August: The 20 Best Rap Tracks This Month
Words: Dylan Murphy
With the fresh avalanche of new music landing every month and new artists popping up, it’s becoming increasingly difficult to cut through the noise. That’s why we curate the best new rap tracks to keep you abreast with the most exciting new artists and biggest anthems from acts pushing the needle.
August was huge. We had albums from Meechy Darko, Larry June and Roc Marciano. Loyle Carner teased his next record and we were even blessed with a rare posthumous MF DOOM verse. Catch all that and more below.
Louis Culture – 7AM
Social Media is a highlight reel. Nobody sees the work that goes in behind the scenes to reach all the shiny milestones. South London’s Louis Culture is keeping it real on his latest release. “7AM is the come up” he says. “There’s so many unseen things that go into being able to do this. Whether it’s me talking about the DIY booth we used to use in P-Rallel’s bedroom or Bawo talking about his days at Waitrose, which happened to be my first job too”.
Sonnyjim & The Purist – Barz Simpson Feat. MF DOOM & Jay Electronica
Having produced for Freddie Gibbs, Action Bronson, Danny Brown and countless others, The Purist is a force to be reckoned with in the underground. Likewise, as a rapper and producer, Sonnyjim is up there with the best. So when they came together for a new collaborative project named White Girl Wasted, we knew it’d be a wrap. Add features from MF DOOM and Jay Electronica and it’s a recipe for a cult classic.
Armani Caesar – Hunnit Dolla Hiccup Feat. Stove God Cooks & Benny The Butcher
Griselda rapper Armani Caesar delivers in the label’s trademark ominous style on ‘Hunnit Dolla Hiccup’.
JID – Dance Now Feat. Kenny Mason
When JID says “look” and hits that bouncy flow you know it’s about to be lit. ‘Dance Now’ lands after years of “Where’s the album?” tweets and was worth the wait.
Loyle Carner – Georgetown
Loyle Carner season is in full flow. The rapper returned in July with ‘Hate’, his first solo single since 2020’s ‘Yesterday‘ and today he’s shared his second song in as many months titled ‘Georgetown’. Like ‘Yesterday’ it features production from none other than the legendary Madlib and maintains the same uncompromising lyricism showcased on ‘Hate’.
Danger Mouse – Strangers Feat. A$AP Rocky & Run The Jewels
What a line up. With the full collaborative album from Danger Mouse and Black Thought landing earlier this month, ‘Strangers’ was an immediate standout from the record.
Sainte – Arrogant
He might slalom between different styles as he cements his sound, but there’s always an unshakeable confidence in everything Sainte does. The Leicester rapper is moving at his own pace on ‘Arrogant’.
Maxo – 48 Feat. Pink Siifu
Production from Madlib, a feature from Pink Siifu and heady bars from Maxo – his first solo release since 2019 is worth the wait.
Stylistic Murder – Represent the REAL FEAT. AZ, O.C, KRS-One
Irish label ‘Stylistic Murder’ have teamed up with KRS-One, AZ, O.C. and DJ Flip for a cut rich in hip hop history.
Selló – No Love
Clondakin rapper Selló is in his bag ahead of his debut project SELLÓTAPE. ‘No Love‘ sees him move into uncharted territory with an after hours head nodder inspired by club sounds.
Meechy Darko – Lost Souls Feat. Denzel Curry & Busta Rhymes
A collaboration that subverts expectations, ‘Lost Souls’ sees three of rap’s resident ragers swap visceral bars for heartfelt admissions.
Ezra Collective – Life Goes On Feat. Sampha The Great
When it comes to collaborations with rappers, Ezra Collective don’t miss. After working with Loyle Carner and Novelist, they’ve cooked up a party starter with Sampha The Great.
lowkick – Flannel (Triple 20) EP Version
Landing as part of their self-titled debut EP, ‘Flannel’ introduces lowkick as the next off Ireland’s conveyer belt of jazz-rap free spirits.
Roc Marciano & The Alchemist – Daddy Kane Feat. Action Bronson
At this point, The Alchemist is the snake charmer of rap. ‘Daddy Kane’ is an outer body experience where you leave your earthly container and watch from above as your head nods involuntarily as Roc and Action bar out between bites of synth keys.
$NOT – Immaculate
Get you a rapper that can do both. Usually, you can find $NOT orchestrating mosh pits with his frenetic cuts, but on ‘Immaculate’ he’s serving late night vibes.
Megan Thee Stallion – Budget Feat. Latto
The 8-bit production on ‘Budget’ screams final boss level. On the cut, Megan Thee Stallion and Latto pose a formidable tag team.
Larry June – For Tonight Feat. Syd
An ode to his partner in crime, ‘For Tonight’ is Larry June sharing the fruits of his labour with Syd absolutely gliding on the hook.
Danny Brown – Winter
Recently, despite rumours of a collaborative album with JPEGMAFIA and the seemingly delayed release of Quaranta, it would appear Danny Brown is more concerned with growing his label – Brusier Brigade. However, with little to no notice, the Detroit MC shared ‘Winter’ on Soundcloud. The feverish cut is enough to satisfy our hunger until his next full release.
Isatta Sheriff & Koralle – Window Thoughts Feat. Lex Amor
The second single from her forthcoming EP Eat The Kiwi Skin, ‘Window Thoughts’ is Isatta Sheriff at her reflective best. Speaking on the track, she says, “While listening to the melodies I began to imagine myself staring into space at my kitchen window, and reflecting on various elements of my musical journey. I ended up purposefully going down to that window and allowing those thoughts to materialise, so that they would flow into lyrics and eventually become Window Thoughts.”
Catch all the inclusions in our ‘Best New Rap Music’ playlist on Spotify:
