For the past few years I have been struggling to get into the mainstream Hiphop. Even before 2020 most of the Hiphop out there was weak in my eyes. Not saying that there wasn't any great underground music going on. But the scene had all the same faces, which was, 90s rappers pushing new music out. It was Jay-Z, Nas, Wu, Mobb Deep, Lox, DMX only a few 2010s rappers also came out with new albums like Vinnie Paz, RA the Rugged Man, Kanye, Roc Marciano, Talib Kweli, Remy Ma, Game etc.
Nowadays I keep seen and watching hiphop podcasts that keep themselves in their era for the most part. Most of the Drink Champs, Joe and Jada and others, bring old faces to the table. People like Raekwon, Pusha-T, Master P, etc. Maybe is also me that see those names and click on it. However I have never been close to see an interview with Lil Uzi, or Da Baby, or any of the other more modern rappers.
So now I want to a drive-by the brand new hiphop hood and talk about what I see. I googled a VICE article on the top 10 of 2026 and see if I like what I see. My standards are low as the past time I have tried this I really couldn't get into it. So first I want to list their top 10 so far of 2026. Before that I want to say that I have my top 10 of 2026 and those ain't the list. But I have heard great albums like AZ Do or Die III as album of the year for me. But let see what the mainstream is pushing:
“BOY IN RED” by Isaiah Rashad and SZA
“Miss Mango” by Laila!
“CHANGEZ” by zayALLCAPS and JAIYN
“other side.” by Brent Faiyaz
“Thug” by G Herbo
“Fête Feeling” by Pz’
“FENDER” by cam okoro
“idea 1” by Kelela
“The Feeling” by Steve Lacy
“Everythang Pinka” by Monaleo and Teezo Touchdown
Wow, I literary don't recognize anything from this list except for 1 person, that is SZA. I gave that list to AI and asked if any of these artists have been in 2025/6 invited to the two podcasts I mentioned before. None of them were. So that should tell you something about the disconnect in Hiphop. But anyway, let's get to it.
This start with a more RnB-ish sound as there is not much rhyming going on. The song is about a boy trying to get with a girl, SZA. Were she respond that too many boys, horny and all, and she don't want any of that drama. The chorus is a bit odd, as the guy say if things work I can be your boyfriend but if they don't I can be your girlfriend. So not sure what to think about that. Isaiah Rashad which is the guy singing-rhymin? is being described as the modern Donny Hathaway, Marvin Gaye and has a smoky, southern drawl making this record addictive. Unfortunately I missed to feel that addiction.
Laila! brings another non hiphop, but R&B with some instrumentation similar to some India Arie or Jill Scott, a moth singer with chill vibes. The song however talks more about a friend who success in her mission to break apart the couple. Telling her she is in a toxic relationship and that she should only love herself and her attitude. Vice says, Laila Acts as a wise sage who promotes self-love rather than relying on others to fill the void. The song is a bit popish and jazzy. The song is fine, but is not really something I would listen too much.
It starts with some chopped and screwed-esque sample beat mixed with some piano solo. Honestly I don't get the mix, until the drop starts, then it feels like a mellow R&B song. Some hats, and some harp make it sound smooth. zayALLCAPS does have more rhythm that the Isaiah Rashad, but at the same time, I still feel is just mumbling stuff. Not really trying to sing. Vice says, what really shines is the musicanship from zayALLCAPS, who welds 80s R&B synth with Zapp & Roger talkbox singing and moody electronics from the late 2000s. The song is ok, for an R&B track, but I won't be taking that for a ride or at the gym, where I need more upbeat stuff. Nor would be a dating song as the mood is not really that intimate.
Brent Faiyaz is next with a more upbeat song, this have a good beat, and the singing is quite good. Remind me to a Usher-Chris Brown upbeat song. Is a bit retro and as Vice says, the real gift is his knack for harmonies, where his raw falsetto gets bolstered by echoey reverb and stacked vocals. I have to say I agree, and that this is a ride track. I enjoy the voice, tone and vibe. But not really think this is hiphop either.
G Herbo, with the Thuggish Ruggish beat from Bone Thugs n Harmony mixed with some trap beat. The dude do a lot of name droppin' This dude, DO RHYME. The verse is actually have a good flow. Even if I am not a fan of trap beats, the guy drops good darts. Nothing legendary, nothing that NAS would even consider. But is a good one. Vice says that G Herbo would eventually run out of interseting ways to describe his rough upbringing. But it's so much more than just pain raps. Although I wasn't blown out, I have to say I like the guy and this song.
Another upbeat track, the rhythm is tribal and is quite interesting. It does have a trap vibe. The guy is sing-rhyming, remind me to Kanye west on that Alicia Keys - City of Gods remix with Kanye West. Pz lyrics are also a bit slured as sometimes it get blends with the beat. But they seem ok, it goes with the rhythm and just talk about love and have fun. Nothing too deep message or anything. I really don't have much to say.
Wow, I have no words to say about this guy's voice. He definitely caught me off guard, I was expecting some deeper voice, but the guy sounds, well different. The track also is upbeat and sound like a summer classic, not just because of the video but also having some summer vibes on the song. Classic song about boy trying to get with a girl. Who better than me to be your friend? The chorus is also quite catchy, with some echo effects seems that it will be stuck on your head. Vice says, Okoro threads a fine line of charm with earnest devotion and timeliness with brash confidence.
So this is mostly another R&B song, Kelela have a soulful voice, and sings with a smooth and minimalist melody, until the drop of hearing an electric guitar. This sounds like the soundtrack of a movie, those type of ethereal sounds and smooth voice intertwining. Vice says, Through her delivery, she closely mirrors Janet Jackson, another trailblazer who was unafraid to tinker with different styles.
This track also feels like another soundtrack for the summer. Steve Lacy has yet another R&B singer talking about why he can't be without his loved one. Vice says It's better to know where you stand rather than lie in the gray area, unsure of where you stand when you love them unabashedly. I just feel that is yet another R&B song, no hiphop on this one either. I would say it now, that this list is far from Hiphop and should be the top 10 R&B tracks of the year.
We are at the end of this list. And this is a 100% R&B, very catchy and traditional 2000s R&B with some Hiphop. I really like this track, Monaleo, the rapper, sounds a bit like Trick Daddy. I asked the AI if there was some relationship and apparently there isn't. I guess I confused her Houston twang with one from South Florida. She basically talks about she is going to do whatever she want and if everything needs to be pink, she is going for that. I like the song, and this IS hiphop. I gotta say I would like to listen to more of this.
Well as you might already know, I think this was more R&B than Hiphop. But I also have to say that I liked to be introduced to new artists even when I don't vibe with them at the beginning I could later on. I see some promise in those tracks from Okoro, Monaleo, and Kelela. G Herbo will be the most traditional rapper of the list, and I could listen to more of his stuff, if I can somehow ignore the trap drum line pattern.
Did you checked out that list? Which one you liked the most? Is it too young for you? Tell me what you think in the comments.
