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
Kanye West
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
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.
BensBeat Top 25 Albums of 2021
Finally, here are the best full-length projects this year had to offer. As the album format continues to valiantly fight onwards against a seemingly impending demise, many of the most innovative artists used the form to tell striking stories from front to back, flip the structure upside down, or simply load it up with the … Continue reading BensBeat Top 25 Albums of 2021
BensBeat Top 50 Songs of 2021
A sentiment I've seen crop up a couple times as year-end lists are published is that the year 2021 had such a consistent stream of great music, it was difficult to really sit with and connect to the best material like in years past before the next great thing came along. It's a strangely agreeable … Continue reading BensBeat Top 50 Songs of 2021
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
Pop Smoke – Faith
Only just over a year after the first and around two years after his death, New York drill rapper Pop Smoke’s second posthumous album has been released. But to be honest, it feels truly strange to call it “Pop Smoke’s album.” Pop’s label is seemingly taking the same path as those in charge of fellow … Continue reading Pop Smoke – Faith
Playboi Carti – Whole Lotta Red
I thought I was done with 2020 album releases, but one of the most highly anticipated albums in years dropped on Christmas Day, so here we are. Wildly experimental and highly polarizing hip-hop upstart Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red has been teased for over two years now, leaving fans in a frenzy after his past … Continue reading Playboi Carti – Whole Lotta Red
Ty Dolla $ign – Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
One of the music industry’s most consistently versatile figures returns, and this time it’s with a self-aware and feature-heavy odyssey of an album. Two years after linking up with Jeremih for a great project full of confident R&B come-ons and continuing to contribute his vocals to numerous albums by diverse musical superstars, Ty Dolla $ign … Continue reading Ty Dolla $ign – Featuring Ty Dolla $ign
Rapid Fire Reviews (Offset, Lil Pump, Hozier)
Offset - FATHER OF 4 The third and final member of the ultra-popular rap trio Migos to release their own solo project as we wait for Culture III, Offset actually takes the opportunity to do something you don’t often see the group doing: opening up and getting emotional. The album delayed due to relationship drama … Continue reading Rapid Fire Reviews (Offset, Lil Pump, Hozier)
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 