There are always online debates raging about which four faces belong on the hip-hop Mount Rushmore for any given genre or era. The cover art of Lil Baby’s latest depicts himself occupying all four slots. With just how meteoric his rise has been over the last couple years, from a popularity standpoint, it’s hard to … Continue reading Lil Baby – It’s Only Me
Young Thug
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
Future – I NEVER LIKED YOU
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
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
Yeat – 2 Alivë
Early last year, it seemed as if Memphis rapper Pooh Shiesty had been elevated to the top of the charts out of nowhere – save for having seen buzz around his name a couple times online. Scoring a top 5 debut with what is only his second studio album, although he has been highly prolific … Continue reading Yeat – 2 Alivë
NLE Choppa – Me vs. Me
After hitting the top 10 on the albums chart for the first time with 2020’s Top Shotta, 19-year-old NLE Choppa returns with the 2nd full-length project to fully capture the attention of hip-hop listeners. Heralded for his raw aggression and visceral power behind his lyrics, Choppa’s bars often feel more like an impassioned rant than … Continue reading NLE Choppa – Me vs. Me
Gunna – DS4EVER
In my review of Gunna’s last project, I called him the member of his class of uninspired and formulaic trap stars that showed the most promise and potential. With his latest release, he’s seen fit to prove me wrong in extreme fashion – but not dramatic fashion, because DS4EVER might be one of the sleepiest … Continue reading Gunna – DS4EVER
Young Thug – Punk
While his influence on the rap game cannot be understated, Young Thug can be so eccentric and off-the-wall with his ideas and vocal inflections at times that he lapses into inconsistency. As he releases his second project of the year, it seems that he saved all of his best ideas for the hard-hitting and undeniably … Continue reading Young Thug – Punk
Drake – Certified Lover Boy
Although there has been no shortage of content from the man they call The 6 God in the interim, Drake hasn’t actually released a proper full-length studio album in over three years — the longest gap of his entire career thus far. After a couple lengthy delays, anticipation for Certified Lover Boy was at a … Continue reading Drake – Certified Lover Boy
Doja Cat – Planet Her
Doja Cat has come a long way from her “MOOO!” days. Turning internet virality into pop superstardom, her ability to stay in touch with and play to the online world made her track “Say So” one of last year’s biggest hits, mostly thanks to an inescapable TikTok dance. While her past albums have been a … Continue reading Doja Cat – Planet Her
Ben's Beat - Music Reviews 