Best of The Month – December 2024

Whenever Roc Marciano and The Alchemist join forces, the rap game ascends to new artistic heights. Their work blends cutting-edge creativity, meticulous attention to detail, and unshakable confidence in their craft. The Alchemist, like a modern-day Coltrane experimenting with an MPC, creates intricate, boundary-pushing soundscapes. Meanwhile, Long Island’s Roc Marci strides effortlessly across these beats, delivering sophisticated rhymes and metaphors with the effortless charisma of a seasoned gangster.

FAMILI 6 by RU$H & JAY NICE exemplifies luxury rap at its finest. Brimming with braggadocio and swagger, it marries polished, elegant samples with sharp lyricism. The two MCs—cousins from Delaware—combine complementary styles to create a project that radiates authenticity while celebrating their artistic finesse. With refined production as the canvas, their vivid bars paint opulent, intelligent imagery. FAMILI 6 is an underground masterpiece, delivering quality and sophistication for discerning listeners.

European audiences often show a remarkable appreciation for classic rap aesthetics, creating a perfect niche for today’s underground U.S. emcees who uphold this tradition. Flee Lord, a Queens native raised under the mentorship of Prodigy from Mobb Deep, represents the pure essence of reality rap. On this project, he pairs his raw, uncompromising lyrics with powerful, immersive beats crafted by German producer Richard Milli. Together, they honor Hip-Hop’s street roots while carrying Prodigy’s legacy forward with authenticity.

The unexpected but highly effective partnership between UGK legend Bun B and renowned Boston producer Statik Selektah returns for a fourth installment with TRILLSTATIK 4. Supported by a diverse lineup of guest artists, the duo once again delivers a collection of standout tracks. Statik’s classic, head-nodding beats perfectly complement Bun B’s authoritative and razor-sharp bars, cementing this project as another testament to their chemistry and enduring prowess in the rap game.

New Jersey rapper Reek Osama, of Brazilian heritage, collaborates with Boston-based producer Michaelangelo to deliver ZE PEQUENO, a project inspired by the iconic City of God character. Michaelangelo’s cinematic production sets the stage for Reek’s vivid street narratives, crafting a raw yet evocative experience that feels straight out of a gritty urban film.

A standout newcomer this month is Northside Lord, an MC and visual artist from Hollis, Queens. His project Birds I View 2 is a gritty, no-holds-barred exploration of his turbulent past—marked by struggles with drugs, crime, and systemic challenges—and the evolving realities of his neighborhood today. Delivered over raw, minimalist beats, the album is a visceral and authentic slice of street life, complemented by striking, self-designed artwork that doubles as a gallery of his artistic talent.

Chicago MC Vic Spencer teams up with underground productions genius August Fanon for the fifth installment of PSYCHOLOGICAL CHEAT SHEET. The album offers a vivid journey through Vic Spencer’s memories, from his gritty Chicago upbringing and time in youth facilities to his current life as an adult balancing the rap game with real-life responsibilities. His distinctive voice flows seamlessly over August Fanon’s elegant jazz and soul-infused beats, creating a deeply personal and atmospheric experience.

Birmingham native Sonnyjim continues to shine as a leading figure in the UK’s underground Hip-Hop scene. His latest effort, EXOTIC PENG COLLECTION, produced entirely by Graymatter (Mutant Academy), is a masterclass in blending luxury and rawness. Sonnyjim’s hypnotic flow navigates through vivid, abstract imagery of opulence and street life, perfectly paired with Graymatter’s masterful beats. The result is a cinematic, Guy Ritchie-esque experience, where wit, grit, and sophistication collide in a unique and compelling mix.

Straight from Venezuela, Castellanos and Carlitos Calebra serve up LA ÚLTIMA CENA, a raw and unfiltered project with the intensity of freshly cut bamba. Featuring dusty, 90s-inspired loops and razor-sharp bars, this album captures the essence of street rap in its purest, most authentic form. A must-listen for fans of timeless, gritty Hip-Hop.