Revival Season - Golden Age Of Self Snitching

Atlanta’s music scene throws another curveball with the arrival of Revival Season, a duo defying categorization with their debut album, The Golden Age of Self-Snitching. Brandon “Bez” Evans and Jonah Swilley blend rap, rock, and more to craft a unique and captivating sound that is both innovative and infectious.

Drawing inspiration from genre-bending innovators like the Beastie Boys and Run the Jewels, Revival Season injects unbridled energy into each of the album’s 14 tracks. From the opening salvo of “Look Out Below,” the duo grabs hold of your senses and throws you into a world where genre boundaries dissolve and creativity reigns supreme.

One of The Golden Age of Self-Snitching greatest strengths lies in its seamless fusion of disparate elements. Bez’s dynamic flow effortlessly glides over Swilley’s eclectic production, a dope blend of bass-heavy synths, live drums, and pulsating computer beats. Tracks like “The Path” and “Chop” showcase Bez’s lyrical prowess, offering insightful social commentary woven into catchy hooks and irresistible grooves.

Swilley’s production serves as the perfect canvas for Bez’s lyrical fire, with Swilley crafting beats around Bez’s vocals, instead of the other way around. In an era where so much Hip Hop is formulaic and derivative, Revival Season delivers a breath of fresh air with this album, standing out for its bold originality. The Golden Age of Self-Snitching brings something new and exciting to the table, destined to leave a lasting impression, unlike the fleeting hype many releases experience in today’s music landscape. The Golden Age of Self-Snitching is a vibrant and fun album you won’t want to miss out on.

Release date: February 23, 2024. 

Awon & Parental - Sublime

Hailing from Brooklyn, NYC, and currently based in Newport News, Virginia, rapper Awon established Don’t Sleep Records in 2014 alongside his frequent collaborator Phoniks. Since then, Don’t Sleep Records has been holding it down as one of our go-to labels, boasting a lineup and catalog that’s straight fire. The initial three collaborations between Awon and Phoniks remain among our top picks for best Hip Hop albums of the 2010s.

Fast forward to 2024, and Awon’s still on top of his game. His teaming up with the French beat wizard Parental, renowned for his jazzy touch, resulted in Sublime, a certified gem. With its smooth lyricism and beats, this album epitomizes jazz-hop at its finest. Released under the German record label HVV, it’s tailor-made for all the Jazzmatazz aficionados out there.

Release date: February 9, 2024.

Ol' Burger Beats - 74: Out Of Time

Hailing from Norway, Ol’ Burger Beats is a producer renowned for his signature jazzy sample-based beats. His 74: Out of Time is a vibe that pays homage to the year 1974 and serves as a showcase of chill abstract jazz rap. Set at a steady 74 beats per minute, the album not only captures the essence of ’74 but also taps into its music, activism, and aesthetics. Ol’ Burger Beats uses this tempo as a foundation to construct sublime, jazzy instrumentals that provide the perfect canvas for some of underground and abstract Hip Hop’s finest vocalists.

Across 17 tracks, Ol’ Burger Beats crafts a seamless trip through his sonic world. With a lineup that includes Fly Anakin, Awon, Quelle Chris, Pink Siifu, billy woods, lojii, YUNGMORPHEUS, Tha God Fahim, Vic Spencer, and more, the roster is stacked with talent, each bringing their A-game to the table.

While 74: Out of Time may not push boundaries or surprise listeners with wild experiments, its consistent vibe is its strength. So if you’re a fan of laid-back, abstract jazz rap, don’t overlook this gem—it’s a great offering from start to finish.

Release date: February 16, 2024. 

Fireball Flingaz- Giants Of Defiance

UK Hip Hop veterans Exile & Remark unleash their fury on Giants Of Defiance, a hardcore rap album steeped in the spirit of early 90s Britcore. Packed with raw and uncompromising energy, it returns listeners to the golden age of iconic British acts like Hijack and Gunshot. For those who lived through that era, it’s a potent dose of nostalgia. But Giants Of Defiance transcends mere homage. It’s a must-listen for any fan of quality Hip Hop, proving that Exile & Remark’s brand of furious energy is a welcome addition to the current Hip Hop landscape.

Release date: February 24, 2024.

Erick The Architect - I've Never Been Here Before

Brooklyn’s own Erick the Architect, best known as one-third of the legendary Flatbush Zombies crew, steps out with his long-awaited solo debut, I’ve Never Been Here Before. Erick’s solo endeavor is an engaging sonic journey through his deepest thoughts and emotions. From the gritty streets of Brooklyn to the inner workings of his mind, each track on I’ve Never Been Here Before paints a vivid picture of his experiences and struggles.

With a versatile blend of jazz, soul, R&B, dancehall, psychedelia, synth, trap, and classic boom-bap vibes, Erick crafts a sound that’s uniquely his own. Tracks like “2-3 Zone” and “Colette” showcase his lyrical prowess and smooth flow, while collaborations with James Blake and Joey Bada$$ add layers of depth and complexity to the project.

Thematically, Erick delves into themes of self-reflection, love, and resilience, offering listeners a glimpse into his inner world. From the haunting introspection of “Breaking Point” to the infectious energy of “Mandevillain,” each song leaves a lasting impression, drawing listeners deeper into Erick’s narrative. As the final member of Flatbush Zombies to go solo, Erick proves he’s more than capable of holding his own.

Release date: February 23, 2024.

Heems & Lapgan - LAFANDER

Heems, known as one half of the now-defunct Das Racist, makes a triumphant return to the spotlight with his first solo album in nearly a decade, LAFANDAR. Born and raised in Queens, New York City, Heems infuses his Indian-American heritage into his music, a theme that has remained central throughout his career. For LAFANDAR, he teams up with producer Lapgan, signed to his own label and lifestyle brand, Veena Sounds, to deliver a 12-track platter featuring collaborations with notable artists such as Kool Keith, Blu, Open Mike Eagle, Quelle Chris, Your Old Droog, and more.

Heems’ niche status within the industry stretches far beyond the confines of underground rap, thanks to his unique blend of Asian flavors and tongue-in-cheek lyricism. Utilizing his “otherness” to his advantage, Heems has always approached his craft with an educated and playful flair. With LAFANDAR, he and Lapgan craft his most refined offering yet, a record that stands out amidst the sea of underground releases. Clocking in at just a couple of minutes over half an hour, this 12-track LP wastes no time. Whether you’re an underground rap enthusiast or a fan of left-field Hip Hop, LAFANDAR is sure to satisfy your musical cravings with its blend of musical and lyrical quirks.

Release date: February 16, 2024. 

WateRR & Wavy Da Ghawd - Washed Ashore

Chicago’s Waterr has been on a roll with a string of strong releases in recent times. Both last year’s ALMIGHTY and Compendium Of Arcanum earned spots on our 2023 honorable mentions list, and his latest project, Washed Ashore, continues this streak of quality projects. A collaboration with Brooklyn-based producer Wavy Da Ghawd, the album showcases Waterr’s versatility and his knack for syncing with his beatmakers.

Wavy Da Ghawd’s boom-bap beats set a dark and brooding tone, perfectly complementing Waterr’s bars. Clocking in at close to 50 minutes, the album offers a refreshing departure from the trend of shorter projects so prevalent in today’s Hip Hop landscape. Washed Ashore delivers the kind of underground Hip Hop we appreciate and enjoy.

Release date: February 1, 2024. 

Recognize Ali - As You Sow So Shall You Reap

As You Sow So Shall You Reap is the first offering in 2024 from prolific underground lyricist Recognize Ali. Clocking in at a concise 32 minutes, it may be short, but it’s packed with the heart and grit we’ve come to anticipate from Recognize Ali. Expect nothing less than hard beats and hard bars – this is Hip Hop at its purest.

Release date: February 9, 2024. 

Reef the Lost Cauze - The Triumphant

Philadelphia rapper Reef the Lost Cauze may be best known for his membership in Juju Mob and Army Of The Pharaohs. Still, he has also established a solid solo catalog, starting with his debut LP Feast Or Famine in 2005. The Triumphant serves as the follow-up to 2018’s The Majestic, and it’s another strong addition to his repertoire. Reef once again presents himself as a skilled emcee with a commanding voice and sharp pen game. Producer Caliph-NOW crafts beats that alternate between hard-hitting boom-bap and more melodic tones, all with an underlying grit that keeps the sound firmly underground. The Triumphant is a dope listen with plenty of standout moments.

Release date: February 2, 2024.

Honorable Mentions

• Passport Rav, Bloo Azul & Spanish Ran – 83, Too
• Sankofa – Most Anything Of Value
• Pushing Buttons – Full Level
• DJ Symphony – It’s Bigger Than Music
• Sadistik & Maulskull – Oblivion Theater
• Forever Pavot & XP The Marxman – Forever XP
• Tesla’s Ghost – AUTOMATIC WRITING
• LEX & Buck – Real Estate
• Rhymefest – James & Nikki: A Conversation
• O The Great & Machacha – SxUND GvRDEN
• Bozack Morris – The Toronto Tape
• Chevy Woods – 1998
• DJ Moves – Pam Grier’s Step Kids
• The Bad Seed – Everything Means Nothing Vol​.​1
• Ghetts – On Purpose, With Purpose
• Jon Connor – III
• 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE – hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚
• Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign – VULTURES 1