MUSIC YOU MISSED: 2018

There’s a ton of music released every year, and unless you’re really on top of things, there’s a ton of great music you’re going to miss. It feels like there’s less and less music that I like, and it takes a lot of digging to find those gems.

That’s where this list comes in. Everything on this list is something that I thought was really good and saw little attention for online in forums, blogs, and on Reddit. I would have loved to do full write-ups on all of these records - lord knows they deserve it, but my son was born a few months ago and I simply don’t have time anymore. My hope is that some of the songs and album covers draw you in so that you can explore these artists. The “LISTEN TO” tags are all hyperlinks so you can check out some new music while you peruse. I used to create lists like this on Reddit, but I found it was much easier to build this at my own pace whenever I had time. Scroll to the bottom for a Spotify playlist that has almost every song on it (aside from those not on Spotify). Please share the playlist with friends so these artists can be heard!

Without further ado, here are 50 great albums that you may have missed from 2018.

Masta Ace is in my top 5 rappers of all time. A Long Hot Summer is one of my top records ever. So of course when Ace has a project coming out, I’m all over it. Marco Polo laced Ace with some amazing beats and the features on here are fantastic. This will be in my top 10 for 2018.

LISTEN TO: The Fight Song feat. Pharoahe Monch

For fans of: eMC, Kool G Rap, Big Daddy Kane

REKS has been one of my favorite MC’s since Grey Hairs back in 2008, so I was pretty hyped for this. Shortfyuz can have some hit or miss beats for me, but he was pretty good here. The one thing that may turn people off here are some severely homophobic lyrics that definitely won’t age well.

LISTEN TO: Searchin’ feat. Joenny Vargas

For fans of: Skyzoo, Masta Ace

LISTEN TO: Deal With It feat. Hydroponikz

For fans of: 9th Wonder, Nieve

LISTEN TO: The Lique

For fans of: Hip-hop with live bands

LISTEN TO: Good Day

For fans of: John Legend

DJ Hazey 82 remixes classic wordsmiths with amazing producers. His other works include Native Tongues over Soulchef beats, Apathy and OC over Kno, and more. This time he mixed one of my top 5 rappers with one of my favorite new producers, Phoniks. The result is spectacular.

LISTEN TO: Da Pro

For fans of: Great mashups

Elzhi is killer with the pen. If you haven’t listened to his work with Slum Village or his solo efforts like Elmatic and Lead Poisoning, do yourself a favor. He’s joined here by Khrysis from the Jamla crew. His beats are overshadowed a bit by Elzhi, but it’s a smooth listen that makes me feel like a whiskey and a cigar.

LISTEN TO: To Do List

For fans of: Slum Village, 9th Wonder

LISTEN TO: Beachy Winter

LISTEN TO: I’m Dope

LISTEN TO: Swervin’

Josi Green has always made quality music, but his production on this record (handled by Ro Marsalis and Gold Haze) is simply fantastic. If you’re unfamiliar with Green, check out his collective A.I.M. and his project F.O.C.U.S. from 2015.

LISTEN TO: Games We Play feat. Ro Marsalis

I guess this is sort of “cheating”, since Knox still hasn’t put out his debut album, but he did release six or seven loose tracks this year and they’re all great. I have them grouped as an EP in iTunes. Don’t sleep on this guy, he’s on his way and 2019 could be big.

LISTEN TO: Dreamers

LISTEN TO: Better

LISTEN TO: Enjoy the Ride

LISTEN TO: Karma

I just discovered Pittsburgh’s HUBBS this year, but quickly went through his back catalog once I did. This project is laced with laid back beats and lyricism reminiscent of Skyzoo or Torae. His effortless flow also reminds of me of Royce. Give it a shot. Unfortunately, he doesn’t appear to have anything on YouTube.

LISTEN TO: Relax

For fans of: Royce Da 5’9”, Skyzoo

Joey Golden really impressed me with how effortless his flow seems. He’s an NYC rapper but doesn’t use typical boom-bap beats - they’re more sparse and mood inducing than what I’m used to liking from the area…but it works.

LISTEN TO: How The War Was One

Andy Cooper is one third of Ugly Duckling, but this is his first solo outing. He comes through over jazzy, funky production and touches on a lot of topics, some silly (Do The Andy Puppet) and some serious (like his place as a white guy in the game). It’s reminiscent of the Beastie Boys. If you like Ugly Duckling, check this out.

LISTEN TO: Anything Goes feat. Abdominal

For fans of: Beastie Boys, Ugly Duckling

IVRY is a bit hard to classify. He doesn’t have the lyrical prowess that some on here do, but what he does spit he does in an interesting cadence. He sounds kind of like a more energized Curren$y and goes over some unconventional beats. Give it a shot if you’re looking for something fun and out there.

LISTEN TO: Moonlight

For fans of: Curren$y

This is a mashup album by David Begun that pairs Blu’s lyrics over beats from Common’s Resurrection album. Like all of his mashup albums, this just works. While you’re at it, check out his Marshall & The Soul Brother mashup from last year. Amazing.

LISTEN TO: I Used to R.E.L.A.X.

The Soulslicers are a Swiss beat making team that focuses on that East Coast boom-bap sound. If you dig that sound, check this project out - it’s 26 tracks and features rappers like Edo G, Skyzoo, Scientific, G. Dot, and more. There really is something for everyone on this tape.

LISTEN TO: Get Finished feat. Sparkingtin & D. Gotti

For fans of: East Coast boom-bap, mid-90’s beats

RIP Mac Miller. You are truly missed.