Lt Headtrip: Steinway (Stream)

This week we were treated to the release of the new album from Lt Headtrip, following on from a couple of very enticing singles. Steinway serves as an ode to Headtrip’s home, studio and general safehouse for the orbiting artists that have played a part in WATKK’s story to date. Many of those same artists make up the guestlist on the album, with features from the likes of Googie, Duncecap, Samurai Banana and Gruff Lion. I’m not sure if this is the last we’ll hear from the label this year, but if it is then it’s a fitting finale for an exceptionally strong 12 months. Steinway is available to stream below, while downloads are available via Bandcamp.

Lt Headtrip ft. Googie: Out My Damn Mind

More music from the Karma Kids camp, as Lt Headtrip readies the troops for a new self-produced album. Enlisting the help of Googie on the first single, Out My Damn Mind, the resulting track is a heady blend of vocals from two equally imposing flows. The rest of the album is set to feature a bumper cast of support from the likes of Samurai Banana, Duncecap and Gruff Lion. It’s due out on 29 November, with pre-orders available now via WATKK.

Googie & Henry Canyons: Hijinx (Stream)

Something of a surprise drop from Backwoodz Studioz today, as Henry Canyons and Googie join forces for to deliver Hijinx. I’ve got a proper review coming in The Wire next month so I won’t go into too much detail, suffice it to say it is 100% worthy of your time and attention. If you’ve heard their sporadic collabs in the past, then you’ll know they’re a good pairing, and with production contributions from regular co-conspirators, Matt Bowen and Fresh Kils, it all adds up to a very successful venture indeed. You can stream the album in full below, with downloads available via Bandcamp.

ShrapKnel: Shrapknel (Stream)

This month saw the release of the debut LP from ShrapKnel, aka the well-matched pairing of PremRock and Curly Castro. It follows on from their introductory EP, which was released last year to triumphant acclaim and helped build the intrigue for this album. Considering we’re dealing with two already established rappers here, this latest outing appears to have urged them to push their levels even higher, with each bar seemingly trying to outdo its predecessor. Sonically it’s a masterpiece as well, thanks to the involvement of not one, but two production talents, ELUCID and Willie Green. Further fortified by some impeccably chosen features, from Zilla Rocca, CASTLE, billy woods, GOOGIE and Henry Canyons, the album shot into the upper echelons of the 2020’s releases and will no doubt remain there until the year’s end. You can hear the album in its full glory below, with downloads and vinyl available on Bandcamp. As well as the album, you will also find their latest video for Fashion Week, featuring production from ELUCID.

ialive: I’ll Wait Forever (Stream)

A superb project here from ialive, as he achieves his vision of assembling a group of his favourite artists to go to work on a selection of his favourite beats. It’s a fantastic array of names on the tracklist, including Philly affiliates Zilla Rocca, Curly Castro and Torito, as well as the likes of Uncommon NASA, Sleep Sinatra, Unsung and Googie. It’s an ambitious album to pull off, but that’s precisely what ialive has done in spades, simultaneously shining a light on the talent both within his peer group and within his own production techniques. I’ll Wait Forever is out now via Bandcamp and you can also stream it below.

Googie: Floating Polygons (Stream)

New project from the Karma Kids camp, as Googie unveils Floating Polygons. 12 tracks deep with no features and production from a range of names, including Headtrip, Blockhead, Raisi K and Wes Wax. The album is available to stream below and downloads can be found over on Bandcamp.

Googie: Googie Architecture

Googie recently released a new video for one of the tracks taken from his 2016 album, ‘Tis What ‘Tis. The Karma Kids MC brought in Blockhead to handle the production on Googie Architecture, with fellow KK member, Headtrip, on video duties. The album is still available to download over on the Karma Kids Bandcamp.

Premiere – Lt Headtrip ft. Googie: Fall in Dreams (Blockhead Remix)

A year ago Karma Kids representative, Lt Headtrip, released his self-produced solo album, Comedy of the Filthbeast. Today to celebrate the anniversary, I am pleased to be able to bring you the Blockhead remix of Fall in Dreams, one of the many high points from the album. The track features regular sparring partner, Googie, and is accompanied by a tidy found footage style video, courtesy of Matthew Waysdorf.

Henry Canyons: Cool Side of the Pillow (Stream)

Henry Canyons follows up the sublime sounds of January’s, La Côte West, with a brand new full-length project which could be named after his whole demeanour. Cool Side of the Pillow was one of a few notable releases from Friday 13th, proving that it was definitely not bad luck to be a hip hop fan. While the previous project brought with it a multitude of different producers, Canyons has enlisted just one for Cool Side, in the form of Matt “Bones” Bowen.