Harlem hero ASAP Ferg returns today with a hefty sequel to his Floor Seats project. Floor Seats II sees Ferg recruit an impressive list of iconic features like Diddy, Wayne, and even Marilyn Manson. He also uses the EP as an opportunity to work with some of hip-hop’s newest voices—Mulatto, Fivio Foreign and–yes, you read that shit correctly—there is a song on there called ‘Aussie Freaks’ featuring Sydney’s realest; Onefour. Ferg uses his verse to shout out Sydney chicken spot Butter and Melbourne NBA-star Ben Simmons, Fivio brings the Brooklyn drill intensity, while Spenny and J Emz deliver a punchy call-and-response verse. There’s no doubt these two are holding it down for the rest of the group serving time and setting the bar even higher for the entire Australian hip-hop scene. J Emz puts it well in their closing line; “Spenny bah it’s just you and me”. — Cass N.

Two distinct powerhouse voices join Baker Boy on his latest track ‘Better Days’; the ferocious Sampa the Great, and hip-hop underdog Dallas Woods. Together the three have created a track separating itself again from the material, covering themes of unity and resilience which have become stronghold themes amongst Australian artists in 2020. While providing listeners with an uplifting message of strength and living up to the expectations of the culture you live, ‘Better Days’ also seasons the tongue with a tiny taste of a free Summer, especially in another month of isolation for us in Victoria!  — Julie F.

Toronto’s Mustafa continues to make his presence known in music with ‘Air Forces’, an atmospheric ballad he describes as “inner-city folk music”. The song explores the intersection between cultures in the modern age, looking at the effect digitalisation has had on traditions. The track is produced by Jamie XX and Frank Dukes, who blend the strums of guitars with samples of a Sudanese tribal chant. Mustafa impresses over the emotional soundscapes with passionate vocals and introspective lyrics, providing a smorgasbord of food-for-thought. — Henry O.

If you grew up watching Filthy Frank i.e. the guy said to have created the infamous Harlem Shake, you may be surprised to learn of his new sophomore album Nectar, a down-tempo, electronic release flirting with themes of heartache, love and lust. Under the alias Joji and shifting from his comical Youtube beginnings, the artist recruits the likes of Lil Yachty, Omar Apollo and BENEE to create a soaring 18-piece release, of which can be said to be the love children of James Blake and a 2017 Rufus du sol. ‘Your Man’, the last track on the record, with it’s quenching synths and unfailing dance beat, sees Joji question, ‘Have you ever loved?’ as he offers to be ‘your man’. A resolute ending to an album filled with questions of love and moments of unknowing. — Julie F.

Rap’s renaissance man Action Bronson has released his new album Only For Dolphins, and as expected, it’s a buffet of bars and swagger.  One of the standout cuts is ‘Sergio’, a celebratory Michelin star meal of luxurious raps, solidified by a soulful beat from The Alchemist. Bam Bam may be down 130 pounds, but his lyricism continues to hold weight, as the king of Queens (no Kevin James) continues to weave his picturesque perspective on the hip-hop web. The Baklava is still tasty, baby!  — Henry O.

Fresh off the back of crashing the Grailed website with kids trying to resell hamburgers, Cactus Jack takes a break from designing sneakers and holds the pickles to bring us a new heater called ‘Franchise’, and it’s a doozy. Travis delivers his signature vocal style over a thumping, bass-heavy beat and sets the tone for a typically atypical verse from Atlanta’s living-legend Young Thug. The whole thing is rounded out by some super cool, off-the-cuff vocals from the iconic M.I.A. The track comes alongside an exceptionally eye-catching video shot at Michael Jordan’s Chicago-area mansion. Drop what you’re doing and blast this through your speakers! — Cass N.

I mean, we already fucked with Jaycee, but he puts an exclamation point on that fact with this new single. The Jamaican-Australian jack of all trades pairs melodies and bars over a catchy, club-ready beat, inciting the turn-up in your living room. Speaking on the track, Jaycee states “Inspired by naysayers and doubtful opinions I heard floating around about me; I wanted to use this track as an opportunity to show my versatile lyricism combined with a strong message about never giving up and always staying true to yourself.” It’s clear he wants all the smoke, and he leads into that with the fire that is this new track.  — Henry O.

I’m not sure what’s left to say about ONEFOUR this week. The Mounty locals have totally changed the landscape of rap in Australia in their short career and have smashed through every glass ceiling in their way. In a single week, J Emz and Spenny have landed verses alongside ASAP Ferg and appeared in the international remix of Dutchavelli’s ‘Bando Diaries’ (I hinted that Dutch might have borrowed some bars from the 2770 when the original dropped last month). The third significant moment from the Sydney boys came today in the form of a remix of UK Drill don Headie One’s latest single ‘Ain’t It Different’ featuring AJ Tracey and Stormzy. The video is casually sitting at #1 on the trending page of Youtube, much like how ONEFOUR are sitting comfy at the top of the Australian Drill movement. — Cass N.