The Hip Hop Manifesto - January 2026
Fresh drops in boom bap, conscious, jazz rap, and alternative.
Featuring Anthony pomenta, Rahiem Supreme, Wun Two, Myka 9, Xandi, Illustrate, Mic Gutz & Specs, zebulunxo, LazyGod, Renz 1k, Top$ide, Soek, Estee Nack, Mickey Diamond, Ealuhri, Ytlilric, and Yungrokk.
Hip hop was always about having the ability to tell the truth, no matter how gritty it was. I loved rhymes that bleed honesty, and artists who still treat the mic like a weapon, not a prop. From raw Boom Bap to smoke-filled Jazz rap, from left-field Alternative hip-hop to Conscious voices cutting through the noise, this month is about substance over shine. These records aren’t built for algorithms or easy spins; they're built to say something.
Press play and hear how 2026 really starts when the truth comes first.
The Hip-Hop Manifesto - Boom Bap, Conscious, Jazz Rap, Alternative
Anthony pomenta - Needed time to breath
This Hip Hop track has elements of both boom bap and conscious rap. The lyrics are personal and introspective over a solid groove. The beat gets busier towards the end of the song. The piano intro really sets the mood and feel.
There is a nice balance between singing the hook and rhyming during the verses. A well put together track.
Connect with Anthony pomenta
Spotify / Instagram
Rahiem Supreme & Wun Two - Borrowed Time
Although this song was only released a few weeks ago, you could mistake it for 1990's hip hop because of the very cool production. The kick and snares sound lo-fi without being obscure. The MC has a conversation-like flow, which makes it easy to tell a story. There are some nice jazz chord progressions from the instruments sampled. A very cool track.
Connect with Rahiem Supreme
Spotify / Instagram
Connect with Wun Two
Spotify / Facebook / Instagram
Myka 9 & Xandi - Raise It Up
This alternative hip hop has a lyrical flow that is similar to spoken word. Almost like Gil Scot Herron from the 1970's. The fuzz effect on the synth bass sounds similar to the 90's era G-Funk. The minor key makes it sound mysterious and sinister.
Connect with Myka 9
Spotify / Facebook / Instagram
Connect with Xandi
Spotify / Facebook / Instagram
Illustrate - That Sound
This track has great frenetic energy. A real banger that would be perfect at a party. This kicks and snares are part boom bap, part old school hip hop. The sounds have a very slick modern production. The synth sounds are also very cool.
Connect with Illustrate
Spotify / Instagram
Mic Gutz & Specs - Did It Again
This track is classic hip hop. This synth bass has extra subs, which create an amazing low-end groove. There are exotic-sounding instruments that sound like steel drums in the main sample. The vocals are filled with masochism without being overly aggressive.
Connect with Mic Gutz
Spotify / Instagram
Connect with Specs
Spotify
zebulunxo - Money Longer
This track falls under the hip hop/boom bap and phonk umbrella. Heavy synth sounds with a drum groove that has a busy hi-hat pattern. There is a slight auto-tune on the vocals, but not to the point where it is overused. A short song, just over 2 minutes, with feel-good energy.
Connect with zebulunxo
Spotify / Instagram
LazyGod - Max B
This track has stripped-back production with minimal instruments. This really allows the rapper to get his message across clearly. The samples are sporadic and sound almost movie-like sound scape, creating an interesting, at times creepy atmosphere.
Connect with LazyGod
Spotify / Instagram
Renz 1k, Top$ide - Back To Business
This conscious hip-hop track features simple but effective production, relying on minimal instrumentation to get its point across. The rapper's smooth, laid-back flow puts the listener at ease, while quick 32nd-note breaks on the hi-hats add tension to the groove.
Connect with Renz 1k
Spotify / Instagram
Connect with Top$ide
Spotify / Instagram
Soek, Estee Nack, Mickey Diamond - SPACETIMETRAVEL
This has elements of alternative hip hop and jazz rap. The sampled feel very much jazz-oriented with similar instrumentation to old school big band music. It is an interesting choice for rappers to rhyme over this musical piece, but it somehow works.
Connect with Soek
Spotify
Connect with Estee Nack
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook
Connect with Mickey Diamond
Spotify / Instagram
Ealuhri, Ytlilric, Yungrokk - JUST LEFT A PARTY
This track is the definition of alternative hip hop. It creates its own sound with over-the-top synth sounds and also bass tones that have so much low end they almost distort. The rapper has no problem rhyming over a chaotic drum beat and music that sounds like it would fit right at home in a horror movie.
Connect with Ealuhri
Spotify / Instagram
Connect with Yungrokk
Spotify
Spotify Playlist
About Chris Roditis
Chris Roditis has been an active musician since 1995 in various bands and projects across a variety of genres ranging from acoustic, electronic to nu metal, british rock and trip hop. He has extensive experience as a mixing engineer and producer and has built recording studios for most of the projects he has been involved with. His passion for music steered his entrepreneurial skills into founding MusicNGear in 2012.
Contact Chris Roditis at chrisroditis@musicngear.com
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