The Hip-Hop Manifesto - October 2025
The finest new Boom Bap, Conscious, Jazz, and Alternative Hip-Hop releases of October 2025.
Featuring VaporDaze, Mobb Deep, Hit Boy, The Alchemist, Q052, Mick Jenkins, EMIL, Star 2, EH LA, TaeTae, Homeboy Sandman, GUIDANCE, Recognize Ali, Chinch 33, fakemink, and Stilo Magolide.
The Hip-Hop Manifesto - Boom Bap, Conscious, Jazz Rap, Alternative
Hip hop has always been a place where truth, rhythm, and creativity collide. It was born from turntables and street corners, not classrooms or conservatories. The beauty of it lies in how artists flip everyday stories into poetry over kicks, snares, and soulful loops.
This month, I’m shining a light on Boom Bap for its gritty percussion, Jazz rap for its smooth instrumentals, Alternative for its boundary-pushing sound, and Conscious for those who still use bars to spark thought. Dive in and discover what’s fresh this October!
Iridescent - VaporDaze
This song has all the makings of an alternative hip hop track - the real instruments give it authenticity. The hook on the bass guitar line is made extra funky with the use of a wah-wah guitar pedal.
The rapper flows over the music in an effortless conversational style, similar to Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. A really cool track.
Connect with VaporDaze
Spotify / Instagram
Mr. Magik - Mobb Deep
I love Mobb Deep because their music is so original, it is hard to categorise. There is intellectual lyrics, Boom Bap energy with the kicks and snares, and sampled strings. The strings give this song an interesting feel, almost like a movie score.
This track makes no apologies lyrically and is authentic hip hop at its best.
Connect with Mobb Deep
Spotify / Instagram
Business Merger- Hit Boy, The Alchemist
This track stands out for several reasons. The production's heavy Boom Bap drumbeat is complemented by crisp hi-hats that avoid overpowering the melody. A jazz flute, subtly layered beneath the main horn melody, adds depth. This nuanced arrangement suggests classic potential.
Connect with Hit Boy
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Connect with The Alchemist
Spotify / Instagram
Loud Sunday - Q052
This conscious rap song draws on the tradition of early Public Enemy through activist lyricism and prominent siren samples. The minimal interplay between drumbeat and instruments ensures the lyrics remain the focus. The track effectively energizes listeners in a social context, such as a house party.
Connect with Q052
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Dream Catchers - Mick Jenkins, EMIL
This whole album is great, but the opening track, 'Dream Catchers', is especially unique. This mixes conscious rap and jazz rap seamlessly. I like how the rapper flows over piano and drum improvisations without the use of a steady drum groove.
I felt this was groundbreaking in itself. The sample of electric bass and saxophone towards the end of the song really helps it build a climax.
Connect with Mick Jenkins
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Connect with EMIL
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Kokaine - Star 2, EH LA, TaeTae
This song is really what hip hop is about. Star 2 hails from Thailand and is as authentic as it comes. The boom Bap influence is there and also his incredible talent for rhyming. Very few hip hop artists attempt to rap in the rhythm of triplets because it is so fast and can sound clunky.
This style was used a lot by the classic hip hop group Bone Thugs-N-Harmony. Star 2 is a talent to keep an eye on.
Connect with Star 2
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Artist's Creed - Homeboy Sandman, GUIDANCE
This laid-back hip hop track would fall under alternative/jazz rap for its use of real instruments. The piano chord progression uses complex jazz extensions like Minor 7 chords, which create a moody backdrop for the lyrics to go over.
A classic hip hop drum beat with rim click gives the song forward momentum.
Connect with Homeboy Sandman
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Connect with GUIDANCE
Spotify
Lite Work - Recognize Ali, Chinch 33
The rawness of this track is what gives it swagger! It takes influence from legendary hip hop artists Erik B. and Rakim with its use of jazz samples. The double bass and horns create a nice fusion with the hip-hop beat.
It is a minimalistic track which allows the rapper's message to be heard. The production sounds like it could have been created in the '90s.
Connect with Recognize Ali
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Connect with Chinch 33
Spotify / Instagram
Look At Me - fakemink
This track, written in a minor key, has dark overtones. The jazz trumpet samples lighten the feel slightly, but make no bones about being a serious song. The Boom Bap influence is clear with the drum programming. The mid-tempo groove creates a hypnotic feeling. A very cool track.
Connect with fakemink
Spotify / Instagram / X
STILOWAY - INTRO - Stilo Magolide
This is kind of a mash-up of conscious rap and Boom Bap. I like it for the fact that the rapper is rhyming over a half-time beat. This means there is a lot more space in the drum groove. It gives the artist a chance to get in longer phrases lyrically without worrying about having to rhyme words in a short amount of time.
Connect with Stilo Magolide
Spotify / Instagram / Facebook / X
Spotify Playlist
About Magesh Magesh
Magesh is a musician and producer who has worked with Rihanna, Lionel Richie, Ricky Martin, Chris Brown, The Pussy Cat Dolls, Nelly Furtado, and Vernon Reid of Living Colour.
He released an instructional drumming DVD called "Unique Beats" where he mixed the drum kit with electronics and Indian hand percussion. He recently moved from Australia to the UK to explore new musical opportunities.
Website: mageshdrumteacher.co.uk
Contact Magesh Magesh at magesh.magesh7@gmail.com
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