R.E.K.S

R.E.K.S is another spitter who's been putting in work for years (check out the Statik Selektah-helmed In Between the Lines mixtapes) and has finally seen the fruits of his labour culminate in a very solid album, front to back. With a stellar production line-up, including DJ Premier, Alchemist, Nottz and Pete Rock, to name a few, this Massachusetts product puffs his chest out on this self-titled release, showcasing his seasoned rhyme game and strong street sensibility. Standout cuts include the frenetic stutter of the Alchemist-produced "Why Cry," featuring Styles P, and grimy head-nodder "Thin Line," blessed by none other than Pete Rock, which sees R.E.K.S firing darts at a disloyal comrade ("Claiming you a friend to me/Really an enemy/Cain killed Abel/Repeating its history"). It may have taken a long minute for R.E.K.S to finally get some well-deserved shine, but with the combination of this dope release and his connections to a slew of the rap game's top producers, it's fair to say we have another hot rapper on the come up.