​Jon Connor ft. Mikell Johnson & Phire of Sister Tour - Dreams: Jon Connor dropped the best album this week with “III”. The bars and subject matter are 2nd to none. I remember seeing his name previously and when he talked about his Aftermath deal on an interlude (and the album that never came out) I realized that’s where I remember him from. The skit where he tries to talk about the negative messaging in rap and how ignorance and self-destructive images are pushed and promoted was a shining moment, and his lyrics reflect his conscious rapper beliefs while sounding no different than other top tier Hip-Hop. The whole album is a standout, and the “Dreams” track really resonated with the positive, motivational message (it was released previously but this was my first time hearing it). Don’t you cry your Dreams away. 

Sleepy Hallow - Cupid’s Guidance: NY Driller Sleepy Hallow got in the holiday spirit with help of producer Great John. This catchy track finds Sleep filling his pockets with bands and letting it be known that he don’t need no new friends (so stop calling him twin). If he wasn’t rappin, he’d be trappin, but either way, he’d make sure his lady is spoiled. 

Nafe Smallz - It’s Only You: UK artist Nafe Smallz dropped a new album this week called “Ticket To The Moon”. Dope project, I first heard him on Skepta’s “Greaze Mode” an all time favorite track of mine. My favorite track on this album is “Impeccable Timing” which dropped as a single weeks ago. My favorite album cut is “It’s Only You” which as you can imagine is dedicated to that special someone and is in line with the Valentine’s Day theme of many tracks on this week’s list. Check out “Ticket To The Moon” and these highlights:
Too Gone
Impeccable Timing
On a Flight

MIKE & Tony Seltzer - R&B: First off this Tony Seltzer produced track is undeniable. I am biased against artists whose name I can’t find on X (formerly Twitter) but I googled “MIKE rapper Twitter" and buddy came up, so praise God. “R&B” is a short track but it’s groovy. It sounds like a 90’s R&B song mixed with a downtempo Detroit-type beat. MIKE spits straight bars, no hook needed. When he said he dreamed he was a cat, I added it to the playlist instantly cuz I felt that.

Major Nine - Haunted: Major Nine dropped a new project this week called “Kardiology”. I hadn’t heard of him before this week and I’ll usually give an unknown (to me) artist 3 tracks to make an impression and his album smacked because this was track 9. It’s a vibe, melodic delivery and a chipmunked vocals in the background. It reminds me a lil bit of Hunxho without the auto-tune. It’s a heartfelt song and he gets introspective and warns the opps that if the demons keep calling, he gonna make sure they become acquainted (the opps and his demons that is).  

Bryson Tiller - Whatever She Wants: Slum Tiller dropped a new loosie this week and before I could even listen, I saw niggas hating on the interwebs. Well, it didn’t deter me because this is a bop and I don’t give a rat’s ass (pause) what people expect from Young Tiller, the track is special. Sometimes he sings and sometimes he raps, he just happens to be rapping over a Detroit type beat that perfectly fits his flow.

8K & 1600Stixx - Suge Knight: This is another artist that’s new to me, 8K, and he dropped an album this week called “Suge Noche” (Spanish for Suge Night). No coincidence, my favorite track is one he titled “Suge Knight”. It has that new west coast sound (reminds me of SOBxRBE & Shoreline Mafia) and the piano keys really sauce it up. This is one you can bump in the whip all summer. Check out “Suge Noche” and these standouts: 
Nightmare on Colden (with G Money DT)
Put It On You (sithTGK Splash & Chymeezy)
Natural (with Arte)

E the Profit - Dangerous: Another week, another great find on the Apple Music New Hip-Hop playlist. This week E the Profit dropped this loosie which has a soulful sound and sounds like it interpolates MGMT’s smash hit “Electric Feel” (or whatever that song sampled) or it might be what Nas samples on “Surviving The Times”. He’s rapping about a super hot girl. She’s a good girl, but she's also Bad (like when Michael Jackson said it). She’s Dangerous (also like Mike Jack said).

Money Man - That’s Easy: Indie Superstar Money Man took a break from showing off his myriad guns online and dropped a new project called “Purple Heart”. My favorite track “That’s Easy” has some acoustic vibes as Money raps to his bae. Copping her jewels (that’s nothing), copping her clothes (that’s nothing). When it comes to paying her bills, That’s Easy. He’s stacking paper to the ceiling and he’ll spend it all on her because she’s worth it.

Dthang - Smoochie Valentine: I’m a sucker for a sample and NY Driller DThang flipped Nelly & Kelly Rowland’s “Dilemma” into this Valentine’s day drill anthem. It’s smooth, and D raps to his bottom bitty and lets her know how special she is. He could have any smoochie but she’s the one he adores. He lets her know that he loves the money more tho. He even got Nelly for the video.

Lil Bean - rock-a-bye-baby: Lil Bean dropped a new project this week called “BACK TO THE BASICS”. My favorite track “rock-a-bye-baby” is a downtempo jam. It finds Bnr getting introspective and lamenting having a finite amount of time. He knows the real and the fake don’t mix so he only keeps it authentic. He’s a rare breed, the kind you might not see again.

Schoolboy Q - Yeern 101: Q is set to drop his new album “Blue Lips” next week and dropped this as the opening single. He’s rapping fast af and catching us up on what he’s been up to during his hiatus. He’s been getting money of golf and other sponsorships (including Nike and 2K). He’s getting money in his sleep and the money ain’t stopping no time soon. The beat is funky with a splash of Rock & Roll. Can’t wait for “Blue Lips” (pause).

Big Haulin ft. Streetz - Trish: Big Haulin dropped a new project this week called “Featuring Haul”. My favorite track “Trish” features Streetz and finds the guys going in over a Detroit type beat talking that boss talk. They getting paper, smashing bitties, and driving exotic whips. And when they shoot they don’t miss.

Mikey Polo - Esophagus+++: Mikey Polo dropped a new project this week called “Sex Therapist+++” and this fellatio anthem was a highlight. It has a wavy, snap beat and Mikey uses a melodic emo flow to let his shawty know he’s trying to get that licky licky. He wants to put his meat in her Esophagus, then hit it from the back. If they start right now, they won’t make it out the parking lot. 

J. Stone, Vado & CJ Washington - Streets is Calling: Cali’s J.Stone dropped a new album this week called “God Got Me”. Dope project, “Streets is Calling” stands out for the A1 beat (including the chipmunked vocals and the keys) and the bars. Vado kicks it off with one of the best verses on the album. CJ handles the singing on hook and J. Stone spits top tier street bars (as he does throughout the album). Other standouts from “God Got Me”:
God Got Me
I’ll Be Hood (Remix) [with Freeway]

N3WYRKLA ft. Brent Faiyaz - not enough: Admittedly, I first heard this played as a sleeper on the JBP this week. I also saw N3WYRKLA’s new project "it's not you, it's me" on Apple Music and had to give the whole thing a listen. I usually listen without looking, and when this song came on it instantly became my favorite (even though I had a few tracks to go). Lo and behold when I checked which song it was, it was the same song I heard the previous day on the pod. Great minds think alike (or something).