Welcome to our Rap Weekly 76: This is what New York sounds like. 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: The Alchemist and J. Cole? ScHoolboy Q takes you into his inner self. Will Action Bronson release a new album soon? Free Nationals brought in baby A$AP Rocky and baby Anderson .Paak for a new track. Ray Vaughn and Pusha T teach how to rap on the beat with a legendary sample. 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
This is what New York sounds like
RRR Music Group is one of the most unique, important, and relevant groups in the rap game today. Rappers YL, Starker, and producer Zoomo do absolutely phenomenal art, and you’d be hard-pressed to find rap that’s this fresh. It’s been two years since their last collaborative release, RRR: The Album. YL, Starker, and Zoomo of course released several projects last year, but it’s not until they come together in full force again on Diamond Collection that they prove they’re New York’s “Most Valuable Players.”
Diamond Collection is phenomenal rap music. The beats were not only produced by Zoomo, but by a plethora of other talented producers including DVNT, Noface and JUNIE. The main stars, however, are rappers YL and Staker, whose rapping is truly admirable. YL is inimitably smooth on any given beat, while Starker cuts through every beat like Japanese steel. The contrast between the two artists is the ingredient that makes the final album a truly brisk experience. There is one other entity on the album besides the artists themselves and that is New York. The rappers masterfully capture the hecticness and glamour of the contemporary American metropolis. After listening to any of their records, you feel like you understand the lives of New Yorkers a little more. And that’s just one of the few charms of art. It’s RRR, baby.
NEWS
ScHoolboy Q takes you into his inner self
Schoolboy Q has released a new vlog that takes you inside his world, from the COVID pandemic to the present day. Expect an explosion of emotion and excitement as you move between the process of making his highly anticipated album, Blue Lips, and intimate moments from his everyday life. Watch as his musical vision materializes, and experience every step of this exciting process with him. But the rapper doesn’t forget about relaxation and the necessary well-being. In the vlog, you can see him enjoying a relaxing moment and playing golf.
Will Action Bronson release a new album soon?
Action Bronson is a unique person and a multi-talented artist. If you don’t believe us, now you can see for yourself. Last week, he released the complete eight-part series FROM PARIS WITH LOVE PART DEUX: THE EXTENDED CUT, which features nearly two hours of non-stop eating, drinking, and exploring all that Paris has to offer. That’s not all. Action starred in the first part of DOUBLEMINT, produced by fashion brand Aimé Leon Dore. Look forward to the next two parts. We’re still not finished. The rapper shared his new painting, which he commented on with the words Sega Genesis. When Action painted an animal in the past, it meant one thing: he announced a new album. Examples include White Bronco, Only For Dolphins and Cocodrillo Turbo. Let’s hope we’re not mistaken and there really is a new album coming soon.
The Alchemist and J. Cole?
Yes, The Alchemist again. We don’t need to introduce you to this artist; we write about him every week. Uncle Al is simply the best, and that’s not going to change anytime soon. It’s only February, but he’s already produced some excellent tracks this year, and he intends to keep it going. He will soon be releasing special vinyl editions of VOIR DIRE (w/ Earl Sweatshirt) and The Great Escape (w/ Larry June), which will feature new art and bonus tracks. But that’s not all. The Alchemist responded to a Twitter question about whether he’ll ever team up with J. Cole with a few “keep quiet” emojis, which we guess means one thing: there’s an Alchemist beat on J. Cole’s new album. Also, check out the third vlog from The Six Million Dollar Man Tour.
QUICK NEWS
- Knowledge The Pirate and e.l.e.m.n.t have released a new single, Sun God. Will they release a new album this year?
- Monae Marleau would like to perform at the Tiny Desk. We definitely hope she does, and we’re keeping our fingers crossed.
- YL teamed up with Daily Gems to share an exclusive verse. GRiMM Doza on the beat.
- Ransom, Harry Fraud, and Boldy James on one track? That couldn’t have turned out to be anything but phenomenal.
- The Stunnaman02 will give you countless reasons why you should eat salad. This freestyle will go down in history.
BEST ALBUMS
Tha God Fahim – Dump Goat 2
Tha God Fahim delivers the follow-up to his iconic album Dump Goat with a relentless focus on authenticity and depth. The album is a thunderous ride of darkness and intellect that engulfs you from the first moment and doesn’t let go until the last note. Tha God Fahim uncompromisingly hurls his lyrics like lightning, revealing both inner struggles and relentless perseverance. His words are seasoned, his flows are flawless, and beats are dazzlingly diverse. The album is like a daily confrontation with his own demons, providing flashes of wisdom and strength through a dark and uncompromising sound. Unfortunately, no video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the video for the track Tha Coldest.
Sunmundi & klwn cat – Lived and Born
The album Lived and Born by producer klwn cat and rapper Sunmundi is like an intense trip into the dark and mysterious depths of the human mind. It’s an encounter with hypnotic sound and vocabulary that chases away the light but, at the same time, doesn’t let you escape. The lyrics are like images that are projected into empty rooms, putting the listener into a state of deep contemplation. Each track is like a glimpse into the inner workings of artists who are not afraid to explore the dark corners of human existence. Lived and Born is certainly a challenging listen, but those who choose to immerse themselves in this work will be rewarded with extraordinary depth and originality that will linger long in the memory.
VRITRA – AMBER
VRITRO‘s AMBER is an entry into the untamed wilderness of musical experimentation, where words and sounds intertwine like shifting images on a canvas. The project combines full-length tracks with instrumental passages, giving the album dynamism and variety. The lyrics are full of puns and metaphors that draw the listener into the depths of VRITRO’s thinking. Each song is like a painting that is constantly changing and evoking new impressions and feelings. VRITRA proves that hip-hop can be more than just rhythm and rhymes; it is an art that takes us to a deeper level of human experience.
Chester Watson & Ill Sugi – winter mirage
With their new album, the duo Chester Watson and Ill Sugi take us into the cold but refreshing world of musical melancholy. With his iconic slow flow, Chester Watson delivers lyrics full of introspection and emotional rumination, while Ill Sugi delivers atmospheric and immersive beats. winter mirage is a poetic journey through the frozen edges of our inner soul, where each track is like a beautiful landscape we explore. From start to finish, the album holds you in suspense and leaves you wanting more. The project is like an emotional roller coaster that takes you on a wild ride through your own emotions. Unfortunately, no video was released for the album, so we are attaching the video for the track daze.
al.divino – HAVE A BAD DAY
It’s been barely a month since we praised al.divino‘s Firewater album, and the rapper has already come out with a new record. HAVE A BAD DAY is another mayhem that will assault all your senses. divino invited different producers for the album than he did for firewater, the record offers a new experience. In addition, the album features a plethora of guests, such as ???, Estee Nack and BoriRock. With guests on more than half of the tracks, the album feels like a cross-section of the best of the Massachusetts rap scene.
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. Oblivion Theater is a haunting, immersive journey. Maze Overlay and Wahr Season have released another excellent collaborative album. Jack Jetson & Illinformed are back with some top-notch British rap that gets under your skin. Erick the Architect has released his anticipated solo debut album, I’ve Never Been Here Before. Excellent albums have also been released by Nowaah The Flood & Giallo Point, KingiKeem & Dough Networkz, The Deli & Moka Only & Bapiste Hayden, C Plus & Calvin Valentine, Dave East & Scram Jones a O the Great & Machacha.
Maze Overlay & Wahr Season – T.H.I.E.F.
Jack Jetson & Illinformed – KOBAYASHI PORCELAIN
Erick the Architect – I’ve Never Been Here Before
Nowaah The Flood & Giallo Point – Right Over Left 2 (Square Business)
KingiKeem & Dough Networkz – If God Say the Same
The Deli & Moka Only & Bapiste Hayden – The Deli
C Plus & Calvin Valentine – The Plus Files
Sadistik & Maulskull – Oblivion Theater
Dave East & Scram Jones – FOR THE LOVE
O the Great & Machacha – SxUND GvRDEN
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
ScHoolboy Q reflects on his life journey in the music video for Cooties. The new album will be released on Friday.
Chuck Strangers has released another video for the anticipated album, and once again, it will evoke countless Feelings.
Ray Vaughn and Pusha T teach how to rap on the beat with a legendary sample.
Free Nationals brought in baby A$AP Rocky and baby Anderson .Paak for a new track.
Wahr Season & Maze Overlay are back. Get ready for the big heist.
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. When Method Man makes a guest appearance on a track, it’s obvious you’re in for something special. Seafood Sam has released another single from the anticipated album. Primo Profit, CRIMEAPPLE and MichaelAngelo form a trio that makes the most of every collaboration. Erick the Architect gives his debut solo album the best care. Passport Rav, Bloo Azul & Spanish Ran are rap’s villains. Top-notch music videos were also released last week by Jae Skeese & Superior, King Kashmere, Black Josh, KOTA the Friend a CHUNG X PERU.
”Camp Lo” Passport Rav, Bloo Azul & Spanish Ran
Marlon Craft – “Muggsy Bogues” ft. Method Man
Erick the Architect – 2-3 Zone (produced by James Blake)
Jae Skeese & Superior – SKYSCRAPER
Seafood Sam – Can’t Take the Hood to Heaven
King Kashmere – PLACES (Prod. Cuth)
KOTA the Friend – ‘BIG BEAR’ Produced by Sango
Primo Profit – Tell Me Where Your Going Feat. CRIMEAPPLE (Prod. By MichaelAngelo)
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.
