This might be my favourite album of the year so far. Kenny Mason is so underrated and the energy he brings on this is just on another level. It’s such a fun album and the production is amazing — I really love the rock influence some of these songs have, it gives the whole thing its own sound.

The features are all great too, every single one adds something and doesn’t just feel like a name on the tracklist. The Paris Texas feature especially stands out.

It was hard to pick a ... read more

Actually a really good album and honestly his best in the last 8 years. It’s not a masterpiece and there are some filler tracks on here, but it’s a genuinely enjoyable listen with a good mix of solid and great songs throughout.

No standout classic moment that defines the whole project, but it doesn’t really need one — it just works as an album and that’s enough.

Favorite track: “2 Hard 4 the Radio” — though “Plot Twist” is right ... read more

I really enjoyed this one, there are no weak moments on here. Joey’s intensity carries through the whole album and what I like is that it’s got a strong message without ever feeling heavy or preachy — it still gives off these summer vibes that make it just as easy to put on for a chill listen as it is to actually sit down and take in the lyrics.

The rapping is top tier and the production matches it perfectly. For me this is his best project.

Favorite track: “Rockabye ... read more

Not the biggest Freddie Gibbs fan personally, but this album is hard to argue with. The raw rapping is top tier and The Alchemist’s production is insane — the two just fit together perfectly. It’s a short album but it doesn’t need to be longer, everything on here earns its place and nothing overstays its welcome.

If this isn’t Freddie’s best work I don’t know what is. It’s a focused, no-filler project and that’s exactly why it hits as hard ... read more

After Hours is a good album but I do think it’s a bit overrated. The first half is kind of underwhelming — nothing bad, just nothing that really grabs you either. But the second half picks up hard and that’s where some of The Weeknd’s best work lives. The sound of the album is genuinely amazing though, that dark 80s synth-pop aesthetic is done really well from start to finish.

There’s no real skip here, a few mid tracks sure, but nothing that ruins the listen. ... read more

I get why this album is rated so highly, but I still think it’s a bit overrated. It’s not bad at all it just doesn’t hit as consistently as I expected.

There are some strong moments and the production is obviously there, but a few tracks just don’t land for me. It feels a bit uneven, like it has highs but also parts that don’t really stick, which holds it back from being as great as people say.

Favorite track: 90210. This is one of the few that really hits and ... read more

like the N.W.A-inspired sound on this album — it gives it a raw, energetic feel. BigXthaPlug, Ro$ama, MyrdaGang PB, and Yung Hood all deliver solid performances, and there’s a good level of consistency throughout.

That said, it’s not a great album. There aren’t many songs that really stick with you after listening, and overall it feels a bit forgettable. It doesn’t get boring, which helps, but it also doesn’t leave a strong impression.

My favorite track is ... read more

This is a really strong album from McKinley Dixon. The production is the biggest highlight — some of these beats are genuinely magical, with incredible detail and atmosphere throughout.

At times, I feel like I might’ve preferred slightly different lyricism or even another artist over some of these beats, but that could just be personal preference. His rapping is still strong and consistent, and the album has a lot going for it overall. It’s the kind of project that could grow ... read more

This is an incredible album from Kanye West and Kid Cudi. It’s a shame it’s only seven songs long, because every track hits. There’s no filler at all — each song feels important and fully realized.

Kanye and Cudi both do their part perfectly, and their chemistry really carries the album. The mix of emotion, energy, and unique production makes it stand out a lot compared to other projects.

My favorite track is “Cudi Montage” — a powerful song and one ... read more

This is a good album from James Blake, even if it’s not really my genre. The production and atmosphere are strong, and you can tell a lot of care went into the sound of the project.

That said, some of the songs feel a bit monotone, and at times it can become a bit of a snooze fest for me. It’s still a solid album overall, but not something I’d revisit very often.

My favorite track is “I Had a Dream She Took My Hand” — I really love the instrumentals on that ... read more

This might be the best written album from Kendrick Lamar. The themes and storytelling are incredibly strong, and you can tell how personal the project is. It’s a long album, but it goes by surprisingly fast because the writing and performances keep it engaging.

There are a few tracks I probably wouldn’t go back to often, but overall the album is still amazing. Kendrick takes a very honest and introspective approach here, which makes the whole project feel deeper than most rap ... read more

This might honestly be one of the best collaboration albums in hip-hop. Mos Def and Talib Kweli have incredible chemistry, and it shows on every track. They bounce off each other naturally, and their styles complement each other perfectly.

The rapping is obviously top tier throughout the whole album, and there really isn’t a weak moment here. It’s a focused, thoughtful project that still feels smooth and easy to listen to.

My favorite track is “Brown Skin Lady” — ... read more

This isn’t one of the strongest projects from Joey Bada$$. There are definitely some standout tracks on here, but overall the production feels a bit more basic compared to some of his earlier work. That said, Joey’s rapping and lyricism are still top tier — his flow and delivery are sharp throughout the album.

Some songs hit really well, but others don’t leave much of an impression. And honestly, “Welcome Back” just doesn’t work at all — ... read more

This is a crazy debut mixtape from Joey Bada$$ and probably his best project. The production is absolutely top tier — really smooth and classic, with that strong 90s hip-hop influence that fits his style perfectly. Joey’s rapping is incredibly sharp throughout the whole tape, and his flow stays consistent from start to finish.

There honestly isn’t a bad song on here. The project also has a really nice summer vibe to it, which makes it an easy listen from beginning to end.

My ... read more

I think this is a pretty solid Ski Mask the Slump God album. As always, his flow is one of the best out there — fast, creative, and full of personality. There are definitely some really catchy songs on here that remind you why he stands out in his lane.

That said, the album might be a bit too long. Some tracks feel mid, and it doesn’t really show much growth compared to his older work. His style is still fun, but it hasn’t changed much over the years.

My favorite track is ... read more

This is exactly what you’d want and expect from a Danny Brown and JPEGMAFIA collaboration. The energy is crazy from beginning to end, and the production is wild, chaotic, and completely unpredictable.

Their chemistry is insane — they bounce off each other perfectly, matching each other’s intensity on every track. There’s not really a bad song on here, and the album never feels boring or repetitive. It fully commits to its weird, experimental sound and makes it work.

My ... read more

This is a strong Jay-Z album, and you can really hear him at his lyrical peak. His rapping is sharp, detailed, and confident throughout the project. The storytelling and wordplay are easily some of the best of his career.

That said, there aren’t that many really catchy or instantly memorable songs for me. It’s more of a lyrical showcase than a hit-heavy album. Still, “Dead Presidents II” is insane — easily the standout track and one of his best songs ever.

This EP only has five songs, and for me, only two of them are actually good. The other tracks just don’t work — they feel messy and awkward, and they haven’t aged well. “Just Don’t Bite It” in particular is just weird and hard to sit through.

That said, the opening track “100 Miles and Runnin’” is easily the highlight. It has strong energy and reminds you why N.W.A were so impactful in the first place.

Overall, it’s a short project ... read more

This is a fun little album that’s easy to enjoy. The instrumentation is lively and groovy, and everything sounds really well put together. Ebo Taylor blends funk, highlife, and soul in a way that feels warm and effortless.

The vocals fit the sound perfectly and add to the laid-back, feel-good vibe of the album. It’s not something I’d overanalyze, but it’s a great listen when you just want something smooth and enjoyable.

This album honestly saved 2025 for hip-hop. Clipse are back and rapping better than ever. Of course Pusha T is amazing as usual, but Malice really surprised me — he goes crazy on these songs and sounds completely locked in.

Pharrell Williams’s production is incredible, giving the album a sharp, polished sound that fits Clipse perfectly. The features are also insane and add a lot without taking attention away from the duo. The whole album feels focused, confident, and powerful.

My ... read more