Words: Dylan Murphy
With the endless onslaught of new music every Friday it’s hard to keep up with all the new releases. We’ve curated the essential new albums and projects out today for you to check out.
21 Savage – american dream
The trailer for american dream broke the internet. It featured Donald Glover and Caleb McLaughlin as 21 Savage and while it’s not clear or not whether a full movie is on the way, it certainly increased the hype for 21’s album. Featuring Travis Scott, Brent Faiyaz, Metro Boomin and more, it’s one of the first high profile rap albums of the year.
Jehnova – IOU 5
Jehnova’s IOU is a nonchalant entrance into 2024. In an era dominated by TikTok and content culture, the Nuxsense spitter’s latest EP lands with next to no promotion. This is a rapper confident in his craft that is taking a path similar to the likes of Mach-Hommy, MIKE et al. If you get it, you get it. This isn’t music for the masses, it’s cuts for the heads and diggers of the internet and we’re here for it. A strong start to the year.
earl saga – Faces Are For Friends
earl saga’s production credits are impressive. He’s stamped his style across a slew of the UK’s most innovative acts including Loyle Carner, Frankie Stew and Harvey Gunn, JGrrey and more. While he can cook for some of the best, Faces Are For Friends sees him invite familiar acts into his own world with the likes of Dublin rapper Archy Moor and singer SPIDER joining the ranks of the project. Tap in.
Kid Cudi – INSANO
A$AP Rocky, Pharrell, Lil Yachty and Travis Scott are just a few of the names on Kid Cudi’s blockbuster feature list on INSANO.
Boldy James & Ncholas Craven – Penalty Leadership
We’ve been blessed by a huge number of incredible collaborative projects in the underground in the past 5 years especially and Penalty of Leadership joins the ranks of the best. Produced entirely by Nicholas Craven, Boldy James comes through with his trademark flow showcasing the grip Detroit has on the rap game right now.
Unknown T – Blood Diamond
One of the most recognisable voices in UK rap, Unknown T’s Blood Diamond invites some of the finest from various lanes for 17 tracks of rap goodness.
Matt Martians – Matt’s Missing
Arguably, one of the most underrated acts to come out of Odd Future, Matt Martians’ has comes through ‘s Matt’s Missing ends a three year wait for a new project.