The Best New Hip-Hop This Week

The Best New Hip-Hop Hip-Hop This Week

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Getty Image / Paul Rosales

The best new hip-hop this week includes albums, videos, and songs from Doja Cat, Tyler The Creator, and more.

This week saw the releases of Jaden’s “Bye,” Jazz Carter and Buddy’s “Two Of Em,” Mick Jenkins’ “Truffles,” Joyner Lucas’ “Legend” with Rick Ross, Kyle’s “Love Me Like You Say You Love Me,” Big Sean’s “Freshman 10 Freestyle,” Rexx Life Raj’s “Lockheed Martin,” and EST Gee’s “Capitol 1,” along with the releases listed below.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending March 19, 2021.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

Doja Cat — Planet Her

Sure, it’s not technically a hip-hop album, any more than it is strictly pop, dance, or R&B. But Doja’s third effort features some of her sharpest rapping, tapping into a number of contemporary styles from Cloud rap to EDM, always with an eyebrow-raising punchline or clever twist on a familiar cadence. This is creativity personified; what’s more hip-hop than that?

Juicy J — The Hustle Still Continues [Deluxe]

Juicy has evolved over time into a shepherd and mentor of the modern-day, hedonistic trap rap scenes that take so much inspiration from his work with Three Six Mafia. This deluxe version of his 2020 album adds an astonishing number of new songs and collaborators, bringing in bright new stars like Lil Baby, Pooh Shiesty, and Rico Nasty.

MIKE — Disco!

Back in the late ’90s, MIKE would have been considered a backpacker. Now, he’s something of a contrarian presence, the rare traditionalist who isn’t pursuing an agenda to “bring back real hip-hop,’ instead locking in on his own iconoclastic trajectory of rebellious super rhyming style.

Ski Mask The Slump God — Sin City

The South Florida firestarter returns after a long hiatus to resume his campaign of punk-rap terror in a world in which he’s less of an exception than the prototype of an entire movement — a movement that’s closer to the mainstream than ever before.

Tyler The Creator — Call Me If You Get Lost

Tyler delivers his own version of DJ Drama’s popular Gangsta Grillz mixtape series, splitting the difference between gruff-voiced, braggadocious rhymes and the tender soul of Igor and Flower Boy. The effect is intoxicating.

Singles/Videos

ASAP TyY — “1990”

Yes, I know: There are soooo many members of ASAP Mob, you probably forgot all about TyY. Well, shame on you, because he’s every bit as charismatic and clever as his more mainstream favorite homeboys.

Beanz — “As Seen On TV” Feat. Benny The Butcher

Beanz, a truly underrated rapper, gets to shine alongside one of the more popular purveyors of straight-up, bruising bars, which may lead to her finally receiving her due when her debut album Tables Turn drops this summer.

Bfb Da Packman — “Weekend At Solomon’s”

Dropping his debut album this week, the hilarious Flint, MI rapper employs a number of hip-hop’s most hyped names on the tracklist, from XXL Freshman Coi Leray to standup comic turned rapper Zack Fox, but he goes for dolo here, and this track is all the more entertaining for it.

BlueBucksClan — “Rap City”

LA party rap duo BlueBucks has taken the city by storm, between their infectious beat choices and sports-related rap references, they’ve quickly become a favorite of the block party/house party set — whichever set they claim.

KenTheMan — “I’m Perfect”

Look at that title. KenTheMan’s name has been buzzing on the social media streets as the successor to the crown passed from Cardi to Megan to Latto to Flo Milli, and this track is the — ahem — perfect example of why.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.

The Best New Hip-Hop This Week

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Getty Image/Ralph Ordaz

A bunch of new artists make debuts this week, while a pair of veterans continue to certify themselves within their given niches. Meanwhile, a fallen heroine makes a posthumous comeback, New York drill continues to establish its foothold, and the new wave of LA party rap favorites expands its influence.

Here is the best of hip-hop this week ending February 19, 2021.

Albums/EPs/Mixtapes

CJ — Loyalty Over Royalty

CJ

Staten Island drill newcomer CJ arrived with a splash last year thanks to his hit single “Whoopty.” He followed up earlier this year with “Bop,” proving he wasn’t just a one-hitter quitter. Now, he’s got a deal with Warner Records, and the eyes and ears of the world firmly focused on this debut EP to see if he can really stick.

Ghetts — Conflict Of Interest

Ghetts

UK grime mainstay Ghetts is on his third studio album, released under Warner Records. Featuring fellow British superstars Dave, Giggs, Skepta, Stormy, and Wretch 32 — talk about “star-studded” — his latest album is his most earnest and personal to date.

Lexii Alijai — Come Back Soon

Lexii Alijai

After passing away last year at just 21 years old, Lexii Alijai’s posthumous project arrives with much less fanfare than some other late, rising stars’ debut albums, but it’s just as appreciated by fans of her work, which included appearances on two Kehlani albums. Kyle Banks, P-Lo, and Wale make appearances to give a fond farewell to a powerful talent taken far too soon.

Lil Zay Osama — Trench Baby

Lil Zay Osama

Balancing tough trench talk and plainspoken vulnerability, Lil Zay Osama’s major-label debut (he signed to Warner in 2019) is replete with respected guest stars but offers a self-confident look at an artist who already has a strong sense of who he is and where he’s going. While Doe Boy, G Herbo, Jackboy, and Lil Tjay provide poignant counter perspectives to Osama’s, the story belongs to him alone.

Nef The Pharaoh — SINsational

Nef The Pharaoh

At this point, Nef The Pharaoh album releases have become an annual occurrence, as the Bay Area rapper maintains the consistency of his Vallejo mentor E-40. Here, he continues to walk the line between late-night function background music and truculent fight tunes.

Trippie Redd — Neon Shark vs Pegasus (Deluxe: Presented by Travis Barker)

Trippie Redd

Trippie wants to be a real rockstar and with the monstrous deluxe version of his already massive album Pegasus dropping today, he’s as close as he’s ever been. That’s thanks in part to Travis Barker, who produces the rock-heavy first half of the album, giving fans 14 all-new songs along with a pair of appearances from fellow Ohioan rapper turned rocker Machine Gun Kelly.

Singles/Videos

24kGoldn — “3, 2, 1”

After going to No. 1 on the Hot 100 with “Mood” in 2020, San Francisco sing-rapper 24kGoldn sets his sight on the chart once again with another bouncy, catchy, borderline schmaltzy tune designed to appeal to teenage emotions everywhere. Personally, I like a little schmaltz, and what 24k may lack in lyrical depth, he makes up in a gift for melody and genre-blending with a cross-demographic appeal.

BlueBucksClan — “Horace Grant”

Los Angeles party rap at its disrespectful, conversational, beat-jumping finest. The duo has rapidly developed up a reputation for turning things up and they live up to it here.

CJ — “Politics”

Smartly dropping another new single on the same day as his debut EP, Staten Island’s newest star continues to excavate new pockets for drill, filling them up with his slickly-worded boasts and distinctive, perfectly modulated voice.

Dusty Locane — “Intro 2 Me, Pt. 1”

If CJ is competing for drill’s still-vacant throne, Dusty might be his number-one rival, thanks to his polished storytelling and his voice, which is frighteningly similar to the throne’s former occupant’s. That voice is the primary draw on this drumless production, that lets him introduce himself clearly and concisely.

Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.