The best new soulful, alternative rap albums pushing the boundaries of Hip Hop to greater heights. Featuring the likes of Little Simz, Smino and Knucks
Introducing our countdown of 2022’s best and most innovative alternative Hip Hop and soulful rap albums. Soul music is at the core of everything we do and we champion the sound in the diversity of ways it shows up. In recent years, Hip Hop and Rap music has rediscovered its roots in Soul music. 2022 in particular has seen a real groundswell of exceptional albums in Soulful Rap / Alternative Hip Hop.
The rule book has been thrown out! Rap is evolving to encompass a whole plethora of sounds, creating the umbrella sound of alternative rap, often heavily rooted in Soul. Leading the pack are artists like Little Simz, Smino, Kojey Radical and Knucks, who are rappers at their core, but aren’t afraid to experiment with their sounds, adding elements of Soul, Jazz, Funk, Blues and R&B. The fusions have led to some mind-blowingly great music. Get into our picks of the best Alternative Rap / Soulful Rap albums of 2022 below.
Reason to Smile by Kojey Radical
An alternative rap album for when you want to feel uplifted
“I thank Angelou too/Cause still I rise” – Reason to Smile
Kojey Radical has made a name for himself as a trailblazer and trendsetter within the UK music scene. Intelligent and uplifting, Reason to Smile, was released to much critical acclaim, with nominations for a Mercury Prize.
Opening track ‘Reason to Smile’, featuring Tiana Major9 sets the tone perfectly for the rest of the project. It encapsulates the overall message, using echoes of a gospel track. Kojey uses this space to reflect on the things that bring him joy – “My life better cause my son got his mum’s smile”, for example.
Black pride is a staple element of any Kojey project. He brings a big dose of it on tracks like ‘Payback’ (featuring Knucks), which hits as heavy as James Brown’s ‘The Payback.’ The track delivers memorable and uplifting bars like “Man, it feel good to be black.” As well as Kojey’s genre-bending prowess, the diverse features are also what make this an alternative rap album goldmine. We have the likes of Wretch 32, Shae Universe and Masego.
Start With: ‘Reason to Smile’ and ‘Silk’
MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES by Westside Boogie
An alternative hip hop album for when you’re looking for a narrative-led project
“If you see me growing don’t interfere” – HALFWAY RIGHT
Reminiscent of Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid Mad City, MORE BLACK SUPERHEROES from California native Westside Boogie, is a coming-of-age story of a Black kid raised on gospel and gang culture – a dichotomy also explored by Kendrick. The project is raw, emotional and vulnerable, tinged with hints of soul and blues layered over Boogie’s melodic rap flow. Boogie also released a limited version of the album, with additional tracks and live cuts.
“Bitch I’m a product of war” Boogie exclaims on opening track ‘KILLA MODE.’ The track is a reflection on some of the pain he’s gone through and how that’s showing up in his life and relationships – “come from the mud, it put stains on my heart.” The smoother, mellow ‘I CAN’T GET OVER YOU’ featuring Smino and Teezo Touchdown is an ode to a romantic relationship whilst ‘WINDOWS DOWN’, featuring Snoop Dogg, takes a leaf out of the book of other West Coast rappers and is all about weed. Smoking with the homies, the therapy, escapism, hiding it from cops, relaxing – “every time we smoke, you turn into some activist.”
Start With: ‘KILLA MODE’ and ‘NONCHALANT’
No Thank You by Little Simz
An alternative Hip Hop album for ending 2022 on a high
“Your mind is not to be played with” – Broken
Less than eight weeks after her astronomical Mercury Prize win for Sometimes I Might be Introvert, Little Simz dropped No Thank You. The timing alone of this drop tells us that Simz has something to get off her chest. Besides Cleo Sol’s harmonies (which feels so natural at this point, given the amount of collaboration between the two) seeped into intro tracks like ‘Angels’ and ‘Silhouette‘, there aren’t any features. This allows Simz the space to speak her own, unadulterated truth.
The cadence and flow on ‘Gorilla’ is Simz at her very best. Structured almost like a freestyle, Simz goes on a continuous flow that isn’t broken up with a traditional chorus or hook. ‘No Merci’ speaks to an industry that wants to mold and manipulate her – “I am not a human you can gaslight.” The French phrase ‘no merci’ (no thank you) is used as a double entendre with Simz pronouncing it as ‘no mercy.’ It’s like she’s saying ‘no thank you, I don’t want any part of this industry that has no mercy.’ As the track comes to the bridge, the music becomes lighter with a focus on the flute, and this is where Simz goes harder, calling out the bullshit – “They want you rushing life decisions over a three-course meal.”
‘Control’ starts off with a gospel interlude. It is essentially spoken word carried over music. ‘Broken’ is probably the most vulnerable track on the project – “When you feel you’ve broken, and you cannot fix it.” The track allows space for her to speak on her own experiences. It also touches on generational trauma within the Black community and the lack of talking about it.
Start With: ‘Gorilla’ and ‘Angel’
ALPHA PLACE by Knucks
An alternative rap album for long drives with the volume turned up
“How many time will they say I’m the smoothest” – Los Pollos Hermanos
ALPHA PLACE is rapper Knucks’ ode to the block in North-West London where he grew up. Building on the impact of previous EPs NRG 105 and London Class, the project showcases Knucks’ refined storytelling abilities.
Intro track ‘Alpha House’, with a feature from prominent saxophonist Venna is nostalgia for his childhood days. The friendships, the community, kicking ball on the concrete but also the beef, parental concerns and influences from the street. ‘Far’ is a memory of early relationships but also a little tour around London. Knucks takes us to all the spots he hit up with different girls – “Hit up Westfield with a bag full of garments/Or Tottenham Court Road.”
Throughout ALPHA PLACE, Knucks meanders between narratives, telling his own story and also taking on various characters. There’s ‘Leon the Professional’ the local gunman, or Kevin on ‘Hide and Seek’, who’s in a constant back and forth with the police. Ending with single ‘Los Pollos Hermanos’ is one last reminder to the listener of Knucks’ intelligent wordplay – “Made in the manor like Kano/Where the able yutes are moving ‘caine.”
Start With: ‘Alpha House’ and ‘Die Hard’
The Last Remnants by Che’ Noir
An alternative Hip Hop album for when you need a dose of emotional intelligence
“If we run out of plates after we eat I’ll wash the dishes’ – Wash The Dishes
Che’ Noir is next up in a long lineage of strong, uncompromising female rappers like Remy Ma, Queen Latifah and Foxy Brown. Hailing from Buffalo, New York, the 90s rap scene has a strong influence on Che’ Noir’s sound.
Although the album is short (coming in at only 25 minutes), it doesn’t fail to pack a punch. On ‘Therapy Session’ Che’ bares her soul. She relates some of the tragic incidents that impacted her all before the age of 14 – death, anger, alcoholism, incarceration. The track culminates with a sense of power, Che’ using her music to create a legacy and keep the memory of those she lost alive – “Rest In peace to my cousin, Jawaan/My friend Nancy/My grandma Janet/They huggin’, on God/Make sure they name live on through my voice.”
Che’s ambition and vision for the future is crystal clear on ‘Wash The Dishes.’ She reflects on the work she did to get to her position but also how she wants to bring up the people around her. Ending on the beautiful ‘Art of Patience’, we see vulnerability, uncertainty but most importantly humanness – “if I plant the seed, will the flower grow.”
Start With: ‘Therapy Session’ and ‘Bidding War’
Few Good Things by Saba
An alternative Hip Hop album for when you’re about to experience something new
“I’ma order pasta that I cannot properly pronounce” – One Way or Every N***a With a Budget
Few Good Things is Chicago rapper Saba’s second full-length LP. The overarching focus of the album is Saba exploring the new life music has afforded him. There is a sense of ambivalence running throughout the project that he attempts to grapple with – loving this new life but cautious of losing it all. Saba has the ability, to move between different sounds and energies fluidly, capturing a spectrum of emotions and elements of his character.
‘One Way or Every N***a With a Budget’ is a mellow, chilled out track reminiscing on the good life he’s living – “Went from couldn’t afford it, to a nigga coppin’ without counting”. This immediately tumbles into the next track, ‘Survivor’s Guilt’ featuring G Herbo, which has a more aggressive feel. “a Simpler Time”, featuring Mereba, is a longing for a simple, secure life that early life hasn’t necessarily prepared him for – “The man in my family can’t be no teachers.” Saba flits between two different cadences as he raps about wanting to be better for his partner and his family.
Start With: ‘an Interlude Called “Circus”‘ and ‘If I Had A Dollar’
Chrome Bull by Duckwrth
An alternative rap album for when you want that summer feeling back
“Wait til you see me in full form” – Super Saiyan
Duckwrth is a multi-faceted artist, using his interest in fashion and art to inspire his music, and vice versa. He’s most known for his unique sound that defies rules and morphs and merges genres
His EP Chrome Bull fits in with the music industry’s obsession with dance music this year, but this is a sound the LA-based polymath has been embracing for a few years now. On Chrome Bull, rap clashes head on with house, funk, disco and RnB, to make an outstanding body of work. The EP is up-tempo and futuristic, which allows Duckwrth to fuse his jerky vocals with his gentle, poetic, lyrical rap.
Each track is like an offering on its own, but can flow easily into into the next. ‘Ce soir’ depicts a sensual evening with a lover, and with a feature from RnB bae Syd, the track becomes a certified romantic banger. Ghanian-British producer and DJ Juls comes along for the ride on the infectious ‘Sneaky’ – ‘A sneaky little Sneaky little Sneaky little Link’ will be playing on repeat in your head. ‘Beg’ is an unadulterated dance anthem, which sees Duckwrth bringing his vocals to the forefront, alongside soul singer CLAY.
Start With: ‘Super Saiyan’ and ‘Beg’
Lost Soul 2 by Coops
An alternative Hip Hop album for an easy, lazy Sunday morning
“On my journey I may stumble, but I was made to rumble” – I Keep Going
Coops is the London lad with a New York sensibility. His rhythm, flow and energy sounds as if it was plucked straight from NYC in the 90s. He has a laid back, ethereal flow; but don’t let that fool you. His lyrics hit hard, deliver universal truths and unapologetically critique all the things that are wrong in the world. Lost Soul 2 is interspersed with interludes and conversations giving it that truly 90s hip hop feel.
Lost Soul 2 is a jazz album and uses rap as a tool to tell stories. ‘I Keep Going’ speaks to a tenacious spirit that Coops has been building in the face of adversities – “can’t lie sometimes I feel like a failure, but I keep going.” Kojey Radical, pops up for a verse on ‘Get Racks’, which reflects on the evils of money but also contemplates the things people do to get it – for their needs and also for their greed.
Start With: ‘I Keep Going’ and ‘Mass Extinction’
GHETTO GODS by Earthgang
An alternative rap album for when you’re in the mood for heavy beats
“You survived last year, get your hands up” – ALL EYES ON ME
Earthgang (Olu aka Johnny Venus and WowGr8 aka Doctur Dotare) are a force to be reckoned. Drawing inspiration from the Atlanta rappers that preceded them – Outkast, Dungeon Family – as well as the overarching sound of Southern hip hop, Earthgang are merging their raw lyricism with funk and soul.
GHETTO GODS is the second album from the duo. Titular track ‘GHETTO GODS’ is the story of the come-up – “I turned a mustard seed into a million.” References to locations like Cascade Road, help to paint a nostalgic portrait of Atlanta. ‘ALL EYES ON ME’ touches on more tragic themes – drug overdoses, Black lives, poverty, and the mass incarceration impacting Black communities across the US – “I want all my niggas free/I could tat a hundred tears on my face/I could call out a hundred names.”
The album ends on a more relaxed note with the track ‘RUN TOO’, featuring fellow Dreamville artist and soul goddess Ari Lennox. The track puts the frustrations of a community on display but also has a glimmer of hope – “I’m tired of crackers, I’m tired dealing with you racist bastards.” It is the powerful ending to an album that aims to celebrate and uplift a community.
Start With: ‘ALL EYES ON ME’ and ‘AMEN’
Luv 4 Rent by Smino
An alternative rap album for smooth bars and word play
“A nigga done worked so hard/I ain’t even noticin’ gains” – No L’s
On his glorious third studio album, Luv 4 Rent, rapper Smino takes us on an unexpected musical journey. He meanders through blues, funk, jazz, RnB and hip hop. Luv 4 Rent is an exploration of love in all its forms – the joy and the messiness of it all. The album has been described as a scrapbook, a collection of moments that have defined love for Smino. It’s also a glimpse into the mind of a creative genius.
Smino is a self-confessed connoisseur of ‘ratchet romance.’ This is clear on the blues-infused ‘Blu Billy’ where he candidly raps: “Selfish, I don’t wanna share a baby, let her all by myself.” Listening to Smino is like listening to four different artists in one, his voice reaching for a falsetto, then tumbling into raspy vocals, stopping to deliver some heavy bars at lightning speed in between. For features, Smino calls on the likes of J Cole on the hazy ‘90 Proof’, Lucky Daye and Phoelix on the silky ‘Modenaminute’ as well as Doechii and Fatman Scoop on ‘Pro Freak’ which is reminiscent of that classic Outkast sound.
Start with: ’90 Proof’ and ‘Blu Billy’
Spaceships on the Blade by Larry June
An alternative Hip Hop album for laid back, mellow vibes
“I been on a mission/Strictly bag-getting” – Breakfast in Monaco
If there’s one word that would describe Larry June’s Spaceships on the Blade, its luxury. It’s not braggadocious or flashy, instead Larry’s luxurious lifestyle is a product of financial prowess and hustle, something that he focuses on heavily throughout the album. His deep, husky-toned voice is buttered over smooth beats making for a mellow style of rap, coupled with synthy 80s vibes that appear throughout the project.
‘Breakfast in Monaco’ is the epitome of the luxurious lifestyle Larry is moving towards – “Private diner, 1k a day for the private driver.” He’s dropping into Paris, Monaco all in the space of a day. ‘Organic adjustments’ brings a romantic vibe to an album that’s brimming with hustle-heavy sermons, whilst ‘For Tonight’, with vocals from Syd, sees Larry wanting to share his luxurious life with someone.
Start With: ‘Tools of the Game’ and ‘Still Boomin’
