Top 10 New Rap Albums - April 2011
Why, hello there? I’m really glad your computer is putin’ today, because I have a handful of special albums to show you. April 20 is, of course, a major player in this month’s Top 10. 4/20 is the counterculture holiday celebrated by consuming copious amounts of ganja. It’s no surprise, then, that many of this month’s new titles pay homage to the sticky icky. Dive in for a April’s Top 10 New Rap Albums.
Rapper/Producer/Singer/Stoner Devin The Dude has been responsible for some of the most compelling tunes out of the Dirty Dirty in the last 15 years. It's not too late to start noticing. His latest project showcases his Coughee Brothaz squad. The group's Fresh Brew album will arrives on the web April 19, while physical copies hit stores on May 17.
Madchild and Prevail deliver a blast of aural hip-hop on their 5th outing. Otherworldly sonics blare as they contemplate the business of fresh air, birds and nature.
Release Date: April 12, 2011Buy from Amazon »
Handshakes & Middlefingers is the latest effort by Juno-nominated and platinum-selling MC Classified. The Canadian export is hands-on. Not only is he a sharp-shooting lyricist, he produced many of the dazzling tracks on Handshakes & Middlefingers. Brother Ali, Kayo, Mic Boyd and others assist with the lyrics department. It also includes a surprise collaboration with Joe Budden on the aptly titled "Unusual."
Release Date: April 12, 2011Buy from Amazon »
Blu exploded onto the scene in 2007 alongside partner Exile and made an instant mark with Below The Heavens. The L.A. rapper drew so much attention and applause that major labels came calling. His official debut will arrive via Warner Brothers sometime next year. For now, you'll have to settle for Her Favorite Colo(u)r, his unreleased solo debut. This was initially available in lo-fi quality from Blu's myspace. The mixed and mastered version will be in stores everywhere. The package includes a bonus disc featuring another unreleased Blu longplayer, The Godlee Barnes LP. Fiendin' for some Blu? Help yourself to a copy of his Untaped mixtape.
Release Date: April 19, 2011Buy from Amazon »
Oakland, CA rapper is back with a triple-disc set, Golden Era. But the 3-disc tag is a bit misleading. Golden Era sports a brand new album and 2 albums that never saw physical release--Automatik Statik and Funk Man. Still, that's enough music to keep Del fans satiated for a minute.
Release Date: April 19, 2011Buy from Amazon »
Vinnie Paz (of Jedi Mind Tricks) and Ill Bill (of Non Phixion fame) are two of the most underrated MCs of the last decade. On Heavy Metal Kings, they combine forces to create one hell of a riot-starter.
Release Date: April 5, 2011Buy from Amazon »
With the emergence of Odd Future, it's easy to forget that the likes of Tech N9ne and west coast O.G. Brotha Lynch Hung have been making dark, dystopic hip-hop since the 90s. Coathanga Strangla will surely poke sleeping heads out of their slumber. Lynch Hung's latest is the second in a trilogy that started with Dinner and a Movie.
Release Date: April 5, 2011Buy from Amazon »
Atmosphere returns with their 7th official studio album and the newest addition to their vast body of work. The Family Sign deals with relationships, decisions, and the journey of life. Production team include Ant's ASR, Nate Collis' guitar riffs and Erick Anderson's keys. The digi-pak includes a custom printed heavyweight that doubles as a picture frame with stand. Includes 5 silver foil stamped pictures backed with lyrics that can be changed in the frame.
Release Date: April 12, 2011Buy from Amazon »
Muscle Car Chronicles finds Curren$y rhyming over live instrumentation courtesy of folk artist Sean O’Connell, as well as drumming by The Mars Volta’s own Thomas Pridgen. The New Orleans MC is planning an assault of music this year. Following Muscle Car Chronicles, Spitta will also release Pilot Talk III and the Alchemist-produced Covert Coup EP this year. Covert Coup hits iTunes on April 19th, just in time for Smoker Nation to mark 4/20 holiday.
Release Date: April 20, 2011Buy from Amazon »
David Blake is disenchanted with hip-hop as we know it today. Quik’s latest effort, The Book of David, shows a man who’'s comfortable in his own skin and unafraid to color outside the lines. "I put this album together in four months,” says Quik at the listening session for Book of David. “And I did it primarily because–and you can question me on this later–I really don’t like hip-hop music anymore. I just like making music, period." The Book of David features several artists who like making music: Ice Cube, Kurupt, Bun B, Dwele, Suga Free, Bizzy Bone, Jon B.
Release Date: April 19, 2011Buy from Amazon »
10. Coughee Brothaz - 'Fresh Brew'
Rapper/Producer/Singer/Stoner Devin The Dude has been responsible for some of the most compelling tunes out of the Dirty Dirty in the last 15 years. It's not too late to start noticing. His latest project showcases his Coughee Brothaz squad. The group's Fresh Brew album will arrives on the web April 19, while physical copies hit stores on May 17.
9. Swollen Members - 'Dagger Mouth'
Madchild and Prevail deliver a blast of aural hip-hop on their 5th outing. Otherworldly sonics blare as they contemplate the business of fresh air, birds and nature.
Release Date: April 12, 2011Buy from Amazon »
8. Classified - 'Handshakes & Middlefingers'
Handshakes & Middlefingers is the latest effort by Juno-nominated and platinum-selling MC Classified. The Canadian export is hands-on. Not only is he a sharp-shooting lyricist, he produced many of the dazzling tracks on Handshakes & Middlefingers. Brother Ali, Kayo, Mic Boyd and others assist with the lyrics department. It also includes a surprise collaboration with Joe Budden on the aptly titled "Unusual."
Release Date: April 12, 2011Buy from Amazon »
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7. Blu - 'Her Favorite Colo(u)r'
Blu exploded onto the scene in 2007 alongside partner Exile and made an instant mark with Below The Heavens. The L.A. rapper drew so much attention and applause that major labels came calling. His official debut will arrive via Warner Brothers sometime next year. For now, you'll have to settle for Her Favorite Colo(u)r, his unreleased solo debut. This was initially available in lo-fi quality from Blu's myspace. The mixed and mastered version will be in stores everywhere. The package includes a bonus disc featuring another unreleased Blu longplayer, The Godlee Barnes LP. Fiendin' for some Blu? Help yourself to a copy of his Untaped mixtape.
Release Date: April 19, 2011Buy from Amazon »
6. Del tha Funky Homosapien - 'The Golden Era'
Oakland, CA rapper is back with a triple-disc set, Golden Era. But the 3-disc tag is a bit misleading. Golden Era sports a brand new album and 2 albums that never saw physical release--Automatik Statik and Funk Man. Still, that's enough music to keep Del fans satiated for a minute.
Release Date: April 19, 2011Buy from Amazon »
5. Vinnie Paz & Ill Bill - 'Heavy Metal Kings'
Vinnie Paz (of Jedi Mind Tricks) and Ill Bill (of Non Phixion fame) are two of the most underrated MCs of the last decade. On Heavy Metal Kings, they combine forces to create one hell of a riot-starter.
Release Date: April 5, 2011Buy from Amazon »
4. Brotha Lynch Hung - 'Coathanga Strangla'
With the emergence of Odd Future, it's easy to forget that the likes of Tech N9ne and west coast O.G. Brotha Lynch Hung have been making dark, dystopic hip-hop since the 90s. Coathanga Strangla will surely poke sleeping heads out of their slumber. Lynch Hung's latest is the second in a trilogy that started with Dinner and a Movie.
Release Date: April 5, 2011Buy from Amazon »
3. Atmosphere - 'The Family Sign'
Atmosphere returns with their 7th official studio album and the newest addition to their vast body of work. The Family Sign deals with relationships, decisions, and the journey of life. Production team include Ant's ASR, Nate Collis' guitar riffs and Erick Anderson's keys. The digi-pak includes a custom printed heavyweight that doubles as a picture frame with stand. Includes 5 silver foil stamped pictures backed with lyrics that can be changed in the frame.
Release Date: April 12, 2011Buy from Amazon »
2. Curren$y - 'Muscle Car Chronicles'
Muscle Car Chronicles finds Curren$y rhyming over live instrumentation courtesy of folk artist Sean O’Connell, as well as drumming by The Mars Volta’s own Thomas Pridgen. The New Orleans MC is planning an assault of music this year. Following Muscle Car Chronicles, Spitta will also release Pilot Talk III and the Alchemist-produced Covert Coup EP this year. Covert Coup hits iTunes on April 19th, just in time for Smoker Nation to mark 4/20 holiday.
Release Date: April 20, 2011Buy from Amazon »
1. DJ Quik - 'The Book Of David'
David Blake is disenchanted with hip-hop as we know it today. Quik’s latest effort, The Book of David, shows a man who’'s comfortable in his own skin and unafraid to color outside the lines. "I put this album together in four months,” says Quik at the listening session for Book of David. “And I did it primarily because–and you can question me on this later–I really don’t like hip-hop music anymore. I just like making music, period." The Book of David features several artists who like making music: Ice Cube, Kurupt, Bun B, Dwele, Suga Free, Bizzy Bone, Jon B.
Release Date: April 19, 2011Buy from Amazon »