Focus Hip Hop

Music Writing with a Focus on Underground Gems

  • Album Review | AJ Suede & Wolftone – Permafrost Discoveries

    AJ Suede’s new album with producer Wolftone showcases growth from their previous collaboration. The album features eerie beats and strong flows with standout tracks like Rent’s Dew and Grimace. The cohesive project is a must-listen for fans, displaying originality and consistent quality.

  • Album Review | Sleep Sinatra – The Spirit of Baldwin Ave

    Sleep Sinatra’s latest album, “The Spirit of Baldwin Ave,” showcases his most personal work to date. With compelling lyricism and soulful beats, Sleep impresses with his emotional depth and exceptional storytelling. This album undoubtedly solidifies his position as a top-tier rapper in the 2020s.

  • Album Review | Sleep Sinatra & bloomcycle – Memory(ummm…)

    Sleep Sinatra’s collaborative album with bloomcycle showcases eclectic, avant-garde production and profound lyricism. Sleep’s exploration of life, death, and rebirth resonates deeply, creating an immersive listening experience. The album’s meticulous crafting and compelling content make it a standout release of the year.

  • Song Review | Mudbaby Ru – 40 Mo’ Reasons

    Note: Patreon supporters received access to this review on August 2nd, 2024. This song was released on August 2nd this year. Personally, I was not familiar with Mudbaby Ru at all before hearing this track. I had never even heard of him, so I really did not know what this song would sound like. All…

  • Song Review | Vice Souletric – Vice for President (Prod. Pete Rock)

    Note: Patreon supporters received access to this review on July 30th, 2024. This song was released on July 30th. I first started following Vice Souletric in 2020 when he released his T.R.A.P. album, which was produced by DJ Flash. He seems to be making a lot of really strong connections behind the scenes because he’s…

  • Access OG NICK MARSH’s Exclusive Content on Patreon

    Hey y’all. As I’m sure many of you have noticed, there is now a “Patreon” tab in the menu for this blog. I encourage you all to click it and read what I wrote there. Long story short: I relaunched my Patreon page, which you can subscribe to for $5 to get exclusive content. There…

  • Album Review | Lupe Fiasco – Samurai

    This album was released on June 28th this year. Lupe Fiasco is my favorite rapper of all time, so needless to say I was very excited for this project. When I initially saw the announcement from a random Hip Hop account on Twitter, I was honestly surprised and a little skeptical. It wasn’t until a…

  • Thoughts on “Ol’ Dirty Bastard: A Tale of Two Dirtys”

    The new feature-length documentary provides insight into Ol’ Dirty Bastard’s artistry and personal struggles, making it a must-watch film for hardcore fans of the Hip Hop icon.

  • Song Review | S. Reidy – Coffin Practice

    The self produced single features Reidy’s signature blend of Singer-Songwriter and Hip Hop influences while serving as an optimal entry point for new listeners.

  • Album Review | T H R O N E – Tempest

    The latest release from T H R O N E offers a melodic, emotionally evocative soundscape while showcasing the duo’s improved songwriting skills.

  • Initial Thoughts on Eminem’s “The Death of Slim Shady (Coup de Grâce)”

    I chose to record a video about the new Eminem album because I didn’t feel moved enough to write about it, and I know some people were curious about how I felt about it. The audio here isn’t great, mostly because there was some guy mowing his lawn in front of me. I apologize for…

  • Redux EP Review | Jay Electronica – Act I: Eternal Sunshine (The Pledge)

    One of Hip Hop’s most mysterious and polarizing figures delivers a brief, yet awe-inspiring masterpiece.