Welcome to our Rap Weekly 59: Conductor we have a problem! 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: The Alchemist and Earl Sweatshirt have released Voir Dire on the streaming service, Brainorchestra has revealed his plans for late 2023 and 2024 and ANKHLEJOHN has announced Pride of a Man, an album full of star-studded guests. Big Hit has the truth in his eyes. The new video for the upcoming album is reminiscent of the OG rap that is missing today. We can’t wait. This week, you’ll get some quick news that you can’t miss. What dope albums and music videos have been released last week? That and much more can be found by scrolling down.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Conductor we have a problem!
It’s starting to happen. We don’t want to pigeonhole and classify individual rap records into specific subgenres, but it’s undeniable that mainstream rap, the one that dominates the charts, sounds diametrically opposed to underground rap. The latter is particularly distinctive because of its broad scope, authenticity, and desire to experiment. Underground artists are creatively free and simply do what they want. In recent years, the so-called neo-boom bap has come to the fore, a genre that is once again shedding light on authentic and street rap. Furthermore, in the underground, we can hear more and more beats without drums, giving artists room for new approaches.
There is no answer to the question of who pioneered these genres; art develops continuously and naturally, and it is difficult, perhaps even pointless, to look for a beginning. However, it cannot be disputed that Roc Marciano and Griselda played a huge part in changing the underground. They brought their specific style of rap to mainstream listeners. And now things are starting to happen. Lil Yachty released a track with a sampled beat, and last week came another, even bigger surprise. Conductor we have a problem!
Drake, arguably the most famous rapper in the world, has released his new album, For All the Dogs. We’re not really his die-hard fans, but what we are interested in is the video for track 8AM In Charlotte. Why? The beat was produced by Conductor Williams, the lead producer of Griselda label. His unique and masterful beats can be heard on projects by artists such as Westside Gunn, Rome Streetz, Mach-Hommy, and Tyler, The Creator. Teaming up with Drake is such a clear sign that the sound we love is starting to make it into the mainstream, and talented artists are starting to reap the rewards.
NEWS
The Alchemist and Earl Sweatshirt have released Voir Dire on the streaming service
It’s been over a month since producer The Alchemist and rapper Earl Sweatshirt released their collaborative album, Voir Dire. It’s a dream come true for many fans who have been anticipating their joint project for years. The record, however, was released exclusively on the Music Gala platform. Find out how we liked the album and what makes the platform specific in Rap Weekly 53. Last week, the record hit all streaming platforms, so even the laziest of you can hear it. However, the artists have made a few changes. The tracks All The Small Things, Geb, and My Brother, The Wind, which are exclusive to the Music Gala, will not be found on streaming services. However, we do find new tracks Heat Check, Mancala (feat. Vince Staples), and The Caliphate (feat. Vince Staples) on the album. The Alchemist just knows how to surprise. Watch the new video for Vin Skully.
Brainorchestra has revealed his plans for late 2023 and 2024
Brainorchestra is an artist you won’t see on the web for the first or last time. The New Jersey talent has gifted us with two rap EPs and three beat tapes this year. He’s done East and West Coast tours and opened for names like Blu & Exile and Roc Marciano. It’s impossible not to notice Brainorchestra’s growing success, and we’d like to wish him that every year he has will be better than the last. Let’s take a look into the future. Brainorchestra plans to release four more installments of the PROGLODYTE beat tape series before the end of this year. He released the pilot just last week, so you can get a taste of the new series on his Bandcamp. The artist has four rap projects lined up for 2024, three of which he produced entirely on his own, and the last one mentioned was produced by the talent Budamunk. No need for more words; we’re looking forward to it incredibly.
ANKHLEJOHN has announced Pride of a Man, an album full of star-studded guests
ANKHLEJOHN is certainly one of our favorite rappers ever. He released a great album, THE DEAD DON’T DIE, with LOOK DAMIEN! this year and revealed on his Instagram that next year we will be getting Pride of a Man. The release date is still unknown, but what’s not unknown is the tracklist, which has us incredibly excited. Sit back; we’re bringing you the guest list. The album features appearances from Navy Blue, Domo Genesis, Fly Anakin, Rahiem Supreme, Inspectah Deck, and Willie The Kid. That’s right, representatives of dope rap are all in one place. But in addition to great featured artists, there are also great producers like V Don, August Fanon, Awhlee, Look Damien!, and many more. We hate to say it, but we’re kind of wishing this year is over and that we get to see this gem.
QUICK NEWS
- The Nature Sound label has launched pre-orders for vinyl featuring the EPs The Yodfather and The Shining by rapper Your Old Droog. You can look forward to bonus tracks.
- Multitalented Evidence has released Underexposed Photo Drop. You can buy great prints of the photos on the artist’s label, Bigger Picture Recordings. New music soon.
- Obijuan revealed that the track WONDER WOMAN ANKLET is the first single from BABYLON GARDEN, the follow-up to MANGROVE MAZE and was again produced entirely by Wino Willy.
- Westside Gunn has released the third installment of the documentary And Then You Pray For Me. The album of the same name will be released on Friday.
- AKAI SOLO teases his new album, Verticality///Singularity. Having explored the bottom on his previous record, his upcoming project will be about realizing that we cannot stay there. Check out the great leak.
- November will see the release of Ortolan & Armagnac, a collaborative project between the talents of Sonnyjim and Lee Scott. We don’t know the details yet, but we already know that this is one of the most anticipated records of the year. This duo can’t disappoint.
- Veteran Ty Farris appeared on a new episode of “Off Top” Freestyle (Top Shelf Premium) and delivered an absolutely flawless performance behind the mic.
- al.divino has released a remastered version of his great album “SHEET MUSIC” VOL. 1000 on streaming services.
- UFO Fev has released the third vlog from the ALL IN A DAYS WORK series. Take a peek behind the curtain at the rapper’s life.
- Last week’s Chinatown Sound featured Spoda, Ty Da Dale, and Whiiteboy. This format continues to fascinate us.
BEST RELEASES
Oldman Freeman – Seeing Eyes*
The album Seeing Eyes* is our first introduction to rapper Oldman Freeman. We were immediately smitten with the artist, so we’re going to brush up on our education and listen to his older projects as soon as possible. If we had to describe the album in one sentence, we would borrow the rapper’s words: “Ignorance isn’t bliss is just the weakness.” Rest assured, you won’t find any ignorance on the album. Oldman Freeman offers listeners a complex view of a world in which there are neither good sides in conflict nor clear truths. It’s always gratifying when an album takes us somewhere we’ve never been before. Examples include artists such as Obijuan, Kuya, and kemp dupri. The album also features great beats that are pleasant to listen to and flow like water. We are looking forward to revisiting Freeman’s older albums.
Ty Farris & Graymatter – Sounds That Never Left My Soul
Ty Farris is a rap veteran without equal. His productivity in releasing and the resulting quality of his projects are unprecedented. This year, the Detroit legend has released projects Malice at the Palace (w/ Machacha), Welcome to Room 39 (w/ Trox) and the follow-up to his iconic No Cosign Just Cocaine series. Ty Farris, however, has a never-ending supply of insightful, precise lyrics, and so comes Sounds That Never Left My Soul, on which he confides in listeners the events that never left his soul. Ty Farris is one of rap’s finest storytellers, and in the vein of Ka, he describes street stories in a completely realistic, cold, destructive manner without a hint of glorification. You definitely wouldn’t want to live in his world. The entire album was produced by the one and only Graymatter, who did a masterful job. The beat of the track, Splashes Of Tragedy, will be playing for a long time.
SOO DO KOO – LIKE THE RENT DUE
SOO DO KOO is one of our favorite artists we’ve discovered this year. His productivity is absolutely extraordinary, with eight projects already released this year, including his latest album, LIKE THE RENT DUE. You can enjoy his distinctive essence of rap; his music oozes a certain magic. The artist draws his inspiration from iconic underground names like Raz Fresco and Navy Blue. But he certainly didn’t steal or copy anyone. Soo is a very original and charismatic rapper in his own right, and he has translated the knowledge he received from his inspiration into his own distinctive style. Again, he produced almost the entire album himself, with the exception of the track CHESS, where HooksArthur provided the beat. We definitely recommend every rap fan listen to at least one Soo Do Koo record, and we can promise you’ll fall in love with his work as much as we did. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
Milc & Televangel – The Fish That Saved Portland
After less than a year, the duo Milc and Televangel are back with a new album, The Fish That Saved Portand. While their previous record, Neutral Milc Motel, impressed us, this one blew us away. Televangel has obviously managed to pick up a lot more beat-making experience in less than a year, delivering productions that won’t leave you out of your chair from the first second. They’re completely atmospheric and immersive, pulling the listener fully into a unique experience. Praise must also be given to Milc, who sounds more confident than ever, and whatever beat Televangel cooks up for him, Milc jumps in without hesitation and sails through it like a complete master. In addition to these talents, YL, AJ Suede, Sleep Sinatra, Fatboi Sharif, and more appear on the record. So what are you waiting for? A must-listen for everyone. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
HoodieJIM – IFICOULDDANCE.
HoodieJIM AKA wxn is a rapper we’ve had a chance to hear on Eli the Guy’s records, but we haven’t listened to his solo work yet, which is really missing out. Thanks to his releasing a new record, IFICOULDDANCE, we were thankfully able to rectify that mistake. It’s definitely important to mention that HoodieJIM is the artist’s pseudonym for his work behind the mic, and wxn is his producer alter ego. This record is a fusion of both names, which means that JIM is another talent who has no problem standing behind the mic and delivering amazing beats at the same time. Only three beats on the record were done by someone else: two by kame and one by Anomalous. The album features both rap and purely instrumental tracks. You can fully appreciate the full breadth of his talent. Hoodie became interested in music at an early age, learning the trumpet, piano, and drums. With his experience, he was able to bring a new flavor to the Jazz-Hop genre. It is always our pleasure when we discover someone who was unknown to us before, and his work takes our breath away. JIM is another one of them.
DOPE ALBUMS
The five albums mentioned above are not the only ones you should hear. We’ve picked ten more dope albums that no one should miss. Give all the projects mentioned a chance; every single one deserves it. Elcamino releases his debut under the Black Soprano Family, Rim gives his fans a follow-up to Rimbrandt album with the subtitle Metal Canvas, Kool Keith is Mr. Controller on his new project, The Musalini brings another portion of swag on Memoir Of A Player and Eto & Body Bag Ben give us a follow-up to Integrity after four years. Other excellent releases have come from SmooVth & Giallo Poin, Sleep Sinatra x Original Super Legend, Napoleon Da Legend, Bishop Nehru, and Butcher Brown.
Sleep Sinatra x Original Super Legend – Sleep Studies
Elcamino & Black Soprano Family – They Spit On Jesus
SmooVth & Giallo Point – The Hempstead Tape
Rim – Rimbrandt 2 Metal Canvas
Bishop Nehru – Mysteries of Initiation
The Musalini & Get Em Rizzy – Memoir Of A Player
Butcher Brown – Solar Music
Napoleon Da Legend – Asgard Saints
Eto & Body Bag Ben – Integrity 2
Kool Keith – Mr. Controller
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
With the track Perfect, Black Soprano Family underlines why they are the perfect rap group.
Aesop Rock’s new clip is an appreciation of rivers near and far.
Mesiyah and Willie The Kid are as dope as ever on the Daddy Cool track. They rap completely effortlessly.
Big Hit has the truth in his eyes. The new video for the upcoming album is reminiscent of the OG rap that is missing today. We can’t wait.
BoriRock is sincerely sensitive on the track HOLE IN MY HEART. You can feel the pain in every word. Flawless work.
DOPE VIDEOS
We’re definitely not done with the top five music videos. We’ve picked out ten more dope clips that you definitely need to see. Give all the artists below a chance; they deserve it. B. Cool-Aid vents their emotions on Diamonds, Shaykh Hanif delivers a bone-chilling animation for DeathDrivesABenz, AJ Suede & steel tipped dove tease their anticipated album, Jay Rock makes no secret of his ambitions, and Jaal delivers a video for a great-sounding banger. Top-notch videos were also released last week by artists Kurt Solid & Bronze Nazareth, UFO FEV, DJ MUGGS x KOOL KEITH, TY DA DALE, and Monae Marleau.
TY DA DALE – POPCORN CEILINGS FEATURING UFO FEV
AJ Suede & steel tipped dove “Hovercraft Jeep”
B. Cool-Aid – Diamonds ft. DJ Harrison & V.C.R
Shaykh Hanif – DeathDrivesABenz
Kurt Solid & Bronze Nazareth feat. Salute Da Kidd “STRIPES”
DJ MUGGS x KOOL KEITH – Divinity 2 Infinity: The Odyssey
Jay Rock – Ambition (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.
