Welcome to our Rap Weekly number 32. It is a format where we bring you all the hot news from the scene, all new releases, clips, and announcements that you should not miss. Today’s news feed is filled to the brim: Navy Blue releases Ways of Knowing and brings a spiritual experience, The Little Simz documentary takes you On Stage and Off Stage, The Alchemist must release a rap album and Hit-Boy shows off his multitalented skills on his new record. This week, you’ll get some quick news that you can’t miss. What albums and music videos have been released last week? That and much more can be found by scrolling down.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Navy Blue, or one of the best lyricists of his generation, released his debut under the Def Jam label, which is called Ways of Knowing and has thirteen tracks. London producer Budgie took care of the production of the whole record. Sage mentions that the choice of one producer was not targeted; their collaboration arose completely naturally. During their collaboration, the artists were inspired by projects such as 4:44 (Jay-Z and No I.D.) and Days With Dr. Yen Lo (Ka and DJ Preservation). In short, albums where you can feel the unity of the rapper and producer. Navy Blue is Chosen and he proves it to everyone with his latest album. The album is more complete than his previous projects; the lyrics are more structured, but there is less experimentation with the sound. Nevertheless, everything is in the right place on the album, and Navy debuted under Def Jam with a completely unique album that everyone should play.
NEWS
The Little Simz documentary takes you On Stage and Off Stage
The British rapper Little Simz is one of the most interesting contemporary artists. Her albums are very successful; Simz sells out concerts all over the world, yet her music is highly unique, thought-provoking, and complex. Last year, she released her latest album, NO THANK YOU, which we included in the TOP 100 Rap Albums 2022. However, shortly before the release of the album, the rapper went on a European tour with her penultimate album, Sometimes I Might Be Introvert. A great forty-minute documentary captures all kinds of experiences on stage and off stage.
The Alchemist must release a rap album
Rapper Larry June and producer Alchemist’s album The Great Escape is coming soon. The anticipated album will be released this Friday, so the artists appeared on the SWAY’S UNIVERSE show to reveal a lot of interesting things to the fans. The freestyles of both artists mentioned are the icing on the cake. We have only one request: Alchemist must release a rap record because what he does behind the mic is just as perfect as his production.
38 Spesh has established an interesting collaboration and will release a new album soon
Rapper 38 Spesh is about to release the album Gunsmoke, and he’s also partnered with platform EVEN to let his most loyal fans hear it before everyone else. His new record will be released exclusively on the aforementioned platform on Wednesday, March 22. Those who buy the album at EVEN can also get a signed vinyl and entry to the VIP Listening Session in LA. On the project, we will hear names like Fred The Godson, Flee Lord, Ransom, Che Noir, and Klass Murda. In addition to Spesh himself, Harry Fraud, Don Carrera, Tricky Trippz and others took care of the beats.
QUICK NEWS
- YL revealed on Instagram that his highly anticipated album DON’T FEED THE PIGEONS is finished and ready for release. We cannot wait.
- In an interview, the legendary Kool G Rap revealed what the future of rap should look like.
- Your Old Droog has dropped a preview of a track from his upcoming record. Conductor Williams handled the production.
- The trio of Meyhem Lauren, DJ Muggs, and Madlib prepared another part of their highly anticipated album for us. The song is called Szechuan Capital and features Action Bronson.
- RLX releases another great, self-produced track, Walk Those Streets/Suffer. The rap and beat are masterful, and we can’t wait for his record.
BEST RELEASES
Danny Brown & JPEGMAFIA – SCARING THE HOES
Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA have prepared a truly experimental record for us, on which their distinctive style shines. Danny doesn’t skimp on his raspy voice here, which is perhaps his main obstacle to full-fledged mainstream success, but we absolutely adore him. JPEGMAFIA is immersed deep in his experimental field on the record and enjoys it to the fullest. We had no idea we needed to hear this duo, but now we can’t get enough of it.
Hit-Boy – SURF OR DROWN
Hit-Boy, a 35-year-old multi-talent from California who produces masterful beats while sounding great behind the mic, releases SURF OR DROWN. There are ten tracks and ten beats on the album. In addition to Hit-Boy, you will hear names like Alchemist, Nas, Curren$y, Dom Kennedy, and others on the record. The record is very consistent and features an interesting array of guests helping Hit-Boy conquer his own beats. The production is not monotonous either, the album features boom bap, trap, and even drill. Every fan will find at least one song they like on the record. Slipping Into Darkness with Alchemist is definitely a highlight for us.
Jae Skeese – Abolished Uncertainties
Jae Skeese, a talent releasing under the Drumwork Music Group label, dazzled us last year with the Big Ghost-produced Authenticity Check. Two weeks ago, together with Conway The Machine, he released the album Pain Provided Profit and assured listeners that he intends to present himself to the world properly this year. However, the album was just a prelude to the rapper’s big solo project, Abolished Uncertainties. Jae Skeese showcases the diversity of his skills, choosing both hard-hitting productions and more laid-back melodic beats and filling them with diverse lyrics. After listening to the record, you feel that you have experienced a lot of unforgettable moments with the rapper.
Kool Keith & Real Bad Man – Serpent
The legendary Kool Keith needs no introduction. The eternal innovator, the unmistakable rapper and artist who takes on many faces, returns with Serpent, produced entirely by Real Bad Man. The talented producer created beats that fit the rapper perfectly and wrapped his mysterious style in a modern guise. When listening, you feel as if someone is casting a spell on you and you are falling into a deeper and deeper abyss. We have to highlight excellent verses from guests Ice-T, ZelooperZ, Slug, Cool Calm Pete and Edan. We really enjoy it when legendary rappers come out with an album that sounds really contemporary without sacrificing any of their signature.
Tha God Fahim X Nicholas Craven – Shot Clock King 4
Yes, it’s only March, but rapper Tha God Fahim is releasing his fourth project of the year. Or fifth, if we also count Notorious Dump Legends, Vol. 2. Shot Clock King 4 is the fourth installment in a series of projects entirely produced by Nicholas Craven. So look forward to wonderful productions full of amazing samples. The Shot Clock King albums offered some of the best tracks of Fahim’s career, and the fourth installment is no exception. You can buy the album on Bandcamp or listen to it on YouTube.
ANOTHER DOPE RELEASES
ICECOLDBISHOP – GENERATIONAL CURSE
Meph luciano – NXTWEEKND
Recognize Ali – Back To Mecca II
O Dawg & Passport Rav – ROGUE RAGE
Astral Trap – Threat Level Demon
Skint Chris – NOR’EASTER
The Roux – Bechamel
Kota the Friend & Statik Selektah – To See A Sunset
Imperetiv – The Precedent (Instrumentals)
Cookin Soul – Diggin’ Stories, Vol. 2
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
The release of Larry and Alchemist’s record is imminent. The new track features Big Sean.
Freddie Gibbs has released a music video for one of the best tracks from his latest album.
Knowledge The Pirate and his bone-chilling rap in a new music video.
Estee Nack and V DON take you to a world from which there is no escape.
AJ Suede releases music video for his latest record.
ANOTHER DOPE VIDEOS
EL MARYACHO & NOWAAH THE FLOOD FT. DANIEL SON – CHEESE LINE
Talib Kweli x Madlib – Air Quotes ft Diani
PRO-V & RVLR MAGZ – THE TEMPLE
Ryzzlah – L’argent Est Dans Ta Tête (Feat. Raz Fresco) (Prod. Nicholas Craven)
RIM feat Eddie Kaine & UFO Fev – New Gritty
And that’s it all the important news on the scene from the last week. What caught your eye this week? Let us know on Instagram or Twitter. You can expect another one next Monday. It’s going to be really interesting, so don’t miss it.
Translated from Czech by Rado.
