What’s burning? #5

Sick of Christmas music, of course you are. That’s why you wanna see what’s burning, and boy has Santa brought some fire down the chimney this year. 2025 is upon us, hopefully it’s a scorcher, we deserve it. 

The two heavyweights are kicking off an American-influenced burning bout. It’s Roc and Al and they’re back with ‘The Skeleton Key’ to unlock senses you didn’t know existed. Their 2022 link up arguably took album of the year, so it’s no surprise they’ve given fans a re-run of that modern classic. I have to pick one track and ‘Acid’ is my go to, but there’s something in here for everyone. 

Sonnyjim always seems to find and preserve the finest beats imaginable, ‘The Source’ is no different; It’s real classy shit and Sonny has let you come sit at the table with him as he affirms his long-held position at the head. The iconic one-line flow can be divisive, but the project is classic Sonnyjim, candidly savage and smooth in equal parts. 

Another US entry, this time we’ve got Flee Lord linking up with producer Richard Milli on a proper heavy independent project that wraps up in under half an hour. As per usual any track could get the tout, but the message of the albums’ last hoorah ‘9 to 5 (ft Sirrealist)’ and general positive, sunny feel to it makes it the perfect burner to defrost your hangover or bad head-space. 

An actual stand alone track not part of an album, crazy, a single! Ruben Aziz blew up quickly on social media and has since been supported by some top names in the industry. Now exploring different sounds, Aziz has put together a more rap-styled tune but still links it back to his vocalising and R&B base that fans will be more familiar with. 

Rounding off with ‘Two Kings’ because apparently I just love a title-track, but again all of the tunes here are adequately hot. Wordsworth has been about for a while and dabbled in more than just rap, and his link up with Stu Bangas here is some real shit, start with this track and head-bounce your way through the other 11.