Self 2
Photo Credit: Jack McKain
This week’s crop of new albums features a mix of New York rap newcomers, R&B veterans, a couple of debuts, and one 90-song rap album.
You know what time it is. Every Friday, we round up the most notable new albums that dropped this week, so you don’t have to go searching blindly.
This week, we got Benny the Butcherand Harry Fraud's first album together, The Plugs I Met 2; a collabo EP from Pink Siifuand Fly Anakin; R&B singer Joyce Wrice's debut, Overgrown; Jon Batiste's sophomore album, WE ARE; and so much more your ears will bleed trying to keep up.
Check out all the new albums you need to know about below.
Benny the Butcher & Harry Fraud — The Plugs I Met 2
Photo Credit: Black Soprano Family
Benny The Butcher links with veteran producer Harry Fraud for The Plugs I Met 2, the sequel to his 2019 tape. Speaking to Complex about the nine-song album, Benny said:
“We might be nine for nine on this... I recorded it over a period of time, but it’s not that we needed all that time—it was just whenever I was in the city, I would lock in. I had a project or two coming out before that, so I got the chance to let this project marinate, and that’s what I love about all my projects.”
22GZ — THE BLIXKY TAPE 2
Photo Credit: Atlantic Recording
Brooklyn drill rapper 22Gz dropped the sequel to his 2019 street classic. In a press release, 22Gz talked about the genre he helped pioneer, saying:
“Brooklyn Drill means everything to me... It was unbelievable and humbling to see everyone doing my dance and listening to the songs. The genre starts with the beat. Then, it’s what we talk about. It’s aggressive, but you can vibe to it. Girls dance to it. Anybody can listen to it. There’s so much going on in my hometown. I’m writing the soundtrack to it by mixing truth with drip and swag.”
Joyce Wrice — Overgrown
Photo Credit: Breyona Holt
Joyce Wrice has finally released her debut album, Overgrown. The album was executive produced by D'Mile. In an interview with Okayplayer, she said:
"I really wanted to make an album that is versatile, sonically, so I tend to work on a lot of records that are slow and mid-tempo so my manager and my A&R really challenged me to make uptempo records. D’Mile was really able to help me do that."
Pink Siifu & Fly Anakin — $mokebreak
Photo Credits: Lex Records
The $mokebreak EP is the follow-up to Pink Siifu and Fly Anakin’s 2020 debut, FlySiifu’s. Check out the video for "Tha Divide" which features ZelooperZ, MAVI, and Koncept Jack$on.
DDG & OG Parker — Die 4 Respect
Photo Credit: DDG Entertainment
Michigan rapper DDG locks it in with producer OG Parker for the melodic Die 4 Respect. Speaking to Billboard about working with Parker, DDG said:
"I feel like OG Parker is super-duper underrated. He’s a legendary producer, and he’s touched thousands of beats that you hear every single day. We just locked in in Miami, became close friends — and when you build an actual relationship with a producer, the music just gets better and better."
Tokyo Jetz — Cancel Culture
Photo Credit: Grand Hustle
Last year, Florida rapper Tokyo Jetz caught herself in hot water after she made a pretty terrible George Floyd joke. She apologized but the damage was done. Now, she is responding to the incident with her new album, Cancel Culture. Maybe she will start a Substack next.
Justin Bieber — JUSTICE
Photo Credit: Def Jam
A singer you might have heard of has dropped his new album, Justice. The album features appearances from Khalid, Chance the Rapper, Burna Boy, Daniel Caesar, and a clip from a Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. speech.
KOTA the Friend & Statik Selektah — To Kill A Sunrise
Photo Credit: Fltbys
Brooklyn rapper KOTA The Friend keeps on killing them. For his second project of 2021, has linked with Statik Selektah for To Kill a Sunrise. In a press release he spoke about working with Statik:
“It’s a privilege to work with Statik. He’s been a brother to me since I started making music. This album is a statement, it’s no fillers, bars, and amazing production. I’m coming for it all, my way and I’m not taking no for an answer.”
Jon Batiste — WE ARE
Photo Credit: Naht Jona
Jon Batiste has released his second album, We Are, which features Quincy Jones, Mavis Staples, PJ Morton, Zadie Smith, and more. In a press release, he spoke about the album, saying:
“I'm publicly known for some things already... But there's so much more to know about me. It’s always been there. Now is the time to show the world my full artistry.”
Clay “Krucial” Perry III — If We Must Die
Photo Credit: Drumatized
Memphis rapper Clay “Krucial” Perry III dropped his major label mixtape debut If We Must Die. The project features Tay Keith, Lil Migo, Trippie Redd, and BlocBoy JB.
Trap Manny — IN TRAP WE TRUST
Photo Credit: AtlanticHighbridge The Label rapper Trap Manny drops a new EP featuring Pop Smoke, Rubi Rose, Lil Durk, A Boogie, and more. In an interview with Dirty Glove Bastard, Manny talked about his upbringing and signing to Highbridge.
Lil B — Santa
Photo Credit: Lil B
Every couple of months, Lil B comes out of nowhere and drops a 90 to 100 song mixtape. B continues that tradition with Santa, which has 90 songs.
Starrah — The Longest Interlude
Photo Credit: Starrah
Starrah, one of the best songwriters working, has released her debut album, The Longest Interlude. Check out the video for "Miss This" here.
Nappy Nina & JWords — Double Down
Photo Credit: LucidHaus
Rapper Nappy Nina links with JWords for Double Down, their excellent new album. Tap into this one.
Guapdad 4000 & !llmind — 1176
Photo Credit: Paradise Rising
Guapdad 4000 and !llmind just dropped their collaborative album 1176. Check out the video for "Chicken Adobo" here.
(OFB) Bandokay and Double Lz — Drill Commandments
Photo Credit: Ratrap
Bandokay and Double Lz, from British group OFB, have dropped their new project, Drill Commandments. Check out the video for "Flick Of The Wrist."
Joey Trap — LOYALTY
Photo Credit: Young Rich Squad
San Diego-based rapper Joey Trap returns with a new album called LOYALTY. Speaking about the album, Joey said:
"I like being diverse with most of my projects and putting a bunch of different vibe songs on the same album to show off my ability and to be diverse. But, with this project I wanted to keep strictly a specific sound that we’ve kind of developed over the past few years. I really have made a different West Coast/East Coast combination sound that I wanted to display for this album."
Check out the video for "Brace" here.
Adé Hakim — EVERYTHING I AM AND WILL BE
Photo Credit: Bronx Academy of Home
Rapper and producer Adé Hakim drops a quick four-song, five-minute EP called EVERYTHING I AM AND WILL BE.
Vegyn — Like A Good Old Friend
Photo Credit: PLZ Make It Ruins
London-born, LA-based producer Vegyn drops a new project called Life A Good Old Friend. Speaking to i-D about the EP, he said:
“It’s funny releasing dance music right now... But you know, the club has always been somewhat of a fetishized space for me. The idea of it is more alluring than being there. I’m the 6’3 guy stood at the back of the room holding the crushed can of beer; the stoic head-nodder and all that.”
Shawny Binladen — Waiting on Wick
Photo Credit: WCF the Label
Woodhull, Queens rapper Shawny Binladen has released a new tape called Waiting on Wick. The tape features 14 brief, but potent, tracks where he flips popular songs like "Bonnie and Shyne," "Stan," "So Fresh, So Clean" and more.
Serious Klein — Ludus
Photo Credit: Guin Records
Ghanaian rapper Serious Klein drops a six-song EP called Ludus. Check out the video for "Down" here.
Tireek & Lonely Leonard — Crookland
Photo Credit: Goat Gang
Tireek, a 22-year-old rapper from Brooklyn, and Lonely Leonard, a 21-year-old rapper from Bloomfield, New Jersey, join together for their debut album, Crookland. There's some heat on here, check it out below.
Rami —When I Say That, I Mean
Photo Creditt: Dolfin Records
Rami links with Stephen Carmona for a quick four-song instrumental EP called When I Say That, I Mean.
Figmore — Jumbo Street
Photo Credit: Fresh Selects
Figmore, a duo consisting of singer JUICEB☮X and producer 10.4 Rog, drop their debut album Jumbo Street.
