Shape Up - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers - Cheat Codes
Leikeli47 - Shape Up
For the friends of: Cardi B, Tkay Maidza, M.I.A.
Genre: hip hop, RnB
Year: 2022
Country: US
Favorite track(s): ‘Chitty Bang’, ‘Secret Service’, and ‘BITM’
Emoji: 🎭
Random words: clouds
I discovered ‘Leikeli47’ quite recently with her previous album ‘Acrylic’ and fell in love with her way of making fresh hip hop music. So finding out soon that there was a new album made me really happy with my timing. ‘Shape Up’ is a very versatile album with darker melancholic hip hop beats, some experimental parts, unpredictable surprises, soft RnB tracks, and diverse vocals. Actually, I think ‘Leikeli47’ is one of the most versatile MCs using her voice in many different ways, having multiple different flows, and she is nicely balancing with those. The real strength of the album is that both the flow and the beats are super tight and exciting. Zero bad words for the album!
Kendrick Lamar - Mr. Morale & The Big Steppers
For the friends of: Kanye West, Pusha T, Freddie Gibbs
Genre: hip hop
Year: 2022
Country: US
Favorite track(s): ‘United In Grief’, ‘Mr. Morale’ and The Heart Part 5’
Emoji: 🌤
Random words: salad
‘Kendric’ is back after ‘DAMN.’ in 2017. People have been waiting for the new album as finally, it's here. The first thing to mention is that the album is MASSIVE! Nineteen tracks, including the interludes and almost an hour and 20 minutes of intense rap music. The album is pretty varied, which is a good thing for a long album, but it also lacks the final punch, and the package does not keep it together well. There are many cool and innovative tracks and parts, but some tracks are just too safe and even boring. Still, I think the Kendric fans are happy with the album.
Black Thought & Danger Mouse - Cheat Codes
For the friends of: Willie The Kid, Jay Electronica, ‘Sour Soul’ by Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD
Genre: boom bap, hip hop
Year: 2022
Country: US
Favorite track(s): ’Sometimes’, ‘Because’ and ‘Strangers’
Emoji: ✊
Random words: honey with spikes
Wow! This has to be one of the best rap albums this year. ‘Black Thought’ has released two albums previously and for some reason, they have always felt just average for me. But this time, teaming up with ‘Danger Mouse’, everything just clicks. The beats are dusty and crackling with so many brilliant details and soulfulness. ‘Danger Mouse’ is an incredible artist and producer, but this time he has made something that is just flowing so nicely. All the loops, beats, and variation is just… there’s not enough to express how good everything sounds. ‘Black Thought’, together with all the featuring artists, sounds superb; there is really no weak point on the album. ‘Cheat Codes’ has to be in many aoty lists!
