for the love of music
Thanks for watching! Makes sure to subscribe on YouTube and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, & Facebook to never miss a post:
Welcome to StereoVision’s top 25 hip-hop/r&b albums of 2019. The past twelve months have been filled with highly anticipated releases that exceeded expectations, debut albums that catapulted unknown artists into stardom, and experimental projects that pushed boundaries and continued to move us towards a world where music can no longer be described by genre. With so much great music constantly being released, it can be hard to keep up and sometimes exceptional albums go overlooked. That’s where we come in. Over the last two weeks on 2019, our team of writers and critic here at StereoVision have been revisiting 2019’s deep discography and making sure that our readers won’t enter the new decade having missed out on one of the best projects of the year. For each album selected in our year-end list, our team selected three standout tracks from the record which were compiled into a playlist which you can find here:
Listen along as you read and get a taste of any project you might have not tapped into in 2019. Now without further ado, the top 25 hip-hop/r&b projects of 2019:
Release Date: December 6th
Record Label: Atlantic Records
At the beginning of December, LA’s golden child released his debut album Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial and solidified his spot as one of the top emerging emcees rapping. After dropping potentially the song of the year in “Ballin” with DJ Mustard, Roddy Ricch continued to ride his momentum into his first real album creating a project that is packed with hits without ever sacrificing cohesion or the flow. The album clearly showcases everything fans love about Roddy: His vivid story telling that instantly transports listeners to South Central Los Angeles upon pressing play (“Intro”), his ear for hit melodies and cool California vernacular (“The Box”), and his piercing singing voice that always flexes perfect pitch (“High Fashion”). The cherry on top of this excellent offering is masterfully crafted transitions that allow each song to seamlessly flow into the next making the entire album feel complete. Omitting only Baby Keem, there is no new artist I’m more excited to hear music from in 2020 than Roddy Ricch. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Tracks:
The Box
High Fashion (Feat. Mustard)
Bacc Seat (Feat. Ty Dolla $ign)
Release Date: May 15th
Record Label: Independent
This spring, Kota the friend dropped the incredibly bright FOTO, an instant classic for his cult following and a wholesome introduction to the New York rapper to new listeners. Throughout the album’s hour long run time, Kota uses each song as a different memory painting an authentic self portrait and helping us understand who Kota the Friend truly is. This intimate connection he is able to make with listeners is undoubtably why the rising artist has such a dedicated fan base and why his stock continues to rise everyday. On FOTO Kota accomplishes exactly what he set out to achieve. He paints a picture of his life so vivid that I felt like I was there when Kota’s mom and his aunt Marcell saw their father at the dance studio for the first time in years. Kota beautifully creates a photo album that he can go back to and reference while still keeping the quality of his music and its mainstream appeal at an all-time high. Thank you to Kota The Friend for a summer soundtrack that I predict will still be getting played in years to come. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Songs:
Church
Hollywood
Alkaline
Release Date: January 18th
Record Label: Carpark Records
Within the first few weeks of 2019, fans of Toro Y Moi were blessed with a new album from Chaz Bear himself. During the promotion for Outer Peace, Bear frequently mentioned how he was tired of making sad love songs, and on Outer Peace there is a clear shift from the pensive sadness of 2017’s Boo Boo into a emotional range that while being fun and optimistic, still has its moments of melancholy and doubt. At 10 tracks long, the Bay-Area native provides his fans with a diverse family of tracks, some low-fi and melodic like “New House” or “Monte Carlo” featuring Wet, others infectiously catchy and uplifting like “Freelance” and “Who Am I”. This was my favorite record of the year, and I have found myself revisiting these tracks almost constantly. The record is perfect for every occasion, so don’t be afraid to throw this on next time you get aux. You won’t regret it. -Carter Fife
Favorite Tracks:
Law of the Universe
New House
Monte Carlo (Feat. Wet)
Release Date: March 1st
Record Label: Def Jam Records
Completely A&Red by LeBron James, Rap or Go to the League is a triumphant comeback for our favorite trapper, 2 Chainz. The album is conceptual and frequently draws parallels between rap and basketball while diving deeper into the troubling idea that the two occupations are two of the only viable options for underprivileged blacks to succeed in America. Chainz uses a polished pen to do so and flexes some of his most impressive verses since his come up on this project. With help from an impressive feature list including Kendrick Lamar, Travis Scott, Ariana Grande, Lil Wayne, E-40, Chance the Rapper, and many others, it should come as no surprise that Rap or Go to the League secured a spot on our list. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Tracks:
Money In The Way
Momma I Hit a Lick (Feat. Kendrick Lamar)
I’m Not Crazy, Life Is (Feat. Chance The Rapper & Kodak Black)
Release Date: June 28th
Record Label: Interscope Records
LA producer Mustard, formerly known as DJ Mustard, gave us everything we wanted and more in his third studio album Perfect 10. Aside from many features from hot artists like Roddy Ricch, Migos, and Nipsey Hussle, Mustard killed the execution on the production side. It is chock-full of anthems and there is so much bounce throughout the whole project that it’s almost impossible to sit still while bumping the album. His #1 song off of the album, “Ballin”, is now grammy nominated for best rap/sung performance. This turned out to be both Mustard and Roddy Ricch’s first ever grammy nomination, and it was definitely well-deserved. -Colson O’Connor
Favorite Tracks:
Baguettes in the Face (Feat. NAV, Playboi Carti, & A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie)
Ballin’ (Feat. Roddy Ricch)
Perfect Ten (Feat. Nipsey Hussle)
Release Date: May 17th
Record Label: 300 Entertainment
Megan Thee Stallion is the “it girl” of 2019. This summer, Megan blew up with her mixtape Fever, released in May. Fever was the perfect project to kick off the summer, with Megan trading in her Tina Snow persona for a new one she deemed “Hot Girl Meg.” Hot Girl Meg was what she called a “college party girl,” and was the embodiment of sex appeal, independence, and a carefree attitude. On Fever, Megan showed her range in being able to rap about anything from sensual lovemaking to robbing a man of everything he is worth. Truly an inspiration for the girls. -Kaila Cherry
Favorite Tracks:
Cash Shit (Feat. DaBaby)
Best You Ever Had
Simon Says (Feat. Juicy J)
Release Date: June 21st
Record Label: Interscope Records
The return of famed rapper/producer Pi’erre Bourne has been long awaited. Since wrapping up 2018 with his collaborative record with fellow producer Cardo, many have been anxiously awaiting the fourth installment in the ‘The Life of Pi’erre’ saga. When the album finally dropped in June 2019, fans were not disappointed. TLOP 4 is a rollercoaster through contemporary hip-hop from the eyes of the man who has helped shape it. From forming the careers of artists like Young Nudy, Playboi Carti, and 6ix9ine, Pi’erre Bourne’s influence and expertise in modern hip-hop/trap synthesis cannot be understated. On his newest record Pi’erre constantly flexes his production skills and his songwriting abilities, delivering heartfelt and saccharine tracks like “Ballad” and “Racer” in one moment, and fast-paced bangers like “Routine” and “Speed Dial” the next. Each track is dense with expert engineering skills and tactics, while still being accessible enough to appeal to hip-hop fans both old and new. -Carter Fife
Favorite Tracks:
Poof
Routine
Speed Dial
Release Date: March 1st
Record Label: Interscope Records
DaBaby shows the world that short men do in fact have rights with his infectious breakthrough project Baby on Baby which was the beginning of a dominant 2019 for the Charlotte newcomer. DaBaby does not take himself too seriously in his music or his visual aesthetic. His music videos are completely kitschy and absurd. He has posed as figures such as Scarface and Suge Knight, and even filmed a video that parodied sitcom television. DaBaby’s bars are hilarious and clever. But do not get it twisted: He is not one to mess with. He is tough as hell, and, as he spits in the track “Suge,” if given any disrespect he will “... beat your ass up all in front of your partners and children.” Baby on Baby is a refreshing project that is funny, surprisingly crude, and full of dope bangers prime for all your summer antics. —Kaila Cherry
Favorite Tracks:
Suge
Pony
Carpet Burn
Release Date: January 18th
Record Label: Polydor Records
Ominous, hypnotic, and ultimately gorgeous, James Blake blends his signature downtempo sound with elements of rap and trip-hop on Assume Form. Blake’s vocal melodies soar over the album’s minimalist production, and the instrumentals show just how much he can make out of so little. Moments such as the climactic ending to “Barefoot in the Park” and James’ vocal cracks in “I’ll Come Too” are enough to conjure emotions on their own, and his candid lyrics only make these segments more potent. His arrangements are simply beautiful—even experimental at times—and the result is an extremely cohesive blend of alternative music and hip-hop. -Owen Tait
Favorite Tracks:
Mile High (Feat. Travis Scott & Metro Boomin)
Where’s the Catch (Feat. André 3000)
Don’t Miss It
Release Date: January 25th
Record Label: Interscope Records
Compton MC Boogie made some major waves in 2018 when he received a huge Eminem cosign and an actual record deal from Shady Records. In January, the young rapper returned with his Shady Records debut Everythings For Sale and it did not disappoint. Over the 40-minute run time, Boogies honestly reflects on a broken relationship, new fame, and his current day to day life. Throughout the tape Boogie proves why Pitchfork called him one of the best young emcees in the country. The tape is exceptionally cohesive and if you immerse yourself in Boogie’s world and experiences you should find that 40-minutes will feel more like 20. Boogie’s lyricism is a perfect mix of cool California dialect and witty lines that emphasize his smart and reflective themes. He gives us up-beat bangers like the JID assisted “Soho” as well as introspective reflections like “Lolsmh” or “Whose Fault”. This album is complete, thought-provoking, and one of the best releases of the year. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Tracks:
Silent Ride
Soho (Feat. JID)
Live 95
Release Date: April 26th
Record Label: Interscope Records
From a rap standpoint, Schoolboy Q has everything. Critical acclaim came to him with the Blank Face LP. He is a member of arguable the most respects collective in hip-hop in TDE. Yet his life outside of music has not been a walk in the park. On CrasH Talk Q looks at himself as a man and takes a step back to evaluate his own life and the people around him. This is the most relatable he has every sounded on any project. He does stay true to his hardened exterior on excellent cuts like “Numb Numb Juice”, on which he sound cut throat and motivated from the start. While this was the single released from the album, what is a more accurate representation of what makes CrasH Talk so quality is a song like “Black Folk”. Schoolboy strips away all ego and is just a man with many doubts and fears which he articulates over the ominous production in the background. This is what people want from artists when they release projects, not more of the same. This is an honest picture that Schoolboy painted for us of his life right now, he isn't a gangster or famous rapper, but a person just like you or me with doubts about himself, his carrer, and the world around him. While it may seem like a melancholy collection of music, Q finds a way to communicate these feelings in an interesting way and still come the conclusion that no person to ever walk this Earth is immune to what he, and a lot of us, are going through and that is perfectly okay. -Miles Hagan
Favorite Tracks:
Drunk (Feat. 6LACK)
Black Folk
Dangerous (Feat. Kid Cudi)
Release Date: May 24th
Record Label: Warp Records
Very few names carry the weight that Flying Lotus’s does in music. A mysterious prodigy who masterfully meanders through genres like electronic, experimental, R&B, jazz, funk, and hip-hop, Lotus returns from a long hiatus to deliver ‘Flamagra’, a 27-track record that spends approximately an hour showcasing Lotus’s musical prowess. It is impossible to sum up this album in just one paragraph, but listening to this album is an experience very akin to Alice’s trip through Wonderland. While some tracks may not last as long as one might wish, they each leave lasting impressions that resonate within long after Flying Lotus transitions to another musical ideas. Featuring help from artists like Thundercat, Toro Y Moi, Solange, David Lynch, Denzel Curry, and Anderson .Paak (just to name a few), Flamagra was certainly worth the wait. -Carter Fife
Favorite Tracks:
Post Requisite
More (Feat. Anderson .Paak)
Land of Honey (Feat. Solange)
Release Date: July 26th
Record Label: Atlantic Records
Although he is only 22 years old, YBN Cordae managed to get two Grammy nominations on his debut studio album The Lost Boy: one for best rap album and the other for best rap song. YBN Cordae seemingly came out of nowhere and took the world by storm. He released his album in July and is already touring internationally with hundreds of thousands of fans screaming his lyrics. Cordae brings an original sound and flow to the table that is undeniably smooth. When you take that and pair it up with a couple features from incredibly successful artists such as Anderson .Paak and Chance the Rapper, it’s a no-brainer he was grammy nominated twice. The best part is, he is only just getting started, and we’re excited to see what the future holds for him in 2020. -Colson O’Connor
Favorite Tracks:
RNP (Feat. Anderson .Paak)
Broke As Fuck
We Gon Make It (Feat. Meek Mill)
Release Date: July 5th
Record Label: Interscope Records
This year J. Cole and the rest of his Dreamville team set out to create a rap album unlike anything we’ve seen before. With fear of regret not working with more artists in his career, Cole decided to host a 10-day rap camp. Golden ticket-like invites were sent out to over 100 artists and producers from all over the music genre spectrum. Not only was it the diversity of the artists that was so important, but the blend of popular and low-key artists is what made the project so special. It gave smaller artists a chance to finally get some recognition for their outstanding talent. A documentary was released along with the album, and it truly painted the picture of the competition that was created among themselves. In a situation like this, you don’t get put on the album by being passive. You gotta come with the heat and you must make the most of your opportunities as only the top songs will make the cut. This created a friendly and competitive energy, and they would feed off of each other to push themselves to bring out their best work. When discussing the top rap album of 2019, Revenge of the Dreamers III must be in the conversation. -Colson O’Connor
Favorite Tracks:
Under the Sun (Feat. J. Cole, Lute, & DaBaby)
Down Bad (Feat. JID, Bas, J. Cole, EARTHGANG, & Young Nudy)
Sacrifices (Feat. EARTHGANG, J. Cole, Smino, & Saba)
Release Date: July 12th
Record Label: Domino Recording Company
Following the release of his fourth studio album Negro Swan in 2018, Blood Orange kept the up his momentuem with the drop of his mixtape Angel’s Pulse i n July. Blood Orange is an incredibly multifaceted artist who, over the course of his decades long music career has created rock tracks, funk, R&B, indie pop, and even dabbled in a bit of hip hop and rap. Angel’s Pulse is nothing short of these influences with Blood Orange traversing through different musical styles and genres effortlessly throughout the course of the project. With his wonderfully smooth and funky production style coupled with his immaculate lyricism, Angel’s Pulse was undoubtedly one of the most refreshing and artistic projects of the year. -Kaila Cherry
Favorite Tracks:
Dark & Handsome (Feat. Toro y Moi)
Benzo
Tuesday Feeling (Choose to Stay) (Feat. Tinashe)
Release Date: September 13th
Record Label: EQT Recordings
Rapper & experimental producer JPEGMAFIA follows up his captivatingly chaotic Veteran with an equally unpredictable and glitchy trip on All My Heroes Are Cornballs. Opting to incorporate sung hooks and melodic verses, JPEG’s delivery is more dynamic than ever, and the plunky synths and heavy chords he casts across the record compliment his characteristically unhinged drum patterns extremely well. Despite this instrumental shift in tone, JPEG’s lyrics are as aggressive and self-aware as ever, and he evens manages to shout his way through verses on tracks such as “PRONE!” and “Kenan Vs. Kel.” Overall, the album displays a larger range of what JPEGMAFIA is musically capable of, all while remaining compact, cryptic, and undeniably awesome. -Owen Tait
Favorite Tracks:
Kenan Vs. Kel
All My Heroes Are Cornballs
Thot Tactics
Release Date: May 31st
Record Label: Loma Vista Recordings
Coming off his most conceptual album to date (TA13OO), many wondered what direction Denzel would head next. The answer to that was obvious to Curry: he would go home. With ZUU, Denzel tastefully simplified his music showing us that sometimes the obvious answer can be the best answer with proper execution. ZUU is a short album with no skippable tracks. It’s abrasive and in-your-face without being inaccessible for less intense fans thanks to cuts like “WISH” and “SHAKE 88”. Songs like “BIRDZ”, “AUTOMATIC”, and “RICKY” provide long term Denzel fans with his unmatched flow and clever lyricism that they have grown to expect. All-in-all, Denzel made an excellent career decision and the result is a Miami masterpiece. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Tracks:
WISH (Feat. Kiddo Marv)
SPEEDBOAT
CAROLMART (Feat. Ice Billion Berg)
Release Date: June 28th
Record Label: RCA Records
If it’s bars you’re looking for, look no further. Backed by lush, opulent instrumentals from legendary hip-hop producer Madlib, Freddie Gibbs flows effortlessly throughout the vast majority of Bandana’s runtime. The midwestern rapper tackles his past, his success, his wrongdoings, and an array of sociopolitical issues that truly allow his lyrical & storytelling abilities to shine. And while Gibbs is certainly capable of manning an album by himself, he is more than happy to add excellent features from his A-list friends, with Pusha T even turning in Complex’s “Rap Verse of the Year” on the sixth cut “Palmolive”. The power behind Gibbs’ words and his technical abilities were enough to make the album continue to grow on me throughout the year, and standout features from Gibbs’ colleagues solidified the project’s spot on my list. -Owen Tait
Favorite Tracks:
Palmolive (Feat. Pusha T & Killer Mike)
Flat Tummy Tea
Giannis (Feat. Anderson .Paak)
Release Date: September 6th
Record Label: Interscope Records
BREAKOUT ALBUM! That is the only way that Mirrorland can and should be described. Johnny Venus and Doctur Dot put the rap game on notice that they are a force to be reckoned with and maybe the best duo in rap right now. Mirrorland sounds exactly like them, and it is incredible to see these young artists make their major label debut and not compromise. Instead they use it to get a host of guest features that simply lift the album to a completely different level. Young Thug on “Proud of U” brings an energy that perfectly matches EARTHGANG, and it seems like the three Atlanta rappers have been spitting together for years. As the album slows down the group calls upon Kehlani to deliver a seductive smooth verse on “Trippin”. Mirrorland perfectly displays the versatility of the group. The first half of the project gives audiences the energy and flows that caught the attention of people early on in their careers, but the second half where they slow their storytelling ability and emotion makes the project so great. They should get praise for getting T-Pain to deliver on of his best contributions to a song in a very long time. It all come to a fitting conclusion on “Wings”, where the boys reflect on where they came from and where they want to go. If Mirrorland is any indication, they have a very bright future. -Miles Hagan
Favorite Tracks:
Tequila (Feat. T-Pain)
Trippin (Feat. Kehlani)
Wings
Release Date: July 19th
Record Label: Independent
If you tapped into Baby Keem’s Die For My Bitch in 2019 you witnessed history. On my personal favorite album of the year, fans witnessed an artist with an unmatched ceiling come into his own and deliver his first excellent body of work. The LA artist showed significant growth since his last project highlighting his aggressive rise to inevitable stardom. The tape sacrifices unity and cohesion to instead display Keem’s wide variety of sounds and styles that he is proficient in, a great decision for an upcoming rapper looking to catch the attention of unfamiliar fans. While “ORANGE SODA” was one of the most fun hip-hop moments of the year and introduced the world to Keem’s sharp flow and one-of-a-kind vocabulary, some fans might not have realized that Keem’s entire album is equally as captivating and entertaining. All the claims I made throughout 2019 saying that Keem was a superstar were confirmed in November when I went to his show in Los Angeles and was treated with one of the most electric live performances I’ve ever been to. There’s a reason that A$AP Rocky and Kendrick Lamar were spotted at his shows on the Die For My Bitch tour. There’s a reason he was photographed having lunch with Jay-Z this past winter. There’s a reason that Drake called Die For My Bitch the best album of 2019 along with Young Thug’s So Much Fun. On the second track “Honest” the LA artist raps “Baby Keem, shit I’m chosen” and after one listen through Die For My Bitch, it’s hard not to believe him. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Tracks:
ROCKSTAR P
ORANGE SODA
APOLOGIZE
Release Date: March 1st
Record Label: Columbia Records
Solange Knowles’ radical album When I Get Home is easily the most artistic project of the year. When I Get Home is not easy to explain, to start, what exactly is the genre? Is it hip-hop, as suggested by features with prominent rap artists Playboi Carti and Gucci Mane? Is it soul? R&B? Further, what is the “home” that Solange is referring to? Is this place literal or figurative? Solange manages to answer all of these questions throughout the course of the album. When I Get Home is an iconographic representation of the black experience in the most celebratory sense. Solange embraces her black womanhood and embraces Houston, Texas. The project radiates warmth and familiarity. It creates a home within itself. When I Get Home is wholly inviting, sonically stunning, and lyrically beautiful album that I cannot help but come back to when I am in need of empathy, of comfort, of a place to call home. -Kaila Cherry
Favorite Tracks:
Almeda (Feat. Playboi Carti)
My Skin My Logo (Feat. Gucci Mane)
Binz
Release Date: December 13th
Record Label: RCA Records
It has been over three long years since the Montreal prodigy Kaytranada released his debut LP 99.9%, a funk-laden electronic record complete with over a dozen guest appearances (including names like hip-hop favorite Anderson .Paak and jazz legend Karriem Riggins). BUBBA, Kaytranada’s recently released sophomore album, is another example of masterful and intentional dance/hip-hop/funk synthesis. On tracks like “10%” with Kali Uchis and “Grey Area” with Mick Jenkins, fans are treated to a signature style of electronic that urges the listeners to lean forward, and lay back simultaneously. Not every track is played safety to Kaytranada’s strong suits however, as certain dancehall-inspired tracks like “Go Dj” and “Vex Oh” show signs of risk-taking that pays off as the record becomes more familiar. It was a long wait for BUBBA, but after hearing Kaytranada collaborate with industry heavyweights like Tinashe and Pharrell, it is safe to say that fans will be satiated for a while. -Carter Fife
Favorite Tracks:
2 The Music (Feat. Iman Omari)
Puff Lah
The Worst In Me (Feat. Tinashe)
Release Date: April 11th
Record Label: Interscope Records
Anderson .Paak’s Ventura showcases everything we love about the soulful California native. Said to be a counter-part to his prior album Oxnard which was released five months earlier, Ventura showcases Paak in his ideal environment being authentically himself. It is musically unmatched and conceptually rich. It’s both sexy (“Jet Black”) and politically charged (“King James”) but always in moderation to keep it tasteful. Ventura is an album that proved it’s enduring replay value by getting better everyday since it’s release in early April. With Ventura Anderson truly created timeless music as I foresee songs like “Make It Better” and “What Can We Do” staying in my musical rotation until I can no longer hear. Well we all would like to be, no one is quite as smooth as .Paak. -Spencer Lobdell
Favorite Tracks:
Make It Better (Feat. Smokey Robinson)
King James
Jet Black (Feat. Brandy)
Release Date: August 16th
Record Label: Atlantic Records
Does Young Thug Speak English? I think he answered that question with 2018’s Slime Language. The album title speaks for itself. So much of what makes So Much Fun great can really be seen through the way Thugger has talked about the project both before and after the release. There is no concept, no real goal or take-away, rather it is just Thug having a good time making music that will make his fans have a good time listening to. What we received was once again a version of the Atlanta rapper we were not accustomed to. “What’s the Move” and “Hop off a Jet” have a crisp beautiful island sound of production that captures the listener's ear instantly. The features across the board do not disappoint and help carry the project. So Much Fun also features what may be one of the most popular songs this year with “Hot” and its remix. Thug’s protegé, Gunna, shines on this effort and his verse on “Diamonds”on the deluxe version of the album needs to be talked about. What can really be taken away from this album is how it fits into the landscape of 2019. Hip-Hop has lost a lot of great talent recently because of the drug culture that artists like Young Thug and Future were a large part of creating. Thugger seems to be moving away from those narratives, or at least doing his best. There is a way to be this same well respects talented performer without the use of such detrimental lyrics, and its seems like Thug may have caught on to that. So Much Fun is a breath of fresh air, with an artist at the peak of his powers creating a vibe of positivity. -Miles Hagan
Favorite Tracks:
Hot (Feat. Gunna)
What’s The Move (Feat. Lil Uzi Vert)
Big Tipper (Feat. Lil Keed)
Release Date: May 17th
Record Label: Columbia Records
In a time where it feels like so many creatives are doing things for popularity or to be the next big meme, an artist who goes against expectations to make a beautiful piece of art that is entirely authentic is invaluable. This is exactly the feat Tyler, the Creator accomplishes on IGOR. This project comes on the heels of his most successful mainstream record yet, Flower Boy. Expectations were high and everyone was wondering what was next for the 28 year old rapper. If Flower Boy was his most honest album, on IGOR he tells the best story. The entire album plays like a movie not navigated by lyrics, but by stellar productions. Songs like “I THINK” and “RUNNING OUT OF TIME” are so incredible because they capture the feeling of falling for someone despite your best efforts almost entirely through the way the track sounds. Throughout, it seems Tyler’s character IGOR is trying to find out what is next the same way we all are and it is beautiful. Tyler still has tracks where he flexes his skills as an emcee. “A BOY IS A GUN” has bars from front to back, but he never overstays his welcome. Gone are the days of him trying to shock the world with every bar that comes out his mouth, now he is focused and precise with everything that he touches. That is what makes IGOR album of the year. There is nothing else that came out this year that sounds anything like it, and Tyler is an artist that is still hungry to get better, and that deserves to be celebrated. -Miles Hagan
Favorite Tracks:
EARFQUAKE
A BOY IS A GUN*
ARE WE STILL FRIENDS?
Thanks for reading! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get notified when we post:
By Spencer Lobdell
Maxo Kream is the heart and soul of Houston rap. Hailing from the Alief specifically, the notorious trapper has been making waves since 2012 when he released his debut mixtape, Retro Card while he was still in high school. The project was followed up by a string of well-received tapes leading up to his critically acclaimed debut album Punken. The album was released independently in 2018 and boasted features such as Trippie Redd and 03 Greedo as well as solo cuts like “Bussdown” and fan favorite, “Grannies”.
Since the beginning, Maxo has hooked fans by telling hood stories with brutal honesty and locking into a unique flow that can be near hypnotic. Even when Kream is rapping about robbing and killing it’s hard to ever antagonize him because of how well he articulates his intentions as while as the circumstances that lead to his action. Maxo Kream’s music gives anyone who wasn’t raised in the trap a unique and important perspective that allows them to understand the lives of their fellow Americans far better.
The rollout to Maxo’s newest album was insanely fun to witness and showed early signs that Brandon Banks was going to be something special. It started in late January with the release of his excellent single “Meet Again”. Over the course of the five-minute song, Maxo locks into the instrumental and opens up about all of his homies that are either locked up or passed away with. His stories are captivating and every bar is masterfully crafted.
After a three month hiatus, he dropped the second single off the album titled “Still”. On the pulsing bop, Maxo announced that he had signed a record deal with RCA records for 1.5 million dollars making his forthcoming album his major-label debut.
A week later, the Texas trapper dropped his last single “She Live” which featured Houston hottie, Megan Thee Stallion. The song is so fun as the two rappers go back and forth over an infectious instrumental produced by TJ OSINULU. After the release of “She Live” the hay was in the barn for Maxo and Kream fans prepared to wait however long it would take to get the rappers highly anticipated new project.
On July 25th Maxo Kream released his major-label debut, Brandon Banks. The album runs for 48 minutes and is host to 15 tracks with impressive features from ScHoolboy Q and Travis Scott to Maxo’s blood brother KCG Josh.
The aforementioned single “Meet Again” acts as the album’s intro and is a perfect way for Maxo to hook any listeners unfamiliar with his music onto Brandon Banks.
The second track “Bissonnet” opens with a spoken anecdote from who we can only assume to be Brandon Banks. The voice condemns Maxo’s blue bandana and tells him to “take all his gangsta shit off and have a real discussion” with him. Maxo’s first four bars immediately following the narration is about his father leading us to infer that Brandon Banks is indeed Kream’s father. The song is enthralling, authentic, and dripping in southern swagger.
The third track “Change” is an easy standout on the excellent album in large part due to the exceptionally smooth instrumental which was actually derived from the same sample that fellow Alief emcee Travis Scott used on his Astroworld hit, “Yosemite”. On the track, Maxo dives into how his newfound wealth has changed his life. For Maxo, the only thing the money has changed is the size of his chain but for those around him, it totally warped the way they interact with Kream. While the money failed to alter his identity, he finds himself deeply affected by the murder of his little homie who told Maxo all he wanted was to be like him. The song is fantastic and a new sound we haven’t yet heard from the talented artist.
The fifth song “8 figures” is another standout on an album of keepers. The song again dives into the topic of wealth and how everyone wants to be rich but no one is ready to put in the work necessary. Kream uses the verses to specifically spotlight the years of work that it required him to acquire the bag he currently sits on. Halfway through the song, there is an epic beat switch that I believe to represent the wonderful moment when all the work finally paid off for Maxo and he began to make real money due to the fact that the song switches from a motivational song about the grind to a fun flex with a celebratory tone.
“3AM” features TDE rapper ScHoolboy Q and is absolutely sinister. The songs showcases the two menacing emcees robbing a house and flexing their lyrical prowess the entire time. Everything from the instrumental to Maxo’s tone is dark and foreshadowing and it's impossible to shake the fear that you might be next on Kream’s hitlist. ScHoolboy Q pulls up for the second verse and delivers an excellent offering with Q’s classic intensity, something that I would’ve liked to see more of on his most recent album CrasH Talk.
Perhaps the most eye-opening track on the album is the eleventh track “Prey 2 The Dope”. The song gives us a perspective into the life of a drug dealer and how threatening a potential drug drought can be. Maxo raps about how difficult it can be to get a real job when you’re raised in the hood leading to the only alternative source of income, dealing dope. This can be profitable but also unpredictable because if one’s supply of drugs gets cut off it could be life-threatening. These themes are articulated precisely by Maxo and the D.A. Doman instrumental makes this song absolutely addicting.
Two songs later we get the heart-felt “Brothers” which features Maxo’s real blood brother, KCG Josh. It must be a special sort of feeling to be able to give your brother a feature on your major-label debut. The song is simple and to the point: Maxo will ride for his brothers no matter what.
Maxo Kream’s Brandon Banks is undoubtedly his best work to date. The album is cohesive and sticks to its major themes of life in the hood and Maxo’s appreciation of his father. Spoken interjections from Maxo’s dad frequent the album and contribute to the overarching story that is the relationship between the two. It also seems that the more we understand the dynamic between Maxo and Brandon the more we understand Maxo Kream the artist and where he comes from. This context makes Kream’s hood stories all the more captivating and impactful.
While the album is certainly cohesive this didn’t take away from his innate ability to craft bangers. The album is packed full with hard-hitting tracks that don’t miss a beat. Songs like “8 Figures”, “Drizzy Draco”, and “Murda Blocc (Feat. A$AP Ferg)” provide OG Maxo fans with exactly what hooked them on the Alief emcee years ago; brutally honest hood bars over rattling southern trap instrumentals. Brandon Banks shows terrific growth from the heart and soul of Houston and is one of the best offerings so far this year.
8 Figures
3AM (Feat. ScHoolboy Q)
Prey 2 The Dope
Rating: 8.5
Listen to Brandon Banks here:
Brandon Banks, an album by Maxo Kream on Spotify
Thanks for reading! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get notified when we post:
By Kaila Cherry
Houston native Megan Thee Stallion for Billboard
2019 is the year of Megan Thee Stallion. Rapping for years while simultaneously working towards a degree in health administration at Texas Southern University, Megan Thee Stallion dropped her first EP, Make it Hot in 2017. The next year, she released her second EP Tina Snow in June, a collection which shot the rapper into up-and-coming stardom from being relatively unknown, sans for a video of her in a cypher that went viral in 2013. Tina Snow is not simply just a title, it is also a persona. This marks the beginning of Megan Thee Stallion adoption of characters and cross cultural references within her work. The cover art for Tina Snow is intended to mimic the look of a Playboy Magazine. As a persona, Tina Snow is a play on Tony Snow, a character embodied by her favorite rapper Pimp C. Megan Thee Stallion describes Tina Snow as “the pimp and the mack” and that she is intended to make listers feel “cool as hell” when they hear her.
On no song is the aspect of cool more present than on Tina Snow’s seminal track “Big Ole Freak.” Using a sample from the 1992 R&B track “Is it Love This Time?” by Immature, “Big Ole Freak” is a smooth and sexy track that encompasses not only Megan Thee Stallion’s sensuality, but embraces self confidence as well. The success of the Tina Snow EP and the track “Big Ole Freak” led the rapper to sign onto 300 Entertainment near the end of 2018, making her the first female rapper to sign onto the label.
With a record label behind her and a rapidly growing fanbase of “Hotties,” admirers and skeptics of the Houston sensation have been eagerly awaiting the release of her next project. Their wait was over last week when Megan Thee Stallion dropped the fourteen song collection entitled Fever last week. Although several publications have considered Fever to be her debut studio album, Megan Thee Stallion asserts on Twitter that the project is just another mixtape. Whether you consider Fever to be an EP, mixtape, or full length debut album, one thing is certain: The project is a banger.
The aesthetic of Fever makes a cross cultural reference to the film genre of blaxploitation. Popular in the 1970s, blaxploitation films were essentially crime/action/drama pieces that focused on pushers, pimps, and other gritty aspects of the inner city lives of black Americans at the time. One of the most prominent performers within the blaxploitation was Pam Grier. Pam Grier played several characters throughout the 70s with more or less the same archetype: A jaded independent woman with a desire for revenge and undeniable sex appeal. Megan Thee Stallion embraces Pam Grier's energy on the cover of Fever, designed to look just like a movie poster from the blaxploitation genre and era.
Cover art for Fever (2019) Movie poster for Coffy (1973) starring Pam Grier
On Fever, Megan Thee Stallion introduces a new persona she calls “Hot Girl Meg.” If Tina Snow is meant to be a pimp and a playa, Hot Girl Meg is meant to be wild child. Describing Hot Girl Meg as a “college party girl,” Megan Thee Stallion maintains her rep of rapping about sex, confidence, luxury, and hard work on Fever. Opening with the hard-hitting track “Realer,” Megan Thee Stallion lets everyone know that she is, in essence, nothing to fuck with. Accused of things like “not being about” the lifestyle she raps of and getting plastic surgery to attain her hourglass figure, Hot Girl Meg makes it clear that she does not care about what others think of her. She raps the song in a lower, huskier vocal register to accentuate her toughness. On the chorus she spits, “Fuck all the critics and fuck how they feel” then telling the same critics not to worry about her a few bars later because she “Ain't worried ‘bout you (Bitch!)”
On the next track “Hood Rat Shit,” Megan Thee Stallion delivery style changes. Her voice is higher, her flow is fast, the lyrics are repetitive, and her ad libs are more present. This style is the most indicative of her “Hot Girl Meg” persona. It’s pumped up, a little bratty, and little annoying, but in the best way possible. The subject matter of the track is just like the title suggests. It is a song dedicated to hanging out with friends, partying, drinking, and getting into all kinds of trouble, just like a college party girl does.
For rest of the project, Megan Thee Stallion shifts mainly between the vocal styles of the first two tracks and subject matter stays largely within the vein of cockiness, sexual appeal, friendship, and newly attained riches. Features on the album include up-and-coming rapper Da Baby on the track “Cash Shit” and Juicy J on the track “Simon Says.” Both are super fun and add another level of hypeness to Fever. Megan Thee Stallion has great chemistry with both rappers, creating two tracks that help to diversify an album that can err on the side of sounding identical at times.
Fever is a great project. Megan Thee Stallion is a strong rapper with a clear artistic vision and style that will only continue to attract fans and haters alike. Although it runs longer than it needs to, Fever has a good array of standout tracks perfect for those with plans to act up all summer 2019. This is only the beginning for the premire Houston hottie. Her talent extends outside the gamuet of “female rap” and should not be discounted as such. Megan Thee Stallion can hold her own in the rap game and as she continues to refine her skill, she will only get better and better.
Cash Shit (Featuring Da Baby)
Best You Ever Had
Simon Says (Featuring Juicy J)
Rating: 8
Listen to Fever here:
Fever, an album by Megan Thee Stallion on Spotify
Thanks for reading! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get notified when we post:
Welcome to “Songs of the Week” a weekly segment where I highlight three of the best new songs released the week prior along with one throwback song of the week. To stay up to date on all new music, follow my Spotify playlist “What I’m Feeling” which is updated weekly to always include the freshest new music. Always 30 songs, hottest always at the top. Stream it here:
A playlist updated weekly with whatever new songs I'm feeling at the time. Always 30 songs and in order with what I'm feeling the most at the top.
RICKY, a song by Denzel Curry on Spotify
This week Denzel Curry began what looks to be the rollout for his new album when he released his hard-hitting single “RICKY”. The song, which is equal parts aggressive and catchy, was accompanied by a thrilling music video and is the Florida rapper’s first release since his excellent 2018 album TA13OO. The song is named after Denzel’s father and pays tribute to him by quoting the man as well as telling stories from Denzel’s childhood. The energetic cut is the perfect start to the rollout out of one of the most anticipated albums of 2019.
“That was back in Carol City, yeah, when I was just a jit
With the all-black faded Dickie with the Raider fit
That was it, we was lit, y’all wasn’t even shit yet
We was Three 6, Wu-Tang mixed with Dipset”
Racks On Me, a song by HoodRich Pablo Juan on Spotify
HoodRich Pablo Juan is one of the most influential voices in the Atlanta trap scene regardless if it has translated into mainstream success. His newest album BLO: The Movie came out this week and is his first release of the year. The first track on the project “Racks on Me” instantly lured me into this project and has been on repeat since its drop. Spiffy Global crafts a perfect instrumental for Pablo’s auto-tuned vocals to melt in to for the songs short two minute duration giving the song a dreamy bounce that is the perfect soundtrack to the end of a late night. With his lyrics, HoodRich reminds us that not every song needs to have deep conceptual meaning or any specific narrative to still be an enjoyable listen. “Racks on Me” is one of the most addicting songs that has dropped this year and a perfect intro to an album that exceeded expectations.
“Walk in, my diamonds is dancing
Too many racks, I can’t hold up my pants
Thick thighs and I like how she dancing
Fuck all that broke shit, bitch, we having bands”
She Live (feat. Megan Thee Stallion), a song by Maxo Kream, Megan Thee Stallion on Spotify
Houston OG Maxo Kream is hot right now after a string of well received singles and it seems like we could get a new album for the emcee any week now. His latest single “She Live” is anchored by an excellent hook first sang by Maxo then Megan Thee Stallion. Both artists sound great over the spacious instrumental that is basically just a drum track with a kicking 808. This song has major mainstream appeal and I could see it being Maxo’s biggest hit thanks to the catchy hook and the team up with Megan Thee Stallion who is gaining more momentum everyday.
“Yellowbone Tina, dark skin Keisha, hood bitch, she gon’ set it off like Latifah
Bad bitch down in Miami like Trina, bougie bitch only ride Benz or Beamer”
EdEddnEddy, a song by JID on Spotify
“EdEddnEddy” is the fourth song off JID’s 2017 release The Never Story. The short, one-verse, no-hook song showcases JID reminiscing about his childhood and loyalist of friends. The beat is simple and doesn’t take any attention away from JID’s witty word play and unique flow. The song is a slower bop that is an essential for laidback car rides with your day ones.
“We was celebrating life, tryna get to the fetti
But me and my two niggas, we like Ed, Edd ‘n’ Eddy”
Check back in next week for three new hot songs and one new throwback! Follow us on Twitter and Instagram to get updated when we post:
