Best of The Month – February 2025

“Life Is Beautiful” combines the smooth and motivational approach of Larry June, from San Francisco, with the charisma of Atlanta rapper 2Chainz, under the always impeccable production and direction of The Alchemist. While Larry June stays true to his motivational rhymes about lifestyle and daily hustle, perhaps the real surprise of this Life Is Beautiful is 2Chainz a.k.a Titi Boy, who once again proves to be an underrated lyricist: with inspirational lyrics and an extraordinary artistic personality, he often manages to steal the show. The Alchemist enriches the project with a luxurious sound, alternating between soulful samples and minimal backdrops, creating an atmosphere that flows seamlessly from start to finish. Between elegant bangers and more motivational songs, “Life Is Beautiful” is an album that sounds authentic and inspired throughout.

With “America’s Sweetheart“, Nems delivers his raw and unfiltered style without holding back. The Coney Island MC blends sharp rhymes, sarcasm, and his signature “Fuck Your Life” attitude, authentically portraying the street reality through the lens of someone who pulled himself up from the bottom. The gritty productions match perfectly with his brutal lyrics, while the various features, including the standout Tony Touch, add depth to the album. Nems continues to paint an honest picture of a New York that is, in his own words, “thank God, not yet gentrified,” reaffirming his status as a unique voice in the Big Apple’s scene.

Dave East and Ransom are the duo the scene didn’t know it needed. “The Final Call” combines charisma and depth, blending sharp and thoughtful lyrics over dark and powerful productions. Ransom brings his trademark intelligent lyrics and exceptional flow, while Dave East adds his charisma and sharp delivery. The two rappers trade verses seamlessly, creating a solid and cohesive album that merges storytelling and awareness without ever losing intensity.

In this third and final chapter of his trilogy, Sy Ari The Kid concludes the journey that began with “The Shadow in the Shade” and continued with “The Shadow in the Shade 2”. “The Last Shadow in the Shade” is the perfect synthesis of his artistic evolution, where rap and introspection intertwine without ever losing strength. Sy Ari goes toe-to-toe with heavyweight lyricists like Benny The Butcher, CyHi The Prynce, Freeway, Nick Grant, Vega7 The Ronin, and Nu Jerzey Twork. These features are not mere fillers but true lyrical showdowns that add depth to the project. With immersive production and sincere writing, Sy Ari captures the listener on every track, showcasing an artistic maturity that leaves no room for superficiality. “The Last Shadow in the Shade” is the ideal conclusion to a trilogy that solidified Sy Ari The Kid as one of the most solid and authentic voices in the scene.

Errol Holden is a name to remember. “Supreme Magnetic” showcases a lyricist with the credibility and presence of someone who carries real stories on his shoulders. His sharp rhymes are rich with detail and experience, while his delivery and rhyme schemes evoke Harlem legends from the ’90s. It’s no coincidence that icons like Cam’ron have called him the best MC in Harlem right now, and that Roc Marciano has brought him into his Pimpire label. The productions perfectly complement his storytelling, creating a cohesive and magnetic atmosphere. With this album, Errol Holden delivers a blend of authenticity and top-tier lyrical skills, establishing himself as one of the most promising pens for the future.

“Flair Starr” brings together the grit and charisma of Fredro Starr, legendary member of the Onyx, and the sharp flow of Jay Nice, a Delaware MC who has established himself as one of the dopest pens in the underground scene. Beyond bringing his veteran energy, Fredro Starr proves himself as a producer capable of translating into beats the same strength and style that defined his career with the Onyx. The dark and powerful productions intertwine perfectly with Jay Nice’s incisive flow and sharp lyrics. “Flair Starr” is a solid and straightforward album that showcases the natural chemistry between the two artists—no frills, just pure, authentic rap.

“Crown Me Kaine” is the explosive result of the collaboration between Eddie Kaine, a rapper from Brooklyn, New York, and Machacha, a Danish producer from Copenhagen Crates who has made a name for himself in the underground scene thanks to his impactful productions and collaborations with some of the best talents in the game. Eddie Kaine, with his raw and direct flow, commands attention on every track with sharp lyrics and a distinctive style, while Machacha enriches the project with dark and atmospheric beats that elevate the Brooklyn rapper’s bars. “Crown Me Kaine” is a solid and uncompromising work, confirming Eddie Kaine as one of the most interesting voices in the New York underground scene and Machacha as a producer capable of perfectly shaping his talent.

“The Cost of Gold” is a collaboration between Codenine, member of the Tragic Allies collective from Lynn, Massachusetts (which also includes Estee Nack), and Boston-based producer BoneWeso. The album, initially released exclusively on Bandcamp in November 2024, only reached all digital platforms in February 2025. Codenine, with his raw and poetic lyricism, finds the perfect canvas for  blending alchemic rhymes with the heavy, raw BoneWeso’s beats. Like gold, the worth of art and knowledge doesn’t decrease over time—it only gains value. This is exactly what Codenine and BoneWeso represent: timeless art, lyrical depth, and wisdom that ages like fine gold. THE features from Estee Nack and other names from the strong local underground scene add depth to this uncompromising project.

“Narcoblues” is the latest project born from the collaboration between Pessimo17, a young promise of the Italian underground hip-hop scene, and producer SickBudd. The album offers a raw and claustrophobic portrait of the italian province, exposing the hypocrisies of a middle class entrenched in their owned villas, while drug dealing proliferates in the surrounding woods and organized crime and drug addiction quietly spread through small towns. SickBudd’s dark and enveloping productions create an atmosphere that immerses the listener in a journey between nightmare and reality, emphasizing Pessimo17’s intense storytelling as he retraces episodes from his past. The result is a work that lays bare the contradictions of a reality too often left unspoken.

Tedax Max, rapper from Lyon, France, recently released “Konsigliere“, a project entirely produced by Ismayyyel. The album features collaborations with artists such as Rocxnoir, Big Twins from Infamous Mobb, Tookie O.G., and Isha LVA, who enrich the work with their diverse voices and inspirations. Tedax Max continues to stand out in the French hip-hop scene thanks to his unique style and ability to blend different influences. In “Konsigliere“, Tedax Max and Ismayyyel deliver elegant rap and polished productions, further solidifying his position in the French underground.