Blackbear – Digital Druglord

Fresh off his distressingly underwhelming collaborative album with Mike Posner, Blackbear’s returned with his third full-length solo album (following up a stream of excellent EPs from last year, notably Cashmere Noose and Drink Bleach). The LA-based singer/songwriter is known for his remarkably catchy take on R&B, with a penchant for songwriting that’s seen him ghostwrite for Justin Bieber, Nick Jonas, Tokyo Police Club, and more. Digital Druglord clocks in at ten tracks, with features from 24hrs and Juicy J.

Bones – Unrendered

The second Bones album of 2017 (he’s slowed down a bit this year) is one of his best in a while. At eighteen tracks, it’s the perfect length for a project from the underground legend, whose quick track time keeps things moving at a reasonable pace. This project also succeeds in finding a suitable home for one of Bones’ best loosies, “CntlAltDelete”. Catch Ricky A Go Go with the tape’s solitary feature.

 

DJ Quik & Problem – Rosecrans

DJ Quik, a prolific Compton DJ who got his start on Eazy E’s Ruthless Records, has dropped the second collaborative album of his long career: Rosecrans, with raps from fellow Compton rapper Problem (Quik’s other collaborative album was 2009’s Blaqkout with Kurupt). The two follow up last year’s similarly titled Rosecrans EP with a full project, complete with features from Game, Dom Kennedy, Boogie, Wiz Khalifa, and MC Eiht.

Elhae – Aura 2

Growing R&B singer Elhae returns with the sequel to his well-received 2015 Aura EP with a new 10-track EP that should help propel him to a much larger following (an upcoming tour in support of Blackbear shouldn’t help either). Aura 2 finds Elhae working with some big names, including Ty Dolla $ign, Rockie Fresh, and Eric Bellinger.

 

Eric Bellinger – Cannabliss

Speaking of Eric Bellinger, the LA-based singer/songwriter has dropped off a quick new project in support of 4/20. The appropriately-titled Cannabliss finds Bellinger working with Game and Candice Bloyd. Pick up the five-track EP for free on Datpiff.

 

 

Incubus – 8

Twenty-six years into their career, Incubus have returned with their eighth album (appropriately titled 8). Following up 2011’s lukewarm If Not Now, When?, the “Warning” band still manage to stay true to their old sound, even if they’re clearly a little washed up. Surprisingly, this project finds Incubus working with Skrillex (of all people), who manages not to overwhelm the project with his EDM influences.

Jace & Ducko Mcfli – Dreams 2

Following up the long-awaited Two-9 tape that came out in January, Retru Su$hi’s Jace teams up with up-and-coming producer Ducko Mcfli for a ten-track followup to their collaborative Dreams EP from a few years ago. Recent work with Rae Sremmurd and Lil Dicky has brought Jace considerably more into mainstream attention (next to Key!, he’s probably Two-9’s most likely breakout star). Key! is, unsurprisingly, featured on this tape, as well as Michael Christmas and IAmSu!.

K.A.A.N. – K.A.A.N. x SGULL Vol. 2

I have no real idea who Sgull is, other than that he’s a producer who’s worked with underground rappers like Nessly and Pollari, but his three-track project with K.A.A.N. last year was one of my favourite EPs of the 2016 (check out Mary Jane if you haven’t already). K.A.A.N. has often professed Logic as his favourite rapper, and the influence is clear in his speed-rap style, but the Maryland rapper has always managed to bring a frantic energy to his music that sets him apart.

Left Brain – Mind Gone Vol. 1

The Odd Future producer/sometimes rapper, known mostly for his work in MellowHigh and MellowHype, has finally released his oft-delayed debut mixtape. Plenty of former OFWGKTA members showed up for the project — including Mike G, Hodgy Beats, Domo Genesis, and Syd — as well as underground rappers like Fat Nick, Germ, Madeintyo, LE$, and more.

 

Mach-Hommy & ThaGodFahim – Dollar Menu 2

An Earl Sweatshirt co-sign is known to take artists far (see: Ka), and New Jersey rapper Mach-Hommy is the latest to receive a recommendation. Formerly affiliated with Westside Gunn’s Griselda label, Mach-Hommy’s latest album (Haitian Body Odor) was an instant underground hit, and his followup has some big expectations, especially with production expected from Alchemist, Knxwledge, and Sweatshirt himself. Dollar Menu 2 is Mach-Hommy’s second collaborative mixtape with Atlanta’s ThaGodFahim, another underground rapper making waves in his own right.

Ric Wilson – Negrow Disco EP

Buzzing Chicago rapper Ric Wilson has been getting better with each EP (from 2015’s The Sun Was Out to last year’s Soul Bounce). With his latest project, Negrow Disco, Wilson paid homage to the LGBTQ Black and Latino pioneers of the early dance and disco movements. Public Enemy’s Chuck D comes through with one of the EP’s two guest features.

 

Treejay & ClockworkDJ – The Harvest

Most Dope-affiliates Treejay and Clockwork DJ come through every year with an excellent 4/20 mixtape (check out last year’s Smoke ‘Til I’m Dead if you haven’t already). The duo’s latest tape includes features from Larry Fisherman (Mac Miller’s production persona), Michael Christmas, Franchise, Jewlz, and more.

 

 

 

Also released:

Berner, Sleepwalking: The Taylor Gang-member’s latest project features Trae tha Truth, B-Real, Cozmo, and more.
Billy Blue, Revelations: I’d never heard of Miami rapper Billy Blue before, but a feature from Lupe Fiasco (on “OMW”) is nothing to scoff at.
Curren$y, The Fo20 Massacre: It wouldn’t be 4/20 without a new Curren$y project.
Isa Muhammad, Safe Guard Ur Joy: Despite supposedly retiring after releasing his debut last year, the recent MMG signee returns with a four-track EP.
J Dilla, Motor City: Another posthumous release from the prolific producer is always a cause for celebration.
Jessie Reyez, Kiddo: After the success of her breakout track with King Louie, Chicago’s Jessie Reyez drops off her debut EP.
John Wic, One Gun Man: John Wic’s debut project was released through Migos’ soundcloud, and features the trio on closing track “Same Thang”.
Lil Twist, Young Carter: The Cash Money rapper’s latest project has three Lil Wayne features.
Maxïmo Park, Risk to Exist: Maxïmo Park will always hold a special place in my heart for making “Girls Who Play Guitars”. Their latest album is a protest-album of sorts, taking on Trump, Brexit, and more.
NBA Youngboy, Mind of a Menace 3: Reloaded: The rising Atlanta rapper returns with a revamped version of his last project.
Troy Ave, NuPac: A disrespectfully-titled mixtape from a disrespectful rapper, complete with a thirty-minute rant where he lies about nearly signing to TDE.
Wiz Khalifa, Kush & OJ 7 Year Anniversary EP: For the seven-year anniversary of the best project in his discography, Wiz Khalifa celebrates with a new three-track EP.