Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.com
Sep 11, 2026, 6:03 PMSo who is young and making smart ("conscious") hip-hop right now? Like, who is the modern equivalent of Talib Kweli, Mos Def, and that crowd? (If that's even a reasonable question)
Replies
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 6:18 PM
Okay I'm finding a few entrypoints by searching around. Just checking out SA-ROC and Armand Hammer for the first time, both are really cool.
SA-ROC seems like a badass MC so far. I'm geeked that she has so much music I can check out.
(I have zero idea how popular these people are or if everyone knows them bc I have no way of knowing that. But I currently have a streaming subscription for the first time in ages, so I'm popping around checking out stuff.)
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 6:19 PM
yeah SA-ROC is giving me bass face. Currently listening to Gold Leaf. Fucking awesome.
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 6:20 PM
Goddamnit she is my age, 45. So not exactly young. Oh well, still excited to travel through her catalogue.
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 6:27 PM
See also Little Simz
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 6:36 PM
Just popping through a new album by Rapsody: God Gotta Afro & Gold Hoops. It sounds GOOD and feels GOOD. Can't wait to listen to this whole album.
So I guess the ladies are carrying this torch? That's cool.
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 6:46 PM
Okay, this☝️album is going in my collection for sure. I'm on track 4 and there's no way I'm doing anything else until I listen to the whole thing. Absolutely carrying the Talib/Mos Def vibe into the present.
I'm listening in my studio and the production is immaculate, with plenty of space and punch, which really matters to me w/ this kind of music.
(And yeah, she's also almost as old as I am.)
Cassana 🍻cassana@the-crossroads-inn.comSep 11, 2026, 6:50 PM@alisynthesis I’m going to suggest Little Simz from the UK. In more global hip hop, I always enjoy and recommend Baloji from DRCongo whose music is often introspective and sociopolitically aware, and tells stories that way, for example this nearly 10 minute epic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzHM_JLgqO0
Kara GoldfinchKaraLG84@dragonscave.spaceSep 11, 2026, 7:04 PM@cassana @alisynthesis There's also Kae Tempest. Sometimes I wonder if it is hip-hop though or poetry with a beat. Anyway he's good,
- Alison Wilderalisynthesis@io.waxandleather.comSep 11, 2026, 7:05 PM
- Kara GoldfinchKaraLG84@dragonscave.spaceSep 11, 2026, 7:06 PM
@alisynthesis @cassana :) My favourites are his new album and Let Them Eat Chaos. the latter is like a modern Under Milk Wood.
