As if Boldy James didn’t prove himself enough this year after a nasty car crash, he came through with the help of producer Your Boy Posca for one more excellent drop in 2023. Moreover, they just released the single “They Vouching,” the only digital release from their new project 1LB (One Lucky Bastard). It released exclusively on various vinyl and cassette variants through the Near Mint website, and some copies still remain at press time, so act fast to get yours in the mail soon. It’s a grimy cut that showcases the Detroit spitter’s excellent flows, rhyme schemes, and wordplay.
Furthermore, Your Boy Posca highlights this style with some ethereal flute samples, ambient synth tones, and a very light but crisp drum beat. Lyrically, Boldy James keeps finding new ways to rap about street life and its parallels with his skill in the rap game with a lot of vivid imagery, clever turns of phrase, and a cold, calculated, but hyper-focused demeanor. It’s a style that he easily dominates with nonchalant but impressive flows, which makes the content within once you peep past his monotone delivery that much more impressive. The 41-year-old displayed similar characteristics to equally quality results on this year’s projects Prisoner of Circumstance with producer ChanHays and Indiana Jones with producer RichGains.
Boldy James’ “They Vouching” With Your Boy Posca: Watch The Music Video & Stream
Meanwhile, he’s no stranger to physical-only releases, either. This year, Bo also came through with the physical-exclusive ADUwith producer Real Bad Man, which comprised of a couple of tracks based on Sade samples. Given merch for 1LB, it seems like this will be a seven-track effort, plus the instrumentals, which suggests a no-frills and all-killer approach that “They Vouching” attests to. If you haven’t heard the song yet, find it on your preferred streaming service and check out some standout bars below. Also, check back in with HNHH for more great music releases around the clock and the latest news and updates on Boldy James.
Quotable Lyrics Bo kicks through a clef note, I make the flow do aerobics, The flow’s sick like strep throat mixed with pneumonia and COVID, In high demand, back by popular vote, I was GOATed, It’s game time, but don’t need no remote control to control it
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of December below.
Keys had a striking start with her debut album Songs In A Minor, and she kept that success going with Diary Of Alicia Keys, her second No. 1 album. The latter LP turns 20 years old this year, so Vinyl Me, Please has come through with a gorgeous reissue. The 3LP release is pressed on gorgeous “piano key” vinyl and comes with a bonus disc of remixes and alternate takes, along with a live performance at Webster Hall.
Late footwork pioneer DJ Rashad ultimately only released one album during his lifetime, 2013’s iconic Double Cup. That project is now a decade old and it just got a reissue that comes with revamped artwork and a limited-edition gold vinyl pressing. There’s also a documentary in the works, so that’s something for Rashad fans to keep an eye out for.
Aretha Franklin — A Portrait Of The Queen 1970-1974
BMG
This 6LP set is a great way to get into Aretha Franklin, or to revisit some favorites you already know and love. The collection includes five albums from the early ’70s, plus a bonus LP of session alternates, outtakes, and demos. On top of that, the original albums have been remastered from the analog master tapes, so they’ve never sounded better than they do here.
Sheryl Crow — Tuesday Night Music Club (3oth Anniversary Reissue)
UMe
Crow’s Tuesday Night Music Club didn’t get a proper vinyl release back in 1993, so here’s one now, on the project’s 30th anniversary. Bernie Grundman originally mastered the album, and he returned to remaster it from the original master tape for this reissue. In addition to a standard black pressing, a translucent sea blue LP is also available.
Violent Femmes have been at it for over four decades now and it all started with 1983’s self-titled debut album. As the album turns 40, the band has reissued it in an expanded collection. The set features the remastered album, along with rare B-sides, live sessions, and demo recordings, as well as “a book featuring new liner notes by journalist David Fricke and interviews with the band.”
The Cranberries — Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We? (Reissue)
Island/UMe
“Linger” by The Cranberries is often dubbed one of the best songs of the ’90s, and it comes from the band’s 1993 debut album, Everybody Else Is Doing It, So Why Can’t We?. For the project’s 30th anniversary, the album has been pressed onto crisp gold vinyl, but do keep in mind that you might not want to waste time getting this one if you want it, as it’s a limited edition.
Willie Nelson — Long Story Short: Willie Nelson 90 Live At The Hollywood Bowl
Legacy Recordings/Blackbird Presents
Earlier this year, Willie Nelson celebrated a major milestone: he turned 90 years old. There was a literal celebration, too, via a star-studded concert at the Hollywood Bowl that featured performances from Nelson, Beck, Dave Matthews, Gary Clark Jr., Keith Richards, Norah Jones, Miranda Lambert, Sheryl Crow, and Snoop Dogg. Now, that special night has been immortalized on vinyl.
For Big Thief, it all started with 2016’s Masterpiece, a boldly named debut album that lives up to the title. Now it’s gotten a reissue and the “evo-vinyl” edition is an opportunity for a fun surprise: The LPs are pressed on random recycled vinyl, so you won’t know what color record you get until you get it and open it up.
Gaucho was a major moment for Steely Dan, as the 1980 project was their last album before a lengthy hiatus, which they ended in 2000 with Two Against Nature. The band has been reissuing their old albums this year and the series continues with Gaucho, which just got a fresh remaster sourced from an analog tape copy.
Perhaps the most defining movie musical of all time, The Sound Of Music is a classic that still holds up, and now the film’s music has gotten a fresh reissue. This is the one fans have been waiting for, as this edition “collects every musical element from the film for the very first time,” including 14 previously unreleased tracks.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of November below.
Snoop Dogg (who’s still smoking weed, by the way) is celebrating 30 years of his iconic debut album, Doggystyle, with a new reissue. This is a cool one, too: Aside from being available in a number of color variants, it features “Gz Up Hoes Down,” which was exclusively available on the album’s initial 100,000 units in 1993, making it sought after.
The Beatles — 1962-1966 (‘The Red Album’) and 1967-1970 (‘The Blue Album’)
Apple Corps Ltd/Capitol/UMe
“Now And Then” is the headlining new Beatles release of the year, but the legendary group also delivered some compelling reissues of two classic compilation albums. The new versions of the collections come with expanded tracklists (which includes “Now And Then”), all pressed on bold-colored, semi-translucent vinyl with stereo mixes. And if you just want the new (and final) Beatles song on vinyl, don’t worry, that’s also available in multiple formats.
The Beths – Expert In A Dying Field (Bandbox Exclusive)
Bandbox
If you’re not following what Bandbox is doing in the vinyl space, you better get on board. The Minneapolis-based company is announcing exclusive pressings and zines from a variety of artists on a weekly basis, and our favorite of their recent announcements is this lovely pink and green pressing of The Beths’ killer Expert In A Dying Field. It’s available for pre-order now, as well as recently announced offerings from the likes of Braid and Grizzly Bear.
Various Artists — Barbie The Album (VMP Designer Edition) and Barbie The Album (VMP Kendom Edition)
Vinyl Me, Please
Barbie was the movie of the year, but it had the soundtrack of the year, too. Given that Barbie as a brand has been a merchandising titan for decades now, the vinyl editions of the soundtrack are packed with goodies, and they come in both Designer and Kendom flavors via our friends at Vinyl Me, Please.
As part of Record Store Day’s Black Friday celebration earlier this month, Legacy Recordings dropped a series of reissues. It’s hard to call their Polo G offering a reissue, though: They pressed Die A Legend on “black ice” colored vinyl, which is actually the first time the multi-platinum album has ever been available on vinyl. So, if this is one you’ve been waiting to put on your turntable, you finally can.
Mobile Fidelity Sound Lab is in the midst of a very cool reissue series with LA icons Van Halen, and the self-titled debut is a great place to start. The company describes the restoration process as “painstaking,” mastered from the original analog tapes onto MoFi’s supervinyl. When you turn up “Running With The Devil” and “Eruption” to their max volume, you’ll be hearing Eddie’s trademark guitar as well as ever.
Public Enemy — It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (35th Anniversary Edition)
UMe
It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is an iconic release in early hip-hop history, and this year, it celebrates 35 trips around the sun. Now there’s a 4LP reissue that comes with new liner notes via Chuck D, Flavor Flav, Q-Tip, and Questlove, quite the foursome offering insight on an important hip-hop milestone.
Explosions In The Sky — Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Die, Those Who Tell The Truth Shall Live Forever (Anniversary Edition) and The Earth Is Not A Cold Dead Place (Anniversary Edition)
Temporary Residence Ltd
Post-rock mainstays Explosions In The Sky are reissuing two of their most classic pieces of early work, and this is actually the first time either LP is available on colored vinyl. Both colorings do a terrific job at highlighting the distinct album cover art, and the albums have been remastered for this release, too.
Ten was a huge debut album for Pearl Jam, and they crushed it with its follow-up, Ten, too: It was their first No. 1 album and it hung into that top spot for five weeks. It’s been 30 years since that album dropped, and now Eddie Vedder and company are reissuing it in a number of different configurations; Pictured above is the 2LP “dreamsicle” configuration available via the band’s Ten Club, while other editions are available elsewhere.
Up was a turning point for R.E.M., as the group’s 11th album saw them without their founding drummer, Bill Berry, for the first time. It’s already been 25 years since then, so they’ve given the album a fresh coat of paint with a new remaster of the LP, and the band also has T-shirts and other cool merch to complement your vinyl purchase.
Social Distortion — Mommy’s Little Monster (40th Anniversary Reissue)
Craft Recordings
Mommy’s Little Monster, Social Distortion’s 40-year-old debut album, can now be yours via some pretty neat vinyl reissues. The album has been remastered from the original analog tapes, and there’s also a variety of limited-edition colorways to choose from, all of which are lovely.
Daft Punk — Random Access Memories (Drumless Edition)
Columbia
Random Access Memories is a classic of its era, but it sounds completely different if you get rid of the drums. That’s something Daft Punk wanted to explore with a new “Drumless Edition” of the 2013 album. Aside from being a new way to experience this awesome project, the stark white cover art is just so, so clean.
In his review of Victor, Uproxx’s Aaron Williams wrote, “Victor gives listeners exactly what it says on the tin: A holistic look at an artist who’s come into his own at last. Vic had to go through everything he did to mature enough as an artist to synthesize those experiences into an honest, unfiltered summation of himself. This is his real autobiography — it was worth the wait.” Now, it’s available to spin at home, and includes an option for a signed copy.
Dylan’s 1978 world tour were his first international shows since 1966, making them a special event for those audiences. The run included his first appearances in Japan, and now we have a deluxe box set that chronicles two full shows recorded at Tokyo’s Nippon Budokan Hall on February 28 and March 1, 1978. Ultimately, there are 36 previously unreleased recordings here, making it a must for hardcore Dylan fans. Check out Steven Hyden’s review of the collection, and look below for your own physical copy.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of October below.
Linda Ronstadt — A Merry Little Christmas (Reissue)
Iconic Artists Group
In the year 2000, Linda Ronstadt carved herself a space in the holiday music pantheon with her A Merry Little Christmas album. Now, ahead of the holiday season, the project is being reissued, with this rerelease being the first time the project is available on vinyl. There are three pressings to suit any festive record collection: metallic silver, evergreen, and poinsettia red.
Mötley Crüe came into their own with their second album, 1983’s Shout At The Devil. To mark the project’s 40th anniversary, there’s a fresh new reissue that has a bunch of goodies, like reproductions of 7-inch singles, tarot cards, and event a collection of demos, compiled and dubbed Shout At The Demos & Rarities.
Tom Waits — Bone Machine and The Black Rider (Reissues)
Island/UMe
Tom Waits and longtime collaborator/wife Kathleen Brennan are overseeing a reissue project at the moment, and the latest releases from the bunch are two of Waits’ best ’90s albums: Bone Machine and The Black Rider. Both are available for the first time on vinyl in the US, and come in both black and colored versions. (In case you missed it, Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Franks Wild Years were previously reissued in September; Find more information on those in the link below.)
The Blood Brothers — Burn, Piano Island, Burn (20th Anniversary Reissue)
Epitaph Records
Seattle post-hardcore favorites The Blood Brothers are celebrating 20 years of their classic album Burn, Piano Island, and they’re doing so with a reissue. It’s a fun one, too, as it comes with the album on exclusive colored vinyl (differing depending on where you pick it up), an “Ambulance Vs. Ambulance” 7-inch, and an expanded 32-page booklet featuring new liner notes and photos.
Future — Pluto, DS2, Super Slimey, Monster, Beast Mode, 56 Nights, Purple Reign, Future, and Hndrxx (Reissues)
Epic
Future is currently offering the perfect opportunity for fans to get his work into their vinyl collections: He’s bringing nine of his albums and mixtapes to vinyl in a series of drops. Pluto, DS2, and Super Slimey kicked things off on October 20; Monster, Beast Mode, and 56 Nights arrived on October 27; and Purple Reign, Future, and Hndrxx are coming November 3.
Atlantic Records launched a 75 anniversary campaign not long ago and it’s good news for vinyl fans, as the long-running label has a number of classic releases prime for reissues. Among the lot of LPs getting re-pressed is Led Zeppelin’s IV, which comes in a lovely translucent vinyl.
As part of the same campaign as the Led Zep album, Coldplay is reissuing their esteemed 2015 project A Head Full Of Dreams. It’s pressed on 140g colored recycled vinyl and comes with a bonus track, the hit Chainsmokers collaboration “Something Just Like This.
Nirvana’s Nevermind reissue was a big deal in 2021, and now it’s In Utero‘s turn. The beloved Nevermind follow-up is 30 now and it’s getting re-released in a number of formats, including an 8-LP edition that includes a whopping 53 unreleased tracks, including two previously unheard full shows from the In Utero tour.
In 2015, Van Halen unveiled The Collection, which focused on the band’s first six albums. Now, after nearly a decade, The Collection II is here. This five-LP release highlights the band’s second incarnation (Sammy Hagar, Eddie Van Halen, Alex Van Halen, and Michael Anthony) and features four remastered albums (5150, OU812, For Unlawful Carnal Knowledge, and Balance), as well as some rarities from between 1989 and 2004.
U2 is currently in the spotlight thanks to their concerts at the wild new Las Vegas venue The Sphere, for a residency dubbed U2:UV Achtung Baby Live At Sphere. 1993’s Zooropa, meanwhile, is very much a part of the Achtung Baby story, and as Zooropa turns 30, the band has reissued the album in a transparent yellow vinyl pressing.
Bruce Springsteen – Greetings from Asbury Park, N.J.
MoFi
Limited to just 7,500 copies, Springsteen’s debut album gets the audiophile treatment from MoFi, making this pressing of the classic album a must-own for fans of The Boss. For those into the pressing specifics, that means 1/4″ / 15 IPS analog master to DSD 256 to analog console to lathe. Get out your good headphones for this, “Blinded By The Light” has never sounded so good.
Nicki Minaj is just ahead of the release of her eagerly-awaited new album, Pink Friday 2. The project serves as a sequel to her iconic 2010 debut, Pink Friday. Nicki gave the Barbz a taste of what’s to come with her single “Last Time I Saw You” at the end of August, and they were not disappointed. The melancholy track calls back to Nicki’s bubblegum roots, and only built more anticipation for the project. Pink Friday 2 is slated for release on November 17, 2023.
Yesterday, the hitmaker dropped off the second, vinyl-exclusive album cover for the project, and fans are loving it. The artwork features Nicki surrounded by billowing pink satin fabric, and has a dramatic edge on the surreal original. She also dropped a pre-order link for the album on the two different versions of vinyl, and fans certainly came through. Reportedly, Pink Friday 2 is already the highest-selling album from a female rapper this year, and it hasn’t even dropped yet. It’s pretty safe to say that this one will be major.
Nicki Minaj’s “Pink Friday 2” has surpassed Doja Cat’s “Scarlet” and has become the female rap album with the most pure sales in 2023 even with just pre-sale. pic.twitter.com/iJFuJEiyMF
The impressive feat doesn’t come as too much of a shock, however, as Nicki’s known to have a fiercely-dedicated fanbase. She’s also gone in on promotion since announcing the album. She even recently shared plans to make every Friday Pink Friday ahead of the release. The mother of one will be providing fans who’ve pre-saved the album with special surprises each Friday leading up to the exciting arrival.
“I’m so grateful to have you guys still here holding me down,” she told the Barbz last week. “This album is the gift for your continued love & patience. You’re going to see why this one is better than all of them combined. #PinkFriday2.” What do you think of Pink Friday 2 already becoming the highest-selling female rap album of the year? Are you looking forward to the release? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Nicki Minaj.
Nicki Minaj recently dropped off another surprise for fans ahead of the release of her upcoming LP, Pink Friday 2. Last week, she informed the Barbz that they’d be getting a special gift each Friday leading up to the release. Her first surprise was a heartfelt message to fans alongside a pre-save link. This Friday, she blessed them with a couple more clips of her chatting about the album. The messages weren’t the only thing the Barbz got their hands on today, however. The hitmaker also recently took to Instagram to unveil the second album cover for Pink Friday 2.
The artwork features Nicki rocking a flowy bright pink fit, surrounded by billowing darker pink fabric. The hitmaker’s face is also covered by some sheer pink fabric, giving the artwork a dark edge. The alternative cover has a more dramatic feel to it than the dreamy first, and so far, fans are loving it. Pink Friday 2 is scheduled for release on November 17 of this year.
In her Instagram post, Nicki also revealed that her new album is now available for pre-order on vinyl. On her official website, the original cover as well as the alternative cover are listed. The original is paired with bright aqua blue vinyl, while the alternative is paired with smoky grey-colored vinyl. It’s safe to say that fans aren’t disappointed, and can’t wait to place their orders.
The reveal also comes amid some chatter online surrounding Nicki’s missing feature on Drake’s For All The Dogs. He had promised that his new project would include their first collab in years, but the track is nowhere to be found amid the release. This has led to some speculation from fans, who suspect some potential underlying shade. What do you think of Nicki Minaj’s second album cover for Pink Friday 2? Share your thoughts in the comments section down below, and keep an eye on HNHH for more updates on Nicki Minaj.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of September below.
Beastie Boys — Hello Nasty (Deluxe Edition)
UME
Beastie Boys are perhaps best known for their ’80s and early-’90s output, but they were still getting after it later in the decade. Hello Nasty was a No. 1 album in 1998, and now that the project is turning 25 this year, the group has reissued it with bonus LPs (for 4 LPs in total) that have a number of bonus tracks (and there’s even a sew-on patch for you in the box set).
Aesop Rock — Skelethon (10th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Rhymesayers
Skelethon was a turning point for Aesop Rock, as his sixth album came five years after its predecessor, None Shall Pass, and it was his first album to be completely self-produced. So, as it turns 10, Aesop has given it premium treatment, which includes a 3-LP package that includes “a gatefold jacket with revised art layouts, printed sleeves, a 4-panel insert with full album lyrics, two cream & black marble-colored vinyl, and a UV printed ultra-clear bonus disc vinyl with four exclusive bonus tracks.”
It’s very likely there’s no song/album about a hotel more famous than the one by The Eagles. Now the group has dusted off the album for a new limited edition (there are 17,500 numbered copies) of the album that was mastered from the original analog master tapes, and is pressed to high-fidelity MoFi SuperVinyl.
Green Day — Dookie (30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)
Warner
Dookie is certainly in the conversation when it comes to the most classic albums of the ’90s. It’s somehow already been 30 years since it was released and the band has released a vinyl box set that has a bunch of rare and unreleased material, as well as other goodies, included.
Steely Dan is in the midst of a vinyl reissue series and up next is the 1997 classic Aja. For this edition, the album has been remastered “from an analog, non-EQ’d, tape copy.”
It doesn’t feel like Haim’s been around long enough for anniversary reissues, does it? Regardless, Days Are Gone is 10 now, so the sisters are re-releasing it for the first time ever, housed in a new package, exclusive poster, a printed transparent slipcase, and more.
Sports was an unstoppable album in 1983, yielding four top-10 hits and managing a rank of No. 2 on the year-end album charts in 1984. The album is 40 years old now and now we’re treated to a fresh pressing, including one edition featuring olive green vinyl.
The Replacements’ Tommy Stinson recently spoke with Uproxx about the band’s new Tim box set, and he said of how the project sounds on this particular release, “I think it sounds more the way it should have sounded to begin with. The funny thing is there were two records that we did that I always felt sounded terrible and this is one of them. It always sounded bad to me, and when it came out it seemed that everyone whitewashed — including the record company — that there was something wrong with it. Intrinsically, I’ve always known what was wrong with it. The original mix was mixed on f*cking headphones. So I don’t suspect Ed Stasium mixing it on headphones. I don’t really know anyone that mixes on headphones, but I always knew there was a problem with that. So this is great. I’m pretty stoked on it.”
Uproxx’s Steven Hyden recently dove deep into this release, saying this reissue proves Who’s Next is “the ultimate classic rock album.” He wrote in part, “It is, simultaneously, one of the most overexposed rock albums ever, with a reach that extends into every sports stadium (and CSI franchise spin-off) known to man, and an intriguingly nebulous idea dreamt up by a genius who earnestly believed that his music could elevate his audience to a better, heretofore untouched astral plane. […] It offers proof positive that aiming for the impossible can result in achieving the incredible. And that’s why it’s the ultimate classic rock album.”
Tom Waits — Swordfishtrombones, Rain Dogs, and Franks Wild Years (Reissues)
Island/UMe
Waits is in the midst of reissuing some of his most classic albums on vinyl, and a few of them are available now. Waits is personally overseeing the series of newly remastered rereleases and each album is available on gorgeous colored vinyl.
The Breeders — Last Splash (30th Anniversary Original Analog Edition)
4AD
This 30th anniversary reissue of Last Splash actually marks the first time the album has ever been remastered, making this the best the classic project has ever sounded. Also included is “an exclusive, one-sided etched 12-inch which excitingly features two brilliant and previously unreleased tracks — ‘Go Man Go’ and ‘Divine Mascis,’” which “originate from the original sessions and were left forgotten until the sessions were exhumed to create this new master.”
Grandaddy announced this reissue back in May, revealing that it includes the album itself, demos, rarities, and B-sides. Jason Lytle noted,” After many years of hammering away at writing and recording as Grandaddy, Sumday seems to be the center of it and where it all peaked. To the journalists we were, ‘On the verge of greatness, underrated, overlooked, unsung.’ It was a tumultuous and exciting time for us for sure. Also very exhausting.”
Hip Hop is celebrating its 50th anniversary, and what better way to celebrate than with a collaboration between Nas and Futura? Coming from Queensbridge, New York, Nas made his mark with his debut album, “Illmatic,” hailed as a classic that encapsulated the essence of 1990s East Coast hip-hop. Throughout his career, Nas has maintained a strong, authentic voice, addressing societal issues, personal struggles, and the urban experience. His legacy extends beyond his music; he’s an influential figure who has shaped the genre and inspired generations of artists, leaving an indelible mark on hip-hop culture.
Futura, also known as Futura 2000, is a renowned graffiti artist who emerged from the New York City street art scene in the 1970s. His distinct abstract and futuristic style, characterized by bold, flowing lines and vibrant colors, set him apart from his contemporaries. Futura’s work has transcended the streets, as he has collaborated with brands like Nike and The North Face, leaving his artistic imprint on fashion and pop culture. The two are teaming up on a special edition vinyl record to celebrate the 50th anniversary of hip-hop!
12on12 Nas x Futura Vinyl Record “Edition 9” (Image via Stadium Goods)
The vinyl will feature 12 records, which Nas has deemed “genre-defining” tracks. The artwork, done by Futura himself, features graffiti (of course) that is meant to encapsulate the genre in an artistic way. This vinyl is a symbol of the massive impact that hip-hop has had on people. Also, having two legends like Nas and Futura come together to create such a piece of art is absolutely incredible. If you’ve been a fan of hip-hop, this vinyl is a must-purchase!
The Nas x Futura Vinyl Record “Edition 9” is available right now to purchase on Stadium Goods. Also, the retail price is about $250. Let us know what you think of this special edition vinyl, in the comments section below. Additionally, stay tuned to HNHH for the latest news and updates from around the sneaker world. We will be sure to bring you the most significant releases from the biggest brands.
Anybody who thought the vinyl resurgence was just a fad was mistaken: The industry has experienced a legitimate revival. As a result, music fans are interested in physical media in ways they may not have if the decades-old medium hasn’t made a comeback. That doesn’t mean everybody is listening to just their parents’ old music, though. That’s part of it, sure, thanks to rereleases that present classic albums in new ways. A vital part of the renewed vinyl wave, though, is new projects being released as records, of which there are plenty.
Whatever you might be into, each month brings a new slew of vinyl releases that has something for everybody. Some stand out above the rest, naturally, so check out some of our favorite vinyl releases of August below.
Black Sabbath — Hand Of Doom 1970 – 1978
Rhino
The ’70s was the defining decade for Black Sabbath, and now that era has been compiled into one killer box set. The albums look gorgeous here, too, with the cover art printed on the vinyl’s Side A. This pressing is limited to just 4,000 copies, so it’s one to pounce on if you’re interested.
Talking Heads — Stop Making Sense (Deluxe Edition)
Rhino
A fresh 4K remaster of Talking Heads’ Stop Making Sense is hitting theaters soon, and the soundtrack album is also being taken care of. A limited-edition 2LP set is out now and it has a bunch of goodies, including two unreleased performances of “Cities” and “Big Business/I Zimbra,” as well as new liner notes from all four band members.
Jaimie Branch — Fly Or Die Fly Or Die Fly Or Die ((World War))
International Anthem Recording Co
Branch, a favorite in the modern jazz scene, tragically died at 39 years old last August. Now her last album with her quartet is here and it comes in a number of pressings, including the striking green one pictured above.
Before Bon Iver, Justin Vernon was a member of a group called DeYarmond Edison. The group is a major part of the Vernon story, and now a new box set tells that story through 5 LPs, 4 CDs, and a 120-page biography by journalist and executive producer (and Uproxx contributor) Grayson Haver Currin.
R.E.M.’s late period might be severely underrated, but what do you expect when your early period launched you as one of the most important indie bands of all time and your middle period saw you level up as a major label juggernaut. Two long out-of-print releases are seeing vinyl reissues to remind people of the strength of R.E.M.’s concluding years, with Reveal and Accelerate getting much-needed pressings from Craft Recordings. Both were pressed on 180-gram vinyl at Memphis Records Pressing, with Accelerate being available now, while Reveal is due out on September 8th.
Aesop Rock — Skelethon (10-Year Anniversary Edition) and None Shall Pass
Rhymesayers
Skelethon was a significant album for Aesop Rock, as it was his first one to crack the top 40 on the Billboard 200 chart. The project turned a decade old last year, and Aesop is celebrating now with an anniversary deluxe edition that comes with four bonus tracks. Also worth noting is that if you happen to already have Skelethon in your collection or you just want more Aesop, None Shall Pass is one of Vinyl Me, Please’s Records Of The Month for September.
In 2011, Sonic Youth took to Brooklyn and gave their final live performance. It was an epic, career-spanning night, and now they’ve issued it as a live album. The vinyl edition is a terrific way to experience this major moment and it’s available in a number of limited edition color variants.
Crashin’ From Passion is a project Betty Davis fans know, as it’s previously been released as a bootleg consisting of tracks from her final recording sessions. The album is now getting its first-ever vinyl release, and of interest are the liner notes by writer and Davis’ friend Danielle Maggio: The writing integrates interview quotes from Davis, making it her final-ever interview.
So much of Marvin Gaye’s output is iconic, but Let’s Get It On is definitely one of the first albums that comes to mind. The 1973 album is now half a century old, and the new reissue of it is one for completionists, featuring 33 bonus tracks, 18 of which were previously unreleased.
It’s been hard to find Lush on vinyl, since the group’s three albums haven’t received new pressings since the ’90s (save for one box set in 2016). Now, though, all three of them are available again, remastered from the original half-inch production tapes, even.
Disclosure just released a new album recently, and if that put you in a Disclosure mood, then this new 10th-anniversary edition of Settle dropped just in time. Aside from the original album, the 2LP orange vinyl edition comes with five bonus tracks.
Twitter, as you may have heard, is currently in the process of re-branding to X. The social media platform currently refers to itself as X, but its website is still twitter.com. Another part of the process on the in-person side of things is the company’s headquarters. The office is going to need a facelift, so they’re clearing out space by auctioning off some old Twitter stuff.
Another particularly interesting item is a record player that comes with a collection of 24 records dubbed “The Twitter Essential’s.” Included in the exclusive collection are albums by artists like David Bowie, Tom Petty, Marvin Gaye, Janet Jackson, Michael Jackson, ABBA, Pink Floyd, John Lennon, Nirvana, Elton John, Prince, Bee Gees, Madonna, and Fleetwood Mac. More contemporary releases include My Morning Jacket’s Z, Olivia Rodrigo’s Sour, and the Bohemian Rhapsody soundtrack.
Beyond that, there’s just a bunch of Twitter signs and office stuff. X/Twitter had another auction earlier this year which included similar lots of workplace miscellany.
Some artists covered here are Warner Music artists. Uproxx is an independent subsidiary of Warner Music Group.
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