what a year it has been. the inaugural year for crate, 2023 has brought us an endless supply of music of all genres to dig through. and now i want to share with you what i've found in the first ever crate.digital yearly recap. i hate ranking shit, so instead, here's a few different lists in no particular order:

deep cuts (under 200k monthly listeners)

PAP on P.E.D's - Papo2oo4 & Subjxct 5 my personal favorite up and coming duo, Papo2oo4 & Subjxct 5, came out the gates hot this year, delivering an absolute heater in early January that, despite some very stiff competition, managed to outperform almost everything released since. if you're sick of the rap game and long for the days of ballerific flows over crisp bouncy beats, these two are the prescription.

Skinemaxxx - Fly Anakin & Foisey this double album produced entirely by Foisey sets the mood with the perfect late night vibe. the smooth, seductive beats pair perfectly with Fly Anakin's percussive flow and dense lyricism to provide a cinematic collection worthy of a listen from any hip hop or r&b fan hungry for a new experience.

Feelin The Power - T.F while bringing a familiar west coast feel, T.F manages to stick out amongst those who play by the book. his gritty wordplay provides a vivid picture of the reality of his LA origins. that plus a diverse selection of beats and a handful of features that never overstay their welcome equals one of the most accessible albums coming out of the underground this year.

777 - Raz Fresco & Figub Brazlevic Toronto rapper Raz Fresco combines with German-based producer Figub Brazlevic on 777 to deliver a concise project that should feel right at home to any "real hip hop" fan. with a style reminiscent of a young Joey Bada$$, Fresco raps from a much grittier perspective of someone who has been at their hustle for years with this magnetic spin on the classic boom bap sound.

Plus One - FIELDED Plus One paints a truly abstract image, as FIELDED throws any semblance of classification out the window. melding ethereal vocals with a vast range of sounds. from uptempo dance vibes perfect for the night out, to downbeat, somber tones to carry you home. this album fuses a wide range of influences into a unique identity that stands out amongst the sea of standard.

Black Cottonwood - Cavalier & Quelle Chris for years, Quelle Chris has been one of the most underappreciated producer/rhymers in hip hop. on Black Cottonwood, the Detroit rapper partners with Brooklyn native Cavalier to deal out a last-minute addition to the top of the list. utilizing the wintry and stripped down production style that Quelle has developed his whole career allows each element of this album to present in a way that highlights the raw essence of its soul.

The Genius Tape - 7xvethegenius & DJ Green Lantern 7xvethegenius is a true rapper’s rapper. putting on one of the year's best lyrical displays and backed by the always consistent DJ Green Lantern, she comes through with a compact heater of an album. showing that sometimes less really is more, but still keeping it light enough to leave you fiending for the next hit.

SUNDAY DINNER - Nick Grant Nick Grant shows up preaching gospel on this soulful new addition to his impressive repertoire. spitting with a serious swagger, on SUNDAY DINNER he provides us with a feature-length look into his world, and brings us home with him to a place he feels most comfortable. sharing some of his deepest contemplations while blessing our ears in this musical sermon.

SKREWFACE 2 - Da$h the common consensus i've been hearing is that trap music is falling off a cliff. and while that may be true, there are a select few trying their hardest to steer the genre back in the right direction. with SKREWFACE 2 Da$h puts together one of the tightest joints in recent memory. in just over 30 minutes, he manages to leave a permanent impression on the game as a reminder of the highs that can still be reached.

Everybody Good? - Black Milk on Everybody Good?, Black Milk delivers the people a graceful and deliberate work of art. with a layered and complex production style, he shows off his impressive background as a producer and combines that with his smooth-but-verbose lyricism to to create one of the most interesting, soulful, and dense projects to come out this year.

my favorite underground albums

Burning Desire - MIKE as someone who has carved out a consistent spot as a leader and innovator in hip hop, MIKE continues to evolve his sound in one of his most potent projects in years. adopting a dynamic blend of energies, this project toes the balance perfectly. displaying proper respect to his origins while shining light on a future evolution full of potential to be realized.

Ganger - Veeze a staple in the Detroit scene, Veeze's sophomore project is a long awaited follow up to the debut that took the city by storm. an advancement on every level, he shows the composure of a veteran years into his game on this album. combining real life experiences with immaculate style and an impeccable wit, Ganger stands at the top of an otherwise disappointing year for trap.

Maps - billy woods & Kenny Segal "hip hop is dead". to me that's just telling on yourself, admitting you're too lazy to look, too lazy to listen. because music never really dies, it evolves. and with billy woods's abstract storytelling and visual lyricism on full display, Maps is an evolution. a shining example of hip hop living to see another day with clear respect paid to the DNA that makes the genre what it is.

VOIR DIRE - Earl Sweatshirt & The Alchemist two legends in the game making a legendary album, what more can I say?

Start Finish Repeat - Paul Wall & Termanology dirty south meets the frigid north in this unlikely pairing as Houston legend Paul Wall joins up with east coast underground cornerstones Termanology and Statik Selektah for this surprising display. an already impressive group on paper, this trio has the makings of a superteam as Paul's country flow glides perfectly over Statik's smoothest beats, and Termanology provides the grit to bring everything full circle.

Speshal Machinery - 38 Spesh & Conway the Machine at this point, you know exactly what you're in for when you see these two lined up together. and as expected, Spesh and Conway execute this play to perfection. if it ain't broke don't fix it is the motto here and on Speshal Machinery, it's clear that shit ain't broke.

REAL B*TCHES DON'T DIE! - Kari Faux the message of REAL B*TCHES DON’T DIE! is that Kari Faux is here to make a statement. from the title, to the cover art to the bold and powerful soundscape, this album was built to stand out. and it does that job with ease. with an assist from Phoelix on the boards, Faux shows the world just how large she continues to live.

Nothing Bigger Than The Program - Jay Worthy & Roc Marciano Nothing Bigger Than The Program is the perfect descriptor for this collaboration between two underground heavyweights. for the first time, Worthy and Marci join forces to deliver a crisp take on their own respective sounds. raw, shimmering, and everything in between. this album is great addition to the ever-growing repertoires of these two established veterans.

Ways of Knowing - Navy Blue since his debut a few years ago, Navy Blue has made a name for himself as a lyricist always at the top of his game. with Ways of Knowing he delves even further into the depths of his psyche, exploring his relationships with family and his inner self with a familiar, cozy feel set up by Budgie's sensational production.

Even God Has A Sense Of Humor - Maxo on Even God Has A Sense Of Humor Maxo puts out a production like no other. as one of the most uniquely poetic rappers today, he continues his policy of deep introspection with an album that puts his lyrical storytelling and knack for emotional wordplay on full display. giving us one of the hardest hitting albums of the year.

other albums i loved

EXCELSIOR - Slauson Malone 1 in this otherworldly garden EXCELSIOR sits. from fast paced to slow, jagged to smooth, moving as though it occupies all space and time at once. there's an indescribable feeling this album brings when you listen, and it pushes the boundaries of what indie music can be and represent.

Girl In The Half Pearl - Liv.e by eschewing traditions and leaning into her own definition of soul, Liv.e redefines what it means to be r&b. even during a renaissance of artists within the genre, she manages to carve out a spot that belongs only to her. with a heavily layered chorus of hums and chants surrounding her, there is a certain emphasis on the voices she delivers that distinguishes her singing as something much more.

Never to Heaven - Fassine Never to Heaven is a groovy jaunt through an electro pop wonderland. with an upbeat bounce that bumps your head and powerful vocals from frontwoman Sarah Palmer, Fassine slaps together a joint that can get the whole crowd on the floor moving.

Radio Red - Laura Groves on Radio Red, Laura Groves puts her vocal talent on full display. as the clear star of the show, the dreamy soundscapes serve as the platter for her emotional songwriting and exquisite voice to fill, as her ballads deliver a multifaceted feast for you to set your ears upon.

Swells - K-Lone like a dance through an electric forest, K-Lone piques the imagination with this diverse and genre-bending record. at times danceable and others best for a laid back sesh. you can feel the waves come and go, sometimes lightly lapping your heels and at others, demanding your full attention else you'll be washed away by the rhythm and vibes.

The Mall - Best Frenz & Joywave Best Frenz emerged as the collaborative brainchild of Joywave vocalist Daniel Armbruster and Sir Sly instrumentalist Jason Suwito. on their debut LP, these two created an absolute treat. with their own electronic flavor, their combined forces unite to produce an immaculate work of indie genius.