Welcome to our Rap Weekly number 40. 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: Westside Gunn turned Estee Nack into the legend of Jim Duggan, Rome Streetz teases his new albums, the talented LORD JAH-MONTE OGBON is absolutely unstoppable and Kool Keith delivers another taste of the sequel to the cult-classic record. What albums and music videos have been released last week? That and much more can be found by scrolling down.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Estee Nack, one of Massachusetts’ most prominent and progressive rappers, is one of our favorite artists. His never-ending discography is filled with completely unique records that you’d be hard-pressed to find from other artists. We must mention collaborations with al.divino such as ABRAKADABRA, ALAKAZAM!, and IMMORTALKOMBAT as well as his #MINIMANSIONDUST series. Estee Nack is no newcomer to us; four of his albums last year made our Top 100 Best Rap Albums of 2022 list, and we took a look at two of his albums this year in Rap Weekly. Now, however, he’s teamed up with Westside Gunn himself, who oversaw his latest record, Nacksaw Jim Duggan, and released it under the auspices of Griselda Records.
We’ve already seen that Estee Nack is a first-class rapper who conquers every beat and simply can’t make a bad album. Nacksaw Jim Duggan is definitely a great album that no rap fan should miss. But what is Westside Gunn’s oversight, and why is this a pivotal moment in Nack’s career? Westside Gunn manages to masterfully sell the almost otherworldly and mythical aura that surrounds Estee Nack. The rapper takes on the image of legendary wrestler Jim Duggan, who also provided the album with a skit. In addition, Estee Nack returns to his Dominican roots, and the entire album is interspersed with many statements about the Dominican Republic, especially the drug trade there. The listener who hasn’t met Estee Nack before will immediately learn everything they need to know. Westside Gunn has thus very cleverly sold the world on a rapper that many mainstream listeners are not prepared for. However, if you’re intrigued by his music, you’ll believe you’ll discover many gems. COÑO!
NEWS
Rome Streetz teases his new albums
On the anniversary of the release of the first album in his Noise Candy series, Rome Streetz revealed that we can look forward to a fifth installment soon. The last installment of this great series was released three years ago, and we are all looking forward to what Rome has in store for us again. What’s in store for us has already been lightly outlined by producer Nicholas Craven on his Twitter account, where he has posted collaborative photos and videos from the shoot with Streetz. It’s pretty clear that nothing but a diamond can come from the combination of these names. We can’t wait.
Kool Keith delivers another taste of the sequel to the cult-classic record
Kool Keith releases the second single from his upcoming album, Black Elvis 2. Marc Live makes a guest appearance on the track Space Mountain. The record is out on June 16, and you can shorten your wait for the long-awaited sequel to the iconic space trip with the aforementioned single. Kool Keith takes his rhymes to a whole new level, and we can’t wait to hear what the whole record will sound like.
The talented LORD JAH-MONTE OGBON is absolutely unstoppable
Lord Jah-Monte Ogbon has been releasing one live session after another in recent weeks and this week he shared three. First, second and third. Of course, it wasn’t enough for him, and in addition to the great sessions, you can check out two clips for The Yakub blew the nose off the Pyramids and Borough hall. Jah-Monte is absolutely unstoppable and everything he throws out is a complete masterpiece.
BEST RELEASES
Lord Rome – LORDSWORK
Bronx producer Lord Rome releases his LORDSWORK, which features a variety of artists, be it Ricky Mapes, LordwillN, Divine Rhyme Syndicate or Estee Nack, who is playing in most of our ears right now. In addition to the excellent lyricists that Lord has invited on his EP, you can look forward to his productions. The beats are dark and mysteriously pieced together from well-chosen samples and dusty percussion. LORDSWORK will appeal to any lover of neo boom bap and underground hip hop. You can also buy the vinyl here, which features the tracks and the instrumentals themselves.
Jay NiCE & Dough Networkz – Rise & Shine
Jay NiCE finally releases his first album of the year and it’s clear from the first minute that he’s put a lot of effort into it. Rise & Shine is a concept record that is all about the joy of getting up in the morning, and being thankful to God that we get to enjoy our great lives. The album is so different from the rapper’s records, as most of the beats sound solemn to spectacular. Among the guests we find stellar names like Estee Nack, Flee Lord, Fredro Starr, Recognize Ali, The God Fahim, RU$H and many more. Be sure not to miss the album as it is one of the most unique pieces of the rapper’s discography.
Nowaah The Flood & Machacha – GROUND PROVISION
Nowaah The Flood & Machacha have teamed up to bring us a collaborative album that has eleven tracks and features names like Asun Eastwood and Waterr. Machacha has proven his expertise on several occasions, whether it be records with Jay NiCE or Ty Farris. He handles every job perfectly and Nowaaah is able to conquer any beat that comes his way. He has shown this on records with D-Styles and EL Maryacho. The GROUND PROVISION album proves that both artists are at home in their own fields and can add another gem to their respective collections. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attach the video for the single The Gratuity.
BoriRock & Grubby Pawz – WAVY BULLET
Boston rapper BoriRock brings us his fourteenth project, produced entirely by Grubby Pawz. On the record we hear from other kings of the rap underworld which include Al.Divino, Shaykh Hanif, Estee Nack and more. There’s a street vibe throughout the album, BoriRock is definitely not one to spit nonsense and he really has something to say and offer. As he says, he feels like a veteran in rap, but at the same time he’s still at the beginning. WAVY BULLET is an entertaining album from start to finish and you definitely won’t stick around for just one listen. We are very much looking forward to the rapper’s next work.
Beatenaunt & Cydney Poitier – Uptown Saturday Night
Beatenaunt and Cydney Poitier release the album Uptown Saturday Night, a reference to the 1974 comedy crime film of the same name. Almost every track contains beautiful sounding vocal samples, where in addition Cydney Poitier crystallizes each beat into a perfect gem with his lyrics. The album is for true hip hop lovers, there is nothing too experimental or anything that resembles today’s trends. It’s simply solid boom bap beats with elements of jazz and strict rap. Unfortunately no video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
ANOTHER DOPE RELEASES
Chris Skillz & Ronnie Alpha – Luminous Clouds
Moka Only – It and of Itself
DoamPeace & Agor – S P E C T R U M
KAYTRAMINÉ – KAYTRAMINÉ
Switch – Orchestrated Suffering
Smoke DZA – Worldwide Smoke Session, Vol. 2
Titan Funk & Mike Titan & Rhinoceros Funk – Titanic Funk
K.A.A.N. & D-Ace – Ignorance Is Bliss
Moor Mother – Jazz Dodes (Deluxe Edition)
IDK – F65 (Instrumental)
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Jay Worthy, Roc Marciano, Kokane and Ab-Soul. Yes, we didn’t expect this collaboration either.
Al-Doe really been in the Mexican tunnels underground. You won’t find a rawer rap.
Rahiem Supreme once again takes his rap in a direction you’d least expect.
Definite Mass lets his great lyrics shine on the track Time And Space.
Blu and Ras Kass on the same track? That couldn’t have gone wrong.
ANOTHER DOPE VIDEOS
O Dawg & Passport Rav – Rogue Rage feat. Eddie Kaine & Rim
Money Moe – Gangsta Party featuring Big East LSD & 10th street Black
Fliptrix – Reckless Feat. The Four Owls
Joey Majors x Big Yount – Full Moon
Onoe Caponoe – Purple Haze Feat. Zdechły Osa
Niontay- 06′ micheal redd (feat. RACECARSTUNTMAN)
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.
