Mac Miller, Central Cee And 21 Savage, NLE Choppa

Mac Miller, ‘Balloonerism’

Mac Miller’s physical absence hasn’t diminished his presence as one of the more highly-regarded rap artists to emerge during the ’10s who’s voice continues to resonate among fans.

Five years after the release of his first posthumous album, Circles, the late wordsmith’s estate presents Balloonerism, a fourteen track offering that bridges Miller’s knack for introspection and experimentation.

In addition to the album’s lead single, “5 Dollar Pony Rides,” tracks like “Friendly Hallucinations” and “Shangri-La” instantly jump out as highlights, as Mac leans on his conversational tone.

“Excelsior” serves as a brilliant examination on how social constructs can impact one’s evolution from puberty through adulthood, while Mac’s alter ego, Delusional Thomas, rears his head on “Transformations.”

Far from a collection of leftovers carelessly strewn together, Balloonerism is a kaleidoscopic journey that reaffirms Mac’s boundless artistry, in spirit. – Preezy Brown

Central Cee featuring 21 Savage – “GBP”

If you thought “BAND4BAND” featuring Lil Baby was the peak, Central Cee’s “GBP” with 21 Savage said, “Hold my chamomile tea.”

While the structure is similar to “BAND4BAND” in production and verse setup, the Slaughter Gang CEO brings a cool demeanor to the record, a nice deviation from Baby and Cee’s more aggressive delivery.

Thus, there is a pleasant contrast within the song. Central Cee has been on a run for a few years now, but especially after Split Decision with Dave and his On The Radar freestyle with Drake.

“GBP” is the ideal start to 2025 with his album Can’t Rush Greatness on the way and this track is another display of his lyrical process, wordplay and overall swag. – Armon Sadler

NLE Choppa, Imagine Dragons – “Dare You”

NLE Choppa is the people’s champion. He ascended in the last two years, fully leaning into his sexual gimmick with no shame.

A collaboration with Imagine Dragons seems way out of left field, but he is willing to try new things and understands expanding his audience.

“Dare U” is jarring but he understood the assignment, elevating his vocal delivery to fall between alternative rock belts and patois phrases. Imagine Dragons’ vocalists drop a powerful hook as well.

This song sounds primed for movie soundtracks and NFL commercials, which means dollar signs. The people may not love this, but there’s no fun in them loving everything anyways. Salute Choppa. – AS

Larry June – “Jan 14th”

Larry June’s raps are so soothing. In a music landscape where screaming, belting, autotune, and chaos grow by the day, he continually strips things back and maintains his place as one of the rappers who thrives on lyricism and calm bops.

“Jan 14th” is no different; it is a time capsule of his thought process to start 2025. He asserts that he doesn’t want to be broke again and how he will carry out that plan, trades being tough for having heart, and reaffirms his love for music.

He even reflects on losing a close friend and how they weren’t as close but he is still hurt, a nice departure from the common bravado of rap. It’s peaceful and poignant. – AS

Finesse2Tymes, Skilla Baby – “Outta My Mind”

Finesse2Tymes expresses his appreciation for his romantic companion remaining loyal through his prison bids and other dramas on this syrupy selection, tempering his abrasive countenance with an underlying hint of charm.

“When I was locked, she kept it real, she held it down/ Now, you know ain’t too many bi**hes hold it down,” the Memphis native raps while bragging on his better half, all the while admitting his own transgressions as an infidel.

Featuring an appearance from Detroit’s own Skilla Baby, and production by Scalez, “Outta My Mind” is a laidback groove that touches on matters of the heart, from the vantage point of a certified boss. – PB

MC Lyte featuring Busta Rhymes, Lady London – “Make A Livin’ (Remix)”

MC Lyte unveils the remix to “Make A Livin’,” the standout single from the Brooklyn rap goddess’ 2024 album, 1 of 1.

An upbeat ditty that finds Lyte exchanging stanzas with a fellow BK counterpart and a rising star, “Make A Livin’” is powered by production by Grammy Award-winning boardsman Warryn Campbell, and bolstered with a verses by Busta Rhymes and Lady London.

Deploying a slick flow, Busta leads the charge by paying respect to late Hip-Hop legends Biggie Smalls, 2Pac, and Nipsey Hussle, with Lyte picking up the baton and spouting rhymes steeped in confidence and self assurance.

Lady Luck completes the trifecta with a strong performance of her own, as the trio breath new life into what very well may be Lyte’s most buzzworthy single in decades. – PB

D. Savage, Plaqueboymax

PlaqueBoyMax has been in recent headlines for his controversy for Fivio Foreign and Lil Tjay, but the uniformed may not know the streamer has been rapping and producing for some time.

He links up with D. Savage on “inthej,” a mid-tempo, autotune-laced flex anthem. Savage employs precise flows that feel very in rhythm and second nature much like Steph Curry shooting free throws in an empty gym.

He also displays a certain courage in making a positive comment about Drake and OVO Sound, something rappers have avoided over the last several months. PlaqueBoyMax laced him with a nice beat full of spacy synths and hi-hats, making this a great combination overall. – AS

Jones Ink featuring Ab-Soul – “False Profit”

The real is separated from the fraudulent on “False Profit,” a track from West Coast rhymer Jones Ink’s new album, California Love Jones.

The pulsating selection begins with Ab-Soul commanding the recording engineer to adjust his levels, then declaring that he’s not “a false prophet,” but remains fixated on dividends in large amounts.

“I brought the God’s back/ Where the f**k is my podium?/ Why they throwing all that sodium?/ Why they talking all that yackety-yak,” the Carson, Cali native raps, with Jones Ink assuming the reigns on the song’s second verse.

“Thought he was a trilogy, that’s why I’ma give him a Part IV,” Ink rhymes, brandishing his lyrical sword while slicing with nimble couplets that more than contend with his esteemed costar’s.

Given the sharpened skills displayed on “False Profit,” as well as the myriad of high-powered collaborations on California Love Jones, Jones Ink is surely one to watch coming out of the Left Coast moving forward. – PB

TAL THE1 featuring Brother Ali, Freeway, Stalley, Dee-1 – “Criminal”

TAL The1 gathers a mix of heralded spitters for “Criminal,” an explosive cut that addresses the prejudice and injustices subjected to humans of a certain ethnic or societal background.

“Terrorist… illegal… immigrant… criminal,” the singer croons at the beginning of the track, expressing the stigma of being viewed as an outlaw due to factors beyond him.

“Seems like everywhere I go, they’re staring at me real close/ They’re thinking that I’m just another one of those criminals, criminals,” TAL laments, with Brother Ali, Freeway, Stalley, and Dee-1 sharing their own accounts of being wrongly stereotyped.

A relative newcomer within Hip-Hop circles, TAL THE1 makes a strong first impression with “Criminal,” a sonically enjoyable cut with a powerful message. – PB

Rio Da Yung OG – “Something Happen

You play one Rio Da Yung OG song and you know he is from Michigan, Flint specifically. Detroit rappers and the adjacent cities have such a unique and fun style which fully shines through on “Something Happen.”

Yung OG raps consistently, speedily and unloads funny punchlines, trench memories, and documentation of his hustle. The palpable nature of his music, even if one isn’t from his area, is the most enjoyable part. Add in a thumping beat that sounds like linebacker highlight film music and you have a winner.

The raw, rigidness of his delivery makes the record sound like he had thoughts to release and sprinted into the studio without plotting out something refined and polished. Sometimes, that is better than something well-dressed up. – AS

See More New Hip-Hop Releases Below

Busta Rhymes – ‘Dragon Season… The Awakening’

Logic – ‘Aquarius III’

Morray – “F.T.A. (Failure To Appear)”

OMB Peezy – ‘Drifting Away’

Joey Trap – ‘Ruff Ryder 3’

Chad Tepper featuring Wiz Khalifa – “Remember”

Philthy Rich – ‘Real, Rich & Respected’

Eem Triplin – “MISS ME?”

WIL$ON – “Loose Change”

che – “Pose For The Pic”

Jelly – “Kodak Bop”

Lelo – “Main Event”

Montana 700 – “Brinks Truck”

T-Pain, Yaeji, Girl Talk – “Believe In Ya”

MIKE – ‘Bear Trap’

21 Lil Harold, Rob49 – “Word On The Street”

Jae Skeese – ’40 Hours’

K Carbon – “Murda”

Heembeezy, Fivestarday – “Us In Here”

O.C. – “Echoes in the Dark”