Flirting with a musical retirement – though we know how often to trust those lately – and now on his eighth solo full-length, the endlessly influential Kid Cudi has dropped a new multimedia project in a career full of multihyphenate ventures. The soundtrack to a new Netflix animated special dedicated to his late friend, fashion … Continue reading Kid Cudi – Entergalactic
Don Toliver
NAV – Demons Protected By Angels
After a lengthy break – by his standards – of nearly two years, it seems like the ongoing criticism of NAV’s work might have finally gotten to him. He’s long been thought of as a wallpaper musician coasting off of the fame of his more popular labelmates, but on his fourth studio album, NAV actually … Continue reading NAV – Demons Protected By Angels
Pi’erre Bourne – Good Movie
After making a name for himself by dropping his now-iconic producer tag onto hits by acts like Playboi Carti, Lil Uzi Vert and Travis Scott, cloud rap’s go-to beatmaker has been stepping out from behind the boards as well. Charting last year’s TLOP5 in the top 40, Pi’erre Bourne’s latest sees the producer continuing to … Continue reading Pi’erre Bourne – Good Movie
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
Don Toliver – Life of a DON
A signee to Travis Scott’s Cactus Jack Records, psychedelic melodic rapper and singer Don Toliver continues to capitalize on his momentum by releasing his sophomore project only about a year and a half removed from his inconsistent debut, Heaven or Hell. While so many are drawn to Don for his completely distinctive and downright infectious … Continue reading Don Toliver – Life of a DON
Baby Keem – The Melodic Blue
Smartly capitalizing on his sudden wave of momentum, 20-year-old Baby Keem releases his debut studio album when interest in his work is at the highest – it dropped only a couple weeks after Keem appeared on tracks by both Kanye West and cousin Kendrick Lamar. Drawn to his eccentric vocal inflections, spastic style and outlandish, … Continue reading Baby Keem – The Melodic Blue
Kanye West – Donda
After over a year of delays, three stadium-sized listening parties, back-and-forth online arguments about which versions of the many songs were the best, and a reignition of a longstanding feud with Drake, Kanye West’s 10th studio album finally dropped unceremoniously – or perhaps, appropriately – last Sunday morning. Long regarded as one of the most … Continue reading Kanye West – Donda
Internet Money – B4 The Storm
Hip-hop producer duo Internet Money – or Taz Taylor and Nick Mira – have been responsible for some of the most inescapable rap hits over the past couple years, including tracks like “Ransom,” “Lucid Dreams” and playing a big role in some of XXXTENTACION’s early success. When jumpstarting an entire movement from behind the scenes, … Continue reading Internet Money – B4 The Storm
Nas – King’s Disease
Legendary New York City rapper Nas has returned with his first full-length album since 2012’s Life Is Good, with a brief 7-track project produced by Kanye West in the middle that many argued was actually the weakest of West’s five projects of summer 2018. On King’s Disease, he trades in West’s production for the reliable … Continue reading Nas – King’s Disease
Don Toliver – Heaven Or Hell
Never underestimate the power of a single hook. Don Toliver, essentially an unknown at the time, was featured on Travis Scott’s massive project ASTROWORLD on the highlight track “CAN’T SAY,” winning over an entire dedicated fanbase in the space of a couple minutes with his refreshing and instantly identifiable vocal tone and getting himself signed … Continue reading Don Toliver – Heaven Or Hell
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 