Find out which of hip-hop’s most lyrically charged rappers are dropping new albums soon
Updated: 18 September 2026
Hip-hop is healing! Some of the masters of lyrical rap are poking their heads out of hibernation following periods of relentless freestyle rhyming, tearing up radio shows, and stirring debate over who the GOAT of hip-hop is. So, without further ado, let’s jump into a crazy upcoming lineup of rappers on the move, with fresh albums soon to drop.
Black Thought & Danger Mouse – Cheat Codes 2 (TBA)
After setting the scene alight with a scholarly bout of furious rhyme schemes and punchy production, The Roots frontman Black Thought will return alongside producer Danger Mouse for the sequel to their 2022 masterpiece, Cheat Codes. The duo have already released a stellar single alongside British singer Rag’n’Bone Man titled “Up”.
Aesop Rock & Blockhead – Trouble Mountain (13 November)
The profusely expectorating artist continues to unleash his own brand of Day of the Tentacle meets hip-hop with an upcoming joint album with Blockhead titled Trouble Mountain. The release marks the duo’s second full-length project together following Garbology (2021) and will be released on Rhymesayers Entertainment on 13 November.
Black Thought & 9th Wonder – Untitled Album (TBA)
Black Thought is on another run, a generational one, it seems. The frenetically charged rapper continues his reign of dominance alongside lauded producer 9th Wonder, so you know there’s another special project in the works. Sources say the new long-player is reportedly almost complete, with one track remaining at the time of writing.
Apollo Brown & Skyzoo – Luxury Tax (25 September)
Apollo Brown & Skyzoo will release their first collaborative album since 2016’s The Easy Truth, marking ten years since they cooked up a steaming hot pile of delicious hip-hop. Skyzoo has commented on the project as being lyrically bar-heavy, which you can hear on their already released tracks, “No Discounts” and “Hear Me Out”. Features include Blu and Elzhi on “The Blind Spot”.
Black Thought – Streams of Thought Vol. 4 (TBA)
He just won’t put the microphone down! Not only is he releasing three albums, but they’re sure to be of a standard no lyricist can compete with, with the rapper calling his upcoming solo album his “opus”. The delay to its release has been attributed to complicated sample clearances and what he says is the largest number of features he’s had on a project. The project is entirely produced by 14KT and will feature Yasiin Bey, Pharoahe Monch, Redman, Fabolous, JID, Big K.R.I.T., Curren$y, Rick Ross and Tobe Nwigwe.
Conway the Machine & The Alchemist – LULU 2 (18 September)
Conway the Machine taps fan-favourite producer The Alchemist, who, working off the back of his recent album with Erykah Badu (Abi & Alan), continues to create music with a particular sound. Their fresh album, LULU 2, the sequel to their much-loved 2020 release, will drop this Friday; expect grimy and stripped-back melodic deliveries.
Madlib & Your Old Droog — Droogie Otis
Droogie Otis is another album without a release date, yet promised to be unveiled in 2026. Madlib and Your Old Droog have already released a couple of tracks, including “The Edge” ft. Killer Mike and “Everything Designer” ft. Boldy James; it’s definitely one to keep on your radar thanks to some studious production from Madlib, boasting dusty drum loops and samples.
The Roots – End Game (TBA)
We’ve talked enough about The Roots’ upcoming album End Game, and it seems like it may never come, but rest assured, it is. The group has not released an album since 2014’s …And Then You Shoot Your Cousin, but that hasn’t stopped each member from working on music, with the most notable being Tariq Trotter, aka Black Thought, who has dominated our list of upcoming and lyrically loaded albums. Let’s all keep telling ourselves that it’s coming any day now.
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