White shell with blue imprint ink packaged with a 4-panel printed J-CARD in a clear norelco case
Yaphetis the new album from rapperCurly Castro–also known as one half of the dynamic duoShrapknel–out September 18, 2026, on Backwoodz Studioz. OnYaphet, Castro draws inspiration from the Blaxploitation film genre of the 1970’s; using that era’s black heroes and antiheroes as a launching pad for his cinematic lyricism. Flows switch as effortlessly as camera angles, verses are saturated with references and entendres, it’s an endlessly rewind-worthy rap masterclass. ButYaphetis also Castro’s first solo album since 2021’sLittle Robert Hutton, and beneath the fireworks, this album reflects the depth of his experiences in those intervening years.
“I didn’t set out to be so honest about my life, but that’s what came out and the album is better for it,” Castro explains, “from facing the death of my infant daughter, to my father’s death, to facing my own impending mortality, these are my most vulnerable blades, on my deepest cuts.”
Like Castro, this record marches to the beat of its drum, and make no mistake, there are drums a-plenty for the veteran MC to spar with, as only he can. Produced entirely by Milwaukee beat maker Locust,Yaphetis a bouncy, eclectic listen that nods to its influences, without ever looking backwards. Castro is joined by a whirlwind of the genre’s finest; billy woods, PremRock, Fatboi Sharif, Brian Ennals, SKECH185, Blueprint, AJ Suede, shemar, ALASKA, Sunmundi, blackchai, & Margel the Sophant.
Tracklisting
Side A
Black Don’t Crack (feat. Fatboi Sharif, Blueprint, Brian Ennals, SKECH185, AJ Suede, & billy woods)
SuperDOPE
Cheese N Bread Riddum
Enemy-Minded (feat. Margel the Sophant)
KOTTO
Railroad Spikes (feat. Margel the Sophant)
Side B
Blood in the Garden (feat. PremRock)
Salem Baptist
The Delectable Negro (feat. Margel the Sophant)
Rinzler Wreck (feat. ALASKA)
I Couldn’t Breathe, If I Wanted To…
New Mutants (feat. shemar, blackchai, & Sunmundi)
Last Good Will
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