In this week’s edition of The Rap-Up, we explore the latest musical offerings, focusing on the intersection of underground talent and established voices. The landscape of modern hip-hop continues to evolve, and our latest deep dive into The Rap-Up highlights the artists currently pushing the boundaries of the genre.
Cletus Strap and Earl Sweatshirt
It was about two years ago when Earl Sweatshirt, asked who he’d been listening to, shouted out a young, hungry Cletus Strap. The fellow L.A. rapper feels like one of Earl’s stylistic descendants: relaxed in delivery but precise on the page, keeping his writing dense without ever sounding overworked. From the moment Earl gave him that co-sign, a collaboration felt inevitable.
The first voice on “nonchalant” actually belongs to Khameelah “staHHr” El, who introduces herself as a French producer called Bon. She opens the track with a comic rant about rappers—their reckless physicality, their weed smoke, and their general presence. It’s a sentiment you hear from plenty of artists now, especially those who position themselves as word grifters or digital hustlers rather than traditional lyricists. That is what makes Cletus Strap refreshing; he sounds like someone who actually enjoys rap as a form.
D’Leesa and the DIY Aesthetic
This summer, I’ve kept returning to the DIY world of Atlanta singer D’Leesa. Her videos look like they were made in her bedroom because, more or less, they are. So is everything else: the writing, the performing, the mixing, and the mastering. “Digital Girl” is my favorite of her recent releases, capturing a sense of tangibility that is rare in our screen-saturated lives.
The Return of SOB x RBE
SOB x RBE came out of North Vallejo in 2016 sounding less like a rap group than a pressure system. Their return on “Ten Summers” serves as an announcement, though it arrives with the weight of their history and the absence of Lul G. While the track is a solid nod to their roots, it leaves listeners curious about the future trajectory of the group.
fakemink’s Latest Offering
fakemink has officially transitioned from a star in the London underground to a mainstream act. “Love Is A Dog From Hell” feels like a return to form, stripping back some of the gloss found in his recent debut to reveal the raw talent that first caught our attention.