Iron City’s Finest: 5 Birmingham Releases from 2021 to Consider

Words by Jakob Frazier​

2021 was an interesting year for hip-hop. Big name acts like J. Cole, Tyler, the Creator, Kanye West and Drake released massive projects (some of which went over well, others of which saw mixed results) while unexpected artists like Little Simz, Baby Keem, and Mach-Hommy popped up onto the scene in major ways. As is always the case, however, some of the best works go under-appreciated and/or unseen. Here, I’ve got five underground hip-hop albums from Birmingham that should be considered for your year-end lists.

DUCKHOPEWELL – InkLine [Released 04/02/21]

To make a captivating, unique album that tells a personal story and remains cohesive while also pushing sonic and structural boundaries is no simple feat, but it’s certainly not impossible. InkLine proves that as he creates an ethereal atmosphere in the parallel universe of DUCKHOPEWELL– he uses experimental, unnerving synth lines and chunky, bloated drums as the soundtrack to tell the innermost stories of his past as he stays at the “Hopewell Hotel.” InkLine’s own Twilight Zone-esque production is the perfect soundscape for his raps. His delivery is typically calm and composed, and his voice is low; he spits intricate lines in a very intentional and delicate fashion, with each phrase carrying a certain gravity. DUCKHOPEWELL manages to be equal parts personal and cryptic, and by the time the album ends, you’re curious just how much was fact and how much was fiction, and then you check right back in.

Recommended songs: Dark Side of Nature; I70W; Store Draw

Steele Rose – 7even Rich [Released 07/16/21]

One of the most important qualities a hip-hop artist can have is confidence. A false bravado is typically passable, but it’s often easily spotted; the artists who are able to tap into a genuine sense of security shine more brightly than their faux-assured peers. Enter 7even Rich, a rapper whose confidence is certainly well-deserved. 7even is able to grip tightly onto instrumentals with a venomous flow, spitting vitriolic lines about her detractors just as easily as she’s able to relax her voice and her flow in order to look inward and reflect on her surroundings. The production on Steele Rose is handled by Grammy-award-winning Snipe Young, and it spans a broad scope, ranging from rattling trap-influenced bangers to subdued, laid-back tunes and even dips into a top-40 pop soundscape with the common thread being their very polished sound. Many of the instrumentals evolve over the course of their duration, often resulting in a grandiose climax with 7even matching the energy. Even with a substantial list of impressive features from some of Birmingham’s best, 7even manages to remain in the center of the spotlight, with her voice commanding the listener’s attention, ensuring you hang onto every single word she spouts.

Recommended songs: This Introduction; Crown Off; I Live ft. Code Newton; Law Have Mercy

AkileeZ Heal – OZU8LACK & Akil Pratt [Released 08/31/21]

Both OZU8LACK and Akil Pratt had extensive runs in 2021- AkileeZ Heal was Akil’s third and OZU’s fourth album of the year, and both continued to drop (more on that later), but this body of work is markedly different from their other releases. Akil takes the backseat vocally, only popping up to deliver a verse once, instead contributing all of the instrumental components. OZU’s technical ability is as tight as it ever is, but he finds himself focusing on being transparent and vulnerable, recounting his turbulent childhood with a strange fondness through most of the album, interspersing spoken word from Hakeem Skipwith and conversations with his father to bridge songs together. The sonic landscape Akil provides is incredibly intimate- the beats tend to edge toward minimalism, tying in a nostalgic flare, setting up a perfect stage for OZU to be front and center as he bares his soul in his typical winding rhythms.

Recommended songs: Moon Wars; Pray 4 Rashaad; Pauper 2 Prince

Descabello – Toro Bravo [Released 09/11/21]

There are few things in hip-hop better than a good, solid duo. On Descabello, Mel. Crozby and Black Plastique introduce Toro Bravo, where Crozby largely distances himself from the self-reflection of his other works and leans into Plastique’s eclectic production. The two spend the EP experimenting with different sounds and flows while also inviting some of Birmingham’s favorite voices to contribute. From soaring strings and pristine piano to booming bass and dynamic drums, Plastique’s varied production serves as a compliment not only to his leisurely flow but also to Crozby’s more precise delivery. In only 15 minutes, Toro Bravo accomplishes exactly what they set out to do, and by the end, the listener is equal parts satisfied and hungering for more.

Recommended songs: Yassina Sand ft. Linnil; Murder in the Jewelry Store

Flags on Saturn – Akil Pratt, K1NG ELJAY, and OZU8LACK [Released 12/08/21]

Flags on Saturn isn’t the kind of album you get often, but when you match three distinct creatives each with a certain set of skills, the odds of getting a special end-result are pretty good. Akil Pratt, K1NG ELJAY, and OZU8LACK have all become known for releasing multiple projects over the course of a year- in fact, from 2020 to 2021, the three of them have collectively released 23 projects (if my math is correct). The effective brilliance of this trio is how well their styles complement each other: OZU bends and twists words to his will with a Southern charm in his voice; ELJAY’s delivery is razor-sharp, switching from quick wit to personal quips in an instant; Akil’s approach is a less-is-more take with a matter-of-factness to his raps. The sixteen songs on Saturn are all produced by Akil, swapping mainly between downtempo beats with atmospheric synth loops and mid-paced instrumentals laced with elegant piano samples, while still flexing his versatility muscles with other styles. The three cohorts cover a variety of topics across the duration of the album, sometimes emboldening themselves, other times opening up their wounds and being vulnerable. The unique chemistry the trio has permeates through the whole album, allowing Flags on Saturn to be a highlight of all three of their lengthy discographies.

Recommended songs: Back at It; About Her; Starry Eyed; T-Minus

Check out some dope tracks on the playlist below.

Jakob Frazier, aka Phrasure, a rapper who sometimes writes words that don’t rhyme. He’s committed to spreading word about some of the best MCs from Birmingham, Ala. He can be found on Facebook and Instagram.