October: Top 20 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.
This month sees Aminé push his sound into new territory, while KNEECAP deliver their best song to date and MAVI lets off the handbrake on a collaboration with The Alchemist.
Aminé – Charmander
Taking a leaf out of the book of Hyperpop, Aminé’s helium hook and restless bars in ‘Charmander’ highlight the Portland rapper is still keen to keep listeners on their toes.
Ivy Sole – One More Night Feat. Topaz Jones
Topaz Jones comes in with a sweet 16 to complement Ivy Sole’s sensual vocals ahead of her forthcoming album Candid.
Dreya Mac – Summer 21 Feat. RassTokyo
Dreya Mac could rap over an alarm clock and I’d want to listen. ‘Summer 21′ oozes fun and the London MC has us pining for those August Alfresco parties again.
KNEECAP – Thart Agus Thart
The Belfast group’s best song to date, ‘Thart agus Thart‘ distills the existential dread of waking up to another day of smoking joints and scrolling your phone into track that shares DNA with the spaciness of early cloud rap.
Erick The Architect – Self Made
There’s few groups that represent the DIY, self-made ethos of the internet generation than Flatbush Zombies and as the trio work on their respectively solo albums, Erick The Architect is reflecting on his journey.
Jeshi – Hit By A Train
Jeshi’s pen game is as incisive as it is poetic. On ‘Hit By A Train’, the London spitter captures the dark duality of the capital’s grinding mundanity and the relentless hamster wheel of life under the Tories. Putting into full focus that if you stop moving you face being left on the outskirts of society.
Paris, Texas – Bullseye
Standout track from the west coast pair’s second EP, featuring production from Kenny Beats.
The Alchemist – Miracle Baby Feat. MAVI
MAVI has built a reputation on his meandering, philosophical style and on ‘Miracle Baby’ he takes it up a notch, rapping like he’s trying to beat the buzzer in a standout from the Alchemist’s fantastic This Thing of ours 2.
Deyah – Genesis
Deyah wrestles with trials and tribulations in an exercise in nocturnal storytelling on ‘Genesis’.
P Money x Silencer Feat. Chip, D Double E, Dizzee Rascal – Stuttering
P Money, Silencer, Chip, D Double E and Dizzee all on the same track? Don’t think it’s an exaggeration to call this a legendary link up and as you’d expect it absolutely goes off.
DeBe – NICE GUY
There’s something in the water in Northampton right now. DeBe’s ‘NICE GUY’ maintains a zany delivery not dissimilar to fellow midlands rapper slowthai, but he’s busy forging his own path on ‘NICE GUY’.
MAXO KREAM – GREENER KNOTS
Hard hitting storytelling from MAXO from his new album Weight of the World.
Masego, Big Boi, JID – Garden Party
Masego’s beautiful tones slaloming through the old guard and new wave of Atlanta rap, what’s not to love?
Fly Anakin – Sean Price
The first single from a forthcoming project, ‘Sean Price’ is Mutant Academy head honcho Fly Anakin pouring one out to the recently deceased artist.
Speaking on the late Brooklyn rapper Fly Anakin said, “Sean Price inspired me to stand on what I believe in and say whatever I feel no matter what type of beat it is… His influence put me in the driver’s seat, I grew wings and shit.”
JPEGMAFIA – TIRED, NERVOUS, BROKE
Butter Milk Jesus AKA JPEGMAFIA AKA Peggy doesn’t do half measures. Baltimore’s adopted son looks his enemies down the barrel of a gun and takes aim in typical fashion over shapeshifting instrumental.
MuRli – Odyssey Feat. Gemma Dunleavy
Two of Ireland’s heavy hitters join forces in ‘Odyssey’. The cut sees the pair weave in and out over production from Cork’s Boku that’s stabbing bass shares DNA with some of the biggest early hits from Hudson Mohawk.
Glenn Denim – Nice To Know
Going over a drumless instrumental courtesy of none other than Rejjie Snow, Glenn Denim’s ‘Nice To Know’ follows a similar formula to the recent Wiki and Navy Blue link up and shows he’s a serious contender in the underground rap game.
Zack Fox – Fafo
Given his primary career is in the world of comedy it’s no surprise that Zack Fox comes through with some phenomenal one liners in his debut album shut the fuck up talking to me. Though it’s not all about jokes for the Atlanta native and on Fafo, he sprinkles a healthy dose of realness across what is an absolutely immaculate beat.
Jesse James Solomon – Ms. Luna
JJS moves at his own pace and on ‘Ms. Luna’, the tender qualities of his instantly recognisable slow drawl gives his double entendres about the moon and his lover the same carefully crafted finish as The Starry Night.
ENNY x Odeal – Bernie Mac
Executing an exercise in swapping bars with the proficiency of childhood friends pulling off a secret handshake, ‘Bernie Mac’ is technically brilliant rap from a dimly lit room.
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