20. Flee Lord & Roc Marciano – Delgado
Rapper Flee Lord and producer Roc Marciano are back. This time together. Mariano’s beats are chapter on its own. Creative, very well worked through with some chilling rhythms and perfect samples with minimum drums are affecting the whole scene for several years. Sound of the album will take you through the night in NYC, local high-end clubs and adds two bottles of Hennessy. This is probably the best sounding Flee Lord we ever got a chance to listen to. With a speed that album sets itself up to there is no chance that you would get bored. All of the guests like Conway, Stove God or Ransom brought their S-tier game. Flee Lord might be „delgado” (thin man) but his music definitely took a big space on a New York scene.
Support the artists: Merch, Marciano shop
19. Boldy James & The Alchemist – Super Tecmo Bo
Boldy’s projects from this year are maybe not as significant as his last year releases The Prince of Tea in China and Manger on McNichols, but Super Tecmo Bo is still good enough to be added to his already impressive discography. At first, we were little bit afraid that this album might be just an addition to Bo Jackson, but we were pleasantly surprised because both albums are amazing. Alchemist expands on his loopy production that is rich and spacious. Artists have amazing chemistry that rap scene haven’t seen for a while and we hope that we get at least couple more joint projects.
Support the artists: Shop
18. Aesop Rock & Blockhead – Garbology
Lyrical god Aesop Rock invited producer Blockhead for his ninth album with whom he is collaborating for over twenty years. Blockhead was producing Aesop’s two biggest hits Daylight and None Shall Pass. Beats on this album are really something with their unique experimental sound. Besides weird rhythm of the song All the Smartest People you can also find some more jazzy productions. Aesop dived into his existential philosophy and created album that is connecting garbology concept (study of modern refuse and trash as well as the use of trash cans, compactors and various types of trash can liners) and rappers’ life. His lyrical abilities are still unmatched.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II, Merch
17. Your Old Droog – Space Bar
Already second album from YOD on our list. Space Bar doesn’t have concept as strong as the other YOD’s album TIME but it brings diverse production and maybe even better worked out and concentrated rhymes. You find here minimalistic beats like Cosmonaut or light instrumental loop Yuri. Droog is shooting one smart or funny bar after another. Album feels like it has a strong identity thanks to the consistent tones, lyrics and even the names of tracks perfectly fit together. Lighter themes lead to some humorous tracks like White Russian, but album can hit some serious and darker tones like on a track Bloody Mary. Whole album is filled with personality, technical skills and unforgettable puns.
Support the artist: Bandcamp, Shop
16. Knowledge The Pirate – Hidden Treasures
Knowledge The Pirate has been one of the most interesting underground names for a couple of years now. We are very intrigued by his strict neo boom bap sound and it is a real shame that his whole discography is still being overlooked. If you ask us, we think that he is the closes to the Roc Marciano with whom he collaborated more times than we can count. Marciano himself is featured on this album. E.L.E.M.N.T. produced every track except one and gives the album nice completed feeling. Hidden Treasures takes us through the atmospheric beats and amazing lyrics by Knowledge through the dark underground from which you won’t want to come out.
Support the artist: Shop
15. Mach Hommy – Balens Cho (Hot Candles)
Album is musically very smooth and groovy with jazz productions. One of the albums biggest plus sides is its length with just 24 minutes it feels like a perfect, compact package and works as a perfect entry point into the discography of the rapper from Haiti. It is another unforgettable creative effort from Mach Hommy, after album Pray for Haiti. List of things why you should be Hommy’s fan is growing by the day and this album is definitely another great part of it. At this point rapper could be just repeating approaches from his other work and still deliver amazing projects but Mach doesn’t want to stop redefining himself.
14. Wiki & Navy Blue – Half God
Collaboration of Wiki and producer Navy Blue is one of the most interesting collaborations that 2021 brought us. Third studio album from New York’s talent bring hour of music filled to the brim. Wiki is one of the best lyricists of his generation and he is jumping between the topics with absolute flawlessness. When you listening to this album you feel like you are walking through the streets of New York and you are being told stories from rappers’ life. You have a track about a roof that is symbolizing moments of peace, track about hectic life in a city full of adrenaline or Wikis point of view on gentrification. Navy made some amazing beats that leaves enough space to rapper and his lyrics.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Merch, Shop
13. Al.divino & GRUBBY PAWZ – CCXXXVII
Al.divino is currently the most mysterious MC on the underground scene. Al. divino is creatively completely free and his free form is compared to early Wu-Tang. Producer Grubby Pawz constructed very rich symphonic beats. Divino’s passion of rhymes, free music form and humorous lyrics is still undefeated. Album is less chaotic than usual, so it is an ideal entry point into the artist’s discography. You can find productions with jazz samples that sound completely natural with divino and just confirm that rapper’s style is very variable and perfectly fits with every beat. It is definitely one of the best al’s albums so don’t hesitate and give it a listen.
Support the artists: Bandcamp, Bandcamp II
12. ANKHLEJOHN – As A Man Thinketh
One of the most prolific rappers from DC, ANKHLEJOHN is one of the most prominent faces of neo boom bap wave and three of his projects placed itself on our list. The best album he released last year was As A Man Thinketh that carries a name of famous book by James Allen. Phrase ,,As a Man Thinketh” is a view of your own life in which we are responsible for the success and also failure. Album is really introspective yet very intriguing to listen to. Production of this album is amazing chapter on its own sound on the tracks has been taken care of by Navy Blue, Chuck Strangers, Nicholas Craven, Jay Versace and few others. Just the names of producers are the reason why you should listen to this album.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
11. DJ Muggs & Hologram – American Cheese
Hologram, brother of Meyhem Lauren that works with DJ Muggs very often is in a game for several years and until now officially didn’t release any project. Muggs’ production perfectly supports Holograms style. His phlegmatic presentation and fact that he speaks about cold blood murders just give it an ironical trust worthiness. We don’t really need to speak about Muggs, this legend has been on a scene for forever and never made a wrong step. No matter for who he makes beats, he always tailors them exactly for the artist’s needs. This time around Muggs delivered series of dark, dirty instrumental that were needed to be lyrically destroyed so to say and that’s exactly what Hologram did without blink of an eye. Lyrically are his bars sharp as a razor and you will hear a lot of drug references and also smart recognitions and humorous moments.
