Westside Boogie is a 33 year old MC from Compton, California who broke out onto the scene in 2014 with his debut mixtape Thirst 48. He would go on to follow it up with The Reachexactly a year later as well as Thirst 48 II the year after that before catching the attention of Detroit icon Eminem & signing to his Interscope Records imprint Shady Records in late 2017. His full-length debut Everything’s for Sale at the beginning of 2019 was a solid way to introduce himself to a wider audience & the sophomore effort More Black Superheroes did it’s job encouraging the world to embrace their powers, but is returning 9 months later in the form of his debut EP.
“Cold as Love” is a spacious trap opener with Superblood Boog talks about being in his head & pondering why one feels so safe yet shady can’t save him after invading his space while the penultimate track “Tell Me” works in a chipmunk soul sample & some hi-hats so Anthony can describe all the things that he wants to be told such as never hearing any kind of sucka shit again or how to fix the hood if he ain’t never in the hood. “Mood” on the other end sends off the EP with Ratchet Boog over a piano trap instrumental dropping some braggadocio for dat azz.
Everything’s for Sale gave a wider audience a good look as to who he really is & the concept of More Black Superheroes is still compelling to this day in my book but if Live at the Novo is only a prelude for his upcoming 3rd album, then I think it’s a solid offering to keep listeners satisfied until then. He delves more into himself lyrically whilst introducing his 2 alter-egos & the trap undertones of his 2 full-lengths are more prominent here than they were in the past.
The Homixide Gang are a duo from Atlanta, Georgia consisting of Homixide Beno! & Homixide Meechie. They started turning heads a year & a half ago after dropping their debut EP Snotty World, which led to trap trailblazer/rage pioneer Playboi Carti making them the 3rd act to sign to his Interscope Recordsimprint Opium Records following Ken Carson & Destroy Lonely respectively. Ken showed a more mature side to himself on his sophomore effort X with Lonely revealing himself to be the most versatile Carti protégé yet in the form of HIS full-length debut No Stylist, so it was only a matter of time until Beno! & Meechie stepped up to the plate with a debut album of their own.
“Lifestyle” starts off the album with a chaotic trap instrumental with an amazing vocal sample talking about how nobody can’t copy them whereas “Guitars” works in some synths & hi-hats to slide on the op block. Biggavelli’s verse on “Can’t Go” is a bit underwhelming despite the rage beat & lyrics about being unable to go to the club without the Drac’ leading into “Tatted”, which is a trap/rock fusion showing off the Homixide ink that they got.
Continuing with “5 Ways”, where Beno! & Meechie over some hypertrap production both speak on being the realest leading into “V-Friends” keeping things in rage turf talking about meeting a bitch from out of town that’s fucking their homie on the low. “B.B. (Big Coat Balenci)” has more of synth-trap flare to it detailing the rockstar lifestyle, but then “Lif3” surprisingly fused acoustic with trap talking about going through this pain throughout their entire lives.
Biggavelli returns with Destroy Lonely for “TF!” asking what motherfuckers are gonna say when they pull up with the blick over a rage beat with Lonely’s verse outshining Biggavelli’s while “Notice It” keeps things in hypertrap territory talking about how they really be running shit. “None 2 Some” however laced some hi-hats & synthesizers speaking on going from nobodies to where they are today while “Scale Stretcher” with Biggavelli has a wavy vibe to it talking about moving weight.
Following that, “Tripping” touches on getting to blastin’ & whackin’ in this bitch prior accompanied by a monstrous rage beat prior to Ken Carson coming through with my 2nd favorite feature on the album on “Stunt” getting on the more braggadocious side & the instrumental here is a futuristic groove to it that I really don’t mind. “Drakon!” goes full blown trap metal spitting that gun talk while the song “CV” brings back the rage talking about being on drugs as of late. The penultimate track “Wings” swearing that they don’t give a fuck over an alarmingly blaring beat & the 5unna-assisted Shots Off” rounds it out with some quirky synthesizers as the trio talk about pulling up on the gang in the southside.
I’m well aware of the flack that Opium has been getting recently due to Anthony Fantano’s harsh reviews of both X & No Stylist over the summer, but Homixide Lifestyle is just as solid in my personal opinion. I’ll even say it’s right in the middle behind Lonely & above Ken’s latest efforts. With all respect to the Melon because he’s the one who actually inspired me to write reviews myself to begin with & I’ll die on that hill, Beno! & Meechie both sound 10x hungrier than they did on their debut EP whilst refining their style for a wider audience.
Glorilla is a 23 year old rapper from Memphis, Tennessee who broke out off the viral & undeniably fun single “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” this past spring. This ultimately resulted in local veteran Yo Gotti signing her to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group a little over a week before they dropped their 2nd showcase compilation Gangsta Art a few months later, making her the very 1st female recording artist on the label.
“No More Love” starts the EP by airing out people left & right who used to be in her life over a cloudy trap instrumental from ATL Jacob whereas “PHATNALL” goes into Detroit trap territory comparing her pussy to fentanyl. The “Tomorrow” remix with Cardi B is just ok from the keys & hi-hats to the lyrics basically talking their shit, but then “Unh Unh” returns to the Detroit trap sound once more to my surprise acknowledging that they don’t wanna see gangsta bitches winning.
Meanwhile on “Blessed”, we have Glorilla over another piano-trap instrumental telling us that’s exactly how she’s feeling while “Get That Money” with Niki Pooh weaves a whistling sample into the fold as they encourage women not to be scared to as their men for money. The song “Nut Quick” is basically a Memphis version of the Missy Elliott joint “1 Minute Man” while the penultimate track “F.N.F. (Let’s Go)” happens to be a great addition to the EP despite the controversy surrounding it. “Out Loud Thinking” though finishes the EP by getting her thoughts out there over a glistening beat.
For a debut EP, it’s a pretty solid way for Glorilla to introduce herself to a wider audience because I think she’s one of the best signees on CMG alongside Mozzy & 42 Dugg. She definitely has potential as shown by her performances & songwriting throughout the 26 minutes of our time that she’s given us, but the production is just mostly average & the 2 features are hit or miss.
This is the 2nd mixtape from Atlanta emcee Grip. Coming up in 2017 of his debut mixtape Porch, he would go on to drop his full-length debut Snubnose along with 2 EPs Halo & Proboscidea prior to Detroit veteran Eminem signing Grip to his very own Interscope Records imprint Shady Records last summer. His sophomore effort I Died For This?! the following month was an impressive major label debut showing his potential, so I was excited going into 5 & a Fuck You when he announced it out of the blue a couple nights ago.
“Cook Up” is a booming yet dark trap opener with Grip talking about needing a week to do exactly just that whereas “‘94 Flow” takes the boom bap route to spit some aggressive battle bars. Marco+ tags along for trap-laced “Static” calling out those who don’t want smoke with them, but then “Popular Demand” returns to the boom bap with an organ sample laced with the help of DJ Khalil addressing his return.
Moving on from there with “Da Benzo”, we have Grip delivering a shrilling trap ode to Mercedes-Benz leading into “The F Word” switching it back into boom bap turf talking about giving no fucks. “Value Mall” has a more atmospheric vibe to it explaining how you can ball on a budget just before Tate228 tags comes into the picture for “Cory ‘N Mel” telling the story of 2 robbers of the same name with some chilling soundscapes.
The song “Good” is a soulful celebration of how far we’ve come in this life while the penultimate track “Many Thanks” has a more twangier aesthetic to it with Grip sincerely expressing his gratitude to everyone listening for being the reason why he’s even here for a little over 8 minutes. “Ain’t Ok” though happens to be a solemn closer to the tape talking about the kids not being alright.
If this is something to warm people up for his next full-length, then I think it’ll be even bigger splashes than I Died For This?! as impressive of a major label debut was when it came out a little over a year ago. It’s a lot more rawer in sound, his penmanship is continuing to get better & he’s starting to come into his own artistically.
This is the 3rd full-length album from South Carolina producer, rapper & engineer Pi’erre Bourne. Becoming one of the most in demand beatsmiths in hip hop today off Playboi Carti’’s “Magnolia”, he’s also made a name for himself on the mic by dropping 9 mixtapes along with a couple EPs & LPs within the last dozen years or so. He just dropped the 5th & final installment of The Life of Pi’erre series last summer & then the TM88-produced Yo88! in the winter, but is coming fresh off the Space Age Pimpin’ collab album with Juicy J by dropping Good Movie.
The first song “Shorty Diary” following the “Opening Scene” intro kicks off the album with some synths & a rattling bass-line detailing a relationship that’s beyond repair & after the “Logline” interlude, “Ex Factor” takes a more calmer route talking about not wanting sloppy seconds. After the “Intro to Love” interlude, “Love Drill” comes through with a catchy yet atmospheric banger confessing that he wants something real whereas “Hop in My Bed” goes into peppier territory talking about a bitch that wants to fall in love with him a little.
“Superstar” works in these incredible string harmonies to tell his girl who she fucking with even though the hook’s trash leading into “Where You Going?” shooting for a moodier aesthetic talking about the love he has with this woman being priceless. “What I Gotta Do” vigorously asks his girl why she likes him to begin with, but then “DJ in the Car” dives into futuristic territory calling his girl a DJ in the Uber.
Don Toliver tags along for the cloudy “Psane” to get raunchy & after the “Kingdom Hall” skit, the actual “Kingdom Hall” song itself has a more sensual vibe to it comparing to his girl popping up at his place to that of a Jehovah’s Witness believer. Also, the guitar near the end was unexpected yet interesting. After the “Witty” skit, “Kevin Heart” brings some delicate synths into the fold talking about putting all his problems in a blunt just before “SossHouse Party” dives into bop turf to rep SossHouse Records.
Meanwhile on “Safe Haven”, we have Pi’erre talking about chilling in his hideout with some rage undertones while “Rounds” jumps on top of an airy backdrop & some finger-snaps to describe a bitch wanting to get fucked up off the alcohol & dropping a corny Star Wars reference during the first verse. “System” weaves some synths along with hi-hats more finger-snaps explaining to his lover that she got a real one with her while Young Nudy comes into the picture for the heavenly-produced “Moving Too Fast” to talk about sex. The title track however was a great choice of a single with it’s up-tempo instrumental & Pi’erre’s with the closer “Heart Say” bringing some unexpected rock undertones to the beat telling his girl to speak from the heart.
As much as I respect Pi’erre for both his talents behind the boards & on the mic, I’m pretty indifferent on Good Movie to be quite honest & would personally prefer Yo88! over this. The production is dope don’t get me wrong on that whatsoever & I’m not against romantic subject matter in hip hop songs in any way shape or form, but it’s so excessive to the point where it gets annoying & at some moments cringey for me personally.
This is the 3rd full-length album from Atlanta emcee J.I.D. Emerging in 2010 off his debut mixtape Cakewalk & joined the Spillage Village collective lead by the EARTHGANG around that same time frame, he dropped 2 more mixtapes as well as then an EP after that & signed to J. Cole’s very own Interscope Records imprint Dreamville Records in 2017. He has since made himself home there with The Never Story & DiCaprio 2, but is returning after 4 long years in the form of The Forever Story.
After the melodic “Galaxy” intro, the first song “Raydar” kicks off the album with a heavy bass-line & some hi-hats provided by Nonstop da Hitman talking about how “when it rains, it pours” prior to the beat switching up into more dramatic saying he’ll “steal the cattle then burn the farm”. “Dance Now” however samples “Yoel’s Niggun” by Zusha talking about making ‘em dance with his 9 whereas “Crack Sandwich” takes a more rugged route acknowledging that you can tell that he never had shit.
The EARTHGANG tags along for the KAYTRANADA/JD Beck-laced “Can’t Punk Me” reminding everything that nothing will stop them leading into Baby Tate & 21 Savage coming into the picture for the chipmunk soul/trap banger “Surround Sound” produced by DJ Scheme talking about putting the rap game on their backs & snatching crowns. “Kody Blu 31” incorporates a crooning sample in the mix encouraging listeners to swang on, but then the Lil Durk-assisted “Bruddanem” shoots for a more mellow aesthetic thanks to DJ Khalil talking about loyalty.
Meanwhile on “Sistanem”, we have J.I.D over some spacious boom bap production describing the tour life leading into the romance-driven “Can’t Make U Change” that starts off with a funky instrumental from Dreamville in-house producer Elite & switches into a melodic vocal loop. “Stars” opens up with a hazy BADBADNOTGOOD beat & J.I.D talking about having his goals set with E. Jones changing it up into boom bap turf as well as a stellar Yasiin Bey verse for the outro while “Just in Time” with Lil Wayne takes a more symphonic approach talking about having the time today.
“Money” throws a guitar & some live drums courtesy of Khrysis into the mix confessing that’s all he really needs while the song “Better Days” weaves some piano chords into the chord talking about balancing the highs & lows. The closer “Lauder Too” is a futuristic sequel to a highlight off The Never Story laced by James Blake & Thundercat with the bonus cut “2007” ends the album is a 7 & a half minute epic looking back on J.I.D’s life throughout the past 15 years & it’s a shame that the sample couldn’t get cleared because it’s a great choice for a closer.
I’ve gone on record numerous times saying that J.I.D’s the future of Dreamville & if The Forever Story doesn’t further prove that, then I don’t know what to tell you because it’s a great sequel to his full-length debut & I’ll even say it’s arguably better than The Never Story. I admire that he comes through with more in-depth stories throughout, the production is incredibly dynamic & the feature list is pretty tight.
This is the highly anticipated full-length debut from Atlanta recording artist Destroy Lonely. The son of former Disturbing tha Peace Records signee I-20, he’s released a total of 6 EPs & 2 mixtapes since originally breaking out through SoundCloud a couple years back & has even signed to Playboi Carti’s very own Interscope Records imprint Opium Records to surprise drop No Stylist in light of his ongoing tour with fellow label-mate Ken Carson.
“JETLGGD” is a futuristic trap opener talking about switching up his swag whereas “BERGDORF” takes a more triumphant route detailing the crazy life that he lives. “<3MYGNG” is a dance/trap hybrid expressing his love for his crew leading into the bassy “VTMNTSCOAT” showing off some new drip over an electronic-flavored instrumental.
The title track works in some retro video game like-synths bragging that he’s fresh as fuck, but then “FAKNGGAS” shoots for a more futuristic aesthetic talking about the wankstas. “SOARIN’” gives off a bassier tone admitting he doesn’t get fly no more just before “TURNINUP” is a colorful trap banger talking about getting lit.
“LNLY” dives into cloudy territory thanks to Clayco going into detail as to why they call him that prior to the rubbery yet atmospheric “PRSSURE” talking about how he knew he was special. “ONTHETABLE” is a bombastic ode to the bread while “SWGSKOOL” samples the Deftones joint “Beauty School” confessing that he done lost his motherfucking mind.
Following that, the vocal sample throughout “CRYSTLCSTLES” is hypnotic as fuck with Lonely comparing his girl to Alice Glass while “DANGEROUS” brings back the trap/rock combination to detail the side of Atlanta that he’s from. The guitars throughout “MKEITSTOP” are a bit more punk-inspired talking about making it all the way to the top while “ONTHEFLOOR” is cloudy trap rock amalgamation confessing the shit he’s seen at 20 years old.
The song “PASSAROUND” has a more quirkier feel to it talking about his preference to face his hoes while the penultimate track “OTW” rattles off some hi-hats with more mellow backdrop detailing the things that’ve been coming his way lately. “VETERAN” with Ken Carson is a rage-inducing closer as 2 Carti protégés put the lifestyles that they both live on wax.
At the end of my review of Ken’s solid yet overhated sophomore album X, I said that I respectfully think Lonely is the best Opium signee yet & this full-length debut of his pretty much proves my point. He has more versatility than Ken as proven by the production, his vocal performances & songwriting. Very excited to see them both when they come to town.
Mozzy is a 35 year old MC from Sacramento, California who I became a fan of in the summer of 2017 off his full-length debut 1 Up Top Akh. He would go on to be featured on the soundtrack for the incredible Marvel blockbuster Black Panther only 6 months later & drop 6 more albums through his EMPIRE-backed Mozzy Records but considering that Memphis veteran Yo Gotti signed him to his Interscope Records imprint Collective Music Group back in February, it was only a matter of time that Mozzy would drop his major label debut considering the fact that CMG’s been turning a lot of heads & getting a lot of coverage recently.
“Not the Same” is a introspective opener with it’s piano/sample infused trap beat along with the lyrics addressing those who say he’s changed whereas “If You Love Me” takes a more acoustic turn asking why he would change if people cared for him. EST. G tags along for the grim “Lurkin’” getting on their gangsta shit, but then Shordie Shordie comes into the picture for “Tell the Truth” to deliver one of the weakest features on the album despite the hyphy instrumental & the subject matter of wanting to be alone.
Continuing on with “Murder on My Mind”, we have Mozzy over some pianos & snares explaining why he can’t sleep without no slime leading into “Burrr” weaving in a twangy trap beat talking about how things are getting icy out here. “Wouldn’t Be Us” with YG shoots for a more cavernous aesthetic as both MCs telling their significant others it’s different then they’re thuggin’ just before “Smoke Nuffin’” bringing back the keys as 42 Dugg assists the mic to keep it 100.
“4Life” is a heavenly ode to Mozzy’s affiliation with the Bloods while the weepy “Make the News” with Blac Youngsta & Yo Gotti finds the trio calling out those who don’t actually love them like they said. “What You Hollin’” with his younger brother E-Mozzy & Celly Ru sees the 3 over some pianos & thumping drums getting on their mobb shit while “Ain’t Really Real” throws some strings in the mix talking about fake love.
The song “Open Arms” has a more smoother feel to the production as Mozzy talking about the streets welcoming him very kindly while the penultimate track “In My Face” with Saweetie & 2 Chainz shows a raunchier side to all 3 of them over a nervous DJ Mustard instrumental. “Real Ones” with Roddy Ricch however is a deadpan finisher to the album by showing love to those who’re no longer here with him.
Overall, I’d say that Survivor’s Guilt is one of the best major label debuts that I’ve heard in a while & most definitely a standout in Mozzy’s ever-growing discography. I could’ve done without a couple of the features, but a good portion of them proves that he fits in with CMG with the emotion throughout the 43 minutes is truly touching.
This is the sophomore album from Compton emcee Westside Boogie. Breaking out onto the scene in 2014 with his debut mixtape Thirst 48 as well as following it up with The Reach exactly a year later as well as Thirst 48, Pt. II the year after that, he would eventually catch the attention of Detroit icon Eminem by signing to his Interscope Records imprint Shady Records in late 2017. His full-length debut Everything’s for Sale at the beginning of 2019 was a solid way to introduce himself to a wider audience & he’s finally returning in the form of More Black Superheroes.
“KILLA MODE” opens up the album with an acoustic guitar & some crooning vocals as Westside Boogie warns everyone to stop playing with him whereas “STUCK” takes a more piano-trap route & show a more contemplative side of him. “NONCHALANT” has a more summery tone to it getting romantic just before “LOL SMH II” starts off with a more soulful tone talking about needing power to be present, but switches into somewhat of a funkier sound saying he’s as calm as can be.
Meanwhile on “CAN’T EVEN LIE”, we have Soulja Boy tagging along over some keys & hi-hats calling out the pussies leading into the smooth “PRIDEFUL II” asking his girl what she be getting into. “AIGHT” returns to trap territory to brush off all the cap people be telling him, but then Smino & Teezo Touchdown come into the picture for the sensual “CAN’T GET OVER YOU” talking about how they can’t get over their significant others.
“RATCHET BOOG” is an aggressive introduction to one of the 3 alter egos that Westside Boogie has with a cool beat-switch towards the end while “SOMETHIN’ STRANGE” seems a little out of place given the fact that Kalan.FrFr has the most presence on it out of everyone. The penultimate track “WINDOWS DOWN” with Snoop Dogg finds the 2 talking about smoking weed over a tranquilizing instrumental & “ANTHONY (WAR)” finishes the album with a well sequenced 2-parter admitting he thinks he’s too bougie now.
We’ve waited 3 long years for this one to come out & I think I happen like it a tad bit better than Everything’s for Sale. I admire the whole concept of embracing your powers as well as how much Westside Boogie has grown both creatively & personally since the last time we heard from him.
It’s really here: The 5th full-length album from Compton emcee, songwriter & actor Kendrick Lamar. Coming up in ‘04 off his debut mixtape Y.H.N.I.C. (Youngest Head N***a in Charge): Hub City Threat (Minor of the Year), he would go on to follow-up with 2 more tapes as well as an eponymous debut EP before breaking out in the fall of 2010 off his 4th mixtape O(verly) D(edicated) & then Section.80 that next summer. Then came him signing to Dr. Dre’s very own Interscope Records imprint Aftermath Entertainment, where Kendrick has made himself home since then. Especially given that good kid, m.A.A.d city & To Pimp a Butterfly have quickly become some of the most beloved hip hop albums ever made in their own rights for good reason whether it be gkmc coming off as a hood movie on wax or TPaB delivering relevant social commentary on top of jazzy, funky production. Kendrick’s last album DAMN. however was definitely his most commercial one yet & I don’t listen to it as much as his other work, but it’s still a great listen nonetheless with it’s phenomenal duality concept. But only 3 months after performing the Super Bowl halftime show, Kendrick has finally returned in the form of the double disc Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers to fulfill his Top Dawg Entertainment contract.
“United in Grief” opens up the album a piano & drum instrumental from oklama himself surprisingly alongside Sounwave amongst a few others talking about mourning differently whereas “N95” works in some synth-horns & hi-hats provided by Boi-1da & Baby Keem to declare that “You’re back outside, but they still lied”, obviously referring to the COVID-19 pandemic. I also loved when he says “You entertain the mediocre, need to stop it. You entertainin’ old friends when they toxic” during the outro. “Worldwide Steppers” takes a more tenser route with co-production from Tae Beast sampling “Breakthrough” by The Funkees talking about how “we’s them killers”, but then the DJ Dahi co-produced “Die Hard” shoots for a more catchier vibe down to the hook shared by both Blxst & especially Amanda Reifer flipping “Remember the Rain” by Kadjha Bonet encouraging listeners to not let your past keep me you from your best.
Meanwhile on “Father Time”, we have Kendrick over some solemn boom bap production sampling “You’re Not There” by Hoskins ‘Ncrowd detailing the relationship that he had with his pops with a killer hook from Sampha & the “Rich” interlude is basically Kodak Black detailing what he learned in the business over some bare pianos. “Rich Spirit” turns things into more spacious territory with some finger-snaps, snares & hi-hats talking about staying strong mentally, but then “We Cry Together” is pretty much Kendrick & Taylour Paige (should’ve been Rico Nasty but it is what it is) re-enacting a legitimate argument that K-Dot had with his fiancée Whitney Alford over an Uncle Al beat flipping “June” by Florence + the Machine. It’s tense, but feels reminiscent to “Kim” off of Eminem’s iconic 2000 masterpiece The Marshall Mathers LP.
Ghostface Killah & Summer Walker tag along for the smooth love ballad “Purple Hearts” to the complete the 1st disc even though I can’t stand the “yeah baby” at the end of the hook & the 1 line on Summer’s verse co-written by fellow Compton representative/Shady Records signee Westside Boogie about eating ass had me rollin’ while “Count Me Out” opens up the 2nd disc by mixing trap influences with some catchy vocal melodies taking aim at his detractors. “Crown” is a vulnerable piano ballad admitting that he can’t please everybody while “Silent Hill” easily has the worst hook on the album, although I appreciate Kendrick & Kodak riding a nocturnal trap beat talking about pushing snakes off them.
Following that, the “Savior” interlude is in the same vein as “Rich” from the string/piano instrumental to Baby Keem recalling some memories that he had growing up while the actual “Savior” song itself has an irresistibly catchy groove to the beat from Cardo asking if one is really happy for him as well as admitting that he started questioning Kyrie after catching the rona. “Auntie Diaries” starts off with a moodier aesthetic before getting triumphant at the end with Kung Fu Kenny discussing his uncle & one of his cousins being transgender while the song “Mr. Morale” opens up about the heavy shit that’s been on his mind as of late over a Pharrell instrumental with a peppy, futuristic tone to it. The penultimate track “Mother I Sober” is definitely the saddest on the album with it’s bare pianos along with former Portishead frontwoman Beth Gibbons on the hook & K-Dot reflecting on witnessing his mom being sexually assaulted when he was 5 years old as “Mirror” finishes the album by apologizing for choosing himself over anyone else over a colorful beat with an empowering hook.
5 long years later & Kendrick is parting TDE with what I consider to be hip hop’s best double album since Big K.R.I.T. dropped 4eva’s a Mighty Long Time only 6 months after DAMN. came out. Hell, I find Mr. Morale & the Big Steppers to be superior to it’s predecessor because I really admire that he decided to come back after all this time to reflect on his life past & present over production mixing together it’s more trappy, poppier cuts with the politically charged jazz rap from the greatest hip hop album of the 2010s even down to the latter’s experimental, neo-soul undertones.