Welcome to Rap Weekly 139: MadRaps. 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 hopefully! by Loyle Carner, LIVE! At The Disco by ANKHLEJOHN & August Fanon, The Color Chocolate 2 by Che Noir, the day after… by whereisfox x shemar, A Lost Language Found by Lukah & Statik Selektah. Also look forward to great music videos from Clipse, Sunmundi & Sasco, FERG, Estee Nack & V Don, ovrkast., or Benny the Butcher. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
MadRaps
It’s a bit unusual for us to choose a short, exclusive EP as the release of the week — but this time, there’s no other way. Rap has gone mad. Two rap heavyweights have joined forces on an exclusive EP: Madlib & Rapsody have released MadRaps. Could a full-length album be on the way?
The EP was released exclusively on cassette and vinyl, and you can purchase it here. Yes, you read that right — you won’t find it on streaming platforms, only a short preview is available to listen. The EP consists of two tracks: Daddy’s Girl and Avon Thru The Wire. Even though it’s just two songs, the entire EP is treated with the utmost care. Rapsody wrote about the project: “Peace, loved ones! While I continue working on the next album, I wanted to share a couple records Madliv´b & I created. These are the first two songs we recorded once we connected. Spiritual. Thank you Saleem Gyau. Artwork by the phenomenal pvtso. More to come, but in the meantime I hope you enjoy these.” Does this mean a full Madlib-produced album is on the horizon, or will he contribute just a few more tracks? We’ll have to wait and see.
NEWS
Pressure…
We don’t usually give much attention to instrumental projects on our site — which is a real shame. There’s no need to explain that these are just as thought-provoking and meticulously crafted as albums with rappers, and they hold a solid place in the scene. One of the best producers regularly delivering outstanding instrumental albums — almost every quarter — is August Fanon. The phenomenal producer has been working at double capacity in recent years. Just this year, he’s released albums with Sleep Sinatra, Blu, and most recently with ANKHLEJOHN — their joint project LIVE! At The Disco is covered below. We remain fascinated by how masterfully August Fanon tells stories through beats and samples of music, interviews, movie scenes, performances, and speeches. His new album Pressure… is the kind of project we urgently need today — a powerful statement against oppression, imperialism, and structural racism. It’s communal, activist, and liberating.
Sound and Fury
Rap is magical in many ways — and one of its greatest spells lies in the unexpected collaborations between a talented artist and a producer. An album fully produced by a single person has been part of the genre since its beginnings, and every year brings partnerships we never even dreamed of. Last week, Homeboy Sandman and Sonnyjim announced a joint album. Titled Soli Deo Gloria, it’s set to drop on July 24. You can already pre-order the vinyl and watch the lead music video. What can we expect? Let’s hear it from the artists themselves: “Soli Deo Gloria, Latin for “Glory to God Alone,” is the new 10-track collaborative album from NYC wordsmith Homeboy Sandman and Sonnyjim, UK’s double threat who sets aside his rapping prowess to focus entirely on production. The title isn’t just a nod to the sacred; it’s a declaration of purpose. This is hip-hop without compromise — razor-sharp lyricism laid bare over smoky, sample-rich grooves. More than a collection of songs, Soli Deo Gloria plays like a reflection on purpose, presence, and personal freedom. “Whatever happens is supposed to happen. So relax. Read. Never give up. Lead with love. Be yourself and love yourself,” Homeboy Sandman concludes.”
Next 2 U
Back in March, we informed you that after fifteen years of silence, Erykah Badu is set to return with a brand new album — fully produced by The Alchemist. The neo-soul icon has joined forces with one of the most respected producers of our time, and the result promises to be her sixth studio album — potentially unlike anything she’s ever released. One of the most anticipated records of the decade is beginning to take shape: the artists have dropped the lead single Next 2 U. The single is, of course, phenomenal — but what truly excites us is The Alchemist’s enthusiasm. He dedicated the track to Prodigy of Mobb Deep (Rest in Peace), and the entire project is a dream come true for him. The album will be titled ABI & ALAN, and although we don’t yet have an official release date, we’re betting it’ll drop by the end of September.
BEST ALBUMS
Loyle Carner – hopefully! review
Benjamin Gerard Coyle-Larner, known by his stage name Loyle Carner, is a British hip-hop artist who refuses to be confined to a single genre. His music is without borders or barriers—vibrant and diverse. Loyle began his career supporting various rappers on tour before releasing his debut album, Yesterday’s Gone, in 2017, which earned a Mercury Prize nomination. This was followed by Not Waving, but Drowning (2019) and hugo (2022), which he now follows up with his fourth album, released last week. Music as a tool for soul healing—the album hopefully! embraces you. Some albums reveal the key to deeply empathizing with the artist’s vision right from the cover—and hopefully! is one of them! We’re invited to drop our armor and our masks and allow ourselves to be soothed. To heal, we must face our pain and stop hiding. Loyle Carner opens the doors to his body, mind, and soul, letting pain, exhaustion, and disappointment flow through the music. And with Navy Blue featured on the album—do you really need more reasons to press play?
ANKHLEJOHN & August Fanon – LIVE! At The Disco review
ANKHLEJOHN & August Fanon — these two artists truly know how to move us, and we’re grateful to live in a time when we can soak up their art. ANKHLEJOHN, aka LORDY, already dropped an excellent album this year, The Michelin Man (with Cookin Soul), and Fanon is unstoppable as well. The phenomenal producer has been working at double capacity in recent years, releasing albums with artists like Sleep Sinatra, Blu, and the outstanding instrumental album Pressure…, which we mentioned earlier. Life memories, experiences, and stories shining like a disco ball — the album LIVE! At The Disco by ANKHLEJOHN & August Fanon is equally immersive. The production was handled by Fanon, so it’s no surprise the album boasts a truly unique soundscape — expect influences from disco, a key genre in hip-hop’s origins — with beats pulsing full of vibrant energy. Some of the standout moments on this cohesive record include DAY BY DAY, filled with self-reflection and personal growth, and DIGITAL LOVE, where LORDY gives a shoutout to Vic Spencer, who has an iconic series with Fanon called Psychological Cheat Sheet. Unfortunately, no official music video was released for the album, so here’s the video for the track FEEL THE BREEZE.
Che Noir – The Color Chocolate 2 review
“Che Noir is among the best rappers of today, and every year we praise her projects for being incredibly thought-provoking, authentic, and admirable.” We wrote this sentence in March of this year when we were praising the album Seeds In Babylon (with Superior). Only three months have passed, and the rapper from Buffalo is back with another outstanding project. Che Noir has released a follow-up to last year’s EP — bigger, better, and more insightful. She masterfully describes social inequalities and the darkness that stems from them like few others. Her talent shines fully on the track Buy vs Sell, where she draws an equal sign between drug sellers and buyers — both groups intertwined, self-destructive, and hurtling toward inevitable tragedy. That Che Noir takes her rap seriously is also proven by two excellent music videos released alongside the album.
Lukah & Statik Selektah – A Lost Language Found review
When it comes to monumental conceptual albums, no one does it better than Lukah. The artist from Memphis ranks among the best rappers of his generation. His records offer a unified and cohesive sound, yet feature a diverse range of dense beats like boom bap, g-funk, and soul. Behind the mic, Lukah is absolutely bulletproof, rapping with urgency all his own. However, his greatest weapon lies in his lyrics and the album concepts connected to them, as he already proved with Raw Extractions (2022), Permanently Blackface (The 1st Expression) (2023), or Temple Needs Water. Village Needs Peace. (2023). His latest project is no exception. On the album A Lost Language Found, produced by Statik Selektah, he explores social inequalities through a discussion of language. As the second track — South Still Speaking — announces, Lukah represents Memphis with both pride and a keen sense of detail. The entire album is woven through with the culture of the place that shaped him, which is also reflected in the guest list: Killer Mike, Bun B, Termanology, Passport Rav, Propain, Jay Worthy, Evryday Saints, Stooky Bros, 8Ball, and Adajyo. Yes, you read that right — the legendary 8Ball features on the album. Lukah reflects on the role of language in American society in a uniquely complex way — its place within an unjust system and the power people hold through it. Fourteen tracks, two masters in their fields, and 69 minutes of top-tier rap.
whereisfox x shemar – the day after… review
the day after… what will it be like? The answers to this question are sought through the chaos and in a time when hope is melting away, by whereisfox and shemar on their joint album. A few weeks ago, shemar stunned us with the piece emerge “n” see, a monumental album with a revolutionary undertone sounding the alarm. Similarly current, urgent, and intense is his other album this year, where he is not primarily found as a rapper but as a producer. The main star behind the mic is whereisfox from Texas. The first thing the listener notices is the phenomenal cover by Brian Kwon. What can melting hope look like? “We used to dream about making a mill, now I just think about paying these bills and finding time to be still,” raps whereisfox on the track house of mirrors. Inner fatigue, the need to slow down, and the need to find a moment of peace in hectic times are themes running through the entire album and easy for everyone to relate to. The atmosphere of the tracks always surprises, and the beats stick in your head.
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.
Maxo – Mars Is Electric
Samara Cyn – Backroads
Bas & The Hics – Melanchronica
cisco moon & Stevie! – What’s Left?
Fashawn & Marc Spano – Capital
Ghais Guevara – The Other 2/5ths or: The Absolutely True Diary of a Part-Time Trench Baby
Nick Grant – I Took It Personal
Chubs – Bruiser Brody 2
4-IZE & Bronze Nazareth – Slaveboats With Seatbelts
Dump Gawd: Hyperbolic Time Chamber Rap 14
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
The spectacular return of the legendary duo: Clipse has released the second single from their eagerly awaited album.
Sunmundi & Sasco have released the second music video from their album Contacting, which will be released on July 11. Trust us: you’re in for a truly unique project.
Demons by FERG and Denzel Curry is a hard-hitting rap banger. Check out the music video bursting with unstoppable energy.
BRAP 2 sezóna je tady, Estee Nack & V Don vydali videoklip ke skladbě LAKOTA DREAM CATCHER.
ovrkast. delivers a statement as powerful as a Spike Lee film in his new music video.
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.
Benny the Butcher – I AM THE PROGRAM (ft. P.R.E.M.O.)
The Musalini, DJ.Fresh – Polo Scarf
Vic Mensa – the word ft. mick jenkins
Boldy James – Chilly Moe Prod. By Royal House Recording
Rigs- Deep Breath ( Prod by Chef )
Central Cee x Sexyy Red – GUILT TRIPPIN
LL COOL J – 30 Decembers ft. The Overlordian
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!
