After an incredibly prolific run from 2014-2020 that included critically acclaimed underground classics, mainstream success stories, a string of albums where it seemed like he had lost direction completely and an announced retirement after becoming a father, Logic’s story has consistently been one of the biggest rollercoaster rides in hip-hop. Already on his seventh studio … Continue reading Logic – Vinyl Days
Hip Hop/Rap Reviews
Drake – Honestly, Nevermind
The jokes write themselves with the title, don’t they? Only nine months after the biggest artist in the world released the much-ridiculed but still wildly successful Certified Lover Boy, Drake returns with his surprise-dropped 7th studio album, seemingly in an attempt to push the boundaries of how little effort he can put into a #1 … Continue reading Drake – Honestly, Nevermind
Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
A long five years after fully establishing himself as one of the biggest artists in the world and taking home a Pulitzer Prize for his album DAMN., Compton rapper Kendrick Lamar has returned with his most polarizing and controversial project yet. Split up into a double album for narrative purposes, Mr. Morale & The Big … Continue reading Kendrick Lamar – Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
Jack Harlow – Come Home The Kids Miss You
Seemingly overnight, throwing an inordinate amount of hate in the direction of Jack Harlow became the cool thing to do. While Harlow’s singles and features have certainly reached a level much higher than his full projects up to this point in his career, doing what he usually does and releasing an average rap album where … Continue reading Jack Harlow – Come Home The Kids Miss You
Future – I NEVER LIKED YOU
A decade and 16(!) projects into his career, Future’s influence cannot be disputed. It also means there’s nothing left for him to prove, as most of his recent output has been truly hit or miss, sounding at times like Future is on auto-pilot in the studio. Case in point – his last solo project High … Continue reading Future – I NEVER LIKED YOU
Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry
Nearly four years after dropping what may have been the year’s most celebrated rap album in Daytona, Pusha T’s inimitable rap voice and unstoppable pen have returned alongside some absolute legends. I’ve long been of the opinion that you can say the same thing about Pusha T as many people say about pizza – even … Continue reading Pusha T – It’s Almost Dry
Tee Grizzley – Half Tee Half Beast
Detroit rapper Tee Grizzley continues his speedy release pace and manages to drop his latest mixtape in a rather quiet release week in the calm before the storm – as quite a few high-profile projects are on the horizon. Known for his alignment with the old-school leaning and hard-hitting style that dominates his city’s sound, … Continue reading Tee Grizzley – Half Tee Half Beast
Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E.
As more and more big-name artists search out verses from people like Fivio Foreign to add a touch of the ascendant New York drill sound to their own projects, the genre’s new de facto leader in the wake of the tragic death of Pop Smoke sees fit to drop his debut studio album. After catapulting … Continue reading Fivio Foreign – B.I.B.L.E.
Dreamville – D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
While GOOD Music is fracturing and TDE’s marketing strategy seems to be out the window, there hasn’t been a top-tier hip-hop label consistently delivering quality and quantity to its fans like J. Cole’s Dreamville lately. Starting up its own festival, growing the profiles of artists like EarthGang, Ari Lennox and JID and releasing another compilation … Continue reading Dreamville – D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape
Lil Durk – 7220
Continuing the same kind of impressive release pace that allowed him to revitalize his career at a later age than most rappers break onto the scene, Chicago’s own Lil Durk’s latest project has materialized only a week after the first posthumous album by his close friend King Von, a major presence on Durk’s last solo … Continue reading Lil Durk – 7220
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 