Welcome to Rap Weekly 122: The mythos of crack dealing. 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. The luxury art and mythos of crack dealing. 12 is Westside Gunn’s most remarkable album in recent years. Crush by AJ Tracey and Jorja Smith is a romantic music dialogue. “Doin’ it for Dilla.” Food From the Gods by Black Milk & Fat Ray is the blueprint for modern Detroit rap. “Get the paper, get some munyun,” Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist have released a video for the anthem for all hustlers. Boldy James, Jimmie D, Tha God Fahim, Ransom, and more. Nicholas Craven has revealed his plan for this year. All this and much more in Rap Weekly.
NEWS OF THE WEEK
The mythos of crack dealing
Westside Gunn released two albums last year. His most personal project, 11, and the spectacular Still Praying, which sees him returning to the sound that made him famous. You could find a ton of skits on both albums, and they were in the vein of Gunn’s last few works. Last week, Westside released a new album, 12, which, while bearing the name of his famed series, feels more like a follow-up to Peace “Fly” God. Estee Nack and Stove God Cook$ make guest appearances on most of the tracks, and together with Gunn, they build a unique atmosphere and soundscape that sticks in your head. Luxury art and the mythos of the crack trade. 12 is Westside Gunn’s most notable record in recent years.
Forget about long skits, doubling intros, or dead spots; 12 is a ride from start to finish. All three artists mentioned above act as rap gods and build an almost ancient mythos around them. Gunn raps about his relationship with art, success, and wealth; Estee Nack comes up with one unorthodox verse after another; and Stove God Cook$ raps about cooking crack with an almost biblical urgency. This isn’t rap you’ll relate to, but a supernatural megalomaniacal tale that will transport you to another world.
NEWS
Craven Inc.
Nicholas Craven has been teasing a third album with Boldy James for a few weeks now. However, it’s clear to us that this exceptional producer has multiple projects on the go at the same time. Which ones are they? We have the answer to that; Craven took to Twitter to reveal a list of albums we can look forward to. He plans to release three projects with Boldy this year, with Ransom collaborating on one of them. He’s also planning an album with Jimmie D as well as a producer album named Craven Inc. We also have projects to look forward to with Ransom, Tha God Fahim, and a bunch of other stuff. All of the above is due out this year, so it seems like Craven will have an incredibly busy 2025. We have no choice but to eagerly await all this art.
Free Big Hit
It was 2014, and rapper Big Hit, father of Hit-Boy, after serving over twelve years in prison, burst onto the scene with hits like Grindin’ My Whole Life and G’z Don’t Cry. Unfortunately, shortly after that he was sent back to prison for another nine years. While in prison, Big Hit spent his time writing rap lyrics on papers he found, preparing for the day he would get out. Upon his release on May 5, 2023, he went straight from his cell to the recording studio, and the rest is history. Big Hit released albums The Truth Is In My Eyes, Paisley Dreams (w/ The Game), and Black & Whites (w/ The Alchemist and Hit-Boy). Unfortunately, Big Hit was incarcerated again at the end of 2024. We don’t know too many details, but his son Hit-Boy started a petition saying, “Chauncey Alexander Hollis Sr., also known as Big Hit, is being unjustifiably held in Forsyth County Jail.” We hope Big Hit gets out as soon as possible. We can look forward to his new music despite the adverse circumstances. Coming out on 2/28 is the album Free Big Hit, and on the same day you can also expect the debut single from rapper HitgirlLENA, who is the sister of Hit-Boy and daughter of Big Hit.
Super Bowl
Kendrick Lamar showed up at the Apple Music Super Bowl Halftime Show in full force, no commercialism, no empty platitudes, just pure flow, real talk, and a profound message. Kdot led the stadium through a mix of celebratory energy and raw introspection where he wasn’t afraid to get down to the nitty-gritty. Kendrick opened up about his roots, acknowledged his triumphs and his downfalls, and showed that fame isn’t just about flashing lights but more importantly about being responsible to yourself and your people. You can feel the criticism of the system and the music industry in the words, but also the questions of what authentic success actually is today. It wasn’t just rap; it was a manifesto. A razor-sharp flow, words put together with surgical precision. Kendrick proved that he was not just an MC but a loud voice of the times who would not compromise. Lamar delivered a show that wasn’t about the effects but about the effect. A legacy that will remain long after the last note. The video can only be played on YouTube; find the link here.
QUICK NEWS
- DJ Muggs has released DEATH VALLEY: DELUXE ANNIVERSARY EDITION; you can watch the film on Soul Assassin’s YouTube.
- Token of Appreciation by Boldy James and Chuck Strangers will be released 2/27.Mixed and mastered by The Alchemist.
- Check out the great set 004 – Grove Sound (W/ Offkey, Love George & Jaycen Spades) & Dylangrayer.
- JPEGMAFIA released Valentines Day Freestyle ’25 💕 (unmastered).
- Freddie Gibbs released a new single, Nobody Like You, on Valentine’s Day.
BEST ALBUMS
Black Milk & Fat Ray – Food from the Gods
Detroit. The soul, essence, atmosphere, and genius loci of this city can be found in every detail of the album Food From the Gods by producer Black Milk and rapper Fat Ray. The rapper from Detroit’s Bruiser Brigade Records released his last album, Santa Barbara, in 2021. On his spectacular new record, he teams up with legendary producer Black Milk, who has worked with rap titans like J Dilla, Elzhi, Phat Kat, Frank-N-Dank, and Canibus. “Doin’ it for Dilla” isn’t just a phrase heard on a Talcum track, but a powerful message that Black Milk reflects in his beats. They have a specific groove that would make Dilla proud, yet they are modern, punchy, and uncompromisingly fresh. In his lyrics, Fat Ray takes you through life in a metropolis that is full of obstacles and violence but also inspiration and culture. In addition, the record features guest appearances from some of Detroit’s best contemporary rappers, like Bruiser Wolf, Danny Brown, and Guilty Simpson. This is an album that all of Detroit can be proud of.
SwuM & GRIMM Doza – IMMORTAL 2
Let us start our review of this album in a rather personal way. Every week we go through countless new albums and try to find the biggest gems, so we have really little time to listen to older albums. Last year we praised Thank You, ‘Preciate It by artists Monday Night and GRIMM Doza, and as part of our search we put on IMMORTAL. It blew us away as much as its cover. Despite being a modern album from 2022, it has the essence of something immortal (touché). So we’re thrilled that producer SwuM and rapper GRIMM Doza have returned after three years to release a follow-up that builds on the vibe of the first and definitely won’t disappoint. IMMORTAL 2 is another serving of top-notch modern rap that carries a dusty vibe like it was found in the ruins of an ancient temple. GRIMM Doza uses the unique beats that SwuM produced for him with absolute precision, rapping bars that reflect his life with all its successes and failures.
BA PACE – BLACKBOOK
With BLACKBOOK, Ba Pace doesn’t return to the scene “just like that”—he” comes like a lightning bolt in the middle of a night storm, with a project that is not just a collection of tracks but an open diary full of raw emotions. This isn’t rap on flex; it’s a deep dive into the darkness that can paradoxically lead you to the light. A book of pain & hope. Ba Pace untangles the tangle of personal loss, depression, and loneliness here, but it’s not a whimper—it’s a journey through hell with your head held high. Tracks like FOOTPRINTS work with the metaphor of footprints in the dark, as if every experience leaves an indelible imprint. The production oscillates between hypnotic beats and chilling sounds, where every note is absorbed under the skin. THE BUILDER, LOUW, SNIPER LEW, SPVCED, FLEA, and more deliver a heavy yet cinematic sound where minimalism alternates with tension. It’s not classic boom-bap, it’s not trap, it’s its own thing. Ba Pace doesn’t rely on primal punchlines; his lyrics are like diary entries after an endless night, where reality mixes with abstract visions. “It literally rained for 30 days when this was opened up” is everything in this one. The flooded memories, the overflow of emotions, and the feeling that all the words have to come out.
A$AP Twelvyy – I Did More with Less (V1)
A$AP Twelvyy is no longer just the dude from the A$AP Mob who stood in the shadow of Rocky and Ferg. I Did More with Less (V1) is a project that proves he has his own lane and an incredibly precise rap game. The album sounds like a raw NYC reality show in audio form, no filters, no embellishment, just gritty bars and authentic storytelling. The album delivers an atmospheric NYC sound, dirty samples, hard-hitting drums, and minimalistic beats that leave room for lyricism. It’s a return to the roots, where rap isn’t judged by TikTok trends but by content and authenticity. Words carry weight here; it’s not just rap for effect, but a reflection of life where you have to earn your place. Twelvyy tackles topics like survival, success and downfall, loyalty, and the price you pay for your choices. It’s music for those who understand that the road to the top isn’t easy, but those with the skills and vision can make it.
Napoleon da Legend & Giallo Point – F.L.A.W.
When you combine the sharp language of Napoleon Da Legend with the cinematic aesthetic of Giallo Point, you get a project that doesn’t care about cheap tricks. F.L.A.W., aka Following Lies Always Wounds, is a raw rap epic where every word cuts under the skin and every beat smells of street sweat. What you get is not just rap; it’s a manifesto of perseverance, wisdom, and hard work. On the album, Napoleon serves up real talk about how to survive in a system that wants to see you fall. The flow runs like a rail; the words land with surgical precision, and between the lines, you can feel that Napoleon has built everything from scratch. Meanwhile, Giallo paints an atmosphere like a night movie, with melancholic samples, dramatic strings, and drums that have the weight of generations. Guests like Jay Royale, Nejma Nefertiti, and Eloh Kush add additional layers of energy, but the main highlight? This is a record that doesn’t need mainstream glitz to leave a mark. Track Motivation is the essence of said mindset—fight, grow, never give up. F.L.A.W. is for those who value content over form, for those who know that rap is more than just words; it’s a way of survival. Napoleon and Giallo serve up a 100% authentic product, no half-assed outpourings. If you like your hip-hop with a thought, this album will fit you like a glove.
DOPE ALBUMS
The five albums mentioned above are not the only ones you should hear. We’ve picked ten more dope albums that no one should miss. Give all the projects mentioned a chance; every single one deserves it.
SOO DO KOO x thxk_u – WE WILL BE OKAY
BLOODBLIXING – PVTHRTCLB R&G EDITION
BexBlu & Renelle 893 – THE BUZZ
NEMS – America’s Sweetheart
Qontinue – A Mother’s Touch
Ol’ Burger Beats – 74: Out of Time (Reimagined)
Michaelangelo, CRIMEAPPLE & Primo Profit – ESCAMA
Josiah The Gift & Machacha – The Happening
The PENtagon – AIR BNE
Mickey Factz – Miami Vices
BEST MUSIC VIDEOS
Crush by AJ Tracey and Jorja Smith is a romantic music dialogue.
“Get the paper, get some munyun,” Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist have released a video for the anthem for all hustlers.
NEMZZZ released the bone-chilling single COLD. The album RENT’S DUE will be released in March.
The Musalini, DJ Skizz, Silent Snipers, piano, soulful beat, and bars full of determination – a recipe for a masterpiece.
On the track Impossible Patty, Ray Vaughn carries the torch of West Coast rap and defines himself against his opps.
DOPE VIDEOS
Our list of must-see music videos doesn’t end with the top five. We’ve picked out ten more dope clips that you definitely need to see. Give all the artists below a chance, they deserve it.
CRIMEAPPLE & Primo Profit – P.R.I.M.O (Prod. By MichaelAngelo)
BORI ROCK X BONEWESO – “BORIVSSKELETOR” | INFINITE WAVE
Dave East, Ransom – THE MOSQUE
“G Code” UFO FEV feat. ROYAL FLUSH (PROD BY BODY BAG BEN)
AKTHESAVIOR – Can’t Judge (Prod. By MOJVKI)
Passport Rav x Tre Eiht – Good To You
demahjiae – ALTERNATIVE HIP-HOP
Daniel Son x Ghostnotes – One Ways
Boldy James – Ghetto (Prod. By Royal House Recording)
And that’s it all the important news on the scene from the last week. What caught your eye this week? Let us know on Instagram or Twitter. You can expect another one next Monday. It’s going to be really interesting, so don’t miss it.
