My Top 10 Favorite Albums Of All Time (in no particular order)

All of these albums hold a very special place in my heart for whatever reason, and I consider them to be perfect. It would be too difficult to rank them, as the #1 spot changes based on whatever mood I’m in.

1. To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar: I believe this is the greatest hiphop album of all time for many reasons; like the amazing jazzy & experimental production, Kendrick’s flawless intricate lyricism & catchy flows, the masterfully executed concept and the poem. This album manages to be deeply thought provoking while also being very replayable and staying true to hiphop’s roots.

Metro Boomin – Heroes & Villains (2023) Album Review

TRACKLIST:

1. On Time (feat. John Legend): Metro Boomin’s sequel to NAHWC kicks off with some angelic vocals, strings and a powerful performance by John Legend. The triumphant drums are interrupted by Morgan Freeman saying Metro’s iconic producer tag, giving way to the second section of this track: sinister horns, dark opera-esque vocals and a speech by Homelander transition effortlessly into the next track, making this one of my favorite transitions in hiphop (8/10).

$uicideboy$ - I No Longer Fear The Razor Guarding My Heel (V) (2023) EP Review

TRACKLIST:

1. Not Even Ghosts Are This Empty: the fifth installment to the legendary EP series opens up with sample from “Troy” and a classic $crim beat, but with a twist: matched with his typical Memphis vocal chops & aggressive drums, the track features a perfectly executed extended outro with beautiful vocal ornaments and orchestral elements. Ruby and $crim shine lyrically on this track with rapid flows and existential lyrics on depression & violence. This is a great introduction to the EP, that effortlessly transistions into the next track (8.8/10).

DMG – Summer Aura (2023) Track Review

PROS:

• The instrumental is very well produced & unique

• The afrobeat-inspired percussion & 808s hit very hard and sound like they are clipping occasionally, which adds another level of potency to this track

• DMG’s very catchy melodies and great vocal delivery compliment the atmosphere of the beat perfectly

Travis Scott – UTOPIA (2023) Album Review

TRACKLIST:

1. HYAENA: Travis Scott’s long-awaited album opens up with some warped vocals followed by an explosive intro track. Travis rapidly flows very distorted boombap drums and a simple yet hard keys melody, that occasionally makes way for booming 808s. The track’s gritty production ends powerfully with some Mike Dean-provided synths that lead perfectly into the next song. I love the production and rapping on the track (and we see Travis doing that on this album more then he ever has), but I find his lyrics lacking in depth or complexity (8/10).

LandoIsLiving – Montana Magic (2023) Album Review

TRACKLIST:

1. Let’s Go for a Walk: the album opens with a skit, where Lando describes his process behind making this project and invites us to listen to the tracks in order. Although I find skits to be risky when composing an album (since they can either elevate the project to a whole other level or completely ruin it), I feel that this one was well executed (N/A).

KiERAN & Anj– Thinkin’ bout You (2023) Song Review

PROS:

• The instrumental is very creative, with warm horns, an atmospheric organ and a very full bass sample.

• KiERAN’s lyrics, flows and energy are very captivating

Instasane – The Possession (2023) EP Review

TRACKLIST:

1. Razors: The Possession opens up with the potent and emotionally triumphant self-produced “Razors”. A hard trap beat with ascending synth sample (that sounds like a saxophone), hard hitting drums and bright synth hits accompanies Instasane’s lyrics on trauma and self-harm. Around the 1:55 mark the track peels back to allow Instasane to grant himself a moment of closure by forgiving his mother, giving the track a rawer aspect. Even tho the mixing and arrangement could be improved, the production is creative and empowering & Instasane proudly wears his scars (7.5/10).