structured with care, moving smoothly from track to track without dragging. It’s heavy on bars, light on filler, and built for repeat listens.

Release date: April 15, 2025. 

Raz Fresco & Futurewave - Stadium Lo Champions

Stadium Lo Champions brings Raz Fresco and Futurewave back in stride. The beats are gritty and focused—drums hit hard, loops stay grimy, and there’s a cold elegance in how the tracks move. Futurewave keeps things lean, mixing dusty samples with sharp cuts, leaving room for bars to breathe.

Raz sounds locked in. His flow is tight and structured, with a cool confidence that doesn’t stretch for effect. Songs like “Steve Austin” hit with technical precision, and features from Daniel Son, al.divino, and Estee Nack add extra weight. “Lauren Story” shifts the mood with a softer backdrop, but stays rooted in the same grounded tone.

It’s a tight project—no filler, no wasted space. Each track builds on the next without relying on big swings. At 16 tracks, it runs fast but hits clean. Stadium Lo Champions is deliberate, polished, and built for heads tuned into sharp bars and raw beats.

Release date: 11 April 2025.

ASM (A State Of Mind) - The Frenzy Of Bacchus

ASM’s The Frenzy of Bacchus offers a vibrant plunge into alternative Hip Hop, blending boom bap, soul, and jazz. The trio—MCs FP (Canada), GT Lovecraft (UK), and DJ/producer Rhino (Germany)—crafts a lush, cinematic sound across 14 tracks. Rhino’s production, rich with dusty drums and orchestral flourishes, shines on “Sabre Pop,” where Mattic’s verses add grit. “Razor Clams,” featuring Harleighblu’s soulful vocals, weaves vivid storytelling, while The Hot City Horns lift “Beluga & Toast” with brassy swagger. FP and GT Lovecraft’s lyrics, dense with imagery, explore hedonism and culture, tying to the group’s natural wine passion, evident in their Natty Rhyme series. A gem for boom bap fans, it’s a bold, flavorful ride.

Release date: April 11, 2025.

ONYX - Lower East Side

Lower East Side by Onyx is loud, gritty, and built on classic boom-bap loops. The drums hit hard, and the energy never really drops, but the tracks blur together over time. The delivery is aggressive, like we know from Onyx, with shouted hooks and barked verses. Lyrically, it’s heavy on chest-thumping and street talk, delivered with the kind of intensity that made their early work pop. But the structure leans too often on repetition, and the production, while clean, doesn’t leave much room for surprise. It’s tough and straightforward, but rarely steps outside the formula.

Release date: April 11, 2025.

RJ Payne - Leatherface 4

Leatherface 4 is all grit and muscle. RJ Payne barrels through each track with sharp-edged delivery and bruising punchlines. The production leans heavy on dark, choppy loops and hard drums—minimal but effective, giving Payne room to unload his horror vision. His verses are dense and aggressive, full of bark and bite. The features—Nym Lo, Ruste Juxx, Tek—keep the energy sharp without dragging the pace. Some beats feel interchangeable, but Payne’s voice and cadence carry them forward. It’s a blunt record built for volume and head-nods, and Payne sounds like he knows exactly what he wants from it.

Release date: April 11, 2025.

Living Legends - Legendary Music Vol. 3

Legendary Music Vol. 3 brings together the Living Legends crew and a few guests, but the spark that once made their collaborations hit harder feels dulled here. The production leans too often on safe, mid-tempo loops that drift without much punch or identity. Some verses still cut through—Eligh and Scarub bring energy, and Slug drops a solid feature—but too many tracks feel like leftovers rather than fully-formed ideas. The chemistry is scattered, and the sequencing doesn’t help; the momentum slips track to track. There are a couple bright spots worth revisiting, but as a full listen, the album feels uneven. It’s more of a nod to longtime fans than a forward step.

Release date: April 11, 2025.

Kool Kat - Usual Suspectz

Usual Suspectz is a dense, hard-hitting project from Kool Kat, built on raw drum loops, dark loops, and rough-edged sampling that hits like cold pavement. The beats feel hand-dug and dusty, giving the album a lived-in texture that pulls from classic 90s grit without sounding stuck in the past. Kool Kat’s production keeps things tight, letting heavy features like RJ Payne, Estee Nack, and Crimeapple spit with force and control. There’s little wasted space—each track moves with purpose, laced with sharp cuts and no-frills intensity. It’s heavy, rugged Hip Hop made with care and aimed squarely at heads who want it loud and direct.

Release date: April 11, 2025.

Merkules - Survivor's Guilt

Survivor’s Guilt is Merkules at his most focused and heavy-handed. The beats hit with weight—thick drums, distorted guitars, and pianos that sound waterlogged with regret. C-Lance handles most of the production, building a murky atmosphere that gives Merk room to switch between confrontation and confession. On the title track, he opens with a drumless piano loop and a tight verse about surviving trauma when others didn’t. There’s no melodrama—just flat, matter-of-fact pain.

Tracks like “On Guard” with Shaquille O’Neal and “Bawse” with Prof are pure threat energy, with Merkules bulldozing verses over cloudy or boom bap beats. Features are chosen carefully—NHale brings a cool hook to “Wassup,” while Brotha Lynch Hung and X-Raided push “Fight Music” into full chaos. Even D12’s appearance on “Big Bad Bullies” feels raw and locked in.

The pacing is relentless. There’s little polish, but that’s the point. Merkules isn’t chasing trends—he’s laying down bars like a man who’s lived through the worst and made it out spitting. The album is long, sometimes overwhelming, but it never loses its bite. Survivor’s Guilt sounds like someone lighting a cigarette off their past and watching it burn.

Release date: April 11, 2025.

OC from NC - Project 25: The Mandela Effect

Project 25: The Mandela Effect is a continuation of OC from NC’s January drop, and it feels more focused. The beats are raw and grounded—dusty drums, chopped samples, and slow-burning loops that leave space for thought. OC’s delivery stays calm, but there’s weight behind his words. He’s not throwing bars out for effect—he’s speaking plainly, pulling from personal memory and everyday tension.

This isn’t his flashiest work, and it doesn’t try to be. It’s steady, unfiltered, and made for people who actually listen. We liked the January drop, and this one hits harder in its own way. Still, we prefer some of his earlier work better—but OC from NC stays overlooked and worth paying attention to.

Release date: April 9, 2025.

Figerson & Machacha - The Fifth Horseman

The Fifth Horseman is dark and methodical. Machacha lays down the kind of beats that don’t move fast, but hang heavy—grimy loops, crisp snares, and low-end hums that feel carved from cold stone. It’s atmospheric, but not cloudy. Every sound is placed with intention. Figerson doesn’t rush anything. His delivery is measured, almost spoken at times, and there’s a dry edge to his voice that fits the mood. The writing leans into dense phrasing and bleak images without going abstract.

At 31 minutes, The Fifth Horseman is brief. There’s not much space for detours, but that works for the tight focus of the project. Machacha’s production is still the main draw—dusty, tense, and stripped down. Figerson slides into that framework with precision. It’s a sharp, no-frills listen for anyone tuned into the deeper corners of modern boom-bap.

Release date: April 8, 2025.

Raw Poetic - The Flow Of Time

The Flow of Time is an introspective, soulful project that highlights Raw Poetic’s versatility as an artist. Entirely self-produced, the album blends live instrumentation with smooth, laid-back beats, creating a rich and organic atmosphere. Tracks like “Peel the Layers” and “Glaring at a Star” feature thoughtful, reflective lyrics delivered with a melodic flow, while “Liquid Soul” and “Midnight Morning” explore deeper, more experimental sounds. Raw Poetic’s ability to play every instrument himself adds a personal touch to the project, giving it a raw, unpolished charm. The album flows effortlessly from track to track, maintaining a consistent vibe that makes for a cohesive listening experience. A truly organic and engaging project, The Flow of Time proves that Raw Poetic’s talent extends far beyond just rhyming.

Release date: April 4, 2025. 

sleepingdogs - DOGSTOEVSKY

Sleepingdogs’ DOGSTOEVSKY, from the Three Dollar Pistol label, is a sharp leap for andrew and Jesse The Tree, refining their indie Hip Hop craft. The duo’s production blends gritty drum breaks with off-kilter synths and jazzy loops, creating a vivid, unpredictable sound.

Tracks like “ballin’ at least,” featuring Homeboy Sandman, lean into playful weed-soaked vibes, Sandman’s nimble bars adding a crisp edge. Brian Ennals’ guest spot injects raw grit, grounding the album’s more abstract moments. Jesse The Tree’s rhymes wrestle with heavy themes—poverty, mental strain—while andrew’s verses flash humor and defiance, their interplay tight and dynamic. The beats shift from lo-fi haze to sharp snares, keeping the energy high.

Not as surprising as their earlier I’m Fakin’ My Own Death Just to Get Some Rest, DOGSTOEVSKY still thrives on bold ideas, carving a niche for left-field listeners. It’s engaging, with enough wit and weight to linger, a strong addition to their catalog that demands repeated spins for its layered depth.

Release date: April 4, 2025.

Boldy James & V Don - Alphabet Highway

Alphabet Highway is Boldy James’ second-best release of the year so far—clearer and more locked-in than his mid-at-best January drops, even if it doesn’t reach the heights of earlier Boldy classics like Bo Jackson or Manger on McNichols. V Don’s production lays a solid foundation, full of grimy textures, dusty loops, and a few surprising switches, like the jazz-tinged “Smacking Foreigns” or the off-kilter knock of “Entrapment.” It’s dark, minimal, and focused—built for Boldy’s low-slung voice and coded bars.

There’s no filler here, but not every track sticks. Some cuts blur together, especially in the middle stretch. Still, when it hits—like “Split the Bill,” “Quaker Oats,” and the eerie closer “Bobert Horry”—it reminds you how sharp Boldy can be when he’s matched with the right producer. His delivery stays steady throughout, and while he rarely breaks form, the writing has more bite here than on Hommage or Permanent Ink.

V Don keeps the beats tight and shadowy without going flat, and that helps carry Boldy through a few stretches where the energy dips. There’s nothing flashy here, but there’s control—and that matters. The no-feature structure works in his favor, too, keeping the focus locked in.

This isn’t a career peak, but it’s a strong addition to Boldy’s catalog and a reminder of how consistent he can be when the production meets him halfway. Alphabet Highway won’t rewrite his story, but it doesn’t need to—it keeps him firmly in motion.

Release date: April 4, 2025.

Bigg Sluggathor - The Wizard Behind The Curtain

Bigg Sluggathor’s The Wizard Behind The Curtain pulls from deep underground currents, shaping a dark and hypnotic producer’s album. The beats hit heavy but stay loose, moving between eerie loops, raw percussion, and textures that feel warped at the edges. Nothing here is clean-cut—every snare, every bass hit lands with grit, dragging the listener deeper into a haze of low-end thump and detuned melodies.

AJ Suede kicks things off on “Sorcerer Supreme,” riding a creeping synth line with a measured, almost incantatory delivery. Ugly Frank’s “Imported Hashish” switches gears with a stumbling, off-kilter rhythm, while Noah23’s “Two Headed Goat” feels jittery, like a broadcast from a fractured reality. Fatboi Sharif brings the unsettling energy up another notch on “Pastor’s Speech,” his voice shifting between sermon and delirium over a beat that rattles like bones in a tin can.

This is raw, underground Hip Hop with a heavy dose of the surreal—unpolished, immersive, and full of strange magic.

Release date: March 31, 2025.

Lil Keke - Legend Hotel

Lil Keke is a Houston staple, with Don’t Mess wit Texas (1997) cementing his place in the city’s rap history. Since then, he’s stuck to the same formula—Houston-flavored rap that rarely disappoints but seldom stands out. Legend Hotel won’t leave a lasting mark either, but it’s worth noting for its lineup of big-name features, including Slim Thug, Paul Wall, and Bun B.

Release date: March 28, 2025.

LEX Nyre - The Best Language

LEX Nyre’s The Best Language taps into smooth, jazz-infused Hip Hop with crisp drum patterns and warm, flowing basslines. The beats move with a laid-back confidence, pulling from golden-era textures while keeping a fresh, polished sound. Tracks like “They Slackin’” and “Sound Like My City” carry a steady swing, with emcees weaving tight verses over soulful loops. “Kill It With Love” introduces subtle scratches and airy vocal samples, adding depth without clutter. The production keeps things dynamic, balancing mellow keys with sharper drum work. This is easygoing but intentional Hip Hop, built for focused listening and late-night head nods.

Release date: March 28, 2025.

Backxwash - Only Dust Remains

Backxwash’s Only Dust Remains is an album that doesn’t whisper or hint at its themes—it roars. The Montreal-based rapper and producer moves past the suffocating darkness of her previous trilogy into something more expansive, but no less intense. Across these ten tracks, she channels anger, grief, and reflection into a sound that fuses industrial rap, metal, electronic, and gospel elements with a newfound sense of movement and space.

Opener “Black Lazarus” starts with eerie choral harmonies before a crashing beat drops in, as Backxwash delivers verses that wrestle with mortality, guilt, and survival. The religious imagery that has long been a staple of her work returns here, but it feels more like an interrogation than a plea. “Wake Up” follows with a relentless build, its seven-minute runtime growing heavier as synths and distorted drums layer over each other. Backxwash’s voice rises in fury, the repetition of “wake the f*** up!” turning into both a personal and political rallying cry. The song shifts halfway through, briefly dipping into a warped gospel section before snapping back into the chaos, a moment of breath before the plunge.

“9th Heaven” introduces a different kind of urgency, its drum’n’bass beat pulsing beneath rapid-fire verses about addiction, labor, and searching for meaning. The song’s climax—an exultant cry of “I feel so motherf***ing free!”—arrives like a breaking wave, a rare moment of release amid the tension. “Dissociation” slows things down with an eerie post-rock instrumental, its melody weaving around reflections on depression and detachment. Chloe Hotline’s ghostly vocals float in the background, their softness contrasting with the weight of Backxwash’s words.

On “History of Violence,” Backxwash turns her focus outward, confronting the ongoing genocide in Gaza with unflinching directness. The intensity doesn’t let up with “Stairway to Heaven,” where a jazz-inflected intro gives way to a soaring guitar solo, as Backxwash raps about accepting the void rather than fearing it.

The album closes with the title track, its haunting Nina Simone sample framing a final meditation on identity, displacement, and defiance. “What I hope to do all the time is to be so completely myself,” Simone’s voice declares, an ethos that Backxwash embodies throughout the record. Only Dust Remains doesn’t just process pain—it reshapes it into something powerful, something impossible to ignore.

Release date: March 28, 2025.

Young H3roes - H3roes Die Young

H3roes Die Young thrives on sharp lyricism and tight chemistry between Jam Young and H3RO. The duo trades verses effortlessly, weaving personal reflections and battle-ready wordplay over polished production. Tracks move between soulful loops and hard-edged drum breaks, keeping the momentum steady. Guests like Ras Kass and A-F-R-O bring extra firepower, but Jam Young and H3RO hold their ground, flipping creative bars that demand attention. While some beats lack grit, the rhymes carry the weight, packed with energy and clever twists. This album leans into golden-era influences, delivering intricate flows and plenty of moments worth a rewind.

Release date: March 25, 2025.

Curci & Mike Summers - Bento Box

Curci & Mike Summers’ Bento Box delivers sharp lyricism over polished, melodic production. The beats move between smooth, jazz-inflected rhythms and crisp drum work, giving Curci space to weave his verses with precision. Summers’ production keeps things dynamic, layering warm keys and subtle basslines under tightly structured flows. The album maintains steady momentum, balancing introspection with energetic delivery. Guest appearances from artists like Boldy James and Chuuwee add depth. The chemistry between Curci’s laid-back confidence and Summers’ polished beats creates a cohesive listening experience. This is well-crafted Hip Hop, built for focused listening and steady head nods.

Release date: March 21, 2025.

Ayoo Bigz - Unholy Scriptures

Ayoo Bigz’s Unholy Scriptures delivers weighty bars over dark, atmospheric production. The beats hit with raw drum patterns and eerie samples, setting the stage for his grim storytelling. His delivery is forceful, with a steady, commanding presence cutting through heavy instrumentals. Features bring extra energy, but the focus stays on Ayoo Bigz’s gritty lyricism and sharp flow. The album sticks to a menacing tone, with dense rhymes layered over haunting melodies and pounding bass. This is street Hip Hop with a no-nonsense approach, built for listeners who appreciate hard-hitting beats and unapologetic lyricism. Kind of generic, but enjoyable enough.

Release date: March 21, 2025.

Henny L.O. & Ewonee - The Coldest Season Ever

Henny L.O. from Mutant Academy delivers a tight, tasty gem with The Coldest Season Ever. Ewonee’s beats glide—smooth, jazzy currents with crisp drums that roll easy and warm, setting a laid-back groove. Henny’s voice, mellow but firm, weaves through, while Fly Anakin, Kaay Taurus, Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon, and Big Kahuna OG drop in, each adding a distinct kick. The sound hums with smoky vibes, the mood chill but alive, built on verses that stack snug over Ewonee’s loops. It won’t stick in your head forever—nothing here screams for repeat spins—but it’s a solid, enjoyable ride, perfect for a quiet night with the volume up.

Release date: March 21, 2025.

J Scienide - Fire At The Philharmonic

Fire at the Philharmonic carries the grit of J Scienide’s visits to Toronto, where much of the music was recorded. The beats move with a dusty elegance—soulful but never too smooth, always grounded in thick  drum loops and well-dug samples. Scienide’s delivery is sharp and measured, threading layered wordplay through every verse. Guest appearances from Daniel Son, Lord Juco, and Asun Eastwood blend naturally into the project’s steady pulse. Tracks stay short, keeping the energy tight and the focus locked in. This is craftsmanship at work, built for listeners who appreciate every detail in the rhymes and production.

Release date: March 21, 2025.

Bishop Nehru - Now Or Never

Bishop Nehru’s Now or Never leans into bass-heavy beats and sample-driven drill rhythms, giving his delivery a fresh edge. “Back Around” moves with synth-heavy trap energy, while “Cash Rules” flips Wu-Tang’s classic with sharp lyricism. “Chocolate Pain” twists internet nostalgia into a playful flex, and “Couldn’t Get By” builds off a familiar West Coast sample. Tracks like “Front!” and “Henny Black” keep the momentum up, blending crisp percussion with confident storytelling. The production dips into cloudy textures and polished loops, balancing intensity with introspection. Nehru keeps his flow tight, shifting between reflection and forward momentum with ease.

Release date: March 21, 2025. 

iNTeLL - Chemical X

iNTeLL’s Chemical X channels a sharp lyrical focus and intricate beats, driven by his distinct approach to Hip Hop. As the son of Wu-Tang Clan’s U-God, he carries that lineage with precision, crafting verses that cut through the layered production. U-God himself appears on the album, his seasoned presence adding weight to the mix. Other guest features blend in naturally, adding texture without overshadowing iNTeLL’s voice. Chemical X is deliberate, energetic, and shaped by a clear artistic vision.

Release date: March 19, 2025.

Smoke DZA - The Barcelona Tape

This project won’t rewrite Hip Hop, but it offers a good time. The beats snap and blaze—some ride low with gritty funk, others flare up with sharp kicks—and most features land clean. Smoke DZA’s gruff drawl weaves through, tossing out lines that stick in your head, clever and cocky. It’s loose, loud, and rolls with a vibe that keeps you locked in—a sweaty, smoke-filled joyride worth cranking up. The lineup’s stacked: 24hrs, Ling Hussle, Flames Dot Malik, Really Jaewon, Bizzle the Bad, DivineRBG. Production pulls heavy—DJ Muggs, Harry Fraud, LetsGoHayes, Pria, Dizzy Banko, Purpdogg, Cartune, John Dutch, Iseekarlo, Kino Beats—all bringing heat.

Release date: March 18, 2025. 

Slim Thug & Propain - Double Cup

Slim Thug and Propain bring classic Houston energy to Double Cup, sticking to the city’s signature syrupy beats and laid-back flow. Slim Thug’s deep, steady presence meshes smoothly with Propain’s dynamic delivery, making for a project that feels both familiar and refreshing.

One of the album’s highlights comes from Z-Ro, whose soulful feature adds another layer of depth to the mix. While Double Cup doesn’t stray far from tradition and offers nothing memorable, it stays true to Houston’s legacy—consistent, authentic, and built for fans who appreciate the city’s unmistakable sound.

Release date: March 14, 2025. 

Recognize Ali & Stu Bangas - Guerilla Dynasty 3

Recognize Ali, the tireless underground MC, links up again with producer Stu Bangas for Guerilla Dynasty 3, the latest chapter in their rugged series. If you know these two, you can already hear it: beats that hit like a fistful of gravel—boom-bap laced with grime—and bars that snarl with the same dirty edge. This album doesn’t chase new territory or linger long in your head after the last track fades. It doesn’t need to. There’s a crowd that craves this strain of Hip Hop—hard, unpolished, straight from the gutter—and we’re right there with them, nodding along to the familiar grit.

Release date: March 14, 2025.

Curren$y & Harry Fraud - Never Catch Us

Never Catch Us brings Curren$y and Harry Fraud back together for another smooth, luxurious ride through the high life. The production leans into warm, layered instrumentation—lush strings, crisp drums, and hazy keys set the mood for Spitta’s effortless glide. His laid-back delivery and sharp details paint scenes of private jets, classic cars, and late-night plotting.

“Money Magnet” is the standout, with its eerie, looping sample and thudding drums providing the perfect backdrop for Curren$y’s unshakable cool. Conway the Machine and Rome Streetz step in with menacing energy, and Rome’s closing verse is especially sharp. The features throughout add texture—Wiz Khalifa slides in comfortably on “Airport Industries,” while Babyface Ray, Styles P, and 03 Greedo bring weight to the trap-flavored “True Lies.”

Fraud’s best production moments blend jazz and soul influences with his signature polished touch, as heard on “Encrypted Messages” and “No Wrinkles.” Some tracks in the second half don’t land as strongly, leaning into flatter production, but the highs outweigh the dips. Curren$y and Fraud have locked into a formula that works, and while this project doesn’t reinvent their sound, it stays fresh with small shifts in energy and approach. It’s an easy listen, built for long drives and slow afternoons, reinforcing their chemistry without forcing anything new.

Release date: March 14, 2025. 

Velly Marsh & LethalNeedle - Thread The Needle

Velly Marsh and LethalNeedle’s Thread the Needle crackles with a lean, gritty pulse—beats thud low and steady, snares bite crisp, a bare-bones boom-bap frame that hums with Sacramento dust. LethalNeedle keeps it simple—loops coil tight, bass rumbles deep—leaving room for Marsh’s voice to cut through. His flow bends smooth then snaps sharp, a steady roll of introspective bars that wrestle with growth and grit. The mood hangs heavy—quiet storms brew in his delivery—while Tha God Fahim, Dizzy Wright, and Andrew the Anomalous One weave in, adding quick, jagged sparks. It’s a taut, thoughtful ride—short, sturdy, worth the spin.

Release date: March 14, 2025. 

WateRR & Machacha - Almighty II

Chicago’s WateRR teams up again with Danish producer Machacha for Almighty II, a sequel that doesn’t top their best work but still lands heavy. We’ve heard sharper cuts from each—WateRR’s gravelly bark has bitten harder, and Machacha’s beats have swirled darker elsewhere. Even so, this album rises well above the usual churn. Machacha conjures a thick, moody haze— drum kicks roll slow, samples curl like smoke—while WateRR’s rough growl digs into the grooves, gritty and unyielding. It’s a lean, mean listen, worth spinning for anyone hooked on underground Hip Hop’s raw pulse.

Release date: March 14, 2025.

Otis Mensah & the intern - before the noise my cousin

before the noise my cousin moves through hazy, jazz-inflected production with Otis Mensah’s introspective lyricism floating over the intern’s abstract beats. The album drifts between spoken-word poetics and off-kilter rap cadences, shaping a dreamlike atmosphere where memories and emotions dissolve into sound.

The production leans into airy textures—muted horns, soft percussion, and warm synths—giving space for Mensah’s voice to roam. Tracks stretch and contract in unpredictable ways, mirroring the transient themes of youth, identity, and creative struggle. There’s a looseness in the structure, but nothing feels directionless.

Lyrically, Mensah navigates artistic ambition, self-doubt, and the weight of time with a delivery that teeters between urgency and reflection. Guest appearances from Blu, Speech of Arrested Development, and Lando Chill add texture without overshadowing the album’s deeply personal tone.

before the noise my cousin unfolds like a late-night conversation—wandering, vulnerable, and fully committed to artistic freedom.

Release date: March 14, 2025.

Ea$y Money & Phinelia - Drug Money

Drug Money sticks to familiar territory—street raps with a polished edge. Ea$y Money and Phinelia keep it straight to the point, trading bars over beats that hit hard without overcomplicating things. The production stays clean, balancing crisp loops with heavy drums, courtesy of Statik Selektah and company. It’s nothing new, but it doesn’t need to be. For those who never tire of tough guy talk and street wisdom, this delivers exactly what’s expected. Solid, if predictable.

Release date: March 7, 2025.

Dangerous Creatures - Dead Earth 1.0

Dead Earth 1.0 is a dense, futuristic ride through paranoia, destruction, and warped funk. King Kashmere’s commanding presence and vivid lyricism cut through Mimski’s thick, electronic-tinged production, which grinds and pulses like machinery in motion. The beats feel heavy, layered with distorted synths and deep, rolling basslines that create a tense, claustrophobic energy. Guest features expand the sonic palette, adding urgency and unpredictability to the already chaotic atmosphere. This is Hip Hop built for the end times—cold, unrelenting, and full of sharp-edged rhythms that hit like warning sirens echoing through a collapsing world.

Release date: March 7, 2025.

Kool Keith & Dane Uno - The Yoohoo bros.

Kool Keith pulls us in every time—his wild orbit keeps us hooked. The Yoohoo Bros., a quick dip with Dane Uno, doesn’t take up much space in his sprawling catalog, but it’s got bite worth savoring. Keith’s offbeat bars twist through the mix, packed with quirky chants and sly jabs that amplify his signature freaky flair. KutMasta Kurt and Junkaz Lou lay down low, greasy funk with glitchy kicks, locking into Keith’s oddball stride better than his own production, which doesn’t land as strong. Dane Uno glides in smooth, his steady flow blending seamlessly with Keith’s voice. The mood stays loose and weird, but the structure keeps it tight—lean bars over warped grooves. It won’t flip the script, but for Keith diehards, this little project crackles enough to keep the speakers warm.

Release date: March 7, 2025.

Doodlebug & 80 Empire - A Galactic Love Supreme

Doodlebug, known for his work with Digable Planets, brings his signature smooth delivery to A Galactic Love Supreme, a collaboration with 80 Empire that blends jazz, funk, and soulful Hip Hop. Digable Planets made their mark with warm, sample-driven production and poetic lyricism, and that influence carries through here, though with a modern twist.

“Outtaspace Connection” kicks things off with a Zapp-style talkbox hook over deep bass, setting the mood for the album’s cosmic themes. “Breathe” reflects on Doodlebug’s love for rhythm over crisp drum breaks, while “Mother Earth is Dying” pairs melancholic horns with a call for environmental awareness. Shabazz Palaces joins “Deliveries,” trading off abstract bars over a hazy groove.

“Amore” glides into silky, soul-infused production, while “Time Keeps Slipping” leans into introspection, with Nejma Nefertiti’s verse adding sharp urgency. “Intergalactic Love Supreme” expands on the album’s theme of love and connection, its floating synths creating a dreamlike atmosphere. “Nothing Lasts Forever” closes things out with Bone Crusher and KXNG CROOKED, delivering reflective bars over moody piano loops. With rich, organic textures and a laid-back but thoughtful energy, this album feels like a continuation of Doodlebug’s legacy while embracing new sonic directions.

Release date: March 7, 2025.

Sirrealist - Lotus

Lotus keeps its edges sharp, grounded in hard-hitting beats and deliberate bars. Oxnard rapper Sirrealist moves through the tracks with a measured delivery, his voice steady against production that leans heavy on gritty loops and raw textures. Features from Planet Asia, Flee Lord, and Ghostface Killah add weight without breaking the album’s flow. The beats carry a classic underground feel—dusty drums, haunting samples, and a cold, unpolished energy. Nothing flashy, nothing wasted—Lotus sticks to its lane and keeps the impact direct.

Release date: March 7, 2025. 

ILL Tone Beats - The Outcome

The Outcome is a heavy dose of grimy, street-level Hip Hop with ILL Tone Beats laying down a cold, hard foundation. The production leans on eerie loops, slow-burning drums, and that unmistakable underground grit. Black Soprano Family takes center stage, with Elcamino, Benny the Butcher, and Conway the Machine delivering their usual weighty bars.

Tracks like “The Outcome” and “Raw Cain” hit hardest, laced with menacing energy and rugged storytelling. “Super Immaculate” and “36 Ounces and a Mercedes” shift toward a more soulful side, weaving in rich samples and cinematic textures. Some hooks feel undercooked, but the verses and beats carry the weight.

For those who live off raw, unfiltered Hip Hop, this album does exactly what it should.

Release date: March 7, 2025.

Jim Jones - At The Church Steps

Screenshot

At the Church Steps finds Jim Jones blending reflective storytelling with streetwise energy over a mix of soulful samples, booming drums, and modern drill influences. The production shifts between classic boom bap and more trap-flavored beats, creating a contrast between nostalgia and urgency, though we’re not too crazy about these more trap-leaning tracks. And while some hooks are pretty weak, Jim’s delivery remains steady, balancing confidence with introspection. Gospel elements weave through tracks like “Genesis” and “Church Steps,” reinforcing themes of survival and redemption. The album carries weight but stumbles in spots.

Release date: February 28, 2025. 

Boldy James & Chuck Strangers - Token Of Appreciation

After two lackluster January releases—Murder During Drug Traffic with RichGains and the solo Permanent Ink—Boldy James bounces back with Token of Appreciation, a collab with Pro Era’s Chuck Strangers. This 11-track, 32-minute album marks a return to form for the Detroit MC, driven by Strangers’ lo-fi production. “B.O.B. (Big Ol’ Business)” opens with a calm piano hum and soft snares, Boldy’s deep voice rolling steady, the mood relaxed yet confident. “Whale Fishing” strips drums for a chipmunk soul loop, the beat swaying gentle, his rhymes gritty, the vibe introspective and smooth.

Strangers’ sound—jazzy flares and soul chops—shines on “Thank God,” where a warm sample layers over a slow thump, the mood grateful and mellow. “Lop Sided” hums with synth-organs, the beat zippy, his flow sharp, the track pulsing with street energy. The structure keeps it tight—short tracks, no filler—Alchemist’s mixing adding a crisp edge. “Fail Proof” grooves rich, Boldy’s voice steady over a funky bassline, the mood defiant.

Overall, the beats knock smooth, and Boldy’s delivery cuts deep with vivid street tales. It’s a strong rebound, proving Boldy’s still got fire.

Release date: February 27, 2025. 

DirtyDiggs - Gold Chain Music

Gold Chain Music offers a heavy dose of underground Hip Hop built on DirtyDiggs’ (LA duo JR and Noy One) signature production —soulful loops, crisp drums, and a hazy, cinematic feel. The beats pull from rich samples, layering jazzy horns, dusty piano chops, and deep basslines into a sound that feels both polished and unfiltered. Planet Asia leads the charge with his precise delivery, while guests like K.Burns, Supreme Cerebral, and TriState bring sharp lyricism, syncing smoothly with DirtyDiggs’ throwback swing. The energy shifts between laid-back, smoked-out vibes and harder, streetwise anthems, giving the project a dynamic rhythm. The chemistry between the production and the verses keeps the momentum steady. It’s a solid, dope listen.

Release date: February 26, 2025.

Dave East & Ransom - The Final Call

The Final Call brings together Dave East and Ransom for a cold, deliberate take on street rap. The production leans on soul-sampling, layering dramatic loops over steady, knocking drums. Dave East sounds locked in, delivering measured verses with an aggressive but controlled presence. Ransom brings a heavier tone, his delivery sharp and calculated. Tracks like “Exotic Prayer Rugs” and “Soul Food in Mecca” hit hardest, their instrumentals carrying weight without drowning out the vocals. The features are hit-or-miss, but the chemistry between the two main artists keeps the album focused. This is a no-frills release built for replay.

Release date: February 21, 2025. 

Landon Wordswell & Es-K - Remember To Breathe

Remember to Breathe brings Landon Wordswell’s intricate lyricism together with Es-K’s mellow, jazz-infused production. The beats lean on warm keys, dusty drums, and laid-back loops, creating a steady pulse that lets the verses land with weight. Wordswell’s delivery is fluid, shifting between sharp storytelling and reflective moments. He packs his lines with detail, and his flow never lags, keeping the energy consistent. Features from Skyzoo, Talib Kweli, and Blu add texture without overshadowing the main voice. The album moves with purpose, keeping the mood grounded while giving enough space for the instrumentals to breathe. A strong listen throughout.

Release date: February 21, 2025.

Smif-N-Wessun - Infinity

Smif-N-Wessun’s Infinity, released via Duck Down Music, pairs Tek and Steele with The Soul Council’s tight production across 14 tracks. Khrysis’ “Infinity” kicks off with a mellow bass hum and crisp snares, Tek’s voice gliding, “We here forever,” the mood reflective yet steady.  Standout cut “Medina” with Pharoahe Monch bangs hard, Sndtrak’s vocal sample looping over thumping kicks, the vibe gritty and intense. 9th Wonder’s “Enjoy Ya Life” layers soulful pianos, Steele rapping, “Make the best of the time we got,” the track smooth and warm. “On My Soul” with Buckshot hums with a funky bassline, the mood loyal and laid-back, stretching over four minutes.

The structure flows consistent—each beat polished, from “Chuuch’s” gospel flip to Nottz’s “Bad Guy” with its stark guitar sting. We like this album for its smooth listen, the production crisp and unwavering. But it’s a bit too glossy for a Smif-N-Wessun joint—the R&B hooks, like Ralph Tresvant’s croon on “Shine,” dilute the grit we crave from these Brooklyn vets. The Soul Council’s sound is tight, no doubt, yet its slick polish clashes with the rugged edge we expected.

Release date: February 21, 2025. 

FastLife, Madhattan & Spanish Ran - Bergin Hunt & Fish

Bergin Hunt & Fish brings together FastLife, Madhattan, and Spanish Ran for a hard-edged, street-level project that stays locked into its lane. Spanish Ran’s beats are stripped-down and moody, with chopped loops and drums that knock without excess polish. The production carries a grime-streaked tension, giving FastLife and Madhattan the space to deliver their rhymes with weight and precision. Their verses are tough and direct, reflecting a relentless hustle mentality. The album sticks to a familiar underground formula—short runtime, gritty beats, sharp bars, and a no-frills approach—but it’s done with focus and consistency, making it a worthwhile listen for Hip Hop purists.

Release date: February 20, 2025. 

Action Figures Of Speech - Action Figures Of Speech

Fort Wayne MC Sankofa joins Memphis Reigns and JON?DOE on Action Figures Of Speech, a fun 12-track blast. 8Greg2’s beats thump with deep bass and snappy snares, layered with DJ Wally Styles’ sharp scratches. Sankofa’s voice rolls steady, blending with Reigns and JON?DOE’s flows—the mood hums with chill, crew energy, like a late-night rhyme session. Tracks unfold tight and punchy, each beat hitting hard, the structure keeping a brisk pace across the dozen cuts. Sankofa’s relentless grind fuels this collab, the chemistry tight, the sound gritty yet fun. It’s a solid, lively spin worth the listen.

Release date: February 15, 2025. 

MC Homeless - Stay Slick

Stay Slick by MC Homeless is a sharp, offbeat ride through playful wordplay and vivid storytelling. With Marc Live handling the production, the beats hit with a funky, bass-heavy energy that keeps things moving. Tracks like “Stay Slick” and “Funky Fresh Forever” lean into humor and social observations without losing their edge. MC Homeless plays with vocal styles, shifting between laid-back delivery and animated flows. Guest features from Myka 9 and Copywrite add extra flavor, blending with Homeless’s personality without overshadowing it. The album feels like a spontaneous conversation—quick-witted, fun, and always grounded in the groove.

Release date: February 14, 2025.

Dear Derrick & Kool Keith - Galaxy Thot

Dear Derrick and Kool Keith’s Galaxy Thot is a rough, spacey ride through unpolished beats and off-the-wall rhymes. The album opens with “Back from Space,” which interpolates a rough interpretation of Eric B. & Rakim’s “My Melody” beat, giving the track a familiar but distorted foundation that sets the album’s unpredictable tone. The beats throughout the project are rugged and lo-fi, with Marc Live crafting a sound that feels raw and unfiltered, perfectly matching Kool Keith’s abstract delivery and Dear Derrick’s narratives.

Dear Derrick, a Brooklyn-based creative known for his work as a visual artist, rapper, and cultural curator, brings sharp, grounded lyrics that reflect his self-taught hustle and experiences in New York’s art and music scenes. Kool Keith, a legendary figure in underground Hip Hop, is known for his surreal, stream-of-consciousness style and decades-long influence on experimental rap. Together, they create an album that is both disorienting and entertaining.

Tracks like “MC Ultra” and “Keez and Geez” combine bizarre imagery with stripped-down, head-nodding production. At the same time, guest appearances from Marc Live, Dane Uno, and others add extra layers of oddball charisma. Galaxy Thot is a niche release, but for fans of Kool Keith’s unpredictable style and Derrick’s street-level storytelling, it’s a short, engaging listen (billed as an EP, but over 30 minutes so eligible for inclusion here) that rewards those who appreciate Hip Hop’s weirder corners.

Release date: February 14, 2025. 

Nems - America's Sweetheart

Nems’ America’s Sweetheart is another aggressive, boom-bap-heavy project from the self-proclaimed Mayor of Coney Island. The beats hit hard, with grimy production that suits Nems’ gravelly delivery. Tracks like “Go Fat Boy” and “CTE” offer raw, street-level bars, and collaborations with artists like Millyz and Tony Touch bring variety to the album’s sound.

But despite the solid production, the album is weighed down by Nems’ repetitive tough-guy persona. For someone over 40, the endless posturing and juvenile bravado wear thin fast. The “F*** Ya Life” attitude that gave him viral fame feels played out here, especially when paired with the album’s childish cover art—a cartoonish, middle-finger gesture that looks like a teenager’s rebellion rather than the work of a middle-aged man.

There are moments where Nems hints at introspection, like on “Amouna” and “God’s Hands,” but these flashes are quickly overshadowed by more macho posturing and empty threats. The attitude and humor that makes him entertaining as a battle rapper don’t translate as well across an entire project. America’s Sweetheart might satisfy fans of his street-talk schtick, but for listeners looking for more substance, it feels like another missed opportunity to grow beyond the playground tough talk.

Release date: February 14, 2025.

G-Clef Da Mad Komposa & Jus-P - Xavier & Logan

G-Clef Da Mad Komposa & Jus-P’s Xavier & Logan is a solid throwback to ’90s Hip Hop, packed with sharp rhymes and classic beats. The production leans into boom-bap grit, with crisp drums and soulful samples driving each track. Jus-P delivers steady, confident verses while G-Clef’s compositions maintain an engaging, head-nodding energy. The concept, loosely inspired by the comic book duo, doesn’t add much depth and might even distract from the music itself. Still, with a runtime of 55 minutes and a roster of guest appearances that add variety, the album stays entertaining throughout. It’s a straightforward, satisfying listen for fans of classic Hip Hop.

Release date: February 14, 2025. 

Josiah The Gift & Machacha - The Happening

Josiah The Gift and Machacha’s The Happening delivers a gritty, no-frills Hip Hop experience, grounded in sharp lyricism and dark, moody production. Machacha layers crackling drums with eerie samples, crafting an atmosphere that feels like a midnight walk through dimly lit streets. Josiah’s verses cut through the haze with precision, his voice carrying a mix of hunger and hard-earned wisdom. Tracks like “The Warning” and “Blood Oath” hit with relentless energy, while guest spots from Willie the Kid, Eddie Kaine, M.A.V., Jamil Honesty, and Vega7 the Ronin add distinct textures. At a concise 34 minutes, The Happening is short but punchy, giving underground Hip Hop heads exactly what they came for.

Release date: February 14, 2025.

Westside Gunn - 12

Westside Gunn’s 12 delivers more of the gritty, off-kilter flair that made the Hitler Wears Hermes series a cult favorite. The production sticks to the grimy, drumless loops fans expect, with Daringer, Conductor Williams, and others crafting beats that are eerie, soulful, and raw. Gunn’s signature high-pitched delivery remains distinct, though the content rarely breaks new ground.

The features lean heavily on Stove God Cook$, Estee Nack, and Brother Tom Sos, who add variety to the otherwise familiar formula. Tracks like “055” and “Health Science” stand out for their smooth, hypnotic backdrops and compelling verses, while “Bury Me with a Stove” brings dark humor and relentless hustle talk.

The album maintains a consistent atmosphere but lacks standout moments that define earlier entries in the series. Gunn’s curatorial instincts are still sharp, yet the smaller feature list and repetitive themes leave parts of the project feeling stagnant.

12 is another solid addition to Gunn’s catalog—gritty, confident, and steeped in Buffalo street ethos. But the formula might be wearing thin. While loyal listeners will appreciate the familiar vibe, others might find themselves wishing for more experimentation or a stronger sense of evolution from the Griselda frontman.

Release date: February 14, 2025. 

Maze Overlay & Slang Hugh - Word

Maze Overlay and Slang Hugh’s Word delivers a smoky, hypnotic experience rooted in introspective lyrics and textured beats. Maze Overlay’s laid-back delivery glides over Slang Hugh’s production, which blends crackling drums with hazy samples that linger like late-night streetlights. Tracks move with a quiet intensity, balancing reflective storytelling with sharp observations. Guest appearances from Asun Eastwood, Lord Juco, and Ja’king the Divine (among others) add distinct voices without disrupting the album’s cohesive mood. Word is an immersive, atmospheric listen that maintains a cool, effortless groove throughout.

Release date: February 14, 2025.

Sy Ari Da Kid - The Last Shadow In The Shade

The Last Shadow In The Shade is the final piece in Sy Ari Da Kid’s ‘shadows’ trilogy, bringing together personal reflection and sharp lyricism over laid-back, soulful production. The album moves between smooth melodies and direct, weighty bars, striking a balance between accessibility and depth.

“Quote Unquote” featuring Freeway and Nick Grant channels the Roc-A-Fella era with a mix of grit and emotion, while “Rebellion” with Benny The Butcher and CyHi carries a defiant energy, detailing survival and struggle. Sy Ari’s storytelling remains central, painting vivid scenes of industry battles, personal growth, and resilience.

The beats are warm and easygoing, providing a steady foundation for his introspective lyrics. Without relying on flashy production or gimmicks, the album stays engaging through its honesty and craftsmanship. Sy Ari closes this chapter with confidence, proving once again he is an artist fully in control of his message and style.

Release date: February 7, 2025. 

ZelooperZ & Real Bad Man - Dear Psilocybin

Dear Psilocybin is hypnotic, murky, and unsettling in the best way. ZelooperZ drifts between clarity and delirium, his voice stretching and slurring over Real Bad Man’s eerie, off-kilter loops. The beats feel warped, with flutes, dusty samples, and haunting melodies swirling in and out of focus. Tracks like “Sweet Celine” and “World Blew” feel weightless, floating in a hazy dream, while “Explains It Scientifically” twists doo-wop elements into something ghostly and unsteady.

ZelooperZ is unpredictable, shifting flows and vocal tones mid-bar. At times, he sounds detached, his delivery fading into the production like a voice lost in thought. The lyrics carry an underlying tension, touching on substance use, paranoia, and self-destruction without losing the album’s detached, almost psychedelic mood. The production keeps everything in orbit, giving even the strangest moments a loose sense of structure.

Real Bad Man and ZelooperZ build a surreal, insular world where melodies dissolve into noise, and verses slip between lucidity and delirium. It’s an album that feels lived-in, like a night of distorted memories pieced together the morning after.

Release date: February 7, 2025. 

Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist - Life Is Beautiful

Life Is Beautiful brings together San Francisco’s laid-back cool and Atlanta’s trap energy, an unexpected mix held together by The Alchemist’s masterful production. His jazzy, textured beats layer warm keys, hazy samples, and crisp drums, setting the mood from the first note. Every instrumental choice feels deliberate, from the lush, Axelrod-inspired strings on “Munyon Canyon” to the hypnotic loops of “Epiphany.” The production is the foundation, pulling the best out of both rappers.

Larry June delivers his signature hustler wisdom with calm, conversational ease, but he can sometimes be a one-note rapper. The Alchemist pushes him to elevate, giving his verses space to stretch while keeping the energy dynamic. 2 Chainz provides contrast, injecting playful energy and punchlines that land. Their chemistry shines on tracks like “Bad Choices” and “Jean Prouve,” where smooth confidence meets animated bravado.

Following 2023‘s The Great Escape, his strongest project to date, Larry June continues to thrive under Alchemist’s direction. The album stays focused at 11 tracks, wasting no space. Life Is Beautiful works because of its cohesion—Alchemist’s production is the glue, bringing everything together into a polished, immersive listen.

Release date: February 7, 2025. 

Dom Pachino - Supernatural

Supernatural sticks to Dom Pachino’s usual style—hard beats and hard bars. The production is solid boom-bap, with raw drums and eerie loops that match his militant delivery. There’s nothing surprising here, but it gets the job done. The energy stays consistent, and his sharp flow keeps things engaging. It doesn’t bring anything new, but for those who follow his work or are deep into the Killarmy catalog, this is another solid addition. If you’re looking for experimental sounds, this won’t be it, but if you want straight, no-nonsense Hip Hop, Supernatural delivers.

Release date: February 7, 2025.

Confucius MC & Bastien Keb - Songs for Lost Travellers

Songs for Lost Travellers drifts through jazz, folk, and Hip Hop with a quiet, reflective energy. Confucius MC delivers measured verses, his voice steady and deliberate, while Bastien Keb’s production moves with a loose, organic flow. Muted horns, soft guitar, and warm bass lines wrap around the vocals, creating a hazy, dreamlike atmosphere. Tracks unfold at their own pace, with live instrumentation adding depth and subtle shifts in mood. The album feels intimate, like late-night conversations and lost thoughts taking shape over delicate melodies. It’s a patient, immersive listen that rewards attention with layers of detail and emotion.

Release date: February 7, 2025.

Da Inphamus Amadeuz & The Punchline Academy - The Punchline Playbook: Lesson 1

The Punchline Playbook: Lesson 1 introduces The Punchline Academy, a collective formed by Bronx producer, videographer, and SiriusXM host Da Inphamus Amadeuz. Built around sharp lyricism and boom-bap beats, the album brings together underground and established artists to keep punchline-heavy Hip Hop alive.

It kicks off with a freestyle from Onyx and Ricky Bats, setting a raw and aggressive tone. Styles P and Blazin trade streetwise bars over a gritty beat on “Delay the Drama,” while “It’s Like a Jungle” gathers Blazin, Kiko Medina, Rah tha Ruler, Shortee Sha, Spittin Image, and Tahmell to fire off punchlines back-to-back. “Another Day” takes a smoother approach, layering jazzy boom-bap under introspective verses from Amber Simone and Tahmell. G. Dep’s appearance on “Can’t Do Nothing Right” proves his pen is still sharp, and “ICU” gives Rah tha Ruler a solo moment to shine. Canibus and Tahmell bring commanding presence to “Air Traffic Control,” delivering deadly lines.

Da Inphamus Amadeuz keeps the production tight, rooted in boom-bap but tailored for each artist’s style. The energy stays high, packed with sharp wordplay and raw delivery. Billed as a first lesson, so hopefully, plenty more will come.

Release date: February 7, 2025.

The Bad Seed & Murda Megz - From Us With Love

From Us With Love by underground veteran The Bad Seed and producer Murda Megz delivers hard-hitting beats and sharp rhymes rooted in classic New York underground Hip Hop. Murda Megz lays down gritty, soulful production, with tracks like “Watermelon Chunx” and “Wonderful” hitting hard thanks to raw samples and sharp cuts from Tone Spliff. The Bad Seed moves through the album with confidence, offering vivid street narratives and biting social commentary. “The Day the Internet Died” stands out with its humor and sharp perspective, while “Rae & Ghost” pays homage with slick storytelling. It’s a tough, straightforward project with no wasted moments.

Release date: February 6, 2025.

Omari Hardwick - BuffalOes & Butterflies

BuffalOes & Butterflies moves at its own pace, stretching across nearly two hours with a loose, reflective energy. Omari Hardwick blends spoken word, rapping, and singing, shifting between poetic storytelling and smooth melodies. The production is warm and atmospheric, built on laid-back instrumentation that lets each verse breathe.

Guests like Big Daddy Kane, Raphael Saadiq, and Fat Joe add texture without disrupting the flow. Hardwick’s voice carries weight, delivering personal reflections with a measured, deliberate tone. The album drifts between moods, never rushing, allowing space for each moment to settle. A slow-burn listen that rewards patience.

Release date: February 3, 2025.

Eddie Kaine & Machacha - Crown Me Kaine

Crown Me Kaine is sharp, focused, and built for replay. Brooklyn‘s Eddie Kaine moves with confidence over Machacha’s moody, boom-bap production, delivering verses with a steady, deliberate flow. The beats are raw but never overpower the lyrics, letting Kaine’s delivery cut through cleanly.

The album keeps things tight at 35 minutes, sticking to its strengths without filler. Kaine’s voice carries weight, balancing street wisdom with self-assurance. Machacha’s production keeps the energy consistent, making this a strong addition to Kaine’s rapidly growing catalog and a standout underground release.

Release date: February 3, 2025.

Grand Official - Supreme

Supreme hits hard with golden-age boom-bap, packed with razor-sharp cuts and heavyweight features. Grand Official—MC Dose, DJ Hallucin8, and producer Grip—lock into deep, knocking drums and gritty loops, keeping their sound raw and urgent. The title track kicks off with Lil Fame and Teflon, setting the tone with rough-edged energy, while “Kings” leans into Da Beatminerz’s signature murky bounce.

The lineup gets deeper with KRS-One on “Respect,” his booming presence adding weight, and Ras Kass, Cappadonna, and M.O.P. bringing firepower to the mix. Reagan Era Records members drop in throughout, reinforcing the album’s underground roots. Beats snap, verses land with intention. This is a LONG album, and not every track hits, but the overall quality of this LP is undeniable. This is Hip Hop built for the heads—uncompromising, sharp, and drenched in that 90s grit.

Release date: February 2, 2025. 

Handsome Gentlemen - FILMED BY QUENTIN TARANTINO

FILMED BY QUENTIN TARANTINO twists boom-bap into something hazy and surreal. Cut Beetlez dial back their usual punchy throwback boom-bap production, layering eerie samples and warped melodies over unhurried drums. Handsome Gentlemen—HP JASS and THEFOODLORD—navigate these beats with a loose, unpredictable delivery, their voices shifting between sharp and sluggish like old VHS tapes glitching mid-scene. Guest verses slip in and out, adding more textures to the album’s disjointed energy. Tracks linger, never rushing to their conclusions, building a hypnotic effect. The album pulls from classic Hip Hop while warping it into something stranger, making for an off-kilter, immersive listen.

Release date: February 1, 2025.

Farma G - How To Kill A Butterfly

How to Kill a Butterfly is Farma G’s first solo album, but his pedigree in UK Hip Hop is long-established. As part of Task Force, his intricate rhyme patterns and unfiltered storytelling helped shape a sound that still looms large over the scene. Here, he steps out alone, but there’s no hesitation—his delivery is sharp, his presence commanding.

Across 13 tracks, Farma G moves between eerie, dreamlike loops and raw, hard-hitting drums, his voice carrying weight and wear. Some beats creep forward with an unsettling stillness, others knock with force, keeping the momentum unpredictable. His lyrics unfold in twisting, layered patterns, loaded with meaning and experience. There’s no sense of chasing trends or looking over his shoulder—this is an artist fully in his own lane. How to Kill a Butterfly is direct, uncompromising, and rooted in a lineage that Farma G helped build.

Release date: January 31, 2025.

Circa 97 - Sicilian Summer

Sicilian Summer moves with a steady, hypnotic pace, built on rich loops and precise drumwork. UK-based producer Circa 97 pulls from jazz and soul, layering warm chords and subtle textures beneath weighty verses. The beats carry a sense of movement, shifting between stripped-down arrangements and fuller compositions with a natural flow.

The album brings together a sharp lineup of MCs—Tha God Fahim, Daniel Son, Lord Juco, and more—each delivering with purpose. Their voices cut through the instrumentals, adding grit and depth. Sicilian Summer is focused, refined, and deeply rooted in Hip Hop’s past while staying locked into the present.

Release date: January 28, 2025.

Boldy James - Permanent Ink

Permanent Ink is Boldy James’ second album of the year, and January wasn’t even over—quantity over quality seems to be his current philosophy. The Detroit rapper continues his relentless output, but this project feels half-formed, much like his previous release. The production leans into slower, brooding beats that suit Boldy’s signature delivery, but the tracks rarely develop beyond their initial loops. There are moments that work, with songs like “SAMY” and “Dawn Mega” showing his steady pen and ear for moody instrumentals, but the album’s short length and repetitive structure leave little lasting impact. Boldy has proven he can deliver standout work with projects like Manger On McNichols (2020) and Bo Jackson (2021), but this effort feels more like another placeholder release than a fully realized statement. While not without its highlights, Permanent Ink struggles to bring anything fresh to the table, making it easy to forget once it’s over.

Release date: January 24, 2025.

Murderers' Row & Snowgoons - Murderers' Row

Murderers’ Row brings together Reef the Lost Cauze, King Syze, and Outerspace with Snowgoons behind the boards, delivering a tight collection of rugged, no-nonsense boom-bap. The beats hit hard, packed with thumping drums and eerie samples that create a tense, aggressive atmosphere. Lyrically, the group sticks to what they do best—gritty street narratives and sharp punchlines delivered with precision. Guest appearances from Elemxnt, Kxng Charisma, and Trxstworthy add variety, while DJ Crypt and DJ TMB provide cuts that keep the old-school energy alive. The biggest drawback is the short runtime, with only eight tracks that leave the project feeling more like an appetizer than a full meal. Despite its brevity, Murderers’ Row delivers enough heavy-hitting moments to satisfy fans of hardnosed Hip Hop.

Release date: January 24, 2025. 

Isaac Castor & Foul Mouth - The Rabbit Hole 3: Smoking Caterpillar

Isaac Castor and Foul Mouth return with The Rabbit Hole 3: Smoking Caterpillar, the latest chapter in their ongoing series. The album dives deep into boom-bap roots while weaving in jazz and rock influences, creating a dense and textured backdrop for Castor’s sharp lyricism. From the opening track “Here They Come,” the energy is direct and unwavering, setting the tone with tight drums and confident delivery. Tracks like “I Ain’t Fresh?” tap into gritty basement-style beats, while “Blind” takes a smoother approach with jazz-infused melodies.

Throughout the project, Castor balances battle-ready bars with introspection. “Why Should I Die?” layers horns and punchy percussion under lyrics that explore his sense of self-worth, while “Sidetracked” critiques the compromises others make in pursuit of fame. Guest appearances from Kain Cole, J-Classic, and Mvck Nyce add variety, complementing Castor’s style without overshadowing his presence.

Production by Foul Mouth remains grounded in the signature Middle Finger Music sound—rich sampling, crisp drums, and a knack for balancing nostalgia with freshness. “Time for Jazz” and “Spin Itch” highlight this versatility, blending soulful loops with raw energy. As the album winds down with “Thoughts Runnin’” and “Live Wire,” Castor circles back to themes of persistence and artistic growth, reinforcing the cyclical nature of his journey.

Castor’s confidence and hunger are evident, making each track a statement of purpose. The Rabbit Hole 3: Smoking Caterpillar feels like a culmination of years of hard work, shaped by experience and a relentless drive to keep moving forward.

Release date: January 23, 2025.

Slik Jack & Vincent Pryce - Everyone's Gotta Pryce

Everyone’s Gotta Pryce by Slik Jack and Vincent Pryce presents a dark and gritty narrative that pulls listeners into a world of crime and suspense. The production by Vincent Pryce is steeped in haunting, atmospheric beats with a touch of 1980s horror film vibes, creating a fitting backdrop for Slik Jack’s sharp East Coast flow. The album’s sample choices add a raw, cinematic feel that heightens the intensity of each track. Guest features like Bub Styles, Daniel Son, and Pro Dillinger bring additional weight to the project, enhancing its underground appeal. It’s a tight, immersive listen with plenty of style and grit.

Release date: January 22, 2025.

Anitek & Tabinstereo - Indigo Immaculate

Indigo Immaculate brings together Anitek’s layered boom-bap production with Tabinstereo’s versatile style, creating a project that blends smooth beats, precise cuts, and steady rhymes. The instrumentals carry a laid-back, jazzy feel, with soulful touches and a steady groove that keeps the energy moving. Scratches and samples are woven in with purpose, adding texture without feeling overdone. Tabinstereo’s delivery fits well, balancing between thoughtful lyricism and effortless flow. At fourteen short tracks, the album moves quickly, leaving an impression without overstaying its welcome. It’s a well-crafted listen that offers plenty to appreciate without feeling too heavy or overproduced.

Release date: January 22, 2025.

Distrik22 - Brooklyn Queens Expressway

Brooklyn Queens Expressway runs on thick basslines, crisp snares, and a no-frills boom-bap foundation. Distrik22—emcee Flowhipnotic and producer Intra-Nothing—locks into a 90s-rooted groove, crafting beats that give space for sharp lyricism. Flowhipnotic and Intra-Nothing move with purpose, trading bars over production that feels built for subway rides and late-night sessions.

Craig G and Ruste Juxx bring veteran presence, weaving through beats with precise delivery. Features from 4-Ize, Epic, and others add depth, keeping the energy shifting without losing focus. The album stays true to its underground roots, built on tight loops, raw drum patterns, and voices that cut through.

Release date: January 20, 2025.

.Tetsuo - GOSSAMER

GOSSAMER is a long, winding listen that leans into its own offbeat style without hesitation. At 77 minutes, it’s packed with meandering jazz-influenced instrumentals that strip things down to the essentials—often drumless, leaving plenty of space for Tetsuo’s relentless delivery. His rapping pushes forward in an almost breathless rush, a steady stream of words that rarely lets up. The abstract, free-flowing approach won’t connect with everyone, but those who do will find a hypnotic quality in its repetition and off-kilter rhythms. It’s an ambitious project that takes its time and isn’t afraid to be different.

Release date: January 19, 2025. 

Benny Holiday - Holiday Land

Holiday Land by Benny Holiday delivers a smooth, concise collection of tracks that blends classic Hip Hop with modern flair. The project runs just over 30 minutes, leaving you wanting more, but it packs a punch in its short runtime. Benny’s lyrical style flows effortlessly over the hard-hitting beats provided by Snowgoons, with guest appearances from Conway the Machine, Lil Flip, and others. Each track hits with precision, offering a mix of gritty rhymes and sharp production. While it may feel lightweight in length, the album’s energy and strong collaborations make it an engaging listen for any Hip Hop fan.

Release date: January 17, 2025.

Big Cheeko - Coulrophobia

Courophobia by Atlanta artist Big Cheeko is a bold and dynamic blend of Hip Hop, soul, and jazz influences, with every track offering something distinct. The production is rich and diverse, weaving together smooth beats, jazzy elements, and sharp percussion that perfectly frame Cheeko’s unique vocal delivery. Cheeko’s lyricism is thought-provoking, capturing themes of self-awareness and societal reflection, all while maintaining a sharp sense of humor. Collaborations with artists like Jay Nice and Rocxnoir add texture to the album, enhancing its variety without overshadowing Cheeko’s voice. Throughout, the record’s experimental nature keeps things fresh, though its steady flow ensures a cohesive listening experience. Coulrophobia is a well-rounded effort that blends deep vibes with creative risks, proving Cheeko’s potential as an artist to watch.

Release date: January 17, 2025.

Mac Miller - Balloonerism

We’ve never been big fans of Mac Miller, though we can recognize his artistry and the appeal his music holds for many. Balloonerism, his second posthumous album, is a good piece of music, even if his sing-song rapping style isn’t quite our thing. The album—recorded in 2014 but never released—features a loose, relaxed sound driven by smooth basslines and hazy, melancholic production, that feels intimate and unforced. Tracks like “Mrs. Deborah Downer” and “Stoned” create an almost languid vibe, with subtle grooves that draw you in despite their downbeat moods. Miller’s vocals here, slow and wistful, build a sense of introspection, especially when layered with Thundercat’s bass or the dusty drums. The music feels personal, more like an exploration of Miller’s emotional space than something crafted for broad appeal. It’s not flashy or overproduced, and it’s a mood piece—comfortable, but never settling into easy territory. Fans of his mellow, soul-infused Hip Hop will find much to appreciate.

Release date: January 17, 2025.

BoFaatBeatz - Here for Tha Rap Killin

Here for Tha Rap Killin by German producer BoFaatBeatz delivers a solid collection of mellow boom-bap beats with a laid-back vibe that suits the mood, even if the production never quite pushes beyond the basic groove. The real draw of this album lies in its impressive list of guest features. With appearances from Hip Hop heavyweights like Nine, Hus Kingpin, Smif-N-Wessun, Craig G, Recognize Ali, Eddie Kaine, Frukwan, and Edo G, the tracklist is packed with talent that brings varied styles and flows to the project. While the production doesn’t create standout moments, the stacked feature list makes the album an engaging listen for anyone who enjoys classic, no-frills Hip Hop with plenty of sharp bars and solid beats.

Release date: January 17, 2025.

Redline The Ace - Origin Story

This 90s-centric boom-bap album delivers straightforward but enjoyable beats. While not groundbreaking, it’s a solid listen. Guest appearances by Ren Thomas, RJ Payne, Spit Gemz, and The Bad Seed add extra flavor, and production from the likes of Solo for Dolo, Audio Rohn, Magic Hands, Jay Ferg, and Sound Professor guarantees a set of dope beats. The most special aspect of this project is the iconic Rob Swift’s crisp cuts and scratches. Recommended for throwback Hip Hop fans.

Release date: January 13, 2025.

Miles Cooke - ceci n'est pas un portrait

Miles Cooke’s ceci n’est pas un portrait thrives on tension—between faith and despair, grit and grace, structure and improvisation. The album, a cerebral labyrinth of dark humor and vivid introspection, carries the weight of existential fatigue, delivered through Cooke’s raspy, lived-in voice. Each line feels less like a recitation and more like an urgent confession, made in the margins of a world spinning out of control.

Cooke’s beats, along with contributions from Foule Monk, Roper Williams, and Jeff Markey, evoke smoky backrooms and shadowed cityscapes. Sparse jazz pianos collide with menacing basslines, crafting a sound as uneasy as the truths Cooke lays bare. Guest verses from Defcee, SKECH185, and RAMA expand the narrative’s layers, blending camaraderie with critique.

This is an album that doesn’t seek comfort. Instead, it confronts the absurdity of modern life with sharp metaphors and a wry gaze, offering listeners a brutally poetic mirror.

At 32 minutes, the album is on the short side, but its brevity doesn’t detract from its impact. Recommended for fans of edgy underground Hip Hop, ceci n’est pas un portrait delivers a raw, uncompromising experience that lingers long after the final track.

Release date: January 10, 2025.

Doseone & Steel Tipped Dove - All Portrait, No Chorus

All Portrait, No Chorus from Doseone and Steel Tipped Dove is a sparse and challenging listen that pushes the edges of Hip Hop’s usual structures. The production by Dove is ethereal and abstract, filled with dreamy loops, disjointed rhythms, and haunting textures that create an almost otherworldly atmosphere. Doseone’s unorthodox delivery, part spoken word and part rap, weaves through the beats with a surreal flow that can be difficult to latch onto at first. His lyrical content—dense with metaphors and esoteric references—demands attention and repeated listens to fully absorb.

The album features guest appearances from notable figures like billy woods and Quelle Chris, who bring a sense of weight and depth to the project, though they are used sparingly. The overall tone of the album is introspective and cerebral, with a focus on mood and abstract storytelling rather than catchy hooks or conventional song structures.

All Portrait, No Chorus is not an easy listen but it rewards those who are willing to immerse themselves in its strange, labyrinthine sound world. Fans of experimental, left-field Hip Hop who appreciate a more challenging, unconventional approach, will find plenty to enjoy here.

Release date: January 10, 2025. 

M.W.P. - Temple Of Roses

Temple of Roses is a concise producer album from Denmark’s M.W.P. Dusty. The largely drumless instrumentals provide an atmospheric backdrop for rhymes from well-regarded underground MCs like SageInfinite, Tha God Fahim, Nowaah the Flood, Ty Farris, Mark 4ord, Bub Rock, Bless Picasso, Justo the MC, Ill Conscious, and the late Senica Da Misfit. DJ Grazzhoppa’s cuts, featured on most tracks, add a welcome texture to the project. While there’s nothing here you haven’t heard before, it makes for an enjoyable enough listen.

Release date: January 9, 2025.

Eddie Kaine & Rim - Welcome To Stuyville

Welcome to Stuyville by Eddie Kaine and Rim delivers gritty, streetwise lyricism over heavy, atmospheric production. The album thrives on its raw energy and unfiltered storytelling, capturing the essence of Brooklyn’s Marcy and Stuyvesant neighborhoods.

Camoflauge Monk and 38 Spesh craft ominous, boom-bap backdrops that underscore the duo’s verses, with tracks like “What’s This” and “Ice Cold” setting the tone. Standout collaborations, including “Salute” with Benny the Butcher and the reflective “Made Men” featuring the late Fred the Godson, elevate the project. While the beats occasionally blur together, the cohesive mood and sharp rhymes make this a solid little slice of street-level Hip Hop.

Release date: January 8, 2025.

Jon Conner - Food For The Soul

Food For The Soul by Jon Connor is a personal project blending introspective lyricism with a rich palette of soulful, jazzy, and occasionally trap-inspired beats. The album explores themes of resilience, self-awareness, and growth, offering listeners a sense of optimism and grounding through its thoughtfully crafted tracks.

From the uplifting opener “We’re Gonna Be Okay” to the raw grit of “413,” Connor’s sharp storytelling shines against the dynamic production. Tracks like “Take Flight” celebrate triumph over adversity, while “The Great Design (Key Elements of Love)” delves into themes of divine connection and human bonds. Collaborations with artists like Daylyt, Stalley, and Termanology add dimension without overshadowing Connor’s vision.

With its vibrant mix of melodies and compelling narratives, Food For The Soul delivers a solid and grounded—if not very memorable—listening experience.

Release date: January 3, 2025.

Boldy James & RichGains - Murder During Drug Traffic

Boldy James’ rap style can be divisive. His delivery is steady, almost conversational, and while his voice has been called monotone, Boldy’s ability to weave vivid narratives and deliver consistently thoughtful bars is undeniable. Yet, Murder During Drug Traffic, his latest effort with producer RichGains, doesn’t fully capitalize on his strengths.

The album opens with promise. On “Achilles,” Boldy’s reflective verses glide over a rich sample, creating a mood that’s equal parts introspective and engaging. “Janky” is another highlight, where Boldy maneuvers deftly over one of RichGains’ more beats. However, as the album progresses, the production starts to falter. By the back half of the album, RichGains’ beats lose the spark they showed early on, resulting in tracks that blur together without leaving much of an impression.

Boldy’s lyrical consistency is the glue holding the album together, but even his strongest efforts can’t fully compensate for the lackluster production choices. While there’s not a truly bad song on the record, the cohesion and intrigue established at the start begin to dissipate. For all its smoothness and style, Murder During Drug Traffic struggles to maintain momentum, ultimately feeling like a missed opportunity for both artist and producer.

This project will likely resonate with die-hard fans of Boldy James’ laid-back delivery, but it’s unlikely to convert new listeners or stand out in a discography filled with sharper pairings between rapper and producer.

Release date: January 3, 2024. 

OC from NC - Project 25

On Project 25, OC from NC continues to demonstrate his skillful lyricism and introspection, though the project feels lighter compared to standout works like Higher Learning (2015), It’s Not You, It’s Me (2018), and The Black Phillip Tape (2021). The album is grounded in OC’s signature style—sharp storytelling and smooth flows over soulful boom-bap beats.

While the production maintains a steady groove with soulful samples and gritty drum patterns, it lacks some of the depth and variation found in his strongest projects. That said, OC’s effortless delivery and knack for vivid imagery ensure that Project 25 is still engaging and easy to listen to.

Even if it doesn’t reach the heights of his best work, this release underscores why OC from NC remains one of North Carolina’s most consistent and underrated voices in Hip Hop.

Release date: January 1, 2025.

Vast Aire & Cosmiq - Aireplane

Aireplane pairs Vast Aire with producer Cosmiq for a 53-minute journey that occasionally finds its footing but often struggles to soar. While the album bears the Cannibal Ox branding in its artwork, it is in fact a Vast Aire solo project, with a minimal contribution from Cannibal Ox partner Vordul Mega.

Cosmiq’s production provides a mix of gritty textures and spacey undertones, evoking a futuristic and at the same time grounded feel. Some beats capture the raw energy reminiscent of early Cannibal Ox, but others are less dynamic, leaving moments of the album sounding flat. Vast Aire’s delivery, typically known for its off-kilter charm, lacks the fire and sharpness that defined his best work on the Cannibal Ox 2001 classic The Cold Vein.

While there are flashes of lyrical prowess and nostalgic nods to The Cold Vein, the overall execution feels uneven. Aireplane offers moments of intrigue but doesn’t quite reach the level fans might have hoped for.

Release date: January 1, 2025.