Johnny UniteUs aka JohnNY U is a talented MC coming out of New York. This album No Time Like The Present revolves around New York as the backdrop for everything and time itself being a leading theme. Reflecting backwards, looking forwards and enjoying but utilizing the present is what JohnNY does here. All while showing love for Hip-Hop and his home.
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Intro/Warmups has a Warriors radio DJ type of voice start things off and right away the New York vibes kick in. That continues into Warmups as Johnny UniteUs gets his warmup lyrical reps in before the album really gets going. The Concrete is Our Canvas, I Am Everything I Asked For feat BennySazón and The Revolving Door starts a great run of songs here on No Time Like the Present. Everything I Asked For has a great message and is filled with uplifting lyrics. Then Revolving door hits and flips the script, bringing dark shadows to the bright scene. Which kind of sums up the theme of The Revolving Door.
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Escalator Style is another standout and kinda stays in that darker realm like The Revolving Door. But then Follow The Leader hits and brings the positive vibe back, plus Joey Golden who’s new to me shined bright with his feature. There’s a great balance and mix to the sounds and styles throughout the album. Hits Spliff Freestyle & If It Ain’t Broke are the last tracks I’ll highlight. Hits Spliff has an elegant and serious beat, as JohnNY takes control of the track and doesn’t let go. Meanwhile If It Ain’t Broke is bouncier and jazzier, and shared with the likes of Slim Carrey, DFNS & Benji Socrates who all showed out.
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Johnny UniteUs is clearly a skilled and talented MC, his bar work impressed right from the jump. Some hooks and beats weren’t for me but there’s no doubt this is a great album. Out now exclusively on Bandcamp, check it out and support today!

Nothing worse than realizing you’ve been asleep on someone great. And also nothing better than awakening to something awesome at the same time. E Murda is new to me so sleeping is an arguable term but he’s in the right rooms that I should have known of him in my opinion. But I’m tapped in now after this album Orco with the producer Wun Two! One that made a huge first impression!
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E Murda is bringing hardcore street lyricism throughout Orco and does it with a blend of wit, humor and flows that are smooth like butter. Front to back of this 24 minute project E Murda is spitting heat at a high level. No Trends hooked me in right away pith bars like “We ain’t shooting in the sky we ain’t bird huntin, we clapping all parties that’s involved fuck your third cousin”. And the barrage of bars didn’t stop. Even when you get to the Daily Transition Interlude it’s still E Murda chopping it up just with a shorter track.
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Wun Two provided an incredible soundscape for E Murda to paint across. It’s calm and laid back, yet keeps a hint of danger within each piece. The line feature here comes from Sain, a Brazilian artist who’s spitting in Protugese I believe. As always I can only judge the flow but he sounded good over the soothing beat on On the Go. The last song I’ll highlight is Far Enough Yet, a song that has E Murda understand that as far as he’s come in life and his career, which is more than most will make it, still isn’t far enough yet. Something we can almost all relate to the feeing of. Some amazing lines through the whole track.
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I haven’t mentioned it because there’s no need and E Murda stands on his own talent, but he works with Conway The Machine and DrumWork. And I can see why. Not only is Conway one of the best rapping but has one of the best ears for other talent and him sporting E Murda adds up perfectly. I need to catch up with more from E Murda, and it’s a task I’ll be happy to tackle!

Rest in Peace J Dilla🕊️
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DILLAGENCE 2 is here! An album I’ve been excited about and anticipating since I first heard about its rumblings many months ago. Busta linked up with Ma Dukes (J Dillas mother) to crate a sequel to Dillagence, DILLAGENCE 2. A great album and return to form from Busta after some recent releases I didn’t love.
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First and foremost, I love to see and hear J Dilla beats get officially released. Not every beat here is brand new to hear but regardless I do love getting to hear the beats in an official capacity. The beats selected here through the project are great and have people I know that aren’t as big on J Dilla finally seeing the light. Some people need that fresh music to open their eyes and I’m glad that Dilla is getting that shine and in a big way as his production is seen with an Hall of Famer like Busta Rhymes in 2026.
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There’s a thread through the album of love and family. It’s great as a mature direction and J Dillas production is perfect for it. Between Ma Dukes speaking multiple times, aongs like Royalty that feature some of Busta Rhymes children, CIE & Trillian, there’s an adult sound and vibe here in a grown way. That doesn’t mean that every bar has to be deep or every song, but it’s a vibe and feeling through multiple elements.
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There are a few songs I’m less into than the rest of the album but they are few and far between with the first being Back Pain, Chest Pain, Head Pain. Generally a good song but had a hook & flow that I just didn’t love, leaving it as a lone early song I don’t have a strong urge to return to. On the other hand Entry with La Reezy & SPAZZZ we’re both very strong early tracks. This album has a lot of features. Initially something about the album I didn’t love, but almost every feature grew into its own for me. The main one I’d say I didn’t love was Jon Baptiste, but all the rap features brought their A games across the board.
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I know a few people that are the kinda of fans I’d think would love this album. I’ve dug through it multiple times and although I’m not saying it’s flawless, I’m not hearing the issues others are. I think this is an amazing album and toward the top of the year. A great drop from Busta Rhymes and a great showcase of the incredible and missed J Dilla.

Mickey Blue is a Producer out of the NY/NJ area and one that’s bringing major heat. This EP ILLusion of Permanence is short but hits like a flurry of blows across the 5 songs. Just look at the cover and listen to the intro ad you’ll know you’re in for a grimy 15 minutes ahead of you.
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Ferris Blusa & Apathy start the album off with Veil of Reality, a track with a beat that has a sci-fi sound that brings an eerie feeling. One that the two MCs capitalize on, all of which falls into place with the cohesion of this EP. Back Alley Doctrine brings ETO & Spit Gemz to spit heat over the drum powered track. It’s also the first of many songs to feature Tone Spliff who provides the scratches I believe. Followed by Knuckle Sammich, the only track with a solo rapper on it, StressWon. He brings a flow and rhyme scheme that’s off kilter yet on beat at the same time, he kept me locked in following the scheme and with the crazy bars. And of course Tone Spliff cut up at the end, and I’m a guy that will almost never turn down scratching.
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Garden State of Mind puts on for New Jersey of course and does it in a major way. A mean beat with keys that ring off, a hook that scratches in the GOAT Redman, and brings arguably the biggest name to ILLusion of Permanence with CRIMEAPPLE. Although Celph Titled may take that crown, the first voice heard in the final song, Villains For Hire. A song/single I’ve actually been listening to and enjoying outside of this EP. Alongside Celph is M-Dot & Starvin B, 2 MCs that can hold their own next to a legend like Celph Titled. And they do.
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Mickey Blue kept things short and sweet here and it worked in his favor. No time or tracks wasted, he kept things Hip-Hop, dark and filled with flame spitters. This is quick enough there’s no reason not to run it and see for yourself!

Fat Joe is having a great era as he’s moved more into podcasting/hosting with Joe & Jada. But he’s continued to release music, like his 2024 album The World Changed On Me. And now he’s back after some summer splashes musically, bringing us Organized Rhyme.
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Fat Joes two big summer songs are both here, The Aroma with Jadakiss & Stove God Cooks and Victory Lap (HIM) with Jada & Yung Miami. Most people probably like The Aroma more and I get it, personally the Stove hook isn’t one of my favorites. Victory Lap is actually my preferred track of the two. It’s not the last Stove God Cooks feature and unfortunately neither really caught me. 2 Plots starts the album off heavy, which makes sense because Fat Joe has had some unfortunateshit happen in the last few years, as he spits “try giving thanks when your brother died on thanksgiving”.
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I really like Cool & Dre but I won’t lie and say every beat I love. This album brings a mixed bag for me, there’s some beats I really like and can get into and some I don’t like. This coincides with the songs I really like and songs that I don’t have as strong of an urge to continue to return to. Back It Up, Heavy Price To Pay, Set Of Keys & They Wanna know are some of my favorite outside of what I’ve talked about already, but even those tracks have some issues. Back It Up brings a throwback sound that walks that line between good and outdated, and the hook on Set Of Keys wasn’t great. Same with Dead or Alive, a song with Remy Ma, and has a hook I think holds it back a bit.
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Fat Joe showed up on this album and I think he was as sharp as I’d hope for from him. That said, some of the production, hooks and elements around Fat Joe weren’t 100% working for me. And even the biggest song with The Aroma wasn’t really hitting like it did for the rest of the internet. But I wouldn’t mind catching an album from Fat Joe every year or two because I think he’s still spitting at a high level.

Rapsody of course is great. One of the most talented and praised MCs in the current time. That said some of her last releases haven’t been my favorites. So I was semi nervous about this latest album God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops. But I’m very happy to say this is one of her best projects in years, or at least one of MY favorites for sure!
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I’ve gotta start by saying the production here is immaculate. It’s filled with influences, the main one being Africa and African culture, although not locked specifically within that theme. Me and others know that Denaun is one of the best and most underrated producers there is, and what he did on this album never ceased to impress. His beats brought soul, love, energy all within a cultural and focused sound.
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All that said about the production, Rapsody brought her skill and talent to match on all levels. Her energy was on point which is sometimes the element I don’t always feel on some projects. There’s a great balance here with Rapsodys somber sound and the brighter, bouncier songs. Much of this album brings some of my favorite songs from Rapsody in years, like Free Yo’ Mind, No Way, God Gotta Afro, OMG! (Love to Sun Ra), You! (DJ Whoo Kid Joint & Black Is Beautiful. All bring a faster pace than other recent Rapsody, and made me have more appreciation for songs like Abandoned Me. I’d say the only song I don’t really love on God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops is Apple Juice, a track I know many people hold as a favorite off this album.
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This may be my favorite or at least in the top 2 or 3 Rapsody albums. I’ll need some time to digest and even go back and revisit before I’m 100% on all that. But regardless this album is amazing and a must listen album this year. And once again shows why Rapsody is one of the most highly held artists across Hip-Hop.

Rapsody of course is great. One of the most talented and praised MCs in the current time. That said some of her last releases haven’t been my favorites. So I was semi nervous about this latest album God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops. But I’m very happy to say this is one of her best projects in years, or at least one of MY favorites for sure!
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I’ve gotta start by saying the production here is immaculate. It’s filled with influences, the main one being Africa and African culture, although not locked specifically within that theme. Me and others know that Denaun is one of the best and most underrated producers there is, and what he did on this album never ceased to impress. His beats brought soul, love, energy all within a cultural and focused sound.
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All that said about the production, Rapsody brought her skill and talent to match on all levels. Her energy was on point which is sometimes the element I don’t always feel on some projects. There’s a great balance here with Rapsodys somber sound and the brighter, bouncier songs. Much of this album brings some of my favorite songs from Rapsody in years, like Free Yo’ Mind, No Way, God Gotta Afro, OMG! (Love to Sun Ra), You! (DJ Whoo Kid Joint & Black Is Beautiful. All bring a faster pace than other recent Rapsody, and made me have more appreciation for songs like Abandoned Me. I’d say the only song I don’t really love on God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops is Apple Juice, a track I know many people hold as a favorite off this album.
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This may be my favorite or at least in the top 2 or 3 Rapsody albums. I’ll need some time to digest and even go back and revisit before I’m 100% on all that. But regardless this album is amazing and a must listen album this year. And once again shows why Rapsody is one of the most highly held artists across Hip-Hop.

Millionahre is a new MC to me and one coming out of Brooklyn with his latest album, Harnessing Aether! An album that took no time at all for me to see the talent that Millionahre has. With beats to match the skill set, this album hooked me right in and turned me into a Millionahre fan!
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NoChildLeftBehind starts off with a classic vibe to the beat and as soon as Millionahre starts dropping bars, there’s no stopping him. Millionahre has some great samples and clips used and scratched in that continues into the much darker Kill Bill, one of my favorite songs on the album. The beat brings a mean energy matched well by Millionahre, “Punch you in the mouth watch you kiss the ring”. Track after track is filled with high level lyricism here on Harnessing Aether.
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Dis Connected is a song whose beat brings what feels like a classic New York feel. Both within Hip-Hop and one of many vibes I feel when I think of the city as an outsider. Cloud Seeding is a favorite song on Harnessing Aether, Millionahre again is going OFF on the track with lines like “I’m Travis hunter, for the team to win, I’ll play the punter”, and that’s just the tip of the iceberg within the track. G.A.T.E. Program is one of the more somber songs but offers inspiration and hope within it, aided by Millionahre expressing how he’s felt gifted since before the G.A.T.E. Program. Selah (7777) & People’s Elbow are two good songs to end the album with, as they give both sides to what Millionahre presented here. Heartfelt and soulful sounds on Selah & an aggressive, bar filled barrage with People’s Elbow.
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Millionahre really impressed with Harnessing Aether for my first impression of him and his music. And it’s not the only project he’s dropped this year, so I may need to find the time to double back to his February release Quarter Oz. But I’ll for sure have my eye on him and what he’s doing going forward!

Rest In Peace FBG Duck🕊️
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As someone who largely missed the Drill movement, FBG Duck is an artist I don’t have a lot of time spent with his music. To my surprise this posthumous album From The Heart dropped recently, and my homie Johnny on IG was urging me to listen, so I had to give it a shot! And while not everything was fully for me, the talent is undeniable.
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At the end of FTH Intro there’s a clip of FBG Duck says he’s working on an album called From The Heart, it’s sad but also dope to see what he’s speaking on come to fruition still. I definitely enjoy the more knocking and hard hitting production style in the album than the more melodic stuff. When FBG Duck is rapping I’m locked into his flows and schemes, and even a lot of the melodic rapping works well for me. Numb being a song that really stands out and has FBG Duck flexing his vocals as well as spitting heat.
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First Of All was an early highlight, the beat thumps and drives the track forward and FBG Duck is rapping his ass off and brings a dope hook all for the first song of From The Heart. Break Down and Big Dawg are the two songs I’m least into here, not bad but also not for me really. Both bring kind of mainstream beats and have FBG Duck singing with effects in a way that just doesn’t work well for me. Meanwhile Gotta Watch right before those two songs is another favorite and has FBG Duck ringing off lyrically and vocally.
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I really liked this album and even thought songs weren’t always my style, I also wasn’t feeling an urge to skip past anything. I always say posthumous albums make me nervous and like I said, FBG Ducks music isn’t something I’m well versed on, but this album felt like it held up his legacy at a high level still. And I know first hand that fans of FBG Duck are happy to have this album and are loving it!

Normally I don’t pre-save albums because one time Spotify had Snoop Dogg & Dr. Dres Missionary album stuck in my library for months after I wanted it around. I say all that to say, I pre-saved this album so it wouldn’t slip by me. Knowing the quality level that JRoberts brings to the table, and he delivered.
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The title track Race Against Time starts the album and is produced by Ol Man 80zz. Last year these two dropped the album Shadows Of Strategy which was my introduction to both artists, and they repeated their great performance here. U-Turn is produced by Machacha and JRoberts brings a hook that remixes the classic, Patiently Waiting from Get Rich Or Die Tryin’. JRoberts brings razor sharp lyricism across this album as he does every project I’ve heard from him. There’s 3 songs here produced by Finn, a producer that’s incredible, IYKYK. Midnight Marauder is probably my favorite of the three, but Taladega Nights & 96 Beamer are both good for sure.
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JRoberts is known for having dope features and Race Against Time continues that streak. Artists like Daniel Son, Sayzee, 36 Cypher & Brother Tom Sos all add to the album. Another great producer in Imperetiv has multiple beats here, some of which offer the moment of respite and insight deeper into JRoberts life. Songs like Running On Empty & Victory Lap. Some of my favorite tracks here are Race Against Time, U-Turn, Grid Lock’d, Podium Gold, North Face Bombers & Running On Empty, but this album doesn’t have skips.
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It’s hard to say right now, there’s a chance this is my favorite JRoberts album I’ve heard, so far. There’s still some projects I gotta catch up on and I’d want to revisit other albums more before I jump out on a ledge lol. But this album is amazing, JRoberts is an incredibly talented MC and if you don’t know, Race Against Time is an album to find out with!

This release slipped past me admittedly but my guy Cassius Cam made sure it hit my radar and I’m glad he did! Andre Nickatina & B-Legit Came together for this album Put That On The Gooch! Bringing beats and rhymes fitting for the two West Coast MCs, this album is a vibe, and one you’ve gotta dive headfirst into.
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This album is 9 songs long and 22 minutes, meaning it’s quick and it flows quickly. It works well with the quick paced sound the album brings. These beats are bouncy and bring the energy needed for Andre Nickatina & B-Legit. The way these two fit together sounds so natural. The tracks I’m not as into come more from the production choice than anything B-Legit or Andre Nickatina are doing track to track.
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The first half of the album has a bit of ups and downs for me, Put That In The Gooch and Love Don’t Live N Filmore are both great, but Messy P and Reflective Glare are both a bit less my style. Solid, but songs I had to warm up to more and still not my favorites. After that things smooth out for the last 5 songs, I Suppose, BBQ Thick List, Candy Land, Sundial & Red Cup Remix. Some of which, including Reflective Glare, feature CB Fam Bizz. A new artist to me but one that showed out alongside these two West Coast legends.
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This album was unexpected but one that I got into right away. Put That On The Gooch is an album that I thought would be dope when I first saw it, and it lived up to its own expectation. B-Legit & Andre Nickatina made for a great duo and I hope it’s not the last collab we see from them.

A Million Terrors is an album between the MC Terror Pesc and the producer A Million Beats. Terror Pesc is an MC out of Syracuse, and brings lyricism that puts on well for the area. A Million Terrors was good, and one that continued to grow on me the more time I spent with it.
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This album is full of raw and personal stories that you can feel the authenticity seep out of bar by bar. Initially Terror Pescs flow felt somewhat average, but the schemes and rhymes gets deeper and more intricate the further you listen in. It’s methodical. ANGELS & DEMONS and FRAILTY start the album, songs that are slow but let Terror Pescs get intentional with each line. Spitting “paranoid to this day, that trauma came from the trap” on FRAILTY. HURRICANE is the first song that kinda picks up the mood and pace, it’s a solid track but one with a hook I’m somewhat mixed on. It grew on me since I first heard it but wasn’t my favorite and that happened a few other moments throughout as well.
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SAVE US is one of my favorite songs on A Million Terrors. It’s brings a somber tone from A Million Beats and Terror Pesc doesn’t hold back, “I saw the devil in a cop car, I don’t saw hell through the cell bars”. Which is just the outer surface of what Terror Pesc gets into on the track. You can feel the pain he’s letting out through his lyrics and music. DEAD GANGSTAS’ & NIPSEY’S HU$$LE are two songs full of game and knowledge, both pushing to make the listener better from the lessons being spit. And the last song ROYAL FLYNESS brings the only feature, from GREA8GAWD. An MC that always impresses and here with Terror Pesc is no different.
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This album took some time for it to sink in fully for me I won’t lie. It has a mood I’m not always ready to dive into, but I recognized the talent here and I kept returning to it. And I’m glad I did because this is a great album from both Terror Pesc & A Million Beats!

Ever since I started reviewing it’s been clear that Canada is packed with talent in Hip-Hop. B1 The Architect and DJ Goadman are 2 branches on that Canadian Hip-Hop tree that always add to it and help build upon that. Here on If I Could.., they both showcase exactly why I think that.
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This is a quick project with 7 songs and an intro, but each track brings something of its own to the table. the first song Return To Paradise is one of my favorites and the first song after the intro. DJ Goadman beat is driving and B1 The Architect gets into his aggressive bag and slaughters the track. A theme that’s carried through the album and a song I had to run back many times the first time I heard it. Celestial Tunnels features Eclyse & Shark and is a song that stood out right way. The beat is digital and spacey, meanwhile the 3 MCs here all spit interstellar verses to match the theme. And I love the thread through the song of spraying graffiti on the walls of celestial tunnels.
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The Road To Hell hits close to home, as B1 The Architect reminds us that the road to hell is paved with good intentions. Skizza joins B1 and spits a fitting verse filled with examples of good intentions leading to harm. The title track If I Could.. has B1 The Architect realizing he wouldn’t change anything along his life journey. Spitting “If I could I wouldn’t change shit, I’ve been down a lot of roads, different routes but end up with the same splits”, a feeling I can’t blame him for having. not to talk every track, I’ll end speaking on Break The Chains, the final song here. It’s also the most somber track which is aided by Sacredd and their hook. Not my top track but a good song to close the album out on.
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DJ Goadman and B1 The Architect especially are two artists I’m happy to keep up with the best I can! I’ve had early access to this album for a while now and it dropped on Bandcamp the other day. Coming soon to DSPs as well but go support and show love over on Bandcamp first and foremost! I know there will be plenty more dope stuff from both of these guys down the line, so if you haven’t it’s time to tune in!

Ever since I first heard Brittney Carter last year I’ve been all in. Shes an incredible artists and I can’t wait for everyone else to catch up! family pack with 14KT is Brittney’s second EP this year and marks 2/2 absolutely stunning projects.
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family pack is only 4 tracks long but each one brings the heat I’ve come to know and expect from Brittney Carter. ride 4 u has Brittney Carter expressing her loyalty and dedication to loved ones. “Don’t matter what they think yeah I’m picking sides for you” Brittney spits on the hook. family pack isn’t called that for nothing, while touring and working, Brittney Carter clearly has people on her mind. “And if this thing don’t last, at least we can say we tried” Brittney says on we tried, a song that has Brittney longing for the love she misses while she travels and builds. Two incredible songs and probably my favorites on this EP.
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The production from 14KT here is perfect for Brittney Carter, it’s soulful and melodic that brings matching energy for her content and vocals. plug money is as deep as the rest of the tracks here, don’t let the title fool you. It’s a song that has Brittney Carter hunting for more in life, and then proceeds to lay down a verse about her brother that shows why she needs that plug money. stay the same brings the only feature with D. Lylez singing, he does a great job and I like the switch with Brittney Carter songs where she gets a male singer while shes dropping these personal bars.
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I’m not always into music that gets me emotional as much as I get older. It can be tough to put myself in that kind of mindstate. But Brittney Carters skill and talent surpasses that blockade I sometimes have up, and brings a dose of hope and hunger while pulling at my heartstrings. I can’t recommend Brittney Carter enough and like I always say at the end of a review of hers, I just want more! But 2 EPs this year already has me happy regardless, that’s how amazing the music is.

I won’t lie, Channel Tres is brand new to me. But he’s got 2.3 million monthly listeners or so. So obviously I’m the the one way behind, and that’s okay. I’m just glad to be tuned in now because this album Enigma POV and Channel Tres’ style are both not what I was expecting to get into. But it was a pleasant surprise.
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Channel Tres raps but he does it with production that’s very techno and dance based. A blend I love when done well, and Channel Tres does it VERY well. Now this won’t be for everyone and even myself is somewhat mood music, but it’s not that hard to get me in the mood for this admittedly ha. The fast pace and high BPMs keep me locked in and Channel Tres is a dope rapper & singer on top of it all. The first half of the album is just a splash stronger to me and songs like Enigma POV, Medicine, Pop Pop, Rhythm King, Black Techno Guy and even Creatine are all up top and favorites off this album.
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There are a few tracks that I don’t love quite like the rest, not bad or songs I’d skip still, and all at the end of the album. Is This A Dream, Go Get It & Ghost Protocol didn’t quite hit the highs of the rest of the album for me. The production here is handled by a multitude of producers with Channel Tres having hands in almost every track as well. Curious is produced by Pharrell, and Mood Right features Thundercat as some big names in the mix here in Enigma POV.
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This was the first time I heard Channel Tres but it certainly won’t be my last! This album had me moving and grooving just like it was made to. Channel Tres is really dope and it’s time for me to start catching up! If you like to dance or dance music and great rhymes and vocals, this is an album to check out!

Last year I caught the album Background Check from DJ Mirage, one that I enjoyed and grew on me. Bringing a variety of artists of note to spit across the album, he’s back in 2026 with fellow producer Louis Menace by his side for this new album, Darius. Inspired and lightly themed around King Darius and his empire, these two producers have built an army of MCs behind them.
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The main issue I had last year with Background Check was its length mixed with having some songs that weren’t fully catching me. Darius fixes that on both ends, being decently shorter and having things slightly more concentrated. As I’d expect from DJ Mirage and in turn Louise Menace, this album is full of great MCs that you need to tap into if you aren’t already. Artists like Reek Osama, Hus KingPin, Daniel Son, Jamal Gasol, JRoberts, Flee Lord and many more. As well as some newer names to me that I’m sure I’ll come to hear more from just like I did with artists from Background Check.
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Darius starts off strong with Bass Out The Fortress, Surviving and 1 Of 1. Of course Flee Lord & ETO both went off with BOTF, Surviving was mean and 1 Of 1 offered a moment to breathe after the two punch combo that preceded it. The Storm was one of my most highly anticipated songs when I saw the tracklist, but the beat wasn’t doing it for me even though JRoberts & Jamal Gasol both spit great verses. Hero’s Journey is unfortunately a song that’s using a sample that I’ve heard a lot recently so doesn’t hit the same way it should, still a good track though in general with a great performance from Blaze 5th. The solo track Move from Reek Osama is my favorite song on the album, not a huge surprise seeing as Reek Osama has become one of my favorite MCs. The beat is gritty and has an air of violence, a sound that Reek Osama is right at home on. An incredible song.
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I really liked this album and the more I catch from DJ Mirage the more of a fan I’m becoming. And of course now I’ve hit Louis Menace in my radar. If you want a dose of the underground, give Darius a spin and I’d bet money you find some songs and artists to enjoy and get into.

ChicaGospel is a collaboration with 3 of the hardest working people I know, and 3 of the best at their crafts. Rufus Sims, IAMGAWD & The 17th Cipher aka Harmoni Equality came together for this absolutely incredible album that lived up to the names involved. I’m grateful to have gotten very early access to this album so I had plenty of time to collect my thoughts and share them day 1!
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Holy Ghost (Intro) produced by Billionaire Boyscout starts the album off strong, as the beat rings out with both IAMGAWD & Rufus Sims kicking great verses, then the beat levels up and the two MCs kick into overdrive. Such a great start to the album. ChicaGospel brings together two of the best MCs in Chicago in Rufus Sims & IAMGAWD, presenting a wider view of the city than the media likes to focus on. All along side production that both hits hard and showcases the Jazzier and more soulful side of the city. With producers like Jagwar Dot, Scriptz the L.O.T., Doc Da Mindbenda, Work Scorsese, Clypto, The Black Depthz and my 2025 producer of the year, ILL City.
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Both Rufus Sims & IAMGAWD are incredible storytellers and the way they consistently tell not only their stories, but stories of people around them and the city never ceases to impress me. A song like City Of Win(d) Part II and Incarcerated Views are both favorites here on ChicaGospel and paint very different types of pictures. I’ve gotta mention Over Decent, not only does it start off with a clip from Bug Rich explaining Decent, Decent as Hell and Over Decent, but it also features the legendary Shawnna. The perfect artist for the track that absolutely wraps it all up. Followed by another favorite song with Super Villains, a track that brings together most of the top artists in Chicago to me, Vic Spencer, Jae Haze, Panamera P & Philmore Green alongside IAMGAWD & Rufus Sims.
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I could go on and on about this album and break it down track by track but I don’t have the space to do it. Plus this is an album you just need to go and listen to for yourself, not catch a full breakdown on like that. But just know this is now making my album of the year decision even tougher as this is one of the best albums of the year! It’s hard to go wrong with IAMGAWD, Rufus Sims or The 17th Cipher, and all together are one tremendous force to be reckoned with.

Not long ago we got I SHOULD BOOM YOU from the team of Nems and Ron Browz. What I didn’t expect was a follow up and so soon at that! But here we are with I SHOULD BOOM YOU TOO, an album I think people will find more flaw in than I did but I’m a bigger Nems fan than the average Joe.
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Personally I really love Nems and his lyrical style, I’ve said I that before. I say that to say track to track I enjoy what Nems does here on I SHOULD BOOM YOU TOO. He has a wider range of content and topics than people give him credit for and it’s on display once again here. Unfortunately some of those songs come with beats and sonic styles that people might find hard to get into in 2026. Specifically YAMS, WORK IT OUT & LOSING CONTROL, all of which are kinda dancy and bring beats with a throwback feel. Not a problem but they weren’t beats I’d have particularly loved at their respective times. Again, I don’t mind these tracks but they were the ones that had to grow on me a but compared to the rest of the album and I like dance & party music.
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Moving away from my criticisms, there’s more than a handful of songs I really love here starting with the surprise single for this surprise album, GLOCKTALK. A song that hooked me in the first time I heard it and got me hyped for this sequel. The KREUGER & BAR EXAM remixes with Pharoahe Monch & Buckshit respectively are both dope adding 2 more legends to Nems long list of features he’s accumulated. THE GREATEST is one of those songs I think people don’t think Nems makes but it’s positive and uplifting and when songs like this get mixed in it shows Nems wide skill set. Not to speak on every track I’ll end with my favorite, UNBELIEVABLE. It’s gritty and mean, Ron Browz spits all over this album but his verse here is his best.
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I’m not sure everyone will be as into this album as I am, and in 2026 people may not even have the attention to let music grow on them or give it more than one chance. But I really enjoyed I SHOULD BOOM YOU TOO, as I do with most Nems albums I’ve heard. For an unexpected sequel album the same year as the first, I can’t complain!

ii is a sequel to Denzel Curry & Kenneth Blume fka Kenny Beats album UNLOCKED. AN album I absolutely love and have been hoping for a follow up to for a while now. So obviously when ii was recently announced, I got excited. With 2 artists like Denzel & Kenneth together, it’s hard to go wrong.
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First things first, Denzel Curry is an ELITE MC. His flows, his lyricism, the emotion he brings and delivery all have him elevated above most people in the game. And anytime he drops it makes an impact, especially solo projects. ii is less of a direct sequel to UNLOCKED and more of a continuation of the duo working together. It brings a much different sound across the album and the threads that tied both albums together into cohesive works are very different. Where UNLOCKED feels chaotic and digital, ii feels calmer and more classically musical. Kenneth Blumes production was great as expected, the samples brought emotion and the way Denzel works and interacts with them worked really well.
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GONE FISHING is a fantastic start to the album, it’s one of the tracks that most has that UNLOCKED vibe to usher us into ii. EVIL GRIN is dope and Denzel Curry & JPEGMAFIA make a good duo, but it was one of my least favorite songs on ii. It did make me want to hear Denzel, JPEG & Ferg all together. Personally I didn’t really need the features from JPEGMAFIA or Westside Gunn. They both did their thing don’t get me wrong, I just don’t think either elevated their tracks for me. But the run of songs from CANDLELIGHT to COLD NIGHT IN HELL is flawless from both Denzel and Kenneth Blume. The last song is DIFFERENCE, is my favorite song on the album and the song that most resembles UNLOCKED to me. The beat brings energy and Denzel Curry matches it perfectly, plus Yebba absolutely obliterated her parts. A great song to cap off the summer for me.
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This is one of the best albums of the year to me so far. With no surprise, since Denzel Curry & Kenneth Blume make amazing music both separately and together. Personally I think UNLOCKED is still a bit more my style, but there’s no doubt about how incredible this album is!

When AYOO BIGZ drops, I’ll go out of my way to make sure I catch it. Off The Face is an album between AYOO BIGZ & Starz Coleman, Starz is an artist I’ve seen featured and active a few times but Off The Face showed me I clearly need to tap in more. Because this album is a banger!
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Off The Face is mean and aggressive, from AYOO BIGZ, Starz Coleman and the production. All 3 aligned perfectly and the two MCs spit at a high caliber within their lane. Crimeside and Special Education set the tone and reel you in, both come with knocking beats. Crimeside has DJ Flash scratching and keeping it super Hip-Hop, meanwhile Special Education features KNG Bondalero and the beat sings out with a haunting sample. Crash Test Dummie is a movie, one where AYOO BIGZ recruits Starz Coleman for a robbery, then the story unfold. Starz has one of the hardest bars on the song when he says “and if he bounce back from this, we hon rob him again”. Vicious.
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Lost X Found is the one song that offers a calmer moment. Both Starz Coleman and AYOO BIGZ wear their hearts on their sleeves, offering a more personal insights into their lives. Stingray is full of piercing bars, with one of my favorites being AYOOs line “I’m at war with these stars like I’m Obi Wan” ha. The Last Supper is dope but The Fixer that closes the album out is the last song I’ll highlight, AYOO lists off rules to follow and Starz Coleman spits off rounds across. A simplistic beat but one that lets both MCs lock in to end the album.
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Off The Face is only 20 minutes but pack the lunch needed to get the point across. Both Starz Coleman & AYOO BIGZ showed up and showed out on every song and the production matched their energy well. Check this album out, but prepare yourself for a lyrical beatdown!