THE GREAT ESCAPE

Hip-Hop in 2022: A Standout Year and the Calm That Followed

2022 proved to be an exceptional year for hip-hop. From trap anthems destined to become future classics to gritty, lyrical underground releases, the genre offered a vibrant and eclectic mix of sounds. Both mainstream juggernauts and emerging talents contributed to what many considered one of the most exciting recent years in rap. Naturally, as April 2023 rolled around, questions began to surface: Where are all the new drops? By this time the year before, several high-profile artists had already released significant projects. In contrast, the first half of 2023 felt surprisingly quiet.

This shift raises a deeper question about audience expectations. Perhaps the lull wasn’t due to a lack of creativity, but rather to an unrealistic demand for constant output. Many revered artists—Travis Scott, A$AP Rocky, Frank Ocean, Rihanna, Jay-Z, among others—haven’t released full-length projects in over five years. When these icons finally return, will audiences feel underwhelmed or vindicated? Could they deliver career-defining work, or will they be met with jaded skepticism? And more broadly, is hip-hop suffering from oversaturation, or is it simply evolving?

While major artists continue to generate anticipation with even the slightest hint of new music, others are quietly creating at their own pace, unaffected by trends. Larry June and The Alchemist fall into this latter category. Both are known for cultivating strong artistic identities and working almost exclusively with collaborators they trust. Their recent joint effort, The Great Escape, reflects this approach—a deliberate, cohesive project that blends luxury, introspection, and sonic depth.

Rumors of a collaboration between the two artists had circulated for some time, with fans both intrigued and uncertain it would ever materialize. Eventually, through mutual friend Jay Worthy (who appears on the track “Exito”), Larry June and The Alchemist connected. The result is an album that feels both inevitable and refreshingly unforced.

As the title implies, The Great Escape explores themes of freedom and aspiration. June paints vivid pictures of his lifestyle—business meetings, yachts, Lamborghinis, organic oranges, lobsters, even crumpets—yet delivers them with a casual nonchalance. There’s no overt flexing here; June makes opulence sound like routine. It’s a tone he’s mastered over more than a decade, even if wider recognition only began to build after 2019.

The album’s strength lies in its layered production and laid-back but deliberate delivery. The Alchemist’s beats are varied yet cohesive, setting a textured backdrop for June’s smooth cadences. Lyrically, June remains grounded in his themes: wellness, independence, financial literacy, and self-reflection. Guest features add dimension without overshadowing the central voice. Each artist seems chosen with care, enhancing the record’s cohesion rather than diluting it.

One standout track, Ocean Sounds, showcases June at his most vulnerable. He reflects on relationships, emotional growth, and self-awareness with striking clarity. In the chorus, he sings:

“Made my way to the top but still ain’t found real love / But I’m happy, because for the first time in my life, I feel I found real love.”

He follows this with a measured verse:

“Love is when you’re happy with yourself, fuck what they talkin' about / When shit got tough, I adjusted and worked smarter / I ain’t got hard feelings, love—you can keep walkin’ / I appreciate what you done, but it’s not working.”

It’s a moment of honest self-reflection that elevates the track beyond lifestyle rap, adding emotional complexity to an otherwise breezy soundscape.

Overall, The Great Escape feels like a summer album in all the best ways. Tracks such as Summer Reign (featuring Ty Dolla $ign), Porsches in Spanish, and What Happened to the World exude warmth and sunshine. Meanwhile, songs like Left No Evidence (with Evidence) and Orange Village (featuring Slum Village) lean more into the raw, introspective territory. Other cuts—Barragán Lighting, Art Talk, and the aforementioned Ocean Sounds—offer a sonic richness that invites repeat listens.

Together, Larry June and The Alchemist have created something special. The Great Escape isn’t just another collaborative project—it’s a carefully curated experience. It doesn't chase trends or algorithms. Instead, it invites listeners into a world that feels both elevated and grounded, stylish and sincere. At a time when hip-hop is both overproduced and underdelivered, this album stands as a reminder of what can happen when artists trust their instincts and take their time.