Welcome to Rap Weekly 143: Alfredo II. 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 Alfredo II by Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist, WHO WATERS THE WILTING GIVING TREE ONCE THE LEAVES DRY UP AND FRUITS NO LONGER BEAR? by $ilkMoney, Break A Leg by Lord Juco, DON’T TAP THE GLASS by Tyler, The Creator, A Beautiful Day to Die by Vel Nine, and Shuffle With The Left by Dj Moya & Daniel Son. Also look forward to great music videos from Ovrkast., MAVI, Roc Marciano, The Alchemist, Vic Spencer, DATKIDBRAVO, ERG ONE, or Clipse & Kendrick Lamar. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist – Alfredo II
Freddie Gibbs is a rapper who, through his best albums, reminds us that he belongs among the very best. He last did so in 2020, when he teamed up with producer The Alchemist for Alfredo — a project where introspective, personal storytelling set against cinematic, meticulously crafted beats was stylized into a grand mafia tale. In 2022, he released the divisive $oul $old $eparately, followed by last year’s very good and deeply vulnerable You Only Die 1nce. Still, we had to wait until last week for his next special project to truly shake the scene. As the Alfredo: The Movie set the stage, The Alchemist and Freddie Gibbs have now traveled to Japan to continue their rap saga. Alfredo II is a phenomenal journey — more diverse, stranger, and more magical than its predecessor. Sharpen your katana.
The Alchemist doesn’t just produce beats — he crafts stories, using samples, skits, and an endless stream of ideas. His attention to detail and care for every album make him a truly unique producer, whose work is beloved by millions around the world. Alfredo II carries a distinct and magical atmosphere; it’s a rap blockbuster packed with hits, yet it remains deeply personal and unmistakably original. Freddie Gibbs raps with urgency, grace, and technical precision. His commanding voice and relentless flows cut through the fourteen stunning beats like a weathered samurai blade. On his recent albums, Freddie has matured — his life experience shines through his lyrics, yet he loses none of his sharp wit. He’s always seen himself as an outsider, a perspective he reflects on tracks like Jean Claude, exploring his complex relationship with the rap game. And even if some still label him an outsider, this album proves that he’s been shaping generations of artists for nearly two decades. The track Ensalada (ft. Anderson .Paak) reminds us that when Freddie and Alc are locked in, they’re truly untouchable.
NEWS
Ball & Chain
Gabe ‘Nandez is a talented rapper who consistently delivers several outstanding projects each year. Every one of his works fascinates us — which is why we regularly write about them. This year, he’s already released the phenomenal The Skirmish Compilation, yet his upcoming album is generating the highest possible expectations. He’s teamed up with the one and only DJ Preservation, and under the Backwoodz Studioz banner, they’re set to release their joint album Sortilège on August 15. A lead video has already dropped, and merch as well as vinyl pre-orders are now available. So what can we look forward to? „Sortilège is the new album from esteemed producer and DJ Preservation and ascendant talent Gabe ‘Nandez. The two artists first linked on Aethiopes, Preservation’s 2022 collaboration with billy woods, where ‘Nandez was featured alongside Boldy James on one of the album’s standout tracks. “Sauvage” became the catalyst for Sortilège, as the New Orleans-based producer and New York-based rapper gradually began exchanging ideas—first long distance, then in February 2024, when ‘Nandez flew to New Orleans for two weeks, ready to work. The two also bonded over their shared francophone ancestry: Preservation is half French and ‘Nandez is half Malian. These connections made their way into the music as well, via both aesthetics and sample sources, and that sort of exchange courses through Sortilège, bridging the generational, geographical, and cultural gaps between the two artists with a record that feels a world unto itself. Esoteric, yet blunt and uncomplicated as a fistfight, Sortilège erases the line between urbane and urban. It’s a movie in a lucid dream, A Clockwork Négritude projected against the wall of a construction site. Mixed-use residential. Tracing this arc, fellow travelers Armand Hammer, Koncept Jack$on, Ze Nkoma Mpaga Ni Ngoko, and billy woods all make appearances. Oh, and there are drums everywhere: drums that will rattle a hooptie and drums that whisper threats.“ – Backwoodz Studioz
No sample snitching!
The Rhythm Roulette series by Mass Appeal is no stranger to rap fans. For years, it’s taken viewers behind the scenes of the creative process of both legendary artists and modern greats. Just a few days ago, Nicholas Craven — Montreal’s most prominent rap producer — joined the ranks of featured producers. Known for his collaborations with rappers like Boldy James, Mach-Hommy, Ransom, Roc Marciano, and Tha God Fahim, Craven’s iconic sound has been shaping the rap game in a major way over the past few years. In the video, Craven walks you through his creative process, shares what kinds of samples he gravitates toward, and even throws in a shoutout to Mike Shabb. Enjoy this insightful video — and remember: no sample snitching!
Roc Marciano & DJ Premier
DJ Premier & Roc Marciano have announced their joint album THE COLDEST PROFESSION, set to drop on August 8. This collaboration carries weight. When DJ Premier—a legend with golden hands and an ear tuned to eternity—teams up with Roc Marciano, the master of minimalist luxury and icy calm delivery, it’s clear we’re in for something special. And the title The Coldest Profession? It fits—like deerskin gloves tailor-made for a street that lives by the code of silence. The duo has already teased a short leak on Instagram, confirming what many of us suspected: this will be raw, refined, and uncompromising. Exactly what these two veterans do best—making timeless rap that never panders. We don’t yet know whether we’ll get more of Roc’s cinematic chill or Preemo’s razor-sharp rhythm. But maybe that tension between their worlds is where the magic lies. Either way, come August, things are cooling down. Even if the streets are on fire.
QUICK NEWS
- The album THEHIDDENSPLASH by The Hidden Character (???) & Boneweso is now available on all streaming platforms.
- The album BRAP 2 by Estee Nack & V Don is now available on all streaming platforms.
- Check out the phenomenal Clipse: Tiny Desk Concert.
- V nové In the new episode of The Renaissance Show, you will immerse yourself in the world of dawgz., whose slogan “nothing.but.soul” perfectly captures his art.
- Joey Bada$$ has released the single ABK and revealed that the album Lonely At The Top is coming soon.
BEST ALBUMS
$ilkMoney – WHO WATERS THE WILTING GIVING TREE ONCE THE LEAVES DRY UP AND FRUITS NO LONGER BEAR?
$ilkMoney is an eccentric artist from Richmond, Virginia, whose albums grab your attention at first glance—the cover, the title, and the air of mystery. But trust us, the real psychedelic, multicolored ride begins the moment you hit play. His latest album, WHO WATERS THE WILTING GIVING TREE ONCE THE LEAVES DRY UP AND FRUITS NO LONGER BEAR?, is no exception. Inspired by Shel Silverstein’s 1964 book The Giving Tree, the album’s synopsis makes it clear: “Inspired by author Shel Silverstein’s 1964 parable of generosity without the expectation of reciprocity, $ilk’s interpretation of theSource material might seem oddly selfless in a music industry that privileges ego and conspicuous consumption over all else, but then again, $ilk Money has never been one to conform.” So what can you expect? The music industry is reframed as psychedelic absurdist theater and a hypnotic plunge into the artist’s mind. With this album, $ilkMoney builds on the classic children’s book in his own wild way. Each track is a powerful personal statement, delivered with wit, humor, audacity, and self-reflection. $ilkMoney answers to no one, taking shots at artists like Tyler, The Creator, and André 3000—making every song feel tense and unpredictable. The album is meticulously produced and entertaining, and yet it demands your full attention for the experience to really hit.
Lord Juco – Break A Leg
On his new album Break A Leg, Lord Juco doesn’t chase attention — he quietly claims it. No flashy outbursts, no trend-chasing imitation, just a solid dose of introspective rap that whispers in your ear rather than shouts. And yet it carries weight. Like someone reaching out a hand when you don’t even know how to ask. Juco’s writing is personal but never sentimental. His lyrics waver between doubt and determination, between the need to feel and the will to survive. On tracks like Slumlord, he opens up a fragile inner space, blending world-weariness with the calm of someone who’s stopped expecting applause. He speaks of his own path, of what it means to stay true to yourself — even if it means standing apart, maybe even alone. The album is short but dense. You won’t find hits or moments made for Instagram reels here. Just carefully carved rhymes, minimalist beats, and a voice that feels like an inner monologue. This is an album for those who know how to slow down and listen between the lines. For those who understand that depth doesn’t come from spectacle but from experience. Break A Leg is a quiet companion for late nights, when you’re not looking for answers — just someone who understands. And Juco understands. No pathos, no preaching — just how it really is.
Tyler, The Creator – DON’T TAP THE GLASS
Tyler, the Creator returns with yet another album that defies everything we think we know about rap. DON’T TAP THE GLASS is short, yet disturbingly intense. It’s a record that initially presents itself as a sleek exhibition piece — but the longer you look, the more you realize someone’s living on the other side of the glass. Breathing. Watching you back. And they’ve got something to say. Just don’t tap, for god’s sake. This is an album about movement — and also about being trapped. Tyler walks the tightrope between the joy of motion (dancing, driving, running) and the mental blocks we all carry. On Mommanem, he speaks with brutal honesty about disappointment and relationships that seemed safe, only to crumble under pressure. It’s a hymn for anyone carrying resentment but refusing to drown in it. For those who need to exhale frustration before it tears them apart. The soundscape draws on the atmosphere of Tyler’s earlier artistic phases, but this time with new laughter in his eyes and dance shoes on his feet. House, funk, techno, hip-hop — it all revolves around one thing: the need to move, body and mind. And that’s where the album’s power lies. It doesn’t seek polish or perfection — it’s about layering emotions and beats that sink under your skin if you let yourself stop sitting still. Stop overthinking. Just be. And feel. With guest appearances from Pharrell (under the alias Sk8brd), Madison McFerrin, and Yebba, DON’T TAP THE GLASS creates a sonic world that doesn’t chase trends — it chases truth.
Vel Nine – A Beautiful Day to Die
Vel Nine on the album A Beautiful Day to Die leaves no room for escape or comfort for the listener. Ten tracks where anger mixes with humor, vulnerability with brutality, and every verse breathes out something that has been burning inside her for a long time. This is not a “tough girl” pose but an authentic statement from a woman who has been through a lot and decided she won’t apologize to anyone. The album’s title is also its key — A Beautiful Day to Die doesn’t sound like resignation but like a transformation, a moment when it no longer matters what anyone thinks, as long as the truth finally speaks out loud. And that truth is often dirty, raw, and straightforward. Right from the opening track, Me vs. Me, Vel makes it clear that her biggest battle is within herself. No masks, just uncompromising real talk about doubts, trust, and self-defense. The album’s peak is the track Bumchick, where Vel Nine joins forces with Chyna Streetz and Pookie Blow to shatter stereotypes about female rap. It sounds like a recording from a bunker during a war — loud, unfiltered, with language sharp as a razor. The vulgarity here isn’t gratuitous but a conscious provocation and a diagnosis of a patriarchal world that doesn’t want women to speak loudly. So they scream. However, the album is not just about fighting — on tracks like Cry While You Sing and Porcelain Sink, Vel Nine slows down and shows that vulnerability is also a form of strength. Every line lets you feel that beneath the tough shell is someone who knows pain and has learned to rap because of it. Production-wise, the album is dark and minimalist, focused on words and grooves reminiscent of the gritty beats from the Los Angeles underground. That’s where its power lies. Although no official video was released for the album, here’s the video for the track Gangsta Bitch.
Dj Moya & Daniel Son – Shuffle With The Left
There are few things you can truly rely on in today’s uncertain world. One of them is the fact that Daniel Son, the Toronto-based rapper, drops several precise, raw, and uncompromising rap albums every year. This year alone, he’s already released The Estes Method (with Ghost Notes) and Baggage Claims (with Futurewave) — and he’s still showing no signs of slowing down. On his latest album, Shuffle With The Left, he teams up with Greek DJ and producer DJ Moya, a prominent figure on the local scene since 2005. Together, the two artists test just how raw and hard-hitting hip-hop drums and rap bars can get. Right from the start, you’re hit with powerful drum work reminiscent of ‘80s-era boom-bap. The album moves at a dizzying pace, with heavy production that at times feels like a live set from a dense rock band. Most rappers would get lost in such force — but not Daniel Son, whose sharp, biting voice slices through every beat with chilling tales from the drug underworld. This level of intensity calls for a bit of release, and the album closes with the softer instrumental outro The Wicked Way, giving the listener space to process everything they’ve just experienced. While no official video accompanies the album, we’re including the video for the track French River.
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.
DATKIDBRAVO – LYNN TO MILAN
MILLENIUM – May We Be Recompensed For The Tremors Of The Earth
Homeboy Sandman & Sonnyjim – Soli Deo Gloria
Monae Marleau – …& WHAT AFTER THAT?!
Paul Wall & DJ.Fresh – The Tonite Show
Benny The Butcher – Summertime Butch 2
Jamal Gasol & Quis Star – You Not Like That
UFO Fev & Big Ghost Ltd – Albizu’s Revenge
Minister Hyde & Mondo Slade – Cardiac Kings
Kendall Spencer – Chasing Shadows
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Ovrkast. and MAVI are MAVKAST!: check out the latest video from the album While The Iron Is Hot.
Roc Marciano & The Alchemist in Paris — the video for Skirt Steak is an immersive blend of several artistic flavors.
Meditative rap for long summer evenings: Lamar L presents A Summer of Sunrises ft. Vic Spencer.
The album LYNN TO MILAN is out now, and the video for NO FAVORS feat. ERG ONE will convince you it’s a must-listen.
“This is culturally inappropriate” — the video for Chains & Whips by Clipse & Kendrick Lamar stands out as one of the most striking visuals of the past year.
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 Shabb – HEROES VS VILLAINS
YL & SUBJXCT 5 – 100 ON FT. PAPO2OO4 (CO-PROD. LORD UNKNOWN)
Sir Moses – The Backbone (OFFICIAL VISUAL) Shot by AjaksDigital
Papo2oo4 & Subjxct 5 – Late Registration ‘05
MAVI & Niontay – Jammers Anonymous
Benny The Butcher, Westside Gunn & Daringer – Jasmine’s
Jay Worthy & Boldy James – Choosing Shoes
Evidence – Rain Every Season (feat. The Alchemist)
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!
