Liquid Swords has really strong rapping throughout. GZA’s lyricism is sharp and focused, and the beats are simple but menacing, with a dark, unsettling atmosphere that fits the album perfectly.

That said, it can feel a bit monotonous at times. The tone doesn’t change much, so while it’s never bad, it doesn’t always pull me back in either. I still like it more than The Infamous by Mobb Deep.

“B.I.B.L.E.” is my favorite track — great beat and really ... read more

Since I Left You is a good instrumental project and definitely a vibe. The production is creative and fun, and it flows really smoothly as an album.

That said, it’s not something I’d really go back to. A lot of it blends together for me, and there isn’t much that fully sticks after it ends. The one big exception is “Frontier Psychiatrist,” which stands out way more than the rest and is easily my favorite track.

Incredible comeback album. After 18 years, A Tribe Called Quest came back and dropped what might be their best — and final — album. It doesn’t feel forced or dated at all; it sounds confident, focused, and timeless.

The features are stacked and everyone does their job perfectly. There are a lot of really catchy songs, and the rapping is sharp all the way through. Tribe’s laid-back vibe is still there, but it sounds more mature and refined.

“The Space ... read more

I don’t really understand the hype around this project. It’s obviously not bad, but it’s also not that impressive to me. The rapping is good, but that’s kind of where it stops — nothing really stands out enough to pull me back in.

It feels fine while it’s on, but once it’s over, there’s not much that sticks.

Donuts is a solid album. A lot of the beats are really well produced, and there are some super catchy moments throughout. You can hear how creative and influential it is, and it’s easy to respect the craftsmanship.

That said, it’s just not something I go back to a lot, mostly because there’s no rapping — that’s just my personal taste. I get why people love this album so much, even if it doesn’t fully click for me.

“Workinonit” really stood out. ... read more

The production on this album is on another level. Everything sounds huge, rich, and perfectly put together. There isn’t another album with better features — everyone shows up and delivers, and nothing feels wasted or unnecessary.

There isn’t a single miss here. Every song feels important, and a lot of them are straight-up some of Kanye’s best work. The album feels grand and confident, but also emotional and personal at times. It’s just hit after hit.

This might ... read more

Don’t Be Dumb is a solid album from A$AP Rocky. It’s not his best, and there are a few mid tracks, but overall it’s still a good project. Rocky clearly leans into experimenting with different sounds and genres, which keeps the album interesting.

Some of these ideas might not fully click right now, but I think in a couple years people will appreciate this album a lot more. “Stole Ya Flow” is my favorite track — great energy and one of the highlights.

Metaphorical Music is a beautiful album, and I completely get why some people would call it perfect. The sounds are magical and calming, with a really peaceful atmosphere that feels timeless.

That said, it’s just not something for me personally. I respect it a lot, but it’s not an album I’d go back to every day. Even then, it’s still really well made and easy to appreciate for what it is.

My favorite track is “Think Different.”

I could talk about this album for hours. Late Registration is perfect to me. Everything hits — the production, the samples, the features, the rapping, and the lyricism. It’s high energy but still emotional at times, and it never gets boring. Every track feels unique and adds something different.

The orchestral production gives the album such a big, rich sound, and Kanye sounds hungry and confident the whole way through. The features are used perfectly and never feel ... read more

The Forever Story is a really good album. JID has an incredible flow and his rapping ability is some of the best out right now. His lyricism reminds me a lot of Kendrick Lamar, especially in how he tells stories and switches flows so smoothly.

The album stays strong all the way through and never gets boring. My favorite track is “Dance Now” with Kenny Mason — great energy and they work really well together.

Black on Both Sides is a really strong album that shows how talented Mos Def is as both a rapper and a writer. His lyricism is sharp, thoughtful, and full of personality, and his laid-back but confident delivery makes the whole project easy to sit with.

There isn’t a single bad song on the album. Even the tracks I wouldn’t replay as much still feel well-made and meaningful. Mos Def balances social commentary, introspection, and fun without forcing any of it.

“Brooklyn” ... read more

OFFLINE! is wild in the best way. There really aren’t many albums like it — it’s chaotic, loud, and all over the place, but it works. JPEGMAFIA leans fully into his weirdness here, mixing abrasive beats, glitchy production, and raw energy without holding back.

The rap/rock experimentation is one of the album’s strongest points, especially on “END CREDITS!”, which is easily the standout. That track goes crazy and shows how well Peggy can blend genres without ... read more

Piñata starts off strong and grabs you early. Madlib’s production is the real highlight — gritty, dusty, and creative, with some beats that feel like his best work. The sound carries a raw West Coast feel that gives the album a lot of character.

Freddie Gibbs isn’t usually my favorite, but he surprised me here. His rapping fits the beats well and feels focused and confident, even if he doesn’t always keep me fully locked in. As the album goes on, it kind of loses ... read more

Aquemini is unreal. Every track hits, and the vibe is just perfect from start to finish. The production is rich, soulful, and experimental without ever losing that Southern identity, and it gives the album this warm, cosmic feel that pulls you all the way in. It’s the kind of album where nothing feels wasted — every song adds something.

Big Boi and André 3000 are at the top of their game here. The rapping is effortless but sharp, switching between introspective, smooth, and ... read more

How have I never heard this album before? Atrocity Exhibition is insane. The energy is off the charts, the beats are uncomfortable in the best way, and Danny Brown sounds completely unhinged but locked in at the same time. It’s chaotic, paranoid, and addictive — nothing about it feels safe or normal.

The production is crazy. Industrial, distorted, noisy, but still sharp and detailed. Every beat feels like it’s closing in on you, and Danny rides them perfectly with wild flows ... read more

The Infamous is clearly a good album, and it deserves respect for what it did for gritty New York hip-hop. The dark, cold production and bleak lyrics paint a really strong picture of street life, and you can hear how influential it’s been. Mobb Deep sound focused and serious the whole way through.

That said, it’s not an album that’s easy to come back to. A lot of the tracks blend together, and the nonstop grim tone makes it feel heavy on repeat listens. It hits hard in the ... read more

The Low End Theory is a classic that helped change what hip-hop could sound like. The jazzy basslines and simple but smooth beats give the album a laid-back feel that still holds up today. Q-Tip and Phife Dawg bounce off each other naturally, with smart, funny bars that never feel forced.

The influence of this album is huge, especially for jazz rap and alternative hip-hop. Songs like “Check the Rhime” show how confident and effortless Tribe could be, but the real highlight is ... read more

Honestly, Madvillainy never really clicked for me the way it does for other people. I get that MF DOOM is super respected and Madlib’s production is meant to be raw and left-field, but a lot of it just felt kind of scattered to me. The beats are interesting, but sometimes they sound half-finished or just hard to vibe with. DOOM’s rapping is dense and quirky, which is cool in theory, but I found myself zoning out because there’s not much structure—no real hooks or ... read more

Chromakopia stands out as a really strong project that balances creativity with cohesion. The production is rich and layered—each track feels like it opens a new world, but they all tie together with a clear vision. It’s experimental without being too out there, and you can tell a lot of care went into the sound design and transitions. Some moments might be a bit abstract for casual listeners, but overall it’s a polished, unique body of work that leaves a lasting impression. ... read more

GNX is a 7.5/10 because it’s got a lot going for it, even if it doesn’t fully hit every mark. The production is clean, creative, and the vibe is consistent—there’s definitely a clear vision behind it. The artist sounds confident and brings energy, but some tracks don’t hit as hard as others, either lyrically or sonically. It’s the kind of project where you can hear the potential, and there are standout moments that really shine. While it might not be ... read more