KAOS (Chapter Four)
“We are approaching the end, administering the Armageddon.”
From ARMAGETITIN by Estee Nack & BoneWeso
70. 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.
69. Jae Skeese & Superior – Testament Of The Times
Jae Skeese isn’t looking back; Testament Of The Times is a hungry statement from a rapper who is going hard for his place in the game. Superior serves up a dirty but meticulously constructed boom-bap sound, with Skeese dropping bars full of self-reflection, ambition, and street wisdom. Guests such as Rome Streetz, Ty Farris, and OT The Real push the album even higher, but the main spotlight belongs to Skeese, who confirms here that he’s not just a talent under Drumwork Music but a future name that’s only going to get louder. Hustle, determination, and real talk: this record is a manifesto of the way up.
68. Rome Streetz & Daringer – Hatton Garden Holdup
Hatton Garden Holdup is a masterpiece of modern grimy sound. Every beat is diesel; every verse is razor sharp. Rome Streetz & Daringer released their long-awaited collaborative album last year. 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.
67. Jay Worthy x MadelnTYO – Time After Time
Rap and jazz go hand in hand; just think of the many classics on which you can find jazz-inspired beats. Yet, this sound is gradually disappearing from rap intended for a wider range of listeners and remains more the domain of the underground. Last year, however, rapper Jay Worthy and rapper and producer MadelnTYO teamed up to fill that hole in the market. Time After Time is a fusion of gorgeous jazz-inspired beats that caress your soul and determined rap that manages to target mainstream listeners. Jay Worthy is in the position of a modern west coast star, so we appreciate him taking a step into the unknown and choosing jazz-inspired beats. MadelnTYO did a fabulous job both behind the mic and on the production. The very second track of the album, Master Deluxe, will immerse you with its jazz background and is guaranteed to improve your mood. If you like jazz-inspired rap, this album is for you.
66. ROCXNOIR – I HEARD HOUSES NEED PAINTING
When your album is being shared by Knowledge The Pirate, it’s clear you’re doing something right. Last year, we noted that The Pirate shared London rapper ROCXNOIR’s I HEARD HOUSES NEED PAINTING, who performed alongside Roc Marciano on European Marciology tour pt. II. That in itself means something, but we wanted to find out for ourselves. The album took our breath away. I HEARD HOUSES NEED PAINTING combines the best of American and British rap. ROCXNOIR has a hypnotic voice that permeates the minimalist beats like ancient magic. His bars are nasty and full of powerful imagery that you just can’t get out of your head. All praise to Slick Roc The Ruler.
65. LOOK DAMIEN! – HELL OF A LIFE
This is where the action gets intense; LOOK DAMIEN! delivers a raw account of struggle, loyalty, and the pursuit of something more. HELL OF A LIFE is a soundtrack for those who are making it to the top from the mud, with beats that pull you into the darkness and bars that cut to the bone. ANKHLEJOHN, Quadie Diesel, Fly Anakin, and Rahiem Supreme bring their unique styles to the table, but DAMIEN! steals the album for himself. Each track breathes a thick air of street battles and dreams that burn brighter than the lights of the big city. If you’re looking for undiluted real rap, HELL OF A LIFE is a must-listen.
64. Ché Noir – The Lotus Child
Ché Noir broke into the top rap league back in 2020 with As God Intended, produced by the legendary Apollo Brown. Since then, she’s been releasing one great project after another, which is why she was able to put on the symbolic rap crown last year. Earlier that year, she released a short EP, The Color Chocolate, Vol. 1, and a few months later an album, The Lotus Child, whose cover captures that crowning. The Lotus Child is a very varied album; Ché manages to cover a wide range of topics in the field of thirty minutes. She tells dark tales from her past; for example, such a Guns & Roses track with 38 Spesh is a street banger. The record is also very intimate and introspective and doesn’t forget the themes of unity, sisterhood, and respect. The highlight is definitely the track Black Girl, on which Ché teams up with Rapsody to create something truly epic.
63. Rahiem Supreme & DoughNetworkz – Grandmaster Raski
Rahiem Supreme is a true rap grandmaster; his style is genuinely inimitable. Rahiem is both futuristic and progressive, yet he doesn’t incorporate too many chaotic or distracting elements into his music like many other experimental artists do. Producer DoughNetworkz has created a unique soundscape that is reminiscent of a fusion of mafia movies with something like Neon Genesis Evangelion. Rahiem walks through each beat like a true samurai and leaves you in awe.
62. Nappy Nina & Swarvy – Nothing is My Favorite Thing
Nappy Nina and Swarvy released Nothing Is My Favourite Thing last year, and after the first listen it was clear that these two had come up with something that played on a slightly different note. Nappy Nina’s style offers a mix of deep thoughts with a flow that feels like she’s writing straight from the edge of reality. The record is saturated with statements about living in a world where hope sometimes fades. The track Hi Key, which features a guest appearancefrom Nimsins, is a raw battle against the system that exposes lies and unfulfilled promises. The themes of healthcare and the pharmaceutical industry resonate here with a harshness and authenticity you won’t find on any other record. Nappy Nina isn’t afraid to say what bothers her about the world, and Swarvy has produced beats that underscore every line. This record is pure energy of resistance, a search for answers, and a warning that the world is not as simple as it may seem.
61. Westside Gunn – Still Praying
Westside Gunn released two albums last year. His most personal project, 11, and the spectacular Still Praying, which sees him returning to the sound that made him famous. Let’s break it down one at a time. Project 11 is only 16 minutes long, and you won’t find a single guest on it. As is Gunn’s wont, there are a bunch of skits on the album that are more personal than ever. The project is accompanied by Sly, who is unfortunately in jail. Free Sly. Through his speeches and the songs themselves, the listener gets to know Westside Gunn more intimately than ever before. The main theme of the project is starting out in a poor and aggressive environment, which Gunn contrasts with the success he enjoys every day today. The entire EP is dedicated to Big Dump. RIP Big Dump. If we think of EP 11 as an intimate family lunch, Still Praying is a feast in the exotic setting of the historic center of Athens, Greece. This album is quintessential Westside Gunn; you can look forward to eccentric rap, neo-boom bap beats, and great posse cuts. Gunn used a beat from DJ Muggs as a fakin interlude; who else can afford that? The title track Still Praying is pure rap mastery, on which Stove God Cook$ reminds us why he is the king of choruses. We are Still Praying. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so here is the video for the song Julia Lang.
