July easily proved itself to be one of the best months in the world of rap in quite a while. There were worthwhile releases from artists all over the map, both geographically and stylistically, and no fewer than two of those projects are obvious contenders for album of the year.
Frankly, there's a real case to highlight even more releases that didn't quite make it onto this list, like JID's prelude EP for his upcoming studio album, GDLU (Preluxe). It was an excellent teaser, but its brevity compared to other projects kept it off. In most months, it'd be a no-brainer for a list such as this, but July really was that special.
So, without further ado, here are five rap projects that came out this past month that are worthy of your attention. They aren't in any particular order, but are all solid additions to your listening diet in case you missed them.
5 of the best rap projects that July had to offer
Freddie Gibbs & The Alchemist - Alfredo 2
Any collaboration between Gary, Indiana rapper Freddie Gibbs and legendary producer The Alchemist is a dead giveaway that good things are coming. This was especially clear when the duo announced a follow-up to 2020's Alfredo, a genuinely no-skip album that showcased their skills perfectly.
They largely stayed true to the formula they utilized from the first iteration, but in no way is that a disappointment. The detailed, breathtaking production of The Alchemist is the ideal bed for Freddie to lay his formidable, authoritative rhymes, and it never gets old. In terms of sequels, this thing absolutely holds up.
Benny the Butcher - Summertime Butch 2
Another sequel that came down the pipe in July was Summertime Butch 2, whose predecessor dropped about this time last year. The original in the series was decent, but far from the best work of Benny the Butcher. And honestly, for an artist as consistent as Benny, it'd been a bit since he put anything out that was truly noteworthy.
This new project breaks that streak, improving on the first installment and representing a return to form. The hardcore, throwback, East Coast production is hitting hard as ever, Benny sounds laser-focused on his business, and the solid list of guests that he's assembled makes for a compelling crop of songs.
Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out
Comeback albums simply don't get any better than this. The excitement was palpable from longtime fans when Clipse announced that they were getting back together, especially with longtime producer affiliate Pharrell Williams in the mix, and the fruits of that reunion came to bear when this project was released.
The way in which Pusha T and Malice approach familiar subject matters, but from fresh, novel angles, is incredibly admirable. Plus, it's only enhanced by their insane technical proficiency. There are wicked quotables on every single track, often multiple times. Throw in Pharrell's terrific production, and you've got something exceptional.
Tyler, The Creator - DON'T TAP THE GLASS
The almost decade-long heater that Tyler, The Creator has been on continued when DON'T TAP THE GLASS came out. In true Tyler fashion, he did things on his own terms, and once again the results spoke for themselves.
This project was birthed with the explicit intention of making listeners move and dance. Consequently, this is a more straightforward musical expression from him that sonically leans into that idea, and effectively so. At the same time, he achieved this particular vibe while never completely sacrificing his creative flair.
Hanumankind - Monsoon Season
If you were at all aware of Hanumankind before this debut mixtape, it was because of his hit song "Big Dawgs", which put him on the map last year. As big as that song was for him, it wasn't immediately clear if he would be able to step out of its shadow going forward. Monsoon Season shows that he very much can.
Instead of trying to make a ton of "Big Dawgs" knockoffs, the Indian rapper displayed a refreshing level of versatility and artistic ambition over the course of the album. The production employed a number of unique sounds and ideas, and as a rapper, he's clearly more than capable. This was a solid full-length debut, no doubt about it.