Midnight Sons - Money Has No Owners

Zilla Rocca and producer Chong Wizard are Midnight Sons, and with Money Has No Owners they deliver a mature and thoughtful follow-up to their strong self-titled 2020 debut. Money Has No Owners features regular Zilla Rocca collaborators like PremRock and Curly Castro, alongside voices like Blu, AJ Suede, Midaz The Beast, and Defcee. Warm production from Chong Wizard lays the soulful foundation for Zilla Rocca’s introspective lyricism. Tracks like “Tough Guys Fill A Cemetery” and “Marathon Man” deliver classic boom-bap vibes, while “Ignore The Red Flags” and “Terrible Twos” bring delicious jazz flavors. The title track sets the tone, reminding us that success requires constant hustle. “Money Has No Owners” is a reminder to stay focused and build momentum, a sentiment that resonates with anyone who’s ever chased a dream.

Money Has No Owners deserves a wider audience than it will probably get, but trust us, it’s worth seeking out. This is one of the best Hip Hop albums released in 2024 so far.

Release date: March 29, 2024. 

Roc Marciano - Marciology

For the past fifteen years, Roc Marciano has been an undisputed titan of underground Hip Hop. His journey began with Busta Rhymes’ Flipmode Squad and The U.N., but Marciano’s true calling emerged as a solo artist. He became a driving force in the revival of the mafioso subgenre, originally pioneered by 90s icons like Kool G Rap, Raekwon, and Nas.

Marciano’s signature sound – atmospheric, gritty lo-fi beats – has become the blueprint for a new generation. His style heavily influences artists like the ones from Griselda and all their affiliates. His dark, post-boom-bap sound, often eschewing drums altogether, has heavily influenced and dominated underground Hip Hop in the past decade.

Marciano’s discography boasts standouts like Marcberg (2010) and Reloaded (2012), and the more recent The Elephant Bones (2022). His latest offering, Marciology, continues this tradition of excellence. While maybe not his absolute best, it’s another strong entry in a strong catalog, delivering a laidback but deadly soundscape across its 14 tracks and 45-minute runtime. Features from Larry June, Crimeapple, T.F., and Flee Lord complement Marciano’s signature flow and cold-blooded bars, further solidifying the album’s strength.

Marciology is a masterclass in atmospheric production, a collaboration between Marciano himself, Alchemist, and Animoss. When it comes to crafting this style of Hip Hop there’s only Brownsville’s Ka who might rival Roc Marciano. Marciology is a must-listen for any true Hip Hop head.

Release date: March 29, 2024. 

Everliven Sound & Slimline Mutha - Echo Chamber

Cymarshall Law and Skit Slam, also known as BlackBelt Poemz, form the duo of Everliven Sound. Echo Chamber is a collaborative LP with UK producer Slimline Mutha. Drawing inspiration from the sounds of 90s legends like Pete Rock, Q-Tip, and Large Professor, Slimline Mutha’s beats set a dope backdrop. Everliven Sound’s bars and flows are in sync with the instrumentals, culminating in an exceptional album that feels like a nostalgic nod to early 1990s Hip Hop, sure to resonate with fans of the era.

Release date: March 13, 2024.

ScHoolboy Q - Blue Lips

After a five-year hiatus, Los Angeles rapper ScHoolboy Q’s long-awaited sixth studio album, Blue Lips, proves the wait was worth it. This project throws listeners into a world of captivating duality, blending jazzy and soulful sounds with eerie, menacing beats, and mixing up mature introspection with trash talk to great effect. Blue Lips is a clear step up from the very underwhelming CrasH Talk (2019) and rivals his critically acclaimed earlier works like Habits & Contradictions (2012) and Oxymoron (2014). While Blank Face LP (2016) remains our favorite ScHoolboy Q album, Blue Lips holds its own.

Blue Lips throbs with the signature darkness that has always defined Q’s sound, yet it feels refreshingly inventive. The production is strong throughout, featuring lots of dope beat switches and soulful samples that complement Q’s dynamic and at times fiercely biting delivery. Particularly the first half of the album is powerful, boasting standout tracks like “Pop”, “THank God 4 Me”, “Blueslides”, “Love Birds”, “Cooties”, “oHio”, and “Foux”. Guest appearances from artists like Freddie Gibbs, Ab-Soul, and Rico Nasty add extra flavor to the project.

Q isn’t afraid to be experimental on Blue Lips. He navigates smoothly between visceral trap-flavored bangers and jazzy vibes, sometimes within the same track. While the second half of the album, might not quite match the strength of the first, the overall experience remains finely tuned and engaging. Whether you’re a longtime ScHoolboy Q fan or just discovering his music, Blue Lips is a strong modern rap album that demands to be heard.

Release date: March 1, 2024. 

NAHreally & The Expert - BLIP

Massachusetts-born Jersey City-based rapper NAHreally, known for his down-to-earth wit and relatable observations, joins forces with Dublin, Ireland-based producer The Expert on BLIP. The Expert’s airy, psychedelic beats are tailormade for NAHreally’s conversational flow. The result of this partnership is an album brimming with humor, insightful lyrics, and clever wordplay.

NAHreally avoids flashy flows, instead opting for a style that feels more like a conversation with a close friend. His raps are full of folksy wisdom and wry observations, delivered with a casual charm. The Expert, meanwhile, is a master of sonic tapestries. He weaves samples from various sources into light, free-flowing beats that serve as standalone pieces and backdrops for NAHreally’s verses.

Despite collaborating remotely, NAHreally and The Expert found a natural connection. They exchanged ideas and references, building the album from nearly 100-beat sketches and lyrical fragments. This meticulous approach results in a dynamic, open record with a lived-in feel. Guest appearances by Open Mike Eagle, Hemlock Ernst, Dillon, and Jesse The Tree further elevate the project, adding depth to the 14-song tracklist.

BLIP is an engaging journey through contemporary life. Packed with humor, relatable experiences, and skillfully crafted lyricism, it’s an album that will leave you wanting to revisit it.

Release date: March 29, 2024.

Moses Rockwell & Plain Old Mike - Regular Henry Sessions

Moses Rockwell from Rochester, NY, and Plain Old Mike from Wisconsin, WI, embarked on a musical collaboration in 2021, which organically evolved into the formation of the group Regular Henry. With impressive track records individually, Moses counts collaborations with billy woods, J-Live, Homeboy Sandman, and Von Pea, while Plain Old Mike boasts work with Armand Hammer, Defcee, and Curly Castro, among others—their combined efforts culminated in the creation of Regular Henry Sessions, the duo’s collaborative debut project.

Reflecting on their partnership, Moses remarks, “I believe the synergy Mike and I achieved as a duo is undeniable. We share a fascination with the quirks of rap music and revel in the same humor, all of which shines through on this record.” Meanwhile, Mike adds, “Our aim with this album was twofold. Firstly, it pays homage to our favorite De La Soul albums – De La Soul is Dead for Moses and Buhloone Mindstate for myself. Secondly, we wanted to craft a lighthearted record. Life can weigh heavy on the soul, but perhaps with Regular Henry playing, you can indulge in 40 minutes of silly jokes and find solace in laughter.”

Regular Henry Sessions is a collection of infectious tracks, each full of playful but clever bars set against quirky jazz-flavored beats. While Moses and Plain Old Mike may not be able to lay claim to being the greatest emcees ever, their chemistry and the album’s overall vibe make it a joy to listen to.

Release date: March 1, 2023.

Body Bag Ben & Vega7 the Ronin - Kawasaki Killers

California rapper and producer Body Bag Ben blends the eerie side of West Coast funk with classic New York boom bap. His signature sound? Think thick, organic drums and versatile flows. For Kawasaki Killers, he teams up with Vega7 The Ronin, fresh off his dope 2023 project Sleep Is The Cousin. Body Bag Ben crafts the entire soundscape, while Vega7 unleashes a barrage of tough bars and vivid imagery. This potent brew makes Kawasaki Killers a top-tier underground release.

Release date: March 29, 2024. 

Enoch - Waiting for Something To Happen

Waiting For Something To Happen is a solo LP by Enoch, the Florida-based producer and long-standing member of CYNE. Born from a mix of emotions including grief, confidence, fear, and ambition, this project reflects the complexities of modern life. Enoch enlisted a great lineup of Hip Hop icons and underground spitters, including Artifacts, Sadat X, Kool Keith, Psycho Les, Rockness Monsta, Elzhi, and Guilty Simpson, among many others, to join him on this journey.

While the lyrical talent on display is impressive enough, Enoch’s production steals the spotlight, making this album one of the standout producer projects of the year. Those familiar with CYNE know to expect nothing less than top-notch production, but Waiting For Something To Happen goes beyond expectations. Enoch’s meticulously crafted deep-bass beats serve as the backbone of the project, tying together the diverse contributions of the featured artists in a great way.

Release date: March 8, 2024. 

DJ Illogik - Time & Tenacity

DJ Illogik’s dope cuts & scratches take center stage in this nostalgic boom-bap project, steeped in the essence of the 90s. With beats crafted by Apollo Brown, Foul Mouth, FLXVCL, ParanormL, and Jamil Honesty, and verses delivered by a lineup including Artifacts, Finale, A.G., Skyzoo, Apathy, Jay Royale, Rasco, Ty Farris, Eto, J Scienide, Journalist 103, The Bad Seed, Jamil Honesty, and Substance810, Time & Tenacity boasts a plethora of talent. This project is tailored for Hip Hop purists, even if it is a bit generic. Favorite tracks: “East 2 West”, “Break’s Over”, “Pisces”, “Malefaction”, and “Enjoy Your Weekend”.

Release date: March 13, 2024.

Honorable Mentions

• Real Bad Man & Lukah – Temple Needs Water. Village Needs
• Jae Skeese & Superior – Testament Of The Times
• M-Dot – Daze Of Greed
• Blu & Shafiq Husayn – Out Of The Blue
• Supreme Cerebral, O the Great & Alpha Betic – Gold Pyramids
• MC Juice, All Natural & Georgia Anne Muldrow – CALIsthenics
• Estee Nack & Futurewave – Stone Temple Pyrex
• G-Mo Skee & Stu Bangas – Filth City
• Al.Divino – Pyroglyphs
• Chuck Strangers – A Forsaken Lover’s Plea
• Flee Lord & Crisis – Full Court Press
• Clypto – Loopzilla
• Ben Buck, Jamar Equality & Nick Cruz – Low Brow Purists
• Mega Ran & Jermiside – The Lure Of Light
• Nef – The Gentleman’s Board
• The Musalini & John Dutch – Gentlemen Of Leisure 2
• Locksmith – No Atheists In Foxholes
• Cappadonna & Iron Shiek – The Man With The Iron Darts
• Maestro Fresh Wes – Rap Prime Minister
• Future & Metro Boomin – We Don’t Trust You