With autotune gaining more & more popularity, XXL freestyles becoming decreasingly bar-centric, and the overall sound of rap music straying even further from what it once was, there’s a lot of talk about the genre being dead and having been dead for a long time now. Although I never believed this, I put together short a list to show people why rap is alive and well incase anyone thought it wasn’t.

Nas- Magic 3

I don’t think rap fans expect anything less than a classic when Nas drops a new album, which is why some may say projects like It Was Written didn’t deliver. But a “bad” album for Nas, is a great album for most. It’s safe to say Nas delivered with Magic 3, and, in my opinion, the legend is giving us a strong reason to put him as the most consistent and high quality rapper of all time.

Favorite Song: Never Die

TooFat Troub- Been Him

Most of Been Him has a dark, ominous aura to it, but in a way that draws you to it, making you want to spin it back over and over. The quality is high, the music is real & gritty, and TooFat’s talent is irrefutable. If I had to pick the next Oklahoma rapper to hit a mainstream level, my money is currently on TooFat Troub and this album will show you why.

Favorite Song: PunchinN

Chris Crack- Battery Operated Simps

The songs are relatively short and the song titles might throw you for a loop at first, but Chris Crack’s rap talent and unique sound is on high display through the entire project. If you like what some may call “real” rap, you’ll really enjoy this project.

Favorite Song: Imaginary Billionaire

Ots J Huncho- Guerrilla Warfare 3

The third installment of the Guerrilla Warfare series did not disappoint. Personally, I’m taking GW2 over 3, but that’s not because GW3 isn’t great or doesn’t deserve its flowers, rather it speaks on J Huncho’s consistency. With that being said, the project is well rounded and includes lots of story-telling, a plethora of bars, and sounds beyond what we’re used to hearing from the Tulsa rapper.

Favorite Song: Mirror Mirror

Conway the Machine- Won’t He Do It

When it comes to the ability to put words together, Conway might be in my current top 5: bar for bar he can go head to head with the best of them. The Griselda rapper showed this through the entire Won’t He Do It album.

Favorite Song: Stab Out

WIL$ON- Method Acting: act I

Method Acting: act I is sample-filled with smooth flows and passionate lyrics. WIL$ON was recommended to me on Spotify and I was immediately intrigued by his sound and decided to check out his catalog. He went 7/7 on this one.

Favorite Song: ME v WORLD

Hakeem Eli’Juwon- Run My Race

This one is an album focused on Hakeem’s progression from the bottom to where he is now, hence the title “Run My Race.” The Tulsa artists’ voice gives each song more of a melodic feel to them than “traditional” rap, but the abundance of flows, cadences, and bars make up for it— just incase someone sees melodic rap as anything less than rap.

Favorite Song: Clyde Barrow

Big Yavo- Proof

Though Big Yavo doesn’t really tell stories in his music and his beats are typically more in the trap lane, one thing can’t be denied: the Alabama rapper can rap his a** off. Proof is flooded with endless punchlines and big energy, to put it simply.

Favorite Song: Freestyle

These aren’t the only dope rap albums of 2023 but they’re a few that stood out for me. Do yourself a favor and give them a spin.