Top 5 album releases - March 2022
By Philippe Martin 02/04/2022
March has been another month of back-to-back gems being released by incredible artists that keep on pushing their art to higher levels. With the music festival season beginning soon, here are the best albums of March 2022. This list contains many independent placements from artists that dropped great albums and some mainstream releases that fairly deserve the attention they have been getting. Let me know in the comments what you think about these and if any other albums deserved to make this list.
- Benny the Butcher - Tana Talk 4
- Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future
- Buddy - Superghetto
- The Cool Kids - BEFORE SHIT GOT WEIRD
- Jay Worthy, Larry June & LNDN DRGS - 2 P’z In A Pod
- Honorable Mentions
Benny the Butcher - Tana Talk 4
The Buffalo artist is back with another entry in the Tana Talk series and it keeps the momentum going with more rhymes about selling drugs and making it out alive. Back in January, Benny released the excellent single « Johnny P’s Caddy » with J. Cole and it was a good sample of what this new project consists of: smooth production by The Alchemist and confident bars about his status. Fortunately, there is also Griselda’s own Daringer that produces many tracks here, bringing his signature raw sound to the project. Him and Beat Butcha create an incredible beat for « 10 More Commandments (feat. Diddy) » where we find Benny following in the footsteps of Notorious B.I.G. He adds ten more great guidelines to anybody willing to get into the violent world of drug dealing, and it feels as much as an homage as it feels like a continuance of the genre 25 years later.
Another standout track is The Alchemist produced « Super Plug » that shows how well Benny the Butcher can paint pictures with his words. The details are vivid, sharp and straight forward for the listener to imagine the emcee back in the trenches of the gang life. Apart from the great production, Tana Talk 4 also has an impressive list of features, with Boldy James, Westside Gunn, Conway the Machine, 38 Spesh and Stove God Cooks all dropping gritty verses to add to Benny’s universe. The album doesn’t push the Griselda soldier in a new territory like « Burden of Proof » did back in 2020 or « The Plugs I Met 2 » back in 2021, but it solidifies his catalog very well. With a 40 minute runtime, the project feels cohesive from start to finish and gives his fans enough greatness to wait for the next one to drop.
Released 11/03/2022
Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See Your Future
The Florida artist Denzel Curry is finally ready to reveal his fifth studio album and it does not disappoint at all. He mixes all the best elements of his existing art with fresh new ones to deliver a project that fits perfectly into his growing catalogue. For example, the banger « X-Wing » is a classic Curry song with rapid flows and a contagious hook referencing Star Wars. On the other hand, we find songs like « Melt Session #1 (ft. Robert Glasper) » and « Mental (ft. Bridget Perez & Saul Williams) » that showcase Denzel in a different mood.
He is more introspective and philosophical with his content and he brings elements of Jazz to the instrument selection. The transition from his 2019 album « ZUU » to the 2020 album with Kenny Beats « UNLOCKED » seems to continue on this album as we hear diverse sounds and see Denzel transforming into a mature human being. The production is top-of-the-line and the guest features all bring a balanced energy to each song. Overall, this project is solid and deserves many listens to fully understand the universe Denzel Curry paints.
Released 25/03/2022
Buddy - Superghetto
It’s been a long wait for the fans of the super talented Compton native Buddy. Since his excellent 2018 album « Harlan & Alondra », he released the collaborative project « Janktape Vol. 1 » with Kent Jamz and a year after he released many singles that hinted at a second studio album, but that never happened until now. « Superghetto » finds him rapping over many styles of music, going from west coast trap bangers like « H****e Mama » and « Black 2 » to alternative ballads like « High School Crush » and « Bad News ».
It’s amazing how he can switch his approach and delivery to reach different emotions while staying consistent to his bright personality. The leading single « Wait Too Long (feat. Blxst) » is a perfect starting point for newcomers to Buddy’s music, showing his ghetto romantic side with slick verses and a cool attitude. Apart from this Blxst feature, we also find a solid contribution from T-Pain on the standout song « Happy Hour ». Tinashe and Ari Lennox bring a welcomed female presence on their respective tracks « Ghetto 24 » and « Coolest Things ». Running at 32 minutes, this album is full of gems just waiting to be discovered in a quick listening session.
Released 25/03/2022
The Cool Kids - BEFORE SHIT GOT WEIRD
The dynamic duo formed by Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish is back to present an impressive output of great music. With BSGW, they are releasing an album under their group name, but it doesn’t end there. The LP is followed by solo projects under the title « BABY OIL STAIRCASE / CHILLOUT » where Sir Michael Rocks and Chuck Inglish respectively deliver more quality music to reach almost 2 hours and 10 minutes of diverse vibes.
If you only have to listen to one project, « BEFORE SHIT GOT WEIRD » is to go-to material as it rounds up the best of what each member has to offer while adding solid features like Chance the Rapper, Larry June, JID and 6LACK. Many songs are excellent to turn up as the energy is awfully contagious, especially on tracks like « IN THE MIX » or « HIBACHI ». On the second half of the project, we find slower songs focused on good content delivery and atmospheric beats. It shows how versatile both artists are and how they can adapt to a mood with ease. Special mention to Chance the Rapper’s verse on « SODIUM » for his raw delivery and direct punchlines.
Released 03/03/2022
Jay Worthy, Larry June & LNDN DRGS - 2 P’z In A Pod
Halfway between a pimp documentary and a rap album, the trio consisting of rappers Jay Worthy and Larry June with producer Sean House deliver the top-notch « 2 P’z In A Pod ». It contains all the classic elements of a solid project mixing funny skits, excellent production, slick verses and a mood that gives anybody the will to go work harder.
While Larry June brings the melodies on most of the songs (and ad-libs), Jay Worthy brings the punchlines and direct images of the pimping life. It all connects beautifully together with smooth production by the consistent Sean House. The Vancouver producer creates the music with gorgeous samples and first-class hip-hop drums. If that wasn’t enough, the features are skillfully chosen to add the this fun universe. Artists CeeLo Green, Roc Marciano and Jim Jones all bring their personal touch to this very entertaining and overdue album for Larry June and Jay Worthy.
Released 25/03/2022
Honorable Mentions
Nigo – I Know NIGO!
The Japanese producer, designer and entrepreneur delivers a solid album that resembles the DJ Khaled albums of the early 2010s. It’s packed with hot artists and hard pop production to reach a greater potential with very few misses along the way.
Released 25/03/2022
Elcamino & Chase Fetti – Bethlehem
This project is good from start to finish with both artists doing what they do very well. Elcamino is better at creating a mood and direction to the songs and Chase Fetti delivers verses that are striking and colourful. It’s all uplifted by silky production and short skits.
Released 04/03/2022
Dave East – HDIGH
The New-York emcee is back with a shorter than usual project with producer Mike Keys. It feels more cohesive than his previous solo albums that can sometimes be all over the place. Dave East also seems to be in a better creative space when he raps on classic hip-hop beats rather than trap production.
Released 11/03/2022
Smoke DZA, Nym Lo & 183rd – Driplomatic Immunity
Smoke DZA is keeping busy in 2022 with his second album, this time with his label protégé Nym Lo and RFC in-house producer 183rd. The music is full of great samples and hard verses about getting rich, not famous.
Released 04/03/2022
Cookin Soul & Lord Apex – Off the Strength
This album is all over the place sonically with Cookin Soul’s classic production and Lord Apex’s gritty delivery mixing together to bring a special kind of project. Direct inspirations from CZARFACE & MF DOOM are flagrant as the line between homage and sampling becomes blurry.
Released 10/03/2022
Pingback: Top 10 Song Releases February 2022 - RAP NERDS
Pingback: Best Albums Of 2022 - RAP NERDS