Welcome to Rap Weekly 105: LOVE (the) OMINOUS WORLD. 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. LOVE (the) OMINOUS WORLD is another gem in Blu & Exile’s discography, a record about overcoming obstacles in an ominous world worth loving. „To succeed you’ve never seen such devotion.“ The Thief Next to Jesus, the eleventh masterpiece from Ka, has been released on the streaming service. ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS is a banger you need to hear. MUTANT ACADEMY will release a full-length album, KEEP HOLLY ALIVE, on October 8th. There is no better way to work with it (articulate it). The Alchemist’s latest record bends all sorts of rap matter and builds an experience out of it. I WAS HERE BEFORE COLUMBUS. FLDSZN is both a celebration of Bahamian culture and a manifesto that Obijuan is the most distinctive rapper of our time. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
LOVE (the) OMINOUS WORLD
Every year on SudetyRaport, we write about such a huge amount of quality rap music that it’s really hard for any artists to stand out. But this year’s MVPs definitely include Blu, a veteran Los Angeles rapper who released his fifth album of the year last week. July’s Los Angeles, which was produced entirely by Evidence, even ranks among his best. The artists have created something really special together, a conceptual record where each track captures a different part of the City of Angels. Yet Blu is primarily associated with another producer, Exile. Together, they released Below the Heavens in 2007 and changed hip-hop forever. They dropped their third collaborative album, Miles: From an Interlude Called Life, in 2020 and opened the new decade with a monumental project. Last week saw the release of their fourth project, LOVE (the) OMINOUS WORLD, which is once again groundbreaking.
The first thing that overwhelms you when you listen to LOVE (the) OMINOUS WORLD is the diversity and opulence of the album. Blu & Exile have created another immersive and playful world that you’ll want to explore. The gorgeous beats with elements of jazz sound monumental, and you feel like the album isn’t playing in your headphones but that you’re part of it. Blu revisits the past in his lyrics, the early days of his career, and stories from Los Angeles. He does so with complete ease, making his stories easy to follow yet not lacking in grace. A variety of guests add all sorts of flavors and nuances to the record. LOVE (the) OMINOUS WORLD is another gem in the Blu & Exile duo’s discography, a record about overcoming hardship in a sinister world worth loving.
NEWS
To succeed you’ve never seen such devotion
Ka, one of the best rappers of all time, if not the best, released his eleventh studio album, The Thief Next to Jesus, about a month ago exclusively on his website. As is typical for Ka, the record arrived on streaming services later, last week. The Thief Next to Jesus is an epic about evil hiding in the shadows, which only lends a helping hand when it’s holding a knife in the other. The ubiquitous gospel samples, heavily harmony-driven vocals, elements of blues, and drum-less beats create a claustrophobic atmosphere. Ka turns beautiful music into horror and reveals the true face of things. It exposes the hypocrisy of Christianity and how it has been and is being abused by white people. He juxtaposes the spirituality of the slaves, who gained strength through their faith that kept them alive, with the religion that killed them. The Thief Next to Jesus is a masterpiece, a pinnacle of the rap genre that will be studied for decades to come. We wrote more in our review here. Along with the record’s release on streaming services, Ka has announced a pop-up that will take place on 9/28 in New York City, where you’ll be able to buy vinyl and merch. You can find the new music video for the track Borrowed Time on YouTube. “To succeed you’ve never seen such devotion.”
KEEP HOLLY ALIVE
Mutant Academy is undoubtedly one of the best contemporary rap groups. Rappers Fly Anakin, Big Kahuna OG, and Henny L.O. and producers Ohbliv, Ewonee, Graymatter, Sycho Sid, Unlucky Bastards, and Foisey are all distinctive and talented artists. They’ve been in the rap game for over a decade but will release their debut group album, Keep Holly ALIVE, this October 8. Seventeen tracks await you on the record, with the only guest being Quelle Chris, who appeared on the pilot single LIBERATION. The record was enticed by this year’s TALK SOON EP, which showcased the whole team’s inimitable energy. The group released the new banger ROCK, PAPER, SCISSORS with a dope music video as well.
Last year’s rap gem on streaming platforms for the first time
Yo, SadhuGold has finally released his album The Ballad Of D.B. Looper, and you can now stream it everywhere you stream. This album will suck you into a world of thick beats and raw energy that won’t let you breathe. You’ll hear heavy hitters like Brainorchestra and Wiles Martyr on the feats, so the bars are well taken care of. Each track has its own vibe, and SadhuGold’s signature sound will take you through the deepest corners. This bombshell has already been released on physical media on June 1, 2023, exclusively through Copenhagen Crates, but it’s already sold out today.
QUICK NEWS
- Rome Streetz and Daringer have released the second single from their upcoming album. With guest appearance by ScHoolboy Q, expect nothing but diesel.
- Brother Ali & Ant have announced their collaborative album Satisfied Soul, with which they will embark on a spectacular US tour this autumn.
- Sirrealist teases an upcoming album that will only be released on physical media. The track Paranoia features guest appearances from Vel Nine, Conway the Machine, & Flee Lord.
- AKAI SOLO, Phiik & Lungs have announced a European tour starting in October.
- Watch This is a documentary about content creators Oran Juice Jones ii & Chris Pinset. The film takes you into their mindset.
BEST ALBUMS
obijuan – FLDSZN
Obijuan is for us the most important artist of last year. We had already included his music as one of the best albums of 2022, but it wasn’t until the GUANAHANI essay that we fully understood the scope and power of his work while writing it. In addition, last year’s GUNAHANI was followed up by the projects XAONABO [RAW & UNXUT] (w/ dylantheinfamous) and APOXALYPSO [RAW & UNXUT] (w/ dylantheinfamous), completing the decade’s most distinctive rap trilogy. We named the masterpiece APOXALYPSO [RAW & UNXUT] the Best Album of 2023, and that’s high praise indeed, as we chose from roughly 1,500 albums. This year, Obijuan slowed down the pace of releases, gifting us with the great EP ESG VOL. 3 [RAW & UNXUT], but we didn’t hear his first LP until last week. FLDSZN is coming, and it’s crushing everything you’ve known so far. FLDSZN is a monumental project of twenty-four tracks. It’s a celebration of Bahamian culture and a manifesto that Obijuan is the most distinctive rapper working today. Compared to the GUANAHANI trilogy, the album is less focused on colonialism and the Bahamas’ dark history, instead moving into a counter-attack, offering strength and determination. It is very dynamic and entertaining, thanks to a plethora of stellar producers such as Nicholas Craven, August Fanon, Camoflauge Monk, and many more. This is definitely the rapper’s most accessible work; if any record should be in the mainstream listeners’ consciousness, it’s this one. FLDSZN is raw in a completely new way, similar to when you first listened to Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) or Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… discovering the dirty streets of New York, slang, or a new soundscape. FLDSZN takes you to a third-world country with a history of injustice and betrayal in a similarly exciting way. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the video for the track FLORIDA WATER.
SOO DO KOO – CASTLEMANIA
For the historians: it’s August 2024, and SOO DO KOO has released his next album this year. We’re not even surprised anymore; we’ve gotten used to the fact to the fact that SOO DO KOO is just different. The situation in the world is not good at all; we are witnessing environmental catastrophes, several simultaneous wars, and genocides. All of these issues are important to address, to build communities, and to be activist, yet there is also a need for rest, peace, and some escape. That’s what CASTLEMANIA, a fabulous place of rap wonder, from the beautiful mind of SOO DO KOO, can offer. It’s the work of a young artist who writes into his music all the melancholy that stems from his personal life as well as what’s happening in society and does it in such a solidarity, empathetic, stylish, and effortlessly friendly way that you can relate to it. We guarantee it. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the full album.
SB11 – Heavenly Unknown
Producer SB11 delivers a true production masterpiece on his new album Heavenly Unknown, highlighted by exceptional guest appearances from some of the best underground MCs. He not only produced the entire record but also made room for a stellar lineup including names like Planet Asia, Defcee, Josiah the Gift, SUBSTANCE810, Shottie, Mickey Diamond, Lord Juco, LORD JAH-MONTE OGBON, and many more. The artist shapes each sound with surgical precision. The minimalistic yet powerful beats are full of melancholy and hardness at the same time. SB11 invites you into a world where not just words are played but deep emotions and untold stories. The lyrics on the album are dark, gritty, and full of introspection. Lyrical stories from guests like Josiah the Gift reflect their struggle with inner demons and finding their way out of the chaos. SB11 shows his strength here as a producer who understands the space individual rappers need to make their lyricism shine. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the full album.
Calvin Valentine & Lawz Spoken – ADVENTURE
Calvin Valentine and Lawz Spoken return with ADVENTURE, an album that resonates with raw energy and a genuine love of adventure, both musical and life. This record blends a life philosophy of endless driving with an authentic hip-hop sound that takes you back to the golden days of boom-bap, but with a modern twist. Each track is a trip in itself. It’s a wild stream of thought where the words turn into movie scenes, snippets of house parties, chilling on the patio with friends, skydiving, or riding down hills; you’ll find it all in this musical adventure. Calvin’s flow and Lawz’s beats will grab you like you’re part of the crazy adventure. ADVENTURE isn’t just about what you experience in the world outside, but about the journey inside yourself. Calvin and Lawz prove that adventure is more than adrenaline rushes. It’s a mindset that allows you to overcome all obstacles.
The Alchemist – The Genuine Articulate
As has been the case in recent months, The Alchemist is not only presenting himself as a legendary producer but also as a rapper on his new project, The Genuine Articulate. And when he brings in stellar guests like Schoolboy Q, Action Bronson, Big Body Bes, Havoc, Conway The Machine, and Larry June, the result is a masterpiece. From the very first track, you can feel that The Genuine Articulate is built on Alchemist’s signature sound. Dark samples, raw drums, and dirty bass. Diego Maradona with Conway The Machine is the highlight of the album; expect a dark, gritty energy that is present from start to finish. The Alchemist builds a beat that makes you feel like you’re walking through a night where every step is a danger. Conway adds his sharp punchlines that hit like a scalpel.
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.
Pink Siifu – GOT FOOD AT THE CRIB’!!!! VOL.4
CloaqDagger, P-Ro, Shalom – Blues Hounds
Renelle 893 & Vagrant Real Estate – SUMMER ENDS WHEN I SAY
cropscropscrops & Steel Tipped Dove – Long-Light Derecho
Desert Camo, Heather Grey, Oliver the 2nd – Desert Camo
CLYDE & Algernon Cornelius – STICK A FORK IN IT
OT The Real & Nickel Plated – Cost of Living
G Fam Black – The Witching Hour
Future – MIXTAPE PLUTO
Killah Priest – Abraxas Rebis Simha Pleroma
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Give Jordy one chance and trust us; he won’t let you down. Office Job Blues is phenomenal rap from London.
demahjiae switches up countless rap styles on the track Financial Problems.
GOD’S FAVORITE by ElCamino & Black Soprano Family is a hustler’s odyssey.
G HERBO and BabyDrill have released a banger that will make the globe spin.
OLD BLACK NISSAN by chef chung and Ray OTW is a hypnotic track that will take you through the night.
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.
Fliptrix – Keep Going On (Prod. Leaf Dog)
Kurt Mcburt (prod. by Olasegun) (Lungs and phiik)
T.F, MIKE SUMMERS – I’m A Dog (Official Music Video) ft. Rucci
Wiseboy Jeremy, Kirti Pandey – Eyez Water ft. Pink Siifu
Really Hiiim feat. FUNERAL Ant Bell “Time”
Ray Vaughn – FNBM ft. NLE Choppa
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.
