90. MIKE – Burning Desire
Few things in rap make us as happy as watching the growing success of MIKE. The unique rapper has been in the game for a few years now, but the last three have seen a major turning point in his career. The momentum had already come with 2021’s Disco!, but it wasn’t until Beware of the Monkey that really put him in front of a wide group of listeners. Burning Desire is a dark romantic horror with comedic twists. It tells the tale of a fire deeply rooted in revenge and devastation, masked with intricate beauty. It begins somewhere along the borders of Liberia and Côte d’Ivoire, the home of the Dan tribe, but MIKE also takes us to Prague, for example, in his lyrics. Again, MIKE goes a little more mainstream listener-friendly, yet still layers one intellectual, soulful, and emotional lyric after another. The production of the whole album was taken care of by the rapper himself under the pseudonym dj blackpower. The album features guest appearances by Larry June and Earl Sweatshirt, among others. Let yourself be engulfed by this comedic horror that is eerily reminiscent of life itself. After all, what else is life if not comedy and horror? A fascinating work.
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89. shemar – obtuse ways to say that i love you
We get excited when we come across a rapper’s project that we don’t know yet, and we’re totally blown away. The album obtuse ways to say that i love you is a shining example of this. Brooklyn talent shemar has released three albums last year, and this latest one is also the most expansive. The album is an introspective time capsule about the artist searching for his inner self. The record is very honest, sensitive, and empathetic. This is exactly the type of mature rap we absolutely love, and it’s fascinating that very young artists are often behind it. Everything on the album works exactly as it should, whether we’re talking about the heartfelt rap, the beautiful beats, or the great cover that encapsulates the whole experience. Plus, you’ll find all the lyrics on Bandcamp, so you can really immerse yourself in the album. There is no music video for the album, so we are attaching the whole album.
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88. Vega7 The Ronin & Superior – Sleep is the Cousin
Pull out your katanas and pay attention; here comes a record as sharp as the legendary bar “I never sleep, ’cause sleep is the cousin of death” from the N.Y. State of Mind track that lends it its name. Vega7 The Ronin already showed us his ronin mindset on The Lead Lined Wall, but Sleep is the Cousin puts him among the most interesting rappers of the current scene. The samurai theme that runs throughout the album is truly fitting for the album. The Sleep is the Cousin project is hard-hitting, and extremely entertaining. Vega7 raps like he’s had 10,000 hours of Japanese and is a master of his craft. Producer Superior has done an excellent job and offered a plethora of interesting beats that incorporate both innovative techniques and traditional scratches. References to different movies or skits from classics like There Will Be Blood are then just icing on the already delicious cake. Oh, and let’s not forget the plethora of great guests, including Daniel Son and the mythical Cambatta.
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87. Bub Styles – Outerwear SZN 3
Bub Styles hit us again last year with his raspy voice and hard-hitting style. The combination of these ingredients on Outerwear SZN 3 will leave a strong impression on the listener. The album is not only music but also a social commentary that discusses the status of people in American metropolises, reflecting on the impact of economic policies on the local population. Bub Styles lends a fresh touch to his hyperbolic lyrics and hard-hitting sound. In addition, the album is a satire of life in urban neighborhoods.
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86. Jadasea & Laron – The Corner: Vol. 1
Talented rapper from UK Jadesea amazed us with his album LOOKALIVE! and by his album The Corner: Vol. 1 he just certified his unique talent and the fact that he is moving forward as an artist. This whole album was produced by Laron from New York, so you’ll get 26 beautiful beats full of the samples used in very unique way. Album is roughly 60 minutes long through out which will Jadesea intrigues you with his emotional lyrics. On top of that in between the guests are guys like Sideshow, MIKE or Wiki which are giving nice final touches to the whole project
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85. Smoke DZA and The Smokers Club – Worldwide Smoke Session, Vol. 2
Smoke DZA brings his distinctive and inimitable style to the rap world with Worldwide Smoke Sessions Volume 2. Together with The Smoker’s Club, he presents a mixtape that pays homage to legends like Roc Marciano and Curren$y, bringing us an immersive musical experience. DZA excels at composing smooth projects and is a master at combining elements to create an authentic vibe. With every beat and every verse, he shows that authenticity and strength come with time. The combination of engaging lyrics and exceptional sound makes this album unforgettable.
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84. G’s Us – WHAT THEM DOGS DON’T KNOW THEY KNOW
G’s Us is the newly formed duo of rap magicians R.A.P. Ferreira and AJ Suede. Their debut album, WHAT THEM DOGS DON’T KNOW THEY KNOW, is a magical rap alchemy that takes you into a world of reflections, patterns, sophisticated lyrics, and mythical truths. Steel Tipped Dove took care of the production of the whole album, so you can look forward to great progressive beats that are both modern and atmospheric. G’s Us rap as if they’ve traveled through time, reliving the distant past and the bitter future.
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83. Real Bad Man & Blu – Bad News
Real Bad Man and Blu released their Bad News last year, which made us incredibly happy. The project is full of masterful lyricism and rhythmic production. This is definitely one of the best eight-track projects you can come across in rap. Blu oozes boldness on the record; both artists weren’t afraid to be distinctive and gave the album a unique face and character. Guest appearances include Planet Asia and Cashus King. The only Bad News that will make your day.
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82. BOOMANSANTO! vs JAZZFLEEMARKET – THE SECOND BOTTLE
PUBLICHOUSING NYC is the rap label to keep an eye on. BA PACE, aka BOOMANSANTO!, has gathered around him a plethora of talents who were born to rap. BA PACE released countless excellent albums last year, but our favorite is THE SECOND BOTTLE, which was produced entirely by JAZZFLEEMARKET. BA PACE stands out in particular for his sheer authenticity. He comes across as the epitome of rap on every track, and you can immediately tell that rap is an integral part of his everyday life. THE SECOND BOTTLE is the dark streets of New York, the genius loci of the metropolis, its heroes and demons.
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81. Beni LayLo & Ethan Hill – Feed The Peasants 2: PAROUSIA
Listening to Feed The Peasants 2: PAROUSIA by Beni LayLo and Ethan Hill is like entering a fascinating musical world full of unexpected sonic magic. The unique beats that weave their way through each track constantly hold your attention and create an atmosphere that breaks the traditional boundaries of hip-hop. The lyrics then bring depth and personal stories to the listening experience that resonate with the listener. In this sequel, you will discover a new sound world that will captivate you with its authenticity and originality. It’s hard not to appreciate their artistic approach to hip-hop.
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