Welcome to our Rap Weekly 79: An odyssey of romance with hip-hop. 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: Please Don’t Cry, says Raposody, the new album will be released in May. Marciology is a cult; all hail the king. Is the next Griselda Records collaborative album coming soon? MAXO KREAM says goodbye to his father in a heartbreaking music video. 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
An odyssey of romance with hip-hop
We certainly don’t take it for granted that Chuck Strangers released two projects in less than twelve months. The Flatbush, New York, veteran released his debut album Consumers Park in 2018 and gifted us with Too Afraid to Dance in 2020 (which, by the way, is the title of one of the tracks on his latest project). Last year, he absolutely dazzled us with the excellent The Boys & Girls EP, which ranked really high on our Top 100 Best Rap Albums of 2023 list. However, his biggest and most comprehensive work was released last week, and we’re telling you straight away that you’ve got a lot to look forward to.
Chuck Strangers is both old-world and contemporary at the same time. You can feel the incredible care and love for the genre in every aspect of the album. The album is available to buy on CD, vinyl, and cassette, and four truly breathtaking music videos have been released to accompany it. Just listening to the album took us back a few years. We don’t want to sound nostalgic; the album is modern and certainly doesn’t sound old-school, yet it has the aura of something that breaks out of the natural flow of time. A Forsaken Lover’s Plea is an odyssey of romance and hip-hop. Chuck Strangers is incredibly open and introspective on the record, describing his surroundings and inner self, present and past, through his relationship with rap. Tracks like Feelings, Home, and Count on My Love are powerfully emotional pieces that won’t leave you untouched. The mix and master of the album are also specific; the music surrounds you, and you feel that you are alone with the rapper in a closed room, and you only hear his words. You have to really listen and concentrate, but you will be rewarded. The record was produced by Chuck himself, NV, The Alchemist, Animoss, Graymatter, Zoomo, and Obii Say. Obii, Remy Banks, Joey Bada$$, and Erick the Architect also make guest appearances on the album. “A forsaken lover’s plea, too G to take a knee Still I gave you all of me.”
NEWS
Please Don’t Cry, says Raposody, the new album will be released in May
It’s been almost five years since the successful and award-winning rapper Rapsody released her last album, Eve. Rapsody has always taken her time, yet the entire rap world has been hoping for her return in recent months. Rapsody made her presence known late last year when she released the track Asteroids and revealed that an album was coming. Now it’s official: her fourth studio album, Please Don’t Cry, will be released on May 17.
Rapsody is following in the footsteps of ScHoolboy Q and his rollout to BLUE LIPS, leaving nothing to chance and setting the stage for the release of something truly spectacular. In a special and heartfelt way, she revealed the tracklist as she thanked all the guests who appeared on the album. We can look forward to twenty-two tracks and artists like Phylicia Rashad, Bibi Bourelly, Lil Wayne, Erykah Badu, Baby Tate, and Alex Isley. The album will include the aforementioned track, Asteroids. Along with the cover and tracklist, Rapsody has released an excellent trailer for the album that promises an introspective, healing, and complex experience. That’s still not all. Rapsody has released a music video for Stand Tall, in which you’re treated to a therapeutic session in addition to the song itself. Let’s get May here already.
Marciology is a cult; all hail the king
Fans across the rap universe have a lot to look forward to. Legendary rap guru Roc Marciano has just announced a new album, MARCIOLOGY, which will be released on March 29. What can we expect? This album promises immersive lyrics, a unique atmosphere, and top-notch beats, all handled by Roc Marciano himself, along with the brilliant Animoss and The Alchemist, to create a rap symphony that will leave fans in awe. Get ready for an incredible ride through the sonic labyrinth. Additionally, Pimpire International’s manager has confirmed that this is not the previously announced project produced entirely by Animoss, so it’s more than likely that Marci will release two records straight this year. The cover art was done by Josue Thomas of Gallery Dept.
Is the next Griselda Records collaborative album coming soon?
Griselda Records needs no introduction. Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Westside Gunn have redefined hip-hop over the past decade, creating one of the most influential groups in rap history. In 2019, they confirmed their dominance with their collaborative album WWCD, and the rest is history. They continue their beauty ride to this day and have recruited more talented artists to the label over the past few years. Among them is Jay Worthy, who tweeted that he’s been listening to unreleased stuff from the label’s upcoming second collaborative album. Will we see a follow-up to WWCD this year?
QUICK NEWS
- The Alchemist and Boldy James have released another vlog from their The Six Million Dollar Man Tour, this time from Germany.
- ScHoolboy Q visited Anderson .Paak’s house, performed his song oHio and talked about musical influences.
- Check out Cavalier’s performance in Times Square.
- The album Liberation 2 by Madlib and Talib Kweli will be released soon on all streaming services.
- Raz Fresco and Daniel Son have announced a collaborative album. Fresco is producing the album, and Daniel will be behind the mic.
BEST ALBUMS
The Musalini & John Dutch – Gentlemen of Leisure 2
The Musalini and John Dutch are back with the second installment of their successful Gentlemen of Leisure project, bringing another dose of rap luxury and elegance. On this record, they team up with a number of talented rappers, including Smoke DZA, Blannco, Pr0fit Diner0 and more. One of the most notable qualities of this album is the obvious variety of themes and styles that The Musalini presents here. From fashion labels to nightlife, from success to travel, the lyrics move through different aspects of the artist’s life with surprising ease. The album is another success for The Musalini and John Dutch. The perfectly balanced beats, guest artists, and unconventional lyrics make for a powerful combination that is guaranteed to captivate fans of modern hip-hop.
Rahiem Supreme & DoughNetworkz – Grandmaster Raski
The eternal innovator Rahiem Supreme released many great projects last year, and we placed his forward-thinking album Snake & Crane Secret (w/ Wino Willy) in our Top 100 Best Rap Albums of 2023. Rahiem is not a rapper to rest, and so in early March he releases his first project of the year, Grandmaster Raski. Rahiem is a true rap grandmaster; his style is genuinely inimitable. Rahiem is both futuristic and progressive, yet he doesn’t incorporate too many chaotic or distracting elements into his music like many other experimental artists do. Producer DoughNetworkz has created a unique soundscape that is reminiscent of a fusion of mafia movies with something like Neon Genesis Evangelion. Rahiem walks through each beat like a true samurai and leaves you in awe.
FedRox and THA RIVA – Invisible Sculpture
Some art we can touch, but some art only attacks our minds, yet it can be just as tangible. The album Invisible Sculpture by rapper THA RIVA and producer FedRox is a case in point. The album explores the invisible aspects of artistic practice, and as you listen to it, you walk through the gallery of your mind. Together, the artists have sculpted an invisible sculpture that stays with you even after the last track ends. Rappers Michael Rocks, lojii, and Brainorchestra also put their hands to the work, and the resulting piece has an aura of renaissance art. Unfortunately, no video for the album has been released, so we’re attaching the video for the track One Mind.
CRIMEAPPLE – LETHIMCOOK
CRIMEAPPLE is back with a new album, LETHIMCOOK, once again delivering an uncompromising sound and incredibly deep lyrics. The album is put together with distinct rap art that gets under the skin and leaves the listener in awe. CRIMEAPPLE proves its ability to combine different streams of thought and thematic elements into one compact whole. The lyrics are full of metaphors and musical references that leave the listener stimulated for long evenings. LETHIMCOOK is further proof of CRIMEAPPLE’s rap brilliance and his ability to reflect on different aspects of human life. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attached the video for the track SO MUCH BUTTER.
ElCamino & Real Bad Man – The Game Is The Game
ElCamino and Real Bad Man have joined forces to release a great album called The Game Is The Game. This work is a raw and uncompromising expression of rap art that draws you into its world from the very first moment. The album is packed with excellent guests such as Benny The Butcher, Boldy James, Rick Hyde, and more, who add their unique vocal textures and sounds that blend perfectly with ElCamino’s signature style. On the album, ElCamino delves deeper into the drive and determination to achieve success. ElCamino and Real Bad Man have managed to create an environment that evokes a sense of confidence and ambition while emphasizing the importance of perseverance and determination in achieving goals.
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. Estee Nack kicks off his rap year in 2024, the album “STONE TEMPLE PYREX” holds the rapper’s high standard. Chyna Streetz proves on From Hell to Chanel that she doesn’t have the last name “Streetz” in her name for nothing. Wino Willy has teamed up with rapper _thesmoothcat to produce more great beats. Excellent albums have also been released by LordwillN x PappyAchoo, PEN LORDZ & KHEYZINE, Reks & Karlitodakid, Meph luciano, Supreme Cerebral & O the Great & Alpha_Betic, Nejma Nefertiti & Double A.B. & Dub Sonata, and RAFA.
Estee Nack x Futurewave – “STONE TEMPLE PYREX”
LordwillN x PappyAchoo – Royal Flush
PEN LORDZ & KHEYZINE ” PASSION FOR THE PEN II “
Chyna Streetz & 183rd – From Hell to Chanel
_thesmoothcat & Wino Willy – READY, SET
Reks & Karlitodakid – I AM NOT YOU NEGRO
Meph luciano – Turn To Page 2
Supreme Cerebral & O the Great & Alpha_Betic – Gold Pyramids
Nejma Nefertiti & Double A.B. & Dub Sonata – Animal Barz
RAFA – GOOD GIRLS DON’T EXIST
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Witness the continuing adventures of cowboy spook in the prairie.
Cavalier has released the pilot video for Different Type Time, his debut album under the Backwoodz Studioz. We have a lot to look forward to.
Vic Spencer is Mr. Outsmoker. The Chicago veteran and the Original Super Legend recall a joint album.
K.A.A.N. and Dj Hoppa released a hard atmospheric banger.
MAXO KREAM says goodbye to his father in a heartbreaking music video.
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. DJ LUCAS will immerse you in an unusual palette of beautiful colors. YL & STARKER will once again take you through the streets of New York. Vincent, The Owl & Nick Catchdubs have brought Fatboi Sharif to the track, so expect experimental madness. Top-notch music videos were also released last week by Pretty Bulli, Al-Doe & Spanish Ran, Sly Moon, Dave East x Harry Fraud, Shooterkhumz x Tyson Sybateli, JORDY, and mary sue.
DJ LUCAS – “WASTE OF TIME” (PROD. DVNTBEATS) [DIR. JOHN RAWL]
YL & STARKER – SUPERSTITIOUS (PROD. THE BUILDER)
Pretty Bulli Barz 4 Breakfast “Dreamz” Freestyle Prod. By Kidd Called Quest
Vincent, The Owl & Nick Catchdubs- Jennifer Coolidge Face [Feat. Fatboi Sharif]
Al-Doe & Spanish Ran – Momma Told Me
Dave East x Harry Fraud – Uncle Ric ft. Benny The Butcher
Shooterkhumz x Tyson Sybateli – No Options Freestyle
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.
