Back catalogue: Hip Hop/R&B

Review: Private Stock Records serves up a treat for DJs and turntablists with a new 12" packed with beats, scratches, and skipless tracks. Four skilled DJsiBig Once, Cutso, Double A, and Nick Bikeicontribute their skills to this collection, offering a diverse range of flavours for scratching and beat juggling. Each DJ delivers a 'Scratch Sentence' and a selection of beats at various tempos, providing a versatile toolkit for creative routines. The inclusion of skipless tracks adds another dimension, allowing for seamless blends and extended mixes. With its focus on functionality and quality, this release is a must-have for any serious turntablist or DJ looking to expand their arsenal of sounds.

Review: A one-off reissue on Brooklyn's Finest - whose name in turn takes after one of B.I.G.'s many nicknames - Biggie Smalls' 'Sky's The Limit' set out Christopher Wallace's verbal message in piercing tones: go big or go home. The third and final single from B.I.G.'s second album Life After Death, this is the kind of song that obsessive fans might conclude portended his sticky end: not only was it the flagship song from the album, it also contained ominous sound design and sample work, and the music video features children dressed up as and imitating B.I.G., P. Diddy, Busta Rhymes, Faith Evans, and more, in a farcical pantomime of the rap game.

Review: 'O.P.P.' by Naughty By Nature is an iconic hip-hop song that not only achieved commercial success, reaching the top ten on the Billboard Hot 100 and earning platinum status, but broke barriers and became a cultural phenomenon in the 1990s. The song's success helped Naughty By Nature establish themselves as a major force in hip-hop and contributed to their longevity in the industry. 'O.P.P.' continues to be celebrated and remembered, showing the group's ability to blend rough subject matter with catchy pop hooks, making it a timeless classic in the genre. The Hip-Hop movement was arguably the most important cultural movement in the 80s and 90s. Here you have one of its most important soundtracks.

Review: NEMS, the "Mayor of Coney Island," joins forces with DJ Skizz and SkyAsia to drop 'Christmas Spectacular' on 7" vinylia physical release after its digital debut. This one is a proper holiday banger backed by High Water Music, FYL and DWMG and featuring eye-catching artwork with Kith's photography and a layout by Sieteson. Known for his gritty style and wit, NEMS puts his own twist on festive vibes, making this bit of vinyl a must-have for hip-hop fans wanting a fresh spin on holiday cheer.

Review: The Nextmen team up once more with Kiko Bun here and he is proving himself to really be one of the UK's standout vocal talents right now. Together they to deliver a big anthem bursting with feel-good vibes. Perfect for sunny days, this track begs for windows down and volume up. The vocals are packed with soul and flow freely over instrumental beats with a cool sense of funk. The tune has another robust groove doused in club culture and a love of hip-hop, as is often the case with Dom Search and Brad Baloo aka The Nextmen who are renowned UK DJs and producers celebrated for their eclectic mixes, albums and podcasts.

Review: Baltimore's gothic synthpop golden child Nourished By Time (Marcus Brown) has made a wonderful name for himself so far, flaunting a blithe, nigh ghostly vocal talent, usually paired with a lo-fi alt-pop aesthetic. The 'Catching Chickens' EP, his debut record for XL Recordings, continues this trend with a brand new five-track EP, following up 2023's equally great LP Erotic Probiotic 2. Written between 2022 - 2023 in his home studio in Baltimore and along his world travels this past year, Catching Chickens is derived from the film Rocky, and the iconic scene in which Rocky's trainer makes him chase and catch a flock of chickens as a test of agility. Channelling Brown's per usual contemplation of late stage capitalism and post-pandemic loneliness, every song here is indicative of a well-earned artistic progression.

Review: Neibiss and Pasokon Ongaku Club's collaborative single 'Flow Ya Mind' is a superb new single from an Osaka-based label themed around "baths." This marks their second release following 2022's On Rei/Froject A by EVISBEATS and Nagipan. The track combines a solid bassline with an ambient backdrop, snappy Amen breakbeats and Neibiss' relaxed, bath-themed rap. The song's calming composition is said to suit any hot spring setting and we can't disagree. Mastered by Naoya Tokuno and with artwork by Neibiss' rafitt, the is a fine new 7".

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: Jupiter is a radiant return for Noa that signals a new quality to her artistry. Following her 2021 album, And Then Life Was Beautiful, which was shaped by personal challenges and a diagnosis of Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, Nao embraces joy and healing on this fourth outing. Tracks like 'Elevate' and 'Wildflowers' express optimism with others like 'Better Days' and 'Happy People' underscoring the theme of growth. The album blends funky guitar solos, delicious drum patterns and nostalgic sounds throughout and manages to show up great musical versatility across a rich, emotionally powerful album.

Review: Nate Dogg's G-Funk Classics is a landmark double album that showcases his smooth vocals and signature G-funk sound across a series of cult classics and much loved hit favourites. Released in two volumes, the album blends laid-back beats, soulful melodies, and West Coast rap influences that all serve to underline the Dogg's role as a pioneer of the genre. With features from artists like Snoop Dogg, Warren G, and Tupac, the album includes standout tracks like 'Never Leave Me Alone' and "These Days,' which explore Nate's unique ability to mix r&b with gangster rap, which is what made this album such a defining moment in G-funk and cemented his legacy as the "King of Hooks" in hip-hop.

Review: Naughty By Nature's greatest hits compilations number in the many. In contrast to their two former collections of the same sort, Naughty's Nicest and Nature's Finest, this third Greatest Hits record doesn't sport a subtitle like the other two, yet continues to spread the legacy of this nefarious triad. Released with trueness on the group's breakout catalyst Queen Latifah's label Tommy Boy Records, we're once again met with the ingenious East Coast stylings of early hits like 'O.P.P.' and 'Everything's Gonna Be All Right'. A common theme is rags-to-riches and the achievement of glory through hardship, though the tracks' optimistic tone overall tends to jut through this originally bleak subject matter. Later hits like 'Feel Me Flow' and remixes from Crazy C and QD III also feature.

Review: After years spent working alongside a talented pool of jazz musicians as the Neue Grafik Ensemble, Fred N'Thepe has decided to go solo for the first time this decade. Dalston Tapes Vol 1 is, according to Rhythm Section International, a conscious attempt by the artists to return to his beat-making roots. It's an album, then, rooted in hip-hop mixtape culture, where vocal numbers featuring guest MCs sit side by side with rap-free "beats" - lusciously and impeccably crafted instrumentals in which warming bass guitar lines, deep electronic sub-bass, sparkling electronic motifs and choice samples cluster around loosely swung, MPC-driven beat patterns. It's a great collection all told, with nods towards club-ready broken beat and deep house sitting side by side with Dilla-esque workouts and references towards London's vibrant hip-hop and grime underground.

Review: Jakarta-born, LA-based singer-songwriter NIKI has announced her third studio album, Buzz, set for release on August 9th via 88rising. Alongside this exciting news, she has unveiled the lead single, 'Too Much Of A Good Thing.' Co-produced with Ethan Gruska, known for his work with Phoebe Bridgers and Bon Iver, the flirty track features sardonic lyrics and a sinewy bass guitar, speaking about the excitement of a new crush. NIKI describes the song as a fun, tongue-in-cheek exploration of desire and imagination, with a groove inspired by classic rock from the 60s and 70s. Emerging from a profound inner journey, this album delivers warm folk-rock songs that crackle with intimacy and introspection. Reflecting on an identity crisis, NIKI blends influences from Joni Mitchell to Liz Phair, crafting a personal narrative through elastic guitar melodies. Collaborating with seasoned producers, she captures a wandering spirit that resonates with hard-earned wisdom and resilience.

Review: Japanese jazzist Kenichiro Nishihara drew much acclaim for his second LP Humming Jazz in 2008, which came a full five years after his debut in 2003, and heralded a stabler career thereafter. With its harmonious, benignant piano melodies and oblique drum palette - which hears the artist secure both live bossa nova performances and original hip house beats - Nishihara knew the inherent entertainment value in tender modal jazz, and sought to enmesh sophistication with pop breeziness. 'Rain Falls' is an especially round-bodied track, with glycemic vocal flavours from Kissey Asplund and richly EQ-ed drums, setting a soulful precedent for two key hip-hop gems to come: 'From Time To Time' and 'Consider My Love', featuring rappers Gregg Green and Pismo. 'Step Out' signals the record's close with bopping triplet gaiety.

Review: Now available in long-awaited LP form, Kenichiro Nishihara's second LP Life is issued via Urban Discos. Aiming to capture the essence of life in 12 tracks, the record, originally released in January 2010, fuses the blissed-out, piano-drenched Tokyo hip-hop sound with an advanced jazztronica palette and deals in themes of blessings, personal philosophy and stoical musings on everyday hardship but ultimate satisfaction. The rap features from Substantial, Steph Pockets, Amanda Diva, Pismo, Nina Vidal, Kissey Asplund and Gregg Green occur alternately between solo instrumentals from Nishihara himself; all tracks in the first category almost all deal in themes of flourishing and authenticity in day-to-day life, while those in the latter box serve as felicitous personal soundtracks for those cathartic revelations that can only arise through experience and dialogue.

Review: Following their NYC Halloween reunion, indie rap legends Non Phixion reissued The Future Is Now for its 20th anniversary and now do so again a couple more years later. Originally released in 2003, the album's raw energy and sharp lyricism remain as impactful as ever and so is likely to appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers. Packed with hard-hitting tracks, the project delivers relentless beats and razor-sharp bars and a standout is 'Suicide Bomb' featuring The Beatnuts, Al Tariq, Marly Metal and Moonshin as it perfectly exemplifies the group's signature intensity and lyrical prowess.

Review: Yikes, it's the 30th anniversary of The Notorious B.I.G.'s iconic album Ready to Die already. To mark the occasion it gets a special double gatefold and coloured vinyl repress and what hip-hop album is more deserving? Its initial release marked a pivotal moment in hip-hop history and introduced the world to Biggie's gritty storytelling, unique flow, and larger-than-life persona. Tracks like 'Juicy' and 'Big Poppa' became timeless classics that influenced generations of artists. The anniversary is not just a celebration of the album's success, but a tribute to Biggie's enduring legacy and listening back now to him, capturing the raw essence of struggle, fame, and survival in urban America is still as fantastic as ever.

Review: The 30th Anniversary Edition of The Notorious B.I.G.'s seminal debut album Ready to Die arrives with a desirable vinyl release that celebrates the milestone of this iconic record. Released initially in 1994, the album is a cornerstone of East Coast hip-hop and cemented Biggie Smalls as a pivotal figure in the genre. This special edition breathes new life into classic tracks like 'Juicy,' 'Big Poppa,' and 'One More Chance,' thanks to meticulous remastering that enhances the raw energy and lyrical brilliance of Biggie's original recording. This album leads the way with the gritty sound of 90s hip-hop. The packaging is equally impressive, featuring updated artwork and liner notes that provide fresh insights into the making of the album and its impact on music culture. This 30th Anniversary Edition is more than just a reissueiit's a celebration of an album that continues to influence and resonate.

Review: Now here's a real slice of East Coast hip-hop history, packaged for those Londonites who - even as far back as the early to mid 90s - felt the genre's magnanimous influence deeply, despite the transatlantic journey required of its promotion outside the USA. Existing only so far perhaps on bootlegged white label vinyl marked "Import" in big block lettering, this mythical live recording of The Notorious B.I.G.'s 1995 performance at the Hammersmith Palais in London (as part of Tim Westwood's 1FM Rap Show Launch Party) otherwise floats the interwebs either in casual YouTube video or cassette rip format. Clocking in at just over 50 minutes, Big Poppa's tragic ghost sounds to haunt the record, masterfully moving through his most hard-boiled, ironed songs in quick sixteen-track succession, chopping and changing between them through the adeptest of DJ scratchups; the hypiest, airhorn-blariest transitions. All Biggie's greatest hits feature (he'd released most of his chart-toppers by 1995; this recording was made two years before he died) and the heavy douse of reverb, supplied by the venue, lends an extra historic gravitas to Smalls' not-so-small voice. The acapella at the end is an especially grave, hushed moment; it's as if the lack of instrumental backing portends the many moments of silence that would follow two years later.

Review: Nourished by Time's latest work blends lo-fi r&b, freestyle, and bedroom pop with a confident ease that feels fresh and alive. The album, created in a Baltimore basement, is a snapshot of raw creativity, with a sound that's deeply personal yet accessible. Tracks like 'In the Quiet' and 'Tides' experiment with layers of rhythm and texture, pulling you into a world that feels uniquely his. It's an album that doesn't play by any rulesistriking a balance between introspection and broad appeal, while challenging what we expect from contemporary music.

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: 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: 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.