Juno Recommends Hip Hop / R&B: October 2024

Review: Dusty Donut's Naughty NMX is back with a double dose of feel-good grooves. On the A-side, he delivers a fresh, Nubian-inspired remake of a timeless summer funk classic that brings the sunshine to any setting. The B-side sees him collaborating with label mate Runex for a deeper and more soulful take. It features smooth production, punchy rhythms and slick drums that make it irresistible when played nice and loud and is the sort of track that brings smiles as well as energy. A must-have for anyone looking to keep the essence of summer alive in the darker months.

Review: Reissue of a classic alert! On 'Breakin' My Heart,' the wonderful Jim Sharp seamlessly blends A Tribe Called Quest's summery vibes with the original instrumentation sampled by J Dilla. Bebel Gilberto's iconic vocals glide over boom-bap drums and create an undeniably catchy groove. On the flip side, 'Check Minnie's Love,' Naughty NMX and Runex deliver once again by layering horns, heavy beats, deep bass, and smooth vocals into a gem with a nostalgic 90s feel. Minnie's silky vocals transform it into a dancefloor banger, capturing the essence of '92 without missing a beat.

Review: Canada's hottest topic breaks, edits and golden era DJ, DJ Pump, links fellow firestarter Jim Sharp for a new collaborative add to a multifarious backlog of digitals and records. As ever, Pump and Sharp build on a predilection for soul and hip-hop edits, and craft an impressive two-track 7" from the sources so tapped. Both 'Haayaa!' and 'Oh My' revolve around distinct period cuts from 90s a la Missy Elliott or Ludacris; plus an encyclopaedic knowledge on the part of both artists makes itself manifest on the B-side's 'Oh My!', which particularly samples Tweet's 2002 'Oops Oh My', priming it for the wonkiest reinterpretive play.

Review: Lupe Fiasco's Tetsuo & Youth marks a pivotal transition in his career, reflecting his evolving relevance in hip-hop. In his latest work, Lupe embraces a nuanced exploration of change, using seasonal interludesi"Summer," "Fall," "Winter," and "Spring"ito thematically structure the album. Each season encapsulates different moods, from the playful innocence of "Summer" to the dark realities of "Winter," culminating in a sense of renewal in "Spring." Highlights include the impressive 'Mural', where Lupe displays his talents with a nearly nine-minute verse, and 'Deliver', which poignantly addresses systemic issues through the metaphor of a delivery driver. The production, featuring contributions from DJ Dahi and others, provides a rich, musical backdrop that elevates his storytelling. Tetsuo & Youth is not just a comeback; it's a powerful statement of resilience and artistry in a genre often criticised for its complacency.

Review: The 45 Kings return with Vol 12, delivering two essential cuts from Nas's legendary Illmatic album. On Side-1, 'N.Y. State of Mind' captures the raw spirit of New York with its darker, jazz-influenced beats, perfectly complementing Nas's gritty lyrical flow. Side-2 features 'Represent'. a timeless track, exuding class with its sharp production and quintessential boom-bap vibe. Both tracks showcase why Illmatic is hailed as one of the greatest hip-hop records of all time. This 45 is perfect for any vinyl collector or fan of classic hip-hop, encapsulating the golden era with two undeniable gems from Nas's breakthrough masterpiece.

Review: Loma Vista proudly present the latest full-length album by Common, one of the so-called 'conscious' hip-hop scene's earliest progenitor. Here, the rapper teams up with fellow wordsmith and DJ Pete Rock - whom the former refers to as "one of The Greatest Creators Hip Hop and Music has ever seen" (capitalisations not going unnoticed) - for a 15-track meditation on the proverbial theatre: the setting in which the fantastical drama of hip-hop takes place. Never having worked together before, Common and Rock roll out an uncommon compendium, fulfilling in particular Common's dream of working with an antecedent great. Mid-album scratch-fests like 'All Kind Of Ideas' evoke golden-days hip-hop nostalgia through their easy, boppy grooves and images of hustling and "cooking up", while 'Wise Up' and 'Dreamin'' move more textural and vinyl-crackly with things, musing equally on the requisites of leg-breaking performance. A glisteningly soulful album, invoking the glabrous power of street dreams.

Review: Eminem's new album, Guilty Conscience 2, marks a bold return to his Slim Shady persona with a fresh angle that deepens his thematic exploration. With album sales over 220 million records worldwide, including albums, singles, and other formats, it is hard to argue that Eminem isn't the voice of this generation in Hip-Hop. As he turns 50, Eminem revisits and critiques his notorious alter ego, presenting Slim Shady as a relic of toxic masculinity and outdated rage. The album's first half channels Shady's provocative style, while the latter part reflects a more mature and contemplative Eminem. The production strikes a balance between modern sensibilities and nostalgic nods to earlier works, offering some of the best beats and hooks Eminem's had in years. Guest features, including JID and Big Sean, complement his intense delivery, enhancing the album's impact. While the content remains provocative, it effectively engages with its themes, providing a nuanced critique of both Eminem's past and the current cultural landscape. Fans of his earlier work will find much to appreciate here, though it may not break new ground. Overall, Guilty Conscience 2 is a compelling chapter in Eminem's storied career.

Review: Roots Manuva's Run Come Save Me is a quintessential British rap record, showcasing a unique fusion of hip-hop with West Indian influences. Released in 2004, the album - his second - stands out for its inventive production and socially conscious lyrics. Roots Manuva's distinctive flow, reminiscent of DV Alias Khryst and Shabba Ranks, combines with beats that draw from garage, dub and electronica, creating a distinctive sound. Tracks like 'Bashment Boogie' and 'Witness (One Hope)' feature gritty basslines and pulsating rhythms, while 'Ital' offers a classic cipher vibe with compelling social commentary. The album's highlights include 'Sinny Sin Sins,' where Roots critiques religious dogma with incisive lyrics, and 'Dreamy Days,' which contrasts materialism with natural pleasures. His British perspective enriches the album, adding a unique cultural dimension. While some tracks like 'Trim Body' explore avant-garde territory, the overall effect is a powerful, fresh take on hip-hop. Run Come Save Me remains a significant and genre-defining work.

Review: Eminem's latest album marks a bold and thoughtful effort to revisit and redefine his Slim Shady persona. Emphasising a concept album format, Eminem wants fans to experience the project in sequence, aiming to dissect and reflect on Slim Shady's controversial legacy. The album's first half brings back Slim Shady's provocative edge, addressing contemporary issues like cancel culture and Gen Z with a raw, unapologetic energy. Drawing from the darker corners of his past work, such as Encore and Relapse, the production provides a gritty backdrop that enhances the thematic exploration. Eminem's self-reflection is both daring and introspective, with tracks like 'Guilty Conscience 2' presenting a powerful narrative of putting Slim Shady to rest. In the latter half, the album transitions to a more reflective Eminem, offering familiar yet heartfelt insights into his personal journey and struggles. The album's production and moments of clarity showcase Eminem's continued evolution as an artist. This ambitious project stands out in a year of exceptional rap music, highlighting Eminem's enduring relevance and creativity.

Review: Timeless is the third solo studio album by Haitian-Canadian DJ, producer, and musician Kaytranada. The award-winning global star is a master at blurring the lines between hip-hop, house, funk, r&b, and electronic sounds and does that again here with his signature production interlaced with playful skits and interludes between the fully developed tracks. The album features a diverse lineup of high-profile collaborators including vocal performances from Dawn Richard, Childish Gambino, Anderson .Paak, and Tinashe. This mix of artists brings a dynamic range of styles to the album, while Kaytranada's production skills unite it all and make for another standout in his oeuvre.

Review: edbl is a dynamic producer based in South London who is synonymous with a mellow, soulful sound and collaborations with over 60 different artists. His acclaimed work South London Sounds played a pivotal role in establishing his popularity in Japan and Asia not least his signature track 'The Way Things Were' featuring Isaac Waddington. This all new long player compiles carefully selected songs that take in some superbly smooth and soulful tracks. Highlights include the jazzy flute-infused 'I'll Wait' and the beautifully vocal-driven 'Table For Two,' which sure do solidify edbl's status at the forefront of the global music scene.

Review: Common and Pete Rock are two towering behemoths in the hip-hop world. Rock is best known for his instinctive and distinctive beat making style and for plenty of seminal tunes which showcase that, while Common is the next level lyricist, rapper and iconic freestyler who paints vivid pictures with his words. The Auditorium Vol 1 is a remarkable coming together of the two which arrives on limited edition coloured vinyl across four sides of wax. The groundbreaking collab blends all their considerable skills into a record that draws on the golden era but also shows a new future for the genre. It's richly layered and hugely rewarding, as you would expect.

Review: Rodney Smith, aka Roots Manuva, is a titan of Black British music, renowned for his genre-blending production that fuses hip-hop with reggae, dub, and electronic influences. His groundbreaking debut, Brand New Second Hand (1999), marked his entrance into the UK music scene with its introspective lyrics and avant-garde beats, establishing him as a seminal figure. Celebrating the 25th anniversary of Brand New Second Hand, a special 2LP edition on smoky vinyl will be released, featuring bonus tracks and a portrait print of Roots Manuva. Despite the acclaim for Run Come Save Me (2001), his debut remains crucial, offering potent dub poetry over beats reminiscent of DJ Shadow's style mixed with Linton Kwesi Johnson. The album stands as one of the first great UK hip-hop records, with a unique sound that continues to influence and define the genre.

Review: Skyzoo's debut album, The Salvation, released back in September 2009 marked a major moment in his career and was packed with production from top hip-hop talents like Just Blaze, 9th Wonder, Nottz, Illmind, Black Milk, and Needlz. Known for his heartfelt, true-to-life lyrics, Skyzoo quickly earned respect as one of his generation's standout emcees with collaborations across the hip-hop spectrum, from Rakim to Black Thought. He has released numerous albums, including projects with Pete Rock and Apollo Brown, and to celebrate this one's 15th anniversary, Duck Down Records serves it up on navy blue and white marbled vinyl.

Review: Bashy, one of the UK's most talented rappers, makes his highly anticipated return with Being Poor is Expensive, his second studio album. Produced by Toddla T alongside Bashy, with additional contributions from Benji B, PRGSHN and Aaron Levy, the 11-track album was recorded at Steeze Factory in West London and completed in late 2023. Being Poor is Expensive is a powerful reflection of Bashy's upbringing in North West London, offering a raw and honest portrayal of the streets, homes, and challenges that shaped his life. The album serves as both a tribute to his community and a homage to the journeys of migration that have defined generations before him. Through its gritty beats and heartfelt lyricism, it encapsulates the essence of the city while highlighting Bashy's growth as an artist.

Review: B-sides, Remixes, Rarities: Volume 3 & 4 is the second double LP in Amerigo's Soul Mates series and this one showcases 15 more superb tracks from his extensive catalogue. This compilation includes exciting mash-ups like Kendrick Lamar vs. Marvin Gaye, Dr. Dre vs. Curtis Mayfield, and Black Star vs. Aretha Franklin, among others. Each track highlights a masterful blending of iconic artists to create a unique listening experience that celebrates the intersections of hip-hop and soul and brings plenty of good times.

Review: Celebrating the 30th anniversary of House of Pain's Same As It Ever Was, released in June 1994, a record which defied expectations by abandoning the formula that skyrocketed them to fame in favour of a grittier, more confrontational sound. When House of Painicomposed of Everlast (Erik Schrody), Danny Boy (Daniel O'Connor), and DJ Lethal (Leor Dimant)ifirst exploded onto the scene in 1992, their boisterous anthem 'Jump Around' and debut album House of Pain (Fine Malt Lyrics) garnered Platinum success. The group was known for embracing their Irish heritage and for their rough-and-tumble persona, being part of the larger Soul Assassins crew alongside Cypress Hill and Funkdoobiest. But for their second album, they chose a more unorthodox path. Instead of recycling their previous success, Same As It Ever Was presented a darker, moodier sonic palette, which can be heard in tracks like 'Who's the Man?'ia brooding reflection on criminal life that belied its placement in the soundtrack of a lighthearted comedy film. The track showed DJ Lethal's hollow, eerie production and Everlast's grim lyrics about the harsh realities of street life. The album opener, 'Back From the Dead', produced by Muggs and The Baka Boyz, immediately set the tone with gritty, aggressive production that made it clear House of Pain wasn't interested in rehashing their past. Everlast took the lead on the album, with his gruff delivery driving most of the tracks, and Danny Boy contributing sparingly. While the debut album leaned into their Irish pride, Same As It Ever Was abandoned much of that theme in favor of more introspective and hard-hitting lyricism. The album's first single, 'On Point', came closest to recapturing the energy of 'Jump Around', with its call-and-response hooks and funky horn samples, though it didn't reach the same level of mainstream appeal. Instead, tracks like 'Word Is Bond', which featured production from Diamond D, or the Muggs-produced 'Keep It Comin'' demonstrated the group's commitment to artistic integrity over commercial viability. Musically, Same As It Ever Was shared a similar haunting, dusty aesthetic with Cypress Hill's Black Sunday, thanks to Muggs' consistently gritty production. Songs like 'Running Up On Ya' and 'Over There Shit' emphasised resonant basslines and tough, breakneck rhythms, perfectly complementing Everlast's raw lyrical style. While the album didn't replicate the multi-Platinum success of their debut, it still went Gold, and has since gained recognition as an artistic triumph, celebrated for its bold departure from mainstream expectations.

Review: Rasco's The Unassisted was a pivotal release in 1997, helping to put independent rap on the map with its raw energy and standout production. Taken from his Time Waits for No Man LP, this 12" single, produced by Fanatic with cuts from D-Styles and Peanut Butter Wolf, quickly became an underground classic. Rasco's sharp delivery and gritty lyricism, paired with that unmistakable 90s sound, solidified his place in the scene. Over the years, Rasco has collaborated with hip-hop heavyweights like Phife Dawg, Evidence, Jake One and Roc Raida, releasing albums with Stones Throw and gaining international recognition.

Review: Some throwback and retro rap and early hip-hop fin here from Fraternity and Und Brother who join forces to put out this gem from Super Lover See and Casanova Rud. 'Girls Act Stupid-aly' takes up the A-side of the 7" with some playful bars and plenty of scratching, machine drum grooves and melodic hooks. 'I Gotta Good Thing' has some superb flow and plenty of James Brown vocals as well as big horns making it a real party starter.

Review: XXXTENTACION's fourth and final studio album Bad Vibes Forever showcases the late rapper's eclectic style and genre-blending talents with a diverse lineup including Lil Wayne, Blink-182, Tory Lanez and Vybz Kartel. The album shifts between hip-hop, rock, reggae and emo and reflects XXXTENTACION's complex artistry with tracks that range from emotional introspection to high-energy collaborations and create a varied sound. The album, while bittersweet, highlights his raw vulnerability and serves as a fitting farewell to a vital contributor to the hip-hop landscape of his day.