New year, New Music Friday. While January is historically a quiet month for releases, Hip Hop has other ideas this week as it kicks back into gear to start 2025.
Mac Miller may be gone, but true art lives forever and his family have made the previously-shelved Balloonerism album from 2014 his second posthumous release, without interfering or inserting unwanted guests to plaster over unfinished songs.
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Busta Rhymes is also back with some new heat as rappers north of 50 continue to enjoy an Indian summer, and Logic has gifted fans some bonus tracks from his Ultra 85 sessions.
Mick Jenkins‘ latest release is an attempt to flip the music industry on its head by going direct to consumers, while there are also new albums from OMB Peezy, Conway The Machine affiliate Jae Skeese and early 2010s viral sensation RiFF RAFF.
Check out the best of New Music Friday below.
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Mac Miller — Balloonerism
Features: SZA, Delusional Thomas
Production: Larry Fisherman (aka Mac Miller), Thundercat, Jameel Bruner, Taylor Graves, Dylan Reynolds
Label: Mac Miller’s Estate / Warner Records
Posthumous rap albums are a notoriously mixed bag, but this second one from Mac Miller was recorded a decade ago in 2014, giving it a different spin to many of the projects regurgitated by labels and estates. Described his family as being “of great importance” to the beloved Pittsburgh native, Balloonerism serves as a reminder of what an idiosyncratic and enjoyable rapper Mac was, as well as his penchant for unorthodox instrumentals.
Busta Rhymes — Dragon Season… The Awakening (EP)
Features: YG Marley
Production: Roc Marciano, Rockwilder, Ted Smooth, Theory Hazit, Johnny G
Label: The Conglomerate Ent. / Hitmaker Music Group
When he’s not allegedly punching people in the face, Busta Rhymes stands as a godfather of rap and has been on an impressively prolific run of late. Though only comprised of six tracks, Dragon Season… The Awakening offers value on the dollar as Busta sounds as energetic as ever.
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Logic — Aquarius III (EP)
Features: Lucy Rose
Production: 6ix, Soundtrakk, Logic, Jonas Lee
Label: Three Oh One Productions / BMG
This brief EP is comprised of leftovers from Logic’s most recent album, 2024’s Ultra 85, while there is also a track recorded way back in 2011. Unlikely to win over any new converts at this venture, Bobby Tarantino’s back-to-basics approach will keep day one fans happy.
Mick Jenkins — Type Shit (EP)
Mick Jenkins’ own rage against the machine, the acclaimed rapper has spent the last decade being a cerebral throwback in the age of mumble rap. His latest project is a statement of intent against the “unethical” practices of the music industry and an attempt to restore ownership to fans. Not available on streaming, the five-song Type Shit is exclusively available to purchase from Even.Biz on a “pay what you want” basis.
Features: N/A
Production: Docent, Stoic, Jimmy Q
Label: Self-released / Even.Biz
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OMB Peezy — Drifting Away
Features: GloRilla, Skilla Baby, Mozzy, Yungeen Ace, Montana 700
Production: Digital Sauce, Evan Joseph, Chaos, Mellow, Drum Dummie
Label: Overkill / Hitmaker Music Group
RiFF RAFF — Welcome to Shaolin
Features: Wiz Khalifa, E-40, Conway The Machine, Logic, Slim Thug, Bladee, Xavier Wulf, Killa Kyleon, Mellow Rackz
Production: Synthwave Sensei, 6ix, RiFF RAFF, Top Secret, YNG BNZO
Label: Castles of Chrome x Black 17 Media
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Jae Skeese — 40 Hours
Features: Scoop Dolla, K Pi$tol, Lil Jonezy, Glueski, Peezie Da Gawd, Winter Peace
Production: Imminent Productions, LRYBRDBTZ, Austin Vero, Money Montage, Chris Rose
Label: Self-released
Wiley — Boom Bap Vol 4 (EP)
Features: N/A
Production: Wiley
Label: Self-released
