The first time I heard of Noname, it was on Chance The Rapper’s 2013 mixtape Acid Rap. Her verse on “Lost” was bereft with subtle imagery and smooth vocals, things that have since then become trademarks of her eclectic style. In the years since, she’s morphed into one of rap’s most interesting personalities. She forgoes falling into any stereotypes, hardly fitting into the categories that we place rappers into. Her rhymes are crisp and intimate, typically refraining from the overt sexuality exhibited by the Cardi Bs and Nicki Minajs of rap’s elite. She’s a little idea, big picture kind of lyricist that’s necessary in the game.

Her latest album, Room 25 is the kind of introspective, small album that acts as the antithesis to the running theme of 2018 rap: grandiose. Room 25 captures the spirit of Chicago’s jazz and blues, throws in neo-soul aspects in the album’s production, and makes use of poetic elements to create one of the year’s strongest projects. On the album, Noname explores the ins and outs of her mind in such startling ways that we’re often more fearful for her sanity than excited to digest her music. It’s a haunting effect that makes the album that much more brilliant.

Since Noname released Telefone in 2016, her life has changed. Prior to this, she was just another rap hopeful, a brilliant poet looking to translate her grand slam experience into music industry success. Telefone showed the world the extent of her brilliance. Room 25  takes the listener on a journey into her mind, finding the mental changes that come with sudden success. There’s a lot of deep, introspective lyrics, just as there are sexually charged lines that drip with venom. Each utterance of “pussy” sends jolts through the spine.

To get the full extent of Room 25, you’ll need to digest the album for yourself. It’s clear fro a few initial listens that Noname’s new body of work is one of the best you’ll find out currently. Listen to Room 25 below.

Coach Joey’s latest star-studded collaboration comes in the form of “Raw 2.5,” featuring FMB DZ, Tay B, and Skooly. The quartet’s ability to effortlessly weave in and out of the invigorating production highlights the differences in their approaches – in the best ways possible. FMB DZ’s verse, upon first listen, is deadly; a call to arms for Detroit’s paragons that have gotten lazy, even if he’s spitting about the finer things in life.

The production on “Raw 2.5” is instantly familiar, yet boldly original. It packages up the Detroit aesthetic – fast, ear-shattering music – and adds a unique, haunting spin. The end result is enchanting, managing to, at once, be familiar, while also being boldly original. If you’re a fan of the Detroit sound and looking for something that sounds similar yet offers an exciting new angle, “Raw 2.5” is the song for you.

Snap Dogg’s latest is an ecstatic mix of the past and the present. When Snap came into the game, many compared his name to Snoop Dogg’s moniker, not realizing that Snap’s variation is in homage to the rap iconoclast. Many dismissed him for this reason, believing this to reek of a lack of creativity. But he didn’t let that stop him – Snap’s quickly become one of the hardest working rappers in the game with a style that’s endlessly captivating.

Because of his hard work and creativity, he’s now on the come-up; the kind that entices Snoop Dogg to do a song with you. Henceforth “You Gotta Be A Dog,” an energetic amalgamation of the new and old school that just works. There’s nothing too crazy about it – just hearing Snap and Snoop together, having a blast, is what makes it perhaps our favorite track out right now.

Listen to it below.