Welcome to Rap Weekly 150: Ghetto Heisman. 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 TGhetto Heisman by Lefty Gunplay, Before Common Era by Knowledge The Pirate, A Fly In The Soup by Willie The Kid & Soop, Tabula Rasa by Meduulla & Ethan Hill, Trees Are Undefeated by Vic Spencer, and Blank Karma by Black Karma & Blank Thought. Also look forward to great music videos from Yo OG, Ovrkast, Payroll Giovanni, Trevor Spitta, LIFEOFTHOM & Plain Pat. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
Lefty Gunplay – Ghetto Heisman
If there’s a rap story in recent years that defines “seizing the moment at exactly the right time,” it’s the story of Californian rapper Lefty Gunplay. After being released from prison in 2023, Lefty immediately devoted himself to his rap career. In 2024, he dropped four albums straight — Rookie of the Year, Famous Gangbanger, PreSeason, and Most Valuable Gangbanger. The last one came out on November 22. Why is that date significant? On the very same day, Kendrick Lamar released GNX, with Lefty featured on the hit Tv Off. That guest spot gave him massive attention, which he quickly funneled into his music. This year, he’s kept the streak alive and just last week dropped his second album of 2025. A raw statement from California’s ghettos — on the monumental, hard-hitting Ghetto Heisman, Lefty Gunplay tames the wild chaos.
The album is truly spectacular — an authentic dive into the life of a gangster on society’s margins, pouring every story and emotion into rap. Ghetto Heisman is a 20-track ride that immerses you fully in the rapper’s world, where there’s no room for mistakes. A star-studded lineup of guests appears throughout, including RJMrLA, Alemán, Waka Flocka Flame, Hit-Boy, and 03 Greedo. This makes the record not only Lefty Gunplay’s personal testimony but also the voice of a broader community ignored and oppressed by the American social system. The album is brutally hard-hitting, delivering an adrenaline-charged West Coast sound we haven’t heard in years. Loved Tv Off? Imagine it sharper, thematically and musically richer, harder — and on steroids.
NEWS
GO:OD AM (Time Flies, Try To Catch It)
Mac Miller’s album GO:OD AM celebrates its 10th anniversary this year, and to mark the occasion, YouTube has released a short film:GO:OD AM (Time Flies, Try To Catch It) – A Short Film. The documentary takes us behind the scenes of one of his most important records, featuring studio footage, concert moments, BTS from video shoots, and archival clips. The film was produced, directed, and edited by Sam Balaban, with cinematography by Justin Boyd, Rex Arrow, and Scott Perry; archival photos by Brick Stowell; animations by Pencil TV, and sound by E. Dan of ID Labs. But it’s more than a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Voices of those who were with Mac at the time reflect on how, after darker projects, he wanted to breathe again, find a new direction, and recharge his energy. GO:OD AM was his clean slate — his first major label release — yet it still carried his authenticity. The film recalls endless sessions, jazz experiments with Thundercat, unfinished projects, and how much music meant to him as joy, never just work. Through these glimpses, you feel that Mac wasn’t just a rapper but a musician full of inner energy and charisma, someone who drew people into his world both on and off stage. GO:OD AM remains the album he performed live until the end, symbolizing the moment when Mac Miller became Malcolm McCormick, fully open to the world. This short film isn’t just a tribute to an era — it’s a painful yet beautiful reminder of the extraordinary person behind the music.
HIM
Since September 19, the American supernatural psychological sports horror film Him has been playing in theaters worldwide. Directed by Justin Tipping and produced by Jordan Peele’s Monkeypaw Productions, the film stars Marlon Wayans, Tyriq Withers, Julia Fox, Tim Heidecker, and Jim Jefferies. The story follows a young, promising football player (Withers) training in an isolated facility under the guidance of an aging, nearly retired quarterback (Wayans). “What begins as a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity soon turns into something far more dangerous, as Cam discovers the true cost of chasing fame,” reveals the official synopsis. But we’re here for the music. Starting today, you can stream the film’s official soundtrack on all platforms — a collection that pairs classics like “Lemonade” by Gucci Mane and “Shook Ones, Pt. II” by Mobb Deep with brand new tracks from rappers such as MAVI, Denzel Curry, Maxo Kream, and more.
6000ROUNDZ
Boneweso is a legendary producer from Massachusetts with roots in the Dominican Republic. Over his career, he’s worked with major Latin artists like Don Omar, Tainy, and Alexis y Fido. Many of us first got properly introduced to his craft last year, when he produced the albums The Cost Of Gold (with Codenine) and SYSTEMATICALLY WE WERE NEVER FREE (with Estee Nack). He’s kept that same momentum in 2025, continuing to produce full projects for some of Massachusetts’ most compelling rappers. In March, he dropped INFINITE WAVE (with Bori Rock), and in June came THEHIDDENSPLASH (with ???). Throughout it all, Estee Nack has been overseeing these projects, as he and Boneweso — under the MINIMANSION USA banner — push to build a movement that feels unstoppable. That energy isn’t slowing down. On September 30, rapper ERG ONE will release his new album, THE LIFE OF ERG, fully produced by Boneweso. You can already tap into the vision through the brand-new video for its single 6000ROUNDZ.
BEST ALBUMS
Knowledge The Pirate – Before Common Era
It’s only been a few months since Knowledge The Pirate & Roc Marciano dropped their joint album The Round Table, yet Knowledge is already back with another one. His new record, Before Common Era, was first released exclusively through his website and hit streaming platforms this past Friday. Most of the production comes from his longtime collaborator E.l.e.m.n.t., who’s been holding him down for his entire career. So, is there something to look forward to? Absolutely. The second track, Prisoner, frames the story of young men pushed by a racist system into poverty-stricken neighborhoods, forced onto outlaw journeys that feel as ancient as society itself. Knowledge The Pirate has mastered the art of telling street stories wrapped in a mythical aura — whether leaning into Renaissance themes or pirate lore. Here, he delivers tales of the urban underworld structured like a Renaissance epic. Before Common Era strikes a rare balance — the perspective of a seasoned veteran fused with a modern sonic edge. Whether intentional or not, the record feels divided into two halves: odd-numbered tracks with a sharper, more aggressive sound, and even-numbered tracks with more melodic, almost magical production. The constant shifts keep the album fresh, pulling the listener deep into the hardships, struggles, and survival stories that Knowledge unfolds with his unmistakable gravitas.
Willie The Kid & Soop – A Fly In The Soup
Willie The Kid has never been the type of rapper who needed mainstream spotlights. He’s more like a chef with patience, serving dishes slowly, with an emphasis on detail and flavor. His new project, A Fly In The Soup, created alongside producer Soopa, is exactly that — elegant, rich, yet chillingly fresh. Tracks like Gazpacho (So Cold) showcase Willie at his sharpest, blending wordplay with a sense of maturity. It’s a rap about ambition, loyalty, and the coldness of the outside world, and it’s precisely the tension between luxury and harsh reality that gives the record its depth. Soopa’s beats are velvet-smooth, laced with jazz undertones, but never sleepy. They anchor Willie’s storytelling, giving him the room to display his voice, rhythm, and natural composure. Together, the two craft a chemistry that feels both contemporary and timeless — not a chase for trends, but a document of a man who knows exactly who he is. The empathetic layer of A Fly In The Soup lies in how Willie raps not just for himself but for anyone who sees their own reflection in his words. It’s not an album built on posturing — it’s a record that proves the true strength of rap lies in connecting a personal story to a larger picture. And that’s something Willie delivers masterfully.
Meduulla & Ethan Hill – Tabula Rasa
When you hear “tabula rasa,” you think of a blank slate, a fresh beginning. That’s exactly the feeling carried by the collaborative project from Meduulla and Ethan Hill — an attempt to wipe away the dust of the past and inscribe new stories through music rooted in poetry, lived experience, and raw truth. The album is firmly grounded in Meduulla’s poetic background, where spoken word flows into rap with the weight of an unfiltered confession. Ethan Hill, known for his underground sound, pushes the production further: the beats are gritty yet illuminated by soulful and jazz-infused layers. The result feels like street-level reality meeting something timelessly beautiful. Tracks like Rule No.1 and Melanin Monroe breathe with community and collective energy, while guest appearances weave a mosaic of diverse experiences and identities. The most striking moment arrives with the closing track Y(earn) More. Its lyrics — about the pressures of money, social media, and the craving for validation — cut painfully close to the bone. Meduulla doesn’t shy away from admitting the tension between what brings stability and what she truly longs for: love, peace, and meaning.
Vic Spencer – Trees Are Undefeated
Music to smoke to! Vic Spencer isn’t a rapper who aims to fit into boxes, and his latest project, Trees Are Undefeated, proves it. Even the title acts as a metaphor for resilience: trees survive everything, just as Spencer’s rap remains steady even when trends around him shift faster than the weather. Guests like Quelle Chris, RIM, and Cavalier add colorful accents, yet the core always stays firmly in Spencer’s hands. Tracks like Langston Hughes Weed Stash and If Trees Wore Leggings pt. 3 showcase his signature imagery, drawing from literature, culture, everyday life, and personal demons. On Oven Lungs, the emotion feels almost painfully raw. Rap about smoke, therapy, and the need for freedom comes across as the honest confession of someone seeking balance between escape and healing. You can feel that this isn’t just posturing — it’s a piece of a person unafraid to be vulnerable.
Black Karma & Blank Thought – Blank Karma
„Manifest more years for my family
Manifesting more years for my ni**as
Manifesting no tears 4 my momma
Manifesting more gears keep turning!“
The words at the end of Manifest, which build in intensity over the course of the track, begin to fill every conceivable space of the mind. They seem to come from a world the listener cannot see, yet one that feels intimately familiar — a world containing fear and sorrow, but also love and hope. The album Blank Karma by rapper Black Karma and producer Blank Thought carries an atmosphere reminiscent of a mysterious broadcast from another realm, yet its message is urgent and very much RIGHT NOW. On the track Rainmaker ft. Trey Steez & Acquaint Sense, the artists perfectly capture the exhaustion imposed by today’s system, the cycle of daily survival with zero hope in sight. Black Karma masterfully portrays everyday struggles, thoughts, and emotions in a way that feels almost magical. The omnipresent pain in his voice acts as a revolt against a system that punishes weakness and humanity. Blank Thought provides spacious, pulsating beats that create a fully immersive world — rich yet reminiscent of a parched plain, where travelers’ only light comes from a fire. Black Karma navigates this space with clarity, feeling its warmth, never losing his way. No music video was released for the album, so we’re presenting the entire project in full.
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.
Spanish Ran – Orange Light Therapy
P-Ro X KNG Bondalero – The Missing Notes
Bless Picasso – Rillest in the Room 3
RJ Payne – MAXIMUM PAYNE
Shaw Calhoune & Four Limbs – Back To The Matters At Hand
gustavo louis & YFI – DREAM TAPE: NARCO EDITION
Joell Ortiz – Love, Peace & Trauma
Curren$y – 9/15
Atmosphere – Jestures
Big Twins – TG1
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Memories of youth and reflections on both artistic and life journeys: Ovrkast has released a video for his track Dog Days.
A mythical journey through life — Yo OG has released a hypnotic video for the track TRAILBLAZER.
Payroll Giovanni has released an exceptionally narratively powerful video for the track If Not Me Then Who.
The video for KEEP IT by Trevor Spitta is a psychedelic, mind-bending experience.
Dark chaos of the mind — the video for OVERTHINKING by LIFEOFTHOM & Plain Pat visualizes a labyrinth of thoughts.
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.
Pouya – Forever Waiting For You At My Window
Fliptrix – Transform Feat. Ayah Marar (Prod. Forest DLG)
Lil Yachty, Sauce Walka – Silver Lining
Rio Da Yung Og & YN Jay – Ripped Jeans
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!
