20. Mary Sue & psychedelic ensemble. – CACOPHONOUS DIGRESSIONS A RECORD OF A MOMENT IN TIME
Mary Sue is a rapper we fell in love with last year. The talent from Singapore is the voice of the younger generation, who can perfectly capture the emotions and life events that many of us go through. His album For Sure is a shining example of this. What we feel is often not tangible; we can’t find the cause, but rather we get lost in the chaos, in which we want to find our way at any cost. And even that is often impossible. This is exactly what CACOPHONOUS DIGRESSIONS A RECORD OF A MOMENT IN TIME sounds like, produced by a psychedelic ensemble. This monumental work is a mixture of all kinds of sounds, noisy beats, guitar passages, and chaotic lyrics by rapper Mary Sue. The tracks are hard to grasp and decipher, but easy to relate to and find shelter from the world for a while.
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19. Ty Farris – No Cosign Just Cocaine 5
Series No Cosign Just Cocaine by Ty Farris will be one for history books. First part was released back in 2018 five years later we got No Cosign Just Cocaine 5 AKA The Final Sniff. Every saga should have an epic finally and if you know at least a little bit about Ty Farris you know that he never disappoints. Last chapter has everything what rap album in 2023 needs. Ty Farris comes out with his complex, mature lyrics with no signs of glorification, flawless performance behind the mic and first class beats by the best producers on the scene. The rapper deserves all respect.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
18. Fly Anakin & foisey – Skinemaxxx
Fly Anakin is a star. We can’t think of another rapper who is this talented, choosing unusual, original, and challenging beats, delivering flawless performances at his shows, like other fascinating underground rappers, but at the same time making incredibly entertaining music that can dazzle even the casual rap listener. Producer foisey deserves the same praise. Both artists have found a golden middle ground and stand exactly on the edge between underground and mainstream. Their music is sophisticated, original, and complex, yet it sounds absolutely pure, kicks, and entertains. Flawless work.
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17. Aesop Rock – Integrated Tech Solutions
Aesop Rock is one of the most unique rappers of all time. For more than three decades, the rapper has fascinated countless listeners around the world with his complex lyrics, atmospheric beats, and unique concepts. On his tenth album, Integrated Tech Solutions, Aesop uses insidious corporate speak as a tool to separate a parasitic worldview from the parts of life that truly matter. Thus, look forward to a concept album about an organization offering “lifestyle and industry-focused applications designed to provide the desired multi-industry experience.” As the concept suggests, Aesop Rock wraps the mundane everyday, its absurdities, beauties, and emotions into sophisticated concept tracks, with each one being completely unique. Integrated Tech Solutions is a massive hour-long record, full of the best storytelling. This fool just wrote a brilliant track about penguins, or a breathtaking story where he describes how he met Mr. T.
Aesop Rock is not only a brilliant lyricist but an absolutely elite rapper. His flows get under your skin, and every beat will make you swoon. Moreover, he produced most of the album himself, confirming that his beats are in a category of their own. Look forward to plenty of drums, scratches, and beatswitches that will blow you out of your seat. Plus, the album features guest appearances from elite artists like billy woods, Hanni El Khatib, Lealani, Rob Sonic, and Nikki Jean, so there’s no question: you’re in for one of the best albums of the year.
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16. Mike Shabb & Nicholas Craven – Shadow Moses
In 2022, we wrote that Mike Shabb was a star in the making. We can’t think of a rapper who’s this versatile. Mike is a great producer and can conquer absolutely any beat. Boom bap, trap, or drumless. Mike released several projects last year, but we were most impressed with the Shadow Moses EP. After two very good tracks, the duo of Mike Shabb and Nicholas Craven released a short but very punchy EP. Craven proves once again that he never misses. It’s almost unbelievable how much his beats fit everyone, even though his sound is unusual and completely unique. Shabb swims these beats with complete ease, and we hope this collaboration isn’t their last.
Support artists: Bandcamp I, Bandcamp II
15. AKAI SOLO – Only the Strong Remain
Only The Strong Remain in the end hahahahahaha. AKAI SOLO released two projects last year. The first one is the album Verticality///Singularity, which is an follow-up to Spirit Roaming and symbolizes the bouncing off the bottom and starting the journey forward. With TwentyFifthNight behind most of the beats, the album has a cohesive sound. Along the way, there are some thought-provoking skits that urge a change of mindset and a break from imperialistic capitalist thinking. AKAI is incredibly sharp in his lyrics, and you’ll be mesmerized throughout by his sophisticated lyrics that are full of emotion and easy to relate to. You can listen to the album on Bandcamp.
As we have already mentioned, AKAI decided to conquer December and released two albums in one day. The second one has even eighteen tracks (VS has seventeen). However, you won’t find the album Only The Strong Remain on any streaming service, it is only available on the website of the label Break All Records. And while you’re there, you might as well buy the Verticality///Singularity album. Only The Strong Remain are moments of suffering that will make you stronger. The album is the beginning of a determined journey forward that nothing can stop. EAST GRIP.
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14. The Alchemist – Flying High
Every time legendary producer The Alchemist is set to release a new project, the rap community comes together and eagerly awaits the final work. Few have their position as firmly established as Uncle Al. It’s almost fascinating that a producer who reaped the rewards at the beginning of the millennium was bigger than ever in 2023. The Great Escape with Larry June has won him many new fans, and Alchemist is heading towards new goals. Buckle up; we’re Flying High.
Flying High, the producer’s latest EP, follows a proven formula that Al has been using for his EPs for several years. You’ll find four tracks and their four instrumental versions. Like the Bread and This Thing Of Ours EPs, Flying High is a collage of four completely unique tracks that build on each other perfectly thanks to Alchemist’s attention to detail. The tracks are riddled with smooth transitions, subtle skits, beat switches, and an immeasurable amount of detail. Alchemist’s success lies in his humility and love of music. The celebrated producer doesn’t use his legendary status to release unfinished stuff; he approaches each track as if he’s starting from scratch and has to show the world what he’s got. Even if he doesn’t have to.
The EP kicks off with a short speech in which the mysterious narrator reveals that he likes music that makes him cry. So who should follow up his speech but Earl Sweatshirt and billy woods? In the second track, Al turned up the heat, enlisting Boldy James and T.F. for a bone-chilling beat, both of whom delivered uncompromising minimalist gangster rap. MIKE and Sideshow have chemistry like few others, so it’s no surprise that they win over every listener on the track Bless. The highlight of the project is the track Midnight Oil. Larry June and Jay Worthy bring out the best in each other, but we have to admit that we were most impressed by Alchemist himself. As usual with Alchemist, he likes to split his EPs into two parts. That’s why, after about four months since the release of the first part, we got to see the Flying High, Pt. 2 project. What makes Flying High, Pt. 2 so special that we couldn’t resist this time either? The Alchemist doesn’t just sit behind the beats; he raps on every track. Yes, The Alchemist is a master magician, even behind the mic.
It’s not news that Alc is a great rapper. Think back to 2014’s Lord Steppington, for example, where he’s behind the mic alongside Evidence. Yet we don’t see Alchemist as a rapper very often, and it’s only last year that he’s been rapping more frequently. That he’d be rapping on the entire EP, however, was something we didn’t expect. The record is incredibly dope, with Alc fine-tuning both his rapping and beats to perfection. The project is laid back, and you can look forward to a plethora of talented guests. Curren$y, Gangrene, Action Bronson, and Conway the Machine have all conquered Alc’s beats. Immerse yourself in this unique project, but be careful not to let the high quality make you Vertigo.
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13. BoriRock & Grubby Pawz – WAVY BULLET
BoriRock was one of the best and most prolific rappers of last year. We’ve written about almost everything this talented artist has released, but the album that stood out the most was WAVY BULLET, completely produced by the one and only Grubby Pawz. On the record we hear from other kings of the rap underworld which include Al.Divino, Shaykh Hanif, Estee Nack and more. There’s a street vibe throughout the album, BoriRock is definitely not one to spit nonsense and he really has something to say and offer. As he says, he feels like a veteran in rap, but at the same time he’s still at the beginning. WAVY BULLET is an entertaining album from start to finish and you definitely won’t stick around for just one listen. We are very much looking forward to the rapper’s next work.
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12. Chuck Strangers – The Boys & Girls
Chuck Strangers, a talented rapper and producer from New York, takes his time making music. His last project, Too Afraid To Dance, was released in 2020, and since then we’ve only gotten a few singles or feats. After three years, Chuck has finally returned and unleashed the fabulous The Boys & Girls EP. His latest project is polished to the last detail; the beats are absolutely perfect, and you can look forward to beautiful samples that Chuck’s cutting voice fits into with precision. Chuck Strangers is a top-notch rapper with impeccable technique and thought-provoking lyrics. The Boys & Girls EP is a kaleidoscope of everyday mundanity, hazy memories, and powerful emotions. The Boys & Girls EP is a project that any listener can easily immerse themselves in and reflect on many of their own life decisions based on the rapper’s words. The EP features guest appearances from Navy Blue, Obii Say, Flay Anakin, and Pink Siifu. This puts Chuck in good company. Chuck has put the pedal to the metal as the new album will be released on March 15, 2024.
Support the artist: Bandcamp
11. Lord Apex – The Good Fight
Lord Apex, or the West London star, is proud of his latest opus, The Good Fight. The album continues a long line of major projects for the artist, who excels as a producer and rapper. Showcasing his ability to excel, Lord Apex takes The Good Fight to the very top of his game, featuring several notable guests. The list of producers on the record alone is fascinating, with Lord Apex utilizing top-notch beats from the likes of Madlib and Black Noi$e. Apex has carefully focused on his vision and has chosen excellent guests to highlight it, with American hip-hop icon Freddie Gibbs, neo-soul goddess Greentea Peng, and the talented MAVI, among others, making guest appearances on the record. Be sure not to miss this Fight.
