Welcome to our Rap Weekly 72: On his birthday, 9th Wonder gave us a gift we never dreamed of. 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: Who’s Vince Staples? Well, that’s a tricky question. Armand Hammer will be selling exclusive vinyl of their new compilation album. Pharoahe Monch has confirmed that he will release External Affairs, the follow-up to the legendary album, this year. Conway The Machine travels the world in the double-video for the pilot track of Won’t He Do It Side B. Love finds a way. MIKE released another magical music video. 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
On his birthday, 9th Wonder gave us a gift we never dreamed of
The album The Supergoat is the eighth solo studio effort by Hus Kingpin, a prominent artist in the underground scene. With over 15 years of solo music career and participation in the Tha Connection project with SmooVth, Hus has built a respected discography with over a dozen mixtapes and EPs. His past year has been exceptionally productive, releasing a total of nine records. On his latest project, however, he went one step further. In fact, he has teamed up with legendary producer 9th Wonder, and together they released an album on the famous producer’s forty-ninth birthday.
9th Wonder is a legendary producer with iconic collaborations with artists such as Jay-Z, Kendrick Lamar, and Anderson .Paak, completely produced all of the album’s masterful beats. His ability to gracefully transition from boom bap to drumless and soul elements gives the entire project a unique vibe. In the fast-paced world of hip-hop, where innovation and authenticity play a key role, The Supergoat promises listeners a sonic journey that goes beyond conventional rap. The album features the lyrical mastery of Hus Kingpin and the brilliant production of 9th Wonder, a clear testament to Hus’ evolution and commitment to pushing the boundaries of his craft. The tracklist is meticulously constructed, showcasing the rapper’s storytelling abilities and combining gritty narratives with insightful commentary on life and struggle.
9th Wonder’s beats are the centerpiece of the album, and his soulful and sampled style gives the album a unique identity. The fusion of Hus Kingpin and 9th Wonder’s beats creates a synergy that not only highlights their individual strengths but also elevates the entire listening experience. Each track on the album becomes a sonic masterpiece, with the production serving as a precise backdrop for Huse KingPin’s complex verses. Their new album reinforces their position in hip-hop history. It’s clear that this musical masterpiece will resonate in the hip-hop community for years to come.
NEWS
Who’s Vince Staples? Well, that’s a tricky question
Vince Staples, the famous rapper and occasional actor, will soon star in his own Netflix series called The Vince Staples Show, which is set to premiere on February 15. The first announcement about the series came on Monday via a tweet from Vince himself, and on Wednesday we got our first trailer from Netflix, which has sparked a lot of interest. The trailer kicks off with a situation where Vince arrives home and sits down with his girlfriend on the couch to watch TV together. During a conversation about his day, the trailer shows us brief glimpses of several scenes where Vince argues with a person in a mascot costume, participates in a bank robbery, and tries to order food from a fast food restaurant. While the trailer focuses more on the atmosphere of the show than the specific plot, it is very engaging. Each scene brings a new dimension of wildness, humor, and suspense.
Armand Hammer will be selling exclusive vinyl of their new compilation album
E L U C I D and billy woods (Armand Hammer) have had a very successful last three years. They came to the attention of a wider spectrum of listeners in 2021 with Haram (w/ The Alchemist) and continue their beauty ride to this day. I Told Bessie, Church, Aethiopes, and We Buy Diabetic Test Strips are their solo and collaborative records over the past two years. However, we left one project off the list. Armand Hammer also sold exclusive vinyl on their tour with the WHT LBL compilation album, which is not available on streaming services. And for their tour this year, they prepared another gift for their fans. They’ll be selling vinyl of their new compilation album, BLK LBL. Again, this will be an exclusive affair that you won’t hear anywhere else. On the album, you will find tracks that never made it anywhere or have been reworked. You can look forward to beats from a plethora of talented producers, such as August Fanon, Aesop Rock, and DJ Haram. If you have the chance, definitely buy a ticket for one of the stops on their tour this year.
Pharoahe Monch has confirmed that he will release External Affairs, the follow-up to the legendary album, this year
Few rap albums hold as strong a cult status as Internal Affairs, the solo debut from rapper Pharoah Monch. A member of the hip-hop duo Organized Konfusion, he literally changed the rap world in 1999. Since then, he has released four more albums, each diametrically opposed to the last, but all of them maintaining a high quality. Pharoahe Monch has been teasing External Affairs, the second part of his legendary solo album, for some time now. Last year, he released a cryptic trailer that promised the record would be out this year. Of course, sequels to iconic records are always tricky, which is why we were slightly skeptical. However, the rapper has once again confirmed that the album will indeed be released this year. Nothing should stand in the way of such a dream album.
QUICK NEWS
- In the first episode of the new series The Process, producer Grubby Pawz reveals his artistic process.
- Mello Music Group has prepared twenty-four special editions of their most successful vinyl for their fans.
- Boldy James appeared on Live On The Radar with a track from his latest record.
- Reuben Vincent, BBG Steppaa, and QThree appeared on new episodes of Chinatown Sound.
- Sonny Jim appeared on the eighth season finale of “Off Top” Freestyle (Top Shelf Premium). You have a lot to look forward to.
BEST RELEASES
Primo Profit & MichaelAngelo – On The Road
MichaelAngelo is one of our favorite producers. Not only does he collaborate with rappers that we rank among the absolute top, but he also creates albums in the best sense of the word. His projects are cohesive, have their own unique vibe, and each new track builds perfectly on the previous one. Last year, this talented producer gave us some great albums, and this year he will continue his journey. On the Road is a collaborative album with rapper Primo Profit, and once again, as in the producer’s other works, travel, freedom, and a complex view of the world play a big part in it. Gracefully alternating between rapping in English and Spanish, Primo Profit takes listeners on a ride through his life that is full of unexpected detours. In addition, the album features guest appearances from the usual suspects, such as CRIMEAPPLE and BoriRock, so you can look forward to a full-bodied, dense rap experience.
Klwn Cat & Tau – CYCLEBREAKER
Get ready for the epic fusion of artists Klwn Cat and Tau and their CYCLEBREAKER. Even before Klwn Cat releases his anticipated self-titled album, he announces a revolution in his sound and reveals the soundscape he has embraced through a new EP. CYCLEBREAKER is a sonic odyssey that, as the name suggests, cuts through the loops of conventional music. Klwn Cat and Tau disrupt expectations and take the listener into a world where genres intersect, rhythms unravel, and melodies burst. With last year’s Atlas Dilemma, Tau proved that he is one of those artists who seeks new paths. On CYCLEBREAKER, he confirms this once again. As the artists’ collaborative project progresses, it becomes a living sonic entity that invites those who dare to explore the unexplored. Unfortunately, no video clip was released for the EP, so we are uploading the whole project.
Mickey Diamond – Bangkok Dangerous 4
We all prefer quality over quantity, but Mickey Diamond is one of the few that can deliver both. If you prefer hard rhymes over captivating beats, you’ve come to the right place. Mickey does it brilliantly. Bangkok Dangerous 4 deviates from Mickey’s usual approach, as this time the rapper collaborates with a number of producers instead of a single producer for the entire project as he usually does. Mickey’s feel for beats is above standard, and as a result, we find several excellent tracks on the record. There is only one guest on the record, and that is his fellow Detroit native, Ty Farris, and their performance is unsurprisingly excellent. Bangkok Dangerous 4 represents another great piece in the rapper’s discography. Mickey Diamond is and should be considered one of the best hardcore hip-hop artists on the scene. The album was released last year, but now you can finally stream it on all streaming platforms. No music video has been released for the album, so we’re embedding the video for the track Capital Gains.
Lord Juco & Garl – TESTA DURA
Lord Juco and producer Garl have combined their artistic forces in a stunning EP entitled Testa Dura, which sees the light of day on January 15, 2024, bringing listeners an intense musical experience lasting almost eleven minutes. The opening track, titled Stubborn, introduces us to the fascinating world of Lord Juco, an artist known not only for his uncompromising style but also for the countless hits he releases each year. His passion for hip-hop shines through in every bar. Lord Juco’s lyrical talent and smooth flow are evident in every track. The highlight of the entire project is the second track, titled HVNRTH, which is accompanied by a visual treat in the form of a quality music video. Here, Lord Juco demonstrates his ability to adapt to different musical environments, with his smooth voice and expressive lyrics standing out as key elements of his artistic expression.
Vic Spencer x Original Super Legend – Be Double Clip Tight
Vic Spencer ended his incredibly productive year 2023 with the highly introspective Psychological Cheat Sheet 4. As is usually the case with Spencer, each album has a different vibe than the last. So he kicks off 2024 with the uncompromising Be Double Clip Tight, an album that takes no guff. After three years, Vic Spencer reunites with Original Super Legend and together they follow up on their album Legend Laws of Power. Be Double Clip Tight is everything you could want from a rap album. Vic Spencer is in the form of his life; the beats are incredibly sophisticated, catchy, and yet simple at the core. You can also look forward to an incredible posse cut featuring Skunkz, Rasheed Chappell, Reef Hustle, Rome Streetz, Silent Snipers, and The Musalini.
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. jesse the Tree & andrew have teamed up again to give us another totally unique album. UFO FEV continues its dizzying pace and releases another project. Passport Rav and Wavy Da Ghawd? We’re going to love this combination. Other excellent releases have come from Elcamino & Black Soprano Family, Grim Moses, Nyce Da Future, Bizarre, Bub Styles & RUNITUPDAY!, Primo Jab & Chuck Chan, and Phineus Phenomenal.
jesse the Tree & andrew – Not Fade Away
UFO FEV & M. Stacks – Crash Landing
Elcamino & Black Soprano Family – Here You Go
Grim Moses – Muttley
Passport Rav x Wavy Da Ghawd – Bermuda Triangle
Nyce Da Future – The Warm Up, Vo. 2
Bizarre – Ratt Poison
Bub Styles & RUNITUPDAY! – It’s A Little Late For A Long Night
Phineus Phenomenal – Today Is Church
Primo Jab & Chuck Chan – Missing No Meals
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Raz Fresco & Dibia$e are Kimbo Slice. Their new music video is as punchy as the legendary boxer’s fighting style.
Love finds a way. MIKE released another magical music video.
Nita Slay and The Mellos? This killer artistic fusion is second to none.
Conway The Machine travels the world in the double-video for the pilot track of Won’t He Do It Side B.
Danny Brown and Bruiser Wolf are two of the most unique rappers in the game. Their new music video will leave you in awe.
DOPE VIDEOS
We’re definitely not done with the top five music videos. We’ve picked out ten more dope clips that you definitely need to see. Give all the artists below a chance; they deserve it. Mick Jenkins entices you to the deluxe version of his last year’s album with a great video. New Villain and Enkay are a duo we can’t get enough of, and Aesop Rock raps about penguins. Yes, about penguins. BoriRock, AKTHESAVIOR & sagun, Curren$y, Seafood Sam, Bill Shakes, and BOOMANSANTO! also released top notch videos last week.
New Villain x Enkay – Streets of Rage 2 feat. Ptah aLBY
AKTHESAVIOR & sagun – Humble (feat. Pink Siifu)
Curren$y – Sunday Drive (Paper Tags Interlude)
Bill Shakes – Century of The Self (prod. Lee Scott)
DO WALLS HAVE EARS? (FEAT.BUCKETTOPBOOGZ)
BOOMANSANTO! / JAZZFLEEMARKET “GRAND ST”
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.
