The Greatest New Hip-Hop This Week contains albums, movies, and songs from Kendrick Lamar, Lil Nas X, and Lola Brooke.
Thanksgiving is only a week away, which signifies that we’re formally getting into the window of the 12 months through which the recording business shuts down. Simply when it appeared that new music would decelerate to a trickle, although, who ought to present up however Kendrick Lamar, who dropped his sixth studio album, GNX, with out warning to cap a stellar, standout 2024. Whereas there are solely a few different notable releases, we’re nonetheless very happy to run down the remainder.
Lil Nas X continued his Dreamboy rollout with the pining “Want Dat Boy.”
Jack Harlow as soon as once more expanded his sonic palette with “Hey Miss Johnson” and its cleverly shot music video.
Eminem and JID dropped “Gas,” a set of tongue-twisting raps proving the Atlanta upstart is quickly to take his place as one of many foremost lyrical-miracle rappers within the enterprise.
Snoop Dogg launched his newest Missionary single, “Outta Da Blue.”
And Bossman Dlow celebrated his personal unimaginable 2024 with “The Largest, Pt. 2.”
Right here is one of the best of hip-hop this week ending November 22, 2024.
Boldy James & Harry Fraud — The Bricktionary
Rap, at its core, is a recreation of puns, and the Detroit rapper is likely one of the finest wordplay technicians presently working in hip-hop at this time — simply have a look at that title. Pairing the at all times spectacular poetic styling of Boldy with the sleek instrumentation supplied by Harry Fraud is a assured winner.
Kenny Mason — Angel Eyes
The Atlanta grunge-rap pioneer releases his second full-length of the 12 months. Whereas many rappers could be content material to tack these 9 songs onto 9 and name it a deluxe album, Kenny offers extra diligence, permitting Angel Eyes to face by itself, and proceed constructing his musical legacy.
Kendrick Lamar — GNX
Dropping from out of nowhere, GNX sees Kendrick Lamar as soon as once more upsetting the equilibrium of the rap world — or maybe setting it proper after doing so earlier this 12 months with “Not Like Us.” GNX is each bit as combative, however with extra objective, and simply as introspective as Mr. Morale, however extra centered. It’s the platonic ideally suited of a Kendrick Lamar album.
Rucci — Can’t Cease Received’t Cease 2
Kendrick isn’t the one rapper from the Los Angeles space dropping a mission at this time. Whereas Kendrick’s extra typical strategy to West Coast post-G-funk is a departure for him, Inglewood rapper Rucci is likely one of the mainstays of that type, and demonstrates precisely why right here.
Coi Leray — “Coronary heart Don’t Lie”
In a departure from her standard high-energy releases, Coi will get reflective on the somber “Coronary heart Don’t Lie,” describing a love that makes her really feel extra entire. It’s the second of two new tracks from Coi this week, following the equally emotive “Sweet Crush.”
EST Gee — “Go”
The Louisville rapper returned after close to year-long hiatus three months in the past with “By no means Want” and follows up at this time with the propulsive “Go.” The time away will need to have performed him some good; he sounds re-energized, with sharper lyrics, and the identical concussive beats.
Lola Brooke — “Go To Yo Head”
After becoming a member of Kurtis Blow on an up to date model of the rap pioneer’s ’80s basic, “Basketball,” the pint-sized Brooklyn rapper as soon as once more goes solo along with her newest single. A belligerent, get-money anthem, “Go To Yo Head” warns listeners to not get too massive for his or her britches, as a result of Ms. Brooke will at all times be greater.
Luhh Dyl — “Sluggish Down” Feat. Veeze
There’s simply one thing concerning the slurry, barely behind-the-beat supply of newcomers like Dyl and Veeze that makes them very interesting and simple to hearken to. Whereas my backpacker sensibilities are extra accustomed to sharper, usually extra syncopated flows, songs like “Sluggish Down” supply a welcome change of tempo.
