And we’re back—not just to this column, but to everything nappyafro-related. I took about three weeks off, which was much needed, but now (hopefully) we’re back in business.
What better way to dive back into the internet writing world than by talking about three tracks I’ve been listening to lately? Let’s get into it.
Produced by Juicy J | Ravenite Social Club
Juicy J dropped his jazz-inspired album Ravenite Social Club back in August, and the concept sounded intriguing. Surprisingly, I didn’t enjoy the first four tracks, but by the time I got to “Everything All Good”—basically Juicy J’s version of “It Was a Good Day”—I started to come around. Juicy’s cadence can sometimes feel basic compared to the intricate, top-tier production on Ravenite Social Club, but when it clicks, it really works. This album will probably make my Best of 2024 list, and it seems like something the Grammy board would love (even though it wasn’t nominated this year).
I picked “Fucked Up Era” to showcase the production but the song is dope either way.
Produced by Conductor Williams | Speak Of The Devil
When I’m on social media, it feels like I’m seeing more and more white female rappers. It’s as if there are white versions of artists like Sexyy Red and that one white rapper who has a song with Bfb Da Packman. (There are other examples, but you get the idea.) Short-T has only ever sent me music by one white female rapper—Wynne. To be clear, I had already heard her music before, and it was just okay. However, she didn’t have production from Conductor Williams back then. On “Bad Girl,” the Portland rapper flows over Conductor Williams’s signature distorted horns, and it works. I’m still not sure where Wynne fits in among the white female rapper types, but we’ll keep an eye on her.
Produced by Knxwledge | Why Lawd?
I just added “KeepHer” by NxWorries & Thundercat here because I realized I haven’t talked about this song or NxWorries’ album Why Lawd? on this site yet. This album is incredible, and it feels like we, as a society, aren’t giving it enough recognition. (It did get a Grammy nomination recently, but still.) Alongside “86Sentra,” “KeepHer” is one of my favorite tracks on the project.