therappundit

[therappundit]

***NEW CLIPSE ALBUM - LET GOD SORT EM OUT - NOW AVAILABLE EVERYWHERE*** https://www.theguardian.com/music/2025/jul/10/clipse-let-god-sort-em-out-review

Crazy to finally be pressing play on a new Clipse record. I’ll admit, I didn’t think it would happen, but to have new music from the VA brothers, accompanied by a rekindling of so much blog era nostalgia, makes this moment one of the definitive highlights of 2025.

[therappundit]

***THE BEST OF 2025 (So Far)*** - My Favorite Rap Music From the First Half of A COMPLETELY INSANE Year

2025 has proven to be another year of unpredictable, diverse hip-hop music that offers something for everyone, ranging from aesthetics designed to distract you from thinking too hard about anything, to audio expressionism that will have you thinking about absolutely everything happening in the world around you.

As shocked as I am that we are already approaching the mid-point of the year, a quick reflection on what we have seen and heard between January and June clearly indicates that...A LOT has happened. With much of the world feeling like everything is up in flames (sadly in too many cases, that can be taken literally), much of the art we have seen in 2025 echoes a society inundated by images of war, genocide, corruption, an uptick in threats to minority communities, assault on gender identity, a casual comfort in expressing ignorant and sexist views through large-scale means, fractured economic systems with a dangerous lack of protective infrastructure, mostly empty rap battles between coasts that all parties would be better off without (ahem)...and too many other existential threats to cover here. In summary, there's seemingly no end for topics to cover in rap music today.

So whatever music you're listening to right now, I just hope it is bringing you joy, or at the very least, serving a series of tiny reminders that there is still a lot to love about this world, and the people in it. I'm going to try to do my part by sharing some of the music that I have loved in 2025 thus far, and if you end up loving anything from this list that you had not previously heard, let me know. 🙏

*In no particular order*...

***FAVORITE ALBUMS/EPs/MIXTAPES/PROJECTS***:

(The) Forever Dream by Fly Anakin

Murder During Drug Traffic by Boldy James & RichGains

Crook$ & Ca$tles by Ahk Sair

Dear Psilocybin by ZelooperZ & Real Bad Man

emerge "n" see by shemar

GOLLIWOG by billy woods

Shawty Got Ball Head Pu**y Like Tupac So I Got High And Kilt It Wit Keefe D by smiles & SMO

That's Brilliant! by Bfb Da Packman

Supreme Magnetic by ERROL HOLDEN

be a better friend by Jay Cinema & chasay

Black Man! by Teller Bank$ & Wino Willy

MERRY&RUE by Imani Nichele

Showbiz! by MIKE

yoteLAndia by COYOTE

POTLUCK by Bruiser Wolf

Pinball II by MIKE & Tony Seltzer

No School by Asterisk

Food From the Gods by Black Milk & Fat Ray

THE DYNASTY by WiFiGawd

Fada<3of$ by Niontay

From The Private Collection of Saba and No ID by Saba & No I.D.

check for me by Jaysanityy

YN Anthem by 2Sdxrt3all

At Ease. by IDK Young J. & PTY

Trainspotting by Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams

SHIT AIN'T SWEET by JUNE!

The Good The Bad The Dollar Menu by Ray Vaughn

PATHFINDERS by PATHFINDERS (blackchai & Illohim)

The Wonderful World Of Squadda B by Squadda B

Life Is Beautiful by Larry June, 2 Chainz, and The Alchemist

Seeker of Knowledge by CHoW

Old Chicago Stadium by Video Dave

M Block (Deluxe) by BabyFxce E

Evergreen Plaza by Previous Industries

OUTSTANDING UNDERSTANDING by R.A.P. Ferreira

UW6 by St6 JodyBoof

FOR MY KID'S KIDS by Jameel Na'im X

ILL Dirty Rufus by Rufus Sims & Master Ill

ZOO LIFE by BabyChiefDoit

Forty by Blu & August Fanon

WINNERTIME 2.0 by Papo2oo4 & Subjxct 5

The Beautiful Malaise by Tony Bontana & Psychedelic Ensemble.

Deja Bloo by Bloo Azul & Spanish Ran

When The Iron Is Hot by ovrkast.

I Want Nothin' by Kipp Stone

Remember to Breathe by Landon Wordswell & Es-k

RENT PAID by LaRussell & Hit-Boy

12 by Westside Gunn

UNDEFEATED EP by Icewear Vezzo

I Did More with Less (V1) by A$AP Twelvyy

Salsa Verde by Tom Caruana

Demon Slayer 2 by Lord OLO & Televangel

THUG ZINE issue 003: Against Entropy by bromethugzine (SWAMP THUG & BROMETHAZINE)

Other Blues by Parallel Thought & Defcee

I Live, I Die, I Live Again by Chuckyy

Dis For The Project (Side A) by Dough Networkz

Atlanta Night Life by YN Jay

The Outcome (Deluxe) by Black Soprano Family & ILL Tone Beats

shabbvangogh by Mike Shabb

PIFF by Lord Sko

Pooch On Da Loose! by 4pooch

Conversion of Light EP by Alikho Igama

Cegregation by Whyceg

A Space Between Time by BigDaddyChop & Heir James

The Michelin Man by Cookin Soul & ANKHLEJOHN

BLEU MAGIC by DeevoDaGenius, Kil The Artist, BLUEHILLBILL

GT9 by Slimesito

Welfare Island by KnowitAll & bop phrases

RocAmerikkka 3 by Flee Lord & eto

The Vault Collective by SupremeCreme

EASE VS EVERYBODY by LITEEASE

4WTRO2 by Zone1eriic & hariroc

Stadium Lo Champions by Raz Fresco & Futurewave

Hero's Journey by Sleep Sinatra

'SKELETONZ' by MANN

Life Of A Zootieee by El Snappo

City Shimmers by Don Densley, Jay Cinema, LQQPMASTER

Cold [Deluxe Edition] by Kenn Starr & Kev Brown

BLACK KNOT by 99 Neighbors, Maari, Wahid, ANTI

Tag Program (Talented & Gifted) by Lil Gray

A Lost Language Found by Lukah & Statik Selektah

LORDLOVESTERROR by Cut Beetlez, THEFOODLORD, Lord Karu Villain

***WHAT ELSE STAYS IN HEAVY ROTATION*** :

*In no particular order*...

"Cuhmunity Freestyle" - Meet The Whoops feat. AD

"Flip Cup" - Nakama. feat. Rap Man Gavin & kiluhmanjaro

"Fashion Model" - Skrilla feat. Jorjiana

"REALEST OF YOUR BOYZ" - Tree

"Me & My" - Babydrill

"Hit the Brakes" - Fat Trel & KP SKYWALKA

"Never Need" - Anycia, GloRilla & KARRAHBOOO

"COMPANYFLOW" - urhra & Riley Lamarre feat. Lungs/Lonesword, 98preem & blackchai

"Crowned Skull" - QThree & Groundskeeper feat. Cavalier

"Gang Gang" - Chef Boy, Rosencrans HopOut, Ys, Hitta J3 & PHOPH8IGHT

"$ & Power" - Benny feat. Skylar Blatt

"1:1[FKDUP.BEZEL]" - Pink Siifu feat. Conquest Tony Phillips, bbymutha & Eltheist

"Black Dynamite" - 2 Eleven feat. Jay Rock

"Blood Bath" - Fox BD feat. YTB FATT & Chuckyy

"This Aint That" - Murs

"Money On Money" - Young Thug & Future

“MFWAH” - DeevoDaGenius feat. ElCamino & Estee Nack

"READ THE ROOM - LulJustin feat. Zone1eriic

"Nesquik" - Napoleon Da Legend & Giallo Point

"Refurbished" - Jamal J. SWIZZ B88GIE, Saint Key

"My Dharma" - Lex Boogie from the Bronx & Senz Beats

"Game Time" - AZ Chike

"Prepping Pizza" - Spank Nitti James & Hit-Boy

"gmfu" - Marco Plus

"The Rose Bowl" - The High & Mighty feat. Your Old Droog & The Alchemist

"Armani Section" - Roc Marciano & DJ Premier

"Silver" - Quincy Hunch feat. Sol ChYld & Onyx

"Good" - EastsideEggroll

"Mr. & Mrs. Smith" - Milc & spinitch feat. Wynne

"Be" - Sol ChYld

"Time" - Jorjiana

"Landgrab" - Mavi feat. Earl Sweatshirt

"Stunner" - blank thought feat. IDK Young J. & QuestionATL

"P Bitch" - Myaap & Nedarb feat. Pablo Skywalkin

"Live At the Chinese Buffet" - Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals

"BMJR 3" - Jameel Na'im X

"City is Mine" - Godfather of Harlem & Swizz Beatz feat. Larry June, Conway the Machine & Sauce Walka

"BOBYAHEAD2DIS" - YL & Subjxct 5

"GBP" - Central Cee feat. 21 Savage

"3.5" - Myles Clayton

"Destiny Rose" - Che Noir & Superior

"Crueler Walls" - PremRock feat. Nappy Nina, YUNGMORPHEUS

“True Lies” - Curren$y & Harry Fraud feat. Babyface Ray, Styles P, 03 Greedo

“paid” - XANG

"OLADIPO" - Bump J

"Ask About Me" - ChoppaBaby & Fatt Macc feat. lil double 0

"Ultra Ill Magnetic Street" - Thirstin Howl III feat. Young Hump

"Gallons" - That Mexican OT & Sauce Walka feat. Lil Jairmy, Sosamann, DRODi & Mg Lil Bubba

"NEVER TRUST A BITCH THA- *EXPLODES*" - $ilkMoney

“Ouch” - DDG, Kyle Richh & NLE Choppa

“3167” - Lil Hawa feat. YsnUth

"Koolin" - Percaso feat. Luh Tyler

"Drowsy" - Polo Youngin

"Freight" - GetRichZay feat. 1504 MUTEBABY

"Went Off" - Doseone & Steel Tipped Dove feat. Open Mike Eagle

"Grain Of Sand" - Fresh Daily & Parental feat. Debonair P

"ERRDAY" - kingdoughmane.

"YN" - PlaqueBoyMax feat. Sexyy Red, BabyChiefDoit, LAZER DIM 700 & Baby Kia

"Weed Gentrification" - GOODNEWSBAS feat. Cavalier

“Pulse Points” - Henny L.O. , ewonee, Mirtaw, Illa Styles, Nickelus F & GRT SCTT

"TOXIC" - Playboi Carti feat. Skepta

"World Tour" - Jaeychino

"It Factor" - Boldy James & Real Bad Man feat. EL-P

"Automatic Weapons" - Lil Bread feat. LAZER DIM 700

“Aye Rage” - Benji Blue Bills & BNYX, YourRage

“3B’s” - STAR BANDZ

“PROLONGED” - Davidthetragic feat. Allen Thomas

"Handle Bars" - T.F & Khrysis feat. Flee Lord & Smoke DZA

“Another Day, Another Dolla” - Lil Tony Official feat. Nino Paid

“Infinite Pockets” - Homeboy Sandman & Brand The Builder

“No Sense” - DjSlimebxll feat. Slimesito

"Imported Hashish" - Bigg Sluggathor feat. UGLYFRANK

"Last Laugh" - Jericho Jackson (Elzhi & Khrysis) feat. Domo Genesis & Oh No

“PERFECT WORLD” - Lloyd Banks

“No Sleep” - Rubberband OG, BABY MEL, Fatt Macc, Big Moochie Grape, ABGR Lil Cory & Trenacote Shawty

“EASTER ISLAND” - Wiles Martyr

"Double D's" - Baby Osamaa

“Old School” - 2DATRAP, Dj Gren8de, Slime Dollaz

Choppa FattMac - Ask About Me

“I Look Like” - Big Boss Vette

"God Body Brothers" - Dizzy Wright, D Smoke, Oswin Benjamin, AJ McQueen & Kxvi

"South Still Speaking" - Lukah & Statik Selektah feat. Killer Mike

"High Speed Clouds" -NCY Milky Band & Quelle Chris

"Facelift" - DEAD PERRY feat. Estee Nack, Raz Fresco & Daniel Son

"Uncle Bernie" - Reese Youngn feat. Bfb Da Packman

"Brand New" - The Underachievers (Issa Gold, AKTHESAVIOR)

"scales" - Lord Apex feat. Louis Culture

"Be Foreal" - Luhh Dyl

"Forever My Moment" - Tee Grizzley

"Rent Due" - Jay Exodus feat. Mick Jenkins

"Glockaveli" - Key Glock "Dungin" - PROPAGANDA feat. Stik Figa, Dj Sena P

"Merch His Ahh" - Nutso Thugn feat. LAZER DIM 700

"GARGOYLE" - Obijuan, Mike Shabb

"End Of The Day" - Xzibit feat. Tre Capital, Domo Genesis & Ade Bekoe

"Monta Ellis" - Ghais Guevara feat. Yoko McThuggin

"Look Like Cocaine" - Bravo The Bagchaser feat. X4

"Flying Saucers" - your best friend jippy feat. Vodka

"Bo Crackson" - AC640

"Room Of June" - Vic Spencer & Bucky Luger

"WEIGHTED SHOES" - Perry Maysun feat. Isaiah Poet

"Basquiat Painted Transylvania" - Fatboi Sharif & Driveby feat. LUNGS

"Get Fired" - Pablo Skywalkin "Keep Calling" - Mani Coolin

"Cops & Robbers" - Oran Juice Ii feat. JustTy

"Sucka Free, Pt. 2" - Premo Rice

"The Magic iZ Y.O.U." - Mr. Muthafuckin' eXquire

"ventriliquist" - whereisfox feat. Outside House

"ABC's" - Maf Teeski

"K E L L F I R E" - Wiz Kelly & Chillon Davis feat. VEGA7

"Options" - Sule, Tye Cooper & Black Soprano Family feat. The Hoodies

If 2025 ended today we would still be looking at a great year for rap music. It's hard for me to imagine too many future releases being stronger than my favorite records of the year so far, but only time will tell. Stay tuned...

[therappundit]

Mornin’ https://youtu.be/PBZiprmMCro?si=Qip7fAfw0DTwZ-X6

[therappundit]

Huuuuuuge New Music Friday with incredible new releases from Rome Streetz & Conductor Williams, Bruiser Wolf, Clipse, Boldy James, Ovrkast., Alikho Igama, Premo Rice, Luh Tyler, King Louie, Lord OLO & Televangel, EBK Jaaybo, and so much more 🔥🔥🔥

[therappundit]

Great spotlight on shemar, who has one of 2025's best albums of the year with his grinding industrial, but darkly beautiful, 'emerge "n" see'.

[therappundit]

Arguably the most brilliant scribe in hip-hop today, billy woods returns with a profound album that continues his impressive winning streak of thought provoking audio art. Powered by pain and a cry for action, GOLLIWOG is as ominous sonically as it is lyrically, but without any sign of quitting this increasingly dark world surrounding us.

[therappundit]

https://mikelikesrap.bandcamp.com/album/pinball-ii

We need to start taking inventory of MIKE’s career and what he’s already accomplished before the age of 30.

Pinball II, MIKE and Tony Seltzer’s follow-up to last year’s standout collaboration, now available everywhere.

[therappundit]

April was stacked, and May seems to be headed in the same direction… 👀

[therappundit]

One of those rare moment albums that felt like a blast of oxygen to a sound on life support (previously, I had only felt that way about Supreme Clientele)...Marcberg was a crucial mood. Great read 🙏

[therappundit]

HUGE Bandcamp Friday, featuring a whole gaggle of great rap projects that dropped over the past month. I have been eagerly awaiting the arrival of shemar’s stellar new album, a unique piece of art that should be required listening for all underground heads.

[therappundit]

Dope new album courtesy of MIKE affiliate Niontay, featuring appearances by MAVI, Sideshow, and more...

[therappundit]

A few really strong underground rap releases dropped today, be sure to peep....

[therappundit]

Love these guys.

New Previous Industries EP! More must-cop material. Shout-out to Waldenbooks! 🥺🙏🙏

[therappundit]

THE PUNDIT’s PICKS: What I’m Listening to Right Now [***Part 2 - for 2025***]

In case you missed my collection of favorites from 2024: https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/771323311946907648/the-rap-pundit-picks-my-favorite-music-of

Or my ongoing playlists that I started gathering last year: https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/773841264164716544/the-pundits-picks-yes-gimmie-some-more-of

Hey people, how is 2025 treating you so far? If you said something along the lines of "getting by", or "just trying to survive during these trying times"...yeah we're definitely on the same page.

That being said, good art will always triumph over things that suck, so I vow to stay in the tradition of sharing the things that I love as much as possible...and what I love just happens to be this thing called rap music.

Here are some of the joints/projects that I have kept on loop in my invisible tape deck...

"Top Shottas 2K25 Freestyle" by Robb Bank$ feat. Sir Michael Rocks, Big Short, and Boldy James

"Harlem N*ggas Always Gotta Demonstrate" by Errol Holden

"Bible in the Trunk" by Reuben Vincent feat. Ben Reilly

"ELDERBERRY" by Black Milk & Fat Ray

"Spun Out" by MIKE

"Defiant Jazz" by Nick Satchel & Dp0mmy

"Past Life" by ZelooperZ & Real Bad Man feat. Mavi

"THE LAND" by kingdoughmane. feat. TEDDYTHELEGACY

"PTRD (POST TRAUMATIC RACISM DISORDER)" by Jameel Na'im X

"Sellin Dime Rocks" by El Snappo

"Selling Smoke" by Smoke DZA feat. Memphis Bleek

"cosmic flippers" by Chaos1.0 & Hidden Renaissance feat. Masethemessiah

"Hit The Brakes" by Fat Trel & KP Skywalka

"Wonderful Feelin'" by Apollo Brown & CRIMEAPPLE feat. Willie The Kid

"1:1[FKDUP.BEZEL]" by Pink Siifu feat. Conquest Tony Phillips, bbymutha & Elheist

"Make It Back" by Ola Runt

"316" by 454

"My N*gga" by Fly Anakin feat. $ilkmoney, Quelle Chris & Big Kahuna OG

Until next time...keep your heads up and your volume high, everyone. 🙏

[therappundit]

Kendrick was in my all-time top 5 long before all of the shenanigans over the past year, but reviewing this list - and especially the top 10 songs on this list - makes me wonder if I still have him ranked too low. 🤔

[therappundit]

New MIKE is going to be special.

Showbiz!, available everywhere 1/31.

[therappundit]

THE PUNDIT's PICKS: What I'm Listening to Right Now[***Part 1 - for 2025***]

In case you missed my collection of favorites from 2024: https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/771323311946907648/the-rap-pundit-picks-my-favorite-music-of

Or my ongoing playlists that I started gathering last year: https://therappundit.tumblr.com/post/769358340006559744/the-pundits-picks-you-heard-me-more-of-2024s

Happy 2025! Is it too late to be saying that? Not just because we're already knockin' at February's door, but because the year has already kicked off as a complete dumpster fire, so anyone saying "Happy New Year" may not be correctly reading the room.

Nevertheless, as the world burns (both ethically and literally), art will always thrive and scrape upwards looking for sunlight. 2024 was a special year for rap music, and 2025 is already looking quite promising. While I will be posting some new Jan. releases, I will continue to share so much of the great music that hit me in 2024, because that's how I roll.

So BOOM, let's get to it...

"Black Dynamite" by 2 Eleven feat. Jay Rock

"SIDEWALKS VS STREETLIGHTS" by TOKYO CIGAR

"rain" by Smiles & SMO feat. Silky Southern

"Bad Choices" by Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist

"EYES HAVE SCARS INSIDE" by HIDDEN GEM, ÅG​Ħ​ETT​Ø​P​Ħ​I​Ł​Ø​SØP​Ħ​ER & COZ of the NEW AGE COLLECTIVE

"Stacks & Flips" by Boldy James & RichGains feat. Double Dee & Street Lord Juan

"How?!" by RiTchie & Fear Dorian feat. Niontay

" 'CUHMUNITY FREESTYLE" by Meet The Whoops feat. AD

"Turn You Up" by Jorjiana feat. 1900Rugrat

"DIRTY TIMBS" by The Lil People [Rufus Sims & Jae Haze] feat. Pirate Reem

"GBP" by Central Cee feat. 21 Savage

"Elegant" by DJ Rude One feat. Roc Marciano

"Lux Raggedy Duffle" by Vic Spencer feat. Buk of PsychoDrama & The Legendary Traxster

"COOLN" by Nino Paid, BabyChiefDoit & PlaqueBoyMax

"Went Off" by doseone & Steel Tipped Dove feat. Open Mike Eagle

"Load Out" by Benji Blue Bills feat. LAZER DIM 700

"GLOBETROTTER" by 454

"Tweaker" by G3 GELO [LiAngelo Ball]

"BUCKET LIST" by Spectacular Diagnostics feat. Kipp Stone

"Waveburst" by Roper Williams feat. AKAI SOLO

See you folks next time...