I remember the Gawds from their release, Gloria, a few years back. There were a couple of really standout joints from that album (Bonified Hustler and In Front Of You, still get massive rotation these days). I saw that they have a new album, The Care Package, that released recently and that this, Oh No, is the first single. I instantly remembered why I loved that first album, and those singles. First off, this bass line set this thing apart and off! Love how it krept right into the verses. And these guys can spit…love the song…the concept…definitely a standout in 2026.
Spit Gemz – Pendulums (ft. Skrewtape x Dango Forlaine x Doza The Drumdealer) (Video)
Spit Gemz just keeps on stacking wins with each release! Every time I think we hit the pinnacle, he hits you with something next level and the ceiling shifts. Not only does he deliver an incredible sixteen here but I look to see who produced this track because the beat is outrageous…and who do we see? Gemz. Gemz laced one of the illest beats so far this year! And on top of all that he brought along some very talented friends to lace some guest bars. Skrewtape, Dango Forlaine, and Doza The Drumdealer each with unique styles each deliver Grade A bars. This is one of my favorites.
Gemz has a new album dropping in a few weeks so stay tuned!
Single You Out: Halfcut & Cole The God – Soul Ice (Fuzzy Ed Remix) (ft. Daniel Son & Str8 Trip)
Halfcut and Cole The God released a really dope album in 2025 called The Relentless Two. Lots of dope tracks on the project that illustrate the highest level of skill in both emceeing in production. But I was perusing through bandcamp and saw that the producer Fuzzy Ed put his remix twist to a couple of tracks and I really enjoy his production, and this came out so nice! A great adptation on an already great joint! Check it out! Guest bars by the venerable Daniel Son and Str8 Trip.
Single You Out: Shyste – Legendary (ft. DJ TMB)
Shyste crafted a lyrical opus with his new album, In The Meantime. I listened to the project twice at this point and this is a display for the ears to behold. His best work to date, without a shadow of the doubt. Every song on this joint could be featured been any time DJ TMB is in the credits, that track gets the extra push. If you like this song, you will love the album!
Single You Out: Hank Dope & Kut One – Rebels Of Valhalla (ft. Reek Osama)
Something that I definitely want you to hear is this single from Hank Dope and Kut One featuring Reek Osama. This joint is both dangerous and glorious. First of all, Kut One laces a a beat to trigger a death march! I love what he did with this sound, and Hank Dope (someone I previoulsy didn’t know) is coming for heads with this pen game. Add to the mix Reek Osama on the chorus…and you have a complete victory. Don’t sleep! New project out now from the producer and emcee, Death Won’t Stop Us.
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Lil Earl (Video)
Daniel Son and Futurewave are out there cooking again on the coldest of days and hitting you with some of that vintage with a twist. Futurewave laces a slow cooked meal which Daniel Son spices up to perfection A little bit of a different sounds that feels no less perfect than previous. We ALWAYS look forward to our guys coming up with some new music and the game sorely needs them this year! New project dropping in a matter of days! Shattered Glass…April 2nd. Save the date!
Single You Out: The Bad Seed – John Q
Few have been more prolific and consistently dope in the last 10 years than The Bad Seed. A week or so ago he released his latest album, Book Of Himothy: Verse IV. This album conitnues his streak of really dope projects illustrating a talent that is not just tested in time, but getting better with it. The song that hit me hardest on this one is the most personal, John Q (named after the Denzel Washington movie). As we get older we handle things like sickness and mortality. It’s always fragile and not always graceful. The Bad Seed put his humanity on display. I can relate.
Ruste Juxx & Wounded Buffalo Beats – Peregrine Falcon (Video)
A dope video single from one of the best executed albums I have heard in a long time…The Spectacle Of Fearsome Acts but Ruste Juxx and Wounded Buffalo Beats. I’ve been listening to Ruste Juxx for decades now, and his catalog has so many impressive releases but this in my mind is his best. Every beat fits flawlessly with the flow and you have an album that just features banger after banger. On Peregine Falcon you can hear how sharp these bars are over this beautifully orchestrated beat…the guitar gives it that subtlety along with the vocal sample, and Juxx throws daggers giving you that ill contrast.
Cop this album!
Single You Out: Godilla & Native Born – Blind Focus
Godilla and Native Born just released their project, Prismas Electricos, and take my word for it…this joint knocks! The beats and rhymers are superlative. This project is retro-fitted with some boom bap from yesteryear but equipped for the ears of today. Godilla has not released anything for a decade…and his sword still sounds just as sharp as it did then, if not sharper. The beats and rhymes go hand in hand as with each track they deliver a polished yet raw sound. Sharing the track Blind Focus, featuring scratches from DJ TMB, and if this doesn’t smack of hip hop…nothing will in 2026.
Single You Out: Chuck N Lock – Time Trials
Masters of the English language are back at it again with their latest EP, Blue Shell Theory 2. Chuck N Lock bring wit and cleverness as only they can. There are so many quotables both heard and hidden from your first listen, that the music and the rhymes just keep engaging you. On Time Trials (my selection to share) they grace the chill in the productio that smacks like a smooth jazz ensemble, and have your mind follow the wordsmithing as it proceeds.
Hip Hop Dependency 