Top 5 album releases - June 2022
By Philippe Martin 03/07/2022
Summer vacations are in full effect at Rap Nerds, meaning the articles of June and July will be shorter than usual. It doesn’t stop the good music from being released and waiting to be discovered. With that being said, here are the best albums of June 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 us know in the comments what you think about these and if any other albums deserved to make this list.
- Logic - Vinyl Days
- 070 Shake - You Can’t Kill Me
- Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents Death Row Summer 2022
- Drake - Honestly, Nevermind
- WESTSIDE BOOGIE - MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES
- Honorable Mentions
Logic - Vinyl Days
By Phil
Logic, the busiest retired artist in the rap game, is back with his last album on the legendary label Def Jam. “Vinyl Days” is a 30-song project that feels like something Logic passionately wanted to create, compared to some of his albums that see him as trying to prove to the world he could do all kinds of music. At its core, “Vinyl Days” is a classic boom-bap hip-hop record that draws heavy inspiration from legends like J Dilla, Wu-Tang Clan, and MF DOOM just to name a few. Modern artists like Action Bronson, Wiz Khalifa, and Curren$y all bring their respective charisma to the LP, while the veteran MCs Royce da 5’9, RZA, and AZ solidify the nostalgic vibe throughout the tracklist.
Having already released many excellent singles like “Tetris” or “Therapy Music”, his fans had a good idea of the direction of the LP and it’s clear that the rest of the songs do not disappoint. “BLACKWHITEBOY”, “Clouds”, and “Ten Years” are all stand-out cuts that demonstrate Logic’s ability to craft complex and efficient rhyming patterns while not sacrificing melodic elements in the music production. On that aspect, Logic is producing more records than ever before on any of his many projects. It’s fun to see him experiment with weird sounds and let loose on the sampling, as he seems very passionate about the art form.
Released 17/06/2022
070 Shake - You Can’t Kill Me
By Phil
The G.O.O.D Music artist 070 Shake keeps on getting better with time as she releases her long-awaited second studio album “You Can’t Kill Me”. Mixed by the legendary Mike Dean, the record feels like a space odyssey inside Shake’s mind as she touches on subjects like heartbreak, self-love and maturity. The singles “Skin & Bone” and “Body” represent well the mood and the overall production quality we can find on all the other songs on the project.
As the heavy vocal effects and the grandiose synthesizer notes begin playing on the intro “Web”, the listener is automatically transported into the New Jersey native’s distinct sound. Compared to her last album “Modus Vivendi”, this new LP is more cohesive from start to finish. Apart from some drum patterns, there are few elements of hip-hop, leaving more space for slower ballads and pop experimentation. “Cocoon” and “Come Back Home” are some must-listen for anybody willing to discover this very talented and modern artist.
Released 03/06/2022
Snoop Dogg - Snoop Dogg Presents Death Row Summer 2022
By Phil
Since he bought his old label Death Row Records, Snoop Dogg has been on a streak of quality releases with the album “BODR” back in February and now with this compilation/playlist “Snoop Dogg Presents Death Row Summer 2022”. The project doesn’t technically qualify as a regular album, because many songs only feature him as a curator (like Dj Khaled does so well), getting the talent he wants for the vibe he is trying to showcase.
With that being said, the featured guests and the production are incredible as they all manage to shine in their respective niches. For example, October London carries a lot of melodic moments on songs like “Touch Away” and “Baila Conmigo” while Dogg Pound and the Eastsidaz bring a ghetto gangsta rap energy to their collaborations. Diversity in sounds and vibes can be misleading at times, but it’s curated so well together that listening to it from start to finish feels like a natural experience.
Released 17/06/2022
Drake - Honestly, Nevermind
By Phil
Technically labelled as a dance album, Drake’s new project “Honestly, Nevermind” is the first time that the Canadian superstar steps out of his comfort zone (kind of) to deliver mixed results depending on the listener. For a hip-hop purist, the only song worth visiting is the 21 Savage assisted banger “Jimmy Cooks”, and maybe “Sticky” if you listen with an open mind. Apart from these two songs, the music and the vibe of the LP is really all about the ambiance it sets from the first song “Falling Back”.
There are plenty of kicks and synths that you would normally hear on an Ibiza beach, but not in your ghetto neighbourhood filled with trap anthems. It feels natural to hear the OVO leader stepping in that direction, but it would be nice to see him experiment more throughout the tracklist, with different vocal deliveries or musical elements. “Massive” is one of the best songs where the new sound and the established identity of Drake mix together to give a track worthy of any summer playlist.
Released 17/06/2022
WESTSIDE BOOGIE - MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES
By Phil
The Shady record artist is back in great shape with his excellent new LP “MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES”. Since the release of his first project under Eminem’s label back in 2019, WESTSIDE BOOGIE has changed names (he simply went with BOOGIE) and released a bunch of freestyles on YouTube. With this new album, the California native reminds his fans why they waited so long. The great production and the flawless flow of the album prove that he can deliver quality music if he is given the time.
“STUCK” is a laid-back track full of charisma and a good starting point for new listeners. On the same tempo, the Soulja Boy Tell ‘Em collaboration “CAN’T EVEN LIE” hits the spot for a gangster ballad reflecting his Compton origins. “CAN’T GET OVER YOU” is the best song of the album, with Smino and Teezo Touchdown creating incredible chemistry with BOOGIE’s melancholic attitude. The guitar loop and the boom-bap drums created by the production team give the artists the perfect stage to shine.
Released 17/06/2022
Honorable Mentions
Zach Zoya – No Love Is Ever Wasted
Canadian artist Zach Zoya keeps on maturing as an artist that can play multiple roles. He can be your high school sweetheart or switch up and become the modern player in the club, but it always looks easy from the outside. “Smoke & Dance” was an excellent single released in April, and the calm ballad “Strangers In The House”” is the catchiest song of the project.
Released 10/06/2022
Juicy J & Pi’erre Bourne – Space Age Pimpin
Another year, another Juicy J offering of non-original, but very banging collection of songs. Accompanied by newcomer Pi’erre Bourne, they create a party project that easily could have been on Datpiff back in 2013.
Released 24/06/2022
Elcamino – Elcamino 3
Fresh off his excellent “Let There Be Light” project released in May, Elcamino is straight to the point and offers a more balanced sound with “Elcamino 3”. “Money in the Mattress” and “Target” both showcase his ability to create moody, but beautiful songs about the street life.
Released 24/06/2022
Curren$y & Fuse – Spring Clean 2 (Deluxe)
Teaming up for a second project, veteran producer Fuse and established rapper Curren$y create another soundtrack for fast car rides near the ocean. The deluxe version adds features from Rick Ross, G Perico, and Lloyd Banks on existing songs while also boosting the tracklist with the excellent track “Ketchup”.
Released 24/06/2022
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