Drake’s 3rd album in a just over a year and probably his best since Nothing Was The Same. 21 Savage really brings the best out of Drake with him rapping alot more than he has on his more recent projects. The biggest problem with this album is that it doesn’t really feel like a collab album. Drake by far gets more focus on the album despite 21 Savage bringing more heat to his verses. This just leaves me wanting more 21 Savage on this album. Despite this there are some very good songs on this album with both artists pushing each other. Drake’s singing is also a lot more tolerable on this album especially compared to his misguided forray into house music on Honestly, Nevermind. Middle of the Ocean is a shockingly good track with three beat switches and Drake rapping better than he has in years. While this album is still held back by Drake being Drake, 21 Savage really helps to make this a decent album.

The 3rd album from New Jersey rapper Cakes da Killa. He continues to fuse hosue and rap music in interesting ways. This album features his best production with more jazz influenced house music and layered beats He brings his firey delivery style to these 15 tracks and shameless lyrics. He brings a unique perspective to hip hop a genre that has traditionally had a large amount of homophobia. Cakes da Killa unshamedly raps about being gay and his relationships with other men. This album brings together all these unique and interesting ideas into a cohseive project with short interludes creating a mood for this album. Despite his first and layered flows this album is still very chill with Cakes still fitting perfectly on the nocturnal, atmospheric instrumentals. This truly feels like Cakes da Killa shows his unique style and full talents.

Joji’s style makes relatively well with very minimal lo-fi production. This album doesn’t overstay its welcome at 24 minutes. It starts with the heartbreaking single Glimpse of Us. Die for You is another highlight with Joji creating another bittersweet, depressing banger. The rest of this album is very low-key with Joji’s soft singing style. This is somewhat to its detriment with lots of the album outside of the two standout tracks feeling samey and too minimal. If the album was longer it may cause a bigger problem but at only 24 minutes it creates a relatively consistent vibe. Interesting artistic change from Joji which shows some of his best songwriting.

His third album this year alone Boldy somehow does it again. The key to keep his style interesting across such a short period of time has been in its production. Each album is fully produced by a singular produced bringing a unique style and statement to each album. Killing Nothing produced by Real Bad Man brings boom bap production, Fair Exchange No Robbery brings sample-heavy drumless beats while this most recent brings jazzy drumless loops. Boldy’s lyrics are as specifc and memorable as ever with his weary and detailed drug tales. Another great showing by one of the most prolific and consistent rappers right now.

The latest album from abstract, conscious rapper R.A.P. Ferreira shows him at most concise and conistent. The album across this album is jazzy, lo-fi and abstract with each beat working perfectly with Ferreira’s rapping. His rapping borders on spoken word with a clear delivery drawing attention to his lyrics. Much of these lyrics could read like poetry with Ferreira’s wit and self-deprecating humour coming through. He always talks from a personal perspective talking about the music industry and his own personal experiences. There is a great feature from Hemlock Ernst on the 4th track with both rappers trading back and forth over a soulful beat. This album is by far the best from this week and I know I’ll discover more and understand the lyrics more deeply as I continue listening.