KTC Music Report: Jackie Hill Perry, Joy Crookes & Sho Baraka make triumphant returns

September is a big month for music releases, especially in the land of Kick The Concrete.

This week, specifically, there are some incredible projects from artists we know personally and others who we appreciate from afar.

A few things that always catch our attention is a sense of spirituality, an exploration of purpose or an authentic journey to find love. And we always appreciate a good sense of duality. We found all of that this week in music from Los Angeles, Chicago, Atlanta and England.

Three artists — Joy Crookes, Sho Baraka and Jackie Hill Perry — released albums for the first time in several years. Each artist had something to say and we were all ears.

Here is the Kick The Concrete Music Report:

Jackie Hill Perry — "Blameless" Album

Jackie Hill Perry is a revered thought leader because of her wisdom while keeping it real. Despite rapping, and wowing listeners with her intricate wordplay, for more than a decade, she released only her third album, "Blameless."

The Reach Records project jumps right into some fierce raps on "The Home" over minimalist production and a static call to repentance. The singles from"Blameless" preview the range of the album. "Shimmy" with Aha Gazelle is radio ready and infectious while "Anti-Social" with Ahjah Walls is more soulful.

Perry also enlisted Project Pat for "Northside" and it's pretty great. The Three 6 Mafia affiliate has been embracing a more spiritual side lately, appearing on tracks with Dee-1 and nobigdyl. Back on the album, the transition into "The Chant" is immaculate. Here, Perry directly addresses criticism that "Christian rap is boring" before diving into the cerebral "Exegesis," which is a whirlwind of a minute packed with punches about both the Bible and pop culture.

"Blameless" is bold about the freedom Perry feels in her faith and the confidence she feels in her art. And she has a right to because this album is elite.

Derek Minor x Canon — "Vigilante" Album

Derek Minor and Canon have been teasing their "Vigilante" album for about a year. The idea started as a movement for those who didn't exactly fit the "Christian" box, but wanted to make an impact on culture. It's an exciting concept. And the album delivered.

Both Minor and Canon flex their skills lyrically. On "Hero," Canon spits "If anybody want beef, then fork it, I'll get my steak on." And Minor goes off with "I'm Black 'cause I play for the Saints" weaving his identity as a Black man and Christian with the team colors of the New Orleans Saints on "For My Good." And, if you didn't know, Minor is a very gifted producer. Award-winning beatsmith Dirty Rice's fingerprints are also all over the album.

Read Derek Minor's "It Is What It Is"

The 10 tracks are well-balanced between aggressive and reflective. There's a big leap from the rock-infused "Theme Music" that borders on screamo into the smooth "Save The Hero." Quinten Coblentz and Minor and Canon's fellow RMG signee Byron Juane bring beautiful melodic moments on that song and "Believe," respectively. Thematically, it all makes sense to share the story of the pressures a "hero" experiences along with a deep sense of purpose given from a higher power.

Derek Minor and Canon have been making their mark in hip-hop for quite some time now and "Vigilantes" is their declaration of their role in the industry and a call to action for others to do the same wherever they're at in life.

Party In My Living Room — "Relatives and Cousins, Vol. 1" Album

Remember when Dreamville got a group of artists together to do a rap camp and the result was "Revenge of the Dreamers III?" If you enjoyed that, you'll love Party In My Living Room's "Relatives and Cousins, Vol.1"

Los Angeles rap veteran Thurz made a similar move and brought together some of the best artists in the local scene for a powerful double disc project that represents duality at its finest.

The first half is all about fun with bouncy production and flirty, braggadocious bars. "Freeze" is a standout with a snappy beat by Ro Blvd that includes a sprinkle of soulful horns and serves as the soundscape for fierce verses from Airplane James, SPEAKINGOFKAKES, Roc Solid, GoodJoon and Chuck Inglish. Fun Fact: The Cool Kids are releasing an album on October 10! Cocoa Sarai goes off on "Real Bish Bday" and "Game Time" is a smooth funky closer where Thurz delivers the line, "Playin for protection, but I'm moving like it's Texas/Open carry, God-given talent the weapon, though."

Read Thurz's "Long Live"

The second half is more reflective about purpose, relationships and faith. "When I'm With You" featuring Hugh Augustine, Tiffany Gouché and Airplane James is especially vibey. The piano-tinged "Tried So Hard" into "Outside Pt. 2" is a smart move. "Wouldn't Believe" is a statement about resting in God's will and "Star in the Sky" is a groovy conclusion featuring BLESS E$CRO and one of LA's most revered storytellers Ill Camille.

SPEAKINGOFKAKES is a lesser-known artist that stands out on the project. Her raps are strong and her voice is recognizable. And Hugh Augustine deserves a special shoutout. He appears on 10 tracks across both sides. You might know him from Isaiah Rashad's "Tity and Dolla" but be assured he's a strong artist all his own.

And can we have a moment for that brilliant cover art?! The red nails say, "Relly" and the blue ones say, "Cuzzo." Unity!

Joy Crookes — "Juniper" Album

The anticipation for Joy Crookes' follow-up to her landmark 2021 debut album, "Skin" is over because we now finally have "Juniper." We first heard about the British singer back in January through her first single for the project, "Pass The Salt" with the one and only Vince Staples. The track is gritty and witty and we immediately had our radar on what else Crookes was going to release.

"Juniper" opens with the sultry "Brave," a track that features a smooth bassline and gentle piano as Crookes declares that her heart is tired, but she wants to be brave in her journey to find love. Along with "Pass The Salt," Crookes previously released "Carmen," "Perfect Crime," "I Know You'd Kill" and "Somebody To You," which all showcase her ability as a storyteller and her ear for solid production. On "House With a Pool" and "Mother," Crookes offers airy vocals as she processes loneliness.

One track that still stands out is "Mathematics" with grime veteran Kano. Crookes croons about feeling misunderstood and Kano raps smooth lines like "roses are red like my text was left on" as both mourn a love lost.

Crookes poured out her heart on this one and it's beautiful.

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Sho Baraka — "Midnight of a Good Culture" Album

Rap veteran Sho Baraka released his first album in nine years in the form of "Midnight of a Good Culture" and he is as strong as ever. The album is cleverly themed around a single day with each track featuring a time of day.

The Atlanta artist is known for his lyricism and reflections on faith, fatherhood, race and art and he continues that here. "Monster & Mascot @ 5:14 am" has wordplay on "stalling" and "Stalin." The reflection on political structures and racial identity feels especially timely as the United States is experiencing tense division over ideology. The boom-bap "Might Not Go @ 7:21 am" is especially thought-provoking as it serves as a warning that those who talk about heaven "might not go."

The single "Still Got Faith @ 11:01 am" is anthemic and features the incredible L3XDIVINE. She also returns for "Phillis Wheatley @ 3:16 pm," a soulful tribute to the poet and the joy of being in love amid oppression. It's also great to hear fellow CHH veteran Propaganda trade bars with Baraka on "Langston & Baldwin" with clips from both thought leaders especially since last year commemorated James Baldwin's 100th birthday.

This album is for true hip-hop heads. "kNew Nostalgia @1:03 pm" is a wonderful concoction of tributes to ODB, MF Doom and even A$AP Rocky. And it's for grown adults too. "Midnight Music @ 8:14 pm" is an intimate ballad meant for a true love while "Good Night @ 11:22 pm" shares the reality of having a wife who is an early riser, a daughter who is a night owl and a son who is autistic.

Even though there was such a large gap between albums, it's clear that Baraka was continuing to reflect on life and it's a blessing to hear his thoughts.

Joel Q — "Take This With You" Album

We found out about Joel Q on X because he posted about his new album, "Take This With You" for his birthday. The Chicago born and bred artist blends boom-bap and storytelling about purpose with some really cool tributes to his influences.

"Take This With You" opens with the snappy "Honor The OGs" where Joel Q raps about his life growing up with two hardworking parents trying to provide for their three children. "Domino Effect" uses the same hook as J. Cole's "Grown Simba" asking "Where you goin?" Q has a similar knack for lyricism and reflective beats as the North Carolina MC. Then, "Give It Away" interpolates the Red Hot Chili Peppers with a chant to let go of "all the fears, all the flaws, all the pain"over a knocking beat. There's some solid songs for the ladies, including "Good Girls Finish" and another standout is the melodic "Land Safe," which is hopeful and lighthearted. It's clear that Q's music is for more than just himself.

Q said in his post that he "dropped one of the best rap albums coming out of Chicago" and it's hard to argue against his claim.