Welcome to Rap Weekly 107: Diesel & Razor blade. 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. Every beat Diesel, every verse razor sharp. Rome Streetz & Daringer have released a grimy masterpiece. Action Bronson will star in a new film from Darren Aronofsky, director of Requiem for a Dream. Piece by Piece, a Lego film depicting the life and career of Pharrell Williams, hits US cinemas this week. Lil Wayne and XXXTENTACION in the Garden of Eden. Tunechi unleashed his iconic slow flow. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Diesel & Razor blade
Griselda Records has influenced hip hop in such a fundamental way that the entire underground scene is full of projects that borrow the best of Griselda’s sound. As a result, the label has an increasingly difficult position and has to work harder to blow fans away. Still, Griselda is doing great, with Benny The Butcher releasing the excellent Everybody Can’t Go this year, Conway the Machine’s epic Slant Face Killah, and Westside Gunn announcing his STILL PRAYING project, which will be released on November 1. Last week, however, all eyes were on another rapper. It’s Rome Streetz who showed the scene that Griselda is still making the best contemporary rap. Hatton Garden Holdup is a masterpiece of modern grimy sound.
Every beat is diesel; every verse is razor sharp. Rome Streetz & Daringer have released a long-awaited collaborative album that gives the iconic Griselda sound a new twist. Hatton Garden Holdup is a powerful, cohesive project that has perfect pacing, a clear story line, and still manages to surprise. Daringer proves once again why he is one of the most influential producers of the last decade; his beats have the essence of dangerous nightlife mixed with elegance and a sense of music. For example, such a beat of 100 Scheme stuck in our minds for the next few weeks with its originality.
Rome Streetz deals with themes you already know from KISS THE RING or Noise Kandy series. A dark past, drug dealing, the desire for success, and the love of rap. Yet Rome Steetz finds new and creative puns, flows, and ways to paint his lyrical pictures. The album also features Conway, ScHoolboy Q, Meyhem Lauren, and Cormega. There’s no debate here; if you love rap, Hatton Garden Holdup is a must-hear album.
NEWS
Action Bronson will star in a new film from Darren Aronofsky
Action Bronson is about to rock the movie screen once again. This time we will see him in the crime thriller Caught Stealing, directed by acclaimed director Darren Aronofsky. In addition to Bronson, the film will feature stars like Austin Butler, Zoë Kravitz, Regina King, Liev Schreiber, and even Bad Bunny. The story follows former baseball player Hank Thompson as he becomes entangled in the dangerous underworld of 1990s New York. The film is based on the book by Charlie Huston, so there will be no shortage of dirty intrigue and street suspense. Who knows what role Bronson will get, but it’s clear he can handle anything. Just think of his cameo in Scorsese’s The Irishman or his ring entrance for All Elite Wrestling. And sure, let’s not forget his iconic show Fuck, That’s Delicious.
Piece by Piece
On October 11, the animated Lego film Piece by Piece will premiere in US cinemas. The film follows the life and career of American singer, producer, and creative director of Louis Vuitton, Pharrell Williams, who stars in the film himself through Lego animation. The film features the voices of artists such as Kendrick Lamar, Timbaland, Justin Timberlake, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, Pusha T, and Snoop Dogg. Piece by Piece has been screening at film festivals since late August, where it has been receiving mostly positive reviews. Praise has been heaped on the voice acting, direction, humor, soundtrack, and animation. You can watch the trailer below.
1nce upon a time called Now
al.divino is undoubtedly one of the most significant rap artists of the last decade. His distinctive style, innovative productions, and visionary approach to music have influenced the entire rap scene, and there is no indication that he will not continue to do so. Two years ago, we wrote an extensive article about him, tracing his musical journey, a journey to monumentality. However, a lot has changed since then; he’s released many more great albums and continues his journey. Last week he celebrated his thirtieth birthday, and to mark the occasion he released something absolutely special. The album 1nce upon a time called Now (Collector’s Cut), which according to the artist himself and people who have heard it, is his best work. You can buy the album in a collector’s edition exclusively at jackpotrecords.vip for $2 999.99. The edition includes large original painting, vinyl, cassette, JACKPOT™ cassette player, a hardcover book of handwritten lyrics to the album, a PARÇEL x JACKPOT™ hoodie, stickers and WAV files of 1nce upon a time called Now and the bonus Collector’s Cut EP. This is a completely unique edition, unparalleled in rap history. We wish al.divino a happy birthday, and may his desire to create continue to burn.
QUICK NEWS
- Blu & Exile invade the Power 106 studios to deliver fiery bars over six different beats in their debut Justin Credible Freestyle!
- Black Star’s No Fear of Time was released on physical media for the first time.
- Westside Gunn has announced the album STILL PRAYING, which will be released on November 1.
- Estee Nack and Boneweso’s masterpiece SYSTEMATICALLY WE WERE NEVER FREE is out now on all streaming platforms.
- Sound-Off – Vol.3 Live From Brooklyn by Chinatown Sound is out now. You can look forward to a live performance by seven rap titans.
BEST ALBUMS
3wayslim – Big 3
3wayslim is back with Big 3, and it’s exactly the kind of project that takes you into the depths of underground rap, where every beat has weight and every bar makes you pause to consider its meaning. The only guest on the record is Domo Genesis, which brings that thoughtful selection that shows 3wayslim knows what he’s doing very well. The production is backed by heavy hitters such as Sycho Sid, Foisey, GRAYMATTER, Theravada, and Boredom. One of the album’s strongest moments is the track Half Off, produced by Sycho Sid. The track has a raw energy where Sycho Sid creates a condensed space that 3wayslim fills with his technical yet relaxed flow. His lyricism has that heavy and introspective side that stands out, whether he’s rapping about how he struggles with the world around him or getting lost in contemplating the meaning of life, money, and the people who confront his life. The combination of beats that are like a dark, slow-moving river and lyrics that pull you into 3wayslim’s personal struggles and triumphs gives the record tremendous power. 3wayslim is definitely not the type of rapper that makes you dance on an easy wave, but rather one that makes you listen and think. Big 3 is like the sonic manifesto of an independent rapper.
Jesse James Solomon & TenBillion Dreams – Blue Park
Jesse James Solomon and TenBillion Dreams have dropped fresh material in the form of the short EP Blue Park. Even though Jesse has given this record a more modern coat than projects like OIL&WATER and Sunfall through TenBilli’s beats, his signature melancholy is still in the air. The track Would Have Could Have summarizes the essence of the whole project. The lyrics reflect a harsh reality where personal struggles and themes of the black community intersect. The metaphors feel almost surreal, as if he’s describing working his way through the complexities of life. There is a power of subtlety to this project. Jesse shows that rap isn’t just about hard beats and aggressive bars, but thoughtful lyricism that stays in your head long after the track finishes playing. It’s that typical energy of his that draws you in while leaving you to ponder the message. The whole vibe is about how memories and personal choices shape who we are today. The production from TenBillion Dreams is rather minimalistic, which lets Jesse stand out. The beats don’t overwhelm his words, but give them space to land and resonate. Some might say that this EP isn’t about radio hits, but rather taking a moment to take a break, light up, and let your thoughts flow. This project is not for everyone, but for those who want to delve deeper into the world of Jesse’s melancholic but determined outlook on life. Blue Park is a short but thoroughly polished piece of music that will stay in your mind and resonate long after it’s over.
BA PACE – SPECIAL BLEND VOL.1
In May this year, BA PACE released the phenomenal album BIG BROTHERS HOUSE, which still resonates with us today. Together with his collective PUBLICHOUSING NYC, he performed in Japan a few weeks ago as part of the GRAND PRIX tour. The tour had already ended, and so it was necessary to turn the inspiration into music. BA PACE has released a new project, SPECIAL BLEND VOL.1, a complication of songs “made high to get high to.” The title SPECIAL BLEND perfectly describes the album. On the record, BA PACE combines his distinctive voice and changing flows with beautiful beats that seem to have no room for additional vocals, but BA PACE just found a way to rap into them. The seemingly disparate planes of elusive productions and distinctive rap form a blend that works perfectly together.
Elcamino – Millionaire
Elcamino confirms once again that the Black Soprano Family just won’t quit burning. On his latest project, Millionaire, which is only seven tracks long, he proves that quality over quantity. Estee Nack is the main guest on the project, and the rap chemistry they have with each other is just phenomenal. Estee appears on three tracks straight, and each time he’s like an unexpected hand serving aces in a poker game. In addition to Nack, the album features Kenyada Nikile. The highlight is the track Wu Level, which is really something special. Elcamino really went all out here, lyrically and emotionally. The whole track is about personal choices and how they define us. Instead of judging anyone, he says that everyone has their own style, their own struggles, and their own choices. And this tolerance for human frailty gives the track an interesting depth. Elcamino talks about the beauty that can be found even in struggles and difficulties. He says there is beauty in every struggle; it just depends on where you look. His metaphors about Buffalo, Brooklyn, and life on the streets show how the harsh environment shapes his view of the world. And through it all, there’s a pervasive glimmer of pride and determination on the record. The album’s production has a dark yet sort of subdued elegiac vibe. It sounds like music for people who have weathered the storms and know that life isn’t all black and white. These beats don’t give you a clear answer but rather leave you searching for your own truths.
Ckooliente & Bhrama Bull – CHALIEBull
Ckooliente & Bhrama Bull, two prominent artists of the rap underground, have teamed up on CHALIEBULL, uncovering one layer after another. CHALIEBULL are street stories and feelings under layers of shadows, hidden in the armor of an angry bull. Ckooliente layers different themes in his lyrics, so for example, behind the bars, aimed at the rap scene, there are themes rooted in life beyond the edge of the law. Ckooliente creatively conceives each track, so you can look forward to a song celebrating gangster movies, for example, but again, at the heart of the track is a reflection on Ckooliente’s life experiences. Bhrama Bull has produced a lush soundscape that is built on the pillars of classic boom bap yet sounds modern. Add in guests like Figerson, Raz Fresco, Nowaah The Flood, and Absolute Brilliance, and you have an album that every rap fan should hear.
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.
Chef Chung & Ray OTW – Smile, We Have Each Other
The Bad Seed – Four Finger Ring Il
Ben Beal – compound fracture
Y.N.X. 716 – Sincere
WateRR x Tone Beatz – Order Of The Day: Family Business (Side B)
Awon & High John – Odyssey Disco
BoriRock & DVNTBEATS – JONDO3
sean links – Blade Brown
Daniel Son & Finn – Hare Brained Schemes
Arsinel & Fam Ross – Intricate Details
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
When Currensy & T.F. come together on a DJ Fresh beat, the result is ULTRA VIOLET.
Denzel Curry and Maxo Kream have released the music video for the southern banger of the year.
The highly anticipated Deutsche Marks 4 will be released this week. The pilot track features The Alchemist.
Lil Wayne and XXXTENTACION in the Garden of Eden. Tunechi unleashed his iconic slow flow.
AKTHESAVIOR celebrates his achievements in the music video for Really Outside.
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.
Talib Kweli, J.Rawls – We Outside ft. Tristate
Vitamin G & Mr Slipz – Never Lost It
Sparkz & Pitch 92 – Start And Show
Nappy Nina, Swarvy – Groundhog Day
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.
