Five Years In, Rap Life Review Delivers a 2025 Recap Live

Apple Music's Rap Life Review marked its five-year anniversary with a live taping at Apple Studios in Los Angeles, pulling together rap journalists, artists, and staff to reflect on the current state of hip-hop. The show delivered a detailed review of 2025's biggest moments in rap, highlighting album releases, artist growth, and cultural shifts across the genre.

Revisiting Bold Takes and Regional Shifts

The episode opened with the crew's signature "Stand On It or Walk It Back" segment, where co-hosts revisited some of their most debated takes. Eddie, one of the show’s consistent voices, walked back a 2024 statement that once placed Drake as the second-greatest rapper of all time. "If we're being real," he said, "after what we saw in 2024, I can't put him there."

But the segment's most debated topic came when Low Key reaffirmed a take from August 2024: "There is no King of New York." The statement sparked reactions from the audience, prompting a broader discussion on New York’s current standing in hip-hop. "We don't have a face," Low Key said. "We don't have a sound. We don't have anything."

The panelists expanded on how the East Coast—despite its historic influence on hip-hop—has struggled to present a singular voice or unifying figure in recent years. Even with Joey Bada$$ turning in a strong 2025, the show emphasized that no artist has dominated the way Kendrick Lamar has on the West Coast. "Kendrick captured the city, the culture, and did damage," said Ebro. "There's nobody in New York right now who has that kind of grip."

The Year's Top Albums: Stats vs. Sentiment

Music journalist Ivie Ani joined the set for a breakdown of 2025's most streamed rap albums on Apple Music. The list included Playboi Carti, Lil Baby, Gunna, Lil Durk, and Cardi B. While these artists earned massive numbers, their placement sparked audible reactions from the crowd.

Eddie addressed the pushback. "Y'all groaning, but y'all the ones who didn’t stream the others.

This is what the numbers say," he said, pointing out the streaming era's reality. The show used the moment to break down the generational divide that shapes current consumption patterns. "Older fans don't sit around running albums all day on loop," Ebro noted. "But teenagers and young adults do. So they control what rises on platforms like this."

`The conversation emphasized the gap between critical acclaim and algorithm-driven popularity. While albums like Cardi B's and Playboi Carti's topped the streaming charts, many in the room felt artists like Clipse, Chance the Rapper, and Jeezy released more impactful work.

Wale Gets Vulnerable and Focused

Later in the episode, Wale joined the panel to reflect on his latest project, Everything Is A Lot, which marked his official return after several years away from solo releases. The rapper was candid about the emotional weight behind the album and its reception.

"After the press run in New York, I felt like a brand-new artist," Wale said. "But with the wisdom of someone who's been around. It's a weird feeling." He explained that the album came from a deeply personal place, with many of the records shaped by isolation and self-reflection. "I just wrote from the heart. I wasn't aiming for a theme. It was like sorting through a diary."

While grateful for the support, Wale expressed that the commercial performance didn’t yet reflect the level of artistry he poured into the project. "I feel like I'm not even near the ceiling of where this album should be," he said. "People hit me like, 'Congrats,' but I can’t celebrate yet. It hasn’t materialized." He also shared details about the upcoming Everything Is A Lot Tour. Unlike most tours, where only a few new tracks are added to a hit-heavy setlist, Wale said this one would be centered entirely on the album. "It means that much to me. We're performing the whole thing."

He went on to describe the creative energy behind one standout track produced with Leon Thomas and built around a Goapele sample. "We cut it in one of Dr. Dre's studios," he recalled. "Everyone in the room was saying, 'This joint is tight.' But Leon hit me the next day and said, 'Let me take another pass.' That final tweak made all the difference."

Spotlight on Breakout Artists and What’s Next

The Rap Life team also used the platform to spotlight talent they believe shaped the current year and those likely to do the same in 2026. Eddie named BigXthaPlug as his breakout artist of the year, pointing to the Dallas rapper's impact in the independent lane. "BigX isn’t just rising—he's defining his own space."

Low Key highlighted Samara Cyn as one to watch, citing her style and sound as a needed shift in what hip-hop has been offering. Audience members added to the conversation, suggesting names ranging from Billy Woods to Glorilla to Show Dem Camp. "People just want music with depth," said Ivie. "Stuff they can return to. Albums with intention, not just streams."

The conversation moved into what fans hoped to hear in 2026. The room buzzed with expectations for new projects from Tyler, The Creator and J. Cole, as well as the next move from Drake following a turbulent year. "This might be Drake's most important album yet," said Low Key. "After the battle losses and everything that's happened, the next project needs to say something."