Serengeti: AJAI II (Stream)

Another satisfying release from Serengeti, as he delivers the digital version of AJAI II, which surfaced in physical form last year. The satisfaction comes not only from Serengeti’s raps, which retain the same amount of repeat spin value as on his previous offerings, but also from the album’s production. It’s handled for the most part by Child Actor, as well as a few moments of brilliance from Andrew Broder, resulting in one of my favourite projects of the year so far. You can listen to AJAI II below, with downloads available on Bandcamp.

AKAI SOLO: Body Feeling (Stream)

As we wait patiently for the arrival of the new album from AKAI SOLO, the Brooklyn MC has blessed us with this vitalising amuse bouche in the interim. Body Feeling emerged last week and offers up six tracks from one of my favourite voices currently circulating on the NY rap scene and beyond. The EP features production from some familiar names, including Child Actor, Nicholas Craven and Preservation. You can peruse the project for yourself below, then hit up Bandcamp for downloads and full credits. The full album is due for release on Backwoodz Studioz later this year.

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.

Armand Hammer ft. KeiyaA: Charms

I’ve been a bit slack with the blog recently, so much so that I totally missed this video from the new Armand Hammer album, which arrived at the start of the month. As with the RTJ album that dropped in the same week, Shrines is arguably the duo’s best work to date, as you will hear on the lead single, Charms. It features some soothing vocal work from KeiyaA on the hook and a blissfully superb beat from Child Actor; one of many gems in yet another crown for woods and ELUCID. Shrines is out now on Backwoodz Studioz.