Audio Push – My Turn III

Coming off their very well-received debut album 90951, rap duo Audio Push have returned with the third installment in their My Turn mixtape series. With no features, Okane and Price are allowed free reign to flex their remarkable rap skills over beats from Future (“Wicked”), Rae Sremmurd (“By Chance”), 2pac (“Picture Me Rollin'”), and Aminé (with their acclaimed remix of the Oregon rapper’s viral hit “Caroline”).

 

Boldy James – The Art of Rock Climbing

In his first project since 2015’s Trapper’s Alley 2, Detroit rapper Boldy James dropped a seven-track ode to his city with The Art of Rock Climbing. Known for a dark edge to his intense, complicated lyricism that’s saw him work with the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, Vince Staples, and Roc Marciano, The Art of Rock Climbing finds James linking up with some established greats, like Kool G Rap and Kokane, and some unknown up-and-comers, like Eddie Stubble, Tommy Gunz, and Russell P Connway.

Gucci Mane – 3 For Free

After announcing an upcoming album, to be titled Drop Top Wizop, Gucci teamed up with Shawty Redd (known for being influential during Young Jeezy’s come-up opposite Gucci in the early 2000s) to drop 3 For Free, which, true to its title, was a three-track EP released for free. Nothing too complicated here.

 

 

Jacquees – Since You Playin’

Cash Money R&B singer Jacquees has been working steady for the past six years now, and less than a year after his collaborative Lost At Sea album with Birdman, he’s returned with a solo mixtape titled Since You Playin’. Produced entirely by Nash B, Jacquees’ seventh mixtape features appearances from Tory Lanez, Birdman, Tank, and Quavo & Ty Dolla $ign on the single “B.E.D.”.

 

Kehlani – SweetSexySavage

Kehlani’s returned strong from a tumultuous 2016 that saw her struggling heavy with mental health issues, even attempting to take her own life. Rather than letting these things bring her down, however, she’s returned stronger than ever with SweetSexySavage, the Oakland singer’s debut studio album on Atlantic. Production duo Pop & Oak (known for their work with the likes of Alessia Cara, Miguel, and Elle Varner) handled the bulk of the album, but there were some notable contributions from Charlie Heat, Novawav, and the Feathertones. Coming off her first incredibly well-received projects, Cloud 19 and You Should Be Here, SweetSexySavage suffers a little from its length, but still delivers a personal and evocative album on love, struggle, and perseverance.

KeithCharles Spacebar – Me In Heaven. Me In Hell, pt. 2

KeithCharles has been one of Awful Records’ brightest stars for a few years now, and his progression since his 2011 debut has been exciting to watch as the producer/rapper continues to blossom into his own sound. Following last year’s Chillin Killin EP, which was clearly his best work to date, Spacebar’s latest work is the second installment in his Me In Heaven. Me In Hell series, that started with a similar single-track EP in 2015; whereas that project featured labelmates Archibald Slim and Stalin Majesty, however, Spacebar’s latest is an entirely solo project.

Knxwledge – WT.PRT10.8_

Stones Throw producer Knwledge puts out remix albums and beattapes at an almost impossible rate, and his WrapTaypes series is known for injecting his off-kilter, jazz-influenced, spacy production onto unconventional songs. This album has a few clear standouts, from remixing the entirety of Drake and 21 Savage’s “Sneakin'” (“1.sneakin_”) to placing an absolutely remarkable instrumentation under an Uncle Murda Hot 97 freestyle (“7.theydntkare_”). Also, I’m going to need a full version of “**10BB’s”, a 30-second remix of 21 and Future’s “X”.

Matt Martians – The Drum Chord Theory

Since releasing the Grammy-nominated album “Ego Death” a couple years ago, R&B group the Internet have all split off into various solo projects while working on the band’s followup. Steve Lacy’s solo project is still under production, and frontwoman Syd’s album Fin is coming early next month, but producer/singer/former Odd Future member Matt Martians has dropped off his solo project: The Drum Chord Theory. Featuring Internet bandmates Syd and Steve Lacey, as well as Askansas singer Kari Faux, Martians’ debut proejct is a spacey, laid-back album that showcases his knack for crafting easygoing R&B over airy, jazz- & soul-influenced production.

Migos – C U L T U R E

The resplendence of “Bad & Boujee”, coupled with the cinematic, Oscar-worthy video for “T-Shirt”, meant that Migos went from having a quiet couple years filled with lackluster releases and prison visits, to having one of the year’s most anticipated projects. The Atlanta rap trio’s second studio album, ambitiously titled C U L T U R E, features Travis Scott, 2 Chainz, Lil Uzi Vert, Gucci Mane, and DJ Khaled, with production from Metro Boomin, Zaytoven, Murda Beats, DJ Dahi, Cardo, and Nard & B. It’s probably the prolific trap trio’s best project to date (and certainly the best they’ve been since No Label 2), and the singles from this project seem destined to dominate the charts and airwaves for a long time.

Neil Cicierega – Mouth Moods

Anthony Fantano gave this album a nine, for some reason. It’s a mashup album by the guy who did “The Ultimate Showdown of Ultimate Destiny“, so take from that what you will.

 

 

 

Wifisfuneral – When Hell Falls

Florida rapper Wifisfuneral has been coming up in the same camp as XXXTENTACION, $uicideboy$, Robb Bank$, and Ski Mask the Slump God, and while they’ve all been turning heads lately, Wifisfuneral seems to have the most potential to reach a mainstream audience. Following last year’s well-received Black Heart Revenge album, When Hell Falls features Kembe X on excellent single “Lost My Mind”, as well as Yung Bans, Danny Towers, and HenryDaher, who’s also responsible for producing the majority of the project.

Also Released: Beatking & Nephew Texas Boy, Texlanta 2; Bobby 3, 17 EP; Elucid, Valley of Grace; Fredo Santana, Plugged In; Gabriel Garzon-Montano, Jardin; P.O.S., Chill, Dummy; Stik Figa, Central Standard Time; Yowda & Fat Trel, Fat & Ugly