1. Napoleon Da Legend & Giallo Point - F.L.A.W.

Napoleon Da Legend and Giallo Point team up for their fifth collaborative project F.L.A.W. (Following Lies Always Wounds), delivering an album that feels like a tense, late-night conversation about survival, authenticity, and deception. Giallo Point’s production is cold and deliberate, with brooding drums, haunting piano loops, and thick basslines that give the album a nocturnal, street-level feel. The beats are minimalist but vivid, setting a stark tone that lets Napoleon’s top-tier wordplay take center stage.

Napoleon moves through the tracks with confidence and precision, balancing introspection with hard-earned wisdom. “Chasing Shadows” kicks things off with a brooding atmosphere as he speaks about the thin line between survival and self-destruction. On “Life or Death,” the urgency sharpens as he describes the relentless grind of staying ahead in a ruthless world. “That Ain’t It” breaks down the daily hustle with matter-of-fact honesty, while “Unforgiving” strips away illusions about fairness in life and the rap game.

Guest appearances from artists like Jay Royale, Nejma Nefertiti, and Eloh Kush add texture, rounding out a well-crafted album. F.L.A.W. is a tight, consistent project rooted in stark beats and sharp rhymes, reminding listeners of the price that comes with following illusions.

Release date: February 14, 2025.

2. Brother Ali - Satisfied Soul

Brother Ali’s Satisfied Soul is a deeply personal album that delivers sharp commentary alongside introspective reflections with musically rich production that evokes a vintage, vinyl-era feel. The beats crackle like worn vinyl, grounding Ali’s verses with a raw, organic energy. With Atmosphere‘s Ant back behind the boards, the production leans on dusty drums, warm basslines, and soulful samples that mirror the emotional depth of Ali’s lyrics, adding warmth and texture to the album’s introspective themes.

The album opens with the title track, a rock-infused declaration of self-assurance, where distorted guitars and driving percussion build a foundation for Ali’s confident verses, setting a bold, rebellious tone that echoes throughout the album. Ali’s voice cuts through the distorted guitars with conviction, making it clear he’s moving with purpose. On “Deep Cuts,” piano chords set a contemplative mood as Ali speaks on resilience and faith. His delivery is direct, blending the weight of his experiences with a conversational ease that draws listeners in.

“Ocean of Rage” stands out with its jazz-inflected backdrop, where smooth horns and syncopated rhythms underscore vivid imagery of internal turmoil and the restless search for clarity. The shift between the laid-back groove and Ali’s unflinching bars creates a dynamic tension. Meanwhile, “Better But Us” uses a soulful hook to explore the cracks in a strained relationship, with Ali toggling between vulnerability and self-awareness.

Throughout the album, Ali’s lyrics balance spiritual insight and grounded realism. “Head Heart Hands” emphasizes the importance of aligning intention with action, while “Immortalized” channels the perspective of a street preacher offering hard-won wisdom.

The album’s closer, “Sing Myself Whole,” finds Ali stepping into melodic territory. The stripped-down arrangement allows his voice to carry the weight of solitude and the resolve to remain authentic in a chaotic world.

Satisfied Soul is a fully realized album with heart and clarity, leaving a lasting impression with its thoughtful craftsmanship. For us, it is Brother Ali’s strongest effort since 2017’s All the Beauty in This Whole Life. Brother Ali continues to evolve, delivering intelligent, well-crafted music without relying on gimmicks or trends. The synergy between his message and Ant’s production results in a well-rounded project that sounds timeless—a worthy addition to Ali’s excellent catalog.

Release date: February 14, 2025.

3. Queen Herawin - Awaken The Sleeping Giant

Queen Herawin’s Awaken The Sleeping Giant lands like a spark igniting a quiet room, a 32-minute burst from a New York MC with deep roots. Known as one-third of The Juggaknots—alongside her brothers Breeze Brewin and Buddy Slim—she brings that crew’s legacy of sharp lyricism to this solo outing. “Focus” opens with Bear-One’s booming bass and crisp snares, Herawin’s voice slicing through, the mood tense yet determined, the beat locking tight. The Juggaknots link shines on “Gluttony,” featuring Breeze Brewin—his flow weaves with hers over Neff Beatz’s gospel-tinged thump, the mood raw and hungry. “Shame” pairs Open Mike Eagle with King Rem’s organ hums and synth stabs, brooding and relentless. “Manifest” closes with Apathy and Mickey Factz, Supastition’s guitar flip swaying loose, the vibe triumphant. It’s a great project—Herawin’s lyricism shines, the production bangs—but its brevity stings. At 32 minutes, it leaves you craving more.

Release date: February 28, 2025. 

4. Phill Most Chill & Djar One - Deal With It

Deal with It is another strong release from Phill Most Chill, packed with high-energy rhymes and crisp production from Djar One. The throwback beats are hard-hitting, built on funky loops and sharp cuts that bring back the feel of late-80s Hip Hop without sounding outdated. Phill Most Chill’s collaborative album with Jorun Bombay, Jorun PMC, was one of our favorite albums of 2020, and this one has the same kind of fun and energetic vibe. Tracks like “I Get Phunky,” “Ill Rhyming,” and “Back 2 Rhymes” bring non-stop momentum, while “Let Yourself Go” stretches things out with a deeper groove. The chemistry between MC and producer is tight throughout, making this a must-hear for anyone who loves classic Hip Hop.

Release date: February 7, 2025. 

5. 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. 

6. Nerves Baddington - Driving Off Cliffs

Driving Off Cliffs is another strong entry from Birmingham, AL duo Nerves Baddington. Inkline’s lyricism moves between direct storytelling and cryptic wordplay, while Kilgore Doubt lays down murky, off-kilter production that leans into hypnotic repetition and eerie textures. The beats blend dusty drum loops with unconventional sampling, creating a sound that feels weighty but never stagnant. Tracks shift between slow-burning meditations and urgent, percussive rhythms, pulling listeners into the project’s heavy atmosphere. Hooks keep things anchored without softening the impact, letting the verses take center stage.

While not as expansive as their excellent 2022 duology micro/macro, the album sticks to a tightly wound aesthetic that highlights the duo’s knack for mood-driven, cerebral Hip Hop. The chemistry between Inkline and Kilgore remains strong, with each track feeling purposeful in its arrangement. The production choices, from dissonant melodies to layered vocal chops, reinforce the themes of pressure and perseverance. Nerves Baddington continues to refine their signature sound, pushing their craft without losing the grit that defines their work. Driving Off Cliffs isn’t interested in easy moments—it’s immersive, unflinching, and fully committed to its vision.

Release date: February 28, 2025.

7. MindsOne - Stages

Stages is a sharp, polished boom-bap record that keeps its focus on craftsmanship. MindsOne delivers intricate lyricism over a diverse lineup of producers, blending thoughtful storytelling with head-nodding beats. KON Sci and Tronic trade bars with precision, moving between introspection and sharp observations about life, ambition, and purpose.

The production lineup is stacked. Marco Polo, Da Beatminerz, Kev Brown, and others contribute beats that range from smooth and soulful to rugged and raw. Tracks like “Blind Fury” and “Off the Handle” hit with hard drums and murky basslines, while “Grateful Heart” and “Liberation / Obligation” bring warmth with jazzy samples and laid-back grooves. Scratches from DJ Iron, DJ Noumenon, and DJ Slim Deluxe give the album an authentic, turntable-driven energy that ties it all together.

KON Sci and Tronic bring clarity to complex themes without overcomplicating their delivery, making the album engaging from start to finish. Stages is grounded in Hip Hop’s classic traditions while still feeling fresh, proving that sharp lyricism and top-tier production will always have a place.

Release date: February 7, 2025.

8. 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. 

9. 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 that rewards those who appreciate Hip Hop’s weirder corners.

Release date: February 14, 2025. 

Honorable Mentions

• Smif-N-Wessun – Infinity
• DirtyDiggs – Gold Chain Music
• Josiah The Gift & Machacha – The Happening
• Eddie Kaine & Machacha – Crown Me Kaine
• ZelooperZ & Real Bad Man – Dear Psilocybin
• Da Inphamus Amadeuz & The Punchline Academy – The Punchline Playbook: Lesson 1
• Maze Overlay & Slang Hugh – Word
• MC Homeless – Stay Slick
• Action Figures Of Speech – Action Figures Of Speech
• Omari Hardwick – BuffalOes & Butterflies
• Handsome Gentlemen – FILMED BY QUENTIN TARANTINO
• FastLife, Madhattan & Spanish Ran – Bergin Hunt & Fish
• Landon Wordswell & Es-K – Remember To Breathe
• Westside Gunn – 12
• The Bad Seed & Murda Megz – From Us With Love
• Dave East & Ransom – The Final Call
• G-Clef Da Mad Komposa & Jus-P – Xavier & Logan
• Dom Pachino – Supernatural
• Confucius MC & Bastien Keb – Songs for Lost Travellers
• Nems – America’s Sweetheart
• Sy Ari Da Kid – The Last Shadow In The Shade
• Jim Jones – At The Church Steps