You are now watching the Throne—at the top of our list. Easily. What sounded like every rap fan’s dream on paper finally came true in early August. Jay-Z and Kanye recorded their masterpiece across the globe with producers Hit-Boy, RZA, Pete Rock, Swizz Beatz, Q-Tip, and The Neptunes. Mrs. Carter and Mr. Hudson are also featured but it’s Frank Ocean who ceases the moment, nailing the choruses of the opener “No Church In The Wild” and the moving “Made In […]

Drake season has returned. Could he do it again? Yes, he can! Back with his trusty production visionary, Noah “40” Shebib, these Toronto kids delivered a terrific second album. Unified in their independence, the OVOXO Hit Squad shine on captivating cuts like the Weeknd-featured “Crew Love” and “The Ride”. Even the outside guests here are sewn into the fabric of their surroundings rather seamlessly. Wayne gets his swagger back on the rollicking “HYFR”, Minaj dabbles all over “Make Me Proud,” […]

Common returned to the game like a prize-fighter after his second wind with his ninth LP, The Dreamer/ The Believer. Produced entirely by No I.D., he kicks off the opus with Maya Angelou and Nas on the ineffable

After Rozay convinced Wale, Meek Mill and Pill to take their talents down to South Beach, it didn’t take long for the Dream Team to create enough Swisher Suite Studios tunes to complete a potent compilation album. The instant chemistry is visible but still, each MC got a chance to showcase their individual skills with Ricky bogarting most of the hooks. We witnessed the resurrection of Mr. Shakur courtesy of Meek Mill (“Tupac Back”) and cruised through the Sunshine State […]

If lyricism made a resurgence last year, much of the credit can go to Bad Meets Evil and their EP, Hell: The Sequel. Havoc’s haunting crackle sets the tone with “Welcome 2 Hell”. “Fast Lane” ups the ante with Royce and Em battling for lyrical supremacy. Em keeps it G on “Above The Law”, (“I’m trying to stay on fire, so you know if I hate fuckin’ water sprinklers I don’t love the hoes”) with Royce following suit, (“Baby I’m […]

Dr. Dre co-signs don’t come everyday. So when Kendrick Lamar released his independent album Section.80, best believe, all eyes were on him. Fortunately, he didn’t disappoint. From a production standpoint, scattered pianos anchor “Fuck Your Ethnicity” while lounging horns permeate “Hol’ Up”.  Elsewhere, “Chapter Six” and “Rigamortis” locks down K-Dot’s unchained melody. “Ronald Regan Era” made being an 80’s baby not so bad. Kendrick said Section .80 was created following a vision from 2Pac, so Afeni’s baby boy would be […]

Good things come to those that wait. And after two years, J.Cole’s core finally got what they wanted: Cole World: The Sideline Story. The album commences with the cinematic “Dollar And A Dream III” before segueing into “Can’t Get Enough’s” breezy bounce. Jermaine’s underdog tale is palpable on “Sideline Story”, “Cole World”, and “Rise and Shine”. “Lost Ones” and “Breakdown” are equally compelling, but “Nobody’s Perfect” showcases his true majesty. With Missy Elliott on the chorus, Cole’s underachiever anthem is endearing, […]

The biggest misconception surrounding Wale signing with Rick Ross’ MMG Records was that his sophomore album would be infiltrated with the Rozay sound. Could Folarin maintain his identity? Well one listen to Ambition proves it. The first three songs sound like his band UCB is backing him up. Mr. Rich Forever only pops up at the end of “Miami Nights” to scoop him up. Ha! The Bawse and Meek Mill do emerge on the amazing title track but this disc […]

Jeezy back! Man, it took a long time to get Young’s fourth album but he really came through victorious in the fourth quarter with the fourth highest first week sales of any rap album in 2011. How’d he do that? By keeping that trap music to the forefront and rounding up a gang of guests to help him reach that goal. Hov and 3 Stacks help craft this year’s player’s anthem (“I Do”). A fresh out of jail T.I. rides […]

After releasing a steady stream of mixtapes, Mac stepped up to the plate last year and delivered his independent debut, Blue Slide Park. With ID Labs handling a majority of the sound bed, Mac proved he wasn’t all party and bullshit. He gives haters the cold shoulder (“Smile Back”, “Of The Soul” ), helps White girls lost (“Diamonds & Gold”), and enjoys the fruits of his labor (“Man In The Hat”). But despite his new found success, Mac doesn’t forget […]