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)

This week brings one of the most exciting releases of the year. Rapsody has announced that she is releasing her first album since joining Roc Nation. The album will be titled Laila’s Wisdom, and will be released in just 3 weeks on September 22. The first single from the LP is an absolutely torrid barrage of bars. Rapsody sets the tone from the outset, as she raps “Know I’m possibly the best they ever seen. Yeah, I’m possibly the best you ever seen.” From there she proceeds to wreak havoc on a track that chops up Goodie Mob’s “Cell Therapy,” for nearly 5 minutes. But, that’s not the end of it. At the 4:40 mark, in a move reminiscent to Rapsody’s stone cold appearance on Kendrick Lamar’s “Complexion (A Zulu Love),” the song changes tempo and production, and the unmistakable voice of Busta Rhymes appears. He is more in Barry White mode than dragon mode, but he still breathes fire. For the remainder of the song, he extols the many virtues of Rapsody. The countdown begins until September 22.

In addition to new Rapsody, the playlist has been updated with highlights from Wu-Tang Clan, Redman, Saba, The Roots, Vince Staples and Action Bronson. Together, these artists join Sean Price, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, Logic, Nas, Joey Bada$$, Evidence, J. Cole, Oddisee, XXXtentacion, Big Sean, Freddie Gibbs, Raekwon, Vic Mensa, David Banner, Tyler, The Creator, Meek Mill, Jidenna and a host of others.