Welcome to our Rap Weekly 69: Big Hit & Hit-Boy, father and son, rewrite the history. 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: Bas released exactly the album he dreamed of. Let the video for the track, Yao Ming, convince you. Rome Streetz in the streets of Rome and on the beat of Evidence. What more could we ask for? New music collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE has released their debut single. Guest appearances by BADBADNOTGOOD, Westside Gunn, and Conway the Machine. YL and Starker are the stars of the new Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance collection. 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
Big Hit & Hit-Boy, father and son, rewrite history
Hip-hop has given us so many heartfelt and interesting stories over the decades that it could rival musical genres that have been around for decades longer. Anyone who says rap isn’t what it used to be is lying to themselves and only impoverishing themselves. There are countless singles, new releases, albums, and music videos coming out every week that deserve your attention. That’s why our Rap Weekly articles are here to bring you all that wonderful art. Last week marked the end of a phase of a rap story so unique and heartbreaking that it rewrote history itself.
Big Hit and Hit-Boy have released Big Hit’s anticipated debut album, The Truth Is In My Eyes, whose story is one of the most remarkable rap stories ever written. The year was 2014, and rapper Big Hit, after serving twenty years in prison, burst onto the scene with hits like Grindin’ My Whole Life and G’z Don’t Cry. Unfortunately, shortly after, he was sent back to prison for another nine years. While in prison, Big Hit spent his time writing rap lyrics on papers he found, preparing for the day he would get out. Upon his release on May 5, 2023, he went straight from his cell to the recording studio.
Big Hit appeared on nine of the ten songs on Hit-Boy’s Grammy-nominated Surf or Drown, Vol. 2, but he’s only now releasing his debut album. The Truth Is In My Eyes contains 17 tracks featuring contributions from rap stars Snoop Dogg, The Alchemist, Benny The Butcher, and more. The album was produced entirely by Hit-Boy, son of Big Hit. Yes, you read that right. The Truth Is In My Eyes is the first rap album completely produced by a rapper’s son. Heartwarming. The album is available on Bandcamp and on JPay Tablets inside prisons across the United States. Big Hit wanted to make sure the album got into the hands of his fans first, even those in prison. This story was written by hip-hop itself.
NEWS
Bruiser Wolf announces a new album with a five-minute freestyle
The year 2021 belonged to Bruiser Brigade Records. Artists from Danny Brown’s label dazzled the scene with their unique albums. Whether we are referring to the GoFundMe Corvette by J.U.S or Dope Game Stupid by Bruiser Wolf, It was the latter-mentioned rapper who appeared on two giant projects this year. He guested on The Aux by Blockhead and Quaranta by Danny Brown. So it’s time to release new solo music, and Bruiser Wolf is well aware of that. So he unleashed a punchy, nearly five-minute freestyle and announced a new record, which will be released in January next year.
YL and Starker are the stars of the new Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance collection
Few rappers capture life in New York as authentically and immersively as YL and Starker. Each of their songs breathes the famed big city and masterfully weaves the genius of life there into their art. It’s no coincidence that they’ve collaborated with Aimé Leon Dore for the umpteenth time. Aimé Leon Dore is a fashion and lifestyle brand founded in March 2014 by Teddy Santis. The brand’s flagship store is located in Queens, New York. YL and Starker are the faces of the new Aimé Leon Dore x New Balance collection. In the promo video, you’ll even hear an unreleased track from YL, produced by the duo Roper Williams.
G’s Us (R.A.P. Ferreira and AJ Suede) and Steel Tipped Dove bring Christmas a few days early
On December 22nd, the anticipated debut album WHAT THEM DOGS DON’T KNOW THEY KNOW by the newly formed duo G’s Us (R.A.P. Ferreira and AJ Suede) will be released. We’ll be indulging in a well-deserved holiday break and preparing articles for 2023, so unfortunately we won’t be writing about the record. The duo released two new tracks last week and announced the tracklist and cover of the record, so we’re letting you know about it at least this way. You can look forward to seven tracks, all produced by Steel Tipped Dove. Guest appearances by Blu, Randal Bravery & brightboy. We can’t wait.
BEST RELEASES
Hus Kingpin – Holiday Hus 2: Cocaine Christmas
Hus KingPin is a master of modern concept rap records. He has countless rap albums with a unique vibe to his credit. The Threesome Saga is a case in point. Hus is incredibly productive and has released a slew of projects this year as well. The Christmas holidays are approaching, and that means one thing: Hus has the space and tools to create another unique atmosphere. The new album follows last year’s Holiday Hus EP, but the subtitle XXXMAS is replaced with COCAINE CHRISTMAS. Hus KingPin once again churns out one dope lyric after another, describing his roots and life in Brazil. His feel for beat selection is really quite remarkable. This is how we imagine Christmas carols. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the whole album.
Bisk & Pertrelli – PHAT CHANTS
British talent Bisk is absolutely unstoppable this year. His projects SAMOSH!T DELUXE, DIORETIX, and DELICAFE are among the best that British rap has to offer this year. On his latest project, PHAT CHANTS, he teams up with rapper Pertrelli to create another endlessly deep rap well you’ll want to dive into. But the sun’s rays won’t reach it. The beats on the record are absolutely killer, and their jazzy elements play a perfect contrast to the cool flows of both artists. Of course, we have to highlight the track DOGFOOD, which features guest appearances from our favorites Obijuan and looms. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attached a clip for the track KUZEN.
Kemp Dupri & Michael White – MAHOGANY
Duo Kemp Dupri and Michael White present their new, short yet distinctive EP entitled MAHOGANY. Michael White takes on the role of the album’s producer, producing great melodic productions that are adorned with excellent samples. In addition, you can enjoy a unique sound environment without the use of drums. MAHOGANY contains only three tracks, but thanks to their content, they will appeal to you much more than some longer albums. Once again, Kemp Dupri has faced all the beats head-on and used their potential to the fullest. However, Michael White didn’t just stick to production; he showed off his masterful bars on every track. Both rappers showed everyone what a quality EP should look like. Their synergistic chemistry and vibe permeating the entire EP will immerse you and draw you into their musical world.
Mickey Diamond & Big Ghost Ltd – Gucci Ghost 3
The third chapter of the fascinating saga of Gucci Ghost has just seen the light of day. Mickey Diamond, the voice of Detroit, returns with a tenth project that stands out as one of the best of his career. Last year and this year, Mickey Ghost has been releasing one quality album after another. Notable albums include Gucci Ghost and Capital Gains. The new album opens with Live Fast, a track that immediately draws the listener into a piano boom-bap atmosphere. The following tracks combine piano and boom bap with catchy lyrics, creating powerful statements about life on the edge. The beats are once again provided by the one and only Big Ghost Ltd. The whole project confirms the artistic synergy between Mickey Diamond and Big Ghost. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attached a clip for the track GG Buckets.
Maze Overlay & Wino Willy – Equivalent Exchange
Maze Overlay and Wino Willy bring their new album, Equivalent Exchange, to the world with the words, “From out in the Valley of the southwest, the mystery, and the machine team up to give you “Equivalent Exchange”. From the lab where the alchemy happens, to the pavement where we test our theories, witness as we turn lead into gold. For what you give, is what you get.” Accept our invitation to a world where what you give will be returned to you in the form of musical mastery. The album will truly take you through experiments and musical alchemy, bringing an unprecedented combination of sounds and moods. In a laboratory of artistic creation, Maze Overlay and Wino Willy explore every note and rhythm, transforming them into musical gold. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attached a clip for the track Reggie Miller.
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. Yes, it’s hard to believe, but Curren$y has released another album. sherman has once again crafted some fantastic beats, this time inviting FastLife on. Supreme Cerebral is once again strict and uncompromising on the follow-up to Loose Change. Silent Snipers and John Dutch are Snipers on the Roof; beware! Other excellent releases have come from ECHO & KHEYZINE, Choo Jackson & Nice Rec, P-Ro, Grim Moses & Noam Chopski, Empuls & Rico James, and Moka Only.
ECHO & KHEYZINE ” ECHOISTHENAME TV SEASON 12 “
Choo Jackson & Nice Rec – Perrier Jouet
P-Ro – Storytown Lane
Curren$y & Trauma Tone – Highway 600
Grim Moses & Noam Chopski – Blood Smoke Magic
FastLife & sherman – Lost World
Silent Snipers & John Dutch – Snipers on the Roof
Empuls & Rico James – Fall Sounds
Moka Only – Martian XMAS 2023
Supreme Cerebral – Loose Change 2
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
New music collective 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE has released their debut single. Guest appearances by BADBADNOTGOOD, Westside Gunn, and Conway the Machine.
Rome Streetz in the streets of Rome and on the beat of Evidence. What more could we ask for?
AKTHESAVIOR & sagun tease their collaborative album with the second single.
A$AP Twelvyy released the album Kid$ Gotta Eat Da Deluxe; check out the great video single 1 Way Up and then the whole album.
Bas released exactly the album he dreamed of. Let the video for the track, Yao Ming, convince you.
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. BA PACE has released another gem with an inimitable atmosphere. HighFocusTV crossed the thousand-video mark. Congratulations. Stalley has released a video with the right golden age vibe. Chase Fetti in a suit? You have to see this. Also releasing top-notch videos last week were TAVI OSHON x BENNY THE BUTCHER, Khrysis & Seattle’s Key, PRO-V, DJ CHOICE & STREETS, Fastlife & Sherman, E Murda (BSF), and YaH-Ra.
TAVI OSHON x BENNY THE BUTCHER – MARBLE FLOORS
BA PACE / TWIGGS – “DELILAH” (PROD.BY THE BUILDER/GRIM)
King Kashmere – THICK BAG OF SLIME Feat. Alecs DeLarge (Prod. Cuth)
Khrysis & Seattle’s Key – Higher
PRO-V, DJ CHOICE & STREETS – ELMHURST AVE
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.