Jesse Fairfax
157 items
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.
Review: Like Restores The "Feeling" On "Songs Made While High"
With no one to answer to, the Pac Div frontman's love for music and making it shines through his completely self-produced solo debut.
Review: Duckwrth Waxes Imperfections On "I’m Uugly"
That moment when you're unafraid to swing for the fences to reach the next level, even if you foul.
Review: Blu & Fa†e Take A Strange Journey On "Open Your Optics To Optimism"
Having paid dues for nearly a decade now, Blu is a veteran taking risks no matter how questionable.
Michael Christmas & Prefuse 73 a.k.a. Fudge - Lady Parts Review
With this Gnarls Barkley style release, Fudge aims to be something greater than the sum of Michael Christmas and Prefuse 73.
Who Is Max B And Why Is He Important To Hip Hop?
With Max B's freedom on the horizon, many younger Hip Hop fans have been publicly asking why do people care so much about the caged wave god. Besides the obviousness of him being locked up, Jesse Fairfax gives a convoluted overview of the life of Charly Wingate from a New Yorker's lens.
Can't Knock The Hustle: Why Jay Z Hates The War On Drugs
Hip Hop was derived from the environment around its most talented rappers. Which comes as no surprise to the amount of pharmaceutical references found in even the most classic of records.
