This dropped unexpectedly like bird shit a month before Rolling Papers and boy was it potent. This 9 track collection of tunes too good to apparently make the album have held up better than his disappointing CD. The funky “Phone Numbers” starts the party with guests Trae Tha Truth and Big Sean bearing gifts. Sean Don sticks around for the bangin’ “Gang Bang” and Chevy Woods goes hard for his squad on the Lex Luger-produced “Taylor Gang.” But it’s the […]

Folks were so thirsty for TM103, they almost missed the much-needed reunion between Da Snowman and Mr. Thanksgiving. Shit, if the title track intro here doesn’t move you, get the fuck up out this post right now. Ok… Now the rest of us know this is trap rap at its best. Even the laziest thug must get motivated to tunes like the intense “Win,” the sinister “Flexin” and the aforementioned second Fab collab, “Rollin“. New CTE recruit, Gangsta Gibbs also […]

In celebration of a million Twitter followers and to further wet the public’s appetite for Ambition, Wale returned to his mixtape roots. The follow-up to RR’s personal fave More About Nothing, this collection reeks of Folarin’s new-found extra confidence and lyrical flair. Already knowing what he had in the stash, Ralph unleashed strong selections like the outstanding opener “Fuck You,” the Aretha Franklin-fueled “Lacefrontin” and the stand-out, D.C. bounce-based “Bait”. Whether showing love to the wide world of sports (“Barry […]

Every once in awhile, a respected elder in the rap game has to come down and slap fire out you young assholes. Make no mistake, C Breezy’s comback triumph would’ve knocked without Trevor Smith but Bussa-Bus steals the show here and takes this hit to a whole ‘nother level. Wack MCs beware! No one rhymes crisper, faster, while still being intricate and clever. You could dislocate your larynx tryin to create his captivating breath control. This potent performance got Busta […]

It’s tough to judge this guy because he’s actually my friend but thankfully the hip-hop nation agrees—Justin Smith is one bad muthafucka behind the boards. And the man who helped build the soundtrack to the Rocafella dynasty proved that he’s still destined for more greatness in 2011. The hardest moment on Drake’s Take Care comes courtesy of him as he turns an obscure gospel sample (sung over by a live choir) into a musical masterpiece. MCs would kill to spit […]

DJ Khaled patiently waited to work with Aubrey Graham and when he finally got his chance, Drake blessed him. His killer hook here set the tone for the summer and his Take Care comeback. And don’t sleep on the verse. “What’s up with these new niggas? And why they think it all comes so easy?”. He playfully jabbed at his fellow young MCs over his buddies T-Minus and 40’s filtered funk. Should Drizzy have kept this hit for himself? Fuck […]

How this wasn’t the lead single release off Self Made, we’ll never know? But what we do know is Meek Mill and Jahlil Beats are a good combination. This is audio adrenaline anchored with a cannon-like boom. Fuck keepin them instrumentals to yourself. This beat got Jah a deal with Roc Nation and he shared it with the world. Still with everyone from Childish Gambino to Tha Dogg Pound trying to grab a piece of the shine, none have touched […]

When The Creator finished concocting this track he titled it “Yonkers” because it sounded to him like his version of what vintage 90s New York rap sounds like. Yes the kick drums snap like Da Beatminerz, the looming baseline is dark and deadly, and, of course, Tyler had to thrust some chunky chords on top for good measure. Notorious for refusing to officially release his instrumentals, the OF leader couldn’t stop MCs like Styles from adding their 16s. Hey it’s […]

Oh sweet irony. The largest selling rap album of last year is also the most disappointing. While Carter 3 solidified Weezy’s position as an all-time rap great, its floundering follow-up is filled with hit-and-miss bars, poor production choices and a plethora of guests who outshine the Young Money boss on the album’s best moments. “She Will” is all Drizzy Drake in all his hookman glory. Rick Ross remakes his own song on “John”. And Tech 9ne and Nas steal the […]

They say patience is a virtue and I don’t know anyone who has more than Saigon who waited four years to release his debut album the way he intended. Sorry Atlantic, this is uncompromising boom bap rap with a message. Anchored by the amazing production of Just Blaze, GSNT is a conceptual album that is better served in one complete listen. Still there are plenty of standouts like the one-two punch of “Enemies” and “Friends”, the Marsha Ambrosius-aided “It’s Alright” […]