Kirk Knight Attempts to Bridge the Rapper-Producer Gap on ‘IIWII’ (Review)
As a man of many skills, the Pro Era artist is his own life raft on his sophomore solo album.
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Jay Critch Finds His New York Sound on Debut Mixtape ‘Hood Favorite’ (Review)
On ‘Hood Favorite,’ Critch mainly focuses on setting trends over chasing hits.
Phony Ppl's 'mō'zā-ik' is a Lush Celebration That Finds Joy in Uncertainty (Review)
After an extended wait, 'mō'zā-ik' feels even more like a special occasion.
Lil Baby & Gunna's 'Drip Harder' Is What a Joint Album Should Sound Like (Review)
'Drip Harder' is the 'Bad Boys' of 2018, with Lil Baby and Gunna operating on pure charisma and style like trap's answer to Will Smith and Martin Lawrence.
Lupe Fiasco's 'DROGAS WAVE' Is His Most Ambitious Album Yet
'DROGAS WAVE' is typically complex for Lupe, and it's peppered with definitive greatness.
Noname’s ‘Room 25’ Is the Blessing Hip-Hop Needs (Review)
On her highly anticipated 'Telefone' follow-up, Noname's joy is inextinguishable.
Joey Purp’s ‘QUARTERTHING’ is a Rumbling Record to Cut Your Teeth On (Review)
The SaveMoney MC drops his first project since 2016's 'iiiDrops.'
Jack Harlow’s ‘Loose’ Captures the Moment the Smoke Ring Hits the Bedroom Ceiling (Review)
The Louisville rapper continues forging his identity on his Atlantic debut.
tobi lou Delivers a Bright Eulogy for Childhood on ‘tobi lou and the Juice’ EP (Review)
‘tobi lou and the Juice’ is the procession for burying what we understood to be youth.
Westside Gunn's 'Supreme Blientele' is Grimy Opulence (Review)
The Griselda Records founder's personality is as golden as his ear for beats.
Jorja Smith's 'Lost & Found' Is Your Soundtrack to the Loneliest Summer Nights (Review)
Smith's 'Lost & Found' is not perfect, but its imperfections are captivating.
Black Thought’s ‘Streams of Thought Vol. 1’ is All Bars But Little Staying Power
Black Thought's consistency is admirable, but in form, it makes the music a bit complacent.
The Internet's Patrick Paige II Spills His Soul on Debut Album ‘Letters of Irrelevance’
Paige II reminds us that sometimes the worst pain can bring out the best art.
Junglepussy Delivers a Lush, Declarative, & Self-Loving Album with ‘JP3’ (Review)
‘JP3’ is grand because Junglepussy makes it so.
Leon Bridges' 'Good Thing' Explores Every Nook and Cranny of Love (Review)
With 'Good Thing,' Leon Bridges is moving soul forward with a bellied shout.
'Book of Ryan' Is Royce da 5'9" As We've Never Heard Him Before (Review)
In his quest for the crown, Royce has found himself.
‘tobi lou and the Loop’ is the Soundtrack to Your Self-Care Routine (Review)
“Fuck it, I’m gorgeous.”
Janelle Monáe is the Sexually Free American Dream on ‘Dirty Computer’ (Review)
'Dirty Computer' is Monáe's definitive, crazy, could-be classic, album.
Tom Misch Charts Growth and Memory on Effortless Debut Album ‘Geography’ (Review)
Misch’s Dilla and early boom bap influences are on full display.
Trouble Moves Closer to Finding His Voice on Mike Will-Produced Debut 'Edgewood' (Review)
"'Edgewood' proves that finding your voice is not a direct route but a journey of trial and error."
'PRhyme 2' Is a Familiar Buffet of Bars & Beats (Review)
"'PRhyme 2' is yet another dazzling bit of jump roping between title matches, sometimes flashy but always familiar."
Sango Soundtracks the Pursuit of Wholeness on ‘In the Comfort Of’
‘In the Comfort Of’ is enveloped in prayer, hardship, overcoming, and gorgeous swaths of sound.
Logic’s ‘Bobby Tarantino II’ Is Part Alter Ego, Part Identity Crisis
The Def Jam MC continues his never-ending identity search on 'Bobby Tarantino II'
Phonte's 'No News Is Good News' Cuts Through the Pains & Panic of Middle Age (Review)
Phonte only speaks when he has something to say.