Welcome to our Rap Weekly 74: DJ Muggs has released a psychedelic action film. 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: Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign have released their long-delayed album Vultures, ScHoolboy Q has released a vlog and two music videos and A$AP Rocky presents the Puma Mostro shoes. Roc Marciano on the beat and T.F behind the mic, this couldn’t have turned out anything but phenomenal. ???, BoriRock, SHAYKH HANIF and GRUBBY PAWZ are Massachusetts in top form. What dope albums and music videos have been released last two weeks? That and much more can be found by scrolling down.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
DJ Muggs has released a psychedelic action film
Last year, after twenty-six years, legendary producer DJ Muggs gave us the third installment of the Soul Assassins series, titled Death Valley. We included the album among the Top 100 Best Rap Albums of 2023, but it wouldn’t be DJ Muggs if he didn’t prepare something special for his fans. The album was accompanied by a half-hour film, Death Valley, with which DJ Muggs visited the prestigious film festival.
DJ Muggs toured several cities last year with Death Valley, hosting screenings of the film. A few months later, you can watch the psychedelic film directed by Jason Goldwatch. The film is free to watch on the Soul Assassins website. You can buy the deluxe edition or the DVD with the poster. In addition, you can listen to the film’s soundtrack on streaming services, which, of course, was composed by DJ Muggs. The legendary producer proves year after year that he has no equal.
NEWS
Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign have released their long-delayed album Vultures
Kanye West has influenced rap culture in an incredible way, and he has such an enormously huge fan base that he can release almost anything and it will always find its audience. We’ve long since ceased to be die-hard fans of Kayne. Not only do we absolutely disagree with many of his statements, but it’s been a while since he’s impressed us with one of his albums. Still, we figured we should write about Kanye because one thing has to be said: he makes music in his own unique way and doesn’t really take any notice of anyone.
After several delays, Kanye West & Ty Dolla $ign (¥$) have finally released the first installment of the Vultures trilogy. After two music videos, the full, almost hour-long album has arrived, featuring a plethora of guests. We’ll leave it up to each of you to decide whether the album lived up to expectations. We will write one thing about it: we found some great moments in it.
ScHoolboy Q has released a vlog and two music videos
But we are happy about the return of this legend. Five years after the release of his last album, CrasH Talk, ScHoolboy Q will release a new album. Blue Lips will be released on March 1st, and after the announcement trailer, we have the first vlog and two music videos. Yes, ScHoolboy Q is leaving nothing to chance and treating his fans. The track Blueslides is a melancholic and densely introspective track that gives hope that the album will definitely surprise. Back n Love feat. Devin Malik is the banger we’ve come to expect from ScHoolboy and will be playing in our headphones for some time to come. Don’t forget to also check out the aforementioned vlog. wHy not? episode 1.
A$AP Rocky presents the Puma Mostro shoes
Few have as unique a signature as rapper and creator A$AP Rocky. We’re still waiting for a new album from the highly successful rapper, but that doesn’t mean Rocky isn’t creating anything. Last week, he appeared in a really great commercial for Puma Mostro shoes. This is a really unconventional shoe design that famously lends greatly to the ferocity of the beast it is named after. A$AP Rocky and the entire creative team made sure that the commercial was truly memorable.
QUICK NEWS
- Stove God Cook$ has released a new single, Melo Chip and a Brick. Maybe we will finally get to see the awaited album?
- billy woods and Tha God Fahim on one track? Ol’ Burger Beats has made many a rap fan’s dream come true.
- CARROT SEASON is coming. phiik, Lungs, and OLASEGUN will release a joint album this spring. The pilot music video will be released on March 1.
- Navy Blue starred in a great commercial for Stone Island.
- AKTHESAVIOR released excellent PMW (Freestyle).
BEST ALBUMS
SOO DO KOO – PALPABLY UNFAIR / RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR
SOO DO KOO is probably the biggest discovery of 2023. Last year, he blew us away with more than one project; we even ranked his album OPPOSITES ATTRACT high on our TOP 100 Best Rap Albums of 2023 list. He releases like a treadmill, produces and records most of his albums completely, and will even send you his album if you ask nicely. In addition, he is not afraid of strong introspection in his lyrics, nor is he afraid to reflect on current world tragedies such as the genocide in the Gaza Strip. In 2024, he is no longer a newcomer to us but a rapper whose projects we are extremely excited about. He confirmed his unique bent and passion right at the beginning of the year with PALPABLY UNFAIR, which will once again engulf you with its lively beats. SOO DO KOO raps as if rap is running through his veins, and you can feel from every track that music is something the artist simply cannot live without. But that’s not all. A week later, SOO DO KOO released his next album, RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR, which he completely produced and recorded in a matter of days. This is an incredible achievement. FREE EVERYBODY TIL WE SAY IT BACKWARDS. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attached the video for the song SOBBING LIKE HE BRETT FAVRE.
Chyna Streetz & On The Radar – VISIONS
Chyna Streetz has released a short EP with On The Radar called VISIONS. Despite her busy business schedule, she found time to bring this musical delicacy full of energy and talent. On the track REALMS, which opens the entire EP, Chyna Streetz conquers the jazzy beat. It’s exactly the kind of sound we love. The track TULIPS is as colorful as the tulips themselves. Chyna Streetz manages to masterfully blend several concepts together. The short but punchy EP ends with BLISS, a track that satiates the craving for great classic samples. VISIONS is a short but intense experience. We hope she comes out with a new LP this year.
Maze Overlay – Nightline
Rapper Maze Overlay and producer Wahr Season deliver Nightline, an album that is a musical expression of nightlife and hours spent working in the dark. It’s a piece of art based on the quiet and solitude of the morning hours, where creative geniuses are born and those who refuse to give up sleep in favor of their artistic visions. This record constantly vibrates with the energy and ideas that were conjured in the darkest hours. It is a sacred musical place for night owls, for those who know the smell of burning oil and have tasted the light of monitors at night. The lyrics are a tribute to those who constantly crush creative boundaries and who refuse to give in to sleep. Nightline is an album for those who know that sleep is not the only answer and that the night hours have their own magic and power. Unfortunately no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the video for the track Stand Alone.
Recognize Ali – As You Sow So Shall You Reap
Rapper Recognize Ali released his latest album, As You Sow So Shall You Reap, last week, bringing with it a maturity and depth that reflect his artistic evolution. The first single from the album already hinted that this project delivers a musical experience with deep and serious themes that are intertwined with his strong emotional expression. The album highlights not only Ali’s ability to express himself through words but also his ability to connect with his audience through his musical expression. Each track on the album has its own story and message that speaks to the listener on an emotional level. For fans looking for rap music with deep thoughts and a strong message, this album is an inevitable stop.
The Musalini & 38 Spesh – In God We Trust
The collaborative album from New York MC The Musalini and rapper/producer 38 Spesh, titled In God We Trust, came to our attention after it appeared on streaming services, despite having been circulating in the public domain for some time. However, its qualities, thanks to the combination of Spesh’s excellent production and Musalini’s deft lyrical delivery, still stand out even over new projects. Spesh’s production is characterized by a lo-fi aesthetic and laid-back jazz boom-bap beats that create an environment in which Musalini’s calm and relaxed expression can unfold and shine. This combination creates an irresistible atmosphere that lures the listener into its world. Guest artists such as Rasheeda Chappella, Izzy Hot, Planet Asia, O Finesse, and G4 Jag also play an important role in this project, adding another layer of complexity and depth to the overall sound of the album. Their diverse styles and ability to fuse with Musalini’s rap bring variety and dynamism that enrich the listening experience.
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. Are you missing an album that will appeal to all your senses? gustavo louis and his HEEL RAP is just for you. XP The Marxman is a rap veteran who can’t put out a bad project. shemar & Child Actor are the magicians of the contemporary underground. Excellent albums have also been released by artists Oso Ocean & John Dutch, Blu & Roy Royal, Confucius MC & Pitch 92, NugLife, 2 Eleven, Switch & Moka Only, and Awon & Parental.
Oso Ocean & John Dutch – Good Day New York
shemar & Child Actor – sunscreen
Forever Pavot & XP The Marxman – Forever XP
Blu & Roy Royal – Royal Blu
Confucius MC & Pitch 92 – Stop Signs
NugLife – FRISCO FLOWERS
2 Eleven – The Inflation
Switch & Moka Only – The Mothership
gustavo louis – HEEL RAP
Awon & Parental – Sublime
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
???, BoriRock, SHAYKH HANIF and GRUBBY PAWZ are Massachusetts in top form.
BUB STYLES has once again released a fully hypothesizing music video.
YL & STARKER have released the first music video from their upcoming album Diamond Collection, which will be released on February 23rd. RRR season.
Roc Marciano on the beat and T.F behind the mic, this couldn’t have turned out anything but phenomenal.
The music video for Felash by Michael Christmas will put you in total zen.
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. Cookin Soul & Raz Fresco have something special in store for us. Could DJ MUGGS and MOOCH release a joint album this year? The video for the track Trumpets suggests so. Masta Ace & Marco Polo are veterans who still have a lot to offer. We hope that Mike Shabb will stop teasing us and release SEWASIDE III soon. Top-notch music videos were also released last week by 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, Curren$y, demahjiae, shemar x Child Actor, KOTA The Friend, and New Villain.
Cookin Soul & Raz Fresco – Kodak Moment feat. Estee Nack & Lord Apex
Masta Ace & Marco Polo – Jordan Theory
1999 WRITE THE FUTURE, Rick Ross, Rich Brian – “LiGhT rAiLs *ੈ✩‧₊˚
shemar x Child Actor – sunscreen ft Jay Cinema
KOTA The Friend – ‘BEIJING’ Produced By Hit-Boy
New Villain – League Of Supervillains feat. PTah alBY & Che Uno
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.
