New Joint – Ché Noir / Ransom / 38 Spesh

Ché Noir ft. Ransom & 38 Spesh – “Table For 3” (@Che_Noir / 2022)

Talented Buffalo emcee Ché Noir teams-up with two fellow lyrical heavyweights on this self-produced track from her new album “Food For Thought”.

100 Favourite Albums & EPs Of 2021 (Part Five) – Verb T & Illinformed / Little Simz / Nas etc.

Final part of my 2021 wrap-up – check Part One, Part Two, Part Three and Part Four.

UFO Fev & Vanderslice – “Enigma Of Dali” (UFOFev.BandCamp.Com) – One thing that’s become abundantly clear over the last couple of years is that Harlem’s UFO Fev has a great ear for choosing producers to work with that really compliment his style. With Statik Selektah, Termanology and Big Ghost Ltd all having laced the NY emcee with superb beats on full-length efforts during 2020, 2021 found Fev teaming-up with the consistently dope Vanderslice for “Enigma Of Dali”, painting colourful lyrical portraits which captured the essence of life in the Rotten Apple.

Damu The Fudgemunk – “Conversation Peace” (DamuTheFudgemunk.BandCamp.Com) – Having been given full access to the musical vaults of London’s KPM Library for this release, you could almost feel Damu’s glee and excitement bursting out of the grooves here from beats crafted after being blessed with the opportunity to dig through thousands of records. Joined by Raw Poetic, Insight, Blu and Nitty Scott, the Washington DC producer soared above the clouds, nodding to the 90s on the way up without getting stuck in the past or overdosing on nostalgia. “Conversation Peace” was a genuinely invigorating listening experience.

Cesar Comanche & Poe Mack – “A Promise Not To Sting” (CesarComanche.BandCamp.Com) – This collaborative album from North Carolina’s Cesar Comanche (of Justus League fame) and Virginia’s Poe Mack really struck a chord with me. It was the sound of two individuals who’ve lived life and learnt lessons ruminating on the past, present and future in a world undergoing huge change. Production from the likes of 9th Wonder, Khrysis and DJ Flash gave the album a vintage (and at times fittingly melancholy) feel, with Comanche and Mack bouncing purposeful verses back and forth with ease.

Verb T & Illinformed – “Stranded In Foggy Times” (VerbT.BandCamp.Com) – The third and final part of Verb T and Illinformed’s “Foggy” trilogy, this album once again showcased the brilliant writing ability of the UK emcee with the verses here consisting of well-crafted meaningful lyrics, some of which were straight-to-the-point whilst others were open to interpretation. Backed by the quality production of Illinformed, which perfectly complimented Verb’s conversational, laidback rhyme style, T approached this release with all the skill, poise and confidence you’d expect from an artist who has shown nothing but constant elevation throughout his twenty year career.

Kamanchi Sly – “Electrosis 2” (HipHop73.Com) – Pulling on his shelltoes and Nike windbreaker once again, UK legend K-Sly dropped three “Electrosis” albums during 2021, with each one celebrating the sounds and excitement of Hip-Hop in the early-to-mid 1980s with genuine love and authenticity. The Hijack legend sounded as sharp and enthusiastic as ever, clearly reveling in the opportunity to revisit old-school memories of being a young London b-boy four decades ago, whilst still proudly displaying the same competition-crushing attitude that fuelled UK classics such as “Style Wars” and “Hold No Hostage”.

Swank & King Draft – “Long Story Short” (JamlaRecords.Com) – North Carolina’s Swank and King Draft once again proved themselves to be a potent combination on this sophomore album. Slick, witty wordplay glided effortlessly over the smooth, R&B-influenced production from 9th Wonder and Jamla’s Soul Council. At a time when playlists and random shuffle options have contributed to some artists thinking less about an album as a cohesive body of work sequenced to take listeners on a journey, Swank and Draft succeeded in capturing and maintaining a mood throughout “Long Story Short” which gave the album a strong sense of momentum. For that, they get props over here.

Little Simz – “Sometimes I Might Be Introvert” (LittleSimz.Com) – The latest long-player from London’s Little Simz was an album of epic proportions. The subject matter. The delivery. The production. The interludes. The cover. The execution. The openness. The honesty. Every element of this album contributed to it being something truly special. Simz confronted a number of issues with a mix of both strength and vulnerability, accompanied by the masterfully diverse musicality of producer Inflo, as listeners were swept along on a wave of emotion that by the end of the album made it feel as if we to had been on our own voyage of self-discovery.

Mach-Hommy – “Pray For Haiti” (Mach-Hommy.Com) – Reunited with Griselda Records’ Westside Gunn and backed by ambitious production from the likes of Camoflauge Monk, Conductor Williams and Nicholas Craven, with “Pray For Haiti” New Jersey’s enigmatic Mach-Hommy delivered a rich tapestry of sound that was packed with elegant arrogance, unabashed individuality and joyful spontaneity. This album felt like the musical equivalent of looking through a kaleidoscope and sounded all the better for it.

Cons – “B.A.D.A.” (Ottoman Elf) – A veteran of the UK Hip-Hop scene, London’s Cons (aka Conspicuous) returned after an eight year hiatus with the hunger and vigour of a new artist, balanced with the benefit of hindsight and a wisdom that can only come from life experience. Reuniting with longstanding collaborators such as Apollo, LG and Evil Ed, Cons dropped street knowledge and elder statesman advice throughout “B.A.D.A.”, proving that if you’re nice on the mic device it really doesn’t matter how much time passes between projects.

Tanya Morgan – “Don and Von” (TanyaMorgan.BandCamp.Com) – Fifteen years since Tanya Morgan’s cult classic debut “Moonlighting” dropped, Von Pea and Donwill added a new release to their already impressive catalogue. Combining everyday life events and social commentary with wit and humour, the duo endeared themselves to listeners as always, coming across as two down-to-earth individuals who it might be cool to spend time kicking it with about music, politics and current events. Production from the likes of Brick Beats, Clint Taylor and Aeon also helped this album standout from the pack.

Fashawn & Sir Veterano – “All Hail The King” (FreshYardRecords.Com) – Fresno’s Fashawn returned to claim his crown with this album skillfully produced by fellow Cali Hip-Hop head Sir Veterano, with features from Elzhi, Aloe Blacc and Planet Asia. Coming in at a concise nine tracks, the West Coast wordsmith didn’t waste a single moment here, tightly packing his verses with fast-paced lyricism which covered hometown pride, building a life with his queen, raising the next generation and, of course, reigning supreme over his kingdom as rap royalty.

Benny Diction – “Facepalm / Brainwave?” (BoomBapPro.Com) – One of the UK’s most consistent artists, any new release from Benny Diction is always a welcome, enjoyable listening experience and this album was no different. Musing on the mundane to the magnificent and everything in-between, the BBP-affiliated emcee’s ability to inject insight and thoughtful observation into his rhymes shone brightly here, with Benny reflecting on the world around him accompanied by top-notch production from the likes of jas0nbeats, Krang and Deltatone.

Joell Ortiz – “Autograph” (JoellOrtiz.BandCamp.Com) – Honesty has been a theme that’s always run throughout the music of Brooklyn’s Joell Ortiz. Good times. Bad times. Successes. Failures. The NY emcee has consistently spoken on both sides of the game, whether discussing street life, personal life or industry life. “Autograph” was another does of up-close-and-uncut reality, with Ortiz recalling his struggle to get put on in the rap game, his life before that time and his life now as he embraces OG status. The detailed, sincere rhymes heard here were complimented by the production of Apollo Brown, The Heatmakerz, Salaam Remi and more.

Ransom & Big Ghost Ltd – “Heavy Is The Head” (Ransom.Com) – Jersey City’s Ransom clearly had one thing on his mind when recording this album and one thing only – lyrical domination. Joined by the likes of Mickey Factz, RJ Payne and Rome Streetz, Ransom fired off barrages of relentlessly aggressive rhymes over Big Ghost’s fittingly raw production. No holds barred. No prisoners taken. This was the sound of an emcee getting medieval on the competition.

Minnesota – “Once Upon A Handshake” (JBS Management) – Producer-slash-emcee Minnesota of the Bronx’s legendary Money Boss crew served up a raw slice of Rotten Apple rap with this solo album. A collection of hardcore beats and rhymes straight from the birthplace of Hip-Hop, this project was full of vivid inner-city imagery, BX swagger and vintage beat science. As KRS-One once said, the Bronx keeps creating it.

Passport Rav – “Sand In My Carry On” (PassportRav.BandCamp.Com) – Brooklyn’s Passport Rav crafted a laidback, reflective masterpiece for his seventh release to have dropped over the last two years. Mixing dense lyricism with breezy hooks and mellow production from Sebb Bash and Wavy Da Ghawd, Rav’s latest opus was mood music of the highest quality that both soothed and stimulated the mind.

Your Old Droog – “Space Bar” (YourOldDroog.BandCamp.Com) – To be honest, NYC’s Droog has been on a winning streak since his debut in 2014, but with his musical output having noticeably increased since 2019 it would be hard for anyone to question both the work ethic and the talent. An artist who has always seemed simultaneously unimpressed and untouched by whatever else is happening in the Hip-Hop world, Droog continued to create in his own zone with this short-but-effective album. The unshakeable confidence and sly humour heard in YOD’s verses was matched here with production from the likes of 88 Keys, Sadhugold and Elaquent.

Uptown XO – “Culture Over Corporate Vol. III” (OneForceUnited.BandCamp.Com) – The third instalment of the Washington D.C. artist’s COC series, this album saw Uptown XO once again teaming-up with fellow Diamond District member Oddisee to deliver another stellar collection of intelligent, topical rhymes and soulful, neck-snapping beats.

Sean Boog – “It’s Midnight Somewhere: Sector 2” (SeanBoog.BandCamp.Com) – The female voice that guided us through A Tribe Called Quest’s classic third album told us that seven times out of ten, we listen to our music at night. With that in mind, this six-track EP from North Carolina’s Sean Boog appeared tailor-made for nocturnal head-nodding. Dallas-based producer Keelon Donnel’s laidback beats were the perfect match for Boog’s “smooth grown-up s**t” and life-affirming rhymes. This was the ideal soundtrack to throw on when the sun had set to help ease the stresses of the daily grind.

Nas – “Magic” (MassAppeal.Com) – A surprise release on Christmas Eve, as expected the third full-length collaboration from Nas and producer Hit-Boy caused chaos in the social media world over the festive season as heads responded to the album with a variety of opinions. Personally, I really liked it. Nothing on “Magic” sounded forced or overthought. The album had a great natural flow to it from beginning to end. Nas sounded inspired and motivated throughout, with Hit-Boy providing arguably the best production he’s supplied the Queensbridge legend with yet. A memorable way to close what was a great year for new Hip-Hop.

New Joint – Ransom & Nicholas Craven

Ransom & Nicholas Craven – “A Most Violent Year” (@RansomPLS / @NicholasCraven_ / 2021)

Taken from the EP “Crime Scenes”.

100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2020 (Part Four) – Vic Spencer / Tesla’s Ghost / Elzhi etc.

Check Part One, Part Two & Part Three.

Vic Spencer – “Psychological Cheat Sheet” (GourmetDeluxxx.BandCamp.Com) – Joined by the brilliant August Fanon on production duties, Chicago’s inimitable Vic Spencer dropped verses packed with punchlines, dry humour and charisma throughout this album. As ever, Vic came across as the type of artist who would kick it with you for a few minutes if you bumped into him on the street, but he’d also be likely to laugh in the face of your favourite rapper if they happened to walk past.

Royce 5’9 – “The Allegory” (Royce59.Com) – This self-produced effort found Royce using the same microscopic attention to detail he’d applied to his personal life throughout 2018’s brilliant “Book Of Ryan”, but this time he turned to look outwards at wider society. Covering issues such as racism, violence and economic inequality, the Detroit artist used laser-like lyrical precision to cut through the noise and deliver some striking commentary on life in Amerikkka.

Stove God Cooks – “Reasonable Drought” (The Conglomerate Entertainment / Marci Enterprises) – 2020 was a breakout period for Stove God Cooks, but this was definitely no overnight success story, with the NY emcee having spent recent years working with both Lord Jamar and Busta Rhymes under the name Aaron Cooks prior to Roc Marciano’s involvement in his career. But it wasn’t just the name change and album full of Marci beats that gained people’s attention, it was also Cooks’ ability to breathe new life into the coke-rap genre with his distinctive delivery and creative punchlines involving references to aliens, singer Jon B and DITC’s Diamond D, amongst others.

Verbz & Mr Slipz – “Radio Waves” (HighFocus.Com) – Proving themselves to be a potent partnership, this full-length collaboration from London emcee Verbz and Brighton-based producer Mr Slipz was an absolute gem of an album, blending inner-city introspection and mellow beats with sublime results. Appearances from the likes of Melanin 9, Confucius MC and Coops added further depth to what was already an impressive release.

Craig G – “The Fragile Ego” (Soulspazm) – Juice Crew legend Craig G put us all on the therapist’s couch with this thematic release revolving around the human psyche. In today’s social media-driven era of instant gratification and the constant desire people have for attention, the Queensbridge-raised emcee took a step back to look at how our relationship with our ego can impact mental health and have real life consequences. Compelling stuff.

Oddisee – “Odd Cure” (Oddisee.BandCamp.Com) – In mid-July, inspired by the shared pandemic experience being endured globally and heightened social tensions in America, DMV favourite Oddisee dropped this life-affirming EP which dealt with the realities of the situation, with some moments of light relief sprinkled throughout. Leaning heavily on live instrumentation, which gave the EP a warm, soulful feel, this release may not have solved all the problems people were facing, but it did provide a welcome distraction from the madness.

D.C. Cortez & Drew Dave – “Stoop Stories” (DrewDaveMusic.BandCamp.Com) – Emcee / producer duo D.C. Cortez and Drew Dave stopped to take a look around in order to craft this observational, concept-based project inspired by everyday life in America’s capital city. Dealing with issues such as systemic racism, gentrification, education, unemployment, family and friendships, Cortez tackled potentially difficult subject matter in an engaging, conversational manner, complimented by Drew Dave’s full-bodied beats.

Conway The Machine – “From King To A GOD” (WhoIsConway.Com) – The third 2020 project from The Machine found the Buffalo emcee balancing the code of the streets with the politics of the rap game, as Conway acknowledged the pain and loss he still experiences due to his connections with hood life, whilst dealing with new pressures and issues associated with his rising industry reputation. Perhaps Conway’s most revealing release to date, fittingly original production from the likes of Daringer, Beat Butcha and DJ Premier really allowed his verses to resonate.

Rashid Hadee – “6 Packs & Cognac” (RashidHadee.Com) – The Chicago artist delivered lyrics with substance throughout this dope six-track EP, featuring production from Kenny Keys, Nottz, 5ifth Element and Hadee himself. Offering thoughts on the realities of life as a Black male in the Windy City, Rashid addressed issues such as police brutality, white privilege and mental health, with the finished product providing heads with a poignant listening experience.

MidaZ The Beast – “Where The Sidewalk Ends” (MidaZTheBeast.BandCamp.Com) – Orlando’s MidaZ teamed-up with producer Delle Digga to craft this collection of short-but-effective tracks which played like sonic chapters in an engrossing musical book. Needing to be heard in its entirety to be fully appreciated, the relationship here between the Florida-based emcee’s detailed verses and Digga’s subtle, sample-based tracks was nothing less than exquisite.

Phoenix Da Icefire x The Strange Neighbour – “Cinematic” (RevorgRecords.BandCamp.Com) – A clever album, this film-influenced collaboration between London’s Phoenix Da Icefire and producer Strange Neighbour offered plenty of high-definition, action-packed beats and rhymes, drawing listeners in with gripping lyrical narratives and a dramatic, well-crafted score. Pass the popcorn!

Tesla’s Ghost – “Strange Heirlooms” (TeslasGhost.BandCamp.Com) – A true lyrical craftsman, Triple Darkness emcee Tesla’s Ghost has an incredible talent for penning verses that combine raw street rhetoric with striking gothic-like imagery, leading listeners into a captivating creative space somewhere between reality and fiction. Production from the likes of Evil Ed, Karnate and The Historian provided the Ghost with some fittingly moody and eerie sonic backdrops. Play this only at night.

Sleep Sinatra – “No Anthems” (SleepSinatra1.BandCamp.Com) – When you’re an emcee who constructs lyrics that are as intricate and layered as those penned by Sleep Sinatra, you have to choose your beats carefully. On this release, the Nebraska-based artist found ideal musical allies in the form of production duo Parish & Bird, whose brand of understated mellow madness gave the rhymes here plenty of room to breathe, with Sinatra’s expert wordplay floating over hypnotic soundscapes.

Willie Waze – “Avant Scarred” (WillieWaze.BandCamp.Com) – Virginia-based emcee Willie Waze used the events of 2020 as inspiration for this honest, hard-hitting release, with production from the likes of DreamLife Beats, Kount Fif and Jewels Polaar bolstering the talented wordsmith’s striking bars. Acting almost as an audio diary, Waze did a great job here of expressing his thoughts, feelings and experiences during these undeniably turbulent times.

Ransom & Nicholas Craven – “Director’s Cut: Scene Two” (Presidential / Momentum) – Jersey City emcee Ransom definitely left his mark on 2020, releasing a trilogy of “Director’s Cut” projects with Canada’s Nicholas Craven behind the boards that effectively showcased his formidable rhyme skills. To be fair, any of the pair’s releases could have filled a slot on this list, but there was something about the “Scene Two” EP that stood-out to me in particular. Craven’s soulful-yet-melancholy production really brought the emotion out of Ransom’s hard-knock life lyricism on this one.

Elzhi – “Seven Times Down Eight Times Up” (FBDistribution.BandCamp.Com) – Former Slum Village member Elzhi’s first full-length release since 2016 was a deep dive into the Detroit representative’s mind-state, produced entirely by JR Swiftz. Encouraging persistence and resilience in all areas of life, not one word was wasted here, as Elzhi rhymed with a clear purpose, further cementing his status as one of the rap game’s most talented artists.

Oliver Sudden – “Sudden Impact” (RevorgRecords.BandCamp.Com) – This self-produced full-length from the Cronx Don Oliver Sudden was full of South London swagger, soulful loops and sharp wit. Taking time to look back on his career so far, whilst also looking towards what is still to be achieved, this album felt like the work of an artist taking stock of their position in life before embarking on the next chapter of their journey. Quality beats and rhymes.

Radio B – “All ARt AiN’t PreTTy” (KillTheDreamer.Com) – How can you be an artist and not reflect the times? That was the question posed at the beginning of this album from Richmond, Virginia’s Radio B. The content of the project, however,  made it very clear what the talented emcee’s answer to that particular query was.  Released during the summer, following the tragic murder of George Floyd and with protests sweeping across American cities, Radio B used this album to drop social commentary, encourage Black pride and inspire independent thought. Powerful.

Magno Garcia x Chairman Chow – “Ba-Loo-S” (ChairmanChow.BandCamp.Com) – A great collaboration between two gifted Boston individuals, Magno Garcia’s contemplative, street-smart rhymes found a perfect match here in the boom-bap-influenced, boundary-pushing production of Chairman Chow. The pair definitely proved themselves to be a good combination throughout this release, increasing hopes that they’ll be working together again in the future.

Athletic Mic League – “Playground Legends Vol. 1” (AthleticMicleague.BandCamp.Com) – Originally hailing from Michigan but with members now scattered across the US, the Athletic Mic League crew (responsible for such underground favourites as 2002’s “Sweats And Kicks”) reunited for this quality seven-track EP, with the likes of Buff1, 14KT and DJ Haircut (aka Mayer Hawthorne) proving that the group’s chemistry and bond were both as strong as ever.

Part Five (the final instalment) coming soon.

New Joint – 38 Spesh / Ransom

38 Spesh ft. Ransom – “Mind Over Matter” (@IAmSpesh / 2020)

Taken from the Rochester, NY artist’s self-produced EP “6 Shots: Overkill”.

New Joint – Ransom & Nicholas Craven

Ransom & Nicholas Craven – “Uncut Gems” (@RansomPLS / 2020)

Taken from the EP “Crime Scenes”.

New Joint – Che Noir / Ransom / 38 Spesh

Che Noir ft. Ransom & 38 Spesh – “Hunger Games” (@Che_Noir / 2020)

Vivid, urgent rhymes from the talented Che Noir’s new self-produced EP “After 12”.

New Joint – Ransom / Rasheed Chappell

Ransom ft. Rasheed Chappell – “JD’s Revenge” (@RansomPLS / 2020)

Taken from the Jersey City emcee’s Nicholas Craven-produced album “Directors Cut Scene 3”.

New Joint – Rigz / Mooch / Ransom

Rigz ft. Mooch & Ransom – “Poisonous” (@Rigz585 / 2018)

Taken from the NY emcee’s Green Lantern-hosted project “I Got Samples 2”.

New Joint – Ransom & Statik Selektah

Ransom & Statik Selektah – “1996” (ShowOff / Presidential / 2013)

One for all the trapped in the 90s mo’fos out there from the EP “The Proposal”.