Empire Presents: Ratchet Music

The natural next step in the evolution (or devolution) of modern-day rap styles, ratchet is pretty much the latest term for what used to be called hyphy, go, jerk, or trap music. Epitomized by hyper-minimalist beats (usually full of 808s and handclaps), ultra-repetitive synthesizers, and trunk-rattling bass bumps, it's sonically the polar opposite of golden-era hip-hop, with its soul/jazz samples and funked-out breakbeats. Wildly popular with teenage kids, strip-club DJs, and ironic bloggers, the ratchet sound isn't confined to a specific geographic region; it's been embraced by up-and-coming rappers and producers from coast to coast. This compilation from Empire features established Cali artists both new (Glasses Malone) and old (Andre Nickatina), as well as a gang of younger cats you've likely never heard of. While the beats (and rhymes) are somewhat interchangeable by nature, there's still some wildly entertaining stuff here. Check out the Warren G–sampling "That Good," Sage the Gemini's "Gas Pedal," and the "Funky Worm"-esque instructional track "Whippin' Up Crack."