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HIP HOP

ALBUMS of the MONTH

Monthly selections of new hip hop albums (and mixtapes, occasionally) that are changing the genre. Our top picks feature a mix of introspective tracks and energetic beats, showcasing diverse talent. Notable releases that promise to connect with listeners, making for some worthy listening pleasure.

July 2025

Clipse
Let God Sort ‘Em Out

A cartoon-style illustration of a human skeleton with closed eyes and X marks, surrounded by pink and purple abstract shapes made as album cover art for The Clipse album 'Let God Sort 'Em Out'.

‘Chains & Whips’

‘So Be It’

Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist
Alfredo 2

A bowl of ramen noodles with boiled eggs, green onions, and meat, with a hand holding chopsticks above, appearing as if the hand is controlling the bowl like a marionette. Made as album cover art for the Freddie Gibbs and Alchemist album "Alfredo 2'

‘A Thousand Mountains’

‘1995’

Benny The Butcher
Summertime Butch 2

A group of young people standing outside a convenience store with a luxury car in front. The setting appears to be a casual urban scene in black and white. Album cover art made for the album 'Summertime Butch 2' by Benny The Butcher

‘Told You So’

‘Gold Plated Leica’

UFO Fev & Big Ghost Ltd
Albizu’s Revenge

A vibrant and colorful graffiti mural featuring a skeletal figure wearing a crown, kneeling with hands on the ground, surrounded by bright abstract shapes, flowers, and angels with halos. The background depicts a historical scene of a man using a tool in a tunnel with light emanating from the tool, and a stylized American flag. The words 'ABUZUS REVENGE' are painted in bold blue letters at the bottom.

‘Scarlet Fever ft. Red Inf’

Honourable Mentions:

The Emperor’s New Clothes - Raekwon, DON’T TAP THE GLASS - Tyler, The Creator, GDLU (Preluxe/Mixtape) - JID, On My Way To Berlin - Smoke DZA, Neighborhood Gods Unlimited - Open Mike Eagle, Soli Deo Gloria - Homeboy Sandman & Sonnyjim

June 2025

Russ
W!LD

A blue stylized elephant graphic with the word "WILD" written underneath. Album cover art for the album 'W!LD' by Russ

‘Crazy’

Juicy J & Logic
Live And In Color

Two silhouetted people, one with dreadlocks and the other wearing a cap, stand facing each other against a vibrant, swirling pink, purple, and yellow background with a large yellow circular pattern. Album cover art for the album 'Live And In Color'

‘The Problem’

Slick Rick
VICTORY

Black and white close-up of a person’s face partially concealed by hands, with one eye peering through fingers, adorned with a glittering ring. Album cover art for the album 'VICTORY' by Slick Rick

‘Documents ft. Nas’

‘VICTORY’ (The Film)

Samara Cyn
backroads EP

A doll with long hair, a hat, and casual clothes sitting on a colorful, textured globe with letters, a small record player, and other objects, set against a space background with the moon and stars.

Honourable Mentions:

The Carter 6 - Lil Wayne, Lotus - Little Simz, Don’t Die Before Your Dead - AJ Tracey, Sundiata - Vic Mensa, Beauty and the Beast - Ye, 5816 Forest - Tech N9ne, Fine Dining - Dave East & Young Chris, I Took It Personal - Nick Grant

May 2025

Amine
13 Months of Sunshine

A sitting on a beige couch with a dog. The man wears a purple shirt, beige pants, and orange slippers. A poster of a woman in water hangs on the white wall behind him, along with a clock showing 2:32 and a framed artwork. There is a hanging decorative item to the right of the clock.

‘Arc de Triomphe’

Benny The Butcher
Excelsior

Album cover with the word 'Exorciser' in metallic gothic font, three crossed swords beneath, and 'Benny The Butcher' written at the bottom, all on a red background.

‘$ & Power (feat. Skylar Blatt)’

Snoop Dogg
Iz It a Crime?

Two individuals with dark skin dressed in plaid shirts are facing each other, engaging in conversation. The background is black with ornate border designs and the text 'Snoop Dogg' at the top and 'is it a Crime?' at the bottom, along with a small Death Row Records logo.

‘West Up’ (Visualizer)

Honourable Mentions:
Conversational Pieces - Boldy James and Real Bad Man, Glockaveli - Key Glock, Daaam! - The Alkaholiks, 7 piano sketches - André 3000, Trainspotting - Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams , Kingmaker - Xzibit, Can’t Get Right - Lefty Gunplay & JasonMartin

April 2025

Sauce Walka & That Mexican OT – Chicken & Sauce

A piece of cooked chicken with orange sauce on a white plate with the words "SAUCE WALKA THATMEXICANOT" written around the edge, sitting on a wooden surface.

‘Samsung Screenz’

‘Check Please’

Wu-Tang Clan & Mathematics – Black Samson, the Bastard Swordsman

A framed movie poster for 'Black Samson: The Bastard Swordsman,' featuring characters including a muscular man holding a sword, a woman with curly hair, a helicopter, a plane, a lion, a car, and various action scenes and characters in a collage style.

‘Mandingo’

‘Warriors Two, Cooley High’ ft. Benny The Butcher

Ray Vaughn
The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu

A person stands in front of a fast food restaurant counter with a menu and a sign advertising combo meals. The restaurant's address, 1460, is displayed above the entrance. The person is wearing a beige shirt, baggy shorts, and a white cap, and is facing the counter.

‘Dollar Menu’

Wiz Khalifa
Kush + Orange Juice 2

Planet Earth surrounded by cannabis plants, with the text 'Wiz Khalifa' at the top and 'Kush + Orange Juice 2' at the bottom.

‘5 Star’

‘Khalifa’s Home’

Godfather of Harlem & Swizz Beatz
Godfather of Harlem: Season 4
(Original Series Soundtrack)

Cover image for the soundtrack of the TV series "Godfather of Harlem" Season 4, presented by Swizz Beatz, in black and red text.

‘Danger Danger’ ft. Pusha T & Jadakiss’

Honourable Mentions:
Alphabet Highway - Boldy James & V Don, Intrusive Thoughts - Mozzy, A.O.N. 3: Despite My Mistakes - Lloyd Banks, (The) Forever Dream - Fly Anakin

March 2025

Curren$y & Harry Fraud
Never Catch Us

A red boat on a waterway with three people sitting inside, and other boats docked in the background.

Saba & No ID
From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID

Black and white photo of an old building with a vintage sign that reads 'GORGES' on a street corner, with a car parked in the foreground, and a row of streetlights along the sidewalk.

ILL Tone Beats & Black Soprano Family
The Outcome

A crowd of people gathered on a football field for a celebration, with some standing on a goal post. Two individuals are suspended in the air, holding onto a horizontal bar, with one raising an object. The background shows a large stadium with a sign that reads 'ILL TONE' and an image of a book or newspaper.

Willie The Kid & Real Bad Man
Midnight

Outline drawing of a person's legs wearing black boots and flared pants, with a pink rose and green leaves at the bottom and the word 'Midnight' written below.

Kevin Gates
I’m Him 2

A man with tattoos wearing a white tank top and dark pants looking at his reflection in a large standing mirror in a cluttered, dimly lit room.

Honourable Mentions:
Hommage - Boldy James & Antt Beatz, Rent’s Due (Deluxe) - Nemzzz, Seeds In Babylon - Che Noir & Superior, Things I See - Termanology & Bronze Nazareth