6 New Hip-Hop, R&B & Alt Albums You Should Be Listening To (Week of December 16)
Ab-Soul, Chief Keef, PinkPantheress, and Little Simz dropped albums on this New Music Friday. And Young Dolph's estate also shares a new compilation from the late rapper.
Ab-Soul's highly anticipated album HERBERT has been released. The expansive production on the release allows for compelling lyricism that hits the mark. It's another win for TDE. Features arrive from Big Sean, Jhené Aiko, Zacari, Joey Bada$$, Ambré, and more.
Young Dolph's estate shares Paper Route Frank. Chief Keef commemorates the ten-year anniversary of his debut album Finally Rich. Boldy James drops off a new project dubbed Be That As it May produced by Cuns. Little Simz also returns with her new album No Thank You.
PinkPantheress' hive stand up, she just dropped a new EP Take me home.
Ab-Soul – HERBERT
Ab-Soul passionately raps all over HERBERT, his newest album which arrives with insanely smooth production. Since so much time has passed he reflects on his past, his inner thoughts, and what weighs him down (his traumas). He ultimately succeeds in sharing his highly anticipated vantage point on his own life.
Standouts: “BUCKET,” “GO OFF Ft. Russ, Big Sean”
Little Simz – NO THANK YOU
Little Simz offers up a 10-track offering produced entirely by Inflo. The UK rapper displays her knack for storytelling throughout No Thank You – she’s locked in and we’re grateful. Production on this project is particularly strong on tracks like “Gorilla” and “Silhouette.”
Standouts: “Angel,” “Gorilla”
Young Dolph – Paper Route Frank
Young Dolph’s first posthumous offering Paper Route Frank drives home the point that Memphis rap lost a star when the rapper passed. His delivery is supreme on this release, especially when accompanied by stellar production.
Standouts: “Love For The Streets,” “Old Ways”
Chief Keef – Finally Rich (Complete Edition)
Whether you like it or not Chief Keef has reached icon status. Finally Rich, his major label debut gets a reboot today in commemoration of its tenth-year anniversary which falls on Sunday. The new release features seven unreleased tracks from his vault, including the snappy track “It Ain’t My Fault.”
Standouts: “Rider Ft. Wiz Khalifa,” “It Ain’t My Fault”
Boldy James – Be That as It May
Boldy James sneaks up and drops off another album before 2022 wraps. Over exquisite production, he shares 11 songs packed with a plethora of punchlines.
Standouts: “Earned Not Given,” “Safe Keeps Ft. Lord Apex”
PinkPantheress – Take me home
Over sugary sweet beats, PinkPantheress sing-raps about boys, remorse, liars and a few other topics. This surprise EP is a savory appetizer that’ll hold over her stans for now.
Standouts: “Boy's a liar,” “Take me home”