Our last 2019 monthly round-up of the best new hip-hop on Spotify includes music Roc Marciano, Alchemist, Sean Price, Lil’ Fame, Masta Ace, Your Old Droog, Planet Asia, Czarface and many more.
Listen to the playlist below, and then go support the artists with a purchase from wherever you buy your music. Check us on Spotify for more curated playlists.
Another month, another stellar set of new releases, proving once again that 2019 has been pretty damn amazing for decent hip-hop. August’s playlist includes the return of Little Brother, new product from DJ Muggs & Mach-Hommy, and dope new tracks from Blu, Kev Brown, Inspectah Deck, Vic Spencer, Pete Rock & Skyzoo, Chali 2na, Rapsody and more.
Listen to the playlist below, and then go support the artists with a purchase from wherever you buy your music. Check us on Spotify for more curated playlists.
This month’s Spotify playlist features the best new music from June, including tracks from Freddie Gibbs and Madlib, Dibia$e, Mach-Hommy, Benny The Butcher, Murs, Kool Keith, Your Old Droog and more.
Listen to the playlist below, and then go support the artists with a purchase from wherever you buy your music. Check us on Spotify for more curated playlists.
Our March 2019 playlist includes new hip-hop from Madlib, Oh No, billy woods, Quelle Chris, DJ Muggs, Mach-Hommy, Self Jupiter, Moka Only, Freddie Gibbs, A.G., Ill Bill and many more.
Listen to the playlist below, and then go support the artists with a purchase from wherever you buy your music. Check us on Spotify for more curated playlists.
Welcome to the November 2018 edition of our monthly playlist series, highlighting much of the best new hip-hop from the last month. This month’s selection includes music from Black Thought, Masta Ace, Slick Rick, Ice Cube, Aesop Rock, Westside Gunn, Action Bronson, Benny and many more. Listen to the playlist below, and then go support the artists with a purchase from wherever you buy your music. Check us on Spotify for more curated playlists.
Welcome to the September 2018 edition of our monthly playlist series, highlighting much of the best new hip-hop from the last month. Listen to the playlist below, and then go support the artists with a purchase from wherever you buy your music. Check us on Spotify for more curated playlists.
The new album from Jedi Mind Tricks emcee Vinnie Paz arrived yesterday, The Pain Collector. To celebrate we asked Grown Up Rap contributor Nick Gauder to curate a playlist of some of his favorite tracks from Vinnie Paz. With so much to choose from, it was hard to keep this to a succinct 15 songs, but we think Nick did a stand-up job, included tracks from Paz’s solo albums, Jedi Mind Tricks and Army of the Pharaohs.
Check the 15-track playlist and listen below. Follow Nick on Twitter here.
Best known as a member of legendary hip-hop group Jurassic 5, Soup (who also goes by the name Zaakir) has returned with a new album recorded under the name Fullee Love. We recently spoke to him about Free, White & 21, positivity in music, and the obligatory question around the current status of J5.
[This interview has been lightly edited for clarity].
Let’s talk about the new album; Free, White & 21. The title alludes to a phrase used in the 1940s, which you are subverting to relate to now. Can you tell me more about the concept?
The concept (for me) was just being able to go in a different direction without second-guessing the move. The phrase was just that “I’m free, I’m white and I can do anything.” I wanted to have that type of freedom when it came to this. So instead of following what you think I should be doing, I’m doing me and I’ma make u follow and get on board.
The album is also incredibly upbeat and positive, both in the lyrics and music. I found this inspiring, especially considering what you’ve been through in the year’s since J5 stopped making music (near-homelessness, returning to a regular job).
I’m working a regular job right now, and I’m dead ass! I’m waiting on my Geoffrey Owens moment as we speak. I wasn’t intentionally going for an upbeat/positive project, it just wrote itself, to be honest. But if it makes folks feel that way, that’s dope! Just cause my shit ain’t sharp (right now), doesn’t mean I’ma burn the house down (after hardship comes ease) shit just taking long [laughs].
Most Hip-Hop heads know you as Zaakir or Soup, but you’ve released the new album under the name Fullee Love. Does using a different name allow you to explore a different side of your creativity, and a new persona?
Most definitely! Many have done it before. It takes the focus off of expectations, even tho I still hear “It ain’t what I expected,” and I’m like “Good cause your ass shouldn’t be expecting.” People are something else, they get pissed when you wanna grow and go a different route, but want you to understand when they’ve moved on from you to something new.
I read in a previous interview where you said you prefer being in a group, but how being solo also allows you more freedom with no one to answer to. How do you feel now that you’ve cut a full album completely away from J5?
I love it! I wasn’t willing to take the shots back then cause my confidence sucked, so a group made it easier to hide when all hell broke loose [laughs]. Now…I want it all, the praise, the bullshit, the ladies, the wack comments (you name it). And it’s beautiful to not have to compromise on certain things.
I know its a well-worn subject, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t ask about J5. There’s been tours in recent years, and even an unreleased track that surfaced (2016’s Customer Service). What’s the status of the crew today, and will we ever get new music?
We’ve spoke, but we’ve spoke before, so for now…nah it ain’t looking like it [laughs].
Free, White & 21 sees you working with a sole producer; Nicholas Eaholtz, who is known for his work with The Internet. Your partnership and sound also reminds me of The Foreign Exchange (Phonte and Nicolay). Who inspires you among modern artists working today?
No one and I’m not hating, but I’m older than most, and a lot of the music isn’t for me, so it’s easy for me to continue with what I’ve already been rocking to…the classics. Foreign Exchange is dope, I always dug Phonte.
There’s also an obvious nod to Prince, ‘70s and ‘80s Funk and Soul, including a track titled Nile Rodgers. It must be quite a challenge to make a record that sounds timeless, both old and modern?
Yea, cause you really don’t know what will be considered timeless or not, you just make what feels right and let the chips fall where they may. That’s the stuff that shaped me during my youth (Prince, ‘70s/’80s Funk) so its only natural that’s what I’d wanna bring back.
What’s next for you as a solo artist? More music as Fullee Love, or Soup…?
I told you I’m waiting on that Geoffrey Owens moment [laughs]. More music for sure…I’ma make it first, then see which persona will headline it.
Finally, going back to the positivity on Free, White & 21, it sounds like you’re in a good place right now. Is that fair to say?
Musically I am for sure. I’m no longer worried about the reactions I’m subject to receive. I wish I woulda had this thought process a few years ago, I probably wouldn’t be moonlighting as somebody’s employee [laughs]. But hey…could be worse. Thank you for this moment, I appreciate your time and the questions…Free, White & 21 is out now…peep it!
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Free, White & 21 is out now. Listen below and purchase here. Follow Fullee Love on Twitter and Instagram. Interview by Grown Up Rap Editor Ben Pedroche.
Zilla Rocca continues his playlist of the greatest emcees you won’t find on your average list, suggested by his Twitter followers. Check Part 2 and Zilla Rocca’s intro notes below. If you missed Part 1, catch up here.
The Best MC’s Ever: The Other Guys – Part 2. Words and playlist curation by Zilla Rocca
What I love about this next group of rappers is how you have G. Dep in there, someone who lights up my mentions anytime his name is typed out on Twitter. G. Dep is the perfect example of being one of the greatest rappers of all time – sometimes you just need a small contribution to make a decades-long impact. That flow! From Special Delivery to Let’s Get It to Child of the Ghetto – do we need more than three songs to prove his talent was titanic?
Pace Won stole the show on The Fugees’ The Score with Cowboys, then electrified us with I Declare War and The Rah Rah. I don’t need five classic LP’s after that to tell you he’s incredible.
Cool Calm Pete hasn’t released a project in 12 years but Lost still sticks with people. How many other rappers are you still thinking about from 2006 who aren’t even active?
On a personal note, my friends billy woods and Elucid are now making it up the ranks and it’s incredible to see, but it’s also built on a four year run of those dudes pumping out incredible music every few months, solo or as Armand Hammer. They are the indie prog rap version of Redman and Method Man.
And don’t forget that Method Man has never gotten over his lack of props, which is astounding considering he formatted his rhymes on paper with the technical science of GZA and Rakim but delivered them with the rolling charisma and unpredictable catchiness of ODB. Just write down his rhyme scheme on Bring the Pain and see how he breaks up his punchlines. He is the rare rapper to completely map out his verses but deliver it in fashion that sounds freestyled. His rhymes are mechanical but his delivery is liquid.
The physical versions landed a few weeks back, but last Friday marked the digital release of the new album from billy woods and Elucid, Paraffin. You can listen here, but also check below for our playlist covering some of their best collaborations.
