Welcome to our Rap Weekly number 39. 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: Foul Monk opens a portal into the rap underground, Killer Mike will release a solo album after ten years, and Chuck Strangers is back with his new EP. Jay Worthy and Roc Marciano tease their collaborative record with a great video, and we bring you a bunch of freestyles. 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
Every week we bring you unique stuff from our favorite genre, and this week will, of course, be no exception. This time, we’ve chosen a project that absolutely oozes uniqueness as our news of the week. Foule Monk is an artist we only discovered last week, but once you play his newest project, CRISIS ON INFINITE TAPES VOL.1, you’ll surely fall in love with him as quickly as we did. Foule Monk is a producer from Detroit who has only been on the scene for a few years and has only released singles and EPs so far. However, that changed last week when the above-mentioned album saw the light of day. The album has a whopping 29 tracks and a running time of over an hour, which in itself is very rare these days.
Of course, that’s not all; you’d better sit down or hold on to something tight because Monk has prepared an incredible list of guests, in which absolutely everyone will find their favorite. The album features artists like OBIJUAN, Doof, Rahiem Supreme, AJ Suede, Starker. Bishop Nehru, ANKHLEJOHN, Raz Fresco, Fatboi Sharif, and many more. This was just a mere fraction of the never-ending list of talented rappers. The album works so perfectly as an entry into underground alternative hip-hop for the listener who is completely uninitiated to the sound. With his talent and endless list of guests, Monk has managed to define a sound and style here that we absolutely love. Put this name down immediately and listen to the album from start to finish; this is an absolute must for all hip-hop lovers.
NEWS
Killer Mike will release a solo album after ten years
Killer Mike is one of Atlanta’s greatest contemporary artists. The talented rapper was first introduced to the world on Outkast’s Snappin’ & Trappin. His debut album, Monster, saw the light of day in 2003, and since then, the rapper has released four more solo albums. His latest, R.A.P. Music (2012), was produced entirely by the legendary EL-P. The artists hit it off enough to form the successful duo Run The Jewels. But leaving RTJ aside, Killer Mike returns after ten years with his fifth solo album, MICHAEL.
The album will be released on June 16th and will feature fourteen tracks. Killer Mike himself describes the album by saying: “Listen, the cat is out of the bag. The featured artists on this project are unparalleled. I’ve assembled a cast of some of the best artists from Atlanta & beyond. Our collective perspectives will allow you to understand the glorious story and beautiful nuances of what it’s like to be a Black boy growing up in the deeply religious south, specifically The Westside of Atlanta. This is an audio movie, an August Wilson Play like adventure. Press play, close your eyes and experience art on June 16.” Last year Killer Mike dropped the first two singles from the album, RUN ft. Dave Chappelle & Young Thug and TALK’N THAT SHIT!, and now comes the next two videos, Don’t Let The Devil ft. El-P, thankugoodsir and Motherless ft. Eryn Allen Kane. The rapper hasn’t revealed the guest list yet, so you can let us know what artists you’d like to hear on the record. Is André 3000 coming? We believe so.
The wait is over; here comes NACKSAW
NACKSAW is one of the most anticipated projects of the year. The new album by rapper Estee Nack, curated by Westside Gunn himself and released under the label Griselda Records, will be released on Friday, May 19. Westside Gunn took the making of the record seriously and booked a flight to the Dominican Republic, with which Estee Nack is associated, to properly soak up the atmosphere there. If you also can’t wait, listen to at least a short snippet.
This album will bring together the underground hip-hop and electronic scene
Anysia Kym & Jadasea bring us the pilot track b.f.f.r. from their upcoming album Pressure Sensitive, out June 9th. The project brings together the evolving underground hip-hop and electronic scene between London and New York. The main theme of the project is black British and American cultures of the 1990s; the duo also references, for example, the modern cult film Babylon. Shorten your wait for the looming gem with the aforementioned clip. We can’t wait.
QUICK NEWS
- Raz Fresco should get its own column; there is not a week when we don’t write about it. On the 29th of May, his new album Pocket Operations II: Forty Seconds Only will be released, completely produced with the po-33 k.o!, the world’s smallest portable sampler. But that’s not all; the rapper has announced that he will be releasing a record with Daniel Son this year.
- Legendary rapper Black Thought will release his book-length autobiography, The Upcycled Self, in November. For more information about the book and to pre-order, click here.
- We feel it’s important to take you behind the curtain and offer a glimpse into the creative process or personal lives of our favorite artists. So we bring you two documentaries. In the first one, we take a peek under the hood of Conway the Machine’s WON’T HE DO IT, and the second one takes us to Chicago with Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon.
- Nothing Bigger Than The Program by rapper Jay Worthy and producer Roc Marciano will be released on May 26. In addition to the new single “Wake Up,” which you can find below, the artists have released a trailer. Expectations are astronomical.
- What records can you look forward to in the coming weeks? In less than a fortnight, producer Spanish Ran will release his new record; this year we will see a project by rapper Brainorchestra and producer Argov; and Mike Shabb and Sadhu Gold will also release a joint record. The Musalini has announced another record produced by 9th Wonder that we can look forward to this summer.
- This week we bring you interviews with billy woods at Rap Music Plug Podcast and artists The Musalini and Lukah, who visited Bucked Up with Sam Buck.
- The Alchemist and Larry June have another project lined up for us where Al finally gets to show more of his skills behind the mic.
- A lot of great freestyles came out last week as well. Chyna Streetz, 7xveTheGenius, and Vina Love visited On The Radar Radio. Funk Lo and Johnny Storm also gave great freestyles. Even Conway The Machine visited the Funk Flex show and spit some strict bars.
- The duo Nicholas Craven and Ransom are releasing their fourth Directors Cut episode exclusively on EVEN on May 26. Guest appearances will be made by Talib Kweli, Che Noir, and many more. You can check out a short leak on Ransom’s Twitter.
- XP The Marxman released a great single, Tuff Skin. RJ Payne releases DEADPOOL VS WOLVERINE, featuring the legendary Knowledge the Pirate.
BEST RELEASES
Chuck Strangers – The Boys & Girls EP
Chuck Strangers, a talented rapper and producer from New York, takes his time making music. His last project, Too Afraid To Dance, was released in 2020, and since then we’ve only gotten a few singles or feats. After three years, Chuck has finally returned and unleashed the fabulous The Boys & Girls EP. His latest project is polished to the last detail; the productions are absolutely perfect, and you can look forward to beautiful samples that Chuck’s cutting voice fits into with precision. Chuck Strangers is a top-notch rapper with impeccable technique and thought-provoking lyrics. The Boys & Girls EP is a kaleidoscope of everyday mundanity, hazy memories, and powerful emotions. The Boys & Girls EP is a project that any listener can easily immerse themselves in and reflect on many of their own life decisions based on the rapper’s words. The EP features guest appearances from Navy Blue, Obii Say, Flay Anakin, and Pink Siifu. This puts Chuck in good company.
Snotty – Mi Vida Loca
New York rapper Snotty has released the album Mi Vida Loca. As the title suggests, the album features a cross-section of the rapper’s life. The record contains glimpses of street life beyond the law as well as a reflection on the rapper’s artistic career to date. The productions are simple yet great, and they give Snotty maximum space. The sounds of the piano beautifully accentuate the bone-chilling stories that the rapper’s lyrics are laced with. So kudos must go to all the producers involved, including Brisk Fingaz, Vada, Mosbeats, and Zeus Elevated. The album will also be released on vinyl. No video has been released for the album, so we attach the video for the single 32 & Anthrax.
andrew & steel tipped dove – the trumpet’s obviously been drinking
andrew and steel tipped dove. If those two names don’t ring a bell, sit back and relax, because we’re going to take you deep down a rabbit hole you won’t want to get out of. Producer steel tipped dove has dropped four records this year and will be releasing an album with rapper Fatboi Sharif this summer under the Backwoodz Studioz label. Rapper and producer andrew participated in the unique project i’m fakin’ my own death just to get some rest this year as a member of sleepingdogs. Their collaborative album, the trumpet’s obviously been drinking, is a poignant project full of vulnerable and honest lyrics. The beats are absolutely unique and perfectly pitched. Andrew isn’t afraid to spice up his honest lyrics with humor, which adds to their pizzazz. Definitely give the album a chance; you won’t regret it.
RU$H & Tha God Fahim – LUXURY ART
The duo RU$H and Tha God Fahim have prepared their luxury art for us. In addition to them, we will hear names like Big Cheeko and Jay Nice on the album, who even appear more than once. Production is handled by Jay Chat, Argov, Cedar Law$, Gr4ff, and Madscience. The chemistry between the rappers is absolutely great as usual. The album is full of atmospheric beats that both of them flow through perfectly. The album doesn’t even last half an hour, but the list of guests alone suggests that it will take you a lot more time to listen to it, as listening to it only once would be a great sin. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching it in its entirety.
Dat Boi Vic & Grimes – Trappers
Dat Boi Vic and Grimes released the great album Trappers, which invited names like Mooch and Kure. The record is simply another demonstration that the music industry is completely unfair to talented creators who offer unique things. We’ve been watching Vic for a while now; he’s an artist who can’t step wrong, and with Trappers he proves it again. A must for any hip-hop lover. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching it in its entirety.
ANOTHER DOPE RELEASES
alejandrito argeñal – Una Muchacha Y Una Guitarra
Formerly Known As – on death’s door
Heem B$F – From The Cradle To The Game
Mickey Diamond – Nobody Bleeds Like Flair
All Hail Y.T. & Observe since ’98 – ILL GOTTEN GAINS
Solomon Childs & Darkim Be Allah – Child Famous
Recognize Ali & Stu Bangas – Guerilla Dynasty 2
Russ – CHOMP 2.5
Deante’ Hitchcock – Once Upon A Time
8tari Lofipunk & DJ Muggs – Lofi Punk
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Wake Up! Jay Worthy and Roc Marciano tease their album.
BoriRock is absolutely uncompromising in the new music video.
Wffls & Blake Anthony are back with the third single from their upcoming EP.
ELWD releases the third single from his anticipated album. Guest appearance by AKAI SOLO.
jaH-Monte Ogbon and another flawless performance.
ANOTHER DOPE VIDEOS
MIKE SHABB & SEINSSUCRER – GMM
Agallah Don Bishop – I Need This Ft. Cookie Crunch
Flee Lord x Eto x Crisis – OUT THE JECKS
IDK – Pinot Noir (feat. Saucy Santana & Jucee Froot)
Mic Bles & Mark 4ord – Black Flag Remix
Bad Lungz Ft. Mach City & Sham Peña – Woolworth
Starz Coleman – Mothers Day FreeStyle
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.
