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
Lil Wayne
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
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
Machine Gun Kelly – mainstream sellout
For all the media frenzy surrounding his name as of late, it was still surprising that Machine Gun Kelly’s first full-length foray into pop-punk on Tickets to My Downfall was somewhat competent, transforming the genre’s resurgence into the cultural conversation into a full-on, Travis Barker-backed movement with its chart success. But when you’re doing a … Continue reading Machine Gun Kelly – mainstream sellout
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
The Weeknd – Dawn FM
You have to imagine that one of the most common questions The Weeknd gets is about why he dies so much – often graphically – throughout his music videos and album concepts. On the Toronto R&B/pop icon’s fifth full-length album, he takes his morbid curiosity to an entirely new level – but as it turns out, … Continue reading The Weeknd – Dawn FM
Tyler, The Creator – CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Tyler, the Creator is on a truly impressive run. Ever since breaking out of his dark and edgy phase with the triumphant Flower Boy, taking a more introspective look into his personality quirks and motivations for being the way he is over a summery jazz-rap backdrop, Tyler’s artistry in all facets from his production to … Continue reading Tyler, The Creator – CALL ME IF YOU GET LOST
Polo G – Hall of Fame
Chicago rapper Polo G’s latest project, Hall of Fame, seems aptly titled – after his single “RAPSTAR” scored a number one debut earlier in the year and stream counts continue to rise into the hundreds of millions, it feels like a project meant to fully establish himself as one of current hip-hop’s biggest stars. The album … Continue reading Polo G – Hall of Fame
DMX – Exodus
Continuing the somewhat concerning trend of releasing whatever a hip-hop artist was working on mere months after their death, turn-of-the-century NYC rap legend DMX now has a posthumous – and hopefully final – release after passing away only two months ago at the age of 50. Spearheaded by frequent collaborator and longtime close friend of … Continue reading DMX – Exodus
Lil Wayne – Funeral
Man, it used to be a much bigger deal if Lil Wayne and Eminem were to release albums in the same month. Regardless, one of the most influential figures on the modern rap landscape has returned – despite being a couple years older than the age at which he threatened retirement – with his first … Continue reading Lil Wayne – Funeral
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 