Continuing a truly impressive release pace – although some quality control might be needed – in the wake of a variety of personal tragedies, Chicago’s Lil Durk is now on his fifth major studio album of the 2020s, continuing to reinvent himself as a more melodic rapper after his origins as a drill pioneer. While … Continue reading Lil Durk – Almost Healed
Melodic Rap
iann dior – leave me where you found me
It’s been a past couple weeks of speculating what will happen to the creative process when AI becomes further and further developed, and the answer might be that we’ll get a lot of music that sounds like leave me where you found me by iann dior. Released a little over a year since achieving decent … Continue reading iann dior – leave me where you found me
NLE Choppa – Cottonwood 2
Still only 20 and racking up a variety of questionable moments and online posts, Tennessee rapper NLE Choppa has already made a bit of a musical journey since breaking out into the mainstream as a teenager with a chaotic and aggressive twist on his local trap music scene. Returning with Cottonwood 2, which is only … Continue reading NLE Choppa – Cottonwood 2
RAYE – My 21st Century Blues
It’s been said before, but once again – sometimes, TikTok really gets it right. London-based singer RAYE is just releasing her debut album now, but she’s been a force in the industry since she was signed to a major label as a teenager nearly a decade ago. Lending her songwriting credits to artists like David … Continue reading RAYE – My 21st Century Blues
Roddy Ricch – Feed Tha Streets III
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
Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
After a lukewarm reception to the dance-oriented Honestly, Nevermind – save for the 21 Savage-featuring closing track, of course – Canada’s biggest hip-hop star decided to double down and release a full collaboration project with the Atlanta trap titan. Make no mistake though, this feels like a Drake album, and it’s his best one since … Continue reading Drake & 21 Savage – Her Loss
Smino – Luv 4 Rent
A longtime associate of quite a few beloved indie rappers like JID, Saba and Noname, St. Louis artist Smino’s steady critical acclaim has been building him a wider audience as time goes on. Now on his third studio album, Luv 4 Rent has elevated his streaming numbers to a new level as he continues to … Continue reading Smino – Luv 4 Rent
Kid Cudi – Entergalactic
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
DaBaby – Baby on Baby 2
After a highly impressive run of singles and features – one that now seems like a career speedrun, looking back on it – during 2019 and 2020, DaBaby’s seemingly monthly scandals finally hit a tipping point with some homophobic remarks made during a show at a summer festival. His verse removed from what was the … Continue reading DaBaby – Baby on Baby 2
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
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 