Music Tracking 2022

These are 2022 releases that I've taken note of, listed alphabetically by artist, with VA comps at the bottom. My grades, where available, are in brackets at the end of the line (stars in B+ range). Lines in blue indicate that I have a physical copy (albeit sometimes just a promo CDR); in green are records that I graded based on a Rhapsody stream or other such source. Most records have release dates and a brief generic note.

Unheard records are prioritized 0-3 (graded records are 4-5). The priotization is based subjectively on personal interests, reviews I've noticed, reviewers I particularly respect, what I know about the artists, etc. Roughly speaking: 0 is something I have no reason to consider (default page omits 0); 1 has been noted as having some cred somewhere; 2 is something I have some specific reason to search out; 3 is something I'll listen to ASAP.

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Genre switches (selection not implemented yet):

New Releases

  • 2 Chainz: Dope Don't Sell Itself () [02-04] - trap
  • 42 Dugg & EST Gee: Last Ones Left (CMG/Warlike/Interscope) [04-08] - hip-hop
  • 700 Bliss: Nothing to Declare (Hyperdub) [05-27] - hip-hop [*]
  • $NOT: Ethereal (300 Entertainment) [02-11] - hip-hop
  • $ilkmoney: I Don't Give a Fuck About This Rap Shit, Imma Just Drop Until I Don't Feel Like It Anymore (DB$B) [11-15] - hip-hop [**]
  • Ab-Soul: Herbert (Top Dawg Entertainment) [12-16] - hip-hop [B]
  • Action Bronson: Cocodrillo Turbo (Loma Vista) [04-29] - hip-hop
  • Aitch: Close to Home (Capitol) [08-19] - UK hip-hop [*]
  • Akai Solo: Spirit Roaming () [11-11] - hip-hop
  • Ardamus: Psychedelic City Cowboy $hit () [10-21] - hip-hop
  • ArrDee: Pier Pressure (Island) [03-18] - UK hip-hop
  • Kwesi Arthur: Son of Jacob (Ground Up Chale) [04-22] - Afrorap [**]
  • Avantdale Bowling Club: Trees (Years Gone By) [09-30] - hip-hop [***]
  • Awon & Soul.Dope.95: Infinite Wisdom () [10-17] - hip-hop
  • Babyface Ray: Face (Empire) [01-28] - trap
  • BabyTron: Bin Reaper 3: Old Testament (Hip Hop Lab/Empire) [10-28] - hip-hop
  • Backxwash: His Happiness Shall Come First Even Though We Are Suffering (Ugly Hag) [10-31] - horrorcore [**]
  • Bad Boy Chiller Crew: Disrespectful (Relentless) [02-18] - hip house
  • Joey Bada$$: 2000 (Pro Era/Cinematic/Columbia) [07-22] - pop rap
  • Band Gand Lonnie Bands: Scorpion Eyes (TF) - hip-hop
  • Bandmanrill: Club Godfather (Warner) [10-28] - hip-hop
  • Lloyd Banks: The Course of the Inevitable 2 (Money by Any Means/Empire) [07-15] - hip-hop
  • Ecko Bazz: Mmaso (Hakuna Kulala) [03-18] - African hip-hop [**]
  • Kenny Beats: Louie (XL) [08-31] - instrumental hip-hop [*]
  • Benny the Butcher: Tana Talk 4 (Griselda/Empire) [03-11] - hip-hop [**]
  • Big KRIT: Digital Roses Don't Die (BMG) [02-18] - hip-hop [**]
  • Black Star: No Fear of Time (self-released) [05-03] - hip-hop
  • Blackhaine: Armour II (Because Music -EP) [06-10] - UK hip-hop
  • Bladee & Ecco2k: Crest (Year0001) [03-17] - cloud rap [*]
  • Bladee: Spiderr (Year0001) [09-30] - cloud rap
  • Bloodmoney Perez & Messiah Musik: Second Hand Accounts () [01-28] - hip-hop
  • bRavenous: Ghosts of Rockingham Vol 1 () [03-18] - hip-hop
  • bRavenous: Ghosts of Rockingham Vol 2 () [07-29] - hip-hop
  • Brockhampton: TM (Question Everything/RCA) [11-18] - hip-hop
  • Brockhampton: The Family (Question Everything/RCA) [11-17] - pop rap
  • Apollo Brown & Philmore Greene: Cost of Living (Mello Music Group) [11-15] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Blade Brown/K-Trap: Joints () [03-25] - UK hip-hop
  • Buck 65/Tachichi: Flash Grenade (Black Buffalo) [05-06] - hip-hop [**]
  • Buck 65: King of Drums (self-released) [06-10] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Dai Burger: Back in Ya Mouf (self-released -21) [2021-12-10] - hip-hop
  • Buruklyn Boyz: East Mpaka London (self-released) [05-20] - drill [**]
  • Armani Caesar: The Liz 2 (Griselda) [10-21] - hip-hop [*]
  • Cakes Da Killa: Svengali (Young Art) [10-28] - hip-hop
  • Cam'ron & A-Trak: U Wasn't There (Empire) [09-23] - hip-hop
  • Loyle Carner: Hugo (EMI) [10-21] - UK hip-hop [**]
  • Tom Caruana: Strange Planet (Tea Sea) [03-04] - hip-hop
  • CEO Trayle: HH5 (Do What You Love/10K Projects) - hip-hop
  • Central Cee: 23 (self-released) [02-25] - UK drill [***]
  • Che Noir: Food for Thought (TCF Music Group) [01-21] - hip-hop [***]
  • Che Noir: The Last Remnants (TCF Music Group, EP) [10-26] - hip-hop [**]
  • Chief Keef: 4Nem (Glo Gang/RBC -21) [2021-12-17] - hip-hop [B]
  • Coast Contra: Apt 505 () [03-24] - hip-hop
  • Cash Cobain & Chow Lee: 2 Slizzy 2 Sexy (Deluxe) (self-released) [04-01] - hip-hop
  • Con+Kwake: Eyes in the Tower (Native Rebel) [07-29] - UK hip-hop [***]
  • Confucius MC: Somewhere (YNR Productions -21) [2021-09-03] - UK hip-hop [**]
  • Conway the Machine: God Don't Make Mistakes (Griselda/Interscope) [02-25] - hip-hop [***]
  • The Cool Kids: Before Shit Got Weird (Sounds Like Fun/Empire) [03-03] - hip-hop
  • Cordae: From a Bird's Eye View (Atlantic) [01-14] - hip-hop
  • Nicholas Craven/Boldy James: Fair Exchange No Robbery (Nicholas Craven Productions) [09-30] - hip-hop
  • Curren$y & the Alchemist: Continuance (Jet Life) [02-18] - hip-hop [*]
  • Denzel Curry: Melt My Eyez, See Your Future (PH/Loma Vista) [03-25] - hip-hop [**]
  • Cypress Hill: Back in Black (MNRK) [03-18] - hip-hop [**]
  • Czarface: Czarmageddon (Silver Age) [04-23] - hip-hop [***]
  • Dalek: Precipice (Ipecac) [ 04-29] - hip-hop
  • Danger Mouse & Black Thought: Cheat Codes (BMG) [08-12] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Deca: Smoking Gun (Coalmine) [05-27] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Defcee & Boathouse: For All Debts Public and Private (Closed Sessions) [04-19] - hip-hop
  • Duke Deuce: Crunkstar (Quality Control/Motown) [06-17] - hip-hop [*]
  • The Difference Machine: Unmasking the Spirit Fakers () [06-28] - hip-hop
  • Digga D: Noughty by Nature (CGM/EGA) [04-15] - UK drill [*]
  • Mike Dimes: In Dimes We Trust (Encore) [03-08] - hip-hop
  • DJ Drama & Jeezy: Snofall (YJ Music/Def Jam) [10-31] - hip-hop
  • DJ Khaled: God Did (We the Best/Epic) [08-26] - hip-hop
  • DJ Lag: Meeting With the King (Ice Drop) [02-18] - gqom [***]
  • DJ Marz Y Los Flying Turntables/DJ Jester the Filipino Fist: Made in USA (self-released) [07-04] - hip-hop [**]
  • DJ Muggs & Rigz: Gold () [01-14] - hip-hop
  • DJ Premier: Hip Hop 50 Vol 1 (Mass Appeal -EP) [07-15] - hip-hop [**]
  • Doechii: She/Her/Black B*tch (Top Dawg Entertainment/Capitol -EP) [08-05] - hip-hop [**]
  • Iann Dorr: On to Better Things (10k) [01-21] - pop rap
  • Drake: Honestly, Nevermind (OVO Sound/Republic) [06-17] - hip-hop [*]
  • Drake & 21 Savage: Her Loss (OVO Sound/Republic) [11-04] - hip-hop [B]
  • Drakeo the Ruler: Keep the Truth Alive (Stinc Team) [09-30] - hip-hop
  • Dreamville: D-Day: A Gangsta Grillz Mixtape (Dreamville) [03-31] - hip-hop
  • Open Mike Eagle: Component System With the Auto Reverse (Auto Reverse) [10-07] - hip-hop [A-]
  • EarthGang: Ghetto Gods (Dreamville/Interscope) [02-25] - hip-hop [**]
  • Elucid: I Told Bessie (Backwoodz Studioz) [06-10] - hip-hop [**]
  • Elzhi & Georgia Anne Muldrow: Zhigeist () [03-11] - hip-hop
  • Brian Ennels & Infinity Knives: King Cobra (Phantom Limb) [06-17] - hip-hop
  • EST Gee: I Never Felt Nun () [09-16] - hip-hop
  • Kari Faux: Lowkey Superstar (Don Giovanni) [09-24] - hip-hop
  • RAP Ferreira: 5 to the Eye With Stars (Ruby Yacht -EP) [11-04] - hip-hop [***]
  • Fivio Foreign: BIBLE (Columbia/RichFish) [04-08] - UK drill
  • Flohio: Out of Heart (AWAL) [10-07] - UK hip-hop [**]
  • Fly Anakin: Frank (Lex) [03-11] - hip-hop [**]
  • Focalistic: Ghetto Gospel (18 Area Holdings) [11-18] - amapiano [***]
  • Future: I Never Liked You (Epic/Freebandz) [04-29] - hip-hop
  • The Game: Drillmatic: Heart vs Mind (Virgin/100 Entertainment) [08-12] - hip-hop
  • Freddie Gibbs: $oul $old $eparately (Warner/ESGN) [09-30] - hip-hop [***]
  • GloRilla: Any ways, Life's Great . . . (Universal/CMG) [11-11] - hip-hop
  • Tee Grizzley: Half Tee Half Beast (Grizzley Gang/300 Entertainment) [04-15] - hip-hop [***]
  • Tee Grizzley: Chapters of the Trenches (Grizzley Gang/300 Entertainment) [10-14] - hip-hop
  • Ghais Guevara: May Ur Melanin Shield U From Ragnarok (self-released -EP -20) [2020-12-15] - hip-hop [**]
  • Ghais Guevara: Black Bolshevik (self-released -EP -21) [2021-04-17] - hip-hop [**]
  • Ghais Guevara: There Will Be No Super-Slave (self-released) [07-16] - hip-hop [*]
  • Guillotine Crowns: Hills to Die On () [04-29] - hip-hop
  • Gunna: DS4EVER (YSL/300 Entertainment) [01-07] - trap [**]
  • Jack Harlow: Come Home the Kids Miss You (Generation Now/Warner) [05-06] - pop rap
  • HiTech: HiTech (FXHE) [09-02] - hip-hop
  • Homeboy Sandman: There in Spirit (Mello Music Group -EP) [02-25] - hip-hop [**]
  • Homeboy Sandman: I Can't Sell These (self-released) [06-24] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Homeboy Sandman: Still Champion (self-released) [11-11] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Hook: From, Hook () [01-23] - cloud rap
  • M Huncho: Chasing Euphoria () [05-20] - UK hip-hop
  • Hush & Bobby J From Rockaway: 7182313 () [06-28] - hip-hop
  • Iceboy Violet: The Vanity Project (2 B Real) [02-26] - hip-hop
  • Shawneci Icecold & Fatlip: Carte Blanche (Underground 45 -21) [2021-02-12] - hip-hop [*]
  • Shawneci Icecold & Rob Swift: For the Heads That Break (Fat Beats) - hip-hop [*]
  • IDK: Simple. (Clue/Warner) [05-06] - hip-hop
  • J-Hope: Jack in the Box (HYBE) [07-15] - K-pop [*]
  • Boldy James & Real Bad Man: Killing Nothing () [05-20] - hip-hop
  • Boldy James & Nicholas Craven: Fair Exchange No Robbery (Nicholas Craven Productions) [09-30] - hip-hop
  • Jermiside & the Expert: The Overview Effect () [05-06] - hip-hop
  • Jesse the Tree: Pigeon Man () [08-19] - hip-hop
  • JID: The Forever Story (Dreamville/Interscope) [08-26] - hip-hop [**]
  • Juice WRLD: Fighting Demons (Grade A -21) [2021-12-10] - hip-hop
  • Larry June: Spaceships on the Blade (Empire) [08-19] - hip-hop
  • Junglepussy: JP5000 (self-released -EP) [02-04] - hip-hop [*]
  • Ka: Languish Arts (Iron Works -EP) [09-16] - hip-hop [***]
  • Ka: Woeful Studies (Iron Works -EP) [09-16] - hip-hop [**]
  • ERR: stream no grade: Noah Kahan: Stick Season
  • Willow Kayne: Playground Antics (Columbia -EP) [02-01] - pop rap
  • Dro Kenji: With or Without You () - hip-hop
  • Wiz Khalifa/Big KRIT/Smoke DZA/Girl Talk: Full Court Press (Asylum/Taylor Gang) [04-07] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Wiz Khalifa: Multiverse (Taylor Gang/Asylum) [07-29] - hip-hop
  • Kid Cudi: Entergalactic (Republic) [09-30] - hip-hop
  • Killah Priest: Horrah Scope () [04-30] - hip-hop
  • Knucks: Alpha Place (Nodaysoff) [05-06] - UK hip-hop [**]
  • Kodak Black: Back for Everything (Dollaz N Dealz/Sniper Gang/Atlantic) [02-25] - hip-hop
  • The Koreatown Oddity: Isthisforreal? (Stones Throw) [07-22] - hip-hop [*]
  • KRS-One: Imamcru12 () [02-22] - hip-hop
  • Kyle: It's Not So Bad (self) [01-28] - pop rap [*]
  • Steve Lacy: Gemini Rights (RCA) [07-15] - neo-soul [B]
  • Kendrick Lamar: Mr Morale & the Big Steppers (Top Dawg/Aftermath/Interscope -2CD) [05-13] - hip-hop [***]
  • Latto: 777 (RCA) [03-25] - pop rap [**]
  • Leikeli47: Shape Up (Hardcover/RCA) [05-13] - hip-hop [**]
  • Coi Leray: Trendsetter (Republic) [04-08] - pop rap
  • Lil Baby: It's Only Me (Motown/Quality Control Music/UMG) [10-14] - hip-hop
  • Lil Durk: 7220 (Alamo/Sony) [03-11] - hip-hop
  • Linqua Franqa: Bellringer (Ernest Jennings) [04-22] - hip-hop [**]
  • Little Simz: No Thank You (Age 101/Awal/Forever Living Originals) [12-12] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Logic: Vinyl Days (Def Jam) [06-17] - boom bap [**]
  • Loud: Aucune Promesse (Joyride) [05-20] - hip-hop
  • Luci: Juvenilia () [09-30] - hip-hop
  • Lukah: Raw Extractions () [09-16] - hip-hop
  • Lupe Fiasco: Drill Music in Zion (1st & 15th) [06-24] - hip-hop [***]
  • Lyrics Born: Mobile Homies Season 1 (Mobile Home) [04-15] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Lyrics Born: Vision Board (Mobile Home) [11-11] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Mach-Hommy: Balens Cho (Hot Candles) (Griselda -21) [2021-12-04] - hip-hop [**]
  • Mach-Hommy: Dollar Menu 4 (self-released) [08-26] - hip-hop [***]
  • Mach-Hommy/Tha God Fahim: Duck Czn: Tiger Style () - hip-hop
  • Roc Marciano & the Alchemist: The Elephant Man's Bones (ALC/Marci/Empire) [08-26] - hip-hop [**]
  • Marlowe: Marlowe 3 (Mello Music) [10-28] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Material Girl: i85mixx21-22 (No Agreements) [03-25] - hip-hop
  • Mavi: Laughing So Hard, It Hurts (United Masters) [10-14] - hip-hop [**]
  • MC Bin Laden: Invasao Dos Fluxos (Kondzilla) [04-22] - Brazilian baile funk [***]
  • Meekz: Respect the Come Up (Neighbourhood) [11-18] - UK hip-hop
  • Megan Thee Stallion: Traumazine (1501 Certified/300 Entertainment) [08-12] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Vic Mensa: Vino Valentino (Roc Nation -EP) [02-14] - hip-hop [*]
  • Metro Boomin: Heroes & Villains (Boominati/Republic) [12-02] - trap
  • Meyhem Lauren & Daringer: Black Vladimir () [08-26] - hip-hop
  • MIA: Mata (Island) [10-14] - UK hip-hop [A-]
  • Mike: Beware of the Monkey (10K) [12-21] - hip-hop
  • Mike, Wiki & the Alchemist: One More (ALC) [11-25] - hip-hop
  • Flo Milli: You Still Here, Ho? (RCA) [07-20] - pop rap [**]
  • Monster Rally: Botanica Dream () [07-22] - instrumental hip-hop
  • French Montana & Harry Fraud: Montega () [06-24] - hip-hop
  • Moor Mother: Jazz Codes (Anti-) [07-01] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Mopes: Unwound () [02-18] - hip-hop
  • Mount Westmore: Snoop, Cube, 40, $hort () [12-09] - hip-hop
  • Napoleon Da Legend & Clypto: Maison De Medici () [03-11] - hip-hop
  • Nas: Magic (Mass Appeal -EP -21) [2021-12-24] - hip-hop [**]
  • Nas: King's Disease III (Mass Appeal) [11-11] - hip-hop [***]
  • Rico Nasty: Las Ruinas (Sugar Trap/Atlantic) [07-22] - hip-hop [**]
  • Nav: Demons Protected by Angels (XO/Republic) - hip-hop
  • Nerves Baddington: Micro (Apt B Productions) [02-22] - hip-hop [***]
  • Nerves Baddington: Macro (Apt B Productions) [02-22] - hip-hop [***]
  • Nigo: I Know Nigo! (Victor Victor/Republic) [03-25] - hip-hop
  • NLE Choppa: Me Vs Me (Warner) [01-28] - trap
  • NoCap: Mr Crawford (Never Broke Again/Atlantic) [04-29] - hip-hop
  • Nord1kone/DJ Mrok: Tower of Babylon (SplitSLAM) [09-16] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Novelist: 4 Tha Homiez () [05-27] - UK hip-hop
  • Sean Paul: Scorcha (Island) [05-27] - dancehall rap [**]
  • Phife Dawg: Forever (Smokin' Needles/AWAL) [03-22] - hip-hop [**]
  • Pink Siifu & Real Bad Man: Real Bad Flights () - hip-hop
  • Post Malone: Twelve Carat Toothache (Republic) [06-03] - pop rap
  • Psalm One x Custom Made: Bigg Perrm () - hip-hop
  • Pusha T: It's Almost Dry (GOOD Music/Def Jam) [04-22] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Quavo & Takeoff [Unc & Phew]: Only Built for Infinity Links (Quality Control Music/Motown/UMG) [10-07] - hip-hop
  • Quelle Chris: Deathfame (Mello Music Group) [05-13] - hip-hop [*]
  • Kojey Radical: Reason to Smile (Atlantic) [03-04] - hip-hop [***]
  • Ralfy the Plug: Pastor Ralfy 2 (Stinc Team) [02-20] - hip-hop
  • Ralfy the Plug: Skateboard P (Stinc Team) [06-19] - hip-hop
  • Raw Poetic & Damu the Fudgemunk: Laminated Skies (Def Presse) [03-18] - hip-hop [**]
  • Raw Poetic: Space Beyond the Solar System (22nd Century) [12-09] - hip-hop
  • Redveil: Learn 2 Swim (self-released) [04-20] - hip-hop [B]
  • Rexx Life Raj: The Blue Hour () [07-15] - hip-hop
  • Roddy Ricch: Feed Tha Streets III (Atlantic) [11-18] - hip-hop
  • Rimzee: Cold Feet () [10-14] - UK hip-hop
  • Rome Streetz: Kiss the Ring (Griselda/Empire) [09-30] - hip-hop
  • Run the Jewels: RTJ Cu4tro () [11-11] - remix
  • RXK Nephew: Slitherman Activated (Towhead -21) [2021-05-28] - hip-hop [**]
  • RZA Vs Bobby Digital: Saturday Afternoon Kung Fu Theater (MNRK -EP) [03-04] - hip-hop [**]
  • Saba: Few Good Things (Saba Pivot) [02-04] - hip-hop [A-]
  • Sampa the Great: As Above, So Below (Loma Vista) [09-09] - pop rap [**]
  • Scuti: Intoxication (-EP) [01-21] - UK drill
  • Seketxe: Funjada (Kandendue Kaluanda) (Chasing Dreams) [05-29] - hip-hop
  • Serengeti: Kaleidoscope III (Audio Recon) [04-01] - hip-hop [***]
  • Coby Sey: Conduit (AD 93) [09-09] - UK hip-hop
  • Tony Shhnow: Reflexions () - hip-hop
  • ShittyBoyz: Trifecta 2 (The Hip Hop Lab/Empire) [08-05] - hip-hop
  • ShrapKnel: Metal Lung (Backwoodz Studioz) [08-19] - hip-hop [*]
  • Shygirl: Nymph (Because Music) [09-30] - UK hip-hop [*]
  • Shortie No Mass: Here Goes Nothing (-21) [2021-12-16] - hip-hop
  • Smino: Luv 4 Rent (Zero Fatigue/Motown) [10-28] - alt r&b [**]
  • Snoop Dogg: Back on Death Row () - hip-hop
  • Snoop Dogg: The Metaverse: The NFT Drop Vol 2 () - hip-hop
  • Snotty Nose Rez Kids: I'm Good, HBU (self-released) [12-02] - hip-hop
  • SonnyJim & the Purist: White Girl Wasted (Daupe -EP) [09-06] - UK hip-hop [*]
  • Vic Spencer x Small Professor: Mudslide (Coalmine) [07-15] - hip-hop [*]
  • Vince Staples: Ramona Park Broke My Heart (Blacksmith/Motown) [04-08] - hip-hop [**]
  • Stormzy: This Is What I Mean (Def Jam) [11-25] - UK hip-hop [B]
  • Sudan Archives: Natural Brown Prom Queen (Stones Throw) [09-09] - r&b [A-]
  • AJ Suede & Small Professor: Hundred Year Darkness () [04-14] - hip-hop
  • AJ Suede & Televangel: Metatron's Cube () [01-14] - hip-hop
  • Earl Sweatshirt: Sick! (Tan Cressida/Warner -EP) [01-14] - hip-hop [*]
  • Charm Taylor: She Is the Future (Sinking City -21) [2021-12-03] - afrofuturism [**]
  • Kae Tempest: The Line Is a Curve (Republic) [04-08] - UK hip-hop [A-]
  • Thaiboy Digital: Back 2 Life (Year0001) [11-18] - trap