I’M NOT DEPRESSED, I’M OPPRESSED (Chapter Eight)
“The biggest T, I love Tigray more than me.”
by Sideshow
30. AKAI SOLO – DREAMDROPDRAGON
Dreams within dreams within dreams, verses within verses within verses, bars within bars within bars. AKAI SOLO released DREAMDROPDRAGON a year after Verticality///Singularity and Only The Strong Remain, which we ranked among the TOP 100 Best Rap Albums of 2023. The album revolves around The Interpretation of Dreams by the famous Austrian physician-neurologist, psychologist, and founder of psychoanalysis, Sigmund Freud. His theory argues that dreams are the foundation of the psychoanalytic framework, which posits that dreams serve as a pathway to the unconscious mind. Freud famously argued that dreams grant wishes and act as a bridge between the conscious and unconscious realms. AKAI exploits the non-existent boundary between the conscious and unconscious realms, dreams and reality, and layers one emotion alongside another with its bottomless supply of creative bars (his cadence of memorable and imaginative punchlines is matched by few indeed). The dreamy canvas was painted by producers TwentyFifthNight, August Fanon, Roper Williams, Wavy Bagels, Theravada, melik, and Wifigawd. DREAMDROPDRAGON is another strong work from this talented artist, perfectly balancing between fascinating complexity and a mundanity that everyone can easily relate to. “The shape of the road doesn’t matter as long as one keeps moving forward…” Grip over all things.
29. Action Bronson – JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR
Action Bronson is a rapper, artist, songwriter, chef, and wrestler. He specializes in many things, but, as he would say, he specializes in life. You’d be hard-pressed to find a more charismatic rapper; wherever Bronson is, you can feel his presence. His rap style is just as distinctive and will give you positive energy. JOHANN SEBASTIAN BACHLAVA THE DOCTOR offers exactly what you expect from it. Produced by Bronson himself, The Alchemist, and Daringer, you can look forward to dense, beautiful, and glorious beats that will get your blood pumping. Bronson seems like a mythical figure behind the mic; his extravagant lyrics are full of hyperbole yet personal, honest, and emotional. Featuring guest appearances from Al, Yung Mehico, Meyhem Lauren, Larry June, and Julian Love, the album will be over very fast, and you’ll want to hear it again and again.
28. unruly – BLACK BELOVED
unruly, known for his unique approach to rap, once again surprises and captivates with his new album, BLACK BELOVED. This project is a true work of art, full of deep emotions and thoughts that confirm his uniqueness and talent. The album opens with the Intro, the lyrics of which immediately impress with their depth and introspective nature. unruly reflects on his experiences and findings from the past, touching on topics such as love, pain, war, and negative influences, and it is already evident here that the listener is in for a journey full of introspection and personal revelations. One of the album’s strongest points is its minimalist production, which suits Unruly perfectly. This style allows his lyrics and emotions to come through fully, creating a dark and immersive atmosphere. The album features guest artists such as UNKNOWN INK and Armani Jordan. BLACK BELOVED is a masterpiece that showcases unruly as one of the most talented artists in the current rap scene. The album offers a deep and honest experience that gives fans a glimpse into his mind and heart. This dark, emotional, and thought-rich record is a testament to his uniqueness.
27. Willie The Kid & V DON – Deutshe Marks IV
Willie The Kid and V Don returned last year with the sequel to their iconic Deutsche Marks series, and this time they brought even more firepower. With guest appearances from ETO, Rome Streetz, Abe Linx, Tully C, ANKHLEJOHN, and even one and only The Alchemist, this album is exactly the type of project that fans of sharp and intellectually challenging rap seek out. One of the key moments is the track WIN LOSE DRAW, where Willie composes verses full of layered double entendres and imagery that will make you think, stop, and play it again. The bars show Willie’s lyrical mastery and his ability to blend pop culture with the harsh realities of the streets. Each bar is carefully thought out and packed with references that stay true to his style, elegant yet ruthlessly honest. V Don excels at production, creating a dark, haunting atmosphere that fits perfectly with Willie’s storytelling. His beats are full of raw loops and heavy drums, giving the album just the right energy while maintaining its minimalist style. Willie’s bars on Deutsche Marks IV resonate like a mantra of survival, wisdom, and awareness. RIP Abe Linx.
26. Da$H & HTN – Quiet Storm
If you’re expecting a calm ride, you might as well listen to another album, because Da$H and producer HTN are coming up with a record that will take you deep like a submarine in a storm. Quit Storm is pure raw vibe, no filter, no censorship, just darkness, beats, and real talk. This collaboration is like a symbiosis; HTN draws a dense atmosphere full of jazzy samples, dark bass, and minimal percussion while Da$H serves up lyrics like he has the weight of the world on his shoulders. The tracklist may be compact, but it certainly doesn’t disappoint. Feats from Twelve’Len and Mike Shabb are fresh, but the star of the show is Man-Z, who has three cuts here. He stands out the most on the track Dialogue, where Da$H and Man-Z compose a lyrical mosaic full of metaphors, emotion, and raw reality. Here you really hear Da$H living the truth of the street, where the rules are an illusion and only the strong survive. Each track is like a diary entry, a reflection of self-confidence, desperation, struggle, and faith in a better tomorrow. Da$H teeters on the edge of melancholy and unique swag, while HTN lays the perfect ground for every word. This project is not for those looking for party hits but for anyone who wants to feel the weight of life on the beats. Quit Storm is like riding in a storm where every wave is different, but they all push you to keep going. Da$H shows that even in the darkest of times there is light; you just have to find it.
25. Mike Shabb – SEWASIDE III
From the first moment we heard SEWASIDE II and Bokleen World three years ago, we knew Mike Shabb was going to be a star. The talent from Montreal has everything a rap artist could dream of. His wide range of abilities is something that makes him one of a kind, and his latest album, SEWASIDE III, is a breathtaking and distinctive piece of art. Mike Shabb has come a long way since 2016, when he released the first installment of the Sewaside series, but rap still runs through his veins. SEWASIDE III is like a gallery of the best of modern rap. From the first minute, you’ll be amazed at the sheer creativity that oozes from the record. The album is both introspective and monumental. Mike Shabb isn’t afraid to describe all his feelings, yet he manages to come up with an incredibly catchy chorus. Mike Shabb is not only a talented rapper but also a producer. His beats combine a variety of genres, from jazz to trap. He is backed by a plethora of world-class guests, including Navy Blue and Boldy James. SEWASIDE III is the next level in his career, and we honestly have no idea where he can take it next.
24. Real Bad Man & Lukah – Temple Needs Water. Village Needs Peace.
Temple Needs Water. Village Needs Peace. The title of the album is already a harbinger of something unusual, mysterious, and thought-provoking. Rapper Lukah and producer Real Bad Man have teamed up to create a rap opus that helped define the rap year 2024. Lukah is one of the best rappers of his generation. His records offer a unified and cohesive sound yet feature a diverse array of thick beats like boom bap, g-funk, and soul. Behind the mic, Lukah is absolutely bulletproof and raps with an urgency all his own. His greatest weapon, however, is the lyrics themselves and the album concepts that are connected to them. It’s always been this way, yet we dare say something has changed with the latest album. Lukah sounds more relaxed than ever before, and he’s not afraid to venture into excellent singing passages. Temple Needs Water. Village Needs Peace. is a philosophical exploration of the nature of community, spirituality, and transformation. The album will take you into a trance-like state in which you will reflect on personal and spiritual achievements and explore the duality of knowledge, unseen forces, and the cyclical nature of life and death. The album reflects on growth, resilience, duty, ancestral wisdom, and the healing power of words, culminating in a celebration of inner peace and communal harmony. The backbone for these thought-provoking themes, which hark back to nature, African tribes, and the very roots of humanity, is provided by Real Bad Man and his glorious beats. Portishead‘s Adrian Utley, Preston Crump, and Shabaka Hutchings also contributed to the beats. This album will stay with you long after the last track is over. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so here is the video for Why Look Up, God’s In The Mirror (A Short Film).
23. 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 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.
22. SOO DO KOO x thxk_u – DWELLING ON EVENTS
For the historians: it was 2024, and SOO DO KOO had released fourteen great albums. We’re not even surprised anymore; we’ve gotten used to this artist just being different. Why did we choose DWELLING ON EVENTS, the first part of a special trilogy with producer thxk_u? We don’t know ourselves. Maybe it’s the great sound of the project, its short duration, and the urgency associated with it; maybe that’s not even the reason. The important thing is that this is an album created by SOO DO KOO. The situation in the world is not rosy at all; we are witnessing an environmental catastrophe, several simultaneous wars, and genocides. All of these issues are important to address to build communities and be activists, yet there is also a need for rest, peace, and some escape. That’s what DWELLING ON EVENTS can offer you, a place where we reflect together on all that is happening around us. DWELLING ON EVENTS is the work of a young artist who writes into his music all the melancholy that stems from his personal life as well as from what’s happening in society and does it in such a solidary, empathetic, stylish, and natural way that you can live with it. We’ll put our hands in the fire for that. thxk_u produced some of the best beats SOO DO KOO rapped to last year, adding a new dimension to his words. Unfortunately, no music video was released for the album, so we are attaching the video for the track SOBBING LIKE HE BRETT FAVRE. Support the artist on Bandcamp.
21. Mutant Academy – 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 distinctive and talented artists, as Professor X from the X-Men comics would say, gifted youngsters. They’ve been in the rap game for over a decade, but just last year they released their debut group album, Keep Holly Alive. Seventeen tracks await you on the album; the only guest is Quelle Chris, and you won’t miss the other guests. The album is specific because of the mutual chemistry of all the artists from the group. Keep Holly Alive is a modern, almost hour-long album that will constantly surprise you, and you won’t get tired of it. It’s like a huge art gallery where you don’t know where to look first; you just soak up your surroundings and process all the stimuli that will later provide inspiration. One memorable beat follows another; Fly Anakin, Big Kahuna OG, and Henny L.O. complement each other perfectly, rapping about a range of interesting topics, changing flows, and not missing any catchy choruses. Keep Holly Alive is a group album we haven’t had in a long time. It’s fun all the way through, full of innovative techniques and endless creativity.
