Alright, y’all. It’s finally time. I feel like my EP lists are usually shorter than this, but there was a lot of dope stuff that I wanted to make sure I mentioned this year, especially since I was unable to review most of them. As always it should be noted that these are not the only good extended plays of 2025. There’s plenty of other dope stuff that didn’t make the list; these are just my 20 favorites. I guess that goes without saying, but fuck it. Anyway, if something didn’t make this list, I either didn’t like it as much as these or didn’t hear it. Without further ado, here are my favorite EPs of 2025.

20. BORN2BURN by SeKwence & SOO DO KOO

This EP came out a few weeks after I got out the hospital in February, but I didn’t get to it until probably like the beginning of August. You have to remember, I was pretty inactive for a month or two after I was discharged, so a lot of stuff that was coming out during that time flew under my radar. When I finally found out about the existence of this tape I was quite pleased. SOO DO KOO is probably my number one favorite new artist that I discovered this year. I’m a big fan of SeKwence as well, so this was an exciting collab for me. SOO DO KOO handled the production, and I think SeKwence fits over his instrumentals beautifully. This is the perfect sound for him. I will note that the entire thing is presented as one long track, which normally would be kind of annoying to me. I generally dislike when artists release projects that way. However, when I listen to BORN2BURN I don’t really have any desire to pick out specific tracks. I just press play from the beginning and let it ride. This is honestly becoming one of my favorite SeKwence projects, and it makes me hope for more collaborations between him and SOO DO KOO in the future. This shit is really dope. Check it out.

19. Novel Path by Lt. Headtrip & NorthernDraw

🔗 Read my review

This was one of the first projects that got me back into writing during my recovery this year. When I got discharged, I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to keep this blog going. I kinda wanted to delete my entire online presence and fade into obscurity. In hindsight, that probably would’ve ruined my fucking life, so I’m grateful that I had this project to reignite my love for sharing dope music with others. I was recently talking to Dan-O of FREEMUSICEMPIRE about Lt. Headtrip, and he mentioned how most of his music is very abrasive and experimental with some sounds that can be harsh to normie listeners. The first project I heard from Headtrip was his Dreamery album, which is a departure from his usual sound. That album—which is amazing by the way—was sonically more accessible, with catchy rhythms and melodic production from C $ Burns. Novel Path is a spiritual successor to that record instrumentally. People who struggle to get past the cold, dark sounds from DOS4GW or Bloodmoney Perez will likely find this one easier to stomach. I met NorthernDraw the same day that I met Lt. Headtrip in person and saw both of them perform together in Greensboro several months before this project came out. They played some songs from this EP as well as a few tracks that I don’t think have been released, so it’ll be cool to see if those ever come out. Anyway, the features here are pretty intriguing as well. We have guys like Something Something Brax and the legendary Rob Sonic, but we also get appearances from international artists that perform in French, German, Swedish, etc. I think this EP has more different languages than any project I’ve heard before. It’s fire. Check it out.

18. ETHERGRAMS by brainorchestra.

brainorchestra. released at least three projects this year—maybe more that I’m forgetting—but I believe this is the only one that features rapping from him. He wrote, produced, recorded, mixed, and mastered these four tracks himself. There’s co-production from an artist named Produced By J on my favorite track, but other than that it was a completely solo effort, which is pretty awesome. brain knows his own sound really well. There’s not really any producer I’d rather hear him work with. He sounds perfect over his own beats. I just love how polished his sound is too. I don’t necessarily mean that it’s clean when I use the word “polished.” I just mean it sounds very professional and high-budget. Also, this isn’t gonna matter to anyone other than myself, but I got pretty excited when I heard him say “stay focused” on the third track since that’s kinda the unofficial tagline for this blog. Anyway, the production is excellent, and brain’s flow and vocal delivery sound fantastic over it. I love this project.

17. En Route by Oddisee

This is one of my favorite projects Oddisee has ever made. It’s the most I’ve enjoyed anything from him since 2016. I’ve always preferred him as a producer, but I actually think his rapping is just as good as his beats on this EP in particular. The instrumentals here sound like they were crafted by a full band, and Oddisee’s thoughtful lyricism and catchy flow sound superb over them. The hooks are good, the beats are phenomenal, his flows and rhyme schemes are very high level… There’s really nothing I don’t like about this one. This project is just four songs and their instrumentals, so it definitely left me wanting more. If he’s able to maintain this level of quality for a full LP, it’ll be my favorite record he’s ever done. This has me excited for whatever he puts out next. I’m really looking forward to seeing where he goes from here ’cause this is fire.

16. DAZE BEFORE MOUTH by KILLVONGARD

KILLVONGARD is seriously becoming one of my favorite artists of the decade. Everything I’ve heard from him has been super dope lyrically and instrumentally, and this latest release is no exception. This is by far the most experimental release I’ve heard from him so far. The production is dark, noisy at times, and very chaotic. The lyricism is poetic and abstract. There are so many awesome moments on this project, such as the crescendo towards the end of N F U or the Willy Wonka sample on the closer. Despite the abrasiveness, this is an oddly danceable project. The instrumental from Departure on WATCH/LAUGH/CRY/LAUGH always makes me wanna move with it’s fast paced percussion. The creative lyrics lend themselves to repeat listens as well. I’m very pleased with this release, and I can’t wait to hear even more from KVG in 2026. This shit is fire.

15. PM by cropscropscrops

I first started listening to cropscropscrops last year when he released the album Long-Light Derecho on Fused Arrow Records. I thought the layout for the cassette tape was so nice that I copped it before even listening. Thankfully, the album ended up being really good, so I was keeping my eye on him after that. This EP solidified my fandom. I think it’s even better than the album. This one’s produced by an artist named Lev Dev, with whom I was previously unfamiliar. There are some absolutely crazy beats on this project though. The instrumental on track 2 is one of the coolest things I’ve heard all year. However, I think the most interesting facet of this project is just how crops is able to make interesting, captivating lyrics out of the most mundane subject matter. I will admit that there are a couple tracks here that I haven’t fully deciphered lyrically, but that’s part of the fun. Lev Dev’s production here really impressed me, and I love the way crops writes and performs. This is really great stuff. Don’t sleep on it.

14. The Virtues by Sleep Sinatra & BAELEI P

Everyone on Twitter keeps talking about how Nas is the Hip Hop MVP of 2025. Fuck that. The Legend Has It experiment was cool on paper, but how many of those albums actually ended up being dope? If I’m not mistaken, Sleep Sinatra released SEVEN projects this year, and every single one of them was high quality. I think this is the first year of the 2020s where I didn’t review anything from him. I don’t feel very good about that, but it’s not just Sleep—I was generally far less active than I like to be in 2025. Sleep stayed busy as hell though. This one in particular dropped in May. There are 5 tracks, four of which are under 2 minutes long. Not a single one of them feels undercooked or half baked though. The song structures are simplistic and straightforward, but I feel like it works to the project’s benefit. It’s like a showcase of Sleep barring out over some excellent sample-based instrumentals from BAELEI P. I’d heard a beat or two from them in the past, but this was my first time really getting familiar with their sound, and I’m sold. I hope to hear more from them in the future. One last thing I’ll say is this: the line towards the end of the closing track in which Sleep references trippin’ balls on enigma shroomies was dope as fuck. That line really resonated with me because I took hella enigmas this past semester. Every time I took them, I felt an overwhelming sense of gratitude for my family and friends wash over me. It was cool to hear Sleep rap about it. Anyway, this shit is fire. Give it a listen.

13. LJGN by LJGN

This is the self-titled debut project from LJGN, a duo comprised of rapper Gabe ‘Nandez & rapper/producer Louis Jack. Gabe ‘Nandez is another artist who had a really great year, although I’ve peeped that this project got heavily overshadowed by his collaborative album with Preservation. If you enjoyed that album, you’re fuckin’ up by sleepin’ on this release from February. This is one of the best things Gabe has ever put out in my opinion. I wasn’t familiar with Louis Jack at all prior to hearing this. I’m generally not into rappers from the UK because the accent typically serves as a barrier to entry for me. However, certain MCs such as Jam Baxter & Little Simz are able to transcend that critique. Louis Jack is another rapper that I actually am able to enjoy quite a bit. His accent isn’t super thick, so I barely even noticed it to be honest. His beats here are fucking awesome too. These piano-driven instrumentals sound fantastic to me. I really hope this isn’t just a one-off collaboration and that we get several more releases from the duo because I love this project. There seems to be some debate about whether or not it’s considered an EP or an LP. It’s only 7 tracks though, so I think of it as an extended play. If you enjoyed the album with Preservation, you need to hear this. It’s super dope.

12. Charred Remnants by Sleep Sinatra & SOO DO KOO

I suppose SOO DO KOO is just as appropriate of a choice for 2025’s MVP as Sleep Sinatra. This dude dropped over 10 projects this year, and every single one of them is fire. That’s why he’s my favorite new discovery of the year. Apparently this EP in particular is a precursor to a full album that Sleep & SOO DO KOO are working on called Burn After Reading, so that’s super exciting. SOO DO KOO’s production fits Sleep’s style really well, and his featured verse on here is fantastic. The first half is dope, but the second half is when this shit really elevates. The beat on that closing track is crazy. This project also has even more references to psychedelic substances, so that’s cool. This definitely has me excited for the album; hopefully we get that in the next year or so. This shit is fire.

11. SERENITY NOW by SOO DO KOO

I’ve been talking more about SOO DO KOO’s production thus far, but I actually think he’s a fantastic MC. Vocally, he reminds me a lot of Evidence. I like his music way more than Evidence’s stuff though. I think it’s because his production style is generally more lively, and his flows are way more impressive to me. I also really appreciate SOO DO KOO’s sense of humor, as well as his affinity for my favorite TV show of all time, Aqua Teen Hunger Force. Like I said before, he released a cornucopia of dope projects this year that were all free on Bandcamp, and this is for sure one of my favorites. There are four songs here plus an intro, and the closing track is produced by andrew. That and SKYBOX GROTTO are my favorite tracks on here. The latter has some really nice, dusty, hard-hitting percussion. I think SOO DO KOO is like the same age as me, and it makes me feel like I’m not doin’ shit with my life to be honest. I wish I was able to express myself artistically the way my favorite rappers can. If I created a FHH Freshmen List, SOO DO KOO would be the first artist I put on there. I’m really excited to see where he goes from here because he had a crazy 2025. This EP is a good taste of what he’s capable of, so I suggest starting with this and then checking out the albums if you fuck with it. Personally, I’m sold. This shit’s great.

10. Wood Teeth by Doseone & Height Keech

Much like the LJGN project, this EP seems to have been overshadowed by Doseone’s Backwoodz Studioz release from back in January. I definitely prefer this one though. The production from Height Keech is fucking amazing, and Dose went crazy over it. To be honest, this is one of my favorite projects I’ve ever heard from Doseone. I really love The No Music by Themselves, and I like the A7PHA stuff as well. This makes me want more Dose & Height Keech collabs though. If they did a whole album together I would be ecstatic. This shit bangs, man. It has kind of a Punk aura to it, and I adore the political sentiments from Dose throughout this thing. I feel like the soundscape Height Keech crafted lends itself well to the vocal gymnastics Doseone is known for. Dose’s flows are dope as fuck all over this project too. This is for sure one of the coolest projects on this list. Man said, “I support abortion of a bigot at any age.” I love it. Peace to the legend Doseone; knowing he’s still out here killin’ shit puts a big ass smile on my face.

9. Doors (Trips #2) by Sko

Sko fucking slaughtered these beats from LU! This shit is bars galore. When I heard this for the first time, I came up with the term “lyrical stamina.” That’s what Sko has. The dude is just relentless with the flows and bars. I absolutely love hearing him slaughter these beats from LU!; his fiery delivery and aggressive flows are really captivating. This project is only three tracks, but each one is better than the last. That closing track is insane. I believe he sent LU! the raw vocals for that track and had him craft the instrumental around them, which is really cool. Out of all the entries on this list, this is probably the one you should try if you just wanna hear someone spazz out on the mic for three tracks. He went beast mode on these beats.

8. Pup Pack: 1st Shift by Kenny Mason

Kenny Mason is another artist who helped me get back into writing about music during my recovery at the beginning of the year. I really loved the project he put out last year, so I was excited to check out this EP when it finally dropped in November. He released 2nd Shift earlier this month, and that project is also really dope, but this one’s better in my opinion. There are just three songs here, but they hit really hard. Especially the second and third tracks. Track 3 in particular is another one of Kenny’s signature Hard Rock Hip Hop crossovers, and it’s boiling hot fire. I don’t think anyone has ever fused those genres better than Kenny Mason. I mean, I guess you could say Linkin Park did it well with Hybrid Theory & Meteora, but to me they kinda just sound like a rock band with a rapper—and a kinda shitty rapper at that. They don’t sound like a Hip Hop act to me. Kenny Mason is definitely more of a rap-centric musician, which I appreciate. Anyway, I guess these Pup Packs are supposed to be teasers for whatever album he’s currently working on. They’re doing what they’re supposed to do. I’m excited for the album. I look forward to seeing what comes in 2026.

7. Hero’s Journey by Sleep Sinatra & August Fanon

I think this is the only project I listened to from 2025 before I got hospitalized early on in January. This EP is a teaser for an upcoming collaborative album by Sleep & August called Midnight of the Soul. That’s definitely one of my most anticipated releases for 2026; August Fanon is the first person I think of when I’m asked who my favorite producer is. Sleep is my favorite rapper of the 2020s thus far. As you can see by his multiple placements on this list, the dude operates at an incredibly high level so consistently. It’s amazing. This EP starts with a really awesome track where he’s mostly singing. As he’s grown and developed as an artist, he’s been incorporating more soulful melodies into his work, which has been really cool to see. This EP has some crazy features too. Teller Bank$ went so crazy on track two. His flow is insane. Brian Ennals’ bars were incredible too, and Deleteeglitch & Fatboi Sharif killed it as well. These beats from August are gorgeous too. I love this shit, man. It’s dope as fuck.

6. Relinquished by AJ Suede, Lord OLO & TELEVANGEL

This was a really nice surprise. TELEVANGEL is another one of my favorite producers of the decade, so… Well, actually, ALL of these dudes are some of my favorite artists of the 2020s. This was like getting a new supergroup, and every single track here is top tier. TELEVANGEL continues to wow me with his polished, melodic production. I feel like AJ Suede rapped better this year than he’s ever rapped before. Maybe I’m trippin’, but I feel like his flow has gotten more intricate. OLO floated over these beats with a very nimble, agile cadence as well. It was really hard to choose a favorite track from this project because every single song is excellent. We also got two solo tracks from AJ & OLO, which were fire as well. The craziest thing is that this whole project was created in one weekend apparently. That’s wild. What makes it even more awesome is that you can tell they had a lot of fun recording this EP. It’s a very fun, high energy release. This shit is amazing. Don’t sleep on it.

5. SPLASHANARCHY by Sleep Sinatra

https://sleepsinatra1.bandcamp.com/album/splashanarchy

This self-produced EP came out in November, about a week or two before Sleep’s latest full-length album. It was basically meant to be an appetizer for that project. It certainly did it’s job of getting me hyped for the LP. This project is amazing. SINAI. has become another one of my favorite producers as of late. I believe the first time I heard his production was when Sleep released a loose single called New Life in celebration of the birth of one of his children. That song was really dope, and he’s only gotten better in the years since then. SINAI.’s production mixed with Sleep Sinatra’s rapping is like peanut butter and chocolate. I admittedly didn’t get a chance to listen to this project as much as I wanted to because it’s not free to stream on Bandcamp anymore, but I’m most definitely gonna cop it when I’m not broke as a ho anymore. It’s amazing.

4. ENDOCRINE by GDP & Fatboi Sharif

To be honest with you, I have no idea who GDP is, but he killed this shit. His production on this project is insane, and his rapping is dope as fuck too. This is now one of my top 3 Fatboi Sharif projects. Sharif is another one of my favorite artists of the decade, and it’s because of shit like this. Simply put, if you claim to be a fan of “experimental” Hip Hop, and yet you ain’t got no fuckin’ Fatboi Sharif in your playlist, you’re fake as hell. Okay, maybe that’s a bit harsh, but seriously, this dude is the current vanguard of underground experimental rap. I can’t think of anyone else taking as many risks and creating anything as nutty as this. I mean, you could throw Pink Siifu into that conversation for sure, but I feel like he’s far more accessible. Just listen to Default Mode Network. That is one of the most insane rap songs I’ve ever heard in my life. Much like the LJGN project, there has been some disagreement on whether this is considered an LP or EP. Personally, since it’s only 20 minutes long, I consider it an EP. It doesn’t matter though. All that matters is that this shit is dope as fuck. Check it out.

3. Dangerous Summer by Yeat

Okay, this project probably seems like an outlier compared to the type of stuff that makes up most of this list. I fuck with Yeat heavy though. Ever since I first heard his song Sorry Bout That on Little Simz’s IG story back in 2021, I’ve been enamored by his style. This EP here is the best thing I’ve ever heard from him. I have just one word for you: consistency. Since this project is relatively short for him—despite being the longest EP on this list—he was able to trim any and all fat, delivering banger after banger. The production from guys like BNYX® & Lucid is consistently stellar, and Yeat was in his element over it. I even loved the features from guys like Don Toliver & SahBabii. In fact, I loved the SahBabii feature so much that it influenced me to check out his Saheem album, which was pretty good. I pray to Jesus Christ our lord and savior that whatever album Yeat’s working on is as polished and well sequenced as this. This shit’s amazing. Check it out.

2. The Flame Conduit by Sleep Sinatra & Trox

I can’t think of a more fitting title that they could’ve used for this project. Sleep fucking slaughtered every verse here. I feel like these are the most aggressive raps we got from him all year. I’ve always enjoyed the production I’ve heard from Trox in the past, but I wasn’t expecting to love these beats as much as I did. This project has a very straightforward formula; Sleep got four fire beats and decided to tear them to shreds, although the closing track actually has a pretty great sung hook. Honestly I think this project has only grown on me even more since I first heard it. It’s only four tracks, but they all hit really hard. This left me wanting more, so I wouldn’t mind hearing a full length album from these two. This shit’s incredible. Check it out.

1. Samurai DX by Lupe Fiasco

I was super excited for this project when it was announced because Lupe Fiasco is my favorite rapper of all time, and I thought the original version of Samurai was amazing. However, when it was released I put off listening to it because I saw that there were only two completely new songs. The other three tracks are just remixes of songs that already appeared on the original album. Here’s the thing though… The remixes are fire. I actually like them more than the original songs. On top of that, the two new tracks are fuckin’ incredible. Everyone was heavily praising the song SOS when that was released, and I get why because that song’s fire. However, I saw next to no excitement around the song High Note, which was perplexing to me because I like it even more than SOS. It’s honestly one of my favorite songs I’ve ever heard from Lupe. I have a feeling Lupe is gonna release something crazy in 2026, so I’m as hyped as ever. It’s a good time to be a Lupe fan. This shit is dope as fuck. Check it out if you haven’t yet.

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^{So there you have it. Lupe Fiasco had my EPOTY. Thank you to all the artists featured on this list for giving me so much fire all year. I had a lot of fun writing about these projects. Let me know what you thought of these, as well as what your favorite EP of 2025 was. Stay tuned for my albums list, which will hopefully be dropping on New Year’s Eve. ✌🏽}