Welcome to Rap Weekly 119: Heaven feels just like home. 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. The search for beauty and solace in the grip of everyday pain. Mac Miller’s Balloonerism carries the essence of the legendary artist. MIKE has unveiled the cover and tracklist of his upcoming album, Showbiz!, which will be released on January 31st. Check out the new music video. Rome Streetz and Conductor Williams have completed a collaborative album. We have a lot to look forward to. With The Skirmish Compilation, Gabe ‘Nandez crystallizes his unique style; the album is like a journey through a battlefield where words turn into weapons. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Heaven feels just like home
Few artists have influenced rap in the second decade of the new millennium as much as Mac Miller. His love of music, charisma, and talent have left an indelible imprint on people. Mac sadly died young, yet created a body of work that will resonate for decades to come. Miller’s estate approved the release of a posthumous album, Circles, in 2020, treating the legend’s legacy with tremendous sensitivity. Five years after the release of Circles, another album, Balloonerism, was released. It is an album that Mac Miller created between 2013 and 2015 and one that he cared deeply about. You can cast aside any concerns about quality; everyone who worked on the record approached Mac Miller’s legacy and work with the utmost care. Balloonerism carries the pure essence of the legendary artist.
It is really fascinating how often the theme of death is reflected on the Balloonerism album. On the record, Mac Miller finds beauty and solace in the grip of everyday pain and is aware that tomorrow may never come. It is Mac Miller’s ability to create beautiful and catchy songs that are melancholic to the point of being devastating, yet more than anything bring hope; that is his forte, and the album Balloonerism does nothing to change that. Listening to it, you feel like you’re having a dialogue with the heavens, which is the highest possible praise we can give the new record. RIP Mac Miller. We hope heaven really does feel just like home.
The album was also the subject of a short accompanying film, which follows a group of school friends who are transfigured by the music of a chord organ and launched into a shadow world. Pursued by the turtle of time, they must plod through the underbelly of adulthood. Based on the lyrics and music of Mac Miller and directed by Samuel Jerome Mason. You can purchase and play the film at Amazon Prime.
NEWS
Bear Trap
It’s absolutely incredible that MIKE, at the age of twenty-six, has over ten great albums in his discography, has collaborated with artists like The Alchemist, created his own sub-genre, and will be embarking on a three-month, 71-stop tour this year at the end of February! This balance is absolutely incredible, and the tour title Artist of the Century is so well deserved. Before the tour, every good artist should release an album, and that’s why you can look forward to Showbiz! on January 31st, which will have 24 tracks and only 454 and duendita making guest appearances. MIKE released his fourth single, Bear Trap, last week, which is once again accompanied by a beautiful music video. Showbiz!!! is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated albums of the year.
The real big three
This is the real rap big three: Obijuan, Dylan Gray, and al.divino are some of the most important artists of our generation, and that’s why we follow their every move closely. Last week, each of them released a new single, and you should hear them immediately. On COLD FRONT, produced by Mike Shabb and available on all streaming platforms, Obijuan proves once again that the stories from his perspective are some of the most interesting in contemporary rap. SHAW BRUVAZ VS THE CRAZY 88 (BAR BRAWL) by al.divino is an impressive, innovative chaos that no other artist could replicate. You can find the track on YouTube. Dylan Gray will engulf you with his authenticity on the track Living Wage, which is, as always, powerfully atmospheric.
Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams
Rome Streetz shared the exciting news. The record he’s been working on with Conductor Williams is finished, and he says it will be worth it. From his words, you can feel that he’s fully immersed himself in the process, and every detail, every track, is driving him forward. This album didn’t just happen; there’s a real passion and collaboration behind it at the highest level. Rome has clearly clicked with Conductor’s style, and together they’ve found a chemistry that has made their work something that has a chance to push boundaries. As he himself has hinted, we have a lot to look forward to. It’s not just another project, but a piece of work that they’ve both put a piece of themselves into. Now all that’s left to do is wait until we all get to see it.
QUICK NEWS
- Blu performed O Heaven & Dancing In The Rain on On The Radar Classics.
- Tree Mason & Spanish Ran have released Corduroy Collar Crime Deluxe.
- In Mass Appeal’s Rhythm Roulette, you visit 9th Wonder’s studio on the occasion of his 50th birthday and find out why he’s a legend in the rap game.
- A new episode of the excellent documentary series The Renaissance Show focused on DJ KEN ONE.
- The Alchemist and Yasiin Bey have released a preview of a track from their upcoming collaborative album as the duo FORENSICS.
BEST ALBUMS
Gabe ‘Nandez – The Skirmish Compilation
Gabe ‘Nandez has dropped his new project, The Skirmish Compilation, a nine-track trip full of sharp lines, heavy beats, and deep thoughts. It’s clear from the tracklisting that Nandez has gone to great care with his choice of producers, taking you on a journey spanning from the dark sound of VNCE CARTER to the gritty beats of Cult of the Pines. The whole project is like a journey through a battlefield where words turn into weapons. Tracks like Semtex and Snake Oil immediately catch your ears thanks to production from Arsene Banger and Ghais Guevara. The record has a raw, straightforward style that makes you stop and think while the beat rolls like a tank. VNCE CARTER weaves his signature style through the record three times; his production on Howl and Seance, which features guest appearances from Archibald Slim, has great chemistry and tension. Slim’s contribution only underscores the layered nature of these tracks. One of the strongest tracks is definitely Carrion. The lyrics, which are more poetry than rap: Gabe throws his thoughts out into the world with complete ease, while Jamvvis’ beat creeps in like a shadow. Nandez paints pictures in these lines full of metaphors that hit you. Then we have the double block of Moth and Templar, where the Cult of the Pines has created a hypnotic soundtrack that will engulf you. On this terrain, Nandez shows his ability to tell stories that draw you right into his world. Gabe ends the record with the track Dub, which is the final punch. A track that will leave you thinking even after the last beat fades out. Nandez proves once again on the album that he is a master with language. His lyrics aren’t just about rhyming; they’re about complex storytelling that only makes sense on repeated listens. This is not a record for a party or a club. It’s an album you put on when you want to feel something, think about something, and approach each sentence as a piece of a big puzzle.
JVNUS & LUNAR. – NOSTALGIA
We’ll admit we didn’t know about rapper JVNUS until last week, yet after listening to NOSTALGIA, we feel like we’ve known his life and artistic story for years. Which is perhaps the highest praise. On NOSTALGIA, JVNUS recaps his past with honest introspection and massive scope. Each track focuses on an aspect of the rapper’s life, an idea or theme that is tied to a specific stage of his journey or transcends time and is universal. An example of a track from the latter category is IT GETS WORSE, which urgently draws attention to the fascist aspect of American society, the building of a police state, or the expansion of empires. The production from LUNAR. is thunderous, yet gives the rapper plenty of space. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the full album.
Grim Moses – Sofa King Grim
Grim Moses and Die Swambo have delivered an album that smacks of down-home comfort, misanthropy, and raw energy. Sofa King Grim is a record that will sit you on the couch and make you listen to every line while the beats resonate like a heartbeat. If you’re tired of clichés and would like something out of the mainstream, this is your cup of tea. Die Swamba’s production is minimalistic yet apt. It moves playfully between melancholic tones and heavy drums that make you feel like you’re locked in a dark room while the apocalypse is happening outside. Grim Moses sounds like a man who’s been through his own thing, and now he’s throwing it in your face with no filter. The title track, Sofa King Grim, is a blast right off the bat. It’s a statement; the whole album tells you that he’s not playing a friendly game. Thc Psychosis takes you on a trip through paranoia and introspection. You feel every word like you’re stepping in a fog. Neighborhood Watch with Big Judas on the feat? This is where the record starts to veer into more serious themes: straight-up bars that reflect the dark reality of life on the fringe. Then there’s Press Ya Luck, a track that will take your breath away. Grim Moses spits bars with such cadence that it keeps you on your toes. Every word carries weight; every line stabs you. It’s a lyric full of sass, frustration, and triumph, exactly what you want from someone who isn’t afraid to tell it like it is. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we attach the video for the track GRIM AKIRA.
RLX & Loman – Madon’
RLX and Loman team up on Madon’, an album that acts as a soundtrack to late-night musings and sunny mornings. Loman’s production is minimalistic but precise, leaving RLX enough room for his lyrics to stand out. He’s not afraid to open up his heart and serve up bars that grab you and don’t let go. Each track is like a piece of a mosaic; together they form a picture of a man who has been through his paces and now shares his truth. The album is just under half an hour long, but every track hits the mark. Agua Fria opens the record like an icy shower, the beat reminiscent of a cold river, while RLX spits lyrics with fiery intensity. Arabian Packflip with Michael Christmas adds humor and lightness but still maintains a flow that won’t let you breathe. Never Thought with Chandler Ward and Swizzy brings deeper emotion, while Gone with Swan Ling offers a melancholic meditation on life’s losses. RLX hints from the beginning of the album that this will not be your average ride. His voice has a kind of raw power and calmness that makes you want to listen. RLX’s rap is like ice and fire all at once. Loman proves here that even a simple beat can be devastating when it has the right energy and the right rapper.
Ferris Blusa & Observe Since ’98 – And That’s When I Saw Gawd
Observe since ’98 is a producer whose every release is eagerly awaited. His beats are really layered, innovative, and diverse. On a lot of them, you’ll find a distinctive sample that carries the whole beat forward and gives the rappers a supporting ground. However, the beats are a joy to listen to on their own as well. On And That’s When I Saw Gawd, rapper Ferris Blusa teamed up with a unique producer, picking his favorite beats from the producer’s diverse catalog and using them as a canvas for his sharp lyricism. On And That’s When I Saw Gawd, Ferris Blusa & Observe Since ’98 delve into themes of televangelism and religion with music and words. It’s the heavenly soundscape of Observe Since ’98’s beats that gives the record an imposing atmosphere and enhances the power of the rapper’s words. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we’re attaching the video for The Howard Johnson.
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.
P-Ro – Chump Change Vol. 3: Triple-Sided Coin
Jae Skeese – 40 Hours
Dom Mooney – more sweet than bitter
DeAngelo Xavier – A Dot On The Bulletin
Logic – Aquarius Ill
Semore Buckz & 183rd – Hustler’s Anxiety
Busta Rhymes – Dragon Season… The Awakening
Napoleon Da Legend & JR Swiftz – Great Minds
Eli the Guy – The Adventures of E Man
AASIR & RBCHMBRS – THE HAT TILT THEORY
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
What does it take to be on top in the UK? Central Cee & 21 Savage bring the answer on the track GBP.
On Dear Future Hip Hop, Joel Q engages in a dialogue with the very essence of rap.
Mick Jenkins adds fire to the rap game on the track Wars & Rumors of Wars (Freestyle).
MONEY CHASE THE ART not the other way around. al.divino has put his cultural manifesto into his new track.
Jan 14th by Larry June is an anthem for those who are committed to their vision.
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.
Apollo Brown & CRIMEAPPLE – Mis Amigos
Harry Shotta – It Wasn’t Easy (Prod. Leaf Dog)
New Villain x Zeus Elevated x Wyzrd – Samehada
”Carhartt Alumni” Tree Mason & Spanish Ran
MatitYahu Tha Gift – “meal” ft Wiseboy Jeremy
Starz Coleman – Blue Cherried Lemons (Prod By No Talent)
Rio Da Yung OG – Something Happen
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.
