Welcome to Rap Weekly 96: Specializing in Life. 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. Action Bronson once again combines mythical extravagance and a sincere love of life on his new album. To Live and Die in L.A. Blu & Evidence on their collaborative record have captured the soul of Los Angeles as masterfully as William Friedkin. Rome Streetz and Daringer will release a joint album. The rapgame is definitely not ready. Eminem says goodbye to his alter ego. The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) is a concept album with one big story. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Specializing in Life
Action Bronson is a rapper, artist, songwriter, chef, and wrestler. He specializes in many things, but, as he would say, he specializes in life. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more charismatic rapper; wherever Bronson is, you can feel his presence. His rap style is just as distinctive and will give you positive energy. Last week, on July 11, his mother’s 80th birthday, Bronson released his 15th musical project, the album JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR.
The album offers exactly what you expect from it. Produced by Bronson himself, The Alchemist, and Daringer, you can look forward to dense, beautiful, and glorious beats that will get your blood pumping. Bronson seems like a mythical figure behind the mic; his extravagant lyrics are full of hyperbole yet personal, honest, and emotional. Featuring guest appearances from Al, Yung Mehico, Meyhem Lauren, Larry June, and Julian Love, the album will be over very fast, and you’ll want to hear it again and again.
NEWS
No one is like Ka
No one is like Ka. The legendary Brownsville rapper and producer has a completely unique discography. Ten flawless albums, at least half of which we consider masterpieces—that’s something few can claim. It’s not just the music itself that makes Ka a unique artist, but also his approach to music and life. Ka’s social media use is kept to a minimum, making every post a rap holiday. And we were able to celebrate last week when the rapper tweeted, “Peace and thank you for your patience. I’ll have the new album for you sometime in August.” Yes, that’s right, the eleventh album from one of the best rappers of all time will be released in August. In the meantime, remind yourself of his discography and tell us which album you like best.
Rome Streetz and Daringer will release a joint album
Rome Streetz is doing things a little differently this year. In June, he released the Wavy Da Ghawd-produced Buck 50 EP, which he announced would be the first part of a three-part series that Rome would release this year. So we thought we were in for a trilogy of EPs that would form one big album. Last week, however, the rapper revealed that we can look forward to an album with Daringer. So the question remains whether the album will be released this year and whether we can look forward to the remaining two EPs. We don’t think we’ll be waiting long for the album. The expectations are astronomical; both artists are among the elite.
Eminem says goodbye to his alter ego
Eminem is both loved and hated, yet his indelible influence on the rap scene and his distinctive artistic signature cannot be denied. We’re not going to lie to you; his last few albums haven’t exactly blown us away. Last week, however, Eminem released his best album in years, and while we wouldn’t classify even that as quality work, the rapper’s fans will love it. The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce) is a concept record—one big story that you have to hear from start to finish or it won’t make sense. On the album, Eminem says goodbye to his alter ego Slim Shady, so you’ll find humor, aggression, and plenty of sharp punchlines (which are often unfortunately corny) in the first half. The second half of the album, however, is very introspective, full of emotion, and really well done. We believe that die-hard fans will have tears in their eyes.
BEST ALBUMS
Blu & Evidence – Los Angeles
Blu and Evidence are artists who have done so much for rap culture that books could be written about it. We, however, will focus on their latest chapter. In 2021, Evidence founded the Bigger Picture Recording label, under whose auspices Rule of Thirds (with Planet Asia) and Intros, Outros & Interludes (with Domo Genesis) were released. On his latest project, which Ev produced, he teamed up with rapper Blu, and together they created something really special. Los Angeles is a concept album; each track captures a different part of the City of Angels. Don’t expect a boring story, though; the artists have brought the city itself, its soul, people, stories, or architecture into the music. On the track Hell, you’ll look behind the curtain and discover the dark sides of the city. The track LA Traffic takes you into the whirlwind of hectic big city traffic, and Wish You Were Here remembers those who can no longer be here with us. Los Angeles is a masterpiece that will be relevant decades from now. Evidence and Blu put their whole souls into it, invited the best guest artists, and gave every aspect of the album the best care.
POTHEAD GMV & THE BUILDER – 26 FLOORS
Last week, three albums were released that capture the places where the artists live in an absolutely masterful way. From Los Angeles, we’re going to Lincoln, Nebraska, but before that, we’ll stop in the Bronx. Because if we’re talking about rappers who capture city life with all its details, emotions, and nuances in their art, we can’t leave out PUBLICHOUSING NYC. It was under the auspices of this label that rapper POTHEAD GMV released the album 26 FLOORS, which was completely produced by THE BUILDER. Both artists have captured the soul of New York in an essential rap way. 26 FLOORS is an uncompromising, raw, and creative album that will absorb you.
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Bushman Bodega
The fact that Daniel Son releases more than one album a year is no surprise. Still, he set the bar really high this year with Northside (with Raz Fresco), so it’s unbelievable that his second album this year reaches the same quality. Bushman Bodega and his producer, Futurewave, have been working on the record for seven years. Bushman Bodega is the lonely journey of two samurai pushing modern grime rap in new directions through inhospitable plains. If you listen to contemporary underground rap, you’ll love this record. Daniel Son is absolutely flawless behind the microphone. Futurewave has once again produced great beats, and the record features guest appearances from only the best. Estee Nack, 36 Cypher, Rome Streetz, Raz Fresco, and al.divino, it doesn’t get any better than this.
Sleep Sinatra – The Spirit Of Baldwin Ave
Blu & Evidence aren’t the only artists who released an album last week that encapsulates the spirit of the city. You’ve already experienced Los Angeles, now it’s time to head to Lincoln, Nebraska. Sleep Sinatra released a phenomenal album, The Spirit Of Baldwin Ave., on which he captured the genius loci of the city that created him. From the very first track on the album, you can tell that it is special to the artist. He has experienced both beautiful and horrible moments on Baldwin Ave., worked there, gone to jail, and returned home. The album blends the past with the present and the future, and Sleep Sinatra transports you to a magical timelessness where your eyes meet the spirit of Baldwin Ave through beautiful beats and emotional, honest lyrics. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
Nacho Picasso & TELEVANGEL – Jesse’s Revenge
Nacho Picasso, a rapper from Seattle, Washington, is known for his distinctive voice and dark lyrics intertwined with humor. It’s been five years since he released his last album, Nachferatu, and since then, fans haven’t known if Nacho would ever return. This year, all speculation ends. Nacho Picasso and TELEVANGEL have released a collaborative album, Jesse’s Revenge, which is the ultimate comeback. The album is very cinematic, full of raw grit and dark glamour. The record weaves a tapestry of intense stories and brooding beats, exploring themes of revenge and introspection. Nacho couldn’t have chosen a better producer than TELEVANGEL. His gorgeous and truly cinematic beats, which would work on their own, create the perfect contrast to Nacho’s distinctive voice. With every Nacho verse, you get the feeling that evil is biting into the beautiful world, creating a unique experience. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
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.
amitai sno & WuLxrdShakim – The X Chapters of Red Earth
RIM X BHRAMMA BULL – 5 DOLLA HOLLA
Rahiem Supreme – Phenomenon Worldwide
The Musalini – Active & Attractive
Jay Worthy & DāM-FunK – Magic Hour
Vega7 The Ronin & Ferris Blusa – Both Hands Wash The Face
Common & Pete Rock – The Auditorium Vol. 1
Wiki & Tony Seltzer – Birds
Demrick & DJ Hoppa – Stoney Point 4
RLX & Ignorancia Sofisticada – Value
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
The motto is “GAMBLE TILL YOU WIN“. BA PACE creates in his own zone; no one brings such an atmosphere to music videos like him.
The whole rap world is anxiously waiting to see what DJ MUGGS and RAZ FRESCO have created. The album THE ETERNAL NOW will be released next week.
In the music video for i’m so tired, MAVI masterfully visualized his frustration.
Willyynova’s got rap power like he’s holding an INFINITY STONE. He will hypnotize you with his new music video.
Don’t know who is BLOOD SMOKE BODY and SHERMAN? Check out the great music video and then their collaborative album.
DOPE VIDEOS
Our list of must-see music videos doesn’t end with the top five. We’ve picked out ten more dope clips that you definitely need to see. Give all the artists below a chance, they deserve it.
Big Rube, Pink Siifu, Turich Benjy – Keith Sweat..’!!
MESSIAH! & MAVI – Our Daily Bread [ Created by @MOSHPXT ]
BORIROCK – WANNA ZING / ZINGGAVELI
Fliptrix – The Glow (Prod. Illinformed)
Big K.R.I.T., Jae Skeese – Situated ft. Sauce Walka
CJ Fly & NasteeLuvzYou – THOROUGH
Jay Worthy & DāM FunK ‘SAN DIMAS’ (feat. G Perico & Honda Carter)
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.
