Music Tracking 2025

These are 2025 releases that I've taken note of, listed alphabetically by artist, with VA comps at the bottom. My grades, where available, are in brackets at the end of the line (stars in B+ range). Lines in blue indicate that I have a physical copy (albeit sometimes just a promo CDR); in green are records that I graded based on a Rhapsody stream or other such source. Most records have release dates and a brief generic note.

Unheard records are prioritized 0-3 (graded records are 4-5). The priotization is based subjectively on personal interests, reviews I've noticed, reviewers I particularly respect, what I know about the artists, etc. Roughly speaking: 0 is something I have no reason to consider (default page omits 0); 1 has been noted as having some cred somewhere; 2 is something I have some specific reason to search out; 3 is something I'll listen to ASAP.

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Genre switches (selection not implemented yet):

New Releases

  • 2hollis: Star (Interscope) [04-04] - experimental hip-hop [**]
  • 509 BMG: Hollow Point Bad Boy () [05-09] - hip-hop
  • $ilkMoney: Who Waters the Wilting Giving Tree Once the Leaves Dry Up and Fruits No Longer Bear? (Lex/DB$B) [07-18] - hip-hop [***]
  • Abbatia: Phantasma! In the Ends of the Loom () [03-21] - hip-hop
  • Kevin Abstract: Blush (X8/Juno) [06-27] - hip-hop
  • Action Figures of Speech: Action Figures of Speech () [02-15] - hip-hop
  • Phil Adé: Philip () [10-01] - hip-hop
  • Aesop Rock: Black Hole Superette (Rhymesayers) [05-30] - hip-hop [***]
  • Aesop Rock: I Heard It's a Mess There Too (Rhymesayers) [10-27] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Afrosurrealist: BuyBritish () [08-14] - UK hip-hop
  • Aminé: 13 Months of Sunshine (CLBN/10K Projects) [05-16] - hip-hop
  • Fly Anakin: (The) Forever Dream (Lex) [04-25] - hip-hop [*]
  • Anitek & Tabinstereo: Indigo Immaculate () [01-22] - hip-hop
  • Ant: Collection of Sounds Vol. 4 (Rhymesayers) [04-04] - hip-hop
  • Apathy: Mom & Dad (Dirty Version/Coalmine) [06-13] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Armand Hammer & the Alchemist: Mercy (Backwoodz Studioz/Rhymesayers) [11-07] - hip-hop [***]
  • Arrested Development: Adult Contemporary Hip Hop () [07-04] - hip-hop
  • ERR: stream no grade: Ashé Mystics: Fizzy Bubble Hummm
  • Atmosphere: Jestures (Rhymesayers) [09-19] - hip-hop
  • BabyChiefDoit: Zoo Life () [04-23] - hip-hop
  • Backxwash: Only Dust Remains (Ugly Hag) [03-28] - hip-hop [***]
  • The Bad Seed/Murda Megz: From Us With Love () [02-06] - hip-hop
  • Kal Banx: Rhoda (Top Dawg Entertainment) [08-15] - hip-hop [**]
  • MC Paul Barman: Tectonic Texts (Househusband) [03-25] - hip-hop [***]
  • Bb Trickz: 80'z () [04-08] - pop rap
  • Big Cheeko: Coulrophobia () [01-17] - hip-hop
  • Bigg Sluggathor: The Wizard Behind the Curtain () [03-31] - hip-hop
  • BigXthaPlug: I Hope You're Happy (self-released) [08-22] - hip-hop
  • Black Milk & Fat Ray: Food From the Gods (Computer Ugly/Fat Beats) [02-13] - hip-hop [**]
  • Yugen Blakrok: The Illusion of Being (IOT) [05-21] - hip-hop [***]
  • Blockhead: It's Only a Midlife Crisis if Your Life Is Mid (Future Archive) [02-21] - hip-hop [**]
  • Blu & August Fanon: Forty () [04-18] - hip-hop
  • Blueprint: Vessel (Weightless) [07-29] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Boldy James/Chuck Strangers: Token of Appreciation () [02-27] - hip-hop
  • Boldy James & Nicholas Craven: Late to My Own Funeral () [07-11] - hip-hop
  • Boldy James & Real Bad Man: Conversational Pieces () [05-02] - hip-hop
  • Cola Boyy: Quit to Play Chess (Record Makers) [05-23] - hip-hop
  • Brother Ali: Satisfied Soul (Mello Music Group) [02-14] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Apollo Brown & Bronze Nazareth: Funeral for a Dream (Escapism) [07-25] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Danny Brown: Stardust (Warp) [11-07] - hip-hop [***]
  • Bruiser Wolf: Potluck () [05-30] - hip-hop
  • Bruiser Wolf & Harry Fraud: Made by Dope (SRFSCHL/Bruiser House/Fake Shore Drive) [10-22] - hip-hop
  • Buck 65: Keep Moving (Handsmade) [04-28] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Cardo/Larry June: Until Night Comes () - hip-hop
  • Cardi B: Am I the Drama? (Atlantic) [09-19] - hip-hop [**]
  • Loyle Carner: Hopefully! (EMI/Universal) [06-20] - UK hip-hop [**]
  • Ken Carson: More Chaos (Opium/Interscope) [04-11] - hip-hop
  • Isaac Castor & Foul Mouth: The Rabbit Hole 3: Smoking Caterpillar () [02-23] - hip-hop
  • Ceebo: Blair Babies () [11-13] - hip-hop
  • Central Cee: Can't Rush Greatness (CC4L/Columbia) [01-24] - UK hip-hop [**]
  • Chance the Rapper: Star Line (self-released) [08-15] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Che: Rest in Bass (10K) [07-18] - hip-hop [**]
  • Che Noir: The Color Chocolate 2 (Poetic Movement) [06-20] - hip-hop
  • Che Noir & the Other Guys: No Validation () [08-29] - hip-hop
  • Che Noir and 7xvethegenius: Desired Crowns () - hip-hop
  • Ciel: Spice (Nomad) [04-11] - UK hip-hop
  • JD Cliffe: Misfit. (APLCO -EP) [04-16] - UK hip-hop
  • Clipping.: Dead Channel Sky (Sub Pop) [03-14] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Clipse: Let God Sort Them Out (Roc Nation) [07-11] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Confucius MC & Bastien Keb: Songs for Lost Travellers (Native Rebel) [02-07] - hip-hop
  • Miles Cooke: Ceci N'est Pas Un Portrait () [01-10] - hip-hop
  • Cortisa Star: E.M.O. (Evil Motion Overload) () [04-11] - hip-hop
  • Cupcakke: The Bakery (self-released) - hip-hop
  • Curren$y & Harry Fraud: Never Catch Us () [03-14] - hip-hop
  • Chuck D: Chuck D Presents Enemy Radio: Radio Armageddon (Def Jam) [05-16] - hip-hop [*]
  • D-Block Europe: PSTD 2 () [11-14] - UK hip-hop
  • Da Inphamus Amadeuz/The Punchline Academy: The Punchline Playbook: Lesson 1 () [02-07] - hip-hop
  • Dave: The Boy Who Played the Harp (Neighbourhood) [10-24] - UK hip-hop [A-]
  • Day3: Product of the Trenches () [02-14] - hip-hop
  • De La Soul: Cabin in the Sky (Mass Appeal) [11-21] - hip-hop [**]
  • Dear Derrick Featuring Kool Keith: Galaxy Thot () [02-14] - hip-hop
  • Defcee & Parallel Thought: Other Blues LP () [06-06] - hip-hop
  • DirtyDiggs: Gold Chain Music () [02-26] - hip-hop
  • Distrik22: Brooklyn Queens Expressway () [01-20] - hip-hop
  • McKinley Dixon: Magic, Alive! (City Slang) [06-06] - hip-hop [**]
  • DJ Haram: Beside Myself ( Hyperdub) [07-18] - hip-hop [**]
  • DJ Premier & Roc Marciano: The Coldest Profession (To the Top) [08-08] - hip-hop
  • Doja Cat: Vie (Kemosabe/RCA) [09-26] - dance-pop [**]
  • Doodlebug & 80 Empire: A Galactic Love Supreme (Gladiator) [03-07] - hip-hop [B]
  • Doseone/Steel Tipped Dove: All Portrait, No Chorus (Backwoodz Studioz) [01-10] - hip-hop [**]
  • Doseone & Height Keech: Wood Teeth (Hands Made -EP) [07-04] - hip-hop [***]
  • Duckwrth: All American F*ckboy (Them Hellas/The Blind Youth) - alt-r&b
  • Open Mike Eagle: Neighborhood Gods Unlimited (Auto Reverse) [07-11] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Dave East & Ransom: The Final Call () [02-21] - hip-hop
  • El Cousteau: Dirty Harry 2 (10k) [09-10] - hip-hop
  • El Michaels Affair: 24 Hr Sports (Big Crown) [09-05] - hip-hop [B-]
  • Jay Electronica: A Written Testimony: Leaflets (Roc Nation) [09-19] - hip-hop
  • EsDeeKid: Rebel (Lizzy/XV -EP) [06-20] - UK hip-hop [*]
  • EST Gee: I Ain't Feeling You (Interscope) [01-31] - hip-hop
  • Everything Is Psychedelic: The Beautiful Malaise (Everything Is Perfect/Live at the Clinic) [04-30] - hip-hop
  • Evidence: Unlearning Vol. 2 (Rhymesayers Entertainment) [08-15] - hip-hop [*]
  • The Expert: Vivid Visions (Rucksack) [09-26] - hip-hop [**]
  • Farma G: How to Kill a Butterfly () [01-31] - hip-hop
  • FastLife, Madhattan & Spanish Ran: Bergin Hunt & Fish () [02-10] - hip-hop
  • Fatboi Sharif & Driveby: Let Me Out (Deathbomb Arc) [04-24] - hip-hop [*]
  • FearDorian: Leaving Home (self-released) [01-31] - trap
  • Feng: What the Feng () [02-14] - UK hip-hop
  • R.A.P. Ferreira & Kenny Segal: The Night Green Side of It (Ruby Yacht/Alpha Pup) [10-24] - hip-hop [***]
  • Fines Double: Espejismo (self-released) [01-28] - hip-hop [***]
  • Finessekid: Finessekid () [07-18] - UK hip-hop
  • G-Clef Da Mad Komposa & Jus-P: Xavier & Logan () [02-14] - hip-hop
  • Ghostface Killah: Supreme Clientele 2 (Mass Appeal) [08-22] - hip-hop [*]
  • Freddie Gibbs & the Alchemist: Alfredo 2 (ESGN/ALC) [07-25] - hip-hop [*]
  • John Glacier: Like a Ribbon (Young) [02-14] - UK hip-hop [*]
  • Grand Official: Supreme () [02-02] - hip-hop
  • Ghais Guevara: Goyard Ibn Said (Fat Possum) [01-24] - hip-hop [***]
  • Goya Gumbani: Warlord of the Weejuns () [03-21] - hip-hop
  • Handsome Gentlemen: Filmed by Quentin Tarantino () [02-01] - hip-hop
  • Omari Hardwick: BuffalOes & Butterflies () [02-03] - hip-hop
  • Charles Hayward & Dälek: Hayward x Dälek (Relapse) [12-05] - hip-hop
  • Heems: A Hundred Alibis (Veena -EP) [10-31] - hip-hop [B-]
  • G Herbo: Lil Herb (Machine Entertainment Group/Republic/150 Dream) [11-07] - hip-hop
  • The High & Mighty: Sound of Market (Eastern Conference) [06-06] - hip-hop [***]
  • Hilltop Hoods: Fall From the Light () [08-01] - hip-hop
  • Ho99o9: Tomorrow We Escape (Last Gang/999 Deathkult/MNRK) [09-09] - hip-hop
  • Benny Holiday: Holiday Land () [01-17] - hip-hop
  • Homeboy Sandman & Illingsworth: Dancing Tree (self-released -EP) [02-28] - hip-hop [***]
  • Homeboy Sandman & Yeyts.: Corn Hole Legend (self-released -EP) [04-04] - hip-hop [*]
  • Homeboy Sandman & Brand the Builder: Manners (self-released -EP) [05-16] - hip-hop [*]
  • Homeboy Sandman: Soli Deo Gloria () - hip-hop
  • ILL Tone Beats: The Outcome () [03-07] - hip-hop
  • Infinity Knives & Brian Ennals: A City Drowned in God's Black Tears (Phantom Limb) [04-04] - hip-hop [**]
  • Jackzebra: Hunched Jack Mixtape (Surf Gang) [10-03] - cloud rap [B]
  • Jeshi: Airbag Woke Me Up (Because Music) [01-24] - UK hip-hop
  • JID: God Does Like Ugly (Dreamville/Interscope) [08-08] - hip-hop [***]
  • Jiles & Grubby Pawz: Griot (Van Buren) [07-30] - hip-hop
  • Josiah the Gift & Machacha: The Happening (BarsOverBs) [02-14] - hip-hop [**]
  • Larry June, 2 Chainz & The Alchemist: Life Is Beautiful (The Freeminded/ALC/Empire) [02-07] - hip-hop [**]
  • Eddie Kaine & Machacha: Crown Me Kaine () [02-03] - hip-hop
  • Eddie Kaine & Rim: Welcome to Stuyville () [01-08] - hip-hop
  • KenTheMan: Kinda Famous () [03-04] - hip-hop
  • Wiz Khalifa: Kush + Orange Juice 2 (Taylor Gang) [04-18] - hip-hop
  • Kid Cudi: Free (Wicked Awesome/Republic) [08-22] - alt-r&b
  • Killah Priest & Purpose: Abraxas 2 (Proverbs) [09-21] - hip-hop [*]
  • Knowledge the Pirate: The Round Table (Pimpire/Trouble Chest Entertainment) [05-06] - hip-hop [**]
  • ERR: grade bad priority: Knucks: A Fine African Man
  • Knucks: A Fine African Man () [10-31] - UK hiphop [2]
  • Kool Keith & Dane Uno: The Yoohoo Bros. () [03-07] - hip-hop
  • Kool Keith: Karpenters () [04-18] - hip-hop
  • Krept & Konan: Young Kingz II (Play Dirty) [02-07] - UK hip-hop
  • KRS-One: Temple of Hip Hop Global Awareness (R.A.M.P. Ent Agency) [03-21] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Kwes E: Fingers Crossed (Vowelism/Common Knowledge) [10-17] - UK hip-hop
  • Henny L.O. & Ewonee: The Coldest Season Ever () [03-21] - hip-hop
  • Rhys Langston: Pale Black Negative () [06-11] - hip-hop
  • Jim Legxacy: Black British Music (XL) [07-18] - UK hip-hop [*]
  • Leikeli47: Lei Keli Ft. 47/For Promotional Use Only (Acrylic/Hardcover) [06-13] - hip-hop [***]
  • Lex Nyre: The Best Language () [03-28] - hip-hop
  • Lil Baby: Wham (Quality Control/Motown) [01-03] - hip-hop
  • Lil Tecca: Dopamine (Galactic/Republic) [06-13] - hip-hop
  • Lil Wayne: Tha Carter VI (Young Money/Republic) [06-06] - hip-hop [*]
  • Little Simz: Lotus (Little Simz) [06-06] - hip-hop [*]
  • Lizzo: My Face Hurts From Smiling (Nice Life/Atlantic) [06-27] - mixtape [*]
  • Lord Sko: Piff () [03-28] - hip-hop
  • Lords of the Underground & Snowgoons: So Legendary (Goon MsSick) [04-11] - hip-hop
  • M.W.P.: Temple of Roses () [01-09] - hip-hop
  • Lawrence Matthews: Between Mortal Reach & Posthumous Grip (self-released) [09-16] - hip-hop
  • Mavi: The Pilot (Loma Vista) [11-25] - hip-hop
  • Maxo: Mars Is Electric (Smileforme) [06-20] - hip-hop
  • Maze Overlay & Slang Hugh: Word () [02-14] - hip-hop
  • MC Homeless: Stay Slick () [02-14] - hip-hop
  • Drayco McCoy: World Domination (self-released) [02-25] - hip-hop
  • Otis Mensah & the Intern: Before the Noise My Cousin () [03-14] - hip-hop
  • Metro Boomin: Metro Boomin Presents: A Futuristic Summa (Hosted by DJ Spinz) (Boominati/Republic/Mercury) [08-01] - hip-hop
  • MexikoDro: Still Goin the EP (Republic -EP) [11-07] - hip-hop
  • Mexstep & Principe Q: Tráfico (Puro Unity -EP) [09-04] - hip-hop [***]
  • John Michel/Anthony James: Egotrip (Loudmouth) [05-23] - hip-hop [**]
  • MIKE: Showbiz! (10k) [01-31] - hip-hop [**]
  • MIKE & Tony Seltzer: Pinball II (10k) [05-07] - hip-hop
  • MindsOne: Stages (Fort Lowell) [02-07] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Mobb Deep: Infinite (Mass Appeal) [10-10] - hip-hop [B]
  • Monaleo: Who Did the Body (Stomp Down/Columbia) [10-17] - hip-hop [**]
  • Murderers' Row & Snowgoons: Murderers' Row () [01-24] - hip-hop
  • N4T: GhanaMustGo () [07-30] - UK hip-hop
  • Napoleon Da Legend & Giallo Point: F.L.A.W. (Legendary) [02-14] - hip-hop [***]
  • Rico Nasty: Lethal (Fueled by Ramen/Elektra) [05-16] - hip-hop
  • Navy Blue: The Sword & the Soaring (Freedom Sounds) [11-11] - hip-hop [***]
  • Nerves Baddington: Driving Off Cliffs (Apt. B Productions) [02-28] - hip-hop [**]
  • Niontay: Fada<3of$ (10k) [04-25] - hip-hop [*]
  • Tony Njoku: All Our Knives Are Always Sharp (self-released) [07-11] - UK hip-hop
  • Nuse Tyrant & Trust One: If All Else Fails, Trust Nuse () - hip-hop
  • OC From NC: Project 25 () [01-01] - hip-hop
  • Offset: Kiari (Motown) [08-22] - hip-hop
  • Onyx: Lower East Side () [04-11] - hip-hop
  • OsamaSon: Jump Out (Motion Music/Atlantic) [01-24] - hip-hop
  • OsamaSon: Psykotic () - hip-hop
  • Kassa Overall: Cream (Warp) [09-12] - hip-hop [***]
  • Ovrkast.: While the Iron Is Hot () [05-30] - hip-hop
  • Nino Paid: Love Me as I Am (Signal/Columbia) [02-04] - hip-hop
  • Pan Amsterdam: Confines () [05-23] - hip-hop
  • Partyof2: Amerika's Next Top Party! (Def Jam) [10-17] - hip-hop
  • Vinnie Paz: God Sent Vengeance (Iron Tusk Music) [04-25] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Phill Most Chill/Djar One: Deal With It () [02-07] - hip-hop
  • Phill Most Chill: I'm (Volume One & Volume Two) () [04-29] - hip-hop
  • Pink Siifu: Black'!Antique (Dynamite Hill) [01-27] - hip-hop [*]
  • Playboi Carti: [I Am] Music (AWGE/Interscope) [03-14] - hip-hop [**]

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