A recent press release describes #RICHAXXHAITIAN as the last of a “tetralogy” of Haiti-focused albums, starting with 2016’s HBO (Haitian Body Odor), Pray for Haiti, and Balens Cho (Hot Candles). Haiti’s struggle for self-determination has always been central to Mach’s mythos, but these four records explicitly use it as a framing device — and compared to its predecessors, #RICHAXXHAITIAN feels especially clear and distilled.
Veteran rapper-producers Oh No and The Alchemist frequently use their work to peer at highbrow city life from its lowbrow, morally-gray margins — especially when they team up as Gangrene. Heads I Win, Tails You Lose comfortably expands on their keen eye for world-building. It’s tailor-made for peering into a back alley.
The hottest, driest place in America is a fitting reference point for prolific LA beatmaker DJ Muggs — whose trademark production is frequently dust-filled and eerie, with little room for frills. That approach is on display throughout Soul Assassins 3: Death Valley, a new installment in his decades-long series of region-hopping rap showcases.
Now a fresh signee at Def Jam, Sage Elsesser’s dropped his major-label debut Ways of Knowing, a clear-eyed distillation of his effortless, heady lyricism and deep emotional intelligence. His lyrical trademarks are his introspection, emotional storytelling, and focus on personal transformation grounded in the lessons and trauma of family life.
Compared to Wiki’s last few releases, Papiseed Street is especially loose and playful. He has a real talent for building momentum across a song, stacking vivid images on top of vignettes, jokes, and emotional insights. Wiki’s newest offerings are vibrant and off-the-cuff, full of his trademark personality.
Larry June’s slick confidence, lifestyle raps, and laidback delivery immediately recall someone like Curren$y; his flows are versatile, fitting smoothly into a song’s pockets like a billiard ball. He also tends to focus more on sweeping portraits than zooming in on a scene. He’s choosy with his smallest details, focusing on flair and personality.
