Family Tapes – Hip Hop Sovereignty, Vol. 3 (2025)
Across Hip Hop Sovereignty, Vol. 3, Family Tapes asserts itself as the architects of a hip-hop renaissance, one rooted in intentionality, intellect, and emotional honesty. The third entry in this independently powered series continues to resist the commercialised trappings of modern rap with an almost scholarly elegance. It’s a sweeping, hour-long manifesto anchored by soulful jazz production, boom-bap grit, and lyrical sharpness that rarely compromises for trend.
From the jump, Vol. 3 lets you know what it stands for. Opening track ‘Br@ve New W0rld’ is a soulful boom-bap banger that feels like it could’ve dropped in 2004 and still hit hard today. Dusty samples swirl beneath a triumphant vocal hook, as Derek Cedar recounts being chased by police after defending LGBTQ rights during a show in Dubai, setting the tone for an album that’s socially aware without ever feeling self-righteous. There’s a weight to this music, but it’s delivered with the ease and rhythm of artists who’ve done the work, lived the moments, and are now ready to reflect.
Much of the album centres around themes not often explored in hip-hop with this much care: sobriety, masculinity, community, and intellectual growth. On ‘Higher’, stephenxjones raps about letting go of vices “like a UFC champ”, cleverly flipping a metaphor for power into one of healing and restraint. It’s one of many examples of how this album resists glorifying chaos and instead offers something rarer: clarity. ‘Just Think (Outwardly)’ calls on listeners to engage with big ideas, name-dropping philosophical texts and global histories while keeping the groove firmly rooted in Tribe Called Quest-style jazz funk.
The production, helmed largely by Sun Cut Flat under his Nico Beats alias, is a character in its own right. The beats are earthy and expressive, crafted from Fender Jazz Bass riffs, chopped vocal samples, warm synths, and raw drums that snap like vintage vinyl. There are echoes of J Dilla and Madlib here, but also classical influence, particularly on ‘Glaciers’, where Bach-inspired melodies glide beneath hard-hitting percussion. This balance of high-brow and low-end is what makes the record so special: it’s deeply intellectual without losing its pulse.
The artists never shy away from complexity within the lyrics. ‘Dearly Beloved’ is a standout, a tribute to the women who shaped the artists’ lives. It’s emotional without being overly sentimental, and the jazz-driven production gives it the weight of memory. Another highlight, ‘Azzi Fudd’, named after the UConn basketball phenom, bridges the world of sports, activism, and artistry with elegance. It celebrates the pursuit of greatness and the perseverance required to stay above water in a world that often tries to pull you under.
Even in its most poetic moments, Vol. 3 never loses its sense of fun. The chemistry between stephenxjones and Derek Cedar is undeniable, especially on tracks like ‘MaCauly Culkin’ and “Backpack Respirator,” where they trade verses with the ease of long-time friends and the sharpness of seasoned emcees. Mistah Levy brings an energetic charge to his features, adding dynamic presence that punctuates the album’s heavier themes.
What’s most remarkable about Hip Hop Sovereignty, Vol. 3 is how naturally it fuses message with music. There’s no moral grandstanding, no didactic detours, just sharp, thoughtful writing delivered with the type of joy and intention that makes you want to listen again and again. It’s the kind of album that invites conversation, self-reflection, and, maybe most importantly, action.
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