I’m waiting for the video where they’re pouring Dasani on chicks at Magic City.

A boom bap dispatch. Marseille’s Creestal is adept at making beats as claustrophobic as city living without sacrificing soul. Differences pairs his 2013 beat tape Difference with a murderer’s row of blog rap favorites Ras Kass, Rapper Big Pooh, Skyzoo, Roc Marciano, Conway, Hus Kingpin, Blu, Planet Asia, and Torae. Differences by Creestal..

A glitchy remix for Saba’s single.

Man, all I can say is RIP Fat Beats.

Quelle Chris delivered the year’s first great rap album. Come for the face-melting beats, stay for the inspiration. Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often by Quelle Chris Bonus jazz paroxysm. Central Standard Time by Stik Figa Sphere: Related Content

Remember piano beats?

Triple Black Diamonds by Estee Nack and al.divino falls somewhere between D.I.T.C., Roc Marciano, and some of that early 90s mafioso rap, channeling some of the city’s finest and most potent traditions. Of course, Estee Nack and al.divino are from Massachusetts, not New York. The Empire State stays losing. Sphere: Related Content