Backwoodz Studioz: High Bias (Stream)

A surprise release here to coincide with Bandcamp Friday, as Backwoodz Studioz flex their collective muscle with a new compilation. Billed as lying “somewhere between a label sampler and woods’ curated mixtape”, High Bias features mostly new and unheard tracks from familiar label dwellers like Armand Hammer, AKAI SOLO and ShrapKnel, as well appearances from extended family members – and possible new additions to the roster? – including Fatboi Sharif, Breeze Brewin and Cavalier. The production is up to its usual standards as well, with August Fanon, Messiah Musik, Sebb Bash and DJ Haram among the contributors. High Bias is available to stream below, with downloads and cassettes over on Bandcamp.

AKAI SOLO: Demonslayer + LP Stream

Backwoodz Studioz promised us a bountiful year at the start of 2022 and that’s exactly what they have delivered, culminating (possibly?) with the release of AKAI SOLO’s debut album on the label. SOLO has been steadily building a reputation as one of the foremost artists of the era, thanks to a string of solo records and collaborations that have emerged over the last few years.
His latest, Spirit Roaming, is the direct evolution of that ascent as he officially joins the ranks of a label that perfectly matches his own trajectory. There are many familiar names among the production credits, with August Fanon, Roper Williams, Theravada and Messiah Musik among the sonic craftsmen who have all lent their skills to the record, helping to create what is arguably the Brooklyn MC’s strongest work to date.
The first video from the album was released in conjunction with the main drop and features production from regular collaborator, iblss, who has been behind a few of my favourite beats over the span of SOLO’s career. You can check the video out above, with a preview of the full album available below. Check out Bandcamp to fulfil your digital and physical wish list.

ELUCID: Spellling + LP Stream

Having teased us with the promise of another 12 month bounty of stellar projects at the start of the year, Backwoodz continue to keep to their word with the release of the latest album from ELUCID. I Told Bessie landed last week and helped to further carve out ELUCID’s niche as one of the most captivating artists of a generation. Wielding his voice as a weapon, the Armand Hammer MC wades through production picks from the likes of Child Actor, Sebb Bash, August Fanon, The Lasso and The Alchemist. There is also a strong supporting cast of vocalists, including billy woods, Quelle Chris and Pink Siifu. You can watch the video for the lead single, Spellling, above and then head to Bandcamp to grab a copy of the full album.

Tokyo Cigar x August Fanon: Lexus Money (Stream)

A fresh collaboration from two artists who are always worthy of your attention in their respective solo forms, as Tokyo Cigar and August Fanon reunite for Lexus Money. Fanon once again cooks up a beat selection seemingly tailormade for his lyrical counterpart, while Tokyo returns the favour with a highly entertaining batch of verses. Peruse the project for yourself below, then head to Bandcamp to cop the download.

Sleep Sinatra: Animal God (Stream)

The run of success continues for Sleep Sinatra, as he brings a momentous year to a close with his latest album. Animal God is the next in a long line of strong projects this year, including CLASSYSINATRA and The Unlearning, further highlighting the Lincoln MC as an artist who is not to be ignored. This latest album features beats from a tight selection of producers, including August Fanon, Stu Bangas, Don Carrera and Kluse. You can stream Animal God in full below and downloads are available via Bandcamp.

Sleep Sinatra: XERXES Flow (Stream)

Another project that slipped under the radar thanks to my drunken Christmas haze, is the latest from Sleep Sinatra. XERXES Flow rounded off a solid year for the Nebraska MC, following on from two EPs and his [D] A R K A N G E L LP. Once again on XERXES we’re reminded why Sinatra is such a competent MC and once again he manages to find the ideal batch of beats to bring the EP to life, thanks to production credits from the likes of August Fanon and SADHUGOLD. You can stream XERXES Flow below and there are downloads available over on Bandcamp.

Chris Crack: Just Gimme A Minute (Stream)

One of the more prolific artists riding the current wave of rap, Chris Crack, has returned with another new album, something like his fourth project this year. Just Gimme A Minute clocks in at 21 tracks long, but with the majority sitting just above the one minute mark. As usual Chris has enlisted the help of some great producers for the project, including Stepchild, August Fanon and Cutta. Just Gimme A Minute is available to stream below and you can cop a download over on Bandcamp.

Armand Hammer: Paraffin (Stream)

At long last the latest album from Armand Hammer is now available for your streaming pleasure. Originally released by Backwoodz Studioz on a limited vinyl only run, last week saw its arrival in digital form. The pairing of billy woods and ELUCID is always a cause for celebration, with Paraffin continuing in the same vein as its predecessors, delivering an album brimming over with lyricism that will leave you still finding gems on your umpteenth listen. The production boasts some great names, with Messiah Musik, Ohbliv, August Fanon, Willie Green, Kenny Segal and ELUCID himself all providing suitable backdrops for the tracks to unfold on. There is also a lone, yet particularly strong feature from Sketch185. Paraffin is available to stream below, with downloads available via Bandcamp.

Chris Crack: Being Woke Ain’t Fun (Stream)

Another strong release from Chris Crack emerged last week, as he blessed us with his Being Woke Aint Fun project. The majority of the production comes from August Fanon, but there are also contributions from Cutta, SC and Jimi Windgate. There are a bunch of features too from the likes of Ugly Boy Modeling, 20 Gramz and Chris Spencer. You can stream the album below and downloads are available via FXCK RXP.

Armand Hammer: Barbarians / Overseas

A fresh double header from Armand Hammer, as they release a dual video for two tracks from last year’s highly acclaimed Rome album. Barbarians and Overseas contain some of my favourite bars from the year (“New Testament God seeming like a no-show/Cross lowered from an icon to just a logo” anyone?), never mind from the album itself, which is why it’s been good to see the new video being championed by the likes of Earl Sweatshirt, who proclaimed on Twitter that he was spinning it back for a fifth time. The tracks were produced by JPEGMAFIA and August Fanon respectively, and the video was made by Joseph. Rome is out now via Backwoodz Studioz.