Welcome to Rap Weekly 146: Unlearning Vol. 2. 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 Unlearning Vol. 2 by Evidence, Sortilège by Preservation & Gabe ‘Nandez, F.L.I.N.T. (Feel Like I’m Not Through) by Rio da Yung OG, 4 Point Play by YL, SMILODON by klwn cat & Mourning Run, and Siberian Bear Suits by Charles Herron & Chuck Chan. Also look forward to great music videos from Gunna, SEAFOOD SAM, El Cousteau, The Alchemist, BoriRock, BeenOfficialLord, Dun Dealy, or DJ Haram & Armand Hammer. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Evidence – Unlearning Vol. 2
Evidence is back. Mr. Slow Flow, after four years of waiting, delivers the phenomenal album Unlearning Vol. 2. Every bar is quotable; every shot from the accompanying music videos could be framed. Let’s break it down step by step. Evidence is, for the SudetyRaport website, one of the most essential artists ever, and this project exists in large part thanks to his music. We placed Unlearning Vol. 1 at number two on the best albums of 2021 in our very first best-of list. Since then, Evidence certainly hasn’t been idle, producing stellar albums for Planet Asia, Domo Genesis, and Blu. Still, we were genuinely, TRULY looking forward to his full-fledged return to the mic. And last week, we finally got it.
A world where you cannot hide from rain, fog, and gloomy thoughts. On the album Unlearning Vol. 2, Evidence has created a mosaic of self-discovery, grief, and perseverance. The greatest strength of his lyrics is, despite their often introspective and intimate nature, the universality of their message. Evidence manages to find a fresh way to powerfully describe everyday reality, an overarching truth whose full understanding, however, requires a complex, long, and thorny path that demands life experience and a desire to learn. Exploring the surrounding world, the environment, other people, and oneself is a central theme of the album: sometimes it pushes us forward by showing that we need to unlearn certain things.
From every second of the album, it’s clear that Evidence has experience with graffiti, photography, and music production; he connects perfectly with all beats, samples, and guest artists, interacting with them genuinely and passionately. This is immediately noticeable on the opening track, where Evidence naturally flows into a sampled speech about dark and melancholic music, instantly drawing the listener into the whirlwind of the album. Together with a stellar lineup of guests and producers, including Theravada, The Alchemist, Larry June, Sebb Bash, and many more, Evidence has created a living world that cares about itself and its surroundings. It is precisely in this concept and its execution that the essential rap power of this work lies, a power that will resonate with listeners for decades to come.
NEWS
Marty Supreme
In recent weeks, we’ve unusually also been bringing news from the rap world that intersects with the film world. A bit below, you can read a few words about the new film by legendary director Spike Lee: Highest 2 Lowest, in which A$AP Rocky played one of the main roles and recorded two new songs for the film’s soundtrack. Now, however, we move to another highly acclaimed director whose path crossed with another star rapper. Last week, the first trailer for Marty Supreme was released. It is a sports-adventure comedy-drama directed by Josh Safdie, who, along with his brother, made films such as Good Time (2017) and Uncut Gems (2019). After more than ten years, the brothers are trying a solo path – Benny will release the film The Smashing Machine in cinemas this year, and Josh the aforementioned Marty Supreme. Why are we writing about this film? Alongside Timothée Chalamet, who plays the lead role, Tyler, The Creator will also appear. The film will arrive in cinemas on 25. 12. 2025.
MISO
Bahamas rapper Obijuan continues to fascinate us every year and carries on his phenomenal artistic journey this year as well. On 29. 3., Obijuan released his new album, NEW BLOOD, on which you can fully immerse yourself in his world once again. Obijuan has teased several times about an upcoming joint project with producer August Fanon, who has produced multiple tracks on his recent albums. A huge surprise, however, came last week when Obijuan shared a screenshot on Instagram of a folder titled MISO V1, labeled Obijuan & DJ Muggs. The Bahamas rapper is working on music with the legendary producer, and we ask ourselves: “Are we in for a full collaborative album?” Whether it’s a full album or just a few collaborative tracks, one thing is certain: the resulting music will shake the rap scene. Next week, Battle for Japan will kick off, a series of four rap events in Tokyo, featuring Obijuan, illsugi, DJ Mastermind, artists from PUBLICHOUSINGNYC, and many other talented artists.
Both Eyes Closed
Spike Lee returns after five years with a new film Highest 2 Lowest, bringing Denzel Washington and A$AP Rocky into the main cast. A$AP Rocky plays the antagonist Yung Felon and also contributes new music. On the day of the premiere (15. 8.), he released two new tracks, Trunks and Both Eyes Closed, which immediately became the centerpiece of the film’s soundtrack. Trunks rides a typically gritty wave: crime, hatred, suitcases full of cargo, and Rocky’s sharp cadence that evokes his film character. Both Eyes Closed, on the other hand, feels like a confession: melancholy, the pain of reality, questions directed to God, and a sense of loneliness on an endless journey. The track carries raw honesty, a reminder that even when Rocky raps from a Maybach, he is still speaking about dark realities that don’t let one sleep peacefully. The soundtrack as a whole is not purely a rap project; alongside Rocky, it features Aiyana-Lee, Jensen McRae, the legendary Eddie Palmieri, and jazz musician Fergus McCreadie. Through his work on the soundtrack, Rocky continues to build anticipation for the long-awaited album Don’t Be Dumb.
QUICK NEWS
- dirty art club and YUNGMORPHEUS have finished their joint LP, which will be released “really real soon.”
- The Alchemist has confirmed that all three of his anticipated albums will be released this year: a record with Erykah Badu, one with Yasiin Bey, and a Mobb Deep album.
- Raekwon joined forces with Aimé Leon Dore and performed alongside a live band in their new collection.
- Clipse have released several great videos recapping their Let God Sort Em Out Tour.
- ALC & Friends Live In L A is a recap video of an event you need to see. The video features Roc Marciano, Earl Sweatshirt, Armand Hammer, Navy Blue, Evidence, and many other great artists.
BEST ALBUMS
Preservation & Gabe ‘Nandez – Sortilège
History, zeitgeist, blood, and art: an endless cycle of love, determination, oppression, and violence—Sortilège by Preservation & Gabe ‘Nandez is a magical capsule of human observation that transcends time and space. Gabe ‘Nandez is a talented rapper who releases several remarkable projects each year. This year, he already delivered the phenomenal The Skirmish Compilation, yet his latest album carried the highest expectations. He teamed up with the one and only DJ Preservation, and under the Backwoodz Studioz label, they released Sortilège last week. For context, the album synopsis highlights: “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.“The album’s soundscape is thunderous, with Preservation erasing temporal boundaries through his beats, crafting music that carries the truth of ancient times. Sortilège is dense and heavy in the best sense, a vast, multi-layered work whose essence cannot be captured in a short paragraph. A prime example is the track War, accompanied by a music video, where Gabe and billy woods cynically layer the brutal, insatiable hunger of empires against the pain and sorrow of the oppressed and the faded dreams of revolutionaries. Sortilège is an album dirtied and dusted from the day it was released, yet it will remain timeless even a hundred years from now.
Rio da Yung Og – F.L.I.N.T. (Feel Like I’m Not Through)
Rio da Yung OG returned with an album whose title says it all—Feel Like I’m Not Through. After legal troubles and time away from the game, it seems Rio raps with the awareness that he still has a lot to say. This record confirms that from the first track to the last. It’s 20 tracks of raw street rap, alternating between solo moments and features from YN Jay, RMC Mike, and STAR BANDZ. The track Big Ben stands out as a highlight of the album. Here, Rio effortlessly blends flexing about expensive jewelry, cars, and millions with personal reflections, touching on family, street wars, and addiction. There’s toughness, but also melancholy, as he admits that some people are simply missed. It’s the kind of bars that make you laugh at a line and then hit you hard with a verse about a fallen brother. The whole album feels like a diary of someone who celebrates success yet still carries scars. Rio raps authentically—sometimes brutally, sometimes almost apathetically, as if reshaping reality into a barroom story. And it’s precisely in this roughness that the power lies. Musically, F.L.I.N.T. doesn’t aim to impress with experimentation; the beats are gritty and heavy, perfectly matching Rio’s style.
YL – 4 Point Play
Rap, life, and love as a game: 4 Point Play EP by YL is pure love for the game (rap), without calculated strategy or any attempt to compete with others. Just two months after the project RRR & 2oo4 Presents…Only Ones Taxin’ (w/ Subjxct 5) and only weeks before his anticipated album with Another Planet and illsugi, the New York rapper released this project out of sheer joy. Sincerity has been the emotion radiating from his music for years, and on this new EP, it shines even stronger. YL moves through music with complete ease—he doesn’t care what kind of beat he rides or who he collaborates with; the result will always be good music. The new EP is a colorful collection of tracks where everyone can find their favorite bar, mood, or emotion.
klwn cat & Mourning Run – SMILODON
When producer klwn cat and rapper Mourning Run come together, the result is like an audio document of inner struggles, determination, and survival. Their joint album SMILODON—named after the prehistoric sabertooth tiger—feels exactly like that: sharp and fierce. It’s rap for moments when reality feels heavy, and that’s precisely why you need to hear it. Musically, the album is built on dense, dark beats by klwn cat, evoking grimy streets, damp basements, and the paranoia of night. Mourning Run brings lyrics full of introspection, a fractured spirit, and steadfast resolve. The album leans more toward poetry than traditional rap, but it’s poetry that burns. Features from artists like Estee Nack and Sleep Sinatra fit seamlessly into the concept, expanding this dark universe. No one tries to overpower the beat; instead, they merge with it, giving the listener the sense of hearing the diary of someone wrestling with their own demons.
Charles Herron & Chuck Chan – Siberian Bear Suits
This album landed quietly, but anyone following the underground knows Herron is a storyteller who can paint entire worlds in just a few lines. Chuck Chan, his go-to producer, builds beats that are gritty and nostalgic at the same time. The result? An album that feels like a cold winter trip, but with warm blood running through its veins. The tracklist looks conventional—intro, a few features, interlude—but each song has its own color. Bear Suits sets the tone: heavy drums, a crackling sample, and Herron’s voice, weary yet proud. Tuff Guy, featuring Kil Ripkin and Dynas, delivers the right mix of New York toughness and street wisdom. Then comes Ackee SaltFish and Piranha with Generalbackpain, a colorful, almost Caribbean vibe, yet still grounded in concrete. Empathetically, Herron gives listeners pieces of himself. In Eau De Parfum Freestyle, rapping about a mother at home while he struggles to survive on the corner, it’s not just street rap—it’s a confession that hurts. His bars aren’t for show; they’re about memory—growing up among snakes, watching a cousin steal, but no longer having the power to stop him. Time passes, and all you have is your voice and paper. In that short minute and a half, the track compresses weight, sorrow, and ironic humor. The album oscillates between harsh realism and poetry. Chuck Chan keeps the pace without overshadowing Herron’s lyrics; the beats are not self-serving displays but frames that hold the picture. Unfortunately, no official video was released for the album, but here’s a video for the track Bitter.
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.
BhramaBull – Evolution 6
MURS – Love & Rockets 3.16: The Emancipation
Chance the Rapper – Star Line
Ski – Daddy Sick
Sincere Silk & Leo Laru$$o – Rhode To TX
Action Figure 973 & The Custodian Of Records – Ring Psychology
World Be Free & Machacha – Pablo Clemente
BoriRock & BeenOfficialLord – WIGGIE WAVE
Babyface Ray – Codeine Cowboy
Mike Titan & Silent Someone – The Truth is Revolutionary 2.0
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Sadness and megalomania: Gunna has released the music video for just say dat.
Mind, body & soul as the centerpiece of all music: SEAFOOD SAM will hypnotize you with the video for LIL IVERSON (PROD. NICEGUYXVINNY).
El Cousteau & The Alchemist have released a phenomenal music video for Menace to Society. The album DH2 will be released on September 10.
“Make music to fix the trauma.” Watch the music video for WIG TRAUMA by BoriRock, BeenOfficialLord, & Dun Dealy.
In the heart of digital hell: DJ Haram and Armand Hammer have released a breathtaking 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.
BA PACE / LOMAN – “SLATER BENTLY”
DJ LUCAS – “PATH LESS TOOK” (Prod fingeredbyskiii)
Polo G & Vonoff1700 – Move Wrong
Rahiem Supreme x Dj Brown13 “Special to me”
YN Jay & Rio Da Yung OG – Main Thing
DAYLAN GIDEON & THOMAS MAGGART – HEART TURNED TO STONE
Michael Christmas – Prime Time Freestyle
That’s a wrap on today’s news roundup. What caught your attention the most? Hit us up on Twitter, Instagram, Threads 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!
