Welcome to our Rap Weekly 78: Raz Fresco and Cookin Soul have baked a first-class rap. 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 best rap album of 2023 is available on every streaming service. Is Mach-Hommy‘s RICHAXXHAITIAN album coming soon? Future and Metro Boomin have announced two joint albums. Big Hit proves why it is a leading rap voice in the fight against systemic oppression. 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
Raz Fresco and Cookin Soul have baked a first-class rap
You’d be hard-pressed to find a more talented artist in contemporary rap than Raz Fresco. The Canadian rapper and producer has countless excellent projects under his belt and has built the renowned BKRSCLB label, with which he bakes the best rap breads every year. His determination is absolutely fascinating. Raz Fresco’s lyrics focus on the power of knowledge, understanding the world around you, and hard work. More than once, he reminds us of the legendary Wu-Tang Clan as he masterfully manages to blend the mystical with real-life stories. We wouldn’t have dreamed that Fresco wouldn’t continue to wow us in 2024. It’s only March, and we’re diving into his next great record, BAKIN SOUL.
Fresco has teamed up with Spanish producer duo Cookin Soul (Big Size & Zock) to bring us BAKIN SOUL, an album that pays homage to the Cool Kids‘ award-winning The Bake Sale (2008). The aforementioned record changed Fresco’s life, and Raz decided to put the emotion and impact the record had on him back into the culture. The duo Cookin Soul provided Fresco with some great beats, which the Canadian rapper jumped on with a flawless rap technique all his own, showing everyone that he is one of the elite. The album features guest appearances from other elite names in contemporary rap, such as Lord Apex, Estee Nack, The Musalini, and the talented Gritfall, who has a stellar career ahead of him.
NEWS
The best rap album of 2023 is available on every streaming service
It’s here; the most essential rap album of 2023 is coming to all streaming services. We’ve named APOXALYPSO [RAW & UNXUT] by Obijuan & dylantheinfamous the best rap album of 2023. APOXALYPSO [RAW & UNXUT] is a masterpiece that will take you to another world, bring you closer to the past of the Bahamas, and expand your horizons. Obijuan is absolutely precise on every track; his rap style is inimitable; the flows are catchy; and the lyrics are thought-provoking. Obijuan doesn’t create any didactic rap; the Bahamas is part of his body and soul. His rap is dope yet full of substance. Dylantheinfamous, who produced the entire trilogy, deserves the highest praise. dylantheinfamous is the most interesting producer of our time, and it is absolutely unbelievable that he is not from the Bahamas. The beats breathe Bahamian culture every second, the album is truly immersive, and you’ll hear countless samples of folk songs as well. This gem will go down in history as one of the best rap music has to offer.
Is Mach-Hommy’s RICHAXXHAITIAN album coming soon?
Mach-Hommy held an event last year regarding the anticipated #RICHAXXHAITIAN album. Let’s recap everything we know. Much of the record will be produced by Mach’s court producer, August Fanon, with Nicholas Craven, Sadhugold, and Kaytranada handling some of the beats. The rapper has recorded two versions of Sobriquet, one featuring guest appearances by Roc Marciano and the other by Tha God Fahim. Mach-Hommy then had fans vote to decide which guest would be on the final version of the album. The album also features guest appearances by Black Thought and Greedo. The album has been heard by Jay-Z himself, who met with both Mach and Nicholas Craven last year. We should expect sixteen tracks. After the event, however, came a long silence, which persists this year. Towards the end of last year, Mach-Hommy sent his investors more details about the album, but we still don’t know anything concrete. Last week, Nicholas Craven shared photos with Mach and SadhuGold. Could the photos be hinting at an imminent album release? We hope so.
Future and Metro Boomin have announced two joint albums
Future and Metro Boomin have announced that they are coming up with the biggest musical surprise of their careers, releasing not one but two albums together. The move has sparked a huge response among hip-hop fans, who are eagerly awaiting what the duo will bring. The first of the albums, titled We Don’t Trust You, will be released on March 22, and the second album, whose name remains under wraps for now, will follow three weeks later on April 12. The trailer is like a scene from an adrenaline-fueled movie: the artists driving through the desert in their luxury cars, and as they do, powerful words ring out in the background: “This game is meant for a select few.” With a history of hits together, it’s certain that this duo will bring another revolution to the modern world of hip-hop.
QUICK NEWS
- Benny The Butcher on Genius Verified discusses the lyrics of How To Rap in detail.
- Chyna Streetz and Rome Streetz have released their joint track, Matrimony.
- The wait is almost over. Cavalier will release his debut album under the Backwoodz Studioz label in April. Watch the trailer.
- AJ Suede has released a video snippet for the track Magnus from his new album, Opta Mystic.
- THE MELLOS have released SIDE A: SMELLO and SIDE B: SWAELLO on all streaming services.
BEST ALBUMS
528ron & Manast LL´ – Same Shit More Money Less Friends
Even William Friedkin would be impressed with this French connection. French producer 528ron has teamed up with rapper Manast LL’ again, and they’ve released Same Shit More Money Less Friends. They follow up on their project Some to be Sold None to be Told from last year and once again deliver a rap oil painting that will leave you in awe. Get ready for a melodic soundscape that will instantly relax you and recharge you with great energy. Manast LL’ paints on the rap canvas with an urgency and grace all his own, combining his determination to make it big in the scene and his love for the art. He doesn’t forget the really important thing: FREE PALESTINE, FREE CONGO. Oh, and did we tell you that the record features guest appearances by Mike Shabb or New Villain?
Dango Forlaine & Christopher Jose – AIRODYENAMEK
The duo Dango Forlaine and Christopher Jose have come up with a new album, AIRODYENAMEK that is full of innovation and creativity. On the album, they take us into the depths of their ideas and artistic expression. The lyrics of the songs do not stay on the surface but penetrate into the dark corners of the human being, bringing together unusual associations and creating fascinating imagery. Through expressive words and original rhyming, he takes us into a world where past and present, reality and fiction mix. The album is a journey into the artists’ innermost being, where their personal vision intertwines with the universal themes of human existence. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attached the video for the track Knight Freestyle.
SOO DO KOO – HEALTH IS WEALTH
Some artists release so many quality albums that they deserve their own column. Should we start thinking about a SOO DO KOO of the week? Maybe we should. The talented rapper/producer has dazzled us this year with his albums RANDOM NUMBER GENERATOR and PALPABLY UNFAIR, and last week he showed off his best again. The album HEALTH IS WEALTH is exactly as its title suggests. True, playful, honest, and full of life’s joys and pains. SOO DO KOO is an artist whose creativity knows no bounds, which he proves with his beats, rap, and collages. Just look at the titles of tracks like I HOLD THE HEADS OF FASCISTS LIKE I’M KATHY GRIFFIN, and you know you’re in for a relevant piece of art that cuts to the chase, yet does so with complete ease. We wish SOO DO KOO to find as much strength as possible in these difficult times, at least half as much as he gives to the world in his valuable and unmistakable art. We appreciate it. No music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
MIKE & Tony Seltzer – Pinball
Pinball by rapper MIKE and producer Tony Seltzer is like a walk through the narrow alleys of your own mind, where every sound and word becomes part of an internal dialogue. Each track delivers musical and lyrical depth that makes the authenticity of the artists and their uncompromising approach to expressing themselves evident. Guest artists such as Earl Sweatshirt provide an additional perspective that enriches and expands the horizons of the project. The album is like a fusion of unique musical visionaries who, together, create an exceptional body of work. MIKE expresses himself with poetic elegance in the lyrics and enters with his own distinctive style, bringing depth and introspection.
Ransom & Harry Fraud – Lavish Misery
Lavish Misery by rapper Ransom and producer Harry Fraud is a shocking look into a world where luxury meets misery. The lyrics offer a hard and uncompromising truth about life on the streets, punctuated by drug addiction, illegal trade, and street fighting. Rapper Boldy James is not afraid to express the harshness of his life and his rejection of a society that attracts negativity and suffering in his verse. Ransom shares similar sentiments on the same track, stressing the importance of living your own comfortable life and ignoring the opinions of others. The album is an intense experience, both sonically and lyrically, reflecting the harsh realities of the streets and the resistance to poverty and suffering.
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. Jae Skeese teamed up with producer Superior, and together they carved powerful art into the world. It’s here: the LNDN DRGS (Jay Worthy & Sean House) have released another collaborative record. Qontinue expresses his deepest gratitude with his new album. Excellent albums have also been released by CJ Fly, Kail Problems & DJ Hoppa, Tylr C & $adflcko & BhramaBull, Thought Provokah, Shaw Calhoune, Sule & Black Soprano Family, and Bishop Nehru.
Qontinue – Gathered, By Here
Jae Skeese & Superior – Testament Of The Times
CJ Fly – baited
Kail Problems & DJ Hoppa – Massive
Tylr C & $adflcko & BhramaBull – My Companions Have Become Darkness
Thought Provokah – Expensive Thrifts
Shaw Calhoune – Carry Out On Shaw
Sule & Black Soprano Family – Written On Wides Corner
Bishop Nehru – Kult Life Chapter 1: From Pain To Paintings
LNDN DRGS (Jay Worthy & Sean House) – Affiliated 2
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Big Hit proves why it is a leading rap voice in the fight against systemic oppression.
Pink Siifu, Turich Benjy, WifiGawd, and Vayda are fly as well as old-school.
Passport Rav, Bloo Azul, and Spanish Ran are the definition of rap that respects its roots yet is modern.
Willie Evans Jr. brought together rap and The Rock-afire Explosion, the legendary mechanical puppet band that is integral to ShowBiz Pizza Place restaurants.
Gabe ‘Nandez is rap’s Hercules. In the new music video, you’ll go on a journey to fulfill all twelve mythical labours.
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. 9th Wonder, The Musalini, and Estee Nack form a rap trio that could set the direction of the rap scene. LNDN DRGS (Jay Worthy x Sean House) release a music video that once again breathes an OG West Coast aura. Sule is another talented member of BSF. Top-notch music videos were also released last week by JORDY, KINAYDUH, PRO-V, SENZ, WIDGET & D-SHADE, Villa Velli, Cash Lansky, and Papo2oo4.
9th Wonder, The Musalini & Estee Nack – BIG BIZ
Jae Skeese & Superior – UNION 2′
PRO-V, SENZ, WIDGET & D-SHADE – INTRODUCTION
LNDN DRGS (Jay Worthy x Sean House) BARK LOUD
Villa Velli – Velli’s Revenge (Dir. Designer Films) (Prod. Bkerman)
Cash Lansky – No Heart In The Art
Papo2oo4 – Had 2 Ball (Produced By Subjxct 5)
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.
