Rap & Hip-Hop
On March 29, 2024, Shabazz Palaces’ two new mini-albums, Robed in Rareness and Exotic Birds of Prey, come out on CD and LP. Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by Ishmael Butler (Digable Planets), whose relentless drive to reimagine hip-hop – even as he enjoys his fifth decade on Earth – remains undiminished.
When Robed in Rareness hit digital platforms in 2023, NPR Music called it “enchanting and subversive," while Pitchfork observed that “the futurism of Shabazz Palaces has always been interwoven with the past and present, their songs scintillating tapestries of old-school shit talk, proggy psychedelia, and melodic flossing. Robed in Rareness is draped in this multiplicity as Butler and a team of close collaborators swagger across eras of rap.”
Exotic Birds of Prey furthers the modus operandi of Robed in Rareness: a respectful eye on the past, an embrace of an ever-evolving present, with its feet firmly planted in the future. Where Robed warped sounds like shoegaze and ambient music into the Shabazz Palaces multiverse, Exotic cross-pollinates these elements with twisted electro and funk vibes.
Indie Exclusive - The creator, writer and star of the FX hit TV show “DAVE” released his now legendary debut album in 2015, which peaked at #7 on the Billboard Top 200. After only being available as a very limited initial RSD release in 2016, it’s back on vinyl, in a special PLATINUM EDITION!
Childish Gambino - Atavista - Vinyl 2 LP
For years, Childish Gambino's Atavista hid in plain sight. When he released an unfinished version of the record on March 15, 2020, it spent just 12 hours on his website before he pulled it down. Reappearing on streaming a week later as 3.15.20, the project brought up almost as many questions as sparkling neo-soul anthems, which still sounded slicker than the average as raw cuts titled after timestamps.
Atavista is an ode to impermanence, never more directly than over the glimmering guitar of "Time" with Grande. ("One thing's for certain, baby/We're running out of time," they harmonize on the chorus.) But in Gambino's capable hands, Atavista also slows down to enjoy the view, the sonic equivalent of a luxe leather-interior BMW cruising an open California highway. "I did what I wanted to," he revels on closing track "Final Church." Atavista took many shapes over the years to reach a final form. In each warm refrain, tight sequence, and carefully chosen collaborator, Gambino demonstrates why some things are worth waiting for.
On March 29, 2024, Shabazz Palaces’ two new mini-albums, Robed in Rareness and Exotic Birds of Prey, come out on CD and LP. Shabazz Palaces is masterminded by Ishmael Butler (Digable Planets), whose relentless drive to reimagine hip-hop – even as he enjoys his fifth decade on Earth – remains undiminished.
When Robed in Rareness hit digital platforms in 2023, NPR Music called it “enchanting and subversive," while Pitchfork observed that “the futurism of Shabazz Palaces has always been interwoven with the past and present, their songs scintillating tapestries of old-school shit talk, proggy psychedelia, and melodic flossing. Robed in Rareness is draped in this multiplicity as Butler and a team of close collaborators swagger across eras of rap.”
Exotic Birds of Prey furthers the modus operandi of Robed in Rareness: a respectful eye on the past, an embrace of an ever-evolving present, with its feet firmly planted in the future. Where Robed warped sounds like shoegaze and ambient music into the Shabazz Palaces multiverse, Exotic cross-pollinates these elements with twisted electro and funk vibes.
Tierra Whack is a premiere rapper, musician and visual artist who is returning to the scene after a two-year gap in new releases. With collaborations with artists such as Beyoncé, Alicia Keys and Lil Yachty, Tierra has become a force to be reckoned with in the music industry. Her highly anticipated debut album, WORLD WIDE WHACK, is a follow-up to her critically acclaimed visual EP, Whack World. Tierra collaborated with fellow Philly native, conceptual artist, Alex Da Corte, on the visuals, artwork and creative elements of this album. Silver LP.
Dreamville rapper and global star, Bas’ fourth studio album, We Only Talk About Real Shit When We’re Fucked Up.
Featuring a star studded line up of special guests, Bas has curated an album primed for fans from all across the
globe including J. Cole (North Carolina), A$AP Ferg (New York), Adekunle Gold (Nigeria), Amaarae (Ghana), AJ
Tracey (London), FKJ (France) and more. Transparent Red 2 LP.
Often recognized as one of the most consistent and prolific duos in independent hip-hop, Atmosphere hit a stride of extraordinary output from July 2007 to April 2008, even by their own standards. Within those 9 months, they released a full-length album, four EP's, and a 42-minute mixtape of
exclusive material, altogether totaling 48 new songs released, all while they were consistently touring as well. This rapid-fire string of releases introduced some of their most popular songs to date and showcased their dynamic range, from moody and reflective, to upbeat and optimistic, to a boom-bap throwback style of rap, the latter of which was most prominently displayed on the mixtape. Introduced on Christmas Day 2007, the mixtape was a "gift" to fans in the form of a free download, aptly titled Strictly Leakage – a nod to both eschewing standardized industry practices in favor of giving the music away, and to another prominent album title from the era that inspired them and perhaps more specifically, these recordings. Strictly Leakage surprised fans and critics alike, not just because the download invite appeared in their inbox without warning, but also because the project sounded so uniquely different from Atmosphere's typical recordings. Ant was digging deep into the funk & soul crates, favoring samples over live instrumentation, and producing tracks that sounded as if they were birthed alongside late '80s and early '90s hip-hop classics. Slug was rapping with a renewed passion, yet somehow sounding more casual and carefree delivering endless wordplay with more technical rhyme patterns than other Atmosphere projects. Together, they created 13 exclusive songs that sounded as if they were just having fun making them, without the pressure of any album expectations – undoubtedly as rewarding an exercise for themselves as it was for the listeners. Early on, Strictly Leakage had been pressed on a limited run of vinyl and CD, but it wasn't long before they sold out, and fans were left chasing streams and digital files in order to hear the project. Finally, the project returns to vinyl LP and CD, made available for retail distribution, so fans everywhere can own and appreciate this unique chapter in Atmosphere's story.
Canadian born, Grammy-nominated, and the first artist ever signed to Drake’s OVO Sound imprint is back with a new 14 track PARTYNEXTDOOR album. PARTYNEXTDOOR 4 is now available on black vinyl. Album features the tracks “R e s e n t m e n t,” ”R e a l W o m e n,” “Lo s e M y M I n d” and 11 others.
The 8th full length studio album from RJD2! You may know him from the Mad Men theme. Or "Deadringer". Or those commercials and shows and movies and such. You may not even know the name, but you surely know the tunes. Well into his third decade in the game, RJD2 refuses to let his foot off the gas with quality albums. Ever so funky, mysterious, and quirkily soulful, "Visions Out Of Limelight" continues his tradition of making records free your mind, and you know what will follow. Featuring vocals from the legendary Jamie Lidell, long time collaborator Jordan Brown, and even one song by the man himself, this album is sure to satisfy longtime fans and those new to the party alike.
Guilty Simpson & Small Professor
Highway Robbery [RSD Essentials 1LPxGhostly Teal]
Vinyl: $28.99 Buy
Indie Exclusive - Coalmine Records digs into their storied discography to unveil their ten-year anniversary reissue of Highway Robbery, the collaborative concept album from Detroit’s heavyweight emcee Guilty Simpson and Philly beat smith Small Professor. Weighing in at 11 tracks, the project places the listener in a seemingly post-apocalyptic Detroit where the mentality is feast or famine. Highway Robbery plays as one long narrative of Guilty’s day-to-day survival in Detroit’s concrete jungle, all set to the tone of Small Professor’s foreboding, percussion heavy production. Featuring guest appearances from Detroit’s Boldy James, A.G. (of D.I.T.C.), Elucid and Castle, the album is further highlighted with the meticulous turntablism of both Statik Selektah and DJ Revolution. This reissue also boasts the Zilla Rocca remix of “Go” which features Audible Doctor on the cuts. A decade removed from its original release, Highway Robbery remains a gratifying listen and strong addition to anyone’s hiphop record collection with its high-level lyricism, avant-garde production value and overall creativity.
Indie Exclusive - From 2006-2010 Shane Bunting aka Madchild was on a kamikaze run with the drug oxycontin that pushed him to the brink of oblivion. Hitting rock bottom, his addiction spiraled out of control and destroyed everything the successful emcee had worked so hard to build with is platinum selling hip-hop group Swollen Members. The fancy cars, lavish houses and rock star luxuries were all gone, as his addiction had consumed over 3 million dollars worth of assets and finances in just over four years. Clean from drugs for the first time in his adult life, Madchild removed himself from temptation by walking away from his previous social life and bunkered down in his home studio secluded from the outside world. For the next 10 months, Madchild feverishly wrote and recorded his first ever solo album, 2012's Dope Sick.
Gary Clark Jr.’s forthcoming album entitled JPEG RAW, his fourth studio release,
marks a grand step in his musical evolution…. A powerful and expansive artistic statement.
While retaining the deep and true resonance of his blues foundations and guitar virtuosity with subtlety yet conviction, he reaches well beyond this time.
The emphasis here is on song and studio craft without losing the rawness of his young legend. (Rolling Stone Magazine called him, The Chosen One).
The music is dense and adventurous with a more cohesive synthesis of his eclectic musical palette. Hip samples, Thelonious Monk and Sonny Boy Williamson decorate flourishes of African, World Music, even Jazz while merging with blues , rock, R&B and rap; familiar areas he has ventured before, this time with more unity forging a fresh new style. Clark’s lyrics are pointed, deeply personal, outspoken and socially conscious with occasional forays into rap and spoken word from Clark himself. The sonics are immersive verging on modern groove-oriented psychedelia with hip-hop driven beats in verses giving way to anthemic choruses, rich with power-chording and wide fuzz riffage.
Songs like “Maktub”, “JPEG RAW”, “This Is Who We Are”, “Hyperwave” and the epic 10-minute Habits, break fresh ground defying categorization in the ever corporatized, predictable “alt” music world. The co-written Stevie Wonder duet, “What About The Children” feels like an immediate classic that could have lived on Innervisions or Talking Book if not for Clark’s fuzzed out riff and hip-hop pocket.
Clark has always had swagger and sex in his sound and very dangerous hands when wielding 6 strings. JPEG RAW is all of that and breaks new ground that is both thrilling and inspiring on every level.
10th Anniversary Expanded Deluxe Edition of The Marshall Mathers LP2. It features 11 bonus tracks, including B- sides and instrumentals. Originally released on November 5, 2013, the album serves as a sequel to The Marshall Mathers LP released in 2000. It features the singles “Berzerk,” “Survival,” “Rap God,” “Headlights” and “The Monster,” which reached #1 on the Billboard Hot 100. The album won Eminem a record sixth GRAMMY Award for Best Rap Album and is now certified 4x platinum. 4 LP set on 180g black vinyl.
Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist
VOIR DIRE [Indie Exclusive Limited Edition Silver LP]
Vinyl: $24.98 Buy
Voir Dire, the momentous album by Earl Sweatshirt and Alchemist, undoubtedly represents the long-awaited convergence of two rap titans. Earl's personal and intricately woven wordcraft, along with Alchemist's treasure trove of obscure, captivating samples, combine to create an artistic chemistry that permeates "Voir Dire" (which translates from French to "Speak Your Truth"). Earl accomplishes just that as he delves into the analysis of specific phases of his life, particularly in the past where his reflections resonate with immense potency, meticulous detail, and profound insight. The album features notable Los Angeles wordsmith Vince Staples on two tracks and esteemed rap artist, MIKE. On Voir Dire, unmatched lyricism and remarkable maturity take center stage, while personal experiences such as new fatherhood emerge and evolve over stripped-down, spacious Alchemist production — culminating in what many consider to be the best rap album of the year.
Diamond-certified, eight-time GRAMMY® Award-nominated Travis Scott returns with the long awaited UTOPIA. The fourth full length #1 studio album contains 19 tracks including “I KNOW ?,” “K-POP” with Bad Bunny and The Weeknd, “DELRESTO (ECHOES)” feat. Beyoncé, and “FE!N” feat. Playboi Carti. This 2-LP vinyl version contains “MELTDOWN” feat. Drake which was not on the initial pressing of the vinyl.
Busta Rhymes returns with his eleventh studio release executive produced by Pharrell Williams, Timbaland, Swizz, along with Busta himself. The new album contains lead off singles “Beach Ball” featuring BIA, “Luxury Lifestyle” featuring Coi Leray, and “OK” featuring Young Thug along with a host of other features.
ColleGrove was the "gumbo” or “jambalaya" of two of the most prominent and influential names in hip hop, 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne. 2 Chainz hailing from College Park, Georgia, and Lil Wayne from Hollygrove, a neighborhood in New Orleans, Louisiana, the two combined their hometown roots to create the title, ColleGrove. Released in 2016, ColleGrove has racked up 2.8 billion global streams to date, honoring a musical friendship that has sustained two decades. After much anticipation and almost 8 years later, fans will finally be able to enjoy the powerful duo's follow up album, Welcome 2 Collegrove. The upcoming project is not only a perfect merge of 2 Chainz and Lil Wayne, but it also features some of the best icons in music today, including Usher, 21 Savage, Rick Ross, Fabulous, Benny the Butcher and more. Welcome 2 Collegrove is the next installment of this powerful duo looking to serve up real raps, cultural flair and authentic brotherhood.
The Love Movement is the fifth studio album by A Tribe Called Quest. Originally released on September 29, 1998, by Jive Records, it is a concept album exploring the lyrical theme of love containing 15 album tracks and 6 bonus tracks over 3-LPs. The album features the singles “Find A Way” and “Hot Sex” and has been certified Gold by the RIAA.
The platinum LIL DURK album 7220 is now available on vinyl for the first time. The 17 track 2LP set features GUNNA, FUTURE, SUMMER WALKER, and MORGAN WALLEN.
Available for the first time on vinyl, Pluto is Future’s debut studio album. Released on April 17, 2012, through A1 Recordings and Freebandz, and distributed by Epic Records. Features the hit tracks. Includes The Hit Tracks “Tony Montana”, “Go Harder”, “Magic (Remix), “Same Damn Time” and “Turn On The Lights”
Available for the first time on vinyl, Super Slimey is a collaborative commercial mixtape by Future and Young Thug. It was released on October 20, 2017, by 300 Entertainment, Atlantic Records, Epic Records, Freebandz, and YSL Records. Features the hit tracks “Patek Water” and “Feed Me Dope.”
Available for the first time on vinyl, 56 Nights is the fifteenth mixtape by American DJ and record producer DJ Esco. Released on March 21, 2015, through rapper Future's Freebandz Entertainment label. Features multi-platinum single “March Madness.”
Available for the first time on vinyl, Beast Mode is Future’s fourteenth mixtape. It came out on January 15, 2015, along with Monster and 56 Nights, it is considered part of a trilogy of album-quality mixtapes. Features the hit tracks “Lay Up” and “Peacoat.”
HNDRXX (pronounced "Hendrix") is Future’s sixth studio album. Released on February 24, 2017, through A1 Recordings, Freebandz, and Epic Records. Includes The Platinum Single “Selfish ft. Rihanna” & Gold Single “Coming Out Strong ft. The Weeknd.”
Available for the first time on vinyl, Purple Reign is Future’s sixteenth mixtape hosted and executive-produced by DJ Esco and Metro Boomin. It was released on January 17, 2016. Features the hit tracks “Perkys Calling” and “News or Something.”
Global superstar Post Malone holds the record for most RIAA Diamond certified singles in history. The Diamond Collection is a compilation of his top hits to date, including “Congratulations (feat. Quavo),” “Sunflower” with Swae Lee, “White Iverson,” and more. The physical release includes the Diamond certified hits as well as additional tracks.
Multiplatinum-selling, GRAMMY-nominated rapper/producer VIC MENSA has announced his long-awaited sophomore album, Victor. “This album is a story of redemption; trial and triumph, pain and glory,” states MENSA. Executive produced by BongoByTheWay and largely self-produced, the album delves deeply into this quest, with VIC taking stock of his trials and detailing the work he’s done inwardly and outwardly to try to affect positive change; through social work, sobriety and delving into his cultural roots traveling to and working in Ghana. 2 LP set on bone colored vinyl.