We are barely a quarter of the way through the year and yet, some pure fire has been laid down in the world of hip hop. From the new work  of meteoric Canadian superstar, Drake, all the way through to the hot collaborative project of Def Loaf and Jacquees, this has been an awesome year so far.

  • Drake – More Life

After a long period of intense anticipation, Drake finally released his More Life album this March. The Canadian rapper and former Disney channel star has gone on the record describing the work as a “playlist”, due to the huge variety of influences on the album itself.  Among the artists featuring on the album are British grime artists, Giggs and Skepta, aswell as a host of international big hitters such as Kanye West. The mixtape includes hugely popular pre-released singles such as ‘Fake Love’, as well as a plethora of unseen material.

  • Ralo – Famerican Gangster 2

Hailing from Atlanta, Georgia, Ralo is a controversial but immensely talented rapper.  His new album, American Gangster 2, was certainly an ambitious project – entirely self-funded through his independent label, Famerican Records, the mixtape is full of sharp lyricism and killer instrumentals. The track, ‘Young N***a’, featuring Young Thug, Lil’ Uzi Vert and Lil’ Yachty, has some particularly crunchy bass. Throughout his career, many big names have collaborated with Ralo for free, recognizing him as a future star.

  • Young Dolph – Gelato

The latest work from Young Dolph has got the critical acclaim it deserves – all the more so because he managed to release this mixtape, and focus on the music, despite an ongoing beef with fellow Memphis-based rapper, Black Youngsta, who at one point claimed he was going to “Smack,” the 31-year-old. Amusingly, Dolph uses this new album to have a pop at rival, YoGotti, whom he labels “Hoe Gotti”. Describing the laid back sound of his new work, Young Dolph claimed, “It’s a weed smoking, money counting album”.

  • Starlito& Don Trip –  Step Brothers (Karate In The Garage)

 

This is arguably one of the greatest duos in Hip Hop today. Step Brothers (Karate in The Garage) is the third ‘Step Brothers’ mixtape released by the pair since their debut in 2011. The fifteen tracks on this album demonstrate once again the amazing rhyme chemistry between the two, aswell as intelligent word play and witty humour. Among the brilliant producers to work on this album are none other than Greedy Money and Trakksounds.

  • Dej Loaf &Jacquees – F*ck a friend zone

The two rappers have an awesome chemistry and this latest collaboration proves it. The mix tape is essentially a smooth collection of Hip Hop love songs and ballads. Ironically named ‘F*ck a friend zone’, this album will almost certainly get you out of one – if played at the right moment. Def Loaf is one of the hottest female rappers in the game right now.