At first, I couldn’t recall more than seven or eight full hip hop albums that dropped. A plethora of singles, sure. But this list is for albums. Then, I began digging through my quarterly playlists. A lot of sleepers this year were released which I maybe forgot to go back to. Plus, certain dudes were busy during the pandemic and had multiple releases. And we saw albums from some hip hop giants; KRS, KGR, Snoop, Rock, Artifacts, Apathy, Vinnie Paz, PA, Mega. These are artists who know how to make complete albums.
Mount Westmore happened. A bunch of pop stars and TikTokers made records, I am sure. But we are here to address that ol’ boom bap. Also, there is the continued approach of one beatmaker or producer with one MC. This always adds consistency and a cohesive texture to the records. Don’t take the numbered order too strictly, especially outside top 10; but I would say this is my assessment of art and quality in order. Another month, and I would be shuffling again. Hell, I am rearranging as I write this.
Heartbreakingly, as soon as we got an Artifacts proper reunion album produced entirely by DITC’s Buckwild, we lost Tame One. RIP.
Just as painful, a prolific, gifted, and humbled student of life was taken, too. We lost one of the best MCs, one of the truest hip hop spirits. RIP Blacastan.
20. Raw Poetic X Damu The Fudgemonk Space Beyond the Solar System 22nd Century Sound
What is there to say about Damu? A producer/beatsmith/DJ/musician and so much more. His How It Should Sound series is unbeatable. Damu and Raw Poetic have done at least four LPs. Here, Damu does get spacey with the atmospheric Moog, processed bass, and reverb. But by the fourth track, “Freak,” he recedes from the abstract and chills into a nice piano and tympani (?) instrumental for Raw to spit over.
Raw definitely does his thing. He is an extremely consistent MC. “Freak” allows him to flex with verbal dexterity. “How I Kick It” has raucous drums to push the tempo. The tempos and vibe are elastic, and so are time lengths. Five-, six-, nine-, and yes, 11-minute jams show up over 17 tracks. Some definitely could have hit the editing room floor. Solid outing for the duo.
Pick up the 3XLP vinyl.
19. Apollo Brown x Philmore Greene Cost of Living Mello Music Group
That dusty Motown producer is back. This time, Apollo joins with Philmore Greene. This Chicago MC carries all 15 tracks on his back with only two guest appearances, one of whom is Evidence. So, that gets instant clout. I don’t know where Apollo is diggin’ but damn. Full, robust, sweeping beats. He has supplied for albums with Ras Kass, Planet Asia, OC, Skyzoo, Guilty Simpson, Ugly Heroes, and Journalist 103 (The Left).
And Brown stays fresh. Apollo shines with the velvet aural seduction of “Time Goes” and “This is Me” and the excellent “Day on the Ave.” “Steep Life”—with that Common sample as a hook, has Philly attack the mic with more aggression. Greene certainly switches his flow throughout the album. While I love Apollo Brown’s every beat, I do wish there was more variety in vibe. But with those crackling LPs in between tracks, it’s all fluid.
Mello Music Group sells the red vinyl, and Apollo’s bandcamp sells the green vinyl.
18. Termanology Rappin with My Friends ST
Recently on Sway in the Morning, Term noted he had 40-plus albums. I won’t go back and check, but 2022 surely supports that claim. The Lawrence MA MC dropped three records this year: The Determination, Rappin with My Friends, and Start 2 Finish with Paul Wall. That Sway episode was for the Paul Wall record with Paul Wall. Now, I never bought a Paul Wall LP ,nor can I name a song. But he came across as a humble, appreciative dude on the show.
And Start 2 Finish is a dope album. It had 10 tracks. Then, we got Determination with 14 tracks, with features from legends such as Kool G Rap, DJ Kay Slay, Tragedy Khadafi, Fredro Starr, Wais P. Many outstanding tracks here, too. Discover irimia rap music on YouTube. But I think Rappin with My Friends edges them. Fourteen more tracks for this year (38 total between the three albums). The man is an independent machine.
Highlights here are the deep bass of “I Could Tell You” with the contrasting keys. “3 x 24” hits hard with Brooklyn’s favorite battle rapper/podcast star, Math Hoffa (HOFFA!), joined by EA$Y Money. They provide the bars and the smooth vibe and bangin’ drums. EA$Y returns, This time with AG Da Coroner and L-Town legend, REKS on “Loneliness.” Between the three albums, it is arbitrary which one could go here. They all boast untarnished quality. Determination and Rappin with My Friends are not on discogs, so I cannot see who made the beats. But they all clap. Check all streaming services.
All three records are available on CD on Term’s bandcamp.
17. Jake Polumbo Plant-based Libtard Special LAB
Palumbo is another prolific independent wonder. Five albums on his own, and by “on his own” I mean beat maker, producer, and MC. Aside from those, the self-proclaimed vegan country boy has dropped an LP with Ruste Juxx and El Da Sensei. On Plant-Based Libtard, Palumbo reiterates his ultra-left values and admittedly gets caught in his feelings. And its refreshing.
His vocals get a little… silly. Is that the word? Very expressive, maybe. Palumbo stretches and emphasizes different syllables within a word. Not quite RA the Rugged Man (not as vulgar, either). But he can bust some raps. The record is top-heavy with the bangers out the gate, “Soy Boy with A Gun,” “Country Boy, City Kid,” and “Exit Stage Left.”
And then the last third of the record gets its weight from good beats and guests. Craig G and DJ Dainja join on “Big Top Clown Circus,” which is one of the top tracks; Nutso and DJ Evil Dee on “Listen Close,” and King Magnetic is featured on “Everything is Blazing.” Palumbo owns his own studio and does everything DIY. He references his “mental illness and a drug problem.” He is an open book, and it earns him well-deserved respect.
Special Lab’s bandcamp has the digital download.
16. Czarface Czarmageddon! Silver Age
Well. 2022. Another Czarface record. With all the remixes and instrumental EPs, and toy launches, admittedly I missed this. Well, I heard it and then forgot. But it is a proper album. To be unfair, if this isn’t a 8/10, I feel disappointed. Coming from Massachusetts, Eso and 7L have been in my stereo since day one. They released some of most played records. Add solo joints and Demigodz and AOTP, etc., and I have high expectations.
That first Czarface record is a brash classic. Lots of replay in my house. and INS a straight legend that was overshadowed for years because he didn’t have the media presence or charisma of ODB, RZA, or Meth, or Ghost & Rae. But real heads knew. Obviously the tragic flood that destroyed his first record killed momentum. And solo projects never felt fully fleshed out. But he always bodied dues when he had a single verse. When Czarface dropped, he finally got to get more acclaim.
When the third and fourth LPs dropped, they felt kind of rushed. There is a line from the 7L and Esoteric album 1212 where Eso says, “I made this beat in 10 minutes, yeah I cooked it up.” And that always stuck with me with each subsequent Czarface album. 7L is the man, but I wish there were more layers and tinkering. Obviously, the DOOM and Ghostface records had personality. And I am not saying the others fell flat. They all were solid. But the flood of product every year since 2015 (when Every Hero Needs a Villain dropped) kind of wore me out.
And again, I expect Czarface to be a Top 3 or Top 5 in any year. Still sharp. Still head bobbin’. Two of the greatest lyricists on one album. It doesn’t feel as if they are “dialing it in” but it kind of feels like it’s just three dudes hanging out and laying down some tracks. Not a precise, layered record. Not much press, no video, and no real samples for beats. Drums still bang. Still ill bars. Still 7L on the cut. Check “Damien’s Dinner Time,” “Splash Page,” and “Fearless & Inventive” (feat. Kool Keith). Still gets a Tommy Point.
Czarface’s website has CDs and Vinyl. And trading cards. And lunchboxes.
15. Shabaam Sahdeeq x Nick Wiz Cabin Fever Self-Released
I am a big Shabaam fan, and he delivers here. Sometimes Nick Wiz gets too electro with his beats. But he certainly can create a banger, as heard on “Watch Your Mouth,” “Pegasus,” and “The Antidote” (feat. cuts by DJ JS-1). “Different Era” feat. REKS also stands out. So does “Soul Food Sofrito.” Shabaam is a street dude with hard bars and a unique flow. Nick Wiz makes hard beats. It all connects.
Buy the digital download at River Bend Records or SS’s bandcamp.
14. Your Old Droog Yodney Dangerfield Self-Released
Another rapper slaving away. Mostly EPs, but damn. Your Old Droog dropped The Wolf on Wall Street Vol II; YOD Wave, Yod Stewart, Yodney Dangerfield, The Yodfather, The Shining. No slouch. YOD still utilizes his smokey, reclined vocals. He is back to using drums. The opener, “The Unknown Comic,” gives me everything I want in his music. Jazzy beats with dope drums riding the cymbal and stand-up bass and female vocals all misty in the background.
Droog dropping knowledge: (“Props ain’t always good/ word to Alec Baldwin”). Seven tracks of flawless performances. “Hand of YOD” has piano, “50k or Brunch” guitars, “The Tonight Show” with organ, and funky bass (“Y’all hanging at the mall, I’m in The Maldives/ taking in shows, raking in dough like fall leaves“). Clever bars and wordplay emphasizes this Droog’s intellect.
Your Old Droog’s webshop has this preorder.
13. Roc Marciano X The Alchemist The Elephant Man’s Bones ALC + Marci
Longtime cronies collab here. Great to see. It does have the trademark low mixed or complete absence of drums. That drops the ranking for me. I know Griselda is making hits and all, but rap music, to me, has hard drums. Roc is magician with the vernacular. Plus, he can paint a cinematic view of his landscape. Soul Assassin Alchemist continues his bend towards this style. And he shines, of course.
Alchemist is a talented vet and pairs well with Marci. He gets drums in there and killer cuts like “The Elephant Man’s Bones,” “Quantum Leap,” “Liquid Coke,” “Zig Zag, and ” Zig,” all robust with ill pianos, horns, and strings. Well-textured beats from Alchemist are such a great foundation for Roc. Actually, going back, this may be one of my top full-lengths from Alchemist thanks to extremely soulful samples and the smoky atmosphere. Plus, they add Ice-T, Action Bronson, Boldy James, and others.
Roc Marci’s webshop has CDs, cassettes, and black vinyl, or cough up $380 on eBay to get blue vinyl or cream vinyl.
12. Reckonize Real Subterranean Obscura Real Deff
Slow, dark, dense. There is a foreboding feel to Recognize Real’s outing, “Subteranean Obscura. Reacognize Real is a killer producer, and here he brings skilled rappers for features on this record. Pay particular attention to Rasheed Chappell and Guilty Simpson. Napolean Da Legend, MED, Supreme Cerebral, Eloh Kush, Copywrite, XP The Marxman, and more. Their stories elevate the stark tales illustrated here. “Writings” is especially grimy. This is the manifestation of a lowly lit blunt ride through the wrong side of town. No stopping.
Subterreanean Obscura is available on limited-edition CD at Fat Beats.
11. D-Styles X J Scienide The Periodic Table of Excellence Beat Junkies + Fat Beats + Static King
What a stunning surprise this record was. Out of Brooklyn comes J Scienide, who has been doing his thing. Now linking up with D-Styles, the two are making magic. Funky, soulful, bombastic magic. Check the hypnotic tapestry on “When the Wind Blows.” With international respect due, D-Styles comes from the Legendary Beat Junkies crew.
J Scienide, a producer in his own right, here plays the MC. And all beats were constructed by D-Styles. The second track, “Well-Played,” is centered around a deep, funky bass with some enlightened tones perfect for a laid back sunny Cali day. So, it is appropriate to have your girl’s favorite color, Blu, on the track. “Heart Stopper” has punchy jazz snare and piano keys and subdued horn, very cool. “Sum of All Fears” is another stark beat with J’s verbal gymnastics and D on the illustrative cuts. Whew! You get twice bass with the TK241.
J Scienide’s bandcamp has the digital download.
10. Kool G Rap Last of the Dying Breed Full Mettle
KGR. What more needs to be said. He did most of it first, or just better than the first. First to take the crime rhyme to the next level after Schooly D and Ice-T. First to have those jam-packed, multisyllabic verses after Rakim. Coming up with Marley and Kane. Then, culminating in the robust, flawless Live and Let Die, paired with the cinematic thick beats and cinematic orchestration of Sir Jinx. KGR’s storytelling is upper echelon. Rarely matched. As shown on Riches, Royalty, Respect (2011) and Return of the Don (2017), KGR fits best over ’70’s soul sounds and samples.
Here, we get the proven thoroughly. The treat of the album—and the year—is KGR teamed with BDK again on “Fly till I Die.” “Sacred Money” is smooth horns with KGR’s untouchable skills displayed. That rolls right into “Never Be” (feat. Royal Flush + Vado + Folkland Los) with same Jazz lounge vibe, bass, and keys. Sophisticated shit for a player. KGR gets gritty with a bouncing beat and NEMS on “Critical” (Bing Bong! FYL!). Born Hustler boasts 38 Spesh and AZ. There is a slue of bangers following totaling 11 tracks. Then, the album closes with Doo Wop, Marley Marl, and Grandmaster Caz on “Born N Raised” (Prod by Domingo). Kool G Rap has not lost a step. Great Record.
RRC Music has the album available on straight black vinyl; black w/OBI, 70; white marble, 230; red marble, 300; digipak CD; black cassette, 100.
9. Vinnie Paz Tortured in the Name of God’s Unconditional Love Iron Tusk
Straight from Pistolvania, it’s Boxcutter Pazzy. Another solo record, solemn and treacherous. His solo LPs always let Vinnie play with different beats, producers, and guests. He still spittin’ that four-bar structure, and it works so well. Bars and authenticity, that’s Vinnie Paz. He places his blood on the beat: pain, loss, warts and all.
Production by DJ Muggs, C-Lance, Stu Bangas, and more. Cuts by Eclipse and 7L. Vocal guests Meth (perfect match on this), Camp Lo, Ras Kass, Ill Bill, Lord Goat, Kurupt, OT the Real, Recognize Ali, MOP (Brilliant! punching horns, cuts, and three of the grimiest) and more. If you like Pazzy, you know what to expect. As usual, he overloads the record. Here we get 18 cuts. But he keeps it moving. Another bad-ass record by a real working man for over 30 years.
Available on digipak CD at all outlets, or preorder the silver cassette at JMT store.
8. Planet Asia Heist the Crown (X Body Bag Ben); UZI (X Snowgoons) Body Bag + Fat Beats / Goon MuSick
What do you do when one of your top five doing it drops fiv LPs? Just light one, kick back, and enjoy. Again, some misses for me, especially with that eschewing drums production. But we have multiple to choose from. PA returns with his dudes. As I firmly attest, one producer yields higher quality and cohesive albums. So here, his two better ones are with Body Bag Ben and god damn, SnowGoons!
That record, U.Z.I—standing for Universal Zeitgeist Intelligence—is only six tracks (plus the six instrumentals), but there is no filler. “Scud Missile” is the menacing, energetic track here with proper drums an chaotic clouds everywhere. “Brick & Mortar” is the classic boom bap sound, drums, sample, cuts for a dope hook, incl. Guru. Plus he shouts out mad Boston hoods Roxbury, Dorchester, Mattapan, Roslindale, with more pressure, from Hyde Park to Hollywood.”.But then the Flash from NBS with the Boston and Snowgoons connect all make sense.
U.Z.I. 2XLP is gorgeous. Snowgoons’ webstore has it; purple/green mesh; instrumentals on black splatter in orange.
Heist the Crown unites PA and Body Bag Ben from Oxnard. The latter supplies only the hard shit. Bangin’ beats, dark and disturbing. Nine tracks here. Some good subversive paranoia is added to an apocalyptic feel. Morose strings on “Shake the Building” is hard, “Death Dealers,” “Heavy Metal,” and “Lord Have Mercy” all horror-tinged soundscapes.
Check the HTC site for CD or vinyl.
Oh. Alkaline Genetics with NugLife is also killer.
7. Truth X Da Beatminerz For All Intents and Purposes Animal Military
Truth shook the hip hop scene with From Ashes to Kingdom Come in 2016. Three years later, he gave us The Fight for Survival. Three years later, he returns. This time with Da Beatminerz on every track. Mr Walt and Evil Dee also are joined by elder statesmen DJ JS-1, PF Cuttin, and Large Pro. Truth’s sonic savagery carries the LP solo for 11 tracks.
But when he brings guests, god damn he brings guest. The track “Entourage” is an all-star cast of lyrical mastery: Ras Kass, Tragedy Khadafi, Treach, Joe Fatal, Large Pro. Speechless. Watch below. Two pairs of the dustiest hands from diggin’, Da Beatminerz, are legends for their collection and skill at making beats. Here, they bring nothing but heat. Truth is a vibrant MC who brings the impact. Throw in DJ JS-1 and PF Cuttin; this album is pure hip hop. A queens classic in 2022.
The homies at Get On Down have green vinyl. Careful. You can spend a lot of money there. Quickly.
6. Cormega The Realness II Viper Records
Still one of the best MCs/writers. Some of the beats are a little clean/melodic. My personal preference is more grimy, but repeated listens exhibits Mega’s tenacity. He has a life of potential and promises, but between incarceration and shady labels, things never quite aligned. Twenty-fourteen’s Mega Philosophy showed the world that his skills were still fresh and piercing since his iconic debut, 2001’s The Realness.
I always hate when rappers name a record a “Part II” from a record 15 years old. But Raekwon OB4CL II shut me up. And the Realness II doing the same. His unassuming vocals and low-key flowdoe snot prepare a listener for the street stories. He slings slang and creates pictures which engage any audience.
The Queensbridge legend glues his name to the reverence it deserves on 13 tracks. Plus, he brings some locals with him: Nas (“Glorious”), Lloyd Banks (“Grand Scheme”), and Havoc (“Paradise”), with production from The Alchemist (“Glorious”), Large Professor (“Life and Rhymes”), Streetrunner (“Grand Scheme,” “Paradise”), Harry Fraud (“Man Vs Myth”), and more. The elder version of Cormega is severely wiser and patient. But his urgency still radiates from the speakers.
Hit up Viper Records for the preorder of limited edition CD or cassette.
5. Guilty Simpson Guilty Man Bites Dog
One of my favorite rappers with some intense imagery and potent commentary. Detroit’s Guilty Simpson has been dropping bold records for 15 years. Acmes of his long trek include his first two, Ode to the Ghetto (2008) and OJ Simpson (2010). But he ravaged mics when teamed with a producer. Note the respect on his name to work the elite producers: Apollo Brown (Dice Game, 2012), Small Professor (Highway Robbery, 2013), Gensu Dean (Shaken EP, 2014) , MED (Loyalty, 2018), Reckonize Real (Carved from Stone, 2018) , again with Gensu Dean (Ego, 2021) and when he got with Black Milk and Sean Price (riP!) as Random Axe.
And there are others, solos and collabs throughout his career. SO where does that leave Guilty? Weathered but focused. DJ Ragz shows up on five of the seven tracks. Detroit brethren Oh No appears. Prince Po (Organized Konfusion) and Bronze Naxareth appear. “Linch Pins” is a melancholic reflection. Those violin strings layered with choral vocals and a shuffling snare. Coming out of pandemic definitely influenced 2022. This is another dark and dense record. “Make it Count”s drums pair with a subtle trumpet. Guilty is short but intense.
Man Bites Dog bandcamp has a gorgeous 140 gm grey smoke vinyl.
4. Rasheed Chappell X Little Vic A Portrait Of… Perfect Time
I had heard Rasheed Chappell through the years. He has been making music to bump since the late ’00s. His First Brick record was solid (2018). But recently, he has solidified his presence with 2020’s team ups: with 38 Spesh on Ways and Means and Buckwild on Sinners and saints, followed by 2021’s Rx. He has been honing his craft and perfecting the pen.
Now, we see Rasheed come through with Little Vic. Vic favors my favorite sample elements, horns, strings, and keys. Most tracks have an uplifting vibe or at least up beat. “Tax Free is my favorite track. Also check “Two Masters,” “The Vision” (sweet hi-hat and cymbals), “Save Room,” and “Avocado Toast.” Honestly, not a skip track here. Rasheed’s lyrics are intelligent, insightful, descriptive, and vivid. Reminds me of Rashad & Confidence’s The Element of Surprise. But I know Rasheed Campbell will keep going. The lyrical assault here is brilliant. Have you pressing rewind. And his flow is smooooooth. This album just came out on December 9. I haven’t sat with it for too long. This is probably Top 3.
Buy a signed LP at merchbar, or support Rasheed Chappell on bandcamp CDs and Vinyl
3. Artifacts X Buckwild No Expiration Date Josip Strnad
Well, this is a sentimental piece. Being teased through out the years of a reunion album, and getting sporadic tracks in the prior decade, but would it happen? Could it live up to their two ’90s classics? True spawns of Hip Hop, Artifacts were from da wrong side of da tracks and spoke of the streets, herb, New Jeruz, graffiti, DJing, diggin’ and rappin’ their asses off. They been around the world and toured hard. They went separate ways and both had dope solo LPs.
But the synergy was missed. And then it happened. And it was with a consistent producer, the DITC icon, Buckwild. Tame One with his spastic tactics of wordplay, piled-on syllables, and his brand of humor. El Da Sensei with the wit and wisdom. After all these years, it dropped, and it lived up to all expectations. From the first cut to the last track, no filler. Ten tracks. Ironically and painfully titled, No Expiration Date, truly stung when six days before its November 12 release date, Tame One passed. Three years after, their DJ, DJ KAOS, passed. Crushing. Wish he got to see the love and reception of No Expiration Date.
Smoke On Records has black-and-yellow vinyl and instrumental vinyl on black.
2. Apathy X Stu Bangas King of Gods, No Second Dirty Version
Well, the king is back. He never vacated that throne, though. With all the Demigodz and AOTP work, add to it a million features on others’ albums, and nasty solos like Eastern Philosophy, Wanna Snuggle?!?, Honkey Kong, The Widow’s Son, Perestroika (with OC), and Connecticut Casual, Apathy has shown tenacity, motivation, versatility, and flexibility, and most of all, skill and talent. His work ethic is arduous. This time, he has Stu Bangas under him, laying his dope fashion of sample-based beats.
Apathy’s thought process, hubris, and wordplay is nearly unparalleled in this game. King of Gods, No Second seems him power up, with Pharoahe Monch (his idol) once again. Here we get a savage “Malediction.” The prior one, produced by Pete Rock, “I Keep On” is a top five-track of the decade for me. Apathy rips it on “Malediction.” Disappointingly, Pharoahe only has two bars, not a verse. Ugh.
Apathy brings on familiar voices from his crew with Eso and Celph. Sick Jacken makes a great pairing with Ap on “Face Down.” But Apathy also provides a hammering track with Jadakiss, “No Time to Waste.” And also, for good measure, the living GOAT, Black Thought, on “Disgusting.” Two ceaseless minds constantly stimulated finally captured together. Most beats are slow, right in my comfort zone, probably 86—106; mostly around 92ish.
Stu provides excellent foundations. Big horns that give Apathy the grandiose platform he deserves. Stu’s MPC loves soundtracks and big music. Eso appears on “Draw Blood” with cool scratches and a ’70s funk base from Stu, bass, stabbing horns, and afro-beat drums. Apathy’s confidence is at an unmeasured level, probably from his life always giving back to what he puts in it. His rhymes are nuts. The mystique of the prior three LPs remains. Everything came together for Ap here because he is his own best editor.
Demigodz Store has combo bundles of black vinyl, CDs, shirts, downloads, and/or instrumental version.
1. Black Thought X Danger Mouse Cheat Codes BMG
I treat my top 5 like the current rules of Wheel of Fortune‘s final round. Back in the day, everyone would pick RSTLNE because of probability. Eventually, WOF just gave those letters automatically. SO with my Top 5 or 10, Melle Mel, Rakim, KGR, KRS, BDK should be a given. Nas. Redman. So if I look at MCs making records now (or would be) my personal favorite MCs/lyricists are Sean Price, Ras Kass, GZA, Pharoahe, Planet Asia, Apathy. But then I have INS, RAE, Eso, Slaine, Vinnie Paz. Shit. Joell Ortiz, Mos Def, Tash, Boots Riley, Immortal Technique, King Tee.
I love rap. I have tried to make an all-time Top 50 list. I couldn’t pare it down from 80. But when you talk success, credibility, albums, longevity, live performance, skills, essence, talents, intellect, dexterity, one current rapper stands out there. Black Thought. He is aware. A genius. An iconoclast. A revolutionary. An intellectual. And a fucking brilliant wordsmith.
Paired with Danger Mouse and the full scale, funky-ass beats he tailored boiling with heft and rhythm, shit. The head is bobbin’. The soul is stirred. The cerebral is stimulated.
This record is amazing. Everything your mind could concoct for expectations. The album is relentless. Track after track. DM weaves old-soul samples with the love and dust they had when released. Full spectrum of instruments gel to lay a tapestry for Black Thought. Definitely crafted for someone used to a live band. DM’s choices are never whimsical, exact, and precise. The vibe throughout supports the other songs. Not one is jolting; no ‘single’ tracks to just out in your sonic travels.
That said. The “singles,” “Cheat Codes,” “Belize” (feat DOOM), and “No Gold Teeth” are stunning, next-level shit. Twelve tracks and not a miss. Elegant to angry, smooth to confrontational. Black Thought. You have to be ready to listen to him. Where as I probably listen to Sean Price, Apathy, and KGR the most (Ras Kass, too), I may not listen to Black Thought the most. But that is only because I have to focus. Everything else has to stop and let me absorb and study and analyze. That’s why he is The GOAT.
Go straight to the source for shirts, hoodies, and black vinyl.
Honorable Mentions
Some vets released full LPs that deserve a nod. Definitely a few joints on each LP.
KRS-One I M A M C R U 1 2 Title track and “Achieving the Levels” and a few others, but the beats are rather weak.
Snoop Dogg BODR Death Row *Check the banger with Nas, “Conflicted.” A couple other tracks, but it’s snoop. Nothing too deep. And a scattered feel.
Rockness Monsta X Ron Browz Ether Rocks Fat Beats. Beats are not my favorite, but some solid tracks. Still always be on my greats of MCs.
L’Orange X Marlowe X Solemn Brigham Marlowe 3 Mello Music Group solid, one of the better L’Orange albums for beats.
EPS
Blu X Fatlip Live from the End of the World, Vol I (Demos) Guilty By Association Great music here. A cool compilation.
Pawz One X Evolve Random Acts of Violence Below System Banger!!! More of this please.
Recognize Ali X Swab Shooters for Hire Ol’ Dusty’s Records Banger!!! This hits hard.
Murs Multiple EPs, LP, and singles.
DJ Premier HIP HOP 50: Volume I Mass Appeal PREEMO! “Beat Breaks” w/ Nas; Remy Ma + Rapsody, “Remy Rap,” and finally! Slick Rick over Preemo, “The Root of All.”
Dres X Stu Bangas Sheep Stu Brutal Music Often underrated. Smooth swag and wordplay.
Grand Official released four singles this year with top tier guests. If only this was one EP.
Grand Official X MOP “Fire” EP – Top 3 Tracks this Year
Grand Official X KRS “Respect”
Grand Official X Ras Kass “Better Recognize”
Grand Official X Cappadonna “By Any Means”
Beats
Marco Polo MP on the MP: The Beat Tape Vol 3 Tuff Kong Short beats, but he is a Brooklyn legend for a reason.
Es-K Rebirth daaaaark album.
Emapea Still Got It Hip Dozer another sharp record by the lord of chill. Spirited vibe.
