The Return of the Clipse, the Rise of Iceman, and Hip-Hop’s Mid-Year Pulse

Apple Music’s Rap Life Review recently welcomed Ivie Ani and Rob Markman to join Nadeska, Lowkey, and Eddie for an episode packed with thoughtful takes, laughs, and a whole lot of hip-hop reverence. The conversation ranged from the return of the Clipse to Drake’s calculated Iceman rollout, with sidesteps into Chance the Rapper’s comeback and streaming stats that tell their own story. Here's a breakdown of the standout discussions, with quotes and context that capture the energy of the episode.

The Clipse Are Back: Legacy, Growth, and Lyricism

The biggest spotlight was on the Clipse’s long-anticipated return, now teaming again with Pharrell and Kendrick Lamar on their new record, Chains and Whips. It marked the duo’s first full-length release in over 15 years, and the panel didn’t hold back their enthusiasm.

"It was beautiful from that tease at Pharrell's show. It was well worth the wait," said Rob Markman. Guests and hosts praised the chemistry between Pusha T, Malice, and Kendrick Lamar, calling the collaboration spiritually and musically aligned. Rob emphasized the intentionality behind the music: "It doesn't sound removed. It sounds like they were in the room going back and forth, pen game strong, battling."

Kendrick’s presence was viewed as poetic and powerful. "Kendrick is the epitome of both. He’s self-aware, but also cerebral and cutthroat," said Ivie Ani. Pharrell's production brought everything full circle, tapping into a sonic legacy that felt both nostalgic and current.

Pharrell's involvement helped the Clipse lean into synergy instead of star-studded randomness. “It was just great chemistry with everybody involved,” Rob said. Family, grief, and legacy were recurring lyrical themes, signaling growth in the duo’s message. “There’s so much about family on this album,” Eddie added. “They lost their parents and open the record with that.”

Pharrell Reclaims His Throne in Hip-Hop Production

Pharrell’s work on the album sparked a debate about his place among hip-hop’s greatest producers. While some placed him on the GOAT tier, others were more measured.

“He’s on that tier. I don’t think he’s number one, but this project moved him up a couple notches,” said Eddie. The lush production and sonic details showed that Pharrell hadn’t lost a step—in fact, many believed he’d gained one.

"He's gained a step instead of losing one," Lowkey said. Still, not everyone was ready to crown him the best. “I just don't know how much further Pharrell can actually go up,” he added. “But this is definitely a leap.”

Aging in Hip-Hop: A New Chapter

The show also dug into how aging is viewed in hip-hop. With Pusha T (49), Malice (52), and Kendrick Lamar (37) all still delivering with precision, the conversation challenged long-standing ageist ideas in the genre.

"This is not 'Unk rap.' This is just good rap music," Rob said. Panelists pointed out how lyricists from a craft-first era often improve over time. Nas, Jay-Z, LL Cool J, Killer Mike, and Common were all cited as aging gracefully without losing cultural weight.

Eddie emphasized the shift. “We’re finally at a place where hip-hop doesn’t get aged out,” he said. “We didn’t do that to the Rolling Stones. Why do it here?” The Clipse album was seen as part of a new canon of mature hip-hop—proof that the genre has room for its elders.

Drake's Iceman Rollout: Artful Strategy or Manufactured Virality?

Drake’s Iceman livestream doubled as a rollout and performance art, with him working at an ice warehouse and previewing new tracks while cruising Toronto. It sparked mixed reactions on the panel.v“Drake’s greatest feat is his curatorial skills rather than his creator skills,” Ivie said. She respected the strategy but questioned its authenticity. “It feels like manufactured virality.”

Rob liked the innovation. “He’s leaning into the current era,” he said. “Using livestreams for world-building makes sense.”

But the video for “What Did I Miss”—featuring guns and dark imagery—made some uncomfortable, especially amid his lawsuit tied to violent lyrics. “It took away from the song,” Rob noted. “It was distracting, considering the legal situation.”

Accountability and the Fallout of a Rap Feud

The panel questioned whether Drake would take any accountability for his part in the fallout from recent beefs—especially his clash with Kendrick Lamar. The lyrics continue to suggest victimhood, and that raised concerns. "At some point, is he going to maybe say, 'Yeah, I did something wrong'?" Nadeska asked. Ivie agreed: “Give us a crumb of accountability.”

Lowkey countered that Drake is still entitled to tell his side. “We can’t say 'be competitive' and then tell him to shut up when he loses.” Rob compared the situation to Jay-Z’s response to “Ether.” “Jay took time off, came back more mature. I want to see Drake do some of that.”

New Music Highlights: JID, Chance the Rapper, A$AP Rocky

JID’s God Loves Ugly Prelude showcased his lyrical depth and a strong feature from Lil Yachty. “JID smoked the record, but Yachty did his thing,” Eddie said. Chance the Rapper’s new track “Tree” didn’t generate much excitement. “Not it,” Ivie said, while the rest of the panel hoped his upcoming album would hit harder.

A$AP Rocky’s “Pray for the Gang” was an Apple Music exclusive. The panel enjoyed the track but still wondered when his long-delayed album would arrive. “He probably looked really cool recording it,” Rob joked.

Apple Music's Most Streamed: Drake Still Dominates

Drake was well represented in Apple Music’s top 25 most streamed songs. “God’s Plan” landed at No. 3, while “One Dance,” “Nice for What,” and “In My Feelings” also made the cut.

“Drake held us down for 10 summers,” Eddie said. Other top tracks came from Post Malone, Kendrick Lamar (“HUMBLE.”), Roddy Ricch (“The Box”), and Lil Baby (“Freestyle”). The list was a reminder that despite any current backlash, Drake’s catalog remains massively influential—and still streaming strong.

Soundtrack Shoutouts: Nostalgia Runs Deep

A rapid-fire exchange on great hip-hop soundtracks lit up the end of the episode. Rob crowned Purple Rain the greatest of all time. Other fan and panel favorites included Set It Off, Waiting to Exhale, Soul Food, Boomerang, and Love and Basketball.

Debate sparked over whether Jay-Z’s American Gangster counted as a true soundtrack. “It’s inspired by, not from, the movie,” Rob explained, calling it a concept album. Either way, the segment showed how tightly film and music culture remain intertwined in hip-hop memory.