With the cloud of Kendrick’s success hovering over him, ScHoolboy stuck to his script detailing his story of selling and later abusing prescription pills. Q maintains your attention throughout because he’s one of hip-hop’s most versatile MCs. Nice work, Puffy.—YN

Don’t take Roazy’s eminence for granted. Mastermind is another solid collection of tunes anchored by a stronger second half that includes “Sanctified”, “Walkin On Air”, and “Thug Cry”. It’s 2014 and The Boss is still giving orders.—YN

Like Kendrick Lamar, YG brilliantly details his Compton upbringing. MKL is a fast-paced cinematic ride that results in another modern day gangsta rap masterpiece.  Score another one for the West.—YN

It dropped on Christmas but Soul Tape 3 is the gift that keep on giving. How Def Jam let this one out for free? Don’t ask me. Just accept the present. This is Fabolous at his best balancing the two sides that makes him one of New York’s most consistent spitters. On “Everything Was The Same”, he takes Drake’s track hostage and provides his own ample bars: “All I ask is for the same respect that I be giving ya/ […]

Loso keeps it sexy and classy with this black-and-white visual. Teyana Taylor cleans up nice. Jeremih gets his Playboy photographer on. And what’s this nigga Fab doin’ with a sketch book? Ha! Oh well. Squat Life 4 Life.—YN

Life as a shorty shouldn’t be so rough. Yeah sometimes autograph sessions don’t run smooth. But you didn’t have to rip that poster off the wall. Don’t get it twisted, lil man. Chinx is for the children.—YN

On paper, Yo Gotti and Jermaine Cole may seem like an odd combination. But this captivating vid is proof positive that they go well together. The cinematography here is crisp as we move thru the streets of Memphis, Tennessee. Stlll even on the sunniest day, you can’t take the pain away.—YN

Q just wants to have fun. The TDE’s MC’s beach is better thanks to a bevy of super booty beauties. Point out the bounce? It ain’t hard to find. Being the man certainly has its perks. Paradise is very nice.—YN

There’s a body in the trunk and it’s Big Sean who’s kidnapped and abducted by a crazy couple. Directed by Ellis Bahl, this visual is super violent and creepy. What’s the message to the madness? Infidelity comes with a heavy price. And it ain’t nothing nice. Dig a hole.—YN

Here’s another one with Mustard on the beat, heaux. Sounding like a young R. Kelly, LA’s Ty Dolla laments his girl problems over a finger-snapping groove. Yeah he’s overly suspicious but he don’t trust these bitches. Even Bobby Ray can relate. Pimpin ain’t easy. But it sure sounds good.—YN

DJ Mustard is the hottest producer in hip-hop and this is his masterwork. Along with YG, the dynamic duo carve out the new West Coast sound. But “My Nigga” is a platinum smash based off the ATL connection. Rich Homie Quan’s hook is stirring and Young Jeezy adds the OG stamp of approval. Fuck a clean edit, my hitta. “My Nigga” is the shit.—YN

While we impatiently waited for the final version of “Trophies”, Drake hit us with an uppercut that solidified his status as rap’s top shotta. How this guy continues to turn shit to sunshine? We’ll never know. Aubery takes an obscure Soulja Boy mixtape track into “Started From The Bottom” the sequel. So many quotables. So many fixin’s. Dig in.—YN

We don’t give a fuck about your favorite MC’s feelings, Mrs. Carter got the hardest hip-hop record out. This ain’t just a ladies anthem, it’s something like a phenomenon. Tell that couch potato to hit the club and watch what happens when the DJ drops this one. Pandemonium! Yeah Hov’s on the joint, but this is B’s party. An R&B chick with the top Rap Radar tune? Read it and weep. It’ll be alright. New rules!—YN

We can all relate. This is the sound of Aubrey’s two middle fingers goin up in the air against the detractors who thought the kid from Degrassi would never make it in the rap game. So many quotables including “Hold my phone” and a dash of classic Ma$e swag, make this an undeniable anthem. “Worst” is the best. —YN

Can’t say Yo Gotti ain’t put that work in. After over a decade of making music, the self-proclaimed “King Of Memphis” is finally getting the rap star treatment. Inking a deal with LA Reid’s Epic Records, Gotti released I Am in the fourth quarter of 2013. Just like the big dawgs in the rap game do it. Gotti doesn’t show up empty handed though. Featured guests enhance his succinct songs. Rich Homie Quan provides the poignant chorus to “I Know”. […]

Truth be told, Camp never got me amped. It was hard to take actor Donald Glover serious as a rapper named Childish Gambino. But after moments of promise on his 2012 Royalty mixtape, Bino puts it all together on his surprisingly dope second album, Because The Internet. A conceptual work with an online script available, BTI is best digested as a full body of work but there are definite standouts. And most often, they find Bino harmonizing as well as […]