Slim’s Pickings 2022 Pt. 1

For those of you unaware, I recently published a list of my top 10 favourite hip hop and RnB albums in The Wire Magazine, as part of their end of year review issue. It was a tough list to compile because 2022 contained a multitude of stellar releases, many of which deserved further praise.
Guilt quickly set in after I’d submitted the list to my editor, not because I felt like I’d made a mistake with any of my choices, but because I wish I had been given the time and space to write about the bevy of other favourites that had been in rotation over the last 12 months. So now I’m going to attempt to summarise those remaining projects and give them the shine they deserve. But first my original list and the accompanying blurb, for those of you who missed it the first time round. I should also mention that I fucked up with the Little Simz pick. I had it in my head that SIMBI came out in early 2022, but in fact it was late 2021. I blame my own sketchy-at-best memory and the fact that her MOBO win came so late in the year. Anyway…

Open Mike Eagle ft. Armand Hammer: Burner Account

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This godsent collaboration just dropped on to the timeline, courtesy of the always refreshing, Open Mike Eagle. Burner Account not only features an unsurprisingly dope back-to-back feature from Armand Hammer, but also some similarly captivating production from Quelle Chris. Now I’m just thinking about a full project from the four of them. A man can dream. In the meantime, make the most of this.

Gangster Doodles: Gangster Music Vol​.​2 (Pre-order)

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Good news from the world of Gangster Doodles, as he announces the upcoming release of the second installment from his Gangster Music compilation series. Two and a half years after the release of the first volume, the Toronto artist is now blessing us with another handpicked selection of tracks which span the rap world – 28 in total!!
You can hear a taster below, in the form of Champion by Mike G and Lil B, with the rest of the album boasting material from the likes of Open Mike Eagle, Black Milk, Lord Apex, Zeroh and King Kashmere, to name but a few. Pre-orders for the Gangster Music Vol.2 are available now, as well as a whole bunch of different bundle options. Check the Bandcamp page for more information. The album is set for release on 15 October.

Open Mike Eagle: Idaho

A throwback to the album that gave me my first proper introduction to Open Mike Eagle, as he brings us a new video for the track, Idaho. The track is produced by Kenny Segal and it’s lifted from Dark Comedy, while the video was created by BrainPaint. Good stuff all round.

TheDeadCanRap ft. Open Mike Eagle: Imitations + LP News

TheDeadCanRap is a newly formed duo who announced their arrival this week, with the unveiling of the lead single from their debut album. Comprised of art rap favourite, Mike Ladd, and British abstract artist, Remi Rough, TheDeadCanRap aim to create art that encapsulates both their worlds in one left-field amalgamation. As well as the forthcoming album, there will also be an accompanying art-book, which you can find more info on via their Bandcamp page. The lead single, Imitations, also features fellow art rap advocate, Open Mike Eagle, while the rest of the project boasts appearances from Malik Ameer of Madison Washington and Nosaj of New Kingdom. You can hear Imitations below and then the full album is due for release on 11 December, via Def Pressé.

Open Mike Eagle ft. Kari Faux: Bucciarati + LP News

On Tuesday, Open Mike Eagle broke the news that he has a new album on the way. Titled Anime, Trauma + Divorce, the album will feature production from a number of contributors, including Black Milk, Frank Leone, Gold Panda and Caleb Stone, who notches up a few credits including the lead single. Bucciarati is a lively little number with a tasty feature from Kari Faux. OME’s previous collaborator, Jacknife Lee, is the album’s executive producer. Anime, Trauma + Divorce is due for full release on 16 October, along with a limited vinyl run of 1,000 copies (Down to 194 as I write this). Pre-orders and more info can be found on Bandcamp, and you can hear Bucciarati below.

Dr. Bobby Banner, MPC ft. Open Mike Eagle & Scuare: Colomb

Turning our attention towards Texas now and this new track from resident producer, Dr Bobby Banner. The MPC specialist has teamed up with blog favourite, Open Mike Eagle, for Colomb, as well as fellow Texas artist, Scuare.

R.A.P. Ferreira: Purple Moonlight Pages (Stream)

It’s another sublime offering from R.A.P. Ferreira, as he releases his new album into the world. The artist formerly known as Milo has long been lauded as an MC who embraces the more poetic side of rap and on this latest album, we hear that stylistic blend taken to beautiful new heights. Production throughout is handled by The Jefferson Park Boys – aka Kenny Segal, Mike Parvizi, and Mr Carmack – who conjure up an equally absorbing selection of beats to match Ferreira’s vocals, from the jazz-funk strains of No Starving Artists and Laundry, to the more down-tempo joys of earlier single, Doldrums, and the Mike Ladd assisted, An Idea is a Work of Art. Ladd is one of only two features on the album, with Open Mike Eagle making a nice appearance on Pinball. The full glory of the album is available for you to explore below and downloads are available via Bandcamp.

Grift Company: Too Many Secrets

The Wrecking Crew are back at it with a new EP from Grift Company on the horizon. Made up of regular collaborators Zilla Rocca and Curly Castro, Too Many Secrets follows on from the duo’s self-titled EP which was released back in April last year. We’ve already been treated to the first single, Company Dro, which features the always on point Open Mike Eagle and paves the way for what is surely going to be another successful venture for the Philadelphia outfit. The track is produced by dos4gw. You can hear Company Dro below and pre-orders for the EP are available over on Bandcamp. The official release date is set for 8 October and features production credits from the likes of Willie Green, Jason Griff and Zilla himself.

Open Mike Eagle & Method Man: Eat Your Feelings

Another fantastic video from Open Mike Eagle and his recently launched comedy show on Comedy Central. On Eat Your Feelings, he is joined by Wu Tang favourite, Method Man, as the duo offer some fine rhymes on the subject of OTT flexin’ by literally eating luxury goods.