Welcome to Rap Weekly 159: Cabin In The Sky. 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 Cabin In The Sky by De La Soul, The Night Green Side of It by R.A.P. Ferreira & Kenny Segal, Golden Parachute by SONNYJIM & MORRIARCHI, PORTISHUS 2 by Hus “Wavo” Kingpin, Slam Dump by Tha God Fahim & Drega33, and The Uncomfortable Truth by Ransom & Conductor Williams.Also look forward to great music videos from YUNGMORPHEUS, Dirty Art Club, Navy Blue, JOURDEN, Verb T, Vic Grimes, Hit-Boy, The Alchemist. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
De La Soul – Cabin In The Sky
On April 16, 2025, Mass Appeal Records announced a series titled Legend Has It…, which includes seven albums by legendary artists, set to be released throughout 2025. As the year draws to a close, so does this series. Slick Rick, Ghostface Killah, Raekwon, Mobb Deep, Big L, and De La Soul have already released their albums, with the finale coming on December 13 in the form of the long-awaited album by Nas & DJ Premier. Today, however, we focus on the one and only De La Soul, who have released their long-awaited 10th studio album, Cabin in the Sky, which is also their first album since the passing of David Jolicoeur in 2023.
Legendary Prince Paul returns on production, with contributions to the sound from DJ Premier, Super Dave, and Pete Rock. Guests on the album include Killer Mike, Yukimi from Little Dragon, Common, Nas, and Black Thought from The Roots, ensuring the record retains all the classic De La Soul feeling while absorbing modern hip-hop influences. The entire album is guided by Giancarlo Esposito, making it a cohesive story — exactly what you expect from a De La Soul record. The final minutes of the intro are heart-wrenching, yet the album still radiates positivity, humor, and friendship. Cabin In The Sky is a farewell to Dave, but also a reminder of all the beautiful things the group still has in their lives. The title track demonstrates why De La Soul belongs among the very best, and the closing track Don’t Push Me brings tears to fans’ eyes while also putting a smile on their faces. That’s something only De La Soul can do. Rest in peace Trugoy the Dove.
NEWS
phiik & Roper Williams
Rapper phiik and the production duo Roper Williams are among our favorite artists, particularly for their innovative approach. This year, phiik released the album BAD NEWS alongside YL, Lungs, and Ill Sugi, while Roper Williams produced Goth Girl On The Enterprise with Fatboi Shariff — both projects proving that neither artist is willing to compromise on their standards. We are therefore thrilled that in 2026 we can look forward to their joint project, announced under the (possibly temporary) name VHV. They’ve already released a teaser track that fills us with anticipation. Next year promises some very exciting releases in the rap genre.
Diamonds
Conway the Machine announces his return in full force. He revealed his new album, You Can’t Kill God With Bullets, set to drop on December 12, and opened it with a heavy hitter: the lead single Diamonds featuring the legendary Roc Marciano. The track is exactly the kind of cold, gritty reality rap where Conway manages to be both uncompromising and unexpectedly human. Diamonds rides on Conductor’s raw production, with both rappers alternating between technical precision and vivid imagery that leaves you feeling like you’ve stepped into their world. Conway reflects on where he came from, what he endured, and why his success was never handed to him. Roc Marciano adds elegance and darkness, his signature flawless glide contrasting Conway’s urgency. Amid the hard bars, moments of pain, chaos, and anger emerge, culminating in an archival skit about racism and human dignity. This skit gives the otherwise brutal track a profound depth, reminding listeners that behind these street stories lie real lives, fears, and helplessness.
One Night on Earth
If there’s one thing we truly didn’t expect this year, it’s the return of Trellion, one of the pioneers of the distinct “laid-back lazy” UK rap style. In June, he released the album Ok, the Fire. (w/ Danny Lover), just last week dropped the EP Big Sur and announced the upcoming album Knight. But that’s not all the great news. In 2026, his collaborator Sniff, with whom he’s released several standout albums, is also making a comeback. Sniff, Caneva, & Hush One announced a new album, One Night on Earth, fully produced by Hush One and Sniff. The album features 14 tracks and is set to drop in February 2026. You can already pre-order the vinyl today on Blah Records. We’re especially excited for this release, as it showcases the branch of UK rap that Trellion and Sniff have made us fall in love with.
BEST ALBUMS
R.A.P. Ferreira & Kenny Segal – The Night Green Side of It
R.A.P. Ferreira and Kenny Segal have crossed paths again on a trajectory that can no longer be dismissed as coincidence. It’s more like a phenomenon. Their collaborations have always felt like a ritual between two worlds — one full of meditation, silence, and thought, the other vibrating with jazz, absurdity, and the kind of chaos we try to translate into words. The Night Green Side of It fits into this series as a natural closing of the circle. The album feels like an evening walk along the edge of reality, where everything is familiar but subtly shifted. Ferreira raps as if speaking from sleep — the voice soft, the words cutting. His writing is filled with images that sound beautiful even when you don’t fully understand them. Maybe that’s the point. Empathy doesn’t come from explanation here, but from letting yourself be moved by the sense that this is a world where every thought prefers to whisper. Kenny Segal acts as the guide through that labyrinth. His production is jazzy, crackling, fluid, yet never drifting without intention. Every beat gives Ferreira space to breathe, close his eyes, and dive deeper. Their chemistry is almost touching, two people giving each other room because they know the magic would collapse otherwise. By the Head shows how Ferreira can pull an emotion from just a handful of images — something you know well but can’t name. There’s exhaustion and hope in it. Kindness and pain. The whole album lives in that same spirit: short tracks that feel like small, private meditation rooms.
SONNYJIM & MORRIARCHI – Golden Parachute
Golden Parachute isn’t just another release from Sonnyjim and Morriarchi—it’s an album that sounds like someone opened a luxury bar in outer space and poured you Scotch into a crystal glass. Sonnyjim doesn’t sound tired; he sounds seasoned, his years of rap experience audible in every line. The album plays with the idea of a soft landing, but there’s no weakness in it—rather the awareness that every player eventually touches the ground, only some get to control how. Sonnyjim flips that motif with ease and irony: a bottle of Scotch, dust on his shoes, a sharp suit, and even sharper metaphors. The guests fit naturally into the concept—Fly Anakin, Jay Worthy, Capriisun, Mondo Slade—each bringing their own color without breaking the album’s immaculate atmosphere. Morriarchi holds down the soundtrack to the life of someone who has learned when to walk away. And then there’s Rosie Perez, the closing track, functioning like the final shot before the night ends—sweet, a little burning, and full of truth. Sonnyjim walks the line between shadows and elegance.
Hus “Wavo” Kingpin – PORTISHUS 2
Hus KingPin returns to his iconic, darkly elegant world after four years. PORTISHUS 2 follows up the cult first installment from 2021, where KingPin brilliantly fused underground rap with the aesthetic of Portishead. The new record feels like an even deeper fall into the fog of trip hop, electronics, and raw street talk. Production comes from Fredro Starr, Owltree, Onesession, Dani, and Relense, while guests like MF Grimm, Conway the Machine, Shyheim, and Smoovth reinforce the tightly knit circle around the artist. The result is an almost fifty-minute nocturnal ride that respects the traditions of rap yet offers a distinct, instantly recognizable sound. Hus KingPin once again creates a world you don’t visit for hits, but for an atmosphere that refuses to let you go.
Tha God Fahim & Drega33 – Slam Dump
Tha God Fahim and Drega33 deliver Slam Dump, an album that sounds like stepping into a small, brutally overheated gym in the middle of the night—the air heavy, the floor creaking, someone dribbling a faded old ball, and in the center of it all two artists locked in total focus. They’re not trying to impress; they’re winning play by play, possession by possession. Drega33 builds production that’s stripped-down but never empty—a dusty, sweaty, hard-work aesthetic, minimalist yet packed with confidence. Every beat hits like a fast break: a sharp breath, a precise step, an immediate shot. It’s the perfect terrain for Tha God Fahim, who’s in peak form here—cool-headed, surgically precise, rapping with the mindset of a seasoned veteran who knows exactly when to push the pace, when to slow down, and when to strike. And then comes Jay NiCE, the guest who brings the gritty spark. He’s louder, more unhinged—a flash of chaos that makes tracks like Slam Dump, Clean Em Up, or International Champs hit even harder. His verse on International Champs is a whirlwind of humor, aggression, and over-the-top imagery, the perfect counterbalance to the album’s locked-in discipline.
Ransom & Conductor Williams – The Uncomfortable Truth
Ransom may have dropped The Reinvention with DJ Premier barely a month ago, but he’s already feeding the streets again. This time, he links with standout producer Conductor Williams for The Uncomfortable Truth, a project that lives up to its name — Ransom says things exactly the way he feels them. From the opening track CLAIRVOYANCE, where he references legends like Nas and Jay-Z, he makes clear what hip-hop means to him and where he sees himself in its lineage. The Uncomfortable Truth is modern golden-age rap in its purest form, with all its strengths and stubborn edges. Ransom occasionally slips into more conservative lyricism or exaggerated masculinity — but can you really hold it against him? On the mic, he’s razor-sharp, technically flawless, and Conductor Williams delivers production that hits with total conviction. The Uncomfortable Truth is a record that will undoubtedly find its audience.
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.
RJ Payne – Winning Aint Enough
Vincent, The Owl & Rando LaFlare – THE OWL AND THE CROW
Flee Lord & Jansport J – Halfway There
Trellion – Big Sur
Manast LL’ & Agusta – Peace of Mind
Jalen Frazier & Machacha – EYE OF THE BEHOLDER
SUBSTANCE810 & Big Trip Deliver – The Guillotine
Slik Jack – Straight Razor Robbery
1300SAINT – Savior
Truth – Nostalgia ThEraPy 2
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
YUNGMORPHEUS and Dirty Art Club have released the second video from their joint album — A Spyglass to One’s Face is out now.
The video for God’s Kingdom by Navy Blue perfectly visualizes the aura of The Sword & The Soaring.
The video for JOJO’S GROOVETHEORY by JOURDEN carries a powerful statement.
Verb T and Vic Grimes announced a monumental double album with the phenomenal video for Not There.
Maximum rap elegance — Hit-Boy & The Alchemist have dropped the video for Walk In
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.
Domo Genesis & Graymatter – PLAINFACE
Beyondsonny – BREAD (feat. AKAI SOLO)
OBIJUAN X DJ MUGGS – ‘MISO’ [MOTION PICTURE]
Chuck Strangers x Evidence “BMOP”
Boldy James & Nicholas Craven – Fully Smack (Snippet Version 2)
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!
