A Brooklyn emcee who's been serving up top-shelf records since the mid-'00s, Skyzoo has consistently impressed heads throughout his career, thanks to countless mixtapes, collaboration joints, and solo projects. Following up his recent concept album Theo vs. JJ, he returns with A Dream Deferred, continuing his tradition of intelligent, highly lyrical hip-hop that focuses on life, love, and BK pride. Produced mostly by longtime co-conspirators 9th Wonder and !llmind, plus DJ Khalil, Black Milk, and Tall Black Guy, among others, he presents another rock-solid collection of 21st-century boom-bap. Guests include Talib Kweli on the bass- and horn-driven "Spike Lee Was My Hero," Freeway on "Pockets Full," and Raheem DeVaughn for the intergalactic synth ballad "Drew & Derwin," while other highlights include "Jansport Strings (One for Chi-Ali)" and the neckbreaking anthem "Range Rover Rhythm." It's nothing inherently groundbreaking, just high-quality rap music from one of Brooklyn's finest.
- Apollo Brown & Rapper Big Pooh
- Black Milk
- 9th Wonder & Buckshot