Welcome to our Rap Weekly number 34. 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: Renowned label Backwoodz Studioz plans to dominate another year, Jay Electronica is probably cooking a new album, and we bring countless great interviews. DJ Muggs, Madlib, and Meyhem Lauren released a joint record, and Conway The Machine and Westside Gunn took a trip to Paris. 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
Last year was dominated by Body Feeling (AKAI SOLO), Spirit Roaming (AKAI SOLO), Metal Lung (SharpKnel), I Told Bessie (E L U C I D), Sports & Leisure (Jeff Markey), Church (billy woods x Messiah Musik) and Aethiopes (billy woods x Preservation) and this year well-known studio Backwoodz Studioz does not plan to slow down. We informed you about one of the most anticipated projects called Maps by billy woods & Kenny Segal last week, but that is not all what label from Brooklyn plans to deliver this year.
They started their year 2023 with the album He Left Nothing for the Swim Back by rapper SKETCH185, and now we got the mixtape High Bias, the mixtape being a teaser for what is to come. The project was put together by billy woods himself, and it is one amazing track after the other. The mixtape is a unique showcase of different artists, from Armand Hammer through Kenny Segal, Messiah Musik Cavalier, ShrapKnel, DJ Haram, AKAI SOLO, August Fanon, Steel Tipped Dove, Sebb Bash, Fatboi Sharif, Mattie, P.U.D.G.E all the way to Breezly Brewin.
Alongside the mixtape, we also got announcements of upcoming projects. During the summer, we will get an album by rapper Fatboi Sharif and producer Steel Tipped Dove. We will also get an album by rapper Cavalier. Trust us, go and listen to the mixtape; it is a real necessity for every fan of rap.
NEWS
We bring you countless great interviews
This time, in the Rap Weekly, we will bring you several interviews with one of the best artists. First up is an interview with one of the current best female rappers, Che Noir, who visited Bucked Up with Sam Buck. In the interview, she talks about her latest project, Noir or Never; in addition, she describes her gratitude to rapper 38 Spesh, who took her under his wing for his label Trust Gang but still tries to develop and motivate her to start her own label and be her own master. She also revealed that she is working on a record with rapper 7xvethegenius.
Next, we bring you an interview with the head of the underground scene, or Knowledge The Pirate, who visited The Real Gully TV, where he talks about his experiences with Roc Marciano and the new record 5lbs of Pressure, the title of which refers to the film of the same name, indicating that it is again a record with very cold and merciless lyrics.
A new interview has also been released with artists AJ Suede and Televangel, who discuss their latest record, Partiah Shots, describe how the collaboration went, and reveal that it’s probably not their last work together.
The Interval Presents show is visited by quite possibly the two best names on the scene: The Alchemist and Roc Marciano. This perfect duo breaks down their collaborative record, The Elephant Man’s Bones, reveals that it’s not their last collaboration, and discusses rappers like Kendrick Lamar and Stove God Cook$.
Finally, we have a very unique artist, R.A.P Ferreira, who visited Hot 97 and their show 4 Minutes Of Fire, where he gave a four-minute freestyle among all sorts of interesting things. So look forward to new lyrics. If you are interested in any of the artists mentioned above, be sure to listen to the interview.
De La Soul working on a new album
Music by the trio De La Soul was finally added to all streaming services so everybody could listen to their undeniable timeless classics. Unfortunately, earlier this year, the whole scene was shocked when one of the members, David “Trugoye” Jolicoeur, passed away. De La Soul still have the drive to create new music. So we can expect Part 3 of the series Art Official Intelligence, which reportedly will not disappoint any fans. Most of the tracks were recorded before Trugoye’s death, but you will also find some completely new music.
Is Jay Electronica cooking up a new album?
Jay Electronica shared the video of the loading screen on his Twitter account. Can we expect a new track or, after three years, a whole new album? Who knows. But let us tell you that we cannot wait for what Jay has in store for us; now we just hope that the loading will not be too long.
— J A Y E L E C T R O N I C A (@JayElectronica) April 8, 2023
QUICK NEWS
- JPEGMAFIA and Danny Brown have released a short documentary for their new album, SCARING THE HOES. The album was created by Danny describing to JPEGMAFIA the sound he wanted on the record; JPEG got straight to work, made some beats, and went to Danny’s house to record the vocals. You can see the recording process in the documentary. Don’t expect any fancy studios; it’s all in a cozy, relaxed atmosphere, with Danny’s humor accompanying the whole video.
- Watch footage from GZA’s shows in Toronto and Ottawa, where he was supported by our favorite Raz Fresco. You will see Fresco performing his unreleased stuff with DiBia$E and GZA performing his legendary album Liquid Swords with a live band.
- CRIMEAPPLE leaks his clip on Instagram while announcing a new album or the next installment of his YDFWC?3 series, which will be released on April 28th.
- Grafh and 38 Spesh have released a joint album, Art Of Words, which is currently available exclusively on EVEN. It will be available on streaming services on April 14th.
- Top Shelf Premium will release their fifth episode of Off Top on April 14th on streaming services. You can look forward to names like YL, Starker, Koncept Jack$on, Flee Lord, RLX, and many more.
- Flee Lord announced a new album on Instagram. It will be released on April 28th.
- Rapper Aminé and producer KAYTRANADA will soon release their joint album KAYTRAMINÉ. Listen to the pilot single, 4EVA (feat. Pharrell Williams).
- Theravada and Evidence are working on music together. Is it just a single or a whole project?
- Producer ewonee has released his album Aux Tapes Vol.6: The Art of the Chase on all streaming services. You can support him on Bandcamp.
BEST RELEASES
MADLIB x MEYHEM LAUREN x DJ MUGGS – Champagne For Breakfast
We got an album by the trio Meyhem Lauren, DJ Muggs, and Madlib; can you believe it? The names themselves suggest the uniqueness of the whole project. The album has 15 different tracks, and the only two guests on the album are Action Bronson and Hologram. The chemistry of the trio is unbelievable, and you can feel the respect artists have for the craft of rap. The album offers a variety of different sounds while still being cohesively put together. Meyhem is exactly where we would expect him; he is strict, uncompromising, and nasty while being very smart and funny. This album definitely belongs on the list of the most interesting projects that will be released this year. We believe that every fan of the genre will love Champagne For Breakfast.
Fly Anakin & foisey – Skinemaxxx (Side A)
The rapper Fly Anakin and producer foisey released the first part of their album Skinemaxxx. Expect the Anakin; we will also hear artists like Big Kahuna Og and Pink Siifu. Even though the album is very short and contains few skits, it is still very hard hitting. Anakin does not seem to be able to miss, and this album is another shining example. There’s no room for a bit of boredom when listening to the album, every track is almost perfect and before you know it you’re done. Of course, that doesn’t mean you’ll get bored. But still… WE NEED THE NEXT PART!
Vic Spencer – If George Bush Was Cool
Vic Spencer belongs among our favorite artists. Always charming artist is one of the most productive and consistent rappers on the current scene. It is almost fascinating how many good albums he was able to produce during the last couple of years, and 2023 will not be any different. After the Greenthumbs Meets Trigger Fingers with rapper 38 Spesh comes If George Bush was Cool. It probably will not come as any surprise that it is another stunning piece. This album belongs in between Spencer’s more easygoing, cunning, and rougher projects. You can rest for the moment from the rapper’s heartbreaking lyrics found in the series Psychological Cheat Sheet and enjoy his rap skills.
Estee Nack & Michaelangelo – Righteous
It has been just a few weeks since the release of BRAP! by Estee Nack and producer V DON. Yet here we go again: the uncompromising demon from Massachusetts releases a new EP. Righteous offers three tracks produced by the talented Michalaelangelo. Estee Nack proves to us once again that nobody can rap like him and that he does not plan to slow down anytime soon. No music video was released for the EP, so we attach the track SANG TSUNG.
Tha God Fahim – Dump Gawd Reloaded
Tha God Fahim is crazy; there is not a week where we would not be writing about one of his projects. Tha God Fahim releases his sixth album of the year, or seventh if we count Notorious Dump Legends, Vol 2. It could look like Fahim is just getting rid of useless music, but the opposite is true. His albums are very consistent, and Dump Gawd Reloaded is once again a showcase of beautiful production, precise rapping, and catchy lyrics. And yes, guests on this album are Your Old Droog, Jay NiCE, and Mach-Hommy.
ANOTHER DOPE RELEASES
J. Arrr & Fabeyon & Ayo Shamir – Ignorant Art
Substance810 & Observe Since ’98 – The Lion’s Share
Mondo Slade – Master Speech 2
K-Tas – Thoughts Of A Sleeping Giant
G Fam Black – Brockto’s Own
Nym Lo & Statik Selektah – From The Horse’s Mouth
Struggle Mike & Black Soprano Family – IYKYK
Milc & Goldenbeets – Horseradish
Wally Clark – Back At It
Mav – Dust 2 Dust 2
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Rap clouds are gathering over Paris: Conway the Machine and Westside Gunn deliver an excellent music video.
YUNGMORPHEUS releases another single from the anticipated album, which will be released on April 28.
Joey Bada$$ tries his hand at R&B in his new single.
redveil & JPEGMAFIA gave us a hard-hitting song.
Tyler, The Creator is back with another music video for Call Me If You Get Lost: The Estate Sale.
ANOTHER DOPE VIDEOS
Tyler, The Creator – HEAVEN TO ME
The 6th Letter & ALS “Cold As Ice” Ft. Raz Fresco
Brainorchestra – Show Me The Loot
HOOTOLOGY – al.divino ft. borirock x shaykh hanif
Substance810 – Strike Like Lightning feat. Jamil Honesty
Gritfall “Taking Ya Time” Ft. Raz Fresco
Ovrkast. “TBH!” [Official Music Video] (Directed by Cedric Crisologo & Dakota Lim)
ILL BILL – NY STATE OF SMART (SMARTEN UP REMIX) ft. NEMS
PRO-V & JUSTICE McFLY – IMMACULATE
New Villain & Hagakure – Stained Glass
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.
