40. ??? & THE MELLOS – THEHIDDENMASKTHEORY
New wave of rap music from the state of Massachusetts is definitely worth keeping an eye on. Rappers like al.divino or Estee Nack are delivering some interesting and unique things basically every month. Fortieth album in our list in collaboration between the producers The Mellos and rapper The Hidden Character (???). Rapper’s uncompromising style is tightly connected to the mysteriousness, and you can see it on an album where you can find psychedelic hard-core rap and really tough production. Not that many of last year’s releases has been as aggressive as this one. Both of the artists seems to be completely unstoppable and you can feel that from every track on the album.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
39. DJ Muggs & Flee Lord – Rammellzee
DJ Muggs was very productive last year and released several albums mostly in a collaboration with one artist, so we are definitely not seeing him for the last time on our list. Flee Lord didn’t go out of his comfort zone and in a combination with Muggs’ dark beats, they released album that won’t be forgotten anytime soon. It’s quite impressive that even with the pace that both artists produce new things, they are both still getting better and always bring something new to the mix. Album is not even 30 minutes long and ends before you even realize it but that doesn’t really matter because you will listen to in again and again.
Support the artists: Merch, Merch II
38. DJ Muggs – Winter 2
DJ Muggs finished last year strong with his album Winter 2 where he didn’t invite just one rapper but the whole bunch of unbelievably talented rappers. This album just underlined his impressive dominance over the scene. Legendary producer followed up on his album from 2020 and showed again that he definitely belongs in-between the best producers of all time. This album can be taken as showcase of underground scene between the other you can find names like RLX, Crimeapple, Rigz, Ill Bill, T.F. or Roc Marciano.
Support the artist: Merch
37. Your Old Droog – TIME
YOD was very productive last year so some might have doubt about the quality of his albums, but Droog just proved us all that he simply can’t release a bad project. As many knows at the beginning of his career people mistook his voice for the legendary Nas. Nowadays Droog is in a part of his career when his own discography is maybe even stronger than Nas’. Album TIME is very consistent with theme, concepts and melodies. And get Aesop Rock and Elzhi on one track? Nobody else was able to pull that off. You definitely cannot make a mistake by giving this album a listen.
Support the artist: Bandcamp, Shop
36. Rome Streetz & Futurewave – Razor’s Edge
Rome Streetz, nowadays member of legendary Griselda Records, had one of the most successful years on a whole scene. Unstoppable talent from NYC released four excellent albums last year and it’s not surprising that all of them ended up on our list. Let’s start his domination with the project Razor’s Edge which was produced by Futurewave. The whole album is interwoven with motives from the street, filled with almost movie like lyrics, impressive production with amazing samples and unprecedented confidence on mic.
Support the artists: Bandcamp
35. Starker & Gee Dubs – MOTHRA
Starker is one of those artists that are really difficult to describe. His style is unique, his flow uncompromising and his lyrics merciless. He loves to pick experimental boom bap beats a when he combines them with his flow it is an absolute chaos. This type of rap might not be for everybody but once it gets under your skin it will not let you go until you will listen to his whole discography. Once you do that, you will try to understand why he does not get the recognition he deserves and why didn’t you know about him. But then you can say that about almost every artist on our list and that’s why we are here. To spread their music.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
34. Bronze Nazareth & Roc Marciano – Ekphrasis
Roc Marciano, one of the most prolific and most influential underground rappers of a last decade and also one of our favorite artists didn’t release any new album last year. But don’t be sad he took care of the two projects, and both ended up on our list. Wu-Tang Clan affiliate rapper from Michigan Bronze Nazareth created together with Marciano very unique project. Production without drums goes perfectly with Bronze’s unique lyrical abilities. Name of the album Ekphrasis is a term for verbal representation of visual representation. Album will grab you and won’t let go until it’s done with you.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Merch, Marciano store
33. SonnyJim & Buckwild – Coke Le Roc
SonnyJim is undoubtedly one of the best British artists in a genre and legendary Buckwild doesn’t need any introduction. Amazing duo created Coke Le Roc (which is the name of the first rapper and SonnyJim with Buckwild are giving him respect by this) that reflects how far genre got since its creation in the 70s. Sonny’s lyrics are really complicated and in combination with his lazy flow it is a pure joy to listen to. Times changed but Buckwild’s style stays the same and is truthful to his tough uncompromising beginnings.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
32. Ransom & Big Ghost Ltd – Heavy Is The Head
Ransom is one of the most productive and significant personas of the neo boom-bap genre. Alongside several great projects he also released exquisite Heavy Is The Head back in July. About the production couldn’t take care anybody else then maestro of uncompromising hard sound – Big Ghost Ltd. Album has an amazing pace that will give you chills. Speaking of chills, while listening you can hear clear references to the events or characters from the Game of Thrones saga.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Merch
31. Willie The Kid – Keep Watching the Fly
TCP AKA The Crown Prince AKA Willie The Kid is another name that we finally got to. Even against the fact that whole album looks very classy its themes are very raw and dark. While listening you can almost imagine scenes of a mysterious man in a suit which kills mercilessly all of his enemies. Willie covers all the nasty things he has to say into the coat of beautiful melodies that almost hide the meaning of all lyrics. Therefor you need to be really careful while listening and pay attention otherwise you might get lost in a melodies but the lyrics are from the same jewel as beats.
Support the artist: Shop
