While I felt 2023 was underwhelming from a rap and hip hop release standpoint, 2024 is shaping up to be a great year. Right out the gate, we had 21 Savage dropping his new album led by the mega smash, “redrum”.
Right after 21 dropped, Kid Cudi and DJ Drama dropped a mixtape which is doing a great job at bringing Cudi’s core fans back to the artist for his next LP. I’m really diggin “FUNKY WIZARD SMOKE” which is right up my lane. Cudi being Cudi.
The same day that Cudi dropped, Boldy James came up out that wheelchair to do what he does over some dark Nicholas Craven beats. The two have always been a good pair and it’s great to see Boldy back in action after that bad car accident last year that almost took his life. Here’s “No Pun Intended” which is one of my favorites from the project.
Benny the Butcher dropped his Def Jam debut to close January. This is his first major label release and while not my favorite of his projects, I’m able to walk away with a few for the playlists including this beautiful one right here. ALC on the beat.
That Lyrical Lemonade compilation is one I need to make my way over to soon as I’m hearing some good things about it. I’ve heard some snippets which sound nice and the artists pulled together for this project is on point.
The Alchemist and Hit-Boy are back at it with a mini EP called Theodore & Andre. All 3 songs are dope. I really hope they drop a full length which could be 2024’s Jaylib. The beats, beat changes, the lyrics, and the rapping are on point. And yes, the content is always on point.
Superbowl weekend we had Kanye and Ty Dolla $ign drop their debut album, Vultures 1. The duo goes by ¥$ which brilliant… In case you didn’t know, the ¥ used is for Yen because Kanye is an international player. The $ of course coming from Ty. So yeah… Vultures 1 might go down as one of Kanye’s best projects. Yes, it’s that good. It’s everything I would have wanted from a Watch the Throne 2… Well… removing Jigga and adding in Ty Dolla $ign and you know what I mean. I don’t even know what song to include right now because literally the whole project goes. And people my age are still sleeping while kids are signing North West’s verse word for word on “Talking”. My favorite track is “Vultures” which has been on repeat the past few weeks. Bump J, Lil Durk, Kanye, and Ty Dolla $ign all show the f*ck out.
And now get the new ScHoolboy Q album? It’s barely March and we’re getting hit left and right with good singles, good EP’s, and good full length projects. The Q album, Blue Lips is experimental without a doubt as he slows down the vibes reminiscent of Mac Miller on some of the songs. I can’t get enough of “Cooties”, “Blueslides”, “THank god for me” and “oHio” featuring Freddie Gibbs.
It’s been a great start to 2024 for hip hop and we haven’t even had Cole drop yet. We got 2 more Vultures albums from ¥$ as well as a solo from Yeezy. I haven’t even looked to see what else is dropping but I have to imagine JID got something cooking as well as Denzel Curry. To stay up on the latest in rap, peep the playlist below. I’ll update it daily and keep newish songs in the mix so you’re up on what you need to be.