Rap's Hidden Gems of 2022
By Philippe Martin & ManWiseUncivilized
02/12/2022
It’s difficult to keep up with every good project that comes out during the year, but we finally caught up with some great albums that we missed in the 2022 releases. They are worth discovering if you want more records proving why hip-hop is the most popular style of music right now. Enjoy!
- T.F, Mephux & Roc Marciano - Blame Kansas
- Kenny Beats - LOUIE
- 7xvethegenius - Self 7xve 2
- Your Old Droog - Yod Stewart
- Meyhem Lauren & Daringer - Black Vladimir
T.F, Mephux & Roc Marciano - Blame Kansas
By ManWiseUncivilized
Blame Kansas is Roc Marciano’s first release of 2022. The underground rapper and producer collaborates in a stylistic fashion with fellow beat-maker Mephux to create a smooth, but authentic and rugged sound. Mephux, notably known for working with Griselda affiliate Flee Lord on Pray for Evil 1 & 2, definitely held up to the pressure of working with one of Hip-Hop’s underground gurus. Similar to Stove God Cook$’s debut album “Reasonable Drought”, Roc has been progressively shifting his art to producing, while putting forth up-and-coming rappers to lay down the bars.
This new way of working has already proven its worth on the aforementioned album, as well as Flee Lord’s “Delgado”. This time, South-Central native T.F was chosen to bless the tracks with his flows. Although T.F has been releasing projects for a few years now, he only recently gained attention from industry heavyweights. All the better for us. Tracks like “Death Wish” and “Crash Bandicoot” exemplify the artist’s capabilities to lay down heavy bars on melodic soundtracks.
While Roc Marciano’s beats have long been claimed to be unique and outstanding in the genre, it’s worth mentioning that the features are chosen to complement T.F’s rapping style. Griselda’s forefather Conway the Machine exceeds expectations once again on the track “Olathe”.
Custom to this new way of working, Roc Marciano also decided to spit his only verse of the album on the trumpet-filled composition. Other great additions to the project are tracks with CRIMEAPPLE and Flee Lord. CRIMEAPPLE’s fast-paced rapping on “Friend of God”, and Flee Lord’s raspy flow on “Fuck the Rest” unquestionably give this album a true underground essence.
Released 25/02/2022
Kenny Beats - LOUIE
By Phil
For his first solo album, Kenny Beats decided to listen to his heart and create something truly unique. It’s clear that the Connecticut artist didn’t want to make a producer album full of features from big-name rappers, with no cohesion whatsoever. Not to say he could not pull it off, but “LOUIE” feels much more personal and original when it comes to instrument choices and beat patterns. With almost no full rap verses or sung melodies, Kenny Betas carries most of the weight of the album with his amazing talent. When we hear some of his collaborators pop up, it feels like a quick cameo that just solidifies the space he has been creating for the past 5 years.
Released 31/08/2022
7xvethegenius - Self 7xve 2
By Phil
The very talented emcee 7xvethegenius has gained momentum with her venture on the Conway the Machine founded label Drumwork Music. She appeared on his latest album “God Don’t Make Mistakes” and on his two previous projects to deliver some incredible bars that mix complex rhyme patterns and precise delivery. Her level of output on the microphone is undeniably impressive and she deserves the recognition she’s been getting lately.
Her newest project is titled “Self 7xve 2” and it hits all the high notes of a classic-sounding hip-hop record. It feels raw and authentic, leaving the impression on the listener that she is more than just another rapper. The intro “Waves” lets the bass line introduce a slick boom-bap beat that sounds like it was recorded in 1996. She doesn’t wait before setting the stage with vivid lines about her personality and what she’s been through.
“Affluence (feat. Lil’ Sos)” is a moody song to vibe along with a distorted trap beat with old-school drums. She shines yet again as she raps flawlessly with confidence and an attitude that is hard to match, even compared to her many peers within the underground rap scene. On the third track “Always Thank God”, the veteran Trae the Truth delivers an amazing verse to compliment the Drumwork emcee’s nostalgic mood. Another standout track is the grimy “Forecast” with Shots and Flee Lord. It takes from Griselda’s influence with a spooky loop and hardcore lyrics about selling drugs and making the most out of the difficult street life.
Released 22/04/2022
Your Old Droog - Yod Stewart
By Phil
The Brooklyn native had an amazing year, with 5 top-notch projects under his belt. “Yod Stewart” is probably his best, with “YOD Wave” following behind in second place. With the help of his frequent collaborator and respected beatmaker Nicholas Craven, they push the production to new heights. The samples and the melodies are simply astonishing, giving YOD’s deep voice a nice contrast. “Nightmares and Dreams” and “I Knew You Was a Bitch” are stand-out cuts that demonstrate well the underground rapper’s lyrical abilities.
Released 27/05/2022
Meyhem Lauren & Daringer - Black Vladimir
By Phil
The New York emcee teams up with the very talented Griselda producer for a dark and focused project. The chemistry is undeniable, as the grimy production matches the atmosphere Meyhem sets with his menacing vocal performance. The list of features is impressive, with Action Bronson and Elcamino having the best verses out of the bunch. Curated by Westside Gunn, the strongest aspect of the LP is the cohesion in the tracklist. With a 51-minute runtime over 15 songs, the listening experience is complete and sometimes overwhelming as so many good bars come your way.
Released 26/08/2022