Jesse Fairfax
164 items
Review: Maino Keeps It Predictably Grimy With "Party & Pain"
The BK vet hopes his character continues to hold weight without breaking new ground.
Review: Blu & Exile's Bronzed With "In The Beginning: Before The Heavens"
The narrow path is traveled once again.
Review: Rapsody Makes Her Elders Proud With "Laila's Wisdom"
The Carolina MC achieves high marks with her first album for Roc Nation.
Review: Tyler, The Creator Finally Makes An Album You Don't Have To Defend With "Flower Boy"
Initially setting himself apart marketing youthful immaturity and rage, Mr. Wolf Gang expresses personal and musical growth through his boundless imagination.
Review: With "Big Fish Theory," Vince Staples Swims Laps Ahead Of Convention
Unpredictable curveballs shake up the status quo, as “Big Fish Theory” aims to redesign his artistic destiny while examining the world around Long Beach's rap prince.
Review: Faith Evans Makes Lemonade From Lemon Zest On "The King & I"
The former First Lady of Bad Boy lends her powerful voice to the challenge of building songs around Biggie vocals.
Review: Brother Ali's Good Fight Continues With "All The Beauty In This Whole Life"
Positivity for a positive deficient world.
Review: G Perico Hits His Stride With 2nd LP, "All Blue"
The former full-time gangbanger puts his still developing talents on display and avoids the sophomore slump.
Review: Kendrick Lamar's "DAMN." Pads His Generational GOAT Status
Seizing the opportunity for commercial accessibility while staying true to himself, Kung Fu Kenny has channeled the ability to create songs that epitomize single powerful words.
Review: Freddie Gibbs' "You Only Live 2wice" Serves As An Excellent Warm-Up
A bit of an overly eager return to rap after escaping a nearly tragic 2016 prison sentence but there are bangers nonetheless.
Review: GoldLink Honors D.C.'s Good, Bad & Ugly With "At What Cost"
An original brand of women-friendly rap that somehow caters to the streets in the same breath.
Review: Rick Ross Proves His Blueprint Is Teflon With "Rather You Than Me"
Nothing if not consistent, with "Rather You Than Me," Rick Ross shows little artistic growth while making a convincing argument for why he’s come to be ranked within today’s elite.
Review: Ill Camille Turns Pressure Into Diamonds With "Heirloom"
Following a time when personal turmoil had Ill Camille ready to quit making music, she returns stronger than ever to keeps shooting for the stars.
Review: Problem's Run As Mayor Of "Chachiville" Goes Uncontested
Chachi continues running in place, but that may not be a bad thing for him.
Review: Dom Kennedy Flatlines Again With "Los Angeles Is Not For Sale Vol. 1"
This fourth studio album go-around is an uphill battle, as Dom Kennedy settles for underachievement to the dismay of Team Light Skin.
Review: No Mos Def But Yasiin Bey & Ferrari Sheppard Deflate Expectations With "December 99th"
Full of strange mishaps that are almost to be expected considering Yasiin Bey’s past few erratic years, “December 99th” begs the question: Does anyone need to be this #woke?
Review: J. Cole Illustrates Thug Paradise With "4 Your Eyez Only"
Without a shred of self-importance, J. Cole seeks empathy for those stuck in their own way now that he’s as close to the mountaintop as ever. The music is decent, too.
Review: Rapsody Is Woke & Determined To Shine With "Crown"
Determined to keep Hip Hop’s soul alive with her newfound platform, Sister Raps blends femininity and humanity often in the same breath.
Review: A Tribe Called Quest Do The Damn Thing On "We Got It From Here... Thank You 4 Your Service"
Q-Tip’s modest leadership fulfills ATCQ’s divine mission to raise the bar, as their swan song leaves them with one of the strongest discographies the game has ever seen.
Review: KXNG Crooked Reinvigorated On "Valley Of The KXNGS"
Merely an appetizer for the full plate, Mr. Slaugterhouse serves a dish that shows how severely underrated he can be — when he’s fully focused.
Review: RiFF RAFF Wins Again At Being A Disgrace With "Balloween"
The scariest thing about this holiday-themed project is JODY HiGHROLLER still has a following to speak of.