August offers a diverse roster of notable new rap releases, from the street-hop debut of Slaughterhouse to the sassy soul-power of Queen Latifah, I give you the Top 10 New Rap Releases of the Month.
10. Tragedy Khadafi & Trez - 'Lethal Weapon'
Queens, New York, natives Tragedy Khadafi & Trez (Queensbridge and Astoria, respectively) join forces to deliver the a potent album steeped in New York hip-hop sound. Ric Rude, noted for his work with Jadakiss, Mobb Deep, and M.O.P., handles a bulk of the production duties.
Street Date: August 25th, 2009
Street Date: August 25th, 2009
9. Aesop - 'Living the Dream'
Is there a Living Legends member without a solo album at this point? Aesop is the latest LL to drop an LP of new material, with Living the Dream while Awake scheduled for an August 25th release. The album features Slug (of Atmosphere), Del The Funky Homosapien (of Hieroglyphics), Eligh & Bicasso (of Living Legends) and General Populous of Hop & Pop (Broken Complex).
Street Date: August 25, 2009
Street Date: August 25, 2009
8. East Flatbush Project - 'First Born (Overdue)'
Spencer Bellamy is the mastermind behind the East Flatbush Project. Bellamy, who was originally part of Howie Tee's "Count Disco" crew, started out in the music biz by deejaying block parties in Brooklyn, NY throughout the 80s before later trying his hands at beat-making. First Born (Overdue) is a collection of the tracks that Bellamy has released over the years, as well five additional songs that never made it to wax. All songs on this album were produced by Spencer Bellamy.
Street Date: August 4, 2009
Street Date: August 4, 2009
7. Lil Ru - '21 & Up'
Def Jam signee Lil' Ru first registered on the radar after receiving the Artist Patiently Waiting to Blow award at the 2007 Ozone Music Award. Lil Ru has his biggest single "Nasty Song" to thank for his recent success. "It changed my life and got me into this Def Jam situation," says Ru of the first single from his debut album 21 & Up. "Being signed puts you a much better position when you do go to radio stations because people are more likely to play your music. It’s an all around better look for me."
Street Date: August 25, 2009
Street Date: August 25, 2009
6. J-Rocc - 'Taster's Choice Vol. 1'
J-Rocc's latest effort offers a mix of hip-hop, funk, and breaks that we've come to expect from the funky president of the World Famous Beat Junkies. Taster's Choice Vol. 1 includes collaborations with Sly & Robbie, Stephen McGregor, David Kahne and members of Fishbone.
Street Date: August 25, 2009
Street Date: August 25, 2009
5. Daz Dillinger - 'Public Enemiez'
Hardcore Dogg Pound fans are would probably prefer a reunion album over the gazillion solo albums and side projects Daz and Kurupt have been dropping lately. For now, though, they'll have to settle for Dillinger's Public Enemiez. Kurupt recently dropped his collaboration effort with DJ Quik, BlaQKout, and the other half of the Pound, Daz Dillinger, is ready to grace his fans with a new album. Public Enemiez was inspired by the recent flick of the same title (different spelling), which highlights 1930s gangster John Dillinger, who Daz amiably fashioned his alias after. Tentative tracks include: "Life Stagez," "N My Neighborhood," and "Tell Me What U Got"
Street Date: August 11, 2009
Street Date: August 11, 2009
4. Joe Budden - 'Escape Route'
© Amalgam Digital
Escape Route is the third installment in Joe Budden's Amalgalm Digital series, which will culminate with The Great Escape. Guest MCs include: Wale, Slaughterhouse, and Young Chris, with production from 9th Wonder, Streetrunner, Chad West, and J. Cardim. If you liked Halfway House and Padded Room, then you should probably check out Escape Route. The album is only available on the web via Amalgalm Digital.
Street Date: August 11th, 2009
Street Date: August 11th, 2009
3. Queen Latifah - 'Persona'
Persona marks Latifah's return to rap. The album features Marsha Ambrosius, Busta Rhymes, Jadakiss, Mary J. Blige, and Cool & Dre. With the right production and concept, a new Latifah album could be a gift to longtime fans.
Street Date: August 25, 2009
Street Date: August 25, 2009
2. Snoop Dogg - 'Bacc 2 Tha Chuuch Vol. 1'
In 2009, Snoop Dogg has decided to revive his Welcome 2 Tha Chuuch mixtape series with the upcoming release of Bacc 2 Tha Chuuch. This time he's releasing it as a compilation album, with guest appearances by Kurupt, Daz, Ray J, Damani, Uncle Chucc, Tha Twinz. It also doubles as an introduction to Snoop's new artists: the Hustle Boyz, the TC’s, Tha Raw Doggz and singer Chris Starr. Production on Bacc 2 Tha Chuuch was entirely handled by Snoop himself under his Niggerachi moniker.
Street Date: August 4, 2009
Street Date: August 4, 2009
1. Slaughterhouse - 'Slaughterhouse'
Ever since Royce da 5'9", Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, and Crooked I merged forces to become the rap Voltron we now know as Slaughterhouse, everyone has been eagerly awaiting to see how their respective firepower will translate on a group album. Their self-titled debut album is light on guests, because, let's face it, who needs help from guest MCs when you have four of the brightest in the game sharing mics on the same album. The production team consists of Alchemist, Streetrunner, Emile, DJ Khalil, Mr. Porter, and Focus.
Street Date: August 11, 2009
Street Date: August 11, 2009
