Very light load this week, with nothing big label making it into my Projects. Despite the low quantity, there’s some quality with some lesser known cats. I want to thank all of you who read the things here, take the time to read the monthlies, who have listened to the Podcast (Episode 2 up now, and on Spotify), and all of you who have discovered some new artists to put in your playlists.
Here’s a link to the Week #12 Playlist for y’all
-----PROJECTS-----
The Alchemist – Yacht Rock 2
This tape right here is a vibe. This makes you feel like you are lounging on a Yacht in Miami and I am all here for it. The way this short 20+ minute album flows from one track to another is spectacular, easily sliding from guest to guest across it’s length. The samples are fresh, cooling, and all fit cohesively with the motif of the record. Props to Al for knocking this one out of the park. Standout verses from Bronson, Boldy James, and my boy Benny the Butcher.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Yung Mal – Iceburg
I like what I’m hearing from this young trapper signed to Gucci’s 1017 Eskimo Records. He usually performs with a kid named Lil Quill, but strikes out on his own here with some quality results. He reads as a slightly more coherent version of older Playboi Carti, and his production is loopy and hard-as-bricks to match. Usually the rapping is subpar with theses kinds of artists, but there’s a lot of energy being brought from Mal that elevates the performance.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Bun B – Bun B Day - EP
A short project that runs the usual spread of Houstonite hip-hop; slab anthems, riding music, R&B-tinged soul-influence (ala Pimp C), and more. For a one-off EP released to mark a holiday, it works. It’s good to see Bun with upcoming Houston talent like Gp 4/5, P.A.Yung’n, & Maxo Kream.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Big Turks (Rome Streetz, Jamal Gasol, & Lord Juco) – Big Turks
I’ve heard a few Rome features here and there, but the other two were a mystery. They operate in a similar lane as higher-end Wu affiliates, with cerebral and philosophic lyrics that are enjoyable to listen to without being too preachy. But this album deserves a listen for the production alone; these beats are IMMACULATE. All of them are samples from old Turkish films/folk music, flipped and chopped into some regal-ass shit. It’s $1000 on Bandcamp, so go ahead and just listen on YouTube.
Bandcamp/YouTube
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Tha God Fahim & Grimm Doza – Tells of da Banish
A short listen at only 17 minutes, this is one of the better projects Fahim has dropped this year. Fahim will literally always rap the same, so don’t expect anything too groundbreaking in that department, but his pairing with Grimm Doza (who did Fck Boy! off of eXquire’s album earlier this year) brings out some cool beats.
Bandcamp/YouTube
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-------SINGLES-------
A$AP Rocky – Babushka Boi
Short, sweet, but I can’t help but feel like it’s missing something? It just feels understated, with a lackluster hook and a simple beat loop. I think I only enjoy the song as much as I do because of the music video, which is cartoonishly amazing.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Big Sean (Feat. A$AP Ferg & Hit-Boy) – Bezerk
It’s a slapper from Hit-Boy, and Sean and Ferg have a nice little bar-trading verse in there. The energy is high. It’s average, but I’m all for it in comparison to the last couple singles from Sean.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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5ive6ix Huncho (Feat. Tory Lanez) – Bust Down
I don’t know who 5ive6ix Huncho is besides that he sounds like Kodak Black/NBA Youngboy; AKA he sounds a bit average. The show is stolen here buy Tory, who delivers a killer hook. I’ve listened to this track many times for the hook alone.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Pusha T (Feat. Kash Doll) – Sociopath
For the first single since DAYTONA, I’m underwhelmed. The beat is appropriately dark and metallic, but the hook is silly, and Kash Doll is criminally underused where it sounds like she’s about to drop a hot verse and then it just… stops. I just expected more from a song that comes from the Wyoming Sessions.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Pusha T (Feat. Lauryn Hill) – Coming Home
Push drops a second single leading up to his newest album, this time with legendary R&B artist Lauryn Hill. I like the beat on this one more than Sociopath, as this one leans a little more into Kanye’s strengths. It feels empowering and triumphant, and the Lauryn’s hook paired with the backing choir is quite emotional.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Post Malone – Circles
This is not at all what I was looking for from Post. It’s happy, flat, and I think the drum pattern and instrumental in general is atrocious to my ears. This is a safe move for Post to release a track that will be loved by radio before he drops the big album, but I can’t say I’m going to be bumping this one often.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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King Keil (Feat. Samy Deluxe & Conway the Machine) – Dopebars
Some German rap for you guys; I had never heard of the two German dudes on here, but I was pleasantly surprised at how well their language translates into the dusty, boom-bap beat. The language just has a deep quality to it that lends to the cutthroat nature. Conway does his thing, the man can do no wrong, but it does make me wonder how these dudes were able to secure a Griselda feature (I know the answer is money but I’d like to think there’s a story there)
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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Aaron Rose (Feat. Joey Bada$$ & Chuck Strangers) – FTW
A relatively lowkey track, going into more of the pop-rap direction that Joey has been going in for a few years now. Aaron Rose is a relatively non-descript emcee, Joey does ok but I know he’s capable of more, and Chuck Strangers is awesome, but his verse on the end feels tacked on. Beast Coast overall has been hella disappointing this year.
Spotify/YouTube/Apple Music
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