Welcome to Rap Weekly 137: Lotus. 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 Lotus by Little Simz, While The Iron Is Hot by Ovrkast., Magic, Alive! by McKinley Dixon, Black Hole Superette by Aesop Rock, The Man of Many Hats by Sean Links, and Trainspotting by Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams. Also look forward to great music videos from Samara Cyn, Smino, Grafh, OT The Real, Benny the Butcher, Daringer, Skylar Blatt, pulp Cruz, AJ Tracey, billy woods, MIKE, Tony Seltzer, Lunchbox, or MAVI & Earl Sweatshirt. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Little Simz – Lotus review
Little Simz, one of the most prominent artists of today, released her sixth studio album, Lotus, last week, following up on records like Sometimes I Might Be Introvert, which earned her both the Mercury Prize and BRIT Awards. After albums such as NO THANK YOU and Drop 7, Simz returns with a project that signals where her sound and artistic direction are heading next. Before diving into the album itself, it’s worth noting that Simz has been appointed curator of the 30th edition of the Meltdown festival, taking place from June 12 to June 22. She joins the ranks of legends like David Bowie and James Lavelle, a clear indication of how far she’s come.
In 2022, Little Simz was forced to cancel her U.S. tour due to financial difficulties. Shortly afterward, she ended her collaboration with her longtime manager—just weeks before winning the aforementioned Mercury Prize. Two months later, she released her fifth album, No Thank You, in which she explored, among other things, themes related to working in a male-dominated music industry. In March 2025, she filed a lawsuit against her longtime producer Inflo over an alleged unpaid debt. These betrayals from within the music industry—especially painful because they came from people Simz had known since childhood—are deeply reflected on her new album Lotus, which is full of both pain and anger. It’s no coincidence that the album opens with the track Thief, a story about a thief (a seller of lies), and ends with the intimate and introspective song Blue, emphasizing that the evil of the outside world must ultimately be conquered within ourselves. Between these two bookends lies a journey marked by self-doubt, pain, and vulnerability. These emotions have been transformed into music so monumental that it seems to dissolve into space—Little Simz begins to feel free. The soundscape of the album pulses with life, as Little Simz channels all her musical influences into a thunderous statement that once again affirms her unique power to deliver complex, vulnerable, and deeply personal themes in a way that mesmerizes everyone who listens.
NEWS
Ace Trumpets
The sixteen-year wait is finally over. The legendary duo Clipse (Pusha T and Malice) has announced their fourth studio album. Titled Let God Sort Em Out, the record is set for release on July 11 and will be entirely produced by Pharrell Williams. The duo aims to follow up on their classics Lord Willin’ (2002), Hell Hath No Fury (2006), and Til the Casket Drops (2009) in grand fashion. Clipse is leaving nothing to chance. Alongside an album trailer infused with mystery and hinting at something otherworldly and historic, they’ve released the lead single, Ace Trumpets, along with a lyrics video. On their official website, fans can already preorder the album in all formats or purchase exclusive merch. We also know that Kendrick Lamar will appear on the new record. His verse on the track Chains & Whips is one of the reasons why the duo left Def Jam and will now release the album under Roc Nation. Let God Sort Em Out is undoubtedly one of the most anticipated rap albums of the year—let’s hope it truly delivers.
what looms.
A new black-and-white documentary titled what looms. has been released on YouTube, focusing on the British rapper and writer known as languid looms. Directed by Jamie Flatters and produced by Our Second Cousin, the film presents a calm, contemplative experience built entirely around the artist’s monologue—without traditional interviews or archival footage. The film is woven with slow shots of cityscapes and nature, offering space to reflect on how looms. processes his past and how he perceives truth, society, and his own voice. This is not a search for sensation but a sincere exploration of the boundary between sharing and silence. looms. speaks calmly, without a need to shock. He describes what motivates his creativity and how his relationship with people—and solitude—has evolved. For him, truth is not just a creative principle but a personal challenge. He admits feeling a sense of relief as he becomes more integrated into society. At the same time, he openly acknowledges that there are parts of his past he still struggles to voice—not because he wants to hide them, but because he doesn’t want to hurt those who might hear them. He speaks about the weight he feels when he sees how his personal experiences cause pain in others. This inner conflict—between honesty and compassion—is one of the film’s central themes. what looms. is not a portrait of a “rapper” in the traditional sense. It is more a depiction of a person who uses language and rhythm to explore his own limits and search for a way to exist in the world without losing himself. In the silence and distance the film offers, space is made for questions that have no easy answers.
Spider Webbing Windshields
Boldy James is unstoppable—a sentence you’ve probably read in nearly every article we publish. The Detroit rapper, since surviving a near-fatal car accident (thankfully without lasting consequences), has released eleven albums. Yes, since January 2024, he’s dropped eleven projects, including several truly phenomenal ones. But the most anticipated Boldy releases of the year are still on the horizon. Just last week, he released the single Spider Webbing Windshields from his third collaboration with Nicholas Craven, set to drop on July 20. The producer revealed that this is how their second studio album would have sounded if Boldy James hadn’t been in a car accident, which he reflects on in the album Penalty of Leadership. A second single is scheduled for release on June 20. And the Craven-produced album isn’t the only heavy hitter on the way. Boldy has also revealed that a new project with The Alchemist is coming soon. If you’ve heard any of their previous work together, you already know this duo never misses.
QUICK NEWS
- Ab-Soul also has something to say: the rapper fired off several dozen bars aimed at the East Coast.
- Open Mike Eagle has announced the album Neighborhood Gods Unlimited, which is set to be released on July 11.
- Wow, YL, Lungs, phiik, and illsugi have announced a collaborative album, set to be released this August.
- Westside Gunn has announced the project HEELS HAVE EYES 2, which is expected to drop soon.
- The BRAP 2 (BIG RIFLES & PISTOLS) season is approaching: Estee Nack and V DON have released the lead single.
BEST ALBUMS
Aesop Rock – Black Hole Superette review
Voice, flows, beats, lyrics, atmosphere—few artists have crafted such a distinct and immediately recognizable style as Aesop Rock. The Rhymesayers Entertainment veteran has, over the past 25 years, released numerous classics, continually expanding a discography that now seems entirely without boundaries. And there are no boundaries to his latest album either, where stories from everyday life morph into cosmic star nebulae—yet still manage to find beauty right here on Earth. The infinite potential of the human mind: life is the boundless Black Hole Superette. Aesop Rock discovers dreamlike magic in the mundane—dogs, cats, snail invasions, and a heartbreaking elegy for a hamster. Once again, Aesop proves he’s among the greatest artists of his generation. Not only did he write another eighteen outstanding tracks, but he also fully self-produced the album. The soundscape is entirely original—Aesop diverges from the vibe of Integrated Tech Solutions and delivers something completely new. The album hit us with its deep love for people and all things ordinary and alive. Aesop is fascinated by the world around him, and that awe is embedded in the music. Black Hole Superette is a world you can escape into when this one feels like too much. And when you add guest appearances by Lupe Fiasco, Armand Hammer, Hanni El Khatib, Open Mike Eagle, and Homeboy Sandman, you’ve got the recipe for one of the best albums of the year.
Ovrkast. – While The Iron Is Hot review
Ovrkast., a rapper and producer from Oakland, has released his new album, While The Iron Is Hot, all while remaining true to his natural position—on the border between underground presence and hushed authorship, where every phrase feels like a reflection on itself. Even the album’s title signals that Ovrkast. speaks in the present tense. While the iron is hot, the blows land—but not with theatrical force. Instead, they carry the awareness that time moves faster than emotion. The album is deeply personal and formally diverse, but more than genre shifts, it captivates through language—through the way Ovrkast. thinks in rhymes, building verses as layered constructions of meaning, texture, and occasional internal tension. The track truth? exemplifies this—it’s not a straightforward narrative but a stream of associations, blending biography, critique, self-reflection, and linguistic play. Guest appearances from MAVI, Vince Staples, Saba, Frsh Waters, and Malaya feel more like parts of a community than flashy name drops. Their presence deepens the atmosphere rather than distracts from it. Each contributes a distinct voice and lived experience, yet none overshadows the cohesive world that Ovrkast. carefully maintains. Production-wise, While The Iron Is Hot moves between lo-fi aesthetics and cleanly produced beats—but never crosses into overly polished territory. The project weaves jazz, boom bap, and electronic elements, though no single influence dominates. Everything is in service of the rhythm of the voice, which acts not just as an instrument but as a tool for thinking. Ovrkast. doesn’t present himself as someone who has it all figured out—quite the opposite.
McKinley Dixon – Magic, Alive! review
McKinley Dixon, a rapper from Richmond, Virginia, is one of the most compelling voices in contemporary hip-hop—an artist who builds entire worlds shaped by his lived experiences. He first reached a broader audience through the critically acclaimed albums For My Mama and Anyone Who Look Like Her (2021) and Beloved! Paradise! Jazz!? (2023), both essential listens and cornerstones of modern rap storytelling. But McKinley Dixon is more than a brilliant storyteller—he’s also a captivating performer. His live set at Prague Sounds proved that his deeply emotional narratives, which often work best as full-album experiences, can still carry raw, magnetic energy on stage. His latest release, Magic, Alive!, is steeped in that same spellbinding power. This is cinematic rap storytelling at its finest—an album you won’t want to pause once you press play. The concept follows three children grieving the loss of their best friend, spiraling into confusion and searching for a way to bring him back—or at least reconnect to ensure their bond doesn’t end with death. Dixon leads listeners with the same charisma found in artists like Quelle Chris, while the album’s musical range recalls the adventurous spirit of OutKast. Tracks like We’re Outside, Rejoice are hypnotic, laced with emotional depth, humor, and immersive beats. The production—rich with jazz flourishes—is phenomenal, and the album is elevated by a roster of standout guests, led by the incredible Teller Bank$. With Magic, Alive!, McKinley Dixon once again proves he can craft rap albums that breathe with life, love, and a deep sense of community—all while preserving raw emotional authenticity and lyrical sharpness.
Sean Links – The Man of Many Hats review
The opening track, MY NAME, acts as a sharp introduction to a living legend in motion. Sean Links invites us into his domain, where each hat he wears represents a role: rapper, hustler, father, survivor. The short, confident intro flows directly into CALCULATED, a track built on street chess and razor-sharp bars. Every move is precise. Nothing is left to chance. Tracks like BURNING BRIDGES and MOOD SWINGS explore the darker corners of Sean’s world—where alliances fall and emotions shift, yet the bars remain unshakably solid. The production stays minimal: dusty drums and jazz-kissed loops that keep the focus on delivery and content. On TECH SUPPORT, Sean spins a clever metaphor—he’s not fixing laptops, he’s recalibrating mindsets. Then comes MAN OF THE YEAR, not a bid for industry recognition, but a declaration of self-worth earned through consistency and street-level respect—something most rappers can’t maintain. WAVY EDITION sees Sean loosening the flow, riding the beat with the ease of a seasoned surfer. But the serenity doesn’t last—HOUSE OF THE GODS hits hard with biblical references and sermon-like bars from a preacher with a Glock tucked under his robe. With CASH ONLY and NC SHIT, Sean shouts out his roots and principles. Payment isn’t just in cash—it’s in actions. The album closes with REALLY THAT, a triumphant and chilling affirmation of his skillset. The beat thunders, the words sting, and everything clicks like a crown on the head of a street philosopher. Sean Links isn’t just playing the rap game. He’s the referee, the coach, and the owner of the league.
Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams – Trainspotting review
The train is in motion. Trainspotting, the collaborative album from Rome Streetz and producer Conductor Williams, isn’t just a boom-bap journey along the tracks—it’s a freight train loaded with explosives, tearing through the concrete foundations of the underground scene and firing off siren-like warning shots along the way. There are no lies on board. Rome is full throttle, and Conductor, true to his name, orchestrates the ride with surgical precision. Right from the jump, Andre Agassi sets the tone like a blistering warm-up volley. Rome is in his signature form—razor-sharp cadence and bar-for-bar firepower, lobbing punchlines like Agassi in a Wimbledon final. Conductor’s beats are not mere backdrops; they are landscapes. On tracks like Connie’s Revenge or M*A*S*H, he crafts a noir soundtrack, steeped in smoke and streetlight shadows, turning each verse into a cinematic reel of Bronx survival. Then comes the Method Man feature on Ricky Bobby—and Meth isn’t just showing up for legacy minutes. He comes to elevate, bringing gravitas and grit. Another standout is 10 Toes with Jay Worthy—a West Coast Cadillac cruising through East Coast alleyways. The chemistry? Unlikely on paper, seamless in execution. The climax arrives with Resource Room, a two-part suite where Rome mixes raw street poetry with ego-laced introspection, like he’s freestyling from the steps of his own statue. The production shape-shifts from manic, high-octane aggression to a darker, gospel-tinged finale. It’s no longer about flexing—it’s about survival. Rome Streetz raps like every bar might buy him a piece of redemption—but still keeps a revolver tucked behind his back. Trainspotting isn’t just another album. It’s a moving weapon.
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.
tau – Matters of Substance
Vic Spencer & Bucky Lunger – Insterstate Potluck
T.F & Khrysis – The Green Bottle
Lord OLO & TELEVANGEL – Demon Slayer 2
Bruiser Wolf – POTLUCK
MONEY MOGLY & Machacha – WOLFY BOY WOMAC
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Baggage Claims
Jords – Mixtape J
Defcee & Parallel Thought – Other Blues
Lil Wayne – Tha Carter VI
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Samara Cyn and Smino shine like brand new teeth in a brilliant music video.
Ain’t Nothing Move by Grafh, OT The Real, and Harry Fraud is a cinematic journey into the underworld of American metropolises.
$ & Power is what they want, but the hypnotic beat by Daringer is all Benny the Butcher and Skylar Blatt need.
DIGGGERS did it again: pulp Cruz introduces himself to the world in a brilliant music video with an equally outstanding track.
A heart-wrenching personal confession? AJ Tracey reminds us in his new music video that his third album is dropping this Friday.
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.
MIKE & Tony Seltzer – Dolemite (feat. Lunchbox)
MAVI – Landgrab feat. Earl Sweatshirt
T.F, Khrysis & Curren$y – Nostalgia
LIFEOFTHOM – SUBSTANCE ft. Nali
KASE2/WHAT’S NEW? (COUPLE OF THINGS) – al.divino #aMercenaryFilm
Mr. Muthafuckin’ eXquire – The Magic Is Y.O.U
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!
