Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving market; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic, and Pop with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Hip-Hop Releases:
August

 

DJ Khaled – Kiss The Ring

It’s hard to really figure out the exact purpose of these DJ Khaled albums. They’ve been coming one after the other for the last half-decade without any particular focus on any artist, label, or region. They’re just bunches of new rap songs. Khaled himself doesn’t do much by way of creating the records but rather, he curates these albums. Last year’s compilation featured one of the singles of the year, “I’m On One,” but little more. This time around, Khaled stumbles across a stronger batch of tunes that make for a much more captivating collection even though the monster summer jam isn’t here. Khaled has his regulars (fellow Miami-based guys like Ace Hood, Rick Ross, and Lil Wayne), and they do well here, but it’s the unexpected guests that steal the show. Veterans Scarface and Nas shine on their anti-ode to “Hip Hop,” while J. Cole, Big K.R.I.T., and Kendrick Lamar appear on “They Ready,” a time capsule of a song that holds three verses from the future kings of the genre. Whatever it is Khaled’s doing, this release confirms that he could go ahead and keep doing it. (Cash Money/Universal)

Plan B – ill Manors

Ben Drew has done some super cool things. First, he’s an impressive rapper, then he got to be the biggest badass in that Adulthood flick, then Paul friggin’ Epworth turned him into a soul singer, now his own film ill Manors is having its North American premiere at TIFF this September, and his soundtrack for it proves he’s still an impressive rapper. Through his music Plan B has learned how to tell stories and express himself. That’s why this foray into filmmaking seems like such a natural progression for him. Yet, his confidence and excellence as a rapper on this album brings about a quandary. We can only hope that film doesn’t take him away from music. (679/Warner)

Rick Ross – God Forgives, I Don’t

It isn’t easy to follow a masterpiece but if there’s no way that would phase Rick Ross. Since Teflon Don, he’s been able to get his label up and running on which he’s contributed heavily to two Self Made compilation albums, he released the solid mixtape Rich Forever, and he’s done countless conspicuous guest appearances. Now, his new album God Forgives, I Don’t is released to a saturated totally-Rossed-out audience but that barely matters; it’s the guests that fuel this album. The perfect-as-usual verse from Andre 3000 on “Sixteen,” passionate choruses from Omarion, Elijah Blake, Drake, and Usher, and the choice beats are enough to make us want more Rick Ross in our lives. While Teflon Don will remain his magnum opus, God Forgives, I Don’t is yet another testament to Rozay’s work ethic. (Def Jam/Universal)

Trey Songz – Chapter V
	Be sure to practice safe sex while enjoying this album. (Warner)

2 Chainz – Based On A T.R.U. Story

In 1996, Foxy Brown was an omnipresent featured guest. The following year, it was Canibus. Then, a couple of years ago, Nicki Minaj and her management embraced that strategy leading up to her own debut. In one way or another, these artists’ highly anticipated debut albums all fell flat. It happens here again with the solo debut from 2 Chainz. It’s a lot easier to write a strong 16-bar verse than to carry an album on your own, and it’s unfair to expect a rapper to have the same effect on their own album as they would on the last verse of a hit Kanye West single. Yet, realistically speaking, 2 Chainz delivers exactly what should have been expected of him: raw trap music. Also, while it might be slightly superficial, it has to be said that this is the best rap album cover in history. (Def Jam/Universal)

Surprises, disappointments and albums to watch for next month

Surprise of the month: The Nas ghostwriting allegations. People lost their shit when respected filmmaker/writer dream hampton suggested that Nas had a significant amount of help writing his politically charged 2007 opus Untitled (also known as Nigger, Nas’ intended title). The concept itself is sacreligious, yet, to a certain degree it makes sense. Nas was talking about stuff that seemed a tad out of his range and even though he is one of the best at what he does, he was incredibly out of form evident by the weak Hip Hop Is Dead. The truth will always remain a blur but Nas will remain under scrutiny for the rest of his career. Why does it matter so much? Rappers don’t sing and they don’t play instruments. Their talent is in their ability to write lyrics and confidently deliver them. If you can’t do that, you might as well be DJ Khaled.

Disappointments: Hit-Boy’s mixtape. After putting in work with J-Lo, Pussycat Dolls, Flo Rida, and on Lil Wayne’s worst album to date, Rebirth, California producer Hit-Boy had his career skyrocket when he hooked up with Kanye West. He made the “Niggas In Paris” beat, there isn’t much more to the story. Then he decided to rap. His bland mixtape, HITstory, is pretty much a waste of his beats at this point in his career. Hit-Boy isn’t the worst rapper ever and he should get better but his lack of personality or any kind intriguing story makes for a watered down experience. Hit-Boy? On this project it’s more like Miss-Boy.

Out in September: That G.O.O.D. Music compilation, A$AP Rocky’s debut, and new albums from Wiz Khalifa and Lupe Fiasco.