November 2025 Round-Up: The 9 Best Hip Hop Albums Of The Month: For this piece, we selected our 9 favorite Hip Hop albums released this November, plus honorable mentions. Did we miss any albums you feel need to be mentioned? Let us know in the comments!
Also read: The Best Hip Hop Albums Of 2025
1. De La Soul – Cabin In The Sky
Cabin in the Sky is a rare kind of Hip Hop album: reflective without drifting into sentimentality, steady in its craft, and shaped by the absence of David “Trugoy the Dove” Jolicoeur. This is De La Soul’s first release since 2016 and the first made after Dave’s passing, though his voice, humor, and creative rhythm stay present throughout. Posdnuos and Maseo treat the album with care, but they also allow it to move with the curiosity that defined the trio from the start.
De La Soul’s history hangs quietly in the background. From the free-spirited experiments of 3 Feet High and Rising and the gravitas of De La Soul is Dead, to the musicality of Buhloone Mindstate and the sharpened writing of Stakes Is High, to the conceptual arcs of the AOI series and the Hip Hop core of The Grind Date, the group built a catalog that expanded the space Hip Hop allowed for imagination and emotional range. Their independence, samples, storytelling, and internal chemistry shaped the foundation of alternative Hip Hop long before the term had a fixed meaning. That history informs Cabin in the Sky without turning it into a retrospective; the album works as a continuation rather than a summary.
The title points to transition and spirit, taking its cue from the 1943 film. Giancarlo Esposito’s narration builds that atmosphere, guiding the listener into a space that shifts between celebration and reflection. The album feels like a gathering that spans eras, where guests step in to contribute to a shared moment rather than steal attention.
The features—Nas, Q-Tip, Slick Rick, Common, Black Thought, Killer Mike, Bilal, Yukimi Nagano, Busta Rhymes, and others—fit naturally into De La’s cadence. These artists enter with intention, adding color without disrupting the album’s internal rhythm. The production lineup—DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Supa Dave West, Nottz, Jake One, Just Wazzx3, and Trugoy—creates warm, layered beats grounded in soul, jazz, and subtle grit. The sound feels lived-in and patient, built to hold verses that sit close to the heart.
Trugoy’s presence is woven in with clarity. His appearance on “Good Health” brings an easy warmth, and other moments built from past recordings feel integrated rather than patched in. His last verse on “Don’t Push Me” closes the record in his own voice, giving the album a calm, grounded finish.
Cabin in the Sky impacts with the confidence of artists who understand their history and refuse to flatten it. It honors a long partnership without turning grief into spectacle. It is warm, honest, and steady—an album built on a bond that continues to hold shape, even after life has taken one of its architects from the room. (Full review here.)
Release date: November 21, 2025.
2. Armand Hammer – Mercy
Mercy, the new collaboration between Armand Hammer (billy woods and Elucid) and The Alchemist, is a focused, restrained record that trades chaos for precision. Following Haram (2021), their second collaborative joint project finds The Alchemist tightening his palette—warm basslines, muted drums, and fractured loops that leave air for the duo’s dense lyricism. The result is sharp and deliberate, a record built on tension rather than explosion.
Across its lean runtime, Mercy sounds patient, almost suspended. The opener “Laraaji” sets the tone with faint guitar, slow drums, and two emcees moving like chess players. woods writes in clipped, vivid fragments; Elucid threads abstract thought through vivid street language. The production never overwhelms—it hovers, creating small rooms for reflection and unease.
Themes of violence, faith, and survival repeat across the record. On “Nil by Mouth,” the drums drag while the rappers circle moral decay and desensitization. “Scandinavia” tightens the walls further—drums like distant detonations, verses gasping for space. The tension breaks briefly on “Calypso Gene,” where Cleo Reed’s gospel-tinted vocals echo over dusty organ and subdued funk.
The guest list—Earl Sweatshirt, Pink Siifu, and others—adds texture without diluting the core identity. “California Games” glides with sun-bleached flutes and fading horns, while “Crisis Phone” slips into haunted stillness. The closer, “Super Nintendo,” loops a nostalgic synth figure that softens nothing; the lyrics remain heavy with history and fatigue.
Compared to We Buy Diabetic Test Strips’ restless energy, Mercy feels grounded, less chaotic but equally demanding. The Alchemist’s production is clean and deliberate, sometimes sparse to the point of unease. That restraint gives woods and Elucid’s writing sharper definition—their verses cut quietly but deeply.
Mercy isn’t designed for immediate reward. It asks for close listening, pulling the listener into small sonic chambers where language and silence trade weight. The record’s strength lies in its control: every sound feels placed with care, every word heavy with purpose. In 2025, few rap groups maintain this level of clarity and craft. Mercy is not flashy, but it’s precise, disciplined, and deeply human.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
3. Navy Blue – The Sword & The Soaring
Navy Blue’s The Sword & The Soaring is his most balanced and deliberate work to date. The Los Angeles-born, New York-based artist, also known as Sage Elsesser, navigates sixteen tracks with patience and precision, transforming years of introspection into grounded reflection. His earlier projects—Àdá Irin, Song of Sage: Post Panic!, and Memoirs in Armour—built the foundation for this sound: warm, dusty production, meditative pacing, and language that treats healing as daily labor.
The record opens with “The Bloodletter,” where soft percussion and faint bass create a steady rhythm for Navy’s unhurried delivery. Each song grows naturally from the last. “Orchards,” produced by Child Actor, carries delicate piano lines and quiet vocal textures that underline his sense of gratitude and calm. “Sunlight of The Spirit” continues the focus on discipline and spiritual clarity, his cadence steady, the words measured. The restraint in his phrasing shows an artist who no longer chases transcendence but practices it.
Midway through, tracks like “God’s Kingdom” and “If Only…” open space for reflection on family, accountability, and reconciliation. The production remains minimal—often no more than piano, subtle drums, and air. The vulnerability is clear but never dramatized; he treats grief as process, not spectacle.
“Soul Investments” and “Sharing Life” expand that sense of continuity, bringing warmth to the record’s final stretch. “24 Gospel,” featuring Earl Sweatshirt, turns into a dialogue about endurance and purpose, the two voices weaving through an Animoss-produced soul loop without competition. The closing track, “The Phoenix,” ties the album’s title together with quiet acceptance rather than mythic grandeur.
Across the album, Navy Blue and his collaborators—Child Actor, Chris Keys, Graymatter, Sebb Bash, and others—maintain a cohesive tone: sparse, soulful, and human. The Sword & The Soaring adds another stellar record to his catalog and confirms him as one of the defining voices in contemporary avant garde Hip Hop.
Release date: November 11, 2025.
4. Apollo Brown & Ty Farris – Run Toward The Monster
Run Toward the Monster brings together Detroit producer Apollo Brown and veteran MC Ty Farris for a full-length record rooted in cold truth, hard-earned wisdom, and sharp technical focus. We’ve always been fans of Apollo Brown’s stylish boom-bap production, and we’ve appreciated much of Farris’s catalog—especially the No Cosign Just Cocaine series—so this combination promised a strong result. The album delivers that and more. This is our favorite Ty Farris project to date, the sound of an artist stepping into a higher level under the guidance of one of Hip Hop’s most consistent producers.
From the opening moments of “Run” and into “Follow My Soul,” Brown’s production brings dusty soul loops, thick drums, and a steady, cold-weather mood. Farris uses that space with intent, moving through themes of discipline, pressure, and survival with a clipped, controlled delivery. “No Celebrations” continues the focus on work and sacrifice, while “Details” pushes back against street mythology with direct shots and grounded self-assurance.
Mickey Diamond joins Farris on “Authenticity,” building a firm midpoint anchored by Brown’s grainy, slow-burn loop. “Ctrl Alt Delete” shifts into a slightly psychedelic tone, its murky atmosphere giving Farris room to reflect on awareness and vigilance. On “Beautiful Struggle,” he takes stock of the long road behind him without drifting into sentimentality. The steady tone continues on “Sacred,” where he describes the rush and responsibility of touching the mic.
The final stretch—“Cold Is the Gun,” “Street Patriots,” “Traffic,” and “Flawless Victory”—moves like a series of snapshots from Detroit streets, each one delivered with a level head and a precise pen. The closer, “Young Rebels,” lands as a clear-eyed look at the next generation facing the same storms.
The album is tight, cold, and built with purpose. Brown’s production keeps every track anchored, and Farris uses that foundation to deliver some of the most focused writing of his career. Run Toward the Monster is a grounded, forceful record from two Detroit artists who know exactly what they want to make and execute it with discipline.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
5. Anti-Lilly & Phoniks – All Good Things
All Good Things is a calm, clear-headed record shaped by Anti-Lilly’s period of isolation and recovery. His delivery stays close to spoken rhythm, as if he’s sorting through pressure, sobriety, and self-repair in real time. The writing keeps its weight in ordinary details and steady reflection, avoiding grand gestures in favor of direct, grounded insight.
Phoniks builds an atmosphere of warm jazz loops, soft Rhodes chords, and crisp drums with a relaxed, open feel. The pacing gives Anti-Lilly space to think without losing direction, and the tone stays consistent from track to track. Contributions from ScienZe, Devante, and Awon fall naturally into place, expanding the emotional range without breaking the album’s quiet focus.
The project arrives six years after That’s The World, following the duo’s earlier collabos Stories From the Brass Section and It’s Nice Outside. Their rapport remains easy and intuitive: Anti-Lilly brings thoughtful, unvarnished writing rooted in lived experience, while Phoniks supplies a signature blend of jazz and soul that has become central to the Don’t Sleep Records identity. We pretty much love everything the label releases, and this album fits right into that tradition.
Across fourteen compact tracks, All Good Things stays centered on clarity and emotional honesty. Songs like “Too Late,” “Swim in Fire,” and “Window” trace burnout, doubt, and cautious renewal with direct language and steady control. The record never slips into sentimentality; its impact comes from its calm tone, its patience, and its attention to the small shifts that define recovery.
It’s reflective, warm, and grounded, without any need for dramatic framing or oversized statements. If chilled-out, mature, thoughtful, jazz-soaked Hip Hop is your bag, All Good Things is a must.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
6. Hus Kingpin – Portishus 2
With Portishus 2 Hus Kingpin returns to the fogged-out world he built on the first Portishus, and this follow-up is just as strong. The Long Island veteran leans into a slow, shadowy mood shaped by his long-running fascination with iconic UK trip-hop band Portishead. Their influence is clear in the dusty drums, eerie samples, and looping melodies that echo the tension and melancholy of Dummy and Portishead. Instead of imitating the band, Hus filters that mood through his own voice, turning trip-hop’s cold haze into a street-level noir.
Producers like Doza the Drum Dealer, Def Language, Manny Megz, and Dani build murky, stretched-out beats that move with a hypnotic pulse. The atmosphere is thick and unhurried, giving Hus’ clipped delivery room to drift between paranoia, luxury, and quiet menace. Tracks nod directly to Portishead’s catalog—titles, textures, and pacing all point back to that lineage—but the core is still heavy East Coast Hip Hop.
Conway the Machine, MF Grimm, SmooVth, P.U.R.E., and others slide in, their verses add grit while keeping the album locked inside its smoky, late-night tone. We really liked the first Portishus, and this second chapter holds the same weight. It is atmospheric Hip Hop with a distinctive twist, guided by Hus Kingpin’s deep connection to Portishead’s haunting aesthetic.
Release date: November 18, 2025.
7. Che Noir & 7xvethegenius – Desired Crowns
Desired Crowns is a sharp, concentrated record powered by two of Buffalo’s strongest writers. Che Noir and 7xvethegenius dominate this short project with focus and authority, shaping a project built on detail, pressure, and personal conviction. The album is packed with strong production from Conductor Williams, V Don, Khrysis, Lord Sear, Chup, C For, Kevin Spears, and Che Noir herself, giving the record a consistent boom-bap core. The only drawback is the length; at 33 minutes, the album ends quickly, and its brief runtime leaves you wanting more. What we do get is tight, skillful Hip Hop from two top-tier female MCs working at a high level.
The intro “Trapped in the Silicone” sets up a cold, minimal atmosphere, and “Topanga” steps in with warm soul loops from Lord Sear. Che and 7xve trade verses with clean intent, moving bar to bar with confidence. “Not Me,” produced by Chup, hits harder, driven by sharp drums and a direct approach to ambition and accountability. Conductor Williams brings a heavy, crooning loop to “Sum of Two Evils,” and the two MCs slide into the pocket with a steady rhythm. Their writing stays grounded in real-life strategy, survival, and financial pressure.
“Amina” turns inward with a smoother tone, while “Flight,” produced by V Don, opens into a reflective space. Reason’s verse fits naturally between their reflections on guidance and discipline. “Conquer,” produced by Che Noir, is one of the album’s strongest tracks, built on a grainy soul sample and a clear statement of self-direction. Khrysis adds grit to “Town Ballroom,” a track anchored in ambition and seriousness under the surface of success.
“Breaker” and the alternate version of “BlackGirl” close the record with focus and emotional clarity. The writing stays tight, and the production remains consistent through the final stretch.
Desired Crowns moves quickly, maybe too quickly, but every track lands. Che Noir and 7xvethegenius operate with precision, turning a short runtime into a potent display of craft and presence.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
8. Body Bag Ben & Daniel Son – Brown Body Bags
Body Bag Ben’s dark, pressure-filled production and Daniel Son’s cold, deliberate delivery combine in a heavy, smoke-thick record that lingers. The beats on Brown Body Bags hit with weight: dusty drums, warped soul fragments, and a low, eerie pulse that gives the whole project a late-night tension. Body Bag Ben has been one of our favorite producers in underground Hip Hop for a good while, and he brings his rugged consistency here.
Daniel Son commands these tracks with icy focus, packing each verse with sharp detail and tight phrasing. His tone suits the production without succumbing to monotony, keeping the project steady and direct. Guests like RJ Payne, Jay Royale, Eto, and Kobe Honeycutt slide into the album’s dim, heavy mood, adding value to a well-rounded project.
This collab had to be good, and it is. Atmospheric beats hit hard, and the rhymes lock into them with precision—top-tier underground Hip Hop in a crowded lane.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
9. Kofi Stone – All The Flowers Have Bloomed
Kofi Stone’s All The Flowers Have Bloomed delivers UK jazz rap that is both intimate and meticulously constructed. The album opens with “Seeds,” grounding listeners in his Birmingham upbringing and the early struggles that shaped his perspective. Stone moves through themes of family, faith, and self-reflection with a sincerity that feels lived-in rather than performative. On “Venice” (feat. Maverick Sabre), he explores love and vulnerability with delicate phrasing, while “Thorns” (feat. Jacob Banks) confronts depression, guilt, and self-harm with an emotional weight that lingers. Tracks like “Cactus” hit with kinetic intensity, his delivery sharp and urgent, making every line feel essential.
Production plays a central role in the album’s impact. Stone blends jazz-inflected chords, soulful samples, and live instrumentation into tracks that are lush yet understated, providing space for his lyrics to breathe. The beats shift from mellow and introspective to tense and driving, reflecting the emotional arc of the record. Vocal features—Maverick Sabre, Jacob Banks, Ady Suleiman, and Tyler Daley—enhance the songs without overshadowing Stone’s narrative voice, contributing texture and depth.
After experimenting with new sounds and vocal chops, Stone’s storytelling feels more confident and versatile than ever. All The Flowers Have Bloomed is immersive, thoughtful, and consistently rewarding.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Danny Brown – Stardust
Danny Brown is reborn in chaos on Stardust. His first album made fully sober, it trades the grey introspection of Quaranta for bright, manic experimentation. The Detroit rapper links with a new wave of hyperpop and digicore producers—underscores, Frost Children, Quadeca, 8485, Jane Remover—and bends their digital noise to his will.
“Book of Daniel” opens on glimmering synths and Quadeca’s hopeful refrain, with Brown rapping about survival through his new alter ego, Dusty Star. From there, the album fractures into unpredictable color. “Stardust” and “Copycats” erupt in synth crunch and glitchy percussion; Brown’s voice—still nasal, sharp, and funny—cuts through the commotion like static. “Baby” channels early grime with its double claps and rubbery bass, while “Flowers” with 8485 turns house pop into something grimy and strange.
Even when the production drifts into shiny electro-pop—sounds we might not usually gravitate toward—Brown keeps it gripping. He can make even the most chaotic beat feel like home. Tracks like “1999” with JOHNNASCUS and “1L0v3myl1f3!” with Femtanyl push toward sonic overload, while “Lift You Up” and “What You See” pull back, showing new restraint and empathy.
“The End,” an eight-minute centerpiece with Zheani and ta Ukrainka, swings from quiet reflection to breakcore frenzy. Brown’s voice fights through layers of distortion, a vivid metaphor for his recovery. The closer “All4U,” with Jane Remover, offers gratitude instead of ego—rare tenderness from an artist once defined by self-destruction.
Not every track lands; some pop choruses miss the mark. But Brown’s energy and curiosity make Stardust impossible to dismiss. His XXX–Old–Atrocity Exhibition run will always be the core of his legacy, but this is another daring, quality record—proof that Danny Brown can grow older, get clean, and still sound like no one else.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
The Still Brothers & Vermin The Villain – Radiovision
Radiovision draws from warm, live instrumentation and sharp cuts to craft a sound that feels tactile and rich in detail. The Still Brothers lay down rich basslines, loose drum work, and bright guitar runs that feel pulled from a dusty reel, while Vermin The Villain cuts through the mix with tight, basement-bred rhyming that locks into the grooves without getting swallowed by them. That contrast gives the record its identity, especially on tracks where the scratches flare up or the guitars drift into more unusual territory. Slug’s appearance adds another texture without taking over the room. At 33 minutes, it’s over quickly, but the tone is distinct enough to separate it from a lot of the more routine Hip Hop drops this month, making it one worth seeking out. If you only listen to one album from these honorable mentions you might otherwise have missed, make it this one—you won’t be sorry.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
Pink Siifu – Onyx’!
Onyx’! is Pink Siifu in full pressure-cooker mode, pushing the ideas of BLACK!ANTIQUE into a louder, hazier place. The Birmingham-born artist pulls noise, trap, and warped R&B into one unstable mix, shifting from blown-out distortion to woozy melodies without warning. The opening stretch is rough and jagged, almost like he’s clearing space before the record settles into its trippy, ambient trap core.
The production is the anchor. Beats from Kal Banx, HiTech, evilgiane, Conquest Tony Phillips, Jason Wool, and others swing from industrial crunch to grainy soul fragments. Nothing sits still. Tracks bend around synth smears, sticky bass, and fractured percussion, creating a mood that drifts between tension and dazed calm.
Siifu’s vocals hover inside that swirl—half-murmured, half-chanted, sometimes sliding into a loose melody. Instead of dominating the tracks, he blends into them, letting tone carry meaning as much as words. The writing moves through paranoia, community pressure, and personal grounding, but the delivery stays conversational and smoky.
Guests drop quick flashes of color. Valee enters with his clipped cool, Turich Benjy brings sharp rhythm, and Woo Da Savage adds a punchier edge. Ss.Sylver, Sprng4evr, Fullbodydurag, Ojivolta, and Kal Banx stretch the album’s texture without breaking its strange coherence.
Onyx’! is uneven in places, but the inconsistency gives it personality. Some songs drift by with loose structure, others hit like blunt impact, and the shift between those modes keeps the record alert. It expands the ideas of BLACK!ANTIQUE rather than rewriting them, pushing Siifu’s experimental instincts into a more unified—though still chaotic—shape.
The album runs just under 45 minutes, but it carries a dense atmosphere, full of grit, signal decay, and sudden beauty. It won’t convert anyone who avoids Siifu’s abrasive side, but for listeners already tuned into his world, Onyx’! is another strange, ambitious release from one of avant garde Hip Hop’s most restless voices.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Oh No – Nodega
Oh No is full architect mode on Nodega, building a tight, grimy 42-minute world that moves with the rhythm of a corner store always humming, always shifting. The Oxnard producer—long respected for his deep digging and sharp ear—anchors the album with thick drums, rugged loops, and short blasts of melody that slide in and out like passing cars. He keeps the mic time light, giving the roster of veterans and regular collaborators room to shape the store’s daily chaos.
The record opens with a busted-speaker intro before dropping straight into “No’s One Stop,” where dusty drums and clipped samples set the project’s pace. “Community Trenches” rolls in with Kazi, MED, Blu, and Roc C trading tight, street-level snapshots over a bruised rhythm. Rah Digga and Talib Kweli bring a harder edge on “Around Here,” attacking the beat with a steady, unhurried drive. The mood shifts again on “Rooftop Shottas,” where Ghostface Killah, Aloe Blacc, and TriState move through a tense piano loop that swings like a slow camera pan across a rooftop standoff.
Interludes cut through the record like flickering radio ads, reinforcing the corner-store framing without slowing the momentum. “Gutter Streams” reconnects Oh No with The Alchemist, pulling in a warped, needle-burning groove, while “Grounding Stars” brings Guilty Simpson, Vic Spencer, and Montage One into a heavier, low-lit pocket. The back half of the album stays wide with voices: Crimeapple on the tight snap of “How Crime Works,” Logic riding the icy bounce of “No Parking Zone,” and Esoteric tearing through the explosive “Czarnobyl Torture.”
By the final stretch—including the smoky “Likwit Smoke,” the rowdy “ICU with Bottle Service,” and the closing “Corner Goons”—Nodega feels like a full cycle through Oh No’s imagined storefront. The album is compact, rugged, and loaded with character. Oh No’s production carries a gritty warmth, and the guests fill the shelves with stories, energy, and sharp writing. The concept is simple and effective, and the music hits with the clarity of a veteran producer fully in control of his space.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
Akai Solo – No Control, No Glory
No Control, No Glory is another dense, quick-moving dispatch from one of the most interesting artists in the avant-garde Hip Hop niche. Akai Solo pulls his ideas into tight, pressurized bursts, moving through tangled thoughts with a clipped delivery that lands like a steady drumroll. The Brooklyn MC keeps the focus on internal storms and relationship fallout, letting flashes of frustration and restraint surface inside his knotty phrasing.
The production lineup is wide—August Fanon, Wavy Bagels, Lonesword, Shungu, groundskeepr, Stability, and others—and the shifts are constant. Some tracks run on muffled drums and warped soul fragments; others lean into fractured electronic textures. The Wavy Bagels and Fanon cuts hit with the most definition, giving Akai a strong base for his sharper lines, while a few beats feel less shaped. Even then, the unevenness has a certain pull, like pages from the same notebook scattered across a table.
Akai’s writing stays intricate, direct, and restless. He circles discipline, self-control, and the strange quiet that follows emotional collapse, building each track around tight bursts of language rather than clear hooks. The album moves quickly, almost like a series of dispatches rather than a sculpted arc, but the tone holds together through his voice alone.
No Control, No Glory may not be his most definitive statement, but it is another strong Akai Solo project—dense, idiosyncratic, and driven by a mind that stays in motion even when the world tilts.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
Kendall Spencer & August Fanon – L.O.S.S.E.S.
L.O.S.S.E.S. is a dense, gripping record anchored by Kendall Spencer’s blunt self-examination and August Fanon’s intricate production. Spencer channels the aftermath of a near-fatal 2022 electrical accident that cost him his left arm, navigating hospitalization, depression, and financial collapse. His baritone moves through anger, fatigue, and determination, giving the album a steady emotional weight.
Fanon’s beats provide a shadowed, atmospheric backdrop, blending jazz-inflected chords, brittle drums, and uneasy textures reminiscent of early-2000s underground Hip Hop. Soft horns drift under tense patterns, plucked guitars slice through foggy loops, and wavering keys evoke a gospel-like depth. Tracks unfold deliberately—“The Triumph” sets a grim foundation, while “Where Do I Begin” and “Built Like This” explore survival and self-definition. The closing sequence—“Count Your Sinz,” “Bloodlines and Blueprints,” and “Solider”—pulls toward resolution without softening the intensity.
The album demands attention, pairing raw honesty with dark, precise production, creating a space where trauma and endurance are confronted directly, without embellishment.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
Neru Thee Fourth Fugee – 4th Chamber
Neru Thee Fourth Fugee’s Afrofuturist vision is pulled into sharp focus on 4th Chamber. The beats drift between trippy drums, ambient haze, and warm neo-soul textures, giving her voice space to move from chant-like cadences to tight, controlled verses. Each track feels like an inner room with its own temperature—some calm and meditative, others thick with tension or cosmic reach.
Killah Priest’s presence deepens the Wu-Tang lineage behind the concept, and long-time fans of his work—like us—will lock into the album’s mystical tone immediately. BbyMutha, Snypa B, Sekou Tha MaddMann, and Crip Jesus add different shades without breaking the flow. The production often leans on swirling guitars and stretched synths, creating a humid atmosphere that pulls the listener inward.
Neru ties those sounds to themes of discipline, ancestry, and self-knowledge. The writing feels rooted in Baltimore’s energy while reaching toward something spiritual and expansive. The structure is tight and intentional, moving from ritual-like openings to more grounded reflections. The 4th Chamber is ambitious, cohesive, and easy to immerse yourself in.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
Awich & RZA – Okinawan Wuman
Okinawan Wuman pairs Awich’s sharp writing with RZA’s production in a way that feels grounded in place and history. The beats carry his signature grit—dusty drums, rough-edged soul fragments, and a measured tension that never loosens. Awich moves through that space with control, switching between English, Japanese, and Okinawan dialect with a tone that stays direct and emotionally clear. Her verses touch on identity, loss, and the weight of Okinawa’s past, while also pulling in the energy of modern Hip Hop.
The album’s structure mixes short skits with full songs, giving the record a steady rhythm from start to finish. Tracks like “Fear Us,” “Wax On Wax Off,” and “Hold It Down” use the guests well; they slide into RZA’s production without breaking the album’s shape. Awich holds the center, and her delivery brings the themes into sharp focus.
The collaboration feels natural—Awich’s personal history and Okinawan roots fit easily into RZA’s martial-arts-driven sensibility. The result is a smooth, atmospheric record that links two creative worlds without forcing the connection.
Release date: November 21, 2025.
Junclassic – Music To My Eyes
Music To My Eyes is dense and stirring, shaped by Junclassic’s gravel-toned delivery and Uncommon Nasa’s heavy, industrial production. A veteran of the Monsta Island Czars and a longtime force in the New York underground, Junclassic brings the same sharp focus he carried through decades of work. The beats hit with metallic weight and wide echo, giving tracks like “1nce B4,” “Glitches,” and “Roots and Culture” a sense of pressure and momentum. Guest spots from Short Fuze, Guillotine Crowns, Furious P, and Pastense slide naturally into the record’s tense mood. Released days after his passing, the album lands with heartbreaking clarity, showing an artist pushing forward until the very end. RIP Junclassic.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
A-F-R-O & Stu Bangas – The Bad And The Ugly Chapter 2
The Bad And The Ugly Chapter 2 hits hard from the jump, built on Stu Bangas’ pounding drums, murky samples, and tightly coiled rhythms. His production keeps the record tense and heavy, giving A-F-R-O a rugged framework to unload his fast, intricate rhyme patterns. A-F-R-O’s control and technical instinct remain striking; few MCs can twist language at this pace while keeping everything clear and grounded.
The album brings in a wide range of underground talent—Wordsworth, One Be Lo, Blaq Poet, MotionPlus, Elena Charis, and others—and each appearance adds texture to the record. Features feel chosen for energy rather than name value, giving the project a cypher-like grit.
A-F-R-O is one of the most naturally gifted MCs of his generation, and we still wait for the album that fully reflects the depth of his skill. This might not be that leap, but it is strong, focused, and sharp enough to hold us over. Stu Bangas stays locked in, delivering the kind of rugged production he excels at, and together they shape another tough, unrelenting batch of underground Hip Hop.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Zilla Rocca & Disco Vietnam – Fast Eddie
Fast Eddie is a grimy, late-night ride through Zilla Rocca’s world, driven by Disco Vietnam’s dusty drums and eerie soul chops. The beats feel smoky and tight, giving Zilla room to spill sharp lines about cracked streets, oddball hustles, and worn-down pride. Guest verses from regular collaborators like PremRock and Defcee fold naturally into the album’s clipped, noir-heavy mood. We usually like everything from this camp, and this is another quality Zilla Rocca release—easy to lose in a stacked month, but absolutely worth your time.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Ca$ablanca & Cap Chino – Chicken x Chopsticks II
Chicken x Chopsticks II is tight, dark, and straight to the point. Ca$ablanca’s voice cuts through Cap Chino’s rugged loops, which lean on sharp chops, dry drums, and a steady VHS-era chill. The record moves quickly, shifting from “Lopan’s Revenge” to “X-Files” to “Furya” with a clear sense of pacing. Features from Meph Luciano, O The Great, Kincee, and others add extra texture. It’s a focused slab of underground Hip Hop built on grit, tension, and a unified rhythm that never drifts.
Release date: November 1, 2025.
Mickey Factz & AWSME J – One Above All
Mickey Factz and AWSME J’s One Above All delivers lyrically dense Hip Hop over cinematic, boom-bap production. AWSME J lays down polished, atmospheric beats that give Factz room for intricate rhyme patterns and sharp wordplay. Tracks like “98 Hov” and “The American People” highlight his command of flow and reference-heavy bars, while guest appearances from Daylyt, Shareef Keyes, and London Moon add focused energy. The album maintains a steady, disciplined mood, favoring craft and clarity over flashy experimentation, making it a solid listen for fans of technical, East Coast–inspired lyricism. But why is that old Royce diss track on here?
Release date: November 7, 2025.
Domo Genesis & Graymatter – SCRAM!
Domo Genesis and Graymatter’s SCRAM! is a tightly focused record that leans on moody, soulful production. Graymatter’s beats are warm, jazzy, and often drum-light, giving Domo space to deliver introspective, measured verses. Tracks like “Sheddingweight” and “Plainface” highlight his dense lyricism, while “Clocking2U” and “EverythingImNot” benefit from strong guest turns by Evidence and 3waySlim. The album maintains a consistent, intimate tone, with subtle textures and loops that create cohesion, though the similar sonic palette can blur individual tracks. SCRAM! rewards attentive listening and emphasizes craft over flash.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
Shungu – Faith In The Unknown
Shungu’s Faith In The Unknown delivers a focused, immersive listen, blending jazz-inflected Hip Hop with slightly left-field production. The beats are textured, warm, and unpredictable, shifting from dusty lo-fi grooves to cinematic, soulful arrangements. Featured artists like Pink Siifu, Navy Blue, Fly Anakin, Liv.e, Chester Watson, Maxo, and Goya Gumbani bring introspection, grit, and melodic nuance, each adding distinct energy to Shungu’s layered sound. Tracks like “Written Down,” “Serti Dial,” and “Faith in the Unknown” highlight tight lyricism against unconventional rhythms, while the atmospheric instrumentation keeps the mood contemplative yet engaging. The album unfolds carefully, rewarding patient listening without relying on obvious hooks, and frames a rich, exploratory approach to modern Hip Hop.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
Bun B & Cory Mo – Way Mo Trill
Bun B and Cory Mo’s Way Mo Trill leans into the legacy of UGK while forging its own path in today’s Southern Hip Hop. Bun B’s authoritative flow rides Cory Mo’s warm, funky production with confidence, recalling the chemistry of his duo days. A posthumous Pimp C hook on “Everywhere We Go” ties the album to UGK history. Features from Juicy J, 8Ball & MJG, and Monaleo bring variety, while the beats remain soulful and the verses precise. The record delivers solid, enjoyable Southern rap from seasoned artists.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
Termanology & Nef – Shut Up And Write
Termanology’s Shut Up And Write delivers steady boom-bap with tight drums and crisp, atmospheric production by Nef. The album stays in the classic East Coast lane, with dense lyricism and polished flows, but Termanology’s constant output leaves it feeling familiar rather than urgent. A couple of tracks slap, yet the overall experience passes quickly without lingering. It’s competently executed, but hard to remember amidst Termanology’s extensive discography.
Release date: November 7, 2025.
The Musalini & $moove – Eye Candy
The Musalini does the same every time—and does it right. Eye Candy delivers chilled-out vibes and pimped-out rhymes over $moove’s smooth, jazzy boom-bap. At just 31 minutes, it’s too short to leave a lasting mark, but every track hits with relaxed confidence and a sleek, late-night energy.
Release date: November 14, 2025.
Jus-P & Luey The 4th – Take Everything: Lo-Life Meets Wu-Tang
Take Everything: Lo-Life Meets Wu-Tang is produced entirely by Luey the 4th, crafting dark, cinematic boom-bap with dusty samples, heavy drums, and brooding loops. And even if he isn’t the best rapper you’ve ever heard, Jus-P delivers sharp, grounded bars full of street-level insight and steady flow. Guest appearances from Timbo King, Buddha Monk, Thirstin Howl the 3rd, and others bring additional voices to the project. The production emphasizes grit and minimalism, giving each track weight and focus while maintaining cohesion across the album’s runtime. The project isn’t flawless, but its raw character and underground attitude give it a compelling charm.
Release date: November 21, 2025.
Supreme Cerebral & Banish Habitual – Omega Red vs Deadpool
Omega Red vs Deadpool delivers hard-hitting West Coast underground Hip Hop with dark, cinematic production and commanding lyricism. Supreme Cerebral’s dense, pop culture-laced verses slice through Banish Habitual’s heavy drums and moody loops, creating a tense, focused energy that rarely lets up. The album unfolds like a series of compact battles, each track balancing intricate wordplay with a sense of theatrical grit. Sparse piano lines, subtle strings, and eerie samples accentuate the combat-ready mood, giving the beats a cinematic weight. At just under 40 minutes, it’s tight, intense, and relentless—a direct hit for listeners who value technical skill and commanding presence.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Vic Spencer – Show & Prove, Not Back & Forth
Show & Prove, Not Back & Forth runs on grainy drums, eerie soul loops, and a narrow, shadowy atmosphere that fits Vic Spencer’s voice. His delivery lands in a steady, conversational pattern, stacking wry lines, loose anecdotes, and sharp swings at weak competition. The beats stay stripped-down and slightly crooked, giving the album a dry, nocturnal mood. Guest moments from Panamera P, GQ Tha Teacha, and Hunnaloe appear as brief detours inside that framework. The record is tight, direct, and shaped around Spencer’s distinct tone and rhythm. Another dope, albeit brief, Vic Spencer project.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Funky DL – The Boom Bap Specialist
The Boom Bap Specialist is Funky DL back in full MC mode, working over his own drum-heavy production with the confidence of someone who has shaped UK Hip Hop for decades. The record runs on crisp snares, warm chords, and tight loops that hit with a ’90s pulse without drifting into nostalgia. DL’s delivery stays sharp and controlled, and he builds each track with clean structure and a steady swing. E1EVENSHAY, Abioseh, and DJ 279 drop in with focused contributions that fit the album’s rhythm. At 44 minutes, it runs with purpose and keeps its momentum from front to back. It’s a reminder of how steady DL is when he’s on the mic and behind the boards. A must-listen for fans of jazz-infused, 90s-centric, boom-bap.
Release date: November 21, 2025.
Crimeapple – Hanzai
Crimeapple delivers another cold, deliberate record with Hanzai, working through tense loops and sparse drums with his usual clipped precision. The bilingual flexing, travel references, and high-stakes crime imagery hit with the same sharp edge he’s built his name on, and the rotating producers keep the sound gritty and focused. RLX adds a quick shift in texture on “Talmbout,” but the weight of the album sits firmly on Crimeapple’s tone and detail. It’s a strong, fully listenable entry in his catalog, even if it doesn’t rise to the level of his most striking releases.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Asun Eastwood, Lord Juco & Jesse Green Beats – Two Birds
Asun Eastwood and Lord Juco lock into a gritty, low-light rhythm here, pushing through Jesse Green Beats’ grimy loops with measured, heavy deliveries. The production leans on rough-cut soul and muted jazz fragments, giving the drums a dry punch that suits the rappers’ clipped flows. Asun’s voice cuts straight through the mix, while Juco brings a colder, more spaced cadence that deepens the album’s shadowy pull.
Jesse Green keeps the palette tight from front to back, which builds a clear sense of cohesion even as some tracks start to blur together near the end. The features from Ashton Francis, HWY 308, and Cousin Feo add new textures to that grit—each artist coming in with a distinct tone that fits naturally into the project’s dark framework.
Two Birds is another steady release in this lane of underground Hip Hop: rugged, consistent, and easy to sink into, even if it doesn’t offer anything especially memorable.
Release date: November 24, 2025.
Ferris Blusa & Observe Since 98 – Let Go And Let Gawd
Ferris Blusa and Observe Since 98 deliver a grounded, heavy record with Let Go And Let Gawd. Observe’s production leans into dusty drums, warm soul loops, and muted gospel accents, creating a steady, reflective pulse. It isn’t his sharpest batch of beats, but the atmosphere holds strong and carries the album with ease.
Blusa brings deep-toned, deliberate verses centered on faith, tension, and self-reckoning. His pacing is patient, almost sermon-like, giving each line weight without drifting into melodrama. The guests fit the mood, but the core appeal sits in the tight link between Blusa’s writing and Observe’s somber, soulful palette. A solid listen.
Release date: November 25, 2025.
Von Pea & The Other Guys – Putcha Weight On It
Putcha Weight On It! is warm, lived-in Hip Hop built on Von Pea’s steady voice and The Other Guys’ rich, jazzy production. The Washington D.C. duo lay down dusty drums, glowing keys, and soul loops that feel cut straight from late-night sessions. Von Pea flows through the tracks with relaxed clarity, focusing on daily pressure, personal pride, and the grind that shaped him from Brooklyn to the present.
Guests slide into the record with ease: Che Noir delivers sharp focus on “Roadblock,” Skyzoo and Donwill bring familiar chemistry to the title track, and Oddisee adds a grounded, reflective edge to “Knew It All.”
The album runs lean, each track built around tight grooves and clean arrangement. Nothing drags. Nothing reaches for drama. Instead, it trusts the strength of craft—smart writing, crisp drums, and the kind of chemistry that comes from years of shared work.
Putcha Weight On It! is a smooth, engaging listen from artists who know exactly what they’re doing. We only wish it ran it a bit longer than its (too) brief 32 minutes.
Release date: November 25, 2025.
Murkemz – The Ayatollah
The Ayatollah hits with tight drums, thick bass, and a steady stream of sharp, high-energy verses. Murkemz’s mix of Queens grit and Phoenix edge gives the album a distinct bite, and the production leaves plenty of room for his idiosyncratic, punch-heavy delivery. Features from Inspectah Deck, Trae Tha Truth, Freeway, and others add weight without crowding him out. The beats knock, his personality cuts through, and his style separates this project from a crowded underground lane. Definitely worth a listen.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Esham – The Golden Age
The Golden Age brings Detroit legend Esham back with the dark, distorted grit that shaped his legacy, pairing heavy drums with uneasy samples and his unmistakable delivery. Sharp swings on this album—some tracks hit with real force while others feel looser—but the draw here is Esham himself.
He’s one of Detroit’s most important Hip Hop figures, a true pioneer of horrorcore, and the mind behind Boomin’ Words from Hell, the 1989 debut that set the tone for an entire region and for an entire subgenre. His influence runs deep, from his independent grind to the sound he carved out long before it was recognized on a larger scale.
Even if The Golden Age is uneven, it’s still a must-hear because Esham remains a singular presence, carrying decades of history every time he steps to the mic.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Daz Dillinger – Rowtation
Rowtation drifts into a smoother, looser zone than Daz Dillinger’s earlier 2025 releases, trading in harsher G-funk edges for trap drums, light synths, and a steady run of mid-tempo grooves. The family-heavy guest list adds warmth, but the album’s middle section blends together, especially from “Smokin on the Best” through “Superstition,” where similar melodies and repeated hook styles drain momentum. Daz’s history and longevity give the record weight, but the material circles familiar territory and doesn’t leave much impact. Still, worth a spin, especially for G-funk fans who’ve been down with Daz since his Doggpound days.
Release date: November 28, 2025.
Best EPs
Papoose – Bars on Wheels: A Journey to Save Hip Hop
Ransom & Conductor Williams – The Uncomfortable Truth
Boldy James & Nicholas Craven – Criminally Attached
28AV & araabMUZIK – The Avatar Darko Story
NapsNDreds & Wordsworth – Quick Routes
Mavi – The Pilot
Your Old Droog – Anything is Possible
RJ Payne & PA. Dre – Winning Aint Enough
Stik Figa & Str8jakkett – Westside Alumni
Flee Lord & Jansport J – Halfway There
Grey Mouse Beats & A-F-R-O – FROMage
Truth & Da Beatminerz – Nostalgia ThEraPy 2
The White Shadow of Norway – The Entity
AJ Suede, Lord Olo & Televangel – Relinquished
Afu-Ra – The Monk and the Wolf Italian
Distant Pham & Brutal Caesar – The Disdain
Obijuan & Camoflauge Monk – Until the Sky Break