Juno Recommends Hip Hop / R&B: June 2024

Review: Smoove AKA Jonathan Scott Watson brings us Bizarre Cut 'N' Paste Ride for the most recent Wack Records release. The producer is known for using his cut up style of east coast flavor. On the A-side, 'Bizarre Cut 'N' Paste Ride' uses Pharcyde tracks and edits them seamlessly like a DJ would. Focusing in on the original instrumentals, he creates a jazzy sound with them. 'Summer Cyde' expands upon this theme while using the all-time classic 'Passin Me By' in the mix. This is like having a dub plate of Pharcyde cuts to your own personal bag. Sounds like these will never get old.

Review: London's Jim Sharp curators' label strikes back again, delivering two fresh 7" cuts from fellow maverick editor Wally Puma aka. JNCO. Erring on the breaksy and the old-school, we're first walloped round the head with 'Renegade Trouble', which pits Skull Snaps' OG infamous 'It's A New Day' breakbeat (made famous for its Matrix soundtrack usage) against Wildchild's 'Renegade Master' acapella. The two work a charm. On the B, we're delivered a follow-up right hook with a fresh, measured breaks take on The Shapeshifters' soulful electro house classic, 'Lola's Theme'.

Review: The so-far superb Boom Bap Classics label kicks on with a sixth fantastic slab of old school gold. This time once more they offer up underground 90s rap gems in the form of a brilliant neck-snapper from West Coast lyrical don Rasco. His 'Unassisted' is a widely respected cut that finds favour with heads and backpackers and turntablists alike thanks to its hard bars and chord-laced bumping beats. On the flip, 'Take It Back Home' features fellow Californian vocalist Planet Asia who continues in the same vibe and keeps you moving.

Review: Yes Lawd! marks another triumph in Anderson .Paak's ascendant career, showing his evolution from Breezy Lovejoy to a prominent figure in California rap. Teaming up with Knxwledge, .Paak delivers a beautiful beat tape that pays homage to classic Stones Throw duos. Tracks like 'Livvin' embody triumph and success, echoing the tradition of rags-to-riches narratives in rap. Knxwledge's production shines throughout the album, drawing inspiration from church music, hip-hop, and J Dilla, creating rich instrumentals that serve as the soul of the record. Paak's emotive delivery and vocal flexibility are standout features, as seen on tracks like 'Best One' and 'Lyk Dis,' where he channels urgency and empathy reminiscent of DMX and Young Thug. Yes Lawd! stands as a significant achievement in .Paak's career, showcasing his growth as a vocalist and songwriter. While Knxwledge's production balances.Paak's contributions, the album overall offers a compelling glimpse into .Paak's evolving artistry.

Review: Chicago's Altered Tapes alter two brand new ones for their latest 7", making up for a short AWOL period with two mashups of the utmost rawness and class. First, on the A-side, comes a slick homage to ATCQ's brightest star Q-Tip, who nonetheless, shockingly, only ever scored one hit single in his lifetime, 'Vivrant Thing'. We are reminded of this once again, if only for the fact that it shouldn't have been the case, through Altered Tapes and King Most's raw but relaxed new version. The B-side marks an unusually roomy and reverberative rework of the Tribe's 'Scenario' by their fellow editor Boombaptist, bringing dub effects-laden heat to an already wild tune.

Review: The Soundbombing II compilation was a pivotal release from the late 90s hip-hop era and the track 'B-Boy Document '99' by The High & Mighty, featuring Mos Def and Skillz, stood out not just for its inclusion on the Tony Hawk Pro Skater 2 soundtrack but also for Mos Def's exceptional verse. His delivery, blending rapid-fire rhymes with intricate wordplay and a distinctive flow, solidified his status as a lyrical heavyweight. Even among a lineup of notable artists, Mos Def's performance on this track remains a standout moment in hip-hop history, showcasing his skill and artistry. Now, available on 7" complete with the instrumental on Side-2.

Review: Mo Chara, Moglai Bap, and DJ Provai - aka Belfast's finest, Kneecap - entered the studio with producer Toddla T in the summer of 2023 and quickly decided to scrap everything they had prepared for their upcoming album. Instead, they chose to build a pub together. Nestled in a West Belfast side street, The Rutz is a community boozer where the entire neighborhood congregates. Although the pub exists only in the band's imagination, all the action on Kneecap's exhilarating debut album, Fine Art, takes place there. Like the band itself, Fine Art is fiercely intelligent, consistently hilarious and genuinely thought-provoking, its genius lying in immersing you in a world previously unrepresented in modern music. Across the record's 12 tracks and interconnecting moments (featuring contributions from friends including DJ Annie Mac), the pub vividly comes to life, providing the perfect backdrop for the colorful characters that populate the album. From the moment the idea was born in Toddla T's studio, The Rutz was the obvious setting for the world of Kneecap. This album is a masterstroke, capturing the spirit and soul of Belfast with brilliance.

Review: Yes Lawd! by NxWorries, the collaborative project between Anderson .Paak and Knxwledge, is a stunning achievement in contemporary hip-hop and r&b. Released on Stones Throw Records in 2016, this album showcases .Paak's raw talent and Knxwledge's masterful production skills. The album delves into .Paak's personal journey, from overcoming adversity to achieving success in the music industry. Tracks like 'Livvin' embody triumph and resilience, with .Paak's emotive vocals soaring over soulful beats. Knxwledge's production is a standout feature, paying homage to classic Stones Throw duos like Dilla and Madlib while infusing the sound with his own unique style. Paak's lyrical prowess shines throughout the album, with poignant reflections on his past and candid insights into his relationships. Yes Lawd! is an excellent listen from start to finish, with standout tracks like 'What More Can I Say' and 'Link Up' showing the duo's chemistry and creativity. Yes Lawd! solidifies .Paak's position as a rising star in the music industry and cements Knxwledge's reputation as a visionary producer.

Review: DJ Deviant's 7" single is a nod to classic hip-hop with a modern twist. 'The Rhythm' on Side-1 is a funky, horn-laden track layered over B-boy breaks, delivering a sound that's sure to get the party started. On the flip side, 'Make Em Bounce' offers a mid-tempo groove with '90s hip-hop vocals, horn stabs, and boom bap drum breaks, creating a vibe that will make you move. This single is great for DJs and 45 enthusiasts, blending nostalgia with contemporary beats in a way that's both familiar and fresh.

Review: The latest vinyl release from RS Records, their third, is a 45rpm dedicated to hip-hop lovers and wider genre enthusiasts. Produced by Slick Walk (ala SaturnVybz and DJ Robert Smith), Side A features '50 (More Hits),' a mellow, space funk-inflected banger with NYC legends QNC (aka Q-Ball and Curt Cazal). The track boasts crisp, Premo-like drum programming, cloud-like synths, and warm bass, all of which create a sensation of flying or walking on air. Rich in old-school and golden-era references, nearly every bar is a hyperlink to a hip-hop classic, making the track an almost literal hip-hop encyclopedia. The superb No Way Out" (feat Slimkid3 & Moonbeam Kelly) seals the deal on this vital pick up.

Review: The implied sequel to their first and only album Yes Lawd!, the ingenious production and vocal duo of wonky hip-hop producer Knxwledge, and esteemed multi-talent Anderson .Paak - together known as NxWorries - comes in full force, a full eight years after said debut. A seeming reversal of the mood of the first record, Why Lawd? submits a plea of desperation rather than confidence to the heavens, though nonetheless sports features from the likes of Dave Chappelle, Thundercat, H.E.R., Snoop Dogg and Earl Sweatshirt, in what still amounts to an endlessly enjoyable, bumpy ride in the modes of smoked-out neo-soul and challenging lo-fi.

Review: $uicideboy$'s New World Depression is a raw and unapologetic dive into the depths of inner turmoil and societal disillusionment, presenting a world where existential crises and inner demons reign supreme. The duo fearlessly confront themes of fame, self-destruction and the relentless pursuit of identity in the face of chaos. Through gritty and unfiltered lyrics, $uicideboy$ paint a stark picture of personal struggle, substance abuse, and the constant quest for authenticity in an indifferent world. This album resonates with anyone who has ever felt lost or battled with their own shadows. New World Depression serves as a powerful exploration of the darker aspects of the human experience, offering a cathartic journey for listeners seeking solace in the midst of chaos.

Review: Sami Galbi is a Swiss-Moroccan musician who looks to his childhood for musical inspiration. The A-side of this new 7" is a thoughtful post-breakup classic with raw synths and bouncing rhythm that melds rai influences with contemporary sounds and despite tacking a serious subject with gravitas also has a humourous edge. On the flip is 'Rruina,' a powerful follow-up with deeper darker club sounds that take Swiss-Moroccan rai-chaabi fusions into new territory. Both tunes are captivating listens from this fine talent and are sure to make an indelible impression on all who hear them.

Review: On PTSD: Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, Pharoahe Monch continues the story he began telling on his prior LP, W.A.R. (We Are Renegades), his third studio album and first independent release. The Queens emcee narrates, in both literal and metaphoric ways, the trials and tribulations of an independent artist who is at war with the music industry and the struggle of the black male experience in America. In a 2012 interview, the rapper explained the connections between the two projects beyond their titles: "the W.A.R.album was like, I'm going to battle against the machine, I'm doing this independently. I'm putting some things out that I learned and I'm going to expose the music industry. PTSD is the result of me doing that, where I am emotionally now. It's similar to how someone comes back, from war and is stricken by re-adjusting to a regular situation." Now reissued via his very own W.A.R. media, it's clear that this is a war that Monch has not stopped waging.

Review: Spanish producer Nueen and Manchester vocalist and rapper Iceboy Violet, who you might well recognised from appearing on Hyperdub releases by the likes of aya and Loraine James, come together for a collaborative work that follows the story of a four-year-long relationship. As you can imagine, therefore, it takes in peaks and troughs, emotional highs, depressive lows, and plenty in between that will all feel all too familiar to anyone who has ever fallen in and out of love. Drill-laced beats are laced with intimate melodies, and excitable chords spiral out of control while a menacing ambience percolates up from below. It's a powerful listen with a relatable narrative.

Review: Back in 1996, on the back of years spent showcasing skills on NYC's hip-hop underground, mic man Omniscence completed his debut album, The Raw Factor, with producers Fanatic and (more surprisingly) deep house great Rheji Burrell. Sadly, it was never issued, and it would be nearly a decade before he put out a full-length excursion, The God Hour. Described as "one of the great lost rap albums of the 90s", The Raw Factor is now finally out on CD - almost three decades after Omniscence started work on it. For those who love "golden era hip-hop", with its killer grooves and choice use of killer samples, it's a must-check set, with Omniscence's on-point raps - delivered smoothly, with a distinctively gruff flow - keeping you captivated throughout.

Review: El Conejo Malo's fifth solo album 'nadie sabe lo que va a pasar maNana' is a return to rap that is as steamy and unique as anything else he has ever done. The former king of Latin trap lyrically focusses on some of his favourite and third and testate subjects such as sex, counting racks and his love of Puerto Always funny and on form throughout, this return to his roots is full of fun but never short on quality and mixes up gritty drill howls with deep cut rhythms and plenty of complex bars, including one notable explainer that he could be "rapping about more profound issues, but the checks arrive and confuse me."

Review: Blackstreet's Another Level is a quintessential 90s r&b album that showcases the group's evolution and talent. The standout track, 'No Diggity,' featuring Dr. Dre and Queen Pen, is a timeless hit that still resonates today. The album's success can be attributed to its infectious grooves, catchy hooks, and innovative production. Other tracks like 'Don't Leave Me,' 'I Can't Get You (Out Of My Mind) (Remix),' and 'Fix' featuring ODB, Slash, and Fishbone, demonstrate Blackstreet's ability to deliver hit after hit. Their cover of The Beatles' '(Money Can't) Buy Me Love' is a refreshing take, showcasing the group's vocal harmonies. Overall, Another Level is a solid album that solidified Blackstreet's status as r&b legends.

Review: Experience the female power of Lil' Kim's unapologetic persona with this dynamic collection. Hits like 'Queen Bitch' and 'Suck My D*ck' showcase her confident style and fearless attitude, while tracks such as 'Drugs' and 'Notorious Kim' delve into her experiences and solidify her reputation in the music industry. 'The Jump Off' and 'Crush on You' highlight her versatility and strength as an artist, balancing gritty, assertive tracks with club-ready anthems. This collection underscores Lil' Kim's status as a trailblazing figure in hip-hop, blending raw authenticity with undeniable charisma.

Review: The Grudge, Tame One's long-awaited debut solo album, finally sees the light of day again with a reissue, 17 years after its initial release. Born from the vibrant East Coast culture of skating, graffiti, and MCing, Tame One's partnership with Division East Records brings forth a raw and unapologetic expression of Newark's hip-hop scene. Despite its previous obscurity, this reissue on purple vinyl breathes new life into the album, showcasing Tame One's lyrical prowess and the album's gritty production, remastered by Shape, Mishap, and others. The inclusion of an unreleased Stretch Armstrong HOT 97 freestyle featuring Redman and Rah Digga adds to the album's allure, making it a must-have for both hardcore fans and newcomers alike. With artwork by DJ Porno, Tame One's longtime collaborator, The Grudge is a strong album pushing the enduring legacy of Newark's hip-hop culture.

Review: Benji B, Jamz Supernova, Shy One, and Scratcha DVA have all been giving this one mad props and hardcore support, and it's easy to hear why. It is a welcome follow-up from South London's James Massiah who saw big success with his 2019 hit EP Natural Born Killers. It comes again on Jon Rust's Levels imprint and makes some of his most rich work yet. It autobiographically explores the peaks and valleys of 21st-century love, life, and relationships with seamless rap flows and signature neon beats that all take cues from dancehall, dub, acid house, grime, and leftfield pop. Gritty yet shimmering it is a great new addition to the UK's current rap scene.

Review: Kool Keith's Feature Magnetic showcases his inimitable style as he trades verses with a host of guest stars, delivering sharp bars wrapped in bare hooks and brisk running times. Keith's quirky, vivid storytelling pulls collaborators like Necro, Slug and DOOM into his orbit, each adapting to his unique world. The standout track, 'Bonneville,' sees Keith and Mac Mall merge hyphy revivalism with existential dread, seamlessly transitioning to the stone-faced 'Tired. This track serves as an elegy for Keith's contemporaries who've faded from the spotlight, reflecting his fear of becoming irrelevant. Yet, Feature Magnetic captures him at his most vivid, warping reality and conjuring alternate timelines with ease. The album's emotional depth is highlighted by Sadat X's poignant guest verse, contrasting Malcolm X's assassination with modern struggles, only for Keith to follow with a wink and a laugh. Through off-kilter parables and sci-fi world-building, Keith reveals his dark wisdom, making Feature Magnetic a compelling listen. He remains a master craftsman, combining outlandish narratives with introspective moments for our enjoyment,