The Best New Hip-Hop This Week contains albums, movies, and songs from J. Cole, Rico Nasty, and Doechii.
I don’t know what was happening for the previous seven days, however this week’s column is a doozy. To be honest, a large portion of this week’s absurd variety of new releases have been sitting in my inbox for at the least a month. Nonetheless, one thing appears to have kicked the artistic minds of hip-hop into excessive gear. Listed below are a number of examples:
Rico Nasty made a return to kind (a typical theme this yr, for positive) with the thrash-rap single, “Teethsucker.”
J. Cole ended the drought with an introspective bar-fest referred to as “Clouds,” launched by way of his new weblog.
2024’s breakout artist of the yr, Doechii, teamed up with Blackpink rapper Jennie on “ExtraL,” a standout lyrical show for each artists.
IDK introduced the deluxe version of his 2024 album, Bravado + Intimo, with the video for “Mario Coins.”
And Quavo bought again in his avenue rap bag with “Trappa Rappa.”
Right here is one of the best of hip-hop this week ending February 21, 2025.
Dave East & Ransom — The Closing Name
I’ve posted about this one a few occasions throughout its rollout. Two of New York’s most devoted purveyors of punchlines group up for a gritty, witty show of excellent, old style concrete laborious battle rap. As Funk Flex would say, “THAT’S BARS, SON!”
Eem Triplin — Melody Of A Reminiscence
As a result of packed nature of the previous week of initiatives, I didn’t get the prospect to spotlight this one the best way I wished, however don’t let that cease you from trying out one among rap’s most unusual fashionable voices. Should you took somewhat 2013 SoundCloud rap and sprinkled a few of Tyler The Creator’s secret sauce from the final three albums on it, it’d sound so much like Eem Triplin.
Hurricane Knowledge — Excellent Storm
One other mid-week launch that really deserved somewhat extra shine, image a much less problematic Kodak Black or a extra polished-but-street-rooted Luh Tyler, and also you’ll get a reasonably affordable bead on the place this Florida native is coming from.
Morray — Lengthy Story Quick
Proper after I was beginning to marvel, “The place’s Morray been?” his new PR group reached out to tell us he was engaged on a brand new album AND this mixtape, which explains precisely what he’s been going by as he recalibrated his enterprise and took fellow Fayetteville native J. Cole’s recommendation about scrapping his previous work.
Nardo Wick — Wick
One other rapper who’s been flying below the radar not too long ago, the viral sensation whose debut garnered co-signs from the likes of Future, Lil Child, 21 Savage, and extra returns. And wouldn’t you recognize it, he hasn’t misplaced a step, reconnecting with two of the three, whereas Sexyy Crimson steals the present on their collaboration.
Smif-N-Wessun — Infinity
Regardless of what a few of our readers would possibly suppose, I wouldn’t name myself an “previous head” simply but… however there’ll at all times make sure acts that ring the knell that tells me such a designation ain’t up to now off in my future. I refuse to apologize. That is Actual Hip-Hop, as decided by a type of listeners sufficiently old to recollect when “backpack rap” was a literal description.
Stalley — Gamla Kyrkogatan
I stay fascinated by the evolution of the Ohio rapper who as soon as counted Rick Ross and Wale amongst his associates. His impartial stuff has been sharp, progressive, and weird, however I by no means actually see his identify in on-line rap convos anymore. This can be a true crime, and you are able to do your half to right this egregious oversight by giving his newest a spin.
310babii — “Unhealthy” Feat. James Brown
The “Soak Metropolis” rapper places a contemporary spin on one among rap music’s go-to interpolations, turning these beloved James Brown ad-libs right into a turnt-up anthem. For these able to cry “blasphemy,” take into accout, this tune most likely isn’t fairly as far eliminated contextually talking from what Brown was doing again within the day.
AZ Chike — “Whatx2”
Contemporary off his look alongside Kendrick Lamar on “Peekaboo” from GNX, South Central’s AZ Chike takes his first steps into the mainstream from the LA underground with the a brand new single and a brand new cope with Warner Data. He’s been grinding for a minute; it’s good to see the work repay for him.
Curren$y — “Dream Machines” Feat. Premo Rice
Do I actually need to promote you on Curren$y and Harry Fraud? Get critical. Press play on this ode to the holy grails of cars and watch a lit doobie magically seem between your fingers.
Deante’ Hitchcock — “Runaway Bride”/”On The Edge”
My man Deante’ has been out of the highlight for somewhat minute, however please consider he’s been engaged on that pen. At the moment’s double launch kicks off his 2025 marketing campaign in earnest, and the soulful, introspective bar work guarantees one other shining physique of labor coming down the pike.
Joey Fatts — “STK”
Lengthy Seaside, California has produced its fair proportion of rap superstars, however its pulsars and quasars shouldn’t be ignored. Joey Fatts has lengthy been a type of, flying beneath the radar due to his adamant indepent launch coverage. The bluesy, introspective “STK” seems on Fatts’ new EP, Blood In My Eye, which you’ll take a look at here.
Lelo — “Kudos”
Lelo’s bought one thing. The Detroit rapper hasn’t but lit on the Huge One which’ll launch his profession past the borders of his Midwestern house, however there’s an easygoing, pure charisma there that implies he simply must hit the appropriate gear on the proper time in the appropriate lane and issues will come collectively for him in a rush.
Lexa Gates — “What You Want For”
A standout from Gates’ current album, Elite Vessel, “What You Want For” is a smooth-grooving self-reflection with some low-key humblebrags that comes with a artistic video that completely shows Gates’ acidic humorousness.
Lola Brooke — “You The One”
Possibly it’s every week late for V-Day, however Lola’s lovey-dovey newest has a timeless high quality that makes its romantic content material straightforward to fit onto playlists for birthdays, anniversaries, date nights, and every other event the place you wish to present love… however with out letting your thug slip.
Partyof2 — “All 4 The Greatest”
Previously generally known as Grouptherapy, Partyof2’s new represents the group’s new composition as a duo, whereas “All 4 The Greatest” shows their revamped chemistry in consequence. Positioned as a dialog, it makes glorious use of the give-and-go movement everyone knows I’m such a fan of, using boom-bap and earnest empathy for an strategy to hip-hop I’m not satisfied we’ve ever seen earlier than.
YTB Fatt — “Ghetto Fox” Feat. Rio Da Yung Og
Buckle your seatbelts, the Arkansas and Detroit natives grasp a breakneck beat of their newest collab and cling on for pricey life, slinging guffaw-inducing punches far and wide. Count on to listen to this bumping out of quite a lot of tinted-out Chargers this summer season.
