(Balloonerism)

Man, where do I even start with Mac Miller? He was a rapper, an artist, and a man who was filled with enough love and passion for music to fill 10x people’s ambitions 10 times over.

Throughout his career, regardless of his spotty discography, the one thing he always had in spades was passion and true love for the ‘music.’ And just when I thought you couldn’t possibly top his first posthumous release, ‘Circles,’ we get this masterpiece showcasing just how amazing and diverse of a spirit Miller was.

Right off the bat, we get this tambourine intro that is just so different that it’s brilliant. If you ever saw him on things such as ‘Rhythm Roulette’ or ‘Tiny Desk Shows,’ you’ll understand he always had a deep appreciation for all kinds of music styles and instruments, not just Hip Hop. And this intro and, in fact, this album prove that in spades, using completely fresh and unconventional instruments that he hasn’t dabbled with in his career as much as he is on this.

While listening through this, I couldn’t help but shed a tear over some of the lyrics, such as his death or his drug abuse, potentially cutting his life short. Of course, there’s his usual braggadocio lyrics, which he’s most known for, but despite that, his energy, passion, and aura are all on a different level that I don’t feel anyone could ever match.

I’ll be honest, I was worried when I first saw the tracklists and saw SZA on the track, afraid they were going to try to force a posthumous collab that never would have happened in his life, but it was done subtly and tastefully, and I’m very happy they did that, not that I have anything against her; she’s incredibly talented, but I just was afraid it wasn’t his initial intention.

This album is just shy of an hour, and throughout the whole 58 minutes, you hear different sides of Mac (similar to his experimentation on Circles) but more so. Whether it’s vocal mixing, instrumental choices, or deep personal cuts, we see all corners of his being. The only downfall is that it was forced to be shown after death.

Mac, there will never be another like you. You were truly one of a kind. Your albums such as: 

-The Divine Feminine 

-Swimming

-GO:OD Am

-Circles

And now this will be considered in my eyes as some of the best hip-hop albums out there regardless of who says what about them. Two of the best posthumous records rap has to offer, and although this album provides a wonderful and beautiful look into your soul, it’s also a tragic reminder that it’s beyond the grave.

R.I.P., Mac Miller, one of the best. 

(The Fix)

It’s only early February, and we already have one of the most savage EP’s that’s been out in a minute. Although only 8 minutes, these 4 tracks go harder than most albums!

I’d say the name of this record is accurate. This is ‘The Fix’ of some of the hardest shit I’ve heard by rapper ‘Flames Dot Malik.’ An artist I wasn’t familiar with until today, but when I saw my favourite underground rappers give him a shoutout, I knew I had to check out why. And with one listen, I understood clearly why.

Starting with the production by ‘Moose Tarantino,’ who produced 3 of the 4 tracks besides (So Much H), which was done by ‘DVNTBEATS,’ this shit sounds like prime 2000’s OG Trap era beats. The old school Jeezy, Gucci, T.I. sounds. You can hear those hood-heavy melodies and larger-than-life beats that just automatically scrunch your face up for 8 minutes straight. From the very beginning track, it goes instantly into the cut-throat crisp instrumentals, and it doesn’t hold up until the EP ends. Absolutely nuts!

Flames himself absolutely goes SAVAGE on these beats. Again, from the second the EP starts, you can hear his grimy voice, sounding like a mix of Sticky Fingaz, DMX, and Bub Styles. He sounds like he’s ready to jump out of the tracks and strangle you on sight. Such an intense yet powerful aura to his vocals that goes perfectly with those beats! 

On the track ‘The Fix,’ we hear him go toe to toe with the likes of ‘Daniel Son’ and ‘Mooch,’ and the trio are one of the best collabs I’ve heard in a minute! They match each other’s aura to the tee! And ‘Rick Hyde’ in ‘So Much H’ plays his part in keeping the momentum going on the EP!

Overall, this is definitely a project I won’t forget. I’m sure it will make it to my EP of 2025 list, and I hope there’s more coming from him this year! 

(Crown Me Kaine)

I’ll tell you something, last year my two artists who won most consistent rappers of the year were ‘CRIMEAPPLE’ and ‘Maze Overlay’, but the way things are looking, this year will read ‘Eddie Kaine’.

This is yet ANOTHER full-length project by Eddie, barely a few weeks after his other anticipated full-length drop of 2025, ‘Welcome To Stuyville’, featuring Rim, and now he’s back again, this time with Machacha on the beats, a producer I’ve respected for a few years now, and seeing him collaborating with Kaine, I knew it would be dope, and of course, I was right.

Compared to his album with Rim, I feel this production is more methodical and diabolical in sound, less flashy, more raw, skeletal, and deviant in nature. This is the kind of production that definitely suits Eddie to let him show off his pure lyricism in spades and provide him with some of the most interesting instrumentals I’ve heard in a minute! Absolutely loved the beats and sounds on this one, shout out to Machacha! 

On this project, Eddie sounds at his most clear, most level-headed, and dangerous. He’s got storytelling moments such as ‘Maurice And Shanice’ or personally inspired tracks like ‘Live and Learn’ and even tracks inspired by competition such as ‘Fire’ featuring the likes of ‘Josiah The Gift and Andre Desaint’. 

There’s even a track ‘What You On’ featuring Rim, which of course has a perfect back and forth as well, literally saw a few weeks back with the full album between them.

The other features such as

-Shottie

-RBM Bizzel

Who absolutely murder their tracks also and provide Eddie that level of competition to keep him on his toes and continue to evolve.

At this rate, Eddie is untouchable. Even if he ended his 2025 with these two projects, it would be considered a major upset to the underground, but I doubt this is the last we’ll see or hear from him as he’s sweeping up the game in a way most could only wish!

Another banger by Eddie! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/2Wd6PB4uKdcpfUYvai03qZ?si=-dJFcdGmSRKE4aFBwPxz-A

(Gasoline Bomber)

I keep telling y’all, this is the year of the 6th man. This shit stopped being a joke last year, and now as the underground is bleeding with heavy wounds inflicted by the other three vicious gauntlets, we start off February with a fresh wave of violence and chaos this time with the producer prodigy himself, ‘Van Gunz,’ teaming up with another sonic mercenary in his own right, ‘Poe Mack,’ for this EP.

5 songs running just under 12 minutes with 11.39, and these two are here to provide to the underground another dope collaboration project!

Starting with Van, across these 5, he’s showing his diversity in the studio with different vibes across the tracks, such as track 2, ‘The First Horsemen,’ featuring a cultured Indian-sounding vibe and chorus, with track 4, ‘Son of VA,’ having this heavy bass, traditional Boom Bap track with an old-school 70’s type chorus.

Point of the story, he’s out here evolving and experimenting with different styles and techniques to show why he’s a force to be reckoned with inside the studio!

Speaking of forces to be reckoned with, we have Poe Mack, the microphone fiend who annihilates any and all competition and microphones in sight. Across this EP, his verses are cold, ruthless, and intricate all in one.

He’s a beast; each verse matches each song to the tee. It’s as if Van used telekinetic energy and knew what beat would be perfect for each verse and made it a reality.

Only track three features one feature, ‘Jamaal Matters,’ who absolutely demolished the track and matched Poe’s flow and intensity unlike no other could! 

Although under 12 minutes, this is one killer EP. We’ve already had ‘The Caesar Project,’ and now another banger EP to add to the 6th man 2025 catalogue, killer work by both involved! Definitely worth checking out, and I’ll say it again and another million more till you motherfuckers hear me right:

‘The revolution is now, the year of the 6th man!’ 

https://poemack.bandcamp.com/album/gasoline-bomber

(How To Kill A Butterfly)

Let me start off by saying I find it incredible that two albums dropped exactly a decade apart from each other, both with almost identical album titles and both considered modern-day classics in their respective classes.

2015 – Kendrick Lamar: To Pimp A Butterfly 

2025- Farma G: How To Kill A Butterfly

This shit was destiny, and it was mine to let y’all know how good this album is! 

So, this time around, we have a 13-track album with a total of 44 minutes! Which actually might be one of the longest projects I’ve covered all year. Most have been under 30 or less, and so that already gives distinction among other things!

Starting off, the production is so original and nothing like what most UK and their common ‘drill’ trademark sounds like. Granted, not that I’m against all drill. When done right, it’s done right, but too often it’s saturated repetition for the mainstream and definitely is watered down.

But here it’s vibrant, creative, unique, and memorable. Kind of reminds me of some early Cypress Hill stoner loops combined with some of that East Coast grime and a tad bit of drill influence, but used in such light usage, you can barely notice out of all the other elements involved.

Now, on to Farma G himself, someone I’ve never heard of until this album, based on a friend’s recommendation, and I’m glad I listened because he has the most interesting voice I’ve heard in a minute.

He honestly sounds like the band Gorillaz with that quirky UK accent but used in rhyming, it’s so fucking cool. 

He’s a great lyricist who can tell anything from stories to smart one-liners, to puns to dope verses. Literally, he’s an all-rounder in the lyrical department, and the flow is locked down as well!

Across the album, he does have a few features with him, such as 

-Jazz T

-Jehst 

Both help elevate the album! (Especially Jazz as he’s on most the tracks) 

All in all, an interesting and fun album with all aspects hitting different! I guarantee you no matter what happens this year, you won’t hear another record like this in 2025 or the years to come! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/7seDcIAOIxpHq36ZlBPxnm?si=U_OlnvdsTYWG4xZ_HrQ02A

(Sicilian Summer)

Quite fitting that even till the very last day of January we received nothing but absolutely dope albums and EP’s and what better way to celebrate the start of the new month than with the latest Circa 97 record! Let’s get into it!

So this is a 12-track record (with two remix tracks) with 33 minutes, and from the moment this came out it was flooding my social media, so I knew I had to cover it, whether you’re talking about its star-studded feature list or its incredible production, this record makes a sonic statement that should worry everyone in the game right now!

Firstly, let’s talk about the rapping. We have such names as: 

-Daniel Son

-Snotty

-Tha God Fahim 

-Mo Rukuz

-Da Flyy Hooligan

-Lord Juco

-Farma G

-Tesla’s Ghost

-Pro Dillinger 

-Johnny Storm

-Donson The Wise

Now, if that doesn’t read to you like hip-hop fucking loyalty, then you definitely are not in the right place with this shit. The names on this list are some of the best doing it now and in the past few years. The fact that you’ve got all these names in one place reads greatness from name-sake alone. Each rapper makes their verses their own! 

There’s no such thing as a weak verse or even a weak word between these men. Every track has the capacity to be a stand-out single on its own merit, so when you have 10 strong singles in one album? That’s modern-day classic shit. I can’t stress this enough. You’ll be hard-pressed to find a collaboration project as strong as this one!!

Now, onto the production. You, of course, have production by Circa 97 and cuts by the legendary Giallo Point (who has an upcoming fully produced record coming with Napoleon Da Legend), but regardless, this thing fucking punches hard.

This record has some of the most crisp, hard-hitting, raw, grime, underground shit you’ve heard in a minute or two. Whether it’s vocal loop-heavy tracks like ‘Mother Warned Me’ or straight gutter shit like ‘Plug Got An Uzi’ with those eerie key notes alongside that bashful hip-hop element to turn this track into a murderous anthem.

Hell you’ve even got classical influence tracks such as ‘Dangerous Ground’ with those classical piano keys that sound like something straight from Beethoven.

My point is, the variety on this project is wide and each track feels like it’s own personality and cadence that makes it, it’s own! Each song has its own identity but all work together to form the ‘perfect’ album when combined.

The verdict? Not only was this a masterpiece conclusion to the month of January but will surely go down in everyone’s mind for ‘Album Of The Year’ contender!

https://circa97.bandcamp.com/album/sicilian-summer

(From Us With Love)

Haven’t I already told y’all? The 6th Man domination era has already begun! You got a glimpse of the invasion with the Murda Megs X Xcel release ‘Caesar Project’, then merely a few weeks ago the war came to your hometowns when 6th Man mercenaries spilled blood with Crotona P and KNG Bondalero’s ‘Artisan Works Of Art: The Masterpiece’. 

Now, the revolutionary is here. The ring general himself, The Bad Seed, accompanied by the trumpets of the apocalypse herself, ‘Murda Megz’, they’ve come to officially take over, and there ain’t a damn thing any of you can do about it, just sit back and enjoy ‘The 6th Man Era’. 

This latest instalment is 12 tracks, all produced by Murda Megz, and cuts done by legendary Tone Spliff.

Honestly, this is the most grand and spectacular sounding project I’ve heard from Megz so far and definitely the most by Seed since his Four Finger Ring I! The rate at which Megz is evolving is scary. Not to say I didn’t fuck with her prior to this year, but the improvement rate already with the few projects she’s already been on has put her on her own tier entirely!

That’s clear from the very first track ‘94 Crime Spree’, with those classical orchestra elements from the very beginning leading into one of the toughest and crisp boom bap beats you’ve heard in the last few years.

Across the board, her production is flawless; it’s one banger after the other. Every song feels powerful and unique, like a sonic Goliath walking over and inside your ears, stomping your soul out with hard bass and pounding production! 

The one (among many) things I love about Seed is his zero fuck policy. As the years go by, the more refreshing his no-nonsense, non-politically correct, or censored eggshell rhymes are. If he has an opinion or issue, best believe you’re gonna hear about it.

Across the board, you have topics like:

-Turning 50

-The idea of no more internet

-Wack rappers and more. The man’s bars only get better with age, and his flows and penmanship are up there with anyone you can think of! He’s been in this game for literal decades, and he hasn’t missed a step. Combined with the ever-evolving Murda Megz, he’s a recipe for disaster for the industry, one they can’t control and can’t ever silence.

There’s one feature on here, ‘LR BLITZKRIEG,’ who is able to go toe to toe with Seed, which is impressive enough! Great chemistry across the board on that track, and of course, Tone wouldn’t know how to miss even if he tried.

I’m not playing with you all. This is just an early release review for the upcoming album, but when I say 6th Man are here to massacre, I MEAN IT! It’s only February now, and they’ve been here for a minute already. Trust me when the year is said and done, whether you’re the grown man on the fifth floor or West Side Gunn, you’ll have the words “ 6th Man” drilled into your head for life!

(Welcome To StuyVille)

This has easily been one of, if not the, MOST anticipated album of 2025 among the underground cats. After the incredible 2024 release of ‘Last Exit To Crooklyn’, the industry was waiting patiently for his latest drop, and when it was announced it would be a collaboration album with frequent past collaborator ‘Rim’, the excitement went from real to buzzing, and now we have it, and how does it fare? Let’s talk about it!

What we have here is an 11-track project, 35 minutes in length. From the opening track ‘What’s This’, you can hear that booming, East Coast grime production by both 38 Splesh and Camouflage Monk, who work together to bring some of the best of both worlds between underground and mainstream. I couldn’t help but feel a strong sense of Mobb Deep or G Unit when listening to the production, very crisp, raw, and boom bap influenced.

Across the tracks, you have a wide range of powerhouse features such as: 

-Che Noir

-Hus KingPin

-Benny The Butcher

-Kurupt

-Fred The Godson 

All of these legends definitely highlight the tracks they feature on. I especially loved the Che opening verse on ‘Never Stop’; she doesn’t know how to miss, and this track is no exception!

This feature list would be on anyone’s dream list, and Eddie and Rim definitely knew how to utilise them and on which beat, and they all turned out monstrous and perfect!

When it comes to Eddie and Rim, as usual, their back-and-forth chemistry is second to none. They may as well be sharing the same brain and thoughts at this point; they pick up where the other left off and vice versa. This definitely reminds me of the chemistry of a Mobb Deep in their prime, just seamless flow sharing that most would give a right arm to have!

Overall, a fantastic and well-done sequel to his last project. As the years go by, Eddie only gets finer like wine, and with Rim by his side, it’s impossible to lose! 

https://open.spotify.com/album/0enZtTwp3VliY18WjX7HNK?si=T_Tvq2XkSPu66LaJVHZnvg

(Encyclopedia Slade)

Reporting in from the heart of ‘Hip-Hop’ It’s your rap reporter ‘Corban The Serpent Tongue’ Skipwith and I’m not gonna lie to folks, it’s bad out here. What use to be a thriving industry with pumping artists and musicians too numerous to count is now nothing more then a industrialised society infested with so many clones that it’s hard to tell who is who.

But wait, I’m sorry it’s just in I’ve just been told that the alarm has been rung and apparently, no wait I’ve got confirmation HE’S REALLY HERE! There’s been rumours around the land of Hip-Hop that he’ll be here and he’s finally arrived! The man, the myth the voice who everyone has been praying will come and save the land of hip hop it’s.. it’s

ENCYCLOPEDIA SLADE!! 

As I’m here on sight, sources tell me he’s brought a 29 minute 12 song project with him and the industry is fuming! I’ve never seen them so angry then they are right now, their way of life, their cloning production of rap is on the line and they know it! Vigilantes are not welcome here but most outsiders welcome the sight and the voice of the mythically known Slade who is said to have the mic skills of a god and if he’s able to plant this brand new album into the heart of hip hop, the game will be revived to it’s original glorify, the creativity and love of Hip-Hop will return and the art will be restored finally after decades!

It seems the resurgence of Hip-Hop was too much for one man so sources say he’s brought friends with him who share his vigilante justice in their hands and mics as reports go we have the names of the culprits and here are the identities of the rappers 

-Jamal Gasol

-Beenoffical Lord

-Primo Jab

-Prime Minister

-Chubs

-Poetic Ness

Already, locals and tourists alike have been left in absolute AWE over the lyrical sweeping they have achieved with their verses on this new album. The originality and intensity of their words have caused the first organic pulse in the heart of rap that I’ve seen personally in decades, this is incredible I can’t believe this is happening down there!

Wait? What’s that? YOU HAVE GOT TO BE KIDDING ME! Apparently not only has Encyclopedia brought with him legendary undefeated rappers but ALSO co producers who have agreed to come along to put the final nail in the coffin of the mainstream drones! Yes reports are in the names of THOSE culprits are as followed 

-Minister Hype

-King Rem 

-Amani Cove 

-OG Prince

-Kwenu The Nigerian

-Mgerm 

-Backwoodsmuzik

They haven’t even been here 5 minutes and their Dope sounds and production have already obliterated more than half of the current mainstream drones circled around the heart! This is incredible! No one has ever impacted hip-hop like this has in actual DECADES! No one (me including) could of predicted this would be the events of today 

Encyclopaedia Slade’s rhythms, rhymes, lyricism and flow is absolutely incredible. I’m trying to report what I’m hearing as professionally as possible here live but I can’t lie, you know what fuck my job, fuck the mainstream! If this is my last time on camera I just want to say ‘FUCK THE MAINSTREAM DRONES, thank you Encyclopedia Slade for your rhymes and let’s bring back ‘Real-Hip Hop!’

*Ba Dum, Ba Dum, Ba Dum, Ba Dum*

OH MY FUCKING GOD, do you all hear that at home? The heart of Hip Hop is beating again! It’s back to life! ENCYCLOPEDIA SLADE AND HIS TEAM HAVE BROUGHT HIP HOP BACK TO LIFE

This is Corban Skipwith, a proud member of the REAL Hip-Hop community out and over.

Listen to the album. 

https://open.spotify.com/album/48BjtKPNJ2FvnTcuIqL417?si=umNkn2cKRqS-vIuzQhknAw

(The Devil’s Ballroom)

I’ll just say this much, after his list of absolute monstrous features he’s been doing these past few years I’m not sure if the industry is ready for a full Bub Styles EP. But here we are the underground juggernaut himself is let loose and let’s see what he’s getting on!

This is a 4 track EP with 11 minutes of music. But for all those who are already aware of him, every minute of his music feels like hours from how pulverising his energy is in your ears, the way he speaks it makes your whole body and soul shiver in pure awe of how intense he is. Not many if any have the energy this man has and this EP is no different!

We have production by ‘GRAPHWIZE’ who does a killer job at making these bass heavy, larger than life sinister beats for Bubs to go off on! Very underground, raw and grime influenced! The finale track on the album has a slightly more refined and smooth feel to it with that vocal loop but even so, as soon as Bubs starts to spit the song returns to its grimy nature! 

Only one feature on this project by ‘GREA8GAWD’ who does his part well with his dope verse but the rest of the album is just Bub murdering track to track in his usual cut throat style that definitely fits the album cover visual of how he must look in the studio! 

Overall, a killer EP of sonic caffeine the equivalent of 10x energy drinks back to back. It’s unreal, unrelenting and savage. Definitely not for the faint of heart!

https://open.spotify.com/album/5IsR479nSySQXHhTuDBuvv?si=wubP51c7RvKxf5aA0LinvA