You have to hand it to Roddy Ricch – 11 months after the release of LIVE LIFE FAST, a truly disappointing project that had the online chatter turn against him and dub him a one-album wonder, he returned with a couple singles that quickly shifted things back in the other direction. That in turn allowed … Continue reading Roddy Ricch – Feed Tha Streets III
Lil Durk
JID – The Forever Story
Steadily building his profile in recent years through collaborative efforts with fellow members of the Dreamville label headed by J. Cole, JID hasn’t put out a proper project of his own since back in 2018. Arguably the label’s most talented member – certainly, its most technically skilled – The Forever Story serves as a sequel … Continue reading JID – The Forever Story
DJ Khaled – GOD DID
When faced with the prospect of a new DJ Khaled album, one of the more interesting recurring comments online was the fact that nobody truly wants to listen to it – but as a hip-hop fan, you have an obligation to, simply because of the staggering array of talent that the media mogul is able … Continue reading DJ Khaled – GOD DID
Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
In what might be the ultimate exercise in “be careful what you wish for,” stadium-sized Scottish DJ and producer Calvin Harris’ long-awaited sequel to the soundtrack of Summer 2017 has arrived, even after Harris himself was adamant that he wouldn’t make another one. Still holding up as an ideal summer playlist five years later, the … Continue reading Calvin Harris – Funk Wav Bounces Vol. 2
Chris Brown – Breezy
Everything considered, it’s quite incredible that Chris Brown is still able to muster the popularity to warrant a review on this website 17 years and 12 major projects into his career – despite the quizzical outbursts he’s posting to social media about it not doing as well as he hoped. Truthfully, he might be doing … Continue reading Chris Brown – Breezy
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
King Von – What It Means To Be King
Although the trend of endless posthumous hip-hop albums has been getting increasingly concerning as they become increasingly disjointed and disrespectful, the case of late Chicago rapper King Von feels a little bit different. While for the most part labels have been capitalizing on being able to release as much music as they please from beloved … Continue reading King Von – What It Means To Be King
Kodak Black – Back For Everything
After revitalizing his career with what might be his best single yet – oddly tacked onto the back half of a compilation project, but now appearing here – Florida rapper Kodak Black rebounds back to relevance as “Super Gremlin” knocks on the door of becoming the biggest single in the world. While Kodak’s highly nasal … Continue reading Kodak Black – Back For Everything
Cordae – From A Birds Eye View
When I saw Cordae in concert touring his last project years ago, it was already clear that he had massive ambitions. In a critical moment, he predicted that the next time he arrives in the city, he’d be playing at its biggest stadium. While Cordae might not quite be there yet, his profile has still … Continue reading Cordae – From A Birds Eye View
Summer Walker – Still Over It
Racking up some stunning streaming numbers, it’s clear that fans have been clamouring for new material from Summer Walker – after all, she’s fit to be the soundtrack for tumultuous times, romantic or otherwise. After exploding onto the scene with her excellent debut, 2019’s Over It, elevating the alt-R&B scene with some biting, relatable lyrics … Continue reading Summer Walker – Still Over It
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 