Life is too short to listen to bad music. So…let AFH fight through it for you and only supply you with that great stuff. Despite the reports, Hip-Hop is alive and well and, in many ways, is better than it’s ever been. Not only are we able to go back and listen to all of our favorites, at the click of a button, there is also a ton of great music still being made by artists, young and veteran alike…if you know where to look.

To help with that task, we’ve created two playlists. One features more recent music—songs that have been released within the last year or so—while the other is throwback, focused on the 1980s and ’90s. We update each of these playlists regularly, so, if you like what you hear, subscribe to follow us on Spotify.

This Throwback Playlist Celebrates The Hip-Hop That Is Never Played-Out. (Audio)

Today (September 22) brings a pivotal release. Rapsody has amassed a highly respected catalog of mixtapes, EPs, and her celebrated The Idea Of Beautiful album. However, the brand new Laila’s Wisdom raises the bar in a massive way. Collaborations with Kendrick Lamar and Busta Rhymes surfaced ahead of release, as did Rap’s commanding “Pay Up.”  Upon circulation, the 14-track Roc Nation/Jamla homage to the MC’s grandmother has a multitude of unique looks. One is “Nobody,” featuring The Roots’ Black Thought, recurring Rapsody collaborator, Anderson .Paak of Dr. Dre’s Aftermath squad, and Moonchild. The reflective song sorts out the chaotic world, in terms of race, money, religion, and the perils of the modern music industry. Paak waxes a glistening chorus, while Rapsody takes the first two verses with introspection and clever wordplay. Soul Council producers 9th Wonder and Khrysis add some extra (and extra dirty) drums for Black Thought’s entrance, a subtle but significant touch. Tariq Trotter matches Rap’s tone perfectly, saying the two of them are similar, and likening her hardcore rhyme style to that of Roots affiliate Bahamadia. In his verse, Black Thought speaks about losses within his family, and how work is his coping mechanism. However, the song is nearly eight minutes. After the 5:15 mark, a whole other movement enters. Within this alarm clock-inspired Soul treatment, Rapsody recreates a casual phone conversation and the distractions of social media to the bigger questions. After she, Thought, and Black Thought bare their souls, it suddenly becomes snaps, DM’s, and sharing locations and plate pics. Perhaps there is greater symbolism here.

In addition to new Rapsody, the playlist has been updated with highlights from Wu-Tang Clan, Lil Dicky, The Game, and SZA. Together, these artists join Oddisee, Mozzy, Meek Mill, Elzhi, TLC, Brother Ali, Drake, Saba, AZ, Kendrick Lamar, The Roots, Tyler The Creator, Vic Mensa, The LOX, Sean Price, and a host of others.

An Argument For Why Black Thought Is The Greatest MC Of All Time (Video)

#BonusBeat: This recent TBD episode celebrates 2017, and why several women (especially Rapsody) are putting the “female MC” term to bed for once and for all, with great art and success:

Subscribe to our YouTube channel.