Welcome to our Rap Weekly 85: Love and Service is a mirror of our times. Every Monday, we’ll take you into the world of rap and summarise the most exciting news, announcements and can’t-miss stories. Find out everything you need to know in one place. We only write about the best, so you get the best rap delicacies on a golden platter. Eminem has announced a new album, will it be his last? Will Clipse be back this year, or just Pusha T? Conway The Machine has announced a new album, SFK, which will be released on May 10. Guilty Simpson & The Alchemist on one track? What more could we ask for? All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Love and Service is a mirror of our times
Better fix your visage and get your inner demons in line, this album will set a mirror for you. Brother Ali is a legendary rapper from the Minneapolis scene who was part of the renowned Rhymesayers Entertainment label for several years. He has countless excellent albums to his credit, mentioning Shadows on the Sun, The Undisputed Truth and Secrets & Escapes (w/ Evidence). Brother Ali has always been very contemporary, introspective and socio-politically critical in his lyrics. Activism has been an integral part of his work, which is why his art always resonates strongly with listeners. His latest album, Love and Service, however, is perhaps the most important. It is the soundtrack of our times, the record we need as a society right now.
Love and Service is not only an album but also an animated film. All the beats and animations were done by the talented unJUST. To listen to the album, we recommend you watch a plethora of excellent music videos. The album offers really strong lyrics in which you will find countless thought-provoking themes. In addition, the record features guest appearances from Roc Marciano, Quelle Chris, Casual, and Aesop Rock, so expect some truly elite rap. But why is the album so important? Brother Ali is Muslim, and the producer of unJUST is Jewish. The artists started making the album in 2021, in the days of the pandemic and more than two years before October 7, 2023. At the time, they had no idea how important and symbolic it would be to bring these two religions together. The song The Collapse precisely criticizes Israeli colonialism and urges an end to its genocidal actions in Gaza. Brother Ali and unJUST show that different people can live together in peace and create amazing things. So don’t let anyone tell you otherwise. Support the artists by buying the record, because the content they deliver has made the creation really challenging, and more than one person or studio has thrown sticks at their feet. However, oppression never wins. Free Palestine.
NEWS
Eminem has announced a new album, will it be his last?
Eminem’s recent albums have not impressed us much, yet he is a legendary artist whose every album finds millions of fans. More than four years have passed since the release of Music to Be Murdered By, and Eminem comes with the announcement of a new project. This summer, he will release The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce), where he will once again take on the guise of Slim Shady. The title could refer to the end of the rapper’s career, but we think Eminem will only say goodbye to Slim Shady. You can watch the trailer, which presents the album as a detective mystery.
Will Clipse be back this year, or just Pusha T?
Pusha T is one of a few rappers who have had huge success yet still manage to maintain the high quality of their projects. Pusha released It’s Almost Dry in 2022, which was a huge success. As all of you know, Pusha T has not only had a promising solo career, but he changed the rap game forever as a member of the duo Clipse. The duo released their last album, Til the Casket Drops, in 2009, and since then, we could only dream of their return. Maybe we’ll see it this year. In an interview for Complex, Pusha T revealed that we will 100% get either new music from him or Clipse this year. Which scenario are you hoping for?
Introducing Previous Industries, a trio of artists from Chicago
Save the date of June 28, the trio Previous Industries has announced the release of their debut album, Service Merchandise. The three-member team is made up of great Chicago artists—Open Mike Eagle, Video Dave, and STILL RIFT—who share a deep history. Their new LP is not only named after a defunct retail chain but also reflects nostalgia and a diversity of world views. Service Merchandise is a captivating blend of nostalgia, heartbreak, and joy, woven between beats from Child Actor, Quelle Chris, and Smoke Bonito. The album was mixed by Kenny Segal and mastered by Grammy Award-winning engineer Daddy Kev. The video for the pilot track Pliers is out now, featuring a remix of the classic scene from Steven Spielberg’s Jaws and capturing a live performance by Previous Industries, recorded on a green screen by Ryan Calavan. In the clip, we meet our heroes—STILL RIFT, Open Mike Eagle, and Video Dave—fighting for their lives on a small boat against an unseen threat. All in a stunning cartoon world from Emmy Award-winning animator Crankbunny. Whether it’s the musical production, visual effects, or stylized props, everything is carefully crafted in Dave’s signature style of textural articulation.
QUICK NEWS
- The album Trapper’s Alley: Pros & Cons by Boldy James is available on all streaming services.
- The second episode of the Process series focused on Michaelangelo & RLX.
- FEED THE FAMILY released a vlog from the cultural event HEELS HAVE EYES.
- Obijuan has released a new track, 1843, produced by VINYL DIGGER.
- Conway The Machine has announced a new album, SFK, which will be released on May 10.
BEST ALBUMS
i.F. & Chuuwee & iMAGiNARY OTHER – NxBoDies
The album NxBoDies by the duo i.F. features a stunning fusion of rapper Chuuwee and producer iMAGiNARY OTHER. Known for his rich history of great performances, Chuuwee brings his signature style of complex and passionate lyrics to the project. His words are complemented by iMAGiNARY OTHER’s innovative and psychedelic productions, creating a soundscape full of depth and intensity. NxBoDies is a musical work that deals with personal and collective experiences. The lyrics on the album reflect different aspects of human life, while the production creates an environment that immerses the listener and doesn’t let them escape. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the video for the track Fly Away.
Gabe ‘Nandez & Wino Willy – Object Permanence
The Object Permanence EP from rapper Gabe ‘Nandez and producer Wino Willy is like a crushing blow to the world of hip-hop. Gabe ‘Nandez, a veteran of the New York underground scene, once again shows his unmistakable power and depth in every word he spits. His lyrics are like tangible images, thought-provoking analysis, and thoughtful reflection. The collaboration with producer Wino Willy creates an explosive combination of Gabe’s voice and Willy’s visionary production. The result is an EP full of energy and intensity that bursts through every track. The lyrics on the album are profound reflections on life, history, and the human experience. Gabe ‘Nandez tells stories and makes emotions present here that don’t go unnoticed. The lyrics on the album shine with power and passion, bringing Gabe’s unrivaled lyrical skill and social critique to a listening environment that sounds like a punch in the gut. Object Permanence is a manifestation of art and passion that speaks and engulfs with its intensity and authenticity.
Daylan Gideon & Argov – THE BOOK OF GIDEON
With a bang in the lyrics and fireworks in the production, THE BOOK OF GIDEON offers a fresh take on the rap scene that reveals real faces and exposes false glorifications. One of the album’s lyrics reveals the dark corners of the rap industry, where deception and exaggeration have become a daily routine. Daylan Gideon sets himself apart from this norm by not fitting into the false perceptions, preferring to boast about his real accomplishments and experiences. Argo’s beats and sharply-cut words form the backbone of an album that will leave no one unmoved. Gideon’s compelling expressiveness and the energy he puts into his lyrics literally breathe down the listeners’ throats and make them reflect on their own life choices. In each song, Gideon shows his courage to reveal his own self and reject the false masks that many in the rap world surround themselves with.
Calvin Valentine – Stoner Of The Year
Stoner Of The Year by Calvin Valentine is the soundtrack for sunny summer days and long, unforgettable nights. Calvin Valentine is a renowned producer who has produced for De La Soul, Bun B, Juicy J, and Planet Asia. Calvin is not only a talented producer, but also a rapper. He wrote, produced, and mixed the album Stoner Of The Year himself, so you can feel the true integrity of the record. Calvin’s smooth flows intertwine with jazz-flavored beats, and you feel that all time has stopped and you are embraced by an inner peace.
Photograph Your Aura – Snoopy Cap 2
Rapper Nelson Dialect and producer Alnitak Kid formed the duo Photograph Your Aura in 2018 and released their eponymous debut album. A year later, we got a second album called Snoopy Cap, and last week saw the release of its follow-up. Photograph Your Aura are space cowboys, so hold on to your hats and watch your planets as you listen to the album, because you’re in for an intergalactic adrenaline ride. Snoopy Cap 2 is reminiscent of the best underground rap records from the first decade of the new millennium. The artists use sci-fi concepts to hold up a mirror to themselves and our society, and they do it with ease, humor, and creativity that knows no bounds. The album will keep you entertained from start to finish, and you will have a clear answer for all those who will tell you that today’s rap music is not original.
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. V Don produced another hard-hitting beats, this time for Ty Da Dale. SUBSTANCE810 & Observe Since 98 have released the third installment of their great series. Termanology and NasteeLuvzYou know well that time is the most valuable currency. Excellent albums have also been released by Reks & Monaqee, BhramaBull, Weapon E.S.P & Ghost Of The Machine Reckonize Real, Novatore, Leo Laru$$o & O.G Proce$$, Bun B, and Dosage Hinojosa & Max Julian.
V Don & Ty Da Dale – Banned In 9 States
Termanology & NasteeLuvzYou – Time Is Currency
Reks & Monaqee – What Happened To The Rainbows
BhramaBull – Evolution 5
SUBSTANCE810 & Observe Since 98 – The Lion’s Share 3 Pride of the Lion
Weapon E.S.P & Ghost Of The Machine Reckonize Real – Savageland II
Novatore – The 87 Arsonist
Leo Laru$$o & O.G Proce$$ – 2 Playaz N A Plot
Bun B – YOKOZUNA TRILL
Dosage Hinojosa & Max Julian – If you can’t dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bullsh!t
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Flee Lord & Crisis bring the vibe of the FULL COURT PRESS to life.
BA PACE is the genius loci of every place where his rap enters. Watch the new music video.
Nickelus F has released another raw, authentic music video capturing the complexities of life.
Estee Nack pushes the boundaries of rap again with his new music video. The album SYSTEMATICALLY WE WERE NEVER FREE is coming soon.
Guilty Simpson & The Alchemist on one track? What more could we ask for?
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. The Musalini are making a new album, and that means only one thing: look forward to lots of new music videos. Rick Ross has released a video for a diss on Drake. Yes, you see that right; a collaborative video was released by Sonnyjim and Statik Selektah. Top-notch music videos were also released last week by Dave East & Harry Fraud, Duckman & Black Soprano Family, Marlon Craft, Jay Worthy & DāM FunK, BlueBucksClan, Hit-Boy & 2 Chainz, BUB STYLES, and Jaal.
The Musalini & Smoove – Still Balling (Feat Seattle’s Key)
BUB STYLES feat. PRO DILLINGER – DOUBLE BACK (prod. Fumes The Threat)
Dave East & Harry Fraud – BACC 2 HARLEM
Jaal – TRY GET AWAY (feat. Oscar) (Produced by OGK)
Duckman & Black Soprano Family (Feat. Heem & Fuego Base) – High Noon
Jay Worthy & DāM FunK – Westside (feat. DRAM)
BlueBucksClan, Hit-Boy & 2 Chainz – Scroll
Sonnyjim x Statik Selektah – Chun King
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.
