future, mixtape pluto
One of the best things to come out of 2024 in my opinion was Future‘s Mixtape Pluto. It’s not just because I am resident Future Hive, but it’s also because of the consistency and magic from which he operates. It is evident in everything he creates. “Plutoski” and “South of France” are two great examples.
cuzzos, stay safe
Cuzzos’ Stay Safe is one of those projects everyone should really be spinning if you miss the blog era days. It’s raw and features some fly young women out of Los Angeles who are a promising troupe making music that can easily be played as a soundtrack to all your advantageous memories. It was good to see them come together with BlueBucksClan for the titled track.
yseult, mental
Yseult’s album Mental gave me chills when I first heard it. The grit and power Yseult displays in true rock star form is what had me addicted. Mental is filled with high-powered songs such as “GARÇON” and “BITCH YOU COULD NEVER,” making me feel as if I were on a fashion runway and my name was Naomi Campbell. If Beyoncé’s Act III is rock, as rumored, I wouldn’t be mad if Yseult made an appearance.
kendrick lamar, gnx
Kendrick Lamar’s GNX is the Kendrick Lamar album I’ve been waiting for. It’s a combination of relevance, authenticity wrapped in modern west coast sounds with features from local LA acts such like Dody6 on “Hey Now” and Lefty Gunplay on “TV Off.” It’s moves like this that will keep Kendrick Lamar relevant beyond music. Dot got enough bangers on GNX to make The Grand National Tour and his Super Bowl performance more than groundbreaking.
sza, sos deluxe: lana
SZA’s 2022 album SOS was great but the additional 15 songs that make up the deluxe Lana has put the entire SOS album back into rotation for me. It’s not as if it ever left out of my rotation, it’s just that now, I am experiencing SOS in a totally different way that really gets my endorphins going. Honestly, I may like Lana more. “Chill Baby,” “Scorsese Baby Daddy,” and “Kitchen” are among my faves.
tinashe, quantum baby
Tinashe’s Quantum Baby 100% had me in an indefinite chokehold this year. This is normal for me when Tinashe releases a project though. That doesn’t take away from the fact that there are quality bangers on Quantum Baby beyond “Nasty.” Take in “Thirsty” and “When I Get You Alone” as proof.
doechii, alligator bites never heal
One of the best rap projects to come out this year is Doechii’s Alligator Bites Never Heal, an album where there are real raps to be heard. “Boiled Peanuts” and the storytelling vibe “Denial Is A River” should be enough to catch anyone’s attention if they’ve been sleep. Personally, “Hide N Seek” is going to do it for me every time.
beyoncé, cowboy carter
The best thing to come out of 2024 is Beyoncé’s Cowboy Carter. The album’s track run from “Desert Eagle” to “Sweet Honey Buckin” with Shaboozey is nasty, especially when “Riiverdance” falls into “II Hands II Heaven.” Her exploration of American history through music is another level of a transcendental musical experience that only she can deliver. The intention she puts behind a song, beyond a beat and words, is what makes her the best artist we have ever witnessed on this side of the century.
