New Joint – Pawz One / Ras Kass / MC Eiht

Pawz One ft. Ras Kass & MC Eiht – “Out Of Bounds (Remix)” (@Pawz1 / 2022)

Los Angeles-based emcee Pawz One calls on two undisputable West Coast heavyweights to assist on this John Henry-produced remix.

New Joint – Ras Kass / Eric Jaye

Ras Kass ft. Eric Jaye – “Contemp-Hop” (@RasKass / 2022)

Produced by Louisiana’s EF Cuttin.

New Joint – Truth / Ras Kass / Large Pro / Tragedy Khadafi / Treach / Joe Fatal

Truth ft. Ras Kass, Large Pro, Tragedy Khadafi, Treach & Joe Fatal – “Entourage” (TruthEmcee.BandCamp.Com / 2022)

Queens, NY emcee Truth enlists the talents of some heavyweight Hip-Hop legends for this quality posse cut from his new album “For All Intents and Purposes” which is produced entirely by Da Beatminerz.

New Joint – Ras Kass / Eric Jaye

Ras Kass ft. Eric Jaye – “MLK Day” (@RasKass / 2022)

The West Coast emcee offers some timely social commentary on this Trackz 100-produced track from the forthcoming “Black Steel” compilation.

New Joint – Ras Kass / Termanology / Divine RBG

Ras Kass ft. Termanology & Divine RBG – “FACTS” (@RasKass / 2020)

Produced by Navi and taken from the West Coast wordsmith’s recent release “I’m Not Clearing Shxt”.

New Joint – Raw Wattage / Ras Kass

Raw Wattage ft. Ras Kass – “Eyez” (RawWattage.Com / 2020)

South Carolina’s Raw Wattage enlists the help of some impressive names for this quality single, with guest rhymes from West Coast wordsmith Ras Kass, beats from the legendary Large Professor, and video direction from Al Skratch of Ill Al Skratch fame.

New Joint – Ras Kass / Masta Ace

Ras Kass ft. Masta Ace – “Culture.Vulture.” (@RasKass / 2020)

The two lyrical legends offer their thoughts on those who seek to benefit from Black culture without respecting Black culture on this Hi-Tek-produced head-nodder from Ras Kass’s “I’m Not Clearing Shvt” project.

New Joint – Ras Kass / Cortez / Casual

Ras Kass ft. Cortez & Casual – “Parkour” (@RasKass / 2020)

P.A. Dre-produced track off the West Coast legend’s forthcoming album “I’m Not Clearing Shxt”.

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “5 Mikes” (@RasKass / 2020)

The West Coast legend gets creative on this concept-based track produced by Atlanta’s B-Ready and taken from the forthcoming album “I’m Not Clearing Shxt”.

New Joint – Jamo Gang / DJ Premier / Slug

Jamo Gang ft. DJ Premier & Slug – “The 1st Time” (@FatBeats / 2020)

Preemo-produced cut from Ras Kass, El Gant and J57’s recently-released album “Walking With Lions”.

New Joint – Locksmith / Xzibit / Ras Kass / Brevi

Locksmith ft. Xzibit, Ras Kass & Brevi – “With God” (@DaLocksmith / 2020)

Produced by Decap & Chris Keys.

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “Silver Anniversary” (@MelloMusicGroup / 2020)

Twiz The Beat Pro-produced lyrical tour de force from the West Coast emcee’s 2019 album “Soul On Ice 2”.

100 Best Albums & EPs Of 2019 (Part Four) – Juga-Naut & Giallo Point / Diamond D / Da Flyy Hooligan etc.

Check Part One, Part Two & Part Three.

Juga-Naut & Giallo Point – “Back To The Grill Again” (JugaNaut.BandCamp.Com) – Nottingham emcee Juga-Naut is a force of nature when it comes to this rhyming ish. A genuine talent, the UK wordsmith has been delivering high-end wordplay for years now. The resulting album from his partnership with producer Giallo Point was a match made in Hip-Hop heaven. Creative verses and smooth, sublime beats were on the menu here, with the pair succeeding in satisfying the musical cravings of fans across the globe.

Smoke DZA & Benny The Butcher – “Statue Of Limitations” (CinematicMusicGroup.BandCamp.Com) – Packed with captivating, street-related rhymes and quality Pete Rock production, this collabo EP from DZA and Griselda’s Benny effectively showcased the pair’s genuine chemistry as they each sought to capture their hard-knock life experiences via the art of rap. B-b-b-b-boom!

DJ Enyoutee Presents Planet Asia & Milano Constantine – “The Planet Asia & Milano Constantine EP” – These two phenomenal emcees joining forces was the sonic equivalent of me getting amped as a kid seeing my favourite super-heroes appearing together in an issue of “Marvel Team-Up”. Asia and Milano exchanged razor-sharp rhymes throughout this release, backed by dope production from BodyBag Ben, Cool FD, DirtyDigs and more.

Nujericans – “PBS – Puertoriqueno Barrio Sound” (Nujericans.BandCamp.Com) – New Jersey’s Joey Dynomite and Sol Zalez returned to burn with a rowdy selection of uncut East Coast flavour, featuring beats from A-$harp, The Custodian Of Records and Stu Bangas.

Von Poe VII – “Diary Of The Se7en III” (VonPoeVII.BandCamp.Com) – Cali’s multi-talented Von Poe VII dropped the final part in his “Diary Of The Se7en” EP series, with this third instalment consisting of the West Coast wordsmith’s usual blend of sharp, intelligent, multi-layered rhymes and equally impressive production.

Kwote – “List Worthy?” (TunnelMovement.BandCamp.Com) – Tunnel Movement member and Chicago representative Kwote has built a strong reputation over the years for being a talented emcee, with this collection of true-school beats and rhymes offering further proof that the Windy City wordsmith possesses a voice that deserves to be heard.

DEMOTAPEZ – “Real Life Situations” (DEMOTAPEZ.BandCamp.Com) – Lithuania-born, London-based producer DEMOTAPEZ worked some musical magic on his trusty Akai samplers here, crafting a quality collection of mellow, full-bodied beats laced with echoing horns, melodic keys and warm basslines.

Him Lo – “Prince Akeem Jewelz” (MarQSpekt.BandCamp.Com) – Following up his solo EP released earlier in the year, Buze Bruvaz member Him Lo dropped this self-produced long-player, packed with boisterous verses and unpolished beats, adding further weight to the perception that the Philly emcee will happily steal your beer, snatch your girl and then blow weed smoke in your face on the way out.

Kamanchi Sly – “The Domination Mentality” (HipHop73.Com) – UK legend and Hijack member K-Sly has been on a creative roll since 2017, with this being his seventh album project to see the light of day during that time (with more having dropped since). Attacking the mic with the same vigour heard on his late-80s / early-90s releases, the London emcee’s passion for Hip-Hop obviously remains strong, with his enthusiasm for his craft clear for all to hear throughout this self-produced effort.

Your Old Droog – “Transportation” (YourOldDroog.BandCamp.Com) – Having already released one of 2019’s best albums with “It Wasn’t Even Close”, NYC’s Your Old Droog made a swift return with the equally impressive “Transportation”, featuring production from The Purist, Mono En Stereo and Oh No, plus an unexpected but welcome remake of former Bad Boy artist G Dep’s mid-90s favourite “Head Over Wheels”.

Diamond D – “The Diam Piece 2” (DymondMineRecords.Com) – Legendary producer-on-the-mic Diamond D delivered a sterling sequel to his 2014 “Diam Piece” release, putting a contemporary twist on his traditional Diggin’ In The Crates sound, with an eclectic lists of artists on-hand to offer their creative input, including Pharoahe Monch, David Banner and Xzibit.

Ras Kass – “Soul On Ice 2” (MelloMusicGroup.BandCamp.Com) – One of the game’s finest lyricists, West Coast wordsmith Ras Kass’s follow-up to his 1996 debut demanded repeated listens in order to be fully appreciated. Dense verses packed with verbal expertise were the order of the day here, further cementing Ras Kass’s place in the Hip-Hop hall of fame.

Jack Jones – “The Fix” (MrJackJones.BandCamp.Com) – This long-awaited solo album from Mass Influence / Soundsci member Audessey featured the Atlanta wordsmith delivering accomplished rhymes over stellar production from the UK’s Jonny Cuba and Ollie Teeba, with microphone assistance from Prince Po, Supastition, Oxygen and more.

Anyway Tha God & Ocelot – “Allow Me To Interject…” (AnywayThaGod.BandCamp.Com) – UK emcee AnyWay Tha God sought to spark some positive change amidst today’s troubled times with this Ocelot-produced collection of inspirational beats and rhymes. Relax your mind and let your conscience be free.

XL Middleton – “2 Minutes Till Midnight” (MoFunkRecords.Com) – A long-time purveyor of “the new sound of LA funk”, California’s XL Middleton served up a new batch of smoothed-out grooves which evoked images of warm West Coast nights, packed house-parties and bouncing low-riders, with sonic influences such as The Bar-Kays, Zapp and DJ Quik all being mixed in to the Pasadena-based artist’s skin-tight brand of backyard boogie.

Da Flyy Hooligan – “FYLPM II” (GourmetDeluxx.BandCamp.Com) – Backed by quality production from the likes of Micall Parknsun, Ded Tebiase and DJ Flash, London’s Flyy Hooligan swaggered with stylish arrogance throughout this brilliant album. Packed with character and personality, this project was yet another worthy addition to the UK emcee’s catalogue.

DJ Muggs & Mach Hommy – “Tuez-Les Tous” (SoulAssassins.Com) – Production legend Muggs continued his run of working with today’s new generation of talented underground emcees throughout 2019, uniting with the rhyming enigma Mach Hommy for this particular project which found the pair complimenting each other stylistically and crafting a sparse, atmospheric collection of beats and verses.

Rapsody – “Eve” (JamlaRecords.Com) – An honest, insightful and ultimately powerful celebration of Black womanhood, this well-received project from North Carolina’s Rapsody found the Jamla-affiliated emcee continuing her own decade-long tradition of taking large artistic steps forward with each release. A mixture of social observation, cultural analysis and B-girl confidence, Rapsody demanded the listener’s attention throughout this album, commanding a refined and varied production selection supplied largely by 9th Wonder and Eric G.

Ghostface Killah – “Ghostface Killahs” (GhostfaceMusic.Com) – Larger-than-life and as lyrically entertaining as always, the Wally Champ dipped into crime-rhyme mode for the majority of this project, accompanied by his Wu brothers Cappadonna, Method Man, Inspectah Deck and Masta Killa.

Datkid & Leaf Dog – “Confessions Of A Crud Lord” (High-Focus.Com) – A rambunctiously raw offering, this album from Split Prophets member Datkid found the Bristolian emcee dropping attitude-fuelled verses laced with politically-incorrect punchlines over the gleefully radio-unfriendly production of The Four Owls’ Leaf Dog. Heavyweight guest appearances from Roc Marciano, Conway and Westside Gunn only added to the project’s hardcore appeal.

Fifth and final part of this 2019 best-of list coming soon.

 

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “Can U Feel It” (@RasKass / 2019)

The West Coast emcee blesses some smoothed-out Pete Rock production with his trademark brand of top-tier lyricism off the “Soul On Ice 2” album.

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “Shark Week” (@MelloMusicGroup / 2019)

The West Coast wordsmith gives a masterclass in lyricism and flow on this drum-heavy Nino Beige-produced cut off his forthcoming album “Soul On Ice 2”.

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “Grammy Speech” (@MelloMusicGroup / 2019)

The West Coast wordsmith delivers a typically impressive display of intricate lyricism on this Diamond D-produced cut off his forthcoming “Soul On Ice 2” project.

 

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “F.L.Y.” (@MelloMusicGroup / 2019)

The West Coast wordsmith proves yet again why he’s considered by many to be one of the nicest on mic devices as he prepares for the release of “Soul On Ice 2”.

New Joint – Ras Kass

Ras Kass – “Featuring Myself” (@RasKass / 2019)

Typically sharp bars from the always-impressive West Coast emcee’s forthcoming project “Soul On Ice 2: The Leaks”.

New Joint – Ras Kass / K-Rino

Ras Kass ft. K-Rino – “SOI3” (@RasKass / 2018)

Produced by Apollo Brown.

New Joint – Jamo Gang

Jamo Gang – “Go Away” (JamoGang.BandCamp.Com / 2018)

Taken from Ras Kass, El Gant and J57’s self-titled EP which was released at the beginning of the year.