This producer from the Mass continues to bust his ass to preserve the essence of traditional East Coast hip-hop. WGA may be Statik’s finest complete project packed with a gang of MCs from new jacks like Joey Badass to an unlisted appearance from veteran Kool Keith. Hard not to head nod to this one.—YN
You’d have to be a big dummy to not understand at this point how serious DJ Khaled is about his videos. Still he outdoes himself here in the scene where he keeps feeding his shortie stacks of greenbacks. We’re grateful for all the laughs this provides. Ha!—YN
The Young Gangsta takes it back to his old hood for this gripping visual. The violence can make you feel un(c)bomfortable but it’s a harsh reality we can’t ignore. Life is krazy, y’all.—YN
Curtis and his crew showcase their conscious side on this striking visual that addresses police brutality. Unexpected and well put together. Salute to The Unit.—YN
Great breakdown of Statik Selektah’s *Round Trip*! Honestly, this 2023 Mass Appeal release is pure boom-bap bliss from start to finish. Statik really outdid himself with those smooth, jazzy sample flips and turntable scratches, creating the exact kind of laid-back, golden-era hip-hop vibe you want playing in the background while relaxing at Denmark holiday cottages over a quiet weekend. The guest list alone is stacked—having legends like Posdnous kicking things off on the opener "Round Trip (For Dave)" alongside heavy hitters like Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, and Inspectah Deck on "Unpredictable" makes every track feel like a proper event. Even the newer-school features like Benny the Butcher, Conway the Machine, and Joey Bada$$ fit effortlessly over the dusty, soulful production without a single wasted verse. Definitely one of his most cohesive projects in years and an easy front-to-back spin for anyone who appreciates real hip-hop craftsmanship.