Welcome to Rap Weekly 101: In 38 Spesh we Trust. 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. In 38 Spesh we Trust! Mother & Gun is an album about life between two different worlds. The iconic duo is back; Blu & Exile have announced their fourth joint album. SA RECORDS INSTRUMENTAL LIBRARY VOL 2 out now. Listen to the best of DJ Muggs. “Yeah, how does it get any better than this?” Big Sean & The Alchemist have released a joint music video. When JPEGMAFIA and Denzel Curry come together on one track, no one can doubt that it won’t be a banger. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
In 38 Spesh we Trust
Cinematic rap lyrics filled with stories of life in American ghettos, laced with violence and drug trafficking. If this is the side of rap that interests you, then you can’t miss the projects of rapper and producer 38 Spesh. He began his music career in the early 2000s and has since worked with producers such as DJ Premier, The Alchemist, and Pete Rock. He’s also invited legendary artists to appear on his latest album, Mother & Gun, which features guest appearances from Method Man, Havoc, Lloyd Banks, and more.
This is not the first time we’ve written about 38 Spesh; we follow his work closely, and last year we wrote about Speshal Machinery (w/ Conway the Machine) and Gunsmoke. Mother & Gun is a record about life between two worlds; 38 Spesh keeps a distance from life beyond the law, yet it’s impossible to fully escape it. He carries within him a host of demons that he must bring out. The album offers a great contrast between the adrenaline-fueled motivational ride for hustlers and the sensitive side of the rapper reminiscing about his mother or his brother. 38 Spesh confirms his status as a rap veteran who still has a lot to offer. Trust.
NEWS
The iconic duo is back
Californian rapper Blu has been on the scene for twenty years, yet has been incredibly active in recent years. He’s been releasing one great project after another and never ceases to surprise. A few weeks ago he released the concept album Los Angeles (w/ Evidence), which is definitely one of his best projects. However, when the word Blu is mentioned, many immediately think of the duo Blu & Exile. It was with producer Exile that the rapper released his most successful records. Below the Heavens (2007) became a classic, and their third studio album, Miles: From an Interlude Called Life (2020), ranks among the best projects of the decade. The duo have reunited to announce their fourth album, Love the Ominous World, which will be released on September 20. The duo announced a US tour and released the pilot single. We can’t wait.
The emotional journey
Vic Spencer is one of Chicago’s most prominent rappers and an artist you have to love. He’s charismatic and releases multiple projects a year, yet each album is different than the last. This year he released Be Double Clip Tight (w/ Original Super Legend) and the Apes that was left behind. It is the latter album, which is a tribute to the late Sean Price, that is the subject of an hour-long documentary produced by Marsz Flight. What can you look forward to? “With candid interviews, and behind-the-scenes access, viewers will experience the creation of an album that is more than just music—it’s a labor of love, a promise kept, and a powerful homage to a fallen legend. Featuring appearances by Sean P’s protégés and hip-hop heavyweights like Sadat X, Rome Streetz, Philmore Greene, IAMGAWD, Illa Ghee, Rockness Monsta, and Sean P himself, this documentary offers a rare glimpse into the making of an album that means the world to Vic Spencer.” All proceeds from the album will be donated directly to Sean Price’s family, so if you’re interested in the documentary or the project itself, definitely support it.
Soul Assassins Instrumental Library
DJ Muggs has so many legendary beats to his credit that few producers could really compare to him. Moreover, his career spans several decades, and even in recent years, DJ Muggs has not stopped innovating, astonishing, and taking our breath away with his beats. Soul Assassins Instrumental Library, Vol. 2 is a new compilation of his beats that covers the period between 2019 and 2021. On the project, you’ll find instrumental versions of No Vacancy from Pray For Paris, Warning Shots from Winter, and many more. A must for any lover of hip-hop loops.
QUICK NEWS
- Check out the great new episodes of Chinatown Sound.
- Phiik and Lungs have unveiled the cover and tracklist of CARROT SEASON.
- Bori Rock and Boneweso have announced their collaborative album, Infinity Wave.
- Jimmie D, Nicholas Craven, YL, and Starker will release a joint track on September 6.
- The new episode of Flight Club Fridays features Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist; you can look forward to the performance and interview.
BEST ALBUMS
Hus KingPin – THE OLYMPICS TAPE: FIRST SESSION
Hus KingPin, a prominent rapper from Brazil, is a master of thematic albums. He has countless projects in his discography that build on the work of other artists. Portishus draws on the beats and vibe of Portishead, Bjorkingpin pays homage to singer Björk, and this year’s In a State of Nirvana mixes the legendary group’s legacy with rap. The Summer Olympics in Paris ended a few days ago, and it’s these that Hus KingPin uses to his advantage on his latest EP THE OLYMPICS TAPE: FIRST SESSION. With his unique rap, he shows listeners the Olympics from a different perspective, peeking into its nooks and crannies and mentioning some of the drug-related scandals that accompanied the Olympics as well as Brazilian athletes. The cover of the EP features an iconic photo of Brazilian surfer Gabriel Medina. On his latest EP, Hus KingPin brought rap to the Olympics, looking at it through the lens of people operating on the edge of the law and bringing Brazil’s achievements to the forefront. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the full album.
Monday Night & GRiMM Doza – Thank You, ‘Preciate It
You’d be hard pressed to find a more stylish rap. Monday Night and GRiMM Doza are among the artists who mix golden age techniques with a modern approach in rap, and each of their projects is dope. They are simply artists who were born for this genre. This year, they have teamed up to release a collaborative album, Thank You, ‘Preciate It, featuring guest appearances from other great artists. We have to mention Fly Anakin, Nickelus F, and Henny L.O. If you know all of these names, you’ll know you’re in for a half hour of great rap that’s catchy and grimy. Unfortunately no music video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the video for the track Like Yo’ Momma.
MONEY MOGLY & RASMUS BEATS – ITS ALL DOWN HILL FROM HERE
Florida rapper MONEY MOGLY teams up with Copenhagen-based producer RASMUS BEATS on his latest album ITS ALL DOWN HILL FROM HERE. Intercontinental artistic collaborations inevitably bring with them certain challenges that artists demonstrate their maturity, skill, and determination by overcoming. These themes are also the focus of ITS ALL DOWN HILL FROM HERE, which tells MOGLY’s story in a huge, complicated world. RASMUS BEATS has produced beautiful expansive beats that are resonant yet deliberately not grimy. The wolves howl from Miami to Copenhagen. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
RU$H & SwuM – LO-Fi ART
RU$H, aka Fendi Don, along with artists like Roc Marciano or Knowledge The Pirate is one of the masters of grimy luxury rap. He has combined the worlds of luxury, life on the edge of the law, and art several times. Last year we wrote about his great albums LUXURY ART, MONCLER BOYZ, and FAMILI 5. On his first album this year, he teamed up with lo-fi producer SwuM, whom you may know for his projects DIMES, IMMORTAL, and Aquarius. LO-Fi ART offers exactly what you expect: unique lo-fi beats where RU$H sounds really effortless and his charismatic voice is an interesting contrast to the beats. The project features guest appearances from many great rappers and the track Gods in Celin feat. Jay Nice, Big Cheeko, Estee Nack, and Mike Shabb is the ultimate rap posse cut.
Snippz – Fruits Of Labour
Snippz, a rapper and producer from Southampton, England, worked on Fruits Of Labour for four years. You can feel the attention to detail and sheer amount of work in every minute of the final project. Snippz produced the entire record to create a cohesive, complex soundscape. Every aspect of the album is polished; you can look forward to seventeen tracks, diverse beats, introspective lyrics, and lyrics that have a broader scope. A great example is the track John Wick, which, like many of the others, has a socio-cultural overlay. The album features guest appearances from a plethora of talented rappers, such as Jiovani.Jemndi, Moonlite, CLBRCKS, Xanny Dyer, and Lord Cynical. Fruits Of Labour was released back in March on Bandcamp, but we only discovered the album last week when it hit all the streaming services. If you can, support the artist directly on Bandcamp; there aren’t many better UK rap albums coming out this year. Unfortunately no music video has been released for the album, so we’re attaching a clip for the track THE GENTLEMAN.
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 – Ground Level
Bronze Nazareth & Wuzee – Bulletproof Carties
Mike Shabb – Scarecrow
Valee – V-Sides
JUNE!, Jay Cinema – PERSEVERANCE
Rufus Sims & DVNTBEATS – Westside Landlord
DoamPeace – Peace to the Gawds
Diamond D – THE DIAM PIECE 3: INITIUM
JaeFrmJerz – The Busy Files, Vol. 1
Marz One & LOZEE – Silence Is Golden
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
“Yeah, how does it get any better than this?” Big Sean & The Alchemist have released a joint music video.
In the video for Fetus, Fatboi Sharif & Duncecap take you into the mysterious world they created.
Seattle, as you don’t know it. AJ Suede & Wolftone have released a music video for Off Track Betting.
When JPEGMAFIA and Denzel Curry come together on one track, no one can doubt that it’s going to be a blast.
This road leads to darkness. la scala by Lee Scott is coming soon; check out the new music video.
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.
Radamiz – Thin Ice (produced by Mahershala Ali)
“Peace God” – UFO Fev (Produced by Fredro Starr)
Future, Metro Boomin – Streets Made Me A King
CLBRKS & NICKYDIESEL – SPECIAL TO ME
DNTWATCHTV – Connect4our ft Chang04
CLYDE & Algernon Cornelius – BBBRO
Benny the Butcher, Black Soprano Family – The Warehouse 3 (feat. Rick Hyde, ElCamino & Fuego Base)
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.
