Watch Rapsody give a performance of her Madlib-produced “Daddy’s Girl” and be schooled again on why she is so underrated. As usual the North Carolina emcee has some memorable lines and this time the standouts are about sexism, and the autonomy of her pen and Kanye West’s love of Hitler. It was last year when she released her fourth studio album, Please Don’t Cry. Madlib’s low-key jazzy production sounds like dinner music underneath Rapsody’s verbal barbs and it works. She’s currently touring with Joey Bada$$ on his Dark Aura Tour that also has Ab-Soul as a guest. 

Public Enemy’s surprise album, Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025, released over the summer, will be released on CD and vinyl next month. Their 16th album is the first in five years and was their way of thanking fans. “This album is a give-back to all of our fans with gratitude and appreciation,” says Chuck D, “we see and appreciate you.” “We’re bringing our beats to the world with this album,” adds Flavor Flav. It’s been three plus decades since the group released their groundbreaking political missives It Takes A Nation Of Millions to Hold Us Back and Fear Of A Black Planet. Both albums were a response to a late ’80s and early ’90s world but they are even more relevant in 2025. Black Sky has the same spirit of truth as Chuck D and Flavor Flav are still observing the world’s shortcomings. They also take the time to celebrate music  so the album is not all social critiques. 

The vinyl release of Black Sky Over The Projects: Apartment 2025 has three versions: “Earth” (Barnes & Noble/Natural Black Swirl Opaque Mix vinyl), “Wind” (MVDShop.com/Light Gray Marble Opaque Mix vinyl, Exclusive Artist-Signed Edition), and “Fire” (Zia Records/Blood Orange Opaque Mix vinyl). Pre-order the CDHERE (CD) and the vinylHERE. You can also pre-order the CD and vinyl via Amazon. Both versions will be available on October 10th. 

Thundercat releases first new music in two years with “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time” and “Children of the Baked Potato.” Greg Kurstin, a legend in his own right who is known for his work with Adele, among many others, worked on both songs. “I Wish I Didn’t Waste Your Time” is typical smooth Thundercat fusion sounds straight out George Duke’s playbook. “Children of the Baked Potato” features Remi Wolf gives Weather Report vibes with its turbo bass and frantic percussion. The song is a reference to The Baked Potato jazz club in California. Thundercat explains,“She’s [Remi] a child of the Baked Potato like me,” Thundercat says. “She knew exactly what the song needed. And it was wild to watch her make it happen. The more I listen to the song, it’s clear there was no one better I could have picked.”

Both songs are a strong return for Thundercat who released It Is What It Is more than five years ago. Thundercat will return to the road next month with a tour of North America and tickets are on sale now. 

Tour Dates 

October 15th — Atlanta, GA — Coca—Cola Roxy

October 17th — Miami, FL — III Points Festival

October 25th — Brooklyn, NY — Brooklyn Paramount

October 28th — Washington D.C. — The Anthem

October 29th — Philadelphia, PA — Franklin Music Hall

October 30th — Boston, MA — Roadrunner

November 1st — Toronto, ON — Massey Hall

November 7th — Chicago, IL — Byline Bank Aragon Ballroom

November 11th — Denver, CO — Fillmore Auditorium

November 16th — Los Angeles, CA — Camp Flog Gnaw

Australian 10-piece funk band Mondo Freaks rolls out the video for “Turn This Love Around” and “Bells Are Ringing.” The group is getting ready for their debut album release in October and both singles are on the track listing. The live performance video is the latest from their Live At The Quadraphonic Club series. “Turn This Love Around” and “Bells Are Ringing” flaunt their debt to Chic and Stevie Wonder. Mondo Freaks play with the manners of joyful disciples dedicated to the primordial grooves of both masters. Band co-founder Luke Hodgson explains the process: