Best New Music for Hip Hop Heads
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Keep up with the latest and greatest in hip hop music by checking out our blog. We post new music and reviews of the latest albums and mixtapes so you can stay up to date on what’s hot in the hip hop world.
New Music Releases
Check out the latest new music releases this week including new Hip Hop, Rap, R&B, EDM, and Pop music.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar returns with his much-anticipated new album, DAMN. The 13-track project features guest appearances from Rihanna, U2, and trap legend, Zacari. Production is handled by Mike WiLL Made-It, Sounwave, Alchemist, 9th Wonder, BadBadNotGood, DJ Dahi and more.
J. Cole – 4 Your Eyez Only
Released in 2016, J. Cole’s fourth studio album 4 Your Eyez Only debuted at number one on the Billboard 200, becoming Cole’s second album to do so. The album was certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) on February 7, 2017. It received widespread critical acclaim and is considered by many critics to be one of Cole’s best albums to date.
Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book
Chance the Rapper’s latest album, Coloring Book, is one of the most highly anticipated releases of the year. The album was released on May 13, 2016, and features guest appearances from Lil Wayne, 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber, and many more. Coloring Book is Chance’s third studio album, and is available for streaming on Apple Music and Spotify.
Music Videos
The best new music for hip hop heads isn’t just about the music. Sure, the music is important, but the visuals are just as important. The right music video can make or break a song. It can take it from being a good song to being a great song. It can take it from being a great song to being a classic.
Kendrick Lamar – “HUMBLE.”
Kendrick Lamar’s “HUMBLE.” is undoubtedly one of the most talked about tracks off his DAMN. album, and the visuals that he dropped for the song are just as impressive. The video, which was directed by Dave Meyers & the Little homies, sees Kendrick living out a number of different lifestyles, from being a drug dealer to a Compton poet. It’s an inventive video that keeps you guessing until the very end.
J. Cole – “Deja Vu”
J. Cole’s “Deja Vu” music video is the perfect blend of old and new school vibes. The video features Cole rapping in front of a classic car, while scenes from the present day are intercut. This contrast between the past and the present creates a feeling of nostalgia, while also highlighting the timelessness of Cole’s music.
Chance the Rapper – “Angels”
Chance the Rapper’s latest music video features a guest appearance from his real-life guardian angel, actress Tessa Thompson. The two of them fly around Chicago, dropping in on a children’s hospital ward, a barbershop, and a high school basketball game. It’s all very heartwarming, and Thompson does an excellent job of playing the ethereal being who is there to guide Chance (and the rest of us mortals) through life.
Album Reviews
December was a big month for Hip Hop music. A lot of new albums were released and there was a lot of good music to choose from. Here are our picks for the best new music for Hip Hop heads.
Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.
Kendrick Lamar’s DAMN. is one of the best albums of the year so far. It’s a masterclass in rap, with Lamar’s unique delivery and incredible lyrics leading the way. The beats are top-notch, and the features from rappers like U2 and Rihanna add an extra layer of greatness. If you’re a fan of hip hop, or just good music in general, you need to check out DAMN.
J. Cole – 4 Your Eyez Only
On his fourth studio album, North Carolina rapper J. Cole ventures away from the bright, anthemic sound of his last effort, 2014’s Forest Hills Drive, and returns to the introspective storytelling that made him one of hip-hop’s most compelling voices. 4 Your Eyez Only is a weighty album that addresses some of Cole’s biggest fears and insecurities head-on.
Lead single “Deja Vu” finds Cole grappling with the temptation of infidelity, while “Neighbors” is a hard-hitting commentary on race relations in America. On the personal front, Cole opens up about his fears for his young daughter on the heart-wrenching “She’s Mine, Pt. 1” and pays tribute to a friend who was killed in a drive-by shooting on “4 Your Eyez Only.”
Although it doesn’t pack the same emotional punch as Cole’s previous masterpiece, 2013’s Born Sinner, 4 Your Eyez Only is another strong showing from one of hip-hop’s most introspective artists.
Chance the Rapper – Coloring Book
When it comes to Chance the Rapper, it’s hard to separate the art from the artist. The former is impeccable, the latter downright inspiring. On his long-awaited third mixtape, Coloring Book, he cements his place in hip-hop history as one of the greatest rappers of all time.
The project is a joyous celebration of faith, family, and what it means to be black and alive in America today. Chance weaves together personal anecdotes, socio-political commentary, and Chicago pride with virtuosic ease. He’s assisted by a star-studded cast of collaborators, including Lil Wayne, Justin Bieber, 2 Chainz, T-Pain, Jay Electronica, and many more.
Coloring Book is a masterclass in hip-hop songwriting and production. Every track is crafted with care and filled with earworms that will have you hitting replay again and again. This is an essential album for any hip-hop fan.
