Patrick Taylor

“No Love Deep Web” continues Death Grips’ death trip, and is another solid 47 minutes of artistic aggro.

Ali is a mess of contradictions, but his latest effort proves how well those contradictions work together.

However challenging or confusing his rhymes can be, the songs still work with their combination of banging beats, rich lyricism, and twisted humor.

If you like your hip-hop smart, check out Open Mike Eagle.

While hip-hop is full of wanna-be’s, that’s not the vibe you get from Joey Bada$$ and his Pro.Era crew.

“Preparing for Capture” is a team-up of two underground hip-hop artists who have been traveling under the radar for over a decade.

"R.A.P. Music" is an album that is musically and thematically cohesive, succinct, devoid of any filler, and banging from start to finish.

This is gritty, grimy, hardcore hip-hop, as nasty as it wants to be.

"Kindred" isn't about making noise, moving asses, or channeling adolescent energy. It's the sound of a composer showing just what can be done with a sampler in the right hands.

Ed Sheeran is an impressive talent, but his juvenile lyrics and lightweight sensibility make him a tough sell to any one old enough to drink.

“XXX” is another excellent release from the man who is one of the best rappers out there, proving that you can be lyrical and street at the same time, and that hip-hop doesn’t have to be one dimensional.

“Exmilitary” is an uncomfortable experience, one that will induce headaches and cause long-term hearing damage. Still, as annoying and aggravating as it can be, it is also a rush. It takes the listener on a crazed ride, the sonic equivalent of hanging out with Hunter S. Thompson on a trip to Las Vegas.

The craziest thing about Clams Casino’s beats is how well they pair with street rap. Taken on their own, as on this mixtape, they are beautiful with an edge of danger. With ASAP or Lil B rapping over them, they sound as natural to street rap as weed and rims.

“Cosmogramma” is ambitious, wonky, slippery, glitchy, and beautiful.

It’s easily one of my favorite records of the year so far, and I’ve been evangelizing all my friends about Danny Brown. Don’t sleep on “The Hybrid.”

The beats are solid, and Tyler is a good rapper. His frequent references to rape was a deal-breaker though. I can’t condone it, and I can’t fuck with a rapper who would rap about it.

At the end of the day, “The Music Scene” is a good album, but one that is hard to get excited about.

This is some other-level shit, and P.O.S. is redefining what hip hop can be.

“Liquid Courage” is a strong debut by a promising group.