Audio Push – 90951

Cali rap duo Audio Push taught the whole world how to jerk in 2009, but never really found much fame past that (despite working with artists like Vince Staples, Isaiah Rashad, and Joey Bada$$). After dropping eleven mixtapes in the past seven years, Oktane and Price have finally dropped their debut studio album, titled 90951. Joined by artists like Hit-Boy and BJ The Chicago Kid, the 12-track album is available for free streaming on Soundcloud.

Duckwrth – I’m Uugly EP

I recently had the pleasure of seeing California rapper Duckwrth open for Anderson .Paak at his Vancouver show, and got to meet him briefly after the show (he complimented my pants, shoutout to Duckwrth). His performance was frankly incredible, with a stage presence and natural charisma that makes him a perfect performer. I’m Uugly is Duckwrth’s first release since his 2015 album Nowhere, and the new 9 track EP features Sabrina Claudio, Georgia Anne Muldrow, Odd Future rapper Hodgy Beats, and producer LIKE (formerly of Pac Div). The EP is available to stream on Soundcloud, and you can purchase it on iTunes.

Kayranada – 0.001% ???

Shortly after winning the Polaris Music Prize for his album 99.9%, Montreal producer Kaytrana returns with 0.001% ???, released as a single hour-and-a-half long track on Soundcloud. While no official tracklist has been released for the “album”, included throughout it are remixes of Chance the Rapper’s “All Night”, Usher’s “U Don’t Have To Call”, Alicia Key’s “Girlfriend”, SBTRKT’s “The Light”, and new vocals from Anderson .Paak, Joey Bada$$, and Kali Uchis.

Mac Lethal – Congratulations

It’s been five years since former Rhymesayers rapper Mac Lethal has dropped a full-length project. Despite receiving acclaim from a viral youtube video of him rapping in his kitchen, Mac’s remained staunchly independent. He apparently attracted the attention of fellow speed rapper Tech N9ne, who provides the only feature on the album. Cop it on iTunes.

Mick Jenkins – The Healing Component

Chicago often gets divided into Save Money and Glo Gang, but there are a ton of artists with no affiliation to any collective who are holding down the windy city. Mick Jenkins is undoubtedly one of Chicago’s brightest stars, with a baritone voice that drops wisdom after wisdom with clever wordplay and laidback ease. Jenkins’ last two mixtapes, The Water[s] and Wave[s], were incredible demonstrations of his impressive abilities. Today, he’s returned with The Healing Component, or THC, his first studio album. Joining him for the album are frequent collaborators like Noname, theMind, and Xavier Omar; 17-year-old singer Ravyn Lenae; and producers like Kaytranada and BADBADNOTGOOD who have a history of bringing out the very best in the Chicago wordsmith.

T.I. – Us Or Else

T.I. has been teasing Us or Else, a deeply political EP about the current state of US politics, for a while now. Unfortunately, he made the decision to premiere it on Tidal (ultimately guaranteeing a low amount of listens until it appears on more popular streaming sites like Apple Music and Spotify). Along with the previously released track “Warzone” (which came with a spectacular video about racial targeting in police violence), the EP contains five new tracks, and features Killer Mike, Big K.R.I.T., Quavo, and more.

Ty Dolla $ign – Campaign

Less than a year after dropping his excellent debut album, Free TC, Ty Dolla $ign returns with Campaign, a more politically-based 15-track album of bangers and ballads from the Cali hit machine. Joined by artists like Future, Meek Mill, Migos, Travis Scott, and his incarcerated brother Big TC, Campaign is Ty$’s seventh mixtape, and drops in anticipation of the third installment of his Beach House series, expected to drop early next year.