Welcome to Rap Weekly 135: Joey Bada$$ vs. West Coast. Every Monday, we’ll take you into the world of rap and summarise the most exciting news, announcements and can’t-miss stories. Find out everything you need to know in one place. We only write about the best, so you get the best rap delicacies on a golden platter. We review the albums For; Before by amitai sno, EGONOMICS by Valee & Harry Fraud, SOMEONE POISONED THE MEDICINE MAN by MONEY MOGLY & LAWS, Profit & Loss by 2 Eleven and Midnight Blassic by ApolloRed1. Also look forward to great music videos from IDK, Rico Nasty, CRIMEAPPLE & DJ SKIZZ, Jadasea, Lord Sko, Niontay, 2 Chainz, Lil Yachty, or AJ Tracey. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Joey Bada$$ vs. West Coast
The second round of a tangled rap beef has begun, so it’s a good time to make sense of what’s going on. Joey Bada$$ kicked off the year with an excellent single, The Ruler’s Back, in which he confidently took shots at West Coast artists. It didn’t take long before Ray Vaughn from TDE took Joey’s words to heart and fired back on the track Crashout Heritage, spitting much more aggressive and direct bars over the beat of Kendrick’s The Heart Pt. 6. Ray even tagged Joey on Instagram, making sure everyone knew it was a response. A new rap battle was born. On the day of his 30th birthday, Joey turned up the heat again. He jumped on another beat by Conductor Williams and released the track Sorry Not Sorry, complete with a phenomenal music video. Ray clapped back, and artists like AzChike also joined the fray. Joey Bada$$ responded with the track Pardon Me, and for a few weeks, there was a ceasefire.
The truce was short-lived — the battle is back on. It all reignited last week at the Red Bull Spiral Freestyle event, where Joey Bada$$, Big Sean, and Ab-Soul performed side by side. It was an unusual lineup, considering Ab-Soul is a TDE member and a voice of the West Coast. In his freestyle, he addressed Joey, explaining that he had to stand up for his label, though he sees diss tracks as a form of sport. However, Joey followed Soul’s verse with another jab at the West Coast. This provocation didn’t sit well with Ray, who just a few hours later dropped the track Hoe Era, launching another barrage. Joey fired back with THE FINALS, calling on New York to rally behind him. But instead of NY MCs entering the ring, it was REASON who stepped up with the track The Dead Apple. His diss takes a broader view, diving deep into the East vs. West rivalry. Where will this rap warhead go next?
NEWS
Soulberg
A few weeks ago, we brought the news that Ab-Soul would soon be releasing a single produced by Roc Marciano. This announcement got us truly excited, as it bridges the worlds of a star rapper from TDE, who dropped the excellent album Soul Burger last year, and one of our all-time favorite artists. All signs now point to this being more than just a single —we’re likely getting a full-length album. Yes, you read that right: Roc Marciano posted on Instagram, tagging both himself and Ab-Soul, and wrote, “fully produced by me.” The word “fully” most likely hints at a complete project. We can hopefully expect the lead single and an official announcement very soon. Curious about how good of a producer Roc Marciano really is? Listen to the recently released album The Round Table, which he fully produced for Knowledge the Pirate.
Mink On The Floor
Metro Boomin and Curren$y are artists who need no introduction. The world-renowned producer shook up the rap scene last year with two albums alongside Future, while Curren$y proved with this year’s Never Catch Us that he still belongs among the rap elite. What many may not know is that Curren$y actually appeared on Metro’s debut mixtape, 19 & Boomin, back in 2013. The rapper is featured on the track Mink On The Floor, which will now lend its name to their upcoming joint album. Yes, you read that right — the two artists exchanged several tweets and officially announced a collaborative project. Curren$y even posted the tweets to his Instagram, making it clear this isn’t just friendly banter but a serious announcement of a highly anticipated partnership.
Slick Rick is back
The legendary The Ruler is back. After a long 26 years since his last album, Slick Rick rises from the rap throne to deliver VICTORY, an ambitious visual album that blends his irreplaceable storytelling style with the global vision of British artist and actor Idris Elba. This project is set to release on June 13, 2025, through 7Wallace in collaboration with Mass Appeal. The album was developed over four years between London and France, and its visual component — directed by Meji Alabi (known for Black Is King by Beyoncé) — was filmed across three continents: the USA, the UK, and Africa. That alone speaks to the scope of the work. Rick isn’t just telling his story — he’s paying tribute to his roots and to the culture that shaped him. The visual album will run for 30 minutes, but the energy it radiates will launch you on a much longer journey. This isn’t just a comeback. This is a manifesto. And with guests like Nas, Giggs, and Estelle, you already know that every word will carry weight.
QUICK NEWS
- Grubby Pawz breaks down the production of the beat for the track ARTMONEY/DOPEMONEY from the album COLDEST COMBO EVER.
- Kemp Dupri and August Fanon are working on a joint album set to be released this summer.
- Cookin Soul has released The Gunn Tape, featuring ten Westside Gunn remixes.
- The album Balance by Masta Killa drops on May 30, so make sure to check out the single Eagle Claw (feat. Raekwon and Cappadonna).
- Rome Streetz is back on Real Late, delivering hard-hitting bars over a classic Conductor Williams beat! Their joint album is just around the corner.
BEST ALBUMS
amitai sno – For; Before review
amitai sno, a rapper from Kansas City, Missouri, first caught our attention in 2023 with the album Red Earth (w/ MaulistikTheMaker). Since then, he’s released several excellent singles, including the phenomenal project A.C.O.R. (w/ Adam Dunn, Shakim Shallah, and AGHETTOPHILOSOPHER). But we had to wait until last week for his fourth full-length release. For; Before is the rapper’s strongest work to date — it builds on his previous projects while offering a more refined, cohesive, yet more diverse vision. For; Before goes deep: amitai sno doesn’t just rap to you, he raps through you. He pierces the illusions of the current system, yet still searches for beauty in the world. His emotions weave a mosaic that reflects the injustices of late-stage capitalism, but also the hope, power of art, and strength of community. The album features a wide array of talented collaborators. On the mic, you’ll hear Z1ro, Omari Dee, ÅGĦETTØPĦIŁØSØPĦER, HIDDEN GEM, meka maraschino, SINBAD, WuLxrdShakim, and Unknown Inc. Production comes from MaulistikTheMaker, Soek, DEADPAN, Chasay, Mack, BLOODBLIXING, Mal’Ahk Kasa, Kiaah, Sumwon, and Chiarelli!. Despite the long list of producers, the album holds a powerful vision and delivers a rich yet compact soundscape. The beats are truly beautiful, filled with stunning samples that embrace your soul, while the rapper’s distinctive voice — instantly recognizable — hypnotizes you and takes you on a nearly hour-long journey into his world. Let the outside world fade away — only rap and music remain. Pure beauty. While no music video accompanied the release, we’re sharing the full album here.
Valee & Harry Fraud – EGONOMICS review
Sometimes charisma is all you need to create a great record. Summer is approaching, and if you’re looking for fun and laid-back rap for those sun-soaked, easygoing days, we’ve got just the album for you. Rap rarely gets more entertaining: Valee & Harry Fraud return in top form — EGONOMICS is a psychedelic ride full of dope tracks. The duo had already teamed up on Virtuoso back in 2023, and this year they’ve dusted off that formula and spiced it up. EGONOMICS will turn even the Czech Republic into Miami — Harry Fraud delivers excellent beats that taste salty like the sea, feel spacious like a five-star hotel lobby, and glide free like a nighttime city cruise. Valee wraps you up in his mostly laid-back flow, charisma, and clever punchlines — the more obvious they are, the harder they hit. Add a roster of star-studded guest features, and you’ve got the soundtrack for the whole block. Anyone can have fun with this record, and that’s its strength — it doesn’t pretend to be anything else; it’s brutally honest and deadly smooth. There’s no official music video for the album just yet, so we’re sharing the video for the track Uppity (feat. Z Money) instead.
ApolloRed1 – Midnight Blassic review
When darkness becomes the language of the day: ApolloRed1 arrives with the album Midnight Blassic, which feels like a night ride through a city where blue lights flash, sirens break the silence, and your mind spins with thoughts you can’t switch off. Midnight Blassic is a raw project — unpolished, with no masks. Instead of motivation or hope, we’re given reality: one shaped by survival, distrust, isolation, drugs, and violence. The track Georgia Boy is perhaps the clearest statement of the mindset that drives the entire album. This isn’t storytelling, nor is it reflection — it’s a stream of associations. Apollo talks about guns, drugs, and luxury, but not to flex — rather, he reflects an environment where these things aren’t “cool,” but ordinary. Sometimes he exaggerates, and often he provokes — but that’s part of the style. Sonically, the album sticks to a suffocating, industrial space. The production is gritty, with dirty beats often built on dark loops and heavy basslines. This project won’t be for everyone. The lyrics frequently walk a fine line — and sometimes cross it. The language is aggressive, and the world it describes is far removed from the everyday life of most listeners. But if this kind of rap interests you — as a raw mirror of certain communities and realities — then Midnight Blassic makes perfect sense. There’s no official music video for the album, so we’re sharing the video for the track 00President instead.
MONEY MOGLY & LAWS – SOMEONE POISONED THE MEDICINE MAN recenze
MONEY MOGLY and LAWS aren’t chasing trends or algorithms on their new album. Instead, they serve up seventeen tracks that feel like writing from the margins — from a place where you’re drowning in your own words, and hardly anyone speaks back. It’s a project that makes sense mostly to those who know the feeling of talking into silence. The intro, Still Got Something 2 Prove, sets the tone: no flexing, just a quiet pressure — a reminder that you still have something to prove, mostly to yourself. That energy runs throughout the record: introspective, sometimes raw, sometimes fragile. Roscoes (produced by YUSEI) gives the lyrics space to breathe, while Russia Gate or FANGZ hits harder but never loses focus. The strongest moments come when LAWS and MOGLY lean into themes of identity, values, and internal conflict. The Stand isn’t moralizing — it reflects on how hard it is to keep your word in a world where no one’s waiting for it. It’s a personal statement, but never self-pitying. Tracks like Eventually or Wait 4 Me embrace silence and doubt — they work precisely because they’re not trying to impress. Guests like NOEMOTION GOLDMASK, Joey DaSilva, and PRO THE ARTIST fit naturally into the concept, never stealing the spotlight. Production by REM DOLLA, FALAK, IFEEL, CVLT, and others is varied but cohesive. The beats aren’t flashy —they’re a backdrop for storytelling. This isn’t a one-listen album. It’s not for everyone — and that’s okay. It’s a deeply personal project, an escape chamber for two rappers who don’t need gold plating or approval. It’s enough that they speak. And that’s what they say carries weight.
2 Eleven – Profit & Loss review
2 Eleven doesn’t care about image or concepts on Profit & Loss. He says things the way they are. From the streets of LA, he brings notes on survival, money, relationships, and distrust. He’s not playing savior or philosopher. He speaks the language of someone who’s been through enough to not need to prove anything. The track Get Some Money isn’t a motivational anthem. It’s a reminder of the pressure where lack equals a loss of dignity. Sometimes cold, sometimes bitter, but never fake. The production stands on solid ground – West Coast groove, heavy beats, a bit old school, a bit modern. Nothing fights for attention. Everything fits into a whole that’s meant to work, not impress. The features (Jay Rock, G Perico) feel natural, with no attempt at drama. The entire album feels more like a record. Not a statement, not a manifesto. Just a snapshot of the current state. Somewhere between exhaustion and calm. No shouting, no moral message. Just what’s left when a man does what he knows – and knows why.
DOPE ALBUMS
The five albums above aren’t the only ones you need to hear. We’ve handpicked ten more dope records that no one should sleep on. Give every one of these projects a shot — they all deserve your time.
The God Fahim & Nicholas Craven – Ultimate Dump Gawd
Xcel – The Caesar Project
Homeboy Sandman & Brand The Builder – Manners
Aminé – 13 Months of Sunshine
Big Dese & Confidence – Kool Moe Dese
Chuck D – Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon
Snoop Dogg – Iz It a Crime?
Sam R I & Sir Froderick – SAM R I
Snotty & Goodphella – The Blue Carpet
B.A Badd & Sypooda – Painted in hunger
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Sometimes, all it takes for a great music video is to authentically capture the artist’s life. The track CELiNE iN THE TRAP (B) could speak volumes.
The music video for CRASH by Rico Nasty radiates freedom and wild energy: just like the entire album. LETHAL is out now.
The album ROSE GOLD by CRIMEAPPLE & DJ SKIZZ drops this Friday. The single ORO ROSA promises something to look forward to.
The Corner: Vol.2 by Jadasea & Laron is on the way, and as the first music video shows, it’s going to be full of diamonds.
Lord Sko and a video by [DVD Couture Original]? Yessir, the clip for Girbaud Talk has that essential hip-hop atmosphere that other genres just can’t replicate.
DOPE VIDEOS
Our list of must-see music videos doesn’t stop at the top five. We’ve selected ten more fire clips you need to check out. Show some love to all the artists below — they truly deserve the spotlight.
King Grubb – Brick Pelican’s Lament (Redux)
Niontay – Triangle offense (feat. MAVI & Sideshow)
Jae Skeese – Shuttlesworth Form
TRAPMAT SAVIOR – APARTMENTS prod. dubergg + racksman888 (shot by potionvisuals
ILL Tone Beats – The Outcome (ft. Benny The Butcher)
2 Chainz, Lil Yachty – Sista Wives
AJ Tracey – Paid In Full (feat. Big Zuu, Wax, Ets & D7)
KOTA the Friend – COZY GIRLS Feat. Liana Bank$
T.F, Khrysis, SiR – What It Is (TGB)
Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams – Rule 4080
That’s a wrap on today’s news roundup. What caught your attention the most? Hit us up on Twitter, Instagram, Threads, TikTok or Bluesky We’ll be back next Monday with another dose of the Rap Weekly and fresh heat from the scene — don’t miss it!
