Human

Rapper Joell Ortiz and beatmaker !llmind have worked together before with excellent results. The producer assisted on his fine 2014 solo effort, House Slippers, and helmed two of its best cuts -- the title jam and "Dream On." Human marks the pair's first full-length collaboration. Interestingly, they announced the set by dropping "Hallelujah," an on-the-spot live studio improv that didn't make the final track list. First single "Lil' Piggies" is a thrown-down challenge to other emcees, while the initial video, "Latino, Pt. 2," features guest appearances by Bodega Bamz, Emilio Rojas, and Chris Rivers. Jared Evans offers a sung interlude on "Bad Santa," while Father Dude assists on "Who Would'a Knew." ~ Thom Jurek