Your remedy to the “I don’t have anything good to listen to” problem… below.
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#131 - SZA - SOS REVIEW
This album hit me at a very pivotal time in December of last year when I needed it most, where I was fragile, spiraling, and deeply ashamed.
Yet SOS managed to give me a bit of juice, providing me with sweet sounds and honest perspective related to emotions I directly was processing at the time, genuinely keeping me afloat throughout a rough time.
It’s funny how all that self-love and acceptance talk starts to actually resonate… when you stop loving yourself, and can’t accept mistakes you’ve made in the past.
If you're intrigued to know why SZA’s SOS left such a mark on me, listen on...
#128 - R.A.P. Ferreira - 5 to the Eye with Stars REVIEW
The packaging, from the beats to the way Ferreira rhymes, has evolved tremendously from when I first heard him on things that happen at day // things that happen at night in 2013… to where he is now, with his latest album 5 to the Eye with Stars.
Ferreira has continuously sculpted his sound to great results, and I can’t wait to explain how.
#125 - billy woods & Messiah Musik - Church REVIEW
Vulnerability is an interesting concept. The more vulnerable you get, the likelihood of you achieving true happiness and connection rises... just as the likelihood you get deeply hurt and traumatized rises as well.
In other words, vulnerability is a double-edged sword.
Vulnerability is the only true path to acceptance, healing, and growth.
This is the path that we find billy woods on in his latest album Church, in collaboration with producer phenom Messiah Musik.
#116 - Lupe Fiasco - DRILL MUSIC IN ZION REVIEW
Lupe worked with a producer named, Soundtrakk, a frequent longtime collaborator of his, to create DRILL MUSIC IN ZION in just three days.
Lupe stated that his goal with this album was to find a balance between the "whimsy and the profound". That is very telling, and serves as a useful lens to apply to this album as a whole.
Listen on to see if stepping outside of his comfort zone unlocked some new magic for Lupe… or left me wanting more.
#112 - E L U C I D - I Told Bessie REVIEW
Since the stock of Armand Hammer and the Backwoodz Studioz name has risen exponentially in recent years, this latest album from E L U C I D presented a real opportunity for him.
A prime opportunity for E L U C I D to solidify his perch in rap lore as one of the best artists of his generation, by delivering an album that amazes when the spotlight is beaming at its brightest.
I Told Bessie was not only a highly-anticipated album, but felt like one of, if not, THE most important moments in hip-hop this year.
#110 - Quelle Chris - DEATHFAME REVIEW
Detroit’s Quelle Chris is currently on a run that has already cemented himself as one of the most important hip-hop artists of the past decade.
His oddball eccentristy, insightful perspective lyrically, and musical mastery has powered his music to amazing heights... delivering some of my favourite records in recent memory.
Quelle has been at the forefront of hip-hop’s creative renaissance for the better part of the last decade.
#109 - Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers REVIEW
Who is Kendrick Lamar?
That is a serious question, because for as much as Kendrick has given us of him in his music... there has always been a certain protective barrier shielding us the audience, from this talented 34 year-old guy from Compton.
On Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers, Kendrick leaves no stone unturned, putting an hour-long therapy session on wax, for the world to see and criticize as they please.
This is Kendrick at his most daring and human, which makes Big Steppers feel vastly different than anything else he's created thus far.
#108 - Vince Staples - RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART REVIEW
Vince Staples is an MC with immense potential, who has never fully cashed in on his potential.
I prognosticated on how Vince could take the leap on my previous review of his self-titled album, however, Vince kept his head down and ended up making the most complete album of his career... RAMONA PARK BROKE MY HEART.
#106 - billy woods - Aethiopes REVIEW
The long-awaited RMPP review of billy woods' Aethiopes is finally upon us.
In the past few years, the stock of billy woods has risen exponentially. Many of us who are truly tapped in have been screaming from the rooftops that woods is one of the best to ever do it.
Now, with the release of his latest solo album, produced solely by Preservation, the world may finally be forced to reckon with the greatness of one of the best writers who ever lived.
#104 - Benny the Butcher - Tana Talk 4 REVIEW
In Episode 104, we are discussing another recent marquee Griselda release, Benny’s long-anticipated Tana Talk 4.
With the help of long-time business associates in Daringer and The Alchemist, many thought TT4 would be a complete return to the grimy street roots of Benny's most celebrated works, in Tana Talk 3 and The Plugs I Met.
However, what we ended up getting on Tana Talk 4 was a bit of a blend of Benny's core street content, and his later-career wisdom of past albums like Burden of Proof.
#102 - Conway the Machine - God Don’t Make Mistakes REVIEW (feat. Dash Lewis)
Conway the Machine's long awaited Shady Records studio album, God Don't Make Mistakes, has finally arrived.
To discuss this highly anticipated record, I was joined by Virginia artist-writer extraordinaire Dash Lewis, who lent his keen ear to this album and helped discuss this intriguing addition to the Machine's catalog.
#100 - Cities Aviv – MAN PLAYS THE HORN REVIEW (feat. The Next Movement Podcast)
In Episode 100 (wow, we hit a century mark of episodes!), I was joined by the lovely folks at The Next Movement Podcast to discuss the remarkably creative MAN PLAYS THE HORN, created by Memphis virtuoso, Cities Aviv.
#97 - Earl Sweatshirt - SICK! REVIEW
No longer is Earl seemingly drowning in an ocean of sorrow and confusion, like he was on Some Rap Songs. Instead he sounds more self-assured, and triumphant.
#94 - Nas - Magic REVIEW (feat. SonRaw)
When it comes to Nas, I feel rap fans are constantly in a state of trying to diagnose his career... figuring out what’s the best situation and collaborators to yield the best results from one of rap’s inarguable brightest talents.
So in Episode 94 I was joined by the ever-insightful SonRaw to do continue this long-lasting hip-hop tradition, by discussing Nas' latest album Magic. SonRaw is - writer, DJ, producer who has written for Complex, Passion of the Weiss, FactMag, and more!
#90 - Mach-Hommy - Balens Cho (Hot Candles) REVIEW
Balens Cho is the result of someone who put their 10 000 hours in.
#89 - Your Old Droog - Space Bar REVIEW
Space Bar corrects just about every issue I’ve had with Droog’s recent output, through better production, rapping, and guest features.
#88 - Mick Jenkins - Elephant in the Room REVIEW
While not a project I think that reaches the highs of THC or The Water(s), Elephant in the Room is an album that manages to say more and do more, with less. If Mick can find a way to marry this more looser approach with some more musical experimentation, I believe that he can still deliver the true classic album that I've always felt he's been capable of delivering.
#87 - JPEGMAFIA - LP! REVIEW
On All My Heroes are Cornballs there was such an irresistible earworm effect to me. It made for a highly entertaining and colourful listen. But LP! feels significantly more plain and bland by comparison.