Hip Hop Manifesto - December 2025
A roundup of recent hip-hop releases, from boom bap and jazz rap to conscious and alternative cuts.
Featuring J.R.Clark, Lakeith Rashad, Phillyblunts, Bun B, Statik Selektah, Talib Kweli, Lil Bean, BigWalkDog, Hit-Boy, Spank Nitti James, BlocBoy JB, Niontay, Sunny, hooligan chase and Westwood
The Hip-Hop Manifesto - Boom Bap, Conscious, Jazz Rap, Alternative
I've always loved hip hop for its rawness and ability to tell the truth without compromise. Hip-hop remains the raw language of the streets and the soul, built on drum breaks, dusty samples, and unfiltered perspective. This month, I’m digging into Boom Bap for its uncompromising grit, Jazz rap for its late-night warmth, Alternative hip-hop for its fearless creativity, and Conscious rap for the voices still pushing purpose over popularity.
J.R.Clark, Lakeith Rashad - Even the Score
This song starts with some pretty cool vocal harmonies that are low in the mix. The rapper makes a grand entrance in the verse with a powerful flow. The drum beat is classic boom bap with 808 kicks and snares. The production is very modern with enough low-end to keep the party going.
Connect with J.R.Clark
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Lakeith Rashad
X / Instagram / Spotify
Phillyblunts - Living Life
This track feels like classic hip hop, although the piano chords are definitely jazz-influenced. There is auto-tune on the vocals to keep the production sounding modern, but they are not overdone. The rapper seems to convey a lot of emotion in this song about his life.
Connect with Phillyblunts
X / Instagram / Spotify
Bun B, Statik Selektah & Talib Kweli - Still At It
This is an amazing track. The synth sounds are so funky and current; they are also placed well in the mix. The beat is old school hip hop, not too many samples, which gives the Emcee's a lot of room to flow. This is an instant classic!
Connect with Bun B
Facebook / X / Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Statik Selektah
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Talib Kweli
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Lil Bean - Love Hurts
This track is part boom bap, part conscious rap. The lyrics convey a heartfelt perspective on the issues the rapper is facing in his personal life. There is minimal instrumentation but a beat with a lot of overdubbed parts like finger snapps to create a strong groove foundation.
Connect with Lil Bean
Instagram / Spotify
BigWalkDog - Lift
This conscious rap track feels like it could be on the soundtrack of an action movie. The vocals are quite high in the mix, which gives it a level of importance. There is a funky keyboard sample in the background which sounds like an old Moog from the 1970's.
The halftime beat would make this track popular in a living room or nightclub.
Connect with BigWalkDog
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Hit-Boy, Spank Nitti James - YEAST TALKIN'
This hip hop track has a ton of samples! It reminds me of a Public Enemy record from the early 90's. The piano melody is interesting based on a jazz minor 7 chord. It is played broken up, which helps add a lot of tension to the music. The rappers have different flows, which is ultimately what makes the track work.
Connect with Hit-Boy
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Spank Nitti James
Instagram / Spotify
BlocBoy JB - CPU feat. Sleazy World Go
This eclectic track has a multitude of influences. It starts with a "talk box" guitar effect made famous on Bon Jovi's "Living on a Prayer" and hip hop classic "California Love". The boom Bap creeps in in the verse with heavy kicks and snares with a broken hi hat pattern. The low piano riff is cinematic.
Connect with BlocBoy JB
Facebook / Instagram / X / Spotify
Connect with Sleazy World Go
Facebook / Instagram / Spotify
Niontay - soulja hate/ Mr.Havemyway x Mr.Beatdaroad - feat. Sunny
This conscious rap track feels like it is something that would be played on a long road trip late at night. It is laid back with a constant beat of syncopated bass drums. The rapper's flow is almost conversational. The production is raw and gritty, which gives it an edge.
Connect with Niontay
Instagram / Spotify
Connect with Sunny
Instagram / Spotify
hooligan chase - HOLLY AND KIT
This track is a good mix of hip hop/boom bap and conscious rap. It really feels like the storytelling in the song is authentic. The chord progression uses a lot of major and suspended chords, which create a 'feel good' atmosphere. The production is modern, and nothing about it sounds forced.
Connect with hooligan chase
Instagram / Spotify
Westwood - Legroom
This alternative hip hop is different on many levels. The main rhythm of the groove is based on triplets, which is odd but seemingly effective. A lot of the samples are distorted, which gives the track a heavier feel. The rapper is very talented to be able to rhyme in such an unusual feel based on odd rhythms.
Connect with Westwood
Instagram / Spotify
Spotify Playlist
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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