10 Most Underrated Hip Hop Albums Of The 2010s

It is honestly baffling and ridiculous that Marlowe didn't blow up in a massive way upon release - also, it only got a 6.7 on a particular website who historically don't know what the hell they're talking about.

Marlowe is the collaborative effort of L'Orange, one of the best producers going at the moment, and Solemn Brigham, one of the most underrated rappers in the game right now. The result is one of the best, most interesting collaborations since Freddie Gibbs and Madlib's Pinata.

First off, L'Orange is almost as much a film director as he is a producer on this project. Snippets of dialogue connect most of the seventeen tracks - suitably, most of them seem to be from Raymond Chandler adaptations - and there are zero synths present on Marlowe, just gorgeous, crackly vinyl snatches and syncopated J Dilla-esque drum beats.

Meanwhile, Brigham's rap game is astonishing, and frankly it's criminal that he's not equally as renowned as any larger name in hip hop. His flow is seemingly breathless and frenetic and his frequent tempo shifts at times feel completely unbelievable. Brigham's delivery is almost a distraction because, whilst you listen in wonder at just how the hell he's doing what he's doing, you'll miss the dense, abstract metaphors he utilises and the clever wordplay constantly on show.

Marlowe is incredible and really does feel like a movie soundtrack, like it has a purpose and maps out a journey. Take a walk and listen to this album on the way and you'll see just what I mean.