Basquiat On The Draw (feat Conway & Westside Gunn)
The Vibes
Spoils To The Victor
Visionary Riches
They Parked A Bentley On The Corner
The Flyest Essence
Innocent Ambition
Care Packages
Payout (feat Stalley)
Nodding Off
Review: After years of parallel journeys in hip-hop, Apollo Brown and Skyzoo unite on The Easy Truth. It's a collaboration that fuses Detroit's raw production with NYC's lyrical grit, with Skyzoo delivering sharp narratives about ambition, urban struggles, and resilience, while Apollo Brown's beats provide a dark yet soulful backdrop. The LP features guests like Joell Ortiz, Westside Gunn and Conway, digging deep into themes of struggle and survival. This release captures the essence of classic hip-hop, with each track unfolding as a powerful statement on life's hard truths.
Trillselda (feat Benny The Butcher & Rome Streetz) (3:09)
Set In Stone (feat Method Man & JFK) (2:11)
We Got A Problem, Houston (feat Paul Wall & Boldy James) (3:43)
Super Legend (feat NEMS & Smif N Wessun) (3:29)
Outside (feat Millyz, Propain, & Mia Jae) (3:59)
Day In The Life (feat Kota The Friend & Talib Kweli) (3:11)
Focused On The M's (feat Termanology & Flee Lord) (4:10)
Big Shit (feat Lukah & UFO Fev) (3:41)
Generational Wealth (feat Lord Sko & CJ Fly) (2:45)
In Memory Of (feat TF & Cal Wayne) (2:41)
Speak Easy (feat Grafh & Neek Da Skigz) (2:50)
Vegas Lights (feat Smoke DZA & Wais P) (3:39)
Down For You (feat Haile Supreme) (3:20)
All Night Thing (feat Jinell & Sam Jay) (3:25)
Review: This album allows listeners to experience the TrillBurgers owner deliver impeccable bars over Statik Selektah's exquisite, old-school hip-hop beats. In each track, he seizes full command of the beats, delivering deep, trill content with a seamless flow and mastery of wordplay. Despite rap being secondary to him now, Bun has unmistakably maintained his status as a skilled MC. Trillstatik 3 features a diverse lineup of underground and underdog rappers, each seamlessly complementing the energy of the cold beats and contributing to a cohesive flow throughout the album. The verses delivered by Benny The Butcher, Method Man, Smoke DZA, Termanology and Kota The Friend stand out particularly and if you are a fan of authentic, old-school, bar-heavy hip-hop albums, you will really enjoy Trillstatik 3.
Review: Chris Glasson and Stu Whiffen's Hardcore Listing Podcast has over 1 million downloads and is part of Scroobius Pip's Distraction Pieces Network. Now a first instalment is pressed to vinyl, and features the one and only record don and scratch master DJ Yoda talking on his favourite golden era Hip-Hop albums. The whole thing was recorded in one take and wasn't edited afterward. There are plenty of personal stories included along the way making this a perfect accompaniment to a cosy home listening session.
Review: Doseone teams up with New York prodder Steel Tipped Dove for a sharp-edged, forward-charging record, playing talents of both back at full voltage. After not quite finishing another ShrapKnel record, Doseone felt a creative jolt in the other direction, after which knife-tip moment he would reach out to fellow artists Dove and Fatboi Sharif. Such redirections often cause the creative process to loosen, and here was no exception, with APNC going from a stagnant entanglement to blistering rollout. Within weeks of receiving the first beat pack in late 2023, dose had recorded five tracks; and by Spring, the end was in sight. Though not typically down for guest spots, Dose called on a tight circle of kindred spirits - Open Mike Eagle, M.Sayyid, Billy Woods, Fatboi Sharif, Myka 9, and Andrew Broder on turntables - whom all lend the project extra scratchy, verbal dimensionalities. The result is a taut, unsentimental record that marries Dove's vivid, shape-shifting production with Doseone's most surgically precise writing in years.
Mobbin' For A Hobby (feat Planet Asia & Waz) (2:34)
Closer (2:15)
Trapped (feat Pink Siifu) (2:28)
Intermezzo (0:40)
2night (1:26)
Rings Around Saturn (2:00)
The Maxi-Single (feat Planet Asia) (2:06)
Omnichord (1:40)
Spark Lah (feat Blu November) (2:41)
Outro (2:37)
Trapped (instrumental) (2:27)
Review: Fredfades is a well-regarded modern beatmaker and master sampler who crafts soul drenched and atmospheric hip-hop. For this new record on Mutual Intentions outta Norway he works with Sraw to hypnotic effect. Right from the off, the dusty vibes and lo-fi aesthetic is heartwarming and a perfectly laid back tonic to busy modern lives. Guess like Planet Asia & Waz, Pink Siifu and Blu November add their own character to this spaced-out and stoned late-night listening companion. It might be one of Fred's best yet.
Review: Brazilian rapper Marcelo D2 shares the release of new direct-to-disc album via Night Dreamer. Recorded alongside electrifying live band Sambadrive, the album revisits some of Marcelo D2's most important tracks, mining 25 years of groundbreaking music from the Brazilian legend, and capturing his now timeless 'samba hip-hop' sound in full flow. The aforementioned is an unusual yet compelling sound, marking the voice and style of a torchbearer and innovator, and not the last to be marked by the motto "looking for the perfect beat". Now, in 2024, D2 retells his story from a new perspective. Inspired by the iconic jazz-samba trios of the 60s and 70s, Sambadrive emerged from the improvised and often spontaneous jams that would preface Marcelo D2's live shows. Touring the world and reuniting with producer Mario Caldato Jr., the group dropped in on Haarlem's Artone Studio in October 2022 to record an album of 10 tracks, drawn from four of Marcelo D2's most loved albums.
Review: Method Man is a bonafide legend of the hip-hop world and with this one he passed down some of his shine by presenting a debut album from Street Life, a then-new prodigy with a thugged out style on the mic. The album has never before been available on vinyl and it packs a real punch with standout singles such as 'Can't Stop, Won't Stop' featuring Method Man, 'Street Education' plus 'A Star Is Born' featuring fellow Wu Tang associate Inspectah Deck. These are raw beats and even more raw bars with next level lyrical skills from an artists who has also appeared on tracks by the iconic Wu Tang Clan, Method Man and more.
Review: Mike Flips and Seize join forces here for an album that draws on the magic of classic boom bap. Life Cycles is brought to life with the dexterous rhymes of the talented Outsiders Syndicate MC Nord1kone and makes for an introspective trip that both looks to the past, but also the future. There are some cultured guest spots along the way too from El Da Sensei of the Artifacts crew as well as another Outsiders Syndicate MC in The I.M.F. Arriving on translucent blue vinyl this is a perfect record for those with a love of the old school but who like a little new school freshness with their beats.
Never Forget (feat Termanology - bonus track) (2:49)
Dollars & Sense (bonus track) (2:56)
Review: Harlem's renowned THC fanatic Sean Pompey aka 10-year hip hop veteran Smoke DZA teamed up with LA producer Real Bad Man for this superb collaborative album back at the start of the year. It was inspired by the fact that weed became legal to be sold on the West Coast and so comes with bars that are heavily steeped in the spirit of the bud. Signature Real Bad Man beats are carriages for silky bars from DZA while plenty of solid guest appearances bolster the already fine collection of tunes. Flee Lord, NymLo and Knowledge The Pirate are amongst those contributing and it is so good to finally have these available on wax.
Review: Roughneck Jihad and Symatic are back with their first full-length album, The Decomposition Ray. After their 2022 Simon Bar Sinister EP and the 2018 lathe-cut 7" Wonder, the duo continues to evolve their unique mix of experimental beats and unconventional lyrics. Crafted with a loop station, tape echo, and Cut & Paste Records scratch tools, the instrumentals were passed to Roughneck Jihad for lyrical infusion. The album's artwork is hand-printed by Bethanien's Dust in Belfast, while each of the 150 vinyl records is splatter-pressed with a unique design, making each copy a true collector's item.
Review: Saafir's Boxcar Sessions is an eccentric yet riveting rap album where his unique flow and battle rap strength is on full display. Despite his "rap disorders," Saafir excels, blending wit and punchlines with an avant-garde delivery that stands out. His growling voice and erratic flow intertwine seamlessly with the album's ominous jazz beats, reminiscent of A Tribe Called Quest and RZA's minimalistic samples. There is many standouts where the songs have a tremendous live feel while is very balanced with Saafir's technical proficiency in the studio. The production, featuring ringing vibes and stalking bass lines, may seem generic but complements Saafir's style perfectly. Highlights include 'Light Sleeper,' where Saafir's surreal, off-kilter flow shines amidst molten drums and a low-key atmosphere, making it one of the best tracks. Boxcar Sessions is a rare gem that exemplifies Saafir's unorthodox brilliance in the rap scene.
Review: Saib.'s debut album, Around The World, stunned listeners who got to hear this album on the first release back in 2019. Now reissued, the various global sounds, reflecting the cultural melting pot of Casablanca is once again, the talk of reissues. With intricate guitar work and hip-hop beats as its backbone, the album seamlessly transitions between jazz, lounge, Asian textures, and more. Each track is a unique exploration of saib.'s influences, showcasing his versatility and musical talent. From the upbeat funk of 'Casablanca Funk' to the serene beauty of 'Lullaby,' and the exotic allure of 'Shanghai Nights,' every moment is riveting. Remastered for enhanced quality, Around The World is a memorable trip into the sounds of a foreign country and its culture.
Review: Having previously worked with SBTRKT, Kanye West, Drake, Jesse Ware and Frank Ocean, amongst others, Sampha is no newcomer. This, though, is the British singer, songwriter and producer's debut album, and it's something of an understated gem. One particularly enthusiastic reviewer called it "an R&B album for the ages"; while that may be pushing it a bit, there's no denying that Process is an impressive collection of tracks. The beats are inventive, the electronics crisp, the samples carefully chosen, and the musical touches pitched just right. At the centre of it all stands Sampha, delivering thoughtful, heartfelt and sometimes poignant lyrics in his wonderfully evocative voice.
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