My top ten favourite albums of the year: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Bandana Kaytranada – Bubba Devin Morrison – Bussin’ SiR – Chasing Summer Emmavie – Honeymoon Loyle Carner – Not Waving, But Drowning Ari Lennox – Shea Butter Baby Anderson .Paak – Ventura Griselda – WWCD (What Would Chinegun Do) Alchemist – Yacht Rock 2 Honourable Mentions Ocean Wisdom – Big Talk Vol. … Continue reading Albums of the Year | 2019
This article originally appeared on ClashMusic.com Following the breakthrough success of his 2017 Mercury Prize-nominated debut ‘Yesterday’s Gone’, rapper Loyle Carner continues in a similar vein with his second album, producing another commendable effort comprised of his customary heartfelt sentiments. The album is bookended by poetic dialogue between Carner and his mother Jean, with the former initially giving his take on growing up, moving out and finding … Continue reading Review | Loyle Carner – Not Waving, But Drowning
This article originally appeared on ClashMusic.com In the weeks leading up to the release of ‘Fetti’, Curren$y and Freddie Gibbs had been teasing fans with their social media back and forth. With Alchemist having already completed his work on the production, the main dialogue between the rappers involved who needed to finish their verses in order for this anticipated album to be released. Eventually, they … Continue reading Review | Curren$y, Freddie Gibbs & Alchemist – Fetti
This article originally appeared on Red Bull Music The Tottenham-raised artist’s new album features Not3s, JME, Frisco and production from Sampha. Not satisfied after fulfilling listeners with League Of My Own II – last year’s sequel to his seminal work from almost a decade earlier – Chip has bounced back with new album TEN10, which knits the musical styles he’s employed over his career. Here … Continue reading Review | Chip – TEN10
“I said it’s like that, dropped one classic, came right back / ‘Nother classic, right back / My next album, the whole industry on a ice pack”. And it was with those words (and a few others) delivered in ‘The Heart Part 4’ that the palpable anticipation for Kendrick Lamar’s next body of work became apparent. Less than a month later, he had released DAMN., … Continue reading Review | Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Unless you’ve been unconscious for the past two weeks, you’re probably aware that J. Cole released his 4th studio album, 4 Your Eyez Only, December 9th. The announcement and subsequent unveiling of the project was accompanied by the usual fanfare that we’ve come to expect surrounding a J. Cole release, only heightened by the commercial success that his preceding effort, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, attained … Continue reading Review | J. Cole – 4 Your Eyez Only
After a wait of almost three years since the January 2014 release of his acclaimed Cilvia Demo, Isaiah Rashad has presented his anticipated debut studio album, The Sun’s Tirade. The title of the album is derived from Rashad’s perception that living in L.A. can sometimes feel like one prolonged day, mostly due to the weather, which took some adapting to when he moved from Chattanooga, … Continue reading Review | Isaiah Rashad – The Sun’s Tirade
For those who have followed ScHoolboy Q’s music career, you will be aware that his life has been littered with its fair share of setbacks. He’s had to battle against his habits and contradictions, which has led Q to becoming somewhat of an oxymoron. Regardless of all the potential pitfalls, ScHoolboy Q has managed to navigate his way to the point where his fourth album … Continue reading Review | ScHoolboy Q – Blank Face LP
After giving us the Thuggin’ EP (2011) as well as the Shame EP (2012), Gary, Indiana emcee, Freddie Gibbs, and legendary producer, Madlib, have linked up once more and released the full-length LP entitled, Piñata. Now, I do not usually begin my reviews with an outlandish statement, but this particular project has forced me to; I would be surprised if I hear a better Hip … Continue reading Review | Freddie Gibbs x Madlib – Piñata
Following the release of his second studio album, Born Sinner, just last year, J. Cole returns with the succeeding project, 2014 Forest Hills Drive. The title of the album derives from the address of the house that Cole used to live in as a child, and subsequently throughout the album he revisits moments from his childhood that have affected his life. The opening track, ‘January … Continue reading Review | J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Brooklyn, New York’s very own Joey Bada$$ begins the new year with the release of his debut studio album, B4.DA.$$ (Before Da Money), within which he shows a great deal of growth and maturity, while still maintaining the nostalgic 90’s tint that is a hallmark of this 20 year old’s style. As the title suggests, Joey approached the making of this album with the same … Continue reading Review | Joey Bada$$ – B4.DA.$$
Big K.R.I.T. adds to his already significant catalogue with his highly anticipated new album, Cadillatica. The album, described by K.R.I.T. himself as “a planet from his sub-conscious mind”, tells the story of where the Cadillac that was shown crash-landed on his previous album cover, Live From The Underground, came from. The album begins in classic Big K.R.I.T. style with ‘Kreation’, inviting the listener in with … Continue reading Review | Big K.R.I.T. – Cadillactica
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