Nick Grant has been making waves since the mid-2010s. His 2017 debut, Return Of The Cool, garnered praise from Ambrosia For Heads and others at a time when the South Carolina MC was getting cosigns from Andre 3000, Nas, Bun B, and others.

Since that Epic Records debut, Nick worked with DJ Khaled, Freddie Gibbs, Statik Selektah, and Westside Gunn. The artist also went independent, and partnered with Top Dawg Entertainment executive Punch, Battle Rap star Daylyt, Lyric Michelle, Ichiban Don (aka producer Willie B), Billymaree, Jrias Law, Earlee Riser, and producer Hari to form A Room Full Of Mirrors. Punch even announced plans for a 2021 project on TDE during an interview with Hypebeast.

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In 2023, Nick steps forth solo to deliver a benchmark album. SUNDAY DINNER shows growth, depth, and evolution from Grant. The Infinity & Recordings, Ltd release features New Jersey’s Ransom, veteran Tweet, and Snoop Dogg affiliate Uncle Chucc. The album shows Nick’s ability to balance lyricism and love songs, his confidence as well as his inner-most pressures and challenges. The veteran lets the audience in on his life, and makes—arguably—the album of his career.

The AFH playlist presently includes several highlights from SUNDAY DINNER. “Heaven,” featuring Missy Elliott affiliate Tweet, begins “Young fresh prince, the way I fill banks / Tell me how you help a n___a, and he still hate? / Drive-bys, whoever ain’t hit, they’ll get ’em later / They spin the block, swing back around, like Will and Jada.” He compares himself to Langston Hughes and Tupac Shakur. He also admits that changes in his life (and presumably his career) forced growth.

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“Art Dealer” is the Ransom collabo that follows “Across 110th Street” from this year’s Director’s Cut 4. The chemistry is strong, especially over a refreshingly soulful beat from Sypooda. Ran’ begins the song with hard-nosed wisdom-drenched wordplay. Nick starts his verse in kind: “All you n___as swear your hot boys, but we ain’t fair-in-height / Your hard drive got my whole style, that’s a terror-bite.” He also touts his Dirty South heritage. “A n___a chasing his dreams, but I’m runnin’ from fame / While some are chauffeured through life, boy, I’m driven by pain / I belong here, shinin’ like a bald head / Fold ya like a lawn chair, project n___a, no fear.”

The playlist also has album opener “Worryin’ Bout A Classic.” The song is filled with imagery about Nick’s upbringing, and the intersection of poverty, crime, and underpins that Grant has loftier goals than simply making a classic album. This comes at a time when he’s made his strongest work to date.

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In addition to new Nick Grant music, the AFH playlist also features fresh music from Little Brother, Mick Jenkins, Vic Mensa, and REASON.