30. Ty Farris – No Cosign Just Cocaine 4
Ty Farris doesn’t seem to be slowing down after building his reputation as one of the best Detroit’s rappers. His No Cosign Just Cocaine series is becoming better and better with every release and number four is shining example of exactly that. As Ty Farris himself said if you are in a position that he is in, you have been careful about the words you choose. Ty Farris speaks about many topics with precision on every word and creates all sorts of themes in between which you can find drug stories from underground. Farris is taking everything with an attitude of the experienced rapper so don’t expect any jokes or glorification. Talented producers like Black Milk, Apollo Brown, Stu Bangas, Nicholas Craven, Spanish Ran or Big Ghost LTD are accompanied by featured artists like Elzhi or UFO Fev.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
29. Vic Spencer & SonnyJim– Spencer for Higher 4
Beats on this album sometimes sound like they almost don’t have any rhythm, or the rhythm is not unified but talented Spencer rap perfectly without any problems. Production has been taken care of by already mentioned earlier SonnyJim. With this album he just proves that it doesn’t matter if he is behind the mic or behind the production, he can do both roles perfectly. Duo comprised of these two works absolutely flawlessly and it doesn’t matter which of the “Spencer for Higher” series you will listen to, it will always be a blast.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
28. ANKHLEJOHN & Da$h & LOOK DAMIEN! – Honey Sweeter Than Blood
Album Honey Sweeter Than Blood is one of the most unique collaborations of the past year. Collaboration between rapper Da$h from New Jersey and ANKHLEJOHN from DC is one of those almost nobody saw coming. LOOK DAMIEN!’s unique almost apocalyptic sounding beats are nicely tying colorful yet cold lyrics by both artists and just a few albums from the last year created something like this. Name of songs like Diabolique, Mornings At The Meurice or Dreaming of Venus are already creating feeling of supernatural and album sometimes sounds like cosmic horror and you definitely shouldn’t miss it.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
27. Hus Kingpin – Portishus
It is no secret that we love underground hip hop and when one of our favorite artists takes a leap into new style, we cannot do anything else then be just mesmerized. Portishus never goes too far from the comfort zone of Kingpin tough rap but the dark atmosphere from the samples of the group Portishead is something that differentiate him from the rest of an underground rap scene. Songs are full of the themes from the street but in a same moment they are brushed by gold facade. This combination creates something unique. That is not really a surprise Hus Kingpin is a unique artist and he brought a dozen of producers with a quest to form productions with samples from the first two albums of the group Portishead that honors trip-hop aesthetic which the group helped create.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
26. Westside Gunn – Hitler Wears Hermes 8: Sincerely Adolf
Westside Gunn is one of the main members of the label Griselda Records. Label that is setting trends in the underground rap scene for last five years. He is definitely one of the most influential artists of the whole rapgame. His series Hitler Wears Hermes is very unique project and with its monumentality can be compared just a few things. Westside Gunn released its eight-instalment last year as a double-album and project as a whole is considered as one of the best in a whole series. Westside Gunn gets the best from every featuring artist and so you can get thirteen amazing neo boom bap beats with artists like Stove God Cook$, Jadakiss, Conway The Machine, Benny the Butcher or Lil Wayne. We are not saying bye to the Westside Gunn just yet, his Side B placed itself just a few positions higher on our list.
Support the artist: Shop
25. Rome Streetz & ANKHLEJOHN – Genesis 1:27
With this album we are entering TOP 25 of the last year, and nobody can greet us better than for somebody maybe unexpected duo. You can expect cold rap with deep lyrics that will go through the big and even religious themes. Rome Streetz and ANKHLEJOHN create something full of opposites when they putted together blustery rap with a smooth beats. When you listen to this, you might feel like Genesis does not know in which decade it was created and what it actually is. Music will suck you in with its smoothies and rage. Mentioned artists are between the best on a current scene and this album definitely proves that.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
24. Rome Streetz & Ransom – Coup De Grace
Coup De Grace is Rome Streetz’s third appearance on our list this time with a joint project with Ransom. His album Heavy Is The Head placed itself just a few positions lower. Both rappers were building the relationship for the last couple of years and appeared on each other’s projects. Phrase ,,Coupe De Grace” after which is the whole project named suggests the kill from mercy, and warns the listeners that it’s going to be uncompromising album to listen to. Album is really grimy, artists take us to the rough underground of American cities where we face drugs, criminals and violence on every step. Rappers has great chemistry and beats been taken care of by the most talented producers.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Merch
23. Starker – STARK’TERYX
Another creation of Starker, this time short solo project filled to the brim. If you sunk into this album, you will hear rapper YL right at the beginning. Chemistry between both rappers will enter your head and we can guarantee that you will start looking for their other joined projects. Every track is short and straight forward with all sorts of different beats from hectic and fast songs like Rob Chambers to slower more relaxed songs like Mastamind. That all comes together and creates colorful set of jewels.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
22. J.U.S. – GoFundMe Corvette
As we already mentioned while talking about Quentin Ahmad DaGod – N.O.A.H, label Bruiser Brigate Records had a very productive year. From the lineup that label released during the last year we were impressed the most by the second album from Detroit’s rapper J.U.S. with a name GoFundMe Corvette. J.U.S. definitely deserves the Corvette for this album. Album is the embodiment of everything we like on a Bruiser Brigate Records. Unique lyrics, slow sometimes even lazy flows, production with some elements of Jazz and great sense of humor. You can look forward to features from several great artists like Danny Brown, Fat Ray & Nolan the Ninja or Slimmie Hauffa.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
21. Al.Divino & Big Ghost Ltd. – Two Nights In Marrakesh
Divino is a guy who completely changed the rap game. He is the ,,favorite rapper of your favorite rapper” and that is no surprise. Two Nights in Marrakesh together with album Kilogram definitely belongs in between the artist most consistent projects and huge credit has to go to the producent BigGhost. As the cover suggests this will be experience full of chaos. BigGhost is very friendly with this style of music so his production is perfectly tailored exactly to al.divino. You can expect loud bars, ad-lips over ad-lips, aggressivity and all the other things divino can do best. If you like dirty underground hip hop, you will love this album.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
