You want a tough as nails release for 2025? Well I am going to give it to you, and the proof lies over head. The Guillotine from The Umbrella’s own Substance810 and Big Trip is certified bulletproof release! This project (of which I have listened to three times) is one of the best releases under The Umbrella banner. It is one of the best releases of 2025, and each song hits as hard as the last. But if I had to pick a joint…Medusa, produced by Hobgoblin, might be it. The piano keys, the vocal sample, and these drums are menacing. But not soooo menacing that you can’t hear the cold ferocity in these emcees’ bars. Damn. So good.
DJ Premier & Ransom – Amazing Graces (Video)
Well this video single is sure to turn heads! It turned about 84K in YouTube views in just over a day so it’s safe to say the culture is well preserved! Amazing Graces features that classic DJ Premier production that has your neck snap just a few seconds in, and Ransom knows better than ANYONE how to deliver those bars with one of the sharpest pens around. I am hoping this means we are getting an EP or LP in the near future with these to icons of the craft.
Rigs – Free B (Video)
This one is a few weeks old, but I am not trying to be the first guy to share something but rather put you on to something memorable and that has substance. And when Rigs speaks we listen. He’s out there creating a better world for himself and imparting those gifts and narratives to you. Life gems. Enjoy.
M-Dot & Confidence – 24 to 1 (Video)
It’s a numbers game when it comes to the new video single from M-Dot and Confidence, 24 to 1. Confidence laces a powerful production ignited with some strings and heavy drums and gives us the feeling that time is ticking. Meanwhile, M-Dot, counts us down from 24 to 1 utilizing moments in his life and memorable experiences to match each number. It’s a dope concept that is executed from top to bottom. And if you haven’t already, you should cop the new album, Library Of Sound.
Planet Asia – Worldwide (prod. Meeco & DJ Access) (Video)
The most venerable Planet Asia unleashes verbal artillery over this production from Meeco and DJ Access for the joint Worldwide. The music and rhymes are superlative, creating one of 2025 best tracks. The video is also noteworthy incorporating Asia into a comic strip battling extraterrestials blending the surreal and the real. The legend continues to build…verse by dope verse.
Ryu – Save Me A Slice (Video)
Ryu (Styled Of Beyond) shows that his hunger for hip hop and being emcee is right where it needs to be as he gets ready to release, Medium Raw. Hang 10 laces the melodic and laid back beat for Ryu to kick this appetizer before you get the full meal. Enjoy!
Ras Kass – 42 (ft. Smif-N-Wessun) (Video)
Well this seems to be the appropraite choice to finish posts for the day…keeping it on the west coast with Ras Kass…and traversing the country to collaborate with Smif-N-Wessun of Brooklyn on the east. 42 is a union of talents from coast to coast iwth each emcee repping their narrative with grit and skill. These are legends and icons of the art showing you how it should be done!
Aceyalone – Fire (Video)
It’s always good to hear from Aceyalone! Another originator in this hip hop music who does not nearly get the praise he deserves for his contribution to the art. And it’s really dope that he’s getting the “Purple Box Video Treatment” for this joint Fire. You hear the smooth way he flips the linguistics and he’s been doing that for damn near three decades. Don’t sleep!
Fashawn & Sir Veterano – Guillotine (Video)
Long time collaborators Fashawn and Sir Veterano are back at it again with a new video single, Guillotine. The flows from Fashwan make the lyricism sound so effortless, cascading through the sonic chops of Sir Veterano, and just when you think you’ve heard it all through the clash of kung fu…you get a beat switch at the end which simply adds to the impressiveness of the music.
Ruste Juxx & Skanks The Rap Martyr – MDB (prod. by UG) (Video)
Ruste Juxx and Skanks The Rapy Martyr represent NYC’s, Most Dangerous Borough, over some dope production from UG. Nothing but truth telling of one of the world’s most famous locales in prelude to the forthcoming album, Live From Crownhill, which is dropping on October 6th. Don’t miss!
Hip Hop Dependency 