In a year that certified the return of Hip-Hop/Rap; Here are 3 of the best Rap Projects of 2015, that are worthy of a listen.
Artist: Kirk Knight
Album: Late Knight Special
Release Date: October 30, 2015
Progressive Era producer, and MC Kirk Knight debuted his Full Length Album ‘Late Knight Special’ in 2015. Features with such names as Noname Gypsy, Mick Jenkins, and Joey Bada$$, the Brooklyn native made good with his opportunity. The album is produced by Knight alongside THEMpeople and bass arrangement by Thundercat.
The album, which is 12 tracks and just shy of 50 minutes, received positive reviews and Knight is able to explore the music production that he has been known for. In the Pro Era line-up Kirk Knight has always been a distant second to friend Joey Bada$$, but with Late Knight Special, Knight has emerged as a strong candidate as the next best thing in New York Hip-Hop.
My Two Favorite Tracks:
5 Minutes feat. Joey Bada$$-3:32
Artist: Mick Jenkins
EP: Wave[S]
Release Date: August 21, 2015
Jumping off the hype of his sophomore tape The Water[s], the Hip-Hop spotlight seemed to shine brightly on the young man from the Southside of Chicago. With help from labelmate Kirk Knight, The Mind, Saba, THEMpeople, and Jean Deaux; the rapper/MC/poet released Wave[s] and showed just what versatility Mick has. In stark contrast to The Water[s], Wave[s] is by far smoother, sensual, and upbeat.
While previous tapes showed how deadly Mick could be when he was presented with such a hard beat, he really shows how he can reach that softer, artistic range that you can tell Mick was looking to expand and show on this project. Perry Simpson of Hotnewhiphop believed Wave[s] was refreshing; “Jenkins proved himself an exceptionally polished and perceptive lyricist, with a penchant for striking imagery and impassioned delivery. He’s fortified these strengths on Wave[s], while also avoiding the recycled bars and over reliance on water themes that occasionally soiled The Water[s].”
My Two Favorite Tracks:
Artist: Jay Rock
Album: 90059
Release Date: September 11, 2015
It was already a big year for Top Dawg Entertainment, but the bar keeps being raised, literally. To add on to the labels success of Kendrick Lamar’s, To Pimp A Butterfly, friend and label member, Jay Rock, has just released his second studio album, 90059. I’ve been on The Top Dawg train since the Black Entertainment Television’s 2013 Rap Cypher where Kendrick, Rock, and the rest of the Black Hippy Crew showed that they were the real deal, rapping over the famous Mobb Deep’s Shook Ones Part 2.
A label that boasts other names like Schoolboy Q, Isaiah Rashad, and Ab-Soul, who were all included on Jay Rock’s new project, the Top Dawg Entertainment label is in great hands. I love the sound that Jay Rock intended and I love the direction on this album and it reminds me a lot of the hit album Good Kid Maad City by his label mate King Kendrick. I will also be on the look for new albums by Ab-Soul, Schoolboy Q, and Isaiah Rashad. The future is bright on the West Coast.
My Two Favorite Tracks: