Hipocrital Hop Is the Wake-Up Call Hip-Hop Didn’t Know It Needed

There’s something special about hearing an artist who knows exactly who they are — and who isn’t afraid to challenge the game while still competing in it. Dee-1’s latest project, Hipocrital Hop, is exactly that. It’s a 24-minute mission statement that doesn’t just push back against the status quo in hip-hop — it goes toe to toe with it, musically and lyrically.

Bars With Purpose, Not Preaching

One thing I respect about Dee-1 is how effortlessly he blends intention with art. He’s not just rapping "conscious" for the sake of sounding smart. The lyrics are deep, yeah, but it never feels like he’s trying too hard to get the message across. It still sounds like music. Real music.

In a space where it's easy to make a mindless record or go the other direction and make something preachy and boring, Dee-1 strikes that rare balance. He’s thoughtful, but not stiff. Intentional, but still fun. That’s a skill.

And his acronym game? Crazy. DG stands for "Disappointed Grownups." GANGSTA becomes "Growing and Nurturing Gifts Serving the Almighty." Who even thinks like that?

No Shortage of Flows, No Lack of Style

He opens the project with a classic New Orleans bounce-style flow, and throughout the project flexes with modern cadences and original rhythms that don’t sound like anybody else. He moves easily between aggressive delivery and more melodic tracks — and what’s wild is, none of it feels forced.

Dee-1 also keeps it honest. He makes it clear he’s not perfect. He deals with personal battles every day like the rest of us — he just works hard not to give in to the negativity. It’s not performative. It’s a real-life balance he’s navigating in real time.

Some of Our Favorite Tracks

There’s a few records I keep going back to. "My Enemies," featuring B.G., is one of them. First of all, B.G. showed up. That verse is fire. Straight pressure. The record itself is hard — it’s aggressive, but still says something. It's the kind of track that makes you nod your head and pause to catch the message.

Then there’s "You a Star Remix," with LaRussell — that’s a Southern club banger, no doubt about it. It’s upbeat, catchy, and still has substance. That record could move the floor at a party and still fit into Dee-1’s larger message.

And "Hipocrital Hop," man... that one just hits me. I’m a sucker for soul samples, and this one flips it in a way that feels classic. It’s one of the more traditional hip-hop joints on the project, and Dee-1 rides the beat with sharp precision and full intention.

I also really love "Call It Like It Is." It’s the perfect example of what Dee-1 does so well — rapping his truth without sugarcoating or chasing trends. I think that’s the record where he drops the bar, "Which label is going to get their rappers some therapy?" but we honestly couldn’t confirm which track it was on while writing this. Either way, it hit hard.

This Ain’t Just Music. It’s a Movement.

The most powerful part of Hipocrital Hop is that it doesn’t shy away from calling out what’s wrong. That therapy line alone is a whole sermon. And when he previews that Kendrick Lamar moment — where Kendrick says he wishes he was more like Dee-1 — it really shows that what he’s doing is not just real, but respected.

To be clear, I don’t think Dee-1 is anti-gangsta rap. He’s not mad at people for telling their story. But he’s challenging the way we glorify the destruction without offering growth. And that’s a distinction more people need to understand.

Like Charlamagne tha God told him — Dee-1 is needed. He’s out here calling rappers out while still rapping his ass off. You’ve got to respect that. If you don’t like this project? Honestly, you’re just hating.

Final Thoughts

This project is thought-provoking, but it’s not homework. It knocks, it moves, and it speaks to something bigger. The songwriting? Fire. The message? Clear. The execution? Unapologetic.

Dee-1 said it himself — it's officially war against Hipocrital Hop.