ALBUMS OF THE YEAR 2019

Mach-Hommy – Wap Konn Jòj!

The enigmatic rapper had a phenomenal year in 2019 with three phenomenal releases in Tuez-Les Tous and Kill Em All, both collaborations with DJ Muggs. It was Wap Konn Jòj! however, his 7-track album that captured his incredible talents fully for me. With excellent features, soulful, intricate production and top-tier lyricism, this is truly a masterpiece. REVIEW / STREAM

billy woods & Kenny Segal – Hiding Places

The collaborative album between Brooklyn-based rapper billy woods and LA beat wizard Kenny Segal is a dense listen with a truly dystopian vibe. Hidden Places is cohesive, with top-tier raps from billy woods, who has cemented himself as one of the best and most revered rappers of this generation. STREAM

Akai Solo & Pink Siifu – Black Sand

I gave Black Sand a positive review, yet the more I listen to this album, the more I have come to truly love it and appreciate it. Akai Solo’s incredibly intricate and introspective lyricism, coupled with Pink Siifu’s dusty, raw production as iiye, makes for a hypnotic and dense listen. There’s a lot to unpack lyrically, which is what makes Akai Solo and this album so exciting to unpack. REVIEW / STREAM

Caleb Giles – Under The Shade

I’ve been a fan of this man’s work for a while now through his work with Standing On the Corner. His most recent project, Under The Shade is a stunning body of work encompassing all of his incredible talents as a singer, rapper, producer, composer, multi-instrumentalist etc. Cohesive, soulful, experimental and truly fascinating. REVIEW / STREAM

Medhane – Own Pace

Medhane’s introspection and relatability is what makes his debut Own Pace such a great album. Lyrically he is sharp, and the production throughout is eclectic, electronic, experimental and beautiful. I’ve been playing this non-stop since it has come out, and I’m so happy that he’s endured what he has, mental health-wise, to what sounds like a more positive, at peace version of himself. I can only hope that, but it really is a beautifully poignant album. REVIEW / STREAM