Patrick Taylor
One of the things that makes Simz such a great artist is the way she is able to hold being both vulnerable and confident. She knows she’s one of the best rappers, but she also knows that she can get in her own way and be her own worst enemy.
1y
Bruiser Wolf’s flow, beats, humor, and skill on the mic elevate what could be standard drug raps into one of the better albums to come out this year.
1y
He takes responsibility for his own actions without coming off as self-flagellating, and it never feels like he is wallowing in his misery.
1y
“Drop 6” is a quieter affair than “Grey Area,” but it doesn’t feel tossed off. It manages to sound both isolating and uplifting at the same time, and really shows an artist who is honing their loneliness and boredom into creativity.
1y
“Grey Area” deserves all of the accolades it has received. Little Simz is a talented rapper with a broad range. She ... raps with fierceness, attitude, sensitivity, and intelligence.
1y
He writes with almost a journalistic sharpness, capturing little details to paint stark pictures of desperation, ruthlessness, and what it takes to survive when you have limited options
1y
His lyrics are as sharp as ever, and he tackles some serious stuff, referencing the Black Lives Matter movement, how trapped he feels being Tyler, the Creator and his need for genuine connection.
1y
“Big Fish Theory” sees Staples evolve as a rapper and an artist, and prove himself as a singular talent in hip-hop.
1y
On “Ctrl,” SZA proves that you can be confident yet insecure, sexual yet crave affection and genuine connection, and empowered and still prone to falling for bad boys and all the drama that entails.
1y
It’s hard for me to tell to what extent the issues I have with “All-Amerikkkan” are due to it being genuinely lacking and what is due to me having unrealistic expectations.
1y
More than anything, “A Seat at the Table” is an album about what it means to be a black woman in 2016.
1y
Danny Brown is pushing himself on “Atrocity Exhibition,” tackling a variety of beats and challenging whatever stereotypes people have about him. He’s continuing to evolve as an artist, dealing with heavy subject matter in a way that is never to dour or depressing.
1y
It’s an album that is all about skill and deliberation, and maintains Ka’s rep as one of the more unique voices out there.
1y
"Still Brazy" may be unrepentant gangsta rap, but YG is well aware of the cost of the life he raps about, and the forces that drive people to it.
1y
At the end of the day, A$APs charisma and finesse mostly compensate for his shortcomings as a lyricist. That, combined with the trippy heaviness of Danger Mouse’s production, make “A.L.L.A.” an album worth spending time with, even dead sober.
1y
What I love about "The Epic" is how successfully it builds on the history of jazz music while making it contemporary. It is an album that pushes boundaries and yet is always listenable and relatable, even at its most intricate and complex.
1y