With so many people picking up the mic these days, its almost impossible to find a breath of fresh air. J Cole is one of just few MCs who may be able to pull away from the pack. On Lights Please, the Roc Nation signee manages to cram an epistle worth of social commentary into 4-minute gem without wandering off into preachy territory.

“Exhibit C” embodies everything people admire about Jay Electronica — a combo of compelling confessionals and convincing boasts, delivered in a charismatic manner. Jay’s imagery is impressive. But it’s only one part of the equation. The other part comes from Just Blaze’s musically rich soundboard. A dense soundscape of shimmering piano licks over a classic break beat and thumping bass is the recipe for an instant banger. Hey hip-hop, your future is in safe hands.