Shipping Containers may be my favorite song off of Daniel Son and Futurewave’s alabum, Shattered Glass. I love that dark reverberation Futurewave creates in this beat. I pulls the grime out the street and plays right into Daniel Son’s narrative. And while he’s always in the pocket, his flow and cadence on this track in particular have the rewind button in full usage.
Daniel Son & Futurewave – Broke Routine (Video)
Don’t get your head to gassed younguns, the sherriff is still in this town! Daniel Son and Futurewave are the gold standard for emcee and producer at this juncture in their respective professions, and if you think you are coming for the crown…settle down. These artists are battle tested and continuously swinging swords. Each sound and bar land precise!
Broke Routine is off of the new album, Shattered Glass.
Natural Elements – InfiNitE ShiNE (Video)
I am so thankful that the Natural Elements crew continues to bless us with not just music as the years have gone on, but amazing music. I love the 2026 spin on this classic…and this track, InfiNitE ShiNE, really highlights each member of the crew’s ability to write, articulate, and execute at such a high level for such a long time. I was always a huge Mister Voodoo fan back in the day but as I listen to this track, these guys are each operating at such a high level. Charlemagne on the boards recreating magic. New album under way people so don’t sleep!
M-Dot – Daydreaming (ft. Kore and Byna) (prod. by Johnny Cashle$$) (Video)
M-Dot and Kore catch a vibe over this super melodic production from Johnny Cashle$$. The prodiction from Cashles$$ has a very jazzy and soulful element, and sets this appropirate “dreamscape to let the painters paint. The two emcees spend their verses reminiscing and relefecting on their lives and careers. Sometimes when you chase your dreams time can just fly by…so be sure to stay with M-Dot as his journey continues to unfurl.
Rigs – Drano (Video)
Rigs is dropping more gems than he ever has! He is channeling his life experience into all of these bars. Lyricism is chocked full of fuel for the brain and the heart. And it’s not just here in this song…every song he does hits with meaning. He’s not just dropping arbitrary lines…he is composing. One of the best doing it right now. The added bonus is that Chup the Producer gave him and epic soundsscape on Drano to drop the knowledge. Do not miss, I Got Samples 3.
“Purpose is the difference, I am trying to improve my life”
Gawds – Oh No (Video)
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!
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!
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!
Rigs – New Leaf (Video)
Rigs has been dropping a lot of glimpses into his mindset through music and video. He has a new project dropping in a couple of weeks and for me…this is highly anticipated. He’s dropping on some mature topics…and showing growth…and imparting knowledge. The evidence can be seen yet again as he moves forward in life with the track…New Leaf.
Hip Hop Dependency 