One of the best new hip-hop this week contains albums, movies, and songs from Danny Brown, Drake, Lil Durk, and extra.
Rattling. Right here’s a fast rundown of hip-hop this week: Snoop Dogg stated he’s quitting smoke; Child Keem dropped a film; André 3000 got here again (with out raps, though Lupe Fiasco has a plan to repair that); Drake prolonged each his album For All The Canine and his tour with J. Cole; and Diddy was sued for sexual assault. I’m as exhausted as y’all are. Let’s get to the music.
Right here is the perfect of hip-hop this week ending November 17, 2023.
2 Chainz & Lil Wayne — Welcome 2 Collegrove
I debated not placing the album cowl for this one — really AI has gone too far — however there was no query it might belong on this listing. The chemistry between these two has been strong for over a decade, leading to an album that simply surpasses the sum of its components (no straightforward feat when these are the components). In addition they pay a bit homage to their first assembly of the minds on “Duffle Bag Boy,” giving us all a purpose to revisit that traditional.
Danny Brown — Quaranta
Even at 42, I’ve by no means been in a position to learn Danny Brown as a grown-up. His giddy, hyped-up raps and goofy, poke-the-bear humorousness have all the time lent themselves to a form of Peter Pan syndrome notion of his music, even when he dropped the private and poetic U Know What I’m Saying? in 2019. Now, post-pandemic, he’s older and wiser, with much more insights to share. With the standard of output he’s recognized for, it’s price listening.
DijahSB — The Flower That Knew
In a case of admitted bias, I’m highlighting an acquaintance who’s flirted with the limelight and deserves way more. Hip-hop is a tapestry, and typically tends to downplay or overlook the threads that aren’t as handy (like, say, a non-binary rapper who sticks largely to Slum Village-esque soul-raps). I say phooey to all that. The Flower That Knew is a worthwhile spin irrespective of how you’re feeling about Rhodes keys and good raps.
Drake — For All The Canine: Scary Hours
Is an EP? Is it the deluxe version? Who is aware of, who cares? Drake is RAPPING once more, individuals. Sound the alarm.
Whereas its brevity may very well be held towards it, it’s so uncommon that Drake raps for a full mission that we’ll take what we will get — particularly when so lots of the raps are this good.
Lil Durk — Nightmares In The Trenches
I admit, this fast hitter from the Chicago staple was nowhere close to my radar earlier than immediately, making its look a pleasing shock, thanks partially to a bevy of visitor verses from thrilling rising stars like Rob49, Icewear Vezzo, and Durk’s OTF cohorts. Each Dodge Charger with tinted home windows will in all probability be blasting this over the weekend, and I can’t say I’m mad about it.
Take a look at:
E-40 — Rule Of Thumb: Rule 1, Sada Child — SkuBop, Babyxsosa – Babyxsosa, RXKNephew x Harry Fraud – Life After Neph
42 Dugg — “SpinDatBac”
42 Dugg is recovering properly from his close to fumble, choosing up proper the place he left off previous to his latest stint in jail. “SpinDatBac” is a strong bounce-back monitor, sticking carefully to the bass-heavy avenue anthem fashion that garnered the Detroit native a lot consideration to start with.
Frequent, DJ Premier — “In Moe (Hypothesis)”
Lonnie Rashid Lynn and DJ Premier make for a magical mixture for rap traditionalists and it’s a rattling disgrace we’ve solely actually ever heard them collectively a handful of occasions over the previous 30 years (in a single case, the results of a Frequent characteristic alongside Royce Da 5’9). A classic Premier beat and a pair of expansive Com verses — a easy recipe, however one which works.
The Alchemist — “Paint Totally different” Feat. Curren$y
In an analogous vein to Frequent and Premier, Curren$y and Alchemist are a kind of duos the place once you see their names conjoined, hitting play is a should. Noodling saxophone and insistent bass again the pair’s newest collab, which comes from Flying Excessive 2, a mission that would by no means get an excessive amount of consideration.
Jay Rock — “Nonetheless That Approach” Feat. Bongo ByTheWay
Watts’ best continues the rollout of his long-awaited fourth album with a track that doesn’t push him too far outdoors of his consolation zone. It’s a bit harking back to his greatest hit so far, “Win,” with triumphant horns and forceful verses reiterating Jay’s hood certifications.
Kembe X — “Rolling Stoned” Feat. Hippie Sabotage & Isaiah Rashad
I’ll all the time settle for some new Isaiah Rashad, however particularly when it comes with a uncommon Kembe X single. The Chicago rapper tends to vanish for lengthy stretches, however each time he does emerge, it’s price maintaining an ear to the bottom. “Rolling Stoned” is a crazy, hypnotic straightforward rider that adapts to quite a lot of listening conditions, from the membership to the automotive to the smoke session.
Some artists coated listed here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an impartial subsidiary of Warner Music Group.