More than “Vultures 1” dropped this weekend, y’all.

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MadeinTYO – TYO 808

(C+)

Where the hell has MadeinTYO been all these years?

MadeinTYO was once seen as a rapper who epitomized the essence of youth culture in his music. He delved into kiddy topics, experimented with various sound effects, and even ventured into singing, sometimes with mixed results. However, after a hiatus following the success of his hit single “Uber Everywhere,” MadeinTYO has reemerged onto the music scene with a markedly different sound.

Surprisingly, MadeinTYO embraces a more conventional rap style on this album. TYO 808 opts for carefully crafted verses and classic hip-hop beats over eccentric melodies and Jit-inspired lyrics. It’s almost as if MadeinTYO took a cue from J. Cole’s playbook during his hiatus. On some real s**t, it’s cool seeing his growth, learning about what he’s been up to these past few years, and how much he values family time.

Favorite Songs: “Save Yours,” “Nothing Better Than (TRUE),” & “Harajuku.”

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1999 WRITE THE FUTURE – Hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚

(B)

Who is 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE? They are a hip-hop collective that makes a wide variety of music. If their name sounds familiar, it’s because Rich Brian has been rolling with them for quite some time now. In Hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚, 1999 WRITE THE FUTURE collaborate with many more people than Rich Brian.

Hella (˃̣̣̥╭╮˂̣̣̥) ✧ ♡ ‧º·˚ presents a rich tapestry of artists, vibes, beats, song titles, and genres, offering something for every musical palate. From gritty rap bars courtesy of artists like Conway The Machine and Ghostface Killer, to the soothing old-school R&B vibes of tracks like “cOoL WATeR foR thE niGHT,” and the dreamy pop sounds of “L’Eggo MY EGO,” this album traverses a diverse spectrum of musical styles. For the fullest experience, I highly recommend listening to it straight through.

Happy Chinese New Year!

Favorite tracks: “SPIKY BOIz,” “LiGht rAiLs” and “silence STArEs me down.”

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BabyDrill – SpaceGo

(C+)

BabyDrill is the next wicked rapper that you need to pay attention to. In ScoreGod, he doubles down on wickedness.

In ScoreGod, BabyDrill unleashes sheer mayhem. Across the album, his lyrical content revolves primarily around threats of violence, delivered with a relentless, aggressive flow that can be likened to huffing and puffing. As a matter of fact, BD embodies the persona of the big bad wolf, leaving a trail of intensity and menace in his wake.

The description I provided initially might give the impression that this album isn’t great, but that’s not necessarily the case. In reality, I love how well it flows; the songs seamlessly connect with one another. I also think the mean, bouncy beats we hear throughout are fantastic, and the sneaky chill killer vibes are just right. All in all, I wouldn’t mind having this album play in the background while I’m doing schoolwork; there’s something about killer music that makes learning easier.

Favorite Tracks: “Jack Frost,” “Murderous,” and “Straight As.”