US Hip Hop 138 Items

Composed of rhyme-vets Pawz One and Evolve are Random Act Of Violence! The duo’s self-titled release is chock-full of grimy bars over bangin’ beats for the head-nodders. Lead single “Sixteen Shots” is a boom-bap bar-brawl set to a crackin’ instrumental (produced by EQ) with DJ Eyeball adds cuts to and featuring additional lyrical firepower from none other than Copywrite. Another track from the project is “Vaultures”. Speaking on that track Pawz revealed “the concept of that one was inspired by seeing a lot of these types in the game. The hook was inspired by Mobb Deep, these half-way-crooks bunched up to make each other feel tough and validate themselves.” Hailing from Los Angeles Pawz One has been repping the real and releasing music for the past decade. Most recently he teamed up with 90’s West Coast vet Mykill Miers for the aptly named “Double Homicide” album and has also appeared on tracks with such notables as Ruste Juxx, Sadat X, Percee P, Shabaam Sahdeeq and DJ Rhettmatic. Based out of Donna, Texas, Evolve has released over twenty albums through his Boom Bap Masterpiece Records label. He has collaborated on tracks with such notables as Chino XL, Fatlip (of the Pharcyde), Esoteric, Mickey Factz, Blueprint and many more. Touring the country over the past decade he has also shared stages with the likes of Raekwon, Murs, R.A. The Rugged Man, Masta Ace and Immortal Technique among others.

140g black vinyl version in 12" gatefold jacket with artwork by Shane Ingersoll. Includes a download to the digital version of the album.



An alloy is a mixture of chemical agents which forms a new substance that retains the characteristics of a metal. The mechanical properties of alloys often differ significantly from those of its individual constituents. It has been more than two years since ShrapKnel’s debut album, during which time the duo of Curly Castro and PremRock have individually released successful solo albums with Backwoodz Studioz. Fittingly, these two albums were nothing alike; Castro’s incendiary Little Robert Hutton is an high octane soundclash, a stark contrast to the knotty intimacy of PremRock’s Load Bearing Crow’s Feet. A new ShrapKnel album means a return to foundry and forge, the alchemy of turning two into one. Carbon and Iron make steel, rest assured, there will be no sophomore slump. Metal Lung is the evidence. The bulk of the production is provided by Steel Tipped Dove, who has worked with Nosaj, billy woods, Shirt, R.A.P. Ferreira and just put out an incredible album of his own on Backwoodz last year (Call Me When You’re Outside). Additional production comes from Child Actor (elucid, Serengeti, Armand Hammer) & Olof Melander (Moor Mother, Project Mooncircle). Mixed and mastered by the incomparable Willie Green.

Ill Adrenaline Records is excited to announce a brand new 7" vinyl from critically acclaimed rapper Awon and UK producer Elements. The A side features "Game Matters" with head nodding soulful production highlighting Awon's raw uncut rhymes, blended together with a catchy scratch hook. Track 2, "Paper Off My Pager" combines Elements upbeat jazz infused production with Awon's vivid quick fire lyricism. Awon, "The 90s were really grimy and rigid, it was a different thought process of survival, getting money happened to be a part of that. While it sounds celebratory Paper off my Pager is really a reflection of bad decisions on top of bad decisions that led me to rap for a living. The celebration is that I survived." The B side features a golden age inspired Elements remix for "Game Matters" which shines a new light on Awon's braggadocio flows and showcases razor sharp cuts over melancholic jazz piano and upright bass. Awon has racked up millions of streams and immense exposure as an independent artist, with a stellar catalogue of underground hip hop classics. He recently starred in "Underdogs", a documentary that chronicles his journey with Don't Sleep Records, the label he founded with production partner Phoniks, winning best music documentary at Dtla film festival and streaming now on Netflix. Elements production placements have seen his music covered by tastemaker publications like Lyrical Lemonade, Afropunk, Billboard magazine and NPR music. The pair work together to create a unique sound on "Game Matters" and "Paper off my Pager" available for the first time on vinyl.

The golden standard of Jazz-Hop! Windmills of the Soul, California-based producer/rapper Kero One’s 2005 debut, is finally getting a long-deserved analog reissue as a 2xLP set! Lead single “In All The Wrong Places” sampled jazz pianist Ahmad Jamal’s “Dolphin Dance”, combining it with hip-hop beats and smooth rhymes to define Kero One’s iconic west-coast Jazz-Hop sound.16 years after its initial release, the album sounds surprisingly fresh, truly illuminating Kero One’s undeniable influence. With DJ Mitsu The Beats’ Japan CD-exclusive Bonus-track “My Story (DJ Mitsu Remix)” on cassette for the first time ever, this is a reissue you absolutely must not miss!

With features from world-class soul singers such as Ben Westbeech and Toumo, the good vibes on Early Believers are unparalleled! Catchy hooks elevate the smooth, nostalgia-inducing flows of Kero One, making this an album more than worthy to follow up Kero One’s legendary debut. Featuring both the artwork from the Japan-exclusive CD, and the Japan-exclusive bonus track “When The Sunshine Comes (Cradle Remix feat. Anan Ryoko)”, this album has never looked, or sounded this good! Get Kero One’s Early Believers on cassette tape, from P-vine Records!

Great minds think alike. Eprom & Barclay Crenshaw’s remixes of Yung Skrrt’s “McDonalds” are cosmically connected. Both artists separately discovered the track via Bandcamp, and both began transmitting the frequencies through their DJ sets on different stages around the world. Once the parallel universe became perpendicular and crossed paths, they each decided to make their own interpretations and now the world is one.

Heres some new Detroit Hip Hop on Fxhe approved by Omar S! Sonny Dulphi & Pat2Dope is the Hi Tech to Hip Hop. They have the same energy as Milf Melly and King Milo from Hi Tech,in fact Milf Melly and Sonnydulphi are Cussins. This Double 7" comes in a Dope ASS dual 7 " Booklet.

Dutch producers Casiio and Sleepermane unite once more in ‘Unexplored’. Every track feels alive and organic, painting the picture of an alien world, yet very familiar. Other-worldly synths and foley/ambiences represent the different biomes and strange creatures walking around in this world we created. The steady pulse of soft drum loops and warm chords form the heartbeat of the landscapes - taking you on a journey through the Unexplored.

38 Spesh has quietly become tastemakers’ top pick for “next to blow.” Just ask LeBron James, Kevin Durrant, DJ Premier, Sway, Method Man, or Lloyd Banks, all of which have co-signed this Upstate New York emcee. His 7 Shots EP, the third and final instalment in his fan-favorite “Shots Series,” marked the moment that many caught on to the Trust movement. The 8 track offering gives underground Hip-Hop fans exactly what they want, hard bars over soulful beats. The project features guest verses from Freeway, Ransom, Eto, and Che Noir, as well as production from Streetrunner, The Heatmakerz, LT Beats, Thanos Beats, and more. Mixed and mastered by Chris Pinset Cover by Laz Art Direction by Jordan Commandeur A&R by Ransom

When an artist consistently creates at the forward edge, there are no guardrails. Quelle Chris has been comfortable at the boundaries, leading Hip-Hop since he started.

Quelle’s vision extends beyond genre or format. He continued broadening his creative ambitions even beyond his own legendary four album run (BYIG, Everything's Fine, Guns, Innocent Country 2) and worked with Chris Keys to compose part of the score for the Oscar-winning film “Judas and The Black Messiah” with director Shaka King.

The new album, “DEATHFAME,” is a sonic treatment produced by Quelle himself, along with Chris Keys and Knxwledge. The record carries on like an incredible lost tape found at a flea market. It explores, unflinchingly, every moment of the trials the early 2020s has brought to all of us. Guests Navy Blue and Pink Siifu lend brilliance to the dynamic and unexpected new album coming May 13th on Mello Music Group.

Limited to 300 copies.
When an artist consistently creates at the forward edge, there are no guardrails. Quelle Chris has been comfortable at the boundaries, leading Hip-Hop since he started.

Quelle’s vision extends beyond genre or format. He continued broadening his creative ambitions even beyond his own legendary four album run (BYIG, Everything's Fine, Guns, Innocent Country 2) and worked with Chris Keys to compose part of the score for the Oscar-winning film “Judas and The Black Messiah” with director Shaka King.

The new album, “DEATHFAME,” is a sonic treatment produced by Quelle himself, along with Chris Keys and Knxwledge. The record carries on like an incredible lost tape found at a flea market. It explores, unflinchingly, every moment of the trials the early 2020s has brought to all of us. Guests Navy Blue and Pink Siifu lend brilliance to the dynamic and unexpected new album coming May 13th on Mello Music Group.

Comes in a gatefold cover with the album on double vinyl and a digipak CD.

All songs written by Oddisee.
Appearances written by respective feature guests.

All songs produced by Oddisee.
"Bartenders" co-produced by Dunc.
Additional instrumentation by
Ralph Real (keys), Dennis Turner (bass),
Olivier St. Louis & Saint Ezekiel (guitar)
Jon Laine (drums)
Fredeka, Felix Herbst, Johan Lenox & Don Carn (strings)

Mixed by Oddisee
Mastered by Hans-Philipp Graf, HP Mastering

Artwork & Design by Arthur Banach

Outer Note Label 2023

Inspired by the events of the record-breaking 4th season of "stranger THINGS," Randombeats & Soul Mates present Mega RAN & Amerigo Gazaway's "strangerS: Back TO THE Lab", a follow up to RAN's 2017 "strangerS" EP. Featuring production from DJ Dnâ³, Lost Perception, K-murdock and special guest appearances from Dillon, RAY Wimley and Glennellen Anderson ("stranger Things" S1), Mega RAN and Gazaway join forces to save the world itself from the evils of 'The Upside Down'. Roll for initiative! Pressed on special red & black splattered vinyl with a full color picture sleeve.

RJ’s career took off while performing under the name Reign Man. He was selected as a finalist for MTV’s Making The Band 2 by P Diddy, and six months later won the MTV MC Battle, landing him a deal with Def Jam Records. Due to unexpected events involving the firing of then Def Jam President, Kevin Liles, Reign Man’s music was unfortunately shelved. Back in Philly, Reign Man linked with Reed Dollaz and joined Top Klass, the city’s largest independent label. He was an integral part of the battle rap DVD era and had a cult following on the internet. His last battle was in 2015 where he won against Urls Ty Law. Reign Man decided to drop the stage name and start recording music under his real name - RJ Payne. He released seven albums in 2017 under Educated Ignorance Music Group. Four albums were tributes to the late rappers, Big L, Big Pun, Prodigy of Mobb Deep, and Sean Price with all of the beats completely reproduced by PA Dre. He has continued on his relentless grind dropping dope project after dope project, and once again teams with Memphis born/Erie raised producer PA Dre for Beautiful Payne 4. These days, the rapper has been leaning toward more songwriting than battle bars through his Beautiful Payne EPs. BP4 sheds more light on Payne's personal life and musical journey. From honoring his late mother on "Momma I Made It" to fighting the thought of having a child in today's world on "The Curse," the indie artist offers transparency over light-hearted soulful production that gives him room to speak, but keeps listeners nodding their heads. In just nine tracks and two artist features (King Iso and Buffalo's own L Biz), you're taken on a wild ride through elaborate storytelling with countless gems to take heed of. The project allows Payne's words to resonate until the very end. It's safe to say that RJ Payne and PA Dre have created an undeniable experience for all of us to enjoy.

Brand new album

All songs written by Oddisee.
Appearances written by respective feature guests.

All songs produced by Oddisee.
"Bartenders" co-produced by Dunc.
Additional instrumentation by
Ralph Real (keys), Dennis Turner (bass),
Olivier St. Louis & Saint Ezekiel (guitar)
Jon Laine (drums)
Fredeka, Felix Herbst, Johan Lenox & Don Carn (strings)

Mixed by Oddisee
Mastered by Hans-Philipp Graf, HP Mastering

Artwork & Design by Arthur Banach

Outer Note Label 2023

Sleepy Soldier finds Tanna pushing the boundaries of his creative expression while embracing a certain emotional complexity in his storytelling. The core message of the album is love, humanity, endurance. He likes to describe it as “human music” because it’s very honest about the span of emotions we all go through in a single day on this planet—all the sadness and disappointment and stress and also the joy. In a perfect counterpart to that vast scope of feeling, Sleepy Soldier offers up such sonically eclectic tracks as “Picasso” (a punk-leaning anthem that transforms frustration into pure catharsis) and “Death n’ Taxes” (a gorgeously ethereal, guitar-laced piece graced with wisdom Tanna gained during a mind-expanding trip to the ocean).

Idiopath is the debut album from Kenton Hall & The Necessary Measures. Kenton Hall is a Canadian author, actor, director and musician who fronted the band ist from 2001 until 2010, releasing three critically acclaimed albums: 2004's Freudian Cordurory, 2005's King Martha and 2009's Toothpick Bridge. The band reformed briefly in 2015 to record two new tracks for Hall's directorial film debut "A Dozen Summers".

Idiopath will be accompanied by a feature film version of the album, Videopath and a companion album, Omniopath, featuring all the songs from the Idiopath sessions reinterpreted by other artists.

Idiopath was produced by Kenton Hall, Chris Ilett and Brett Richardson

Limited indie exclusive edition

Produced by The Alchemist, Black Noi$e, Samiyam & others, finally available on vinyl.

German hardcore band Urge drops their fiery single release »Brainwashed«. After one year of work on this remix, Canadian rapper Abdominal who is known for his work with DJ Format is rhyming over a heavy Mo'Wax-esque beat produced by Smoove including lots of skilled cuts by Berlin based turntablist and DJ Robert Smith.

Together they built a deep-sounding monster of a tune. The 7inch which sits in a Japanese Katta round inner sleeve includes the original song as well as bonus Beats'n'Breaks for all the DJs.

Furthermore this release includes a hand-folded and hand-sleeved eco-printed poster for the black recycled version and a special riso-eco-printed high-quality poster (with vegetable inks) on the limited colored runs. There are 80 copies each of recycled red, light blue and dark blue transparent with color matching posters for sale on Bandcamp only. Total edition is 90 each (10 copies are reserved for the artists). All hand-numbered and hand-sleeved. When they're gone, they're gone.

The artwork of the poster is designed by Anton Volxem.

»Oonops Drops« is not a guitar-driven music label or specialized in hardcore or metal but it's an openminded label which finds ways to fuse and work until it fits with many different genres.

About Urge: The band was formed in 1989 and has a lot of stage experience touring with American and English bands. For instance, Urge toured Europe for a few weeks with Fugazi. They shared stages with MDC, Melvins, Fugazi, Voivod, Bolt Thrower, MDC, Melvins, just to name a few. The German music magazine Spex called them »Hardcorehausen« and for some time they were on the road as a site project with »Power Of Expression« with singer Marc Grewe (Morgoth) and played at the legendary Wacken Festival.

A one of a kind 7", Sojourn, founding member of the indelible and legendary Tunnel Rats and Future Shock crews, gets down on the A Side with "The Basement," featuring LA icon Rass Kass on a fun and hard-hitting track celebrating the soulfulness of the sharpest skill which both MCs display flawlessly over Courtland Urbano production. This track is a fitting accompaniment to the resurgence of the Tunnel Rats, Brainwash Projects (releases on Hhv), and others. The B Side, "Shadows of Japan" is an offering from War Church, a duo composed of Tomorrow Kings' Skech185, just coming off his ultra-successful full-length release on the conspicuous Backwoodz Studioz (Armand Hammer, Billy Woods, Shrapknel) with producer Jeff Markey entitled He Left Nothing for the Swim Back, and the sonic collages of producer Analog(ue) Tape Dispenser (New Age Middle Finger with Skech185, Milo/R.A.P. Ferreria’s Things That Happen at Night, etc.). Featuring Chicago's own Rich Jones with some introspective raps Tom Scott would nod his head to in brilliant affirmation of, the three opaquely articulate the navigation of the human through the torrential hurricanes of life.

When Chester Watson debuted in the mid-2010s with verbose, technically precise music indebted to MF Doom, Earl Sweatshirt, and more obscure artists from the stratosphere and the blogosphere, it was as if he was simultaneously from the past and future. Before he was old enough to legally drink, there were “Best Of,” rarities compilations, and .zip files floating through the ether. Whenever industry prospectors earmarked him as the next big thing, he disappeared back underground, only to reemerge sharper, leaner, weirder. Though only 26, the St. Louis-born rapper and producer has seen enough for several lifetimes—and raps as if he’s tapped into many more. But after a few years of highs, lows, and traumatic odysseys, he was able to stare straight into the abyss and conquer it. This regained confidence is exhibited on fish don’t climb trees, the largely self-produced new album that reaffirms him as one of rap’s great auteurs. While working on "fish", he vowed to be more true to the emotions and experiences he’d endured. Being true to those fractured, discordant feelings requires a prismatic approach. And so you get fish’s exhilarating hairpin turns: from downtempo dub (“bora bora”) to 808s rattling through a haunted house (“tourniquet”), beats that sound as if they’re molting into new shapes in real time (the two-song suite of “daze” and “grey theory”) to ones that that plunge to the bottom of a pocket (“spirits”). The album’s title comes from the maybe-apocryphal Einstein quote, about how a fish judged by its ability to climb trees will “spend its whole life believing it is stupid.” For Watson, this meant embracing the cheery first half of the quote (“Everybody is a genius”), but also being cognizant of the dark undercurrents that flow just beneath seemingly innocent misjudgments and mis-categorizations.

Quantity: 1200
Release type: 'RSD First' Release

Joell Ortiz and L'Orange's "Signature" is reimagined to demand your undivided attention. This reinterpretation marks an audacious exploration of sonic boundaries-an homage to Ortiz's legacy while boldly forging a new path in hip-hop. Get ready to experience a musical journey that celebrates the artistry of Joell Ortiz and the transformative vision of L'Orange. Featuring Kxng Crooked, Sheek Louch and CyHi.

Ohio independent Hip-Hop mainstays J. Rawls and Cas Metah put on a clinic with Criminal Blinded. As has become his signature, Dr. Rawls delivers 7 soulful tracks for Cas to spit carefully crafted conscious lyricism. The Buckeye state is represented to the fullest as Rawls & Metah are joined by OH legends Holmskillit on "G Rap", Donte of Mood on "Golden Arms", Blast Mega on "Seven Kings" and D1 on the title track. The talented group of guest appearances doesn't end at the border though! Other features include Stik Figa, Sheisty Khrist, Rel McCoy, Napoleon Da Legend, Sleep Sinatra, Taiyamo Denku and Scribbling Idiots.

Seasons Change, People Too is the new double album by Fokis. Created during the pandemic, the album was initially released in 4 parts but now the project is available as a full album. The project also includes new tracks and excludes a few songs from the previous releases, making it a cohesive body of work.

I came across this artist called WolfEarsPanthro on bandcamp and heard his song "Consultant Funk" I was instantly fascinated. If i'm not mistaking it was around April 2021 when i asked Wolf to collab with me on a full lenght project and he just said yes! Very soon we found out we both like def jux and trip hop a lot! And so the creative process began. Wolf approached my sometimes difficult productions so naturally and came up with this Windblade theme/concept. The work on this album felt like beeing kids again creating our own universe...

Many thanks to Wolf Windblade for crafting this very unique piece of art. Many thanks to Simon Heer for his outstanding work on the mastering. Many thanks to my wife for beeing so patient, laid back and understanding.

After a decade-and-a-half of sustaining classic hip-hop and soul traditions and expanding them into the next generation, MMG has built a reputation as one of the last dependable bastions of quality. Its latest label compilation, Omakase, plays into the idea commonly found in the finest sushi restaurants: trust the chef. This time around Mello creates original songs across Hiphop, Jazz, RnB, and Soul featuring new songs from Kamaal Williams, Pale Jay, Chris Keys, Raheem DeVaughn, Marlowe, Apollo Brown, Fly Anakin, Denmark Vessey, Danny Brown, Stalley and more.