Aesop Rock announces new album ft. Armand Hammer, Lupe Fiasco, Open Mike Eagle & more

Underground rap lifer Aesop Rock has announced a new album, Black Hole Superette, due May 30 via Rhymesayers (vinyl pre-order). It was entirely self-produced and it’s got a handful of exciting guest appearances, including Armand Hammer, Lupe Fiasco, Open Mike Eagle, Homeboy Sandman, and Hanni El Khatib. The first single is “Checkers,” a head-trip rap song that Aes says is “about the neighborhood outside your home being the great leveler. You can’t show up feeling one way because the world will show you otherwise.” It features additional vocals by Homeboy Sandman and Slug, and it comes with a trippy video by Justin CORO Kaufman. Check it out below.

The album synopsis reads:

It’s late. You walk to the convenience store. You’re puttering up and down every aisle, perusing neon sugar waters and processed snacks. There’s a guy behind the counter asleep on a stool. Music plays on a small speaker and a shop cat darts by. Time slows.

The products are fascinating – each aisle longer than the last. There is a magazine section. The lighting is perfect. You can feel your hair growing and your clothes have never fit better. A calmness eases over you. Your feet float inches off the floor.

Leaving not being an option has never felt better. The air tastes sweet and this guy’s mixtape is amazing. Every scratch-off is a winner, every bagel freshly boiled, every candy bar glowing. And these prices… the savings feel almost inescapable. Welcome to Black Hole Superette. Stay awhile.

Speaking of Open Mike Eagle, he plays Hannibal Buress’ new Brooklyn club Isola next week (4/11) with Eshu Tune.

Tracklist
1. Secret Knock
2. Checkers
3. Movie Night
4. EWR – Terminal A, Gate 20
5. 1010Wins (feat. Armand Hammer)
6. So Be It (feat. Open Mike Eagle)
7. Send Help
8. John Something
9 Ice Sold Here
10. Costco
11. Bird School
12. Snail Zero
13. Charlie Horse (feat. Lupe Fiasco & Homeboy Sandman)
14. Steel Wool
15. Black Plums
16. The Red Phone
17. Himalayan Tak Chew
18. Unbelievable Shenanigans (feat. Hanni El Khatib)