70. Armand Hammer – We Buy Diabetic Test Strips
We Buy Diabetic Test Strips is the sound of a crumbling society—an elusive and unstoppable chaos hurtling towards apocalyptic collapse. The record is very experimental; the beats are constantly changing, containing a bunch of layers and a lot of distracting elements. Everything has a purpose; the main protagonist of the record is people trying to survive in the crumbling system of late capitalism. The immersive and chaotic beats make you feel like they are just little useless slaves of said system, which is crushing them alive with its constantly spinning mechanisms.
Armand Hammer created a massive body of work that would be written about for decades to come. Everything is subordinate to the concept and atmosphere, from the beats to the song titles. A number of talented producers are behind the productions, including JPEGMAFIA, Preservation, DJ Haram, and Kenny Segal. The record also features great guests who are exactly where they should be. Armand Hammer delivers another comprehensive work that you can get lost in for weeks and still find something new. Whether you’re more suited to the sound of the Shrines, Haram, or the latest record, we’ll leave it up to you, but you can’t say it was a mundane experience. “Life is basically tomorrow’s breakfast. If a lion wakes up in the morning, he knows to hunt a gazelle. But I’m okay.”
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69. Passport Rav x Bloo Azul – 83
Rappers Passport Rav and Bloo Azul impressed us last year with their joint album 83. The chemistry between these two is surprisingly perfect. Artists are shooting solid bars between each other; from both artists, you can feel a little bit of a brotherhood, which gives the album a certain essence by not allowing you to stop listening to one track after the other with no breaks while still keeping you in uncertainty about what you should expect next. You will not be able to find any guests on the album, which at the end does not really matter because the energy of these is more than enough. Productions have been taken care of by Wavy Da Ghawd, Retrospec, and Passport Rav himself.
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68. Al-Doe & Spanish Ran – Holy City ZOO
Al-Doe and Spanish Ran produced one of the hardest records released last year. In addition to the beats, Spanish Ran also took care of the mix and master, and after listening to the record, it is quite clear that he handles all these disciplines with bravado. His beats are full of chaotic sounds that masterfully evoke a sense of paranoia. Al-Doe delivers some of the coldest bars you’re likely to come across in the current scene. The rapper himself has confided that this record is very special to him, and one of the main reasons is that it’s the first project he’s recorded completely sober. Ab-Soul was also involved in the actual process of making the record and is the only guest on it. Al-Doe and Spanish Ran are very unique artists who love to experiment, and they brought the essence of something new with this record as well. This is a must for any hip-hop lover.
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67. NITA SLAY – WHY IS IT RAINING IN JUNE
NITA SLAY surprised us with her project, WHY IS IT RAINING IN JUNE. Look forward to a short but punchy five-track EP with all production handled by Jamar Johnson. Expect the essence of the best of what Nita can do, whether it’s singing or rapping. The record features appearances from I8HUNNY and RONJIGGY, among others. Jamar has picked out some really beautiful samples that will caress your soul as you listen. Slay’s voice, of course, enhances this energy, and you will be carried away by the project. As the title and cover suggest, the album is in a melancholic spirit, which we love. Everything here makes sense. Nita took the trouble to stick to a certain concept, and the result is amazing. Don’t miss it.
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66. 7xvethegenius & DJ Green Lantern – The Genius Tape
Prior to 7xvethegenius releasing her debut under Drumwork Records, she teamed up with legendary producer DJ Green Lantern to release their collaborative record, The Genius Tape. The Genius definitely ranks among the best female rappers of today, and this record only confirms it. She lets her masterful lyricism shine through on this new project, and when paired with the creative Lantern, a truly extraordinary project has been created. On the feats, we get to hear other MVPs like Conway the Machine, T.F., Rome Streetz, and Che Noir. It’s always a pleasure to hear a female voice in rap, and even more so when we see them surpassing any misogynistic rappers with their qualities. 7xve is a name that has been missing from the scene, and we’re excited to watch its growth. Those unfamiliar with her have a duty to add to that knowledge. We will say one thing in closing, and that is Love The Genius.
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65. Oldman Freeman – Seeing Eyes*
The album Seeing Eyes* was 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.
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64. Monae Marleau – Where’s The Fire…?!
Monae Marleau is a multi-talented artist who will completely win you over with her album Where’s The Fire…?!. The album is a fusion of all kinds of sounds, styles, and ideas. You will find hard rap and melodic singing passages. Monae Marleau is incredibly precise behind the mic, yet she wasn’t afraid to open up on her latest record and share some vulnerable lyrics that you can easily relate to. Where’s The Fire…?! is a modern rap project that has something for everyone.
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63. Mickey Diamond – Oroku Saki
Mickey Diamond is a rap monster from Detroit. His strict, uncompromising rap will please both fans of modern rap and listeners who enjoy golden age boom bap. Mickey Diamond is guided by the motto “quality and quantity,” which is why he releases a number of excellent projects every year. Last year, he gave us, among other projects, two parts of the Gucci Ghost series, but we were most impressed by the Oroku Saki album. As you’ve all noticed, the cover is a tribute to Mm..Food. RAL DUKE took care of the production of the whole album and gave Diamond some different beats than he is used to. Mickey Diamond has conquered them in a totally uncompromising way and has created a project that couldn’t be missing from our list. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the full album.
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62. Monday Night & DVNTBEATS – Long Story Short
As the title suggests, the project is quite short, containing seven tracks and lasting just over fifteen minutes. However, each track is fine-tuned down to the smallest detail, making the overall feel of the EP truly extraordinary. DVNTBEATS has put together some great, calm productions with, for example, lilting vocal samples mixed in. Monday Night sounds comfortable on every beat and dictates with his lax yet stern voice in an absolutely first-class way. In our opinion, the album is a great example of how a talented duo can do great things even in the space of a few minutes.
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61. Tha God Fahim – Iron Bull
Tha God Fahim is one of the MVPs of last year. He has so far delivered 40 projects over his 8-year career, and Iron Bull is everything we love about his music. The album will suck you in and might even motivate you in a very gentle way. Fahim reflects on his career, and right in the first track, Man Of Steel, he admits that on his past projects he was sometimes foolish but that it was something that educated him and helped him move forward.
