Best Hip Hop of August 2022

After a month or two of having to dig a little deeper than usual to find the best hip-hop gems, I’m happy to report that August’s selection is an especially strong one. Every album included here is one-of-a-kind, and each one is so good that many could end up in our year-end roundup of Best His Hip-Hop Albums of 2022. there is. From Doechii’s fantastic debut EP, to Danger Mouse and Black Thought’s long-awaited collaboration to yet another great Your Old Droog release, this month’s selection is all killer and absolutely no fillers. We hope you love each cut.

Danger Mouse and Black Thought – cheat code [BMG]

The success of some albums feels like it’s written in the stars. His long-awaited collaboration with The Roots’ Black Thought and producer extraordinaire Danger Mouse is his one such marvel. A nearly infallible 12-track rap album of his. Above all, I admire its soulful simplicity, cheat code It’s a timeless and effortless collection heightened by a stellar array of guest stars. Dropping its verbal violence, the late MF Doom adds a ghostly cameo to the spooky “Belize.” Incredible work by all respected contributors cheat code Candidate for rap album of the year.

JID- eternal story [Dreamville / Interscope]

Since signing with a major label in 2015, JID has lacked a career-defining groundbreaking, large-scale project. eternal story It seems that’s it. Ambitious, eclectic, and wildly successful, her 15-song giant The Forever Story throws everything at the wall and nearly everything takes hold. Tracks like “Raider,” “Surround Sound,” and “Just in Time” are ultra-modern, bass-heavy, and anthems that have won JID a huge audience. But endless other styles and tones are explored throughout the album, from the Chance the Rapper-like “Bruddanem” to the sun-kissed “Money” to the gentle, thoughtful “Better Days.” It’s an album full of sorrow and variety.

Rock Marciano and the Alchemist – elephant man bones [ALC]

A second full-length featuring Alchemist-produced material, released in 2022. elephant man bones, Another great highlight of the month. Colorful, abstract, yet approachable covers With a stylistic approach that reflects his art, these 14 songs of his are so rich and immersive that you won’t want to leave the complex micro world. It’s Rock Marciano’s best full-length, finding no new angles to his charismatic rhymes, but here he sounds effortlessly confident than before. But the Alchemist is a true star, producing endlessly original beats. Highlights are the widescreen drums on “Zig Zag Zig,” the gentle keys on “Bubble Bath,” and especially the menacing atmosphere on “Quantum Leap.” A must listen for fans of his contemporary underground rap music.

Megan Thee Stallion – Trauma Zine [300 Entertainment]

Her countless successes over the past few years have placed Megan Thee Stallion at the top of the rap game today. She possesses her one of the most authoritative and charismatic voices in the entire genre, which is utilized remarkably on her second album. Trauma ZineThe production work here gets dark and menacing, with particularly heavy, bass-heavy cuts like “Not Nice” and “Pressurelicious.” However, other shades are transparent. “Her” is a club-ready anthem, her smash hit “Sweetest Pie” is so much fun, and “Consistency” is full of rich, sensual textures. The only minor drawback is that some guest spots are less than impressive.

your old droog – Yodney Dangerfield [Mongoloid Banks / Nature Sounds]

So far, the prolific Your Old Droog’s fourth release for 2022 is Yodney Dangerfield A short, sharp, and perfectly formed piece of smart, funny, contemporary boom bap.It lacks the cinematic splendor of his Tha God Fahim collaboration Wolf on Wall Street 2: American Dream Instead, turn that focus inward. His seven-track production, from the jazzy Lee Scott-produced “The Tonight Show,” to John Wayne’s quirky and unpredictable “The Man on the Moon,” has been stripped down to the point of almost minimalism. I’m here. These producers have been handpicked and left their mark, but Your Old Droog are the undisputed stars of the show. He’s one of the most witty rappers in the modern game, spitting his couplets of sharp comics with memorable highlights like “The Tonight Show” and “50K or Brunch.” A humble but fun mini album.

Dochii~ She / She / Black Bitch [Capitol / Top Dawg Entertaiment]

Major debut from Tampa-based newcomer Doechii, She / She / Black Bitch is an incendiary warning by this super-talented 24-year-old. Comparisons to the likes of Nicki Minaj and Megan Thee Stallion will surely be made. The closest, though, is his Azealia Banks early work. Doechii’s debut EP shares Banks’ hyperactive personality and subtly experimental production choices. All five of these tracks have very different energies, but they have distinct emotional arcs, highlighted by the hyperactive opening cut (“Bitch I’m Nice”‘s unique energy). ) to “Persuasive,” featuring her relaxed SZA. A work full of anticipation and confidence by an artist with great potential.

Shrapnel – metal rung [Backwoodz Studioz]

Backwoodz Stuidoz is quietly transforming into the new Def Jux, consistently releasing bold and challenging rap albums that shine with an idiosyncratic intellect. Billy woods’ latest release on his label is ShrapKnel’s metal rung, an angular and demanding album that offers endless rewards for tuning into its singular wavelength. , ShrapKnel (consisting of MCs Curly Castro and PremRock) go all out with their sophomore full-length. These 13 tracks of his are always on the brink of explosion, and cuts like “Cold Burn” and “Lazy Dog” in particular provide examples of the formidable skill of their creators. A duo to watch for enthusiasts of this brand of experimental rap.

Machhomey – dollar menu 4 [Mach Hommy, Inc]

Mach-Hommy’s mixtape, the latest in the Dollar Menu series. dollar menu 4 is actually a collaboration with Tha God Fahim in the form of a collaborative release from Raekwon and Ghostface Killah’s ’90s co-stars. It does not quite reach those revered heights. But the deftly executed, gritty sound on display here is more than enough to satisfy fans of the style. come across as the stronger of the two, underscored by his immersive and effortless poetry in “Shukran Don” is the album’s most purely enjoyable track, with two players exchanging stellar verses in ultra-confident and stylish fashion.

Declaim & Madlib – Volume of the beginning. 2 [Someothaship Connection / Fat Beats]

The second volume of Declaime and Madlib’s previously lost collaboration, these 11 tracks were recorded between 1993 and 1996 and brimming with a unique and quirky energy. Madlib’s work is certainly unique and fascinating. It shares a nod to the hip-hop feel of the era, but seems to have been evoked in a particularly heady environment. The chopped piano on ” and the eerie noises on “WLIX” give off a stony, slightly paranoid air.This vague, lo-fi approach is endlessly fascinating, and properly Volume of the beginning. 2 A sense of something discovered after years of sitting in a damp, dingy basement.