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Jon Barlas

Joined February 2024 | 42 posts
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Latest Stories

Ken Carson with braided hair, wearing a black shirt and camo pants, stands on stage against a dark background.

The Best Rap Albums of 2026 So Far

These are the best rap albums of 2026, featuring Drake's 'Iceman', J. Cole's 'The Fall Off', and more.

Jon Barlas9 days ago
A person with braided hair and intense expression, wearing a dark jacket, against a bright orange background.

50 Best Playboi Carti Songs, Ranked

With Playboi Carti taking over ComplexCon 2026, we ranked his 50 best songs, from "Broke Boi" to "EVIL J0RDAN".

Jon Barlas14 days ago
Collage of Drake performing, a woman smiling, and another woman with long hair. Text reads "Complex's Best Songs of the Year So Far."

The Best Songs Of 2026 (So Far)

From Drake's “Janice STFU” to Yung Miami's “Spend Dat”, these are the best songs of 2026 so far.

Jon Barlas30 days ago
Collage of rappers performing: Playboi Carti, Drake, Youngboy Never Broke Again and J. Cole, each with unique outfits and dynamic stage presence.

100 Hottest Rappers Right Now [June 2026]

From Drake and his new album 'Iceman' to Jay-Z—who is celebrating 30 years of 'Reasonable Doubt' at Yankee Stadium this summer—we ranked the hottest rappers right now.

Jon Barlas33 days ago
Collage of album art with bold text: "Complex's Best Albums of the Year So Far." Includes fiery scene and a woman in white.

The Best Albums Of 2026 (So Far)

From Drake's 'Iceman' to Kehlani's self titled project, this are the 25 best albums of 2026 at the halfway mark.

Jon Barlas35 days ago
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Drake in a leather jacket stands in a crowded area, with a blue tint over the image.

Drake's Albums, Ranked From Worst to Best

From 'Take Care' to 'Views' to his latest three projects—'Iceman', 'Maid of Honour', and 'Habibti'—we ranked Drake's albums from worst to best.

Jon Barlas55 days ago
Drake on stage with a microphone, wearing a white shirt, surrounded by artistic images, including a sparkling glove and eyes. He is standing in front of three of his album covers, Iceman, Habibti, and Maid of Honour.

8 Takeaways From Drake's 'Iceman': From Kendrick Snubs to the Return of R&B Drake

Drake dropped 41 songs in one night. Here are out immediate takeaways, for 'Iceman', 'Habibti' and 'Maid of Honour.'

Jon Barlas62 days ago
A group of individuals in hip-hop media, with bold text "HIP-HOP MEDIA POWER RANKING" in the foreground. This is the media power ranking, featuring Jadakiss, DJ Akademiks, Fat Joe and Loren LoRosa.

Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking: The 2026 Edition

Complex's fourth annual Hip-Hop Media Power Ranking is here. And in a year with no dominant stars and no breakout moments, the people shaping rap's conversation matter more than ever.

Jon Barlas72 days ago
Rapper Yeat wearing sunglasses and a dark satin shirt holding a knife, posing against a blue background. This is a photo attached to his latest album, ADL, which is a double album.

Yeat Presents a New Era on 'ADL', But Does It Deliver? [Album Review]

Yeat's double album, 'ADL,' arrives with mob boss theatrics, Nike deals, and lofty promises. But does the music live up to the moment?

Jon Barlas111 days ago
Baby Keem, who just released his new album Ca$ino, is sitting on a chair against a dark, moody red background, wearing a dark outfit with a jacket and belt. He has a sad face on.

It Took Baby Keem Five Years to Release 'Ca$ino.' Was It Worth the Wait?

Baby Keem's long-awaited sophomore album 'Ca$ino' is his most personal work yet. But does it surpass 'The Melodic Blue?'

Jon Barlas146 days ago
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J. Cole sits on train tracks, wearing a striped jacket, denim shorts, and sneakers. Trees and a trailer are in the background. This is a photo from The Fall Off, which might be his last album.

Is J. Cole Really Saying Goodbye with ‘The Fall Off’?

J. Cole's 'The Fall Off' is a sprawling double-disc that feels like a swan song and a career-spanning statement. But is it truly his last album?

Jon Barlas160 days ago
Four singers who will breakout in 2026. This includes Gabriel Jacoby, Odeal, Jaymin and kwn

10 R&B Artists To Watch In 2026

The future of R&B is bright, led by a new wave of singers like kwn, Odeal, and EJ Jones, whose music embraces nostalgic sounds and vivid storytelling.

Jon Barlas170 days ago
Zeddy Will, EsdeeKid, Hurricane Wisdom and BunnaB, all rappers to watch in 2026, posing in front of a yellow background.

26 Rappers To Watch In 2026

From UK rappers like Esdeekid and fakemink to Atlanta figures such as BunnaB and Pluto, these are the artists we expect to have a big year in 2026.

Jon Barlas182 days ago
Clipse on stage with red lighting, holding microphones, wearing dark clothing and beanies. Large red letters in the background.

The 30 Best Rap Songs of 2025

The best rap songs of 2025 feature tracks from Drake, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Doechii, Yeat, and more.

Jon Barlas214 days ago
A collage of four images labeled "Best of 2025," featuring Kehlani in a chair, Drake and PARTYNEXTDOOR, YoungBoy Never Broke Again, and Karol G

The 50 Best Songs of 2025

From comeback singles from Justin Bieber and the Clipse to breakouts from newcomers like EsDeeKid and Olivia Dean, these are the best songs of 2025.

Jon Barlas217 days ago
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A collage with four sections: ramen bowl, a person in red with birds, a person wearing a "GLASS" hat and chains, and a person in a green mask.

The 35 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2025

In 2025, we got monster albums from rappers like YoungBoy Never Broke Again, Cardi B, the Clipse, EsDeeKid, and more.

Jon Barlas223 days ago
Collage with artwork and a woman in red, two white chairs in a jungle, and a green toy soldier on a pink background. "Best of 2025" text.

The 50 Best Albums of 2025

The year was full of peaks and valleys, with standout releases from Bad Bunny, Clipse, Justin Bieber, PinkPantheress, and more. Here are the best albums of 2025.

Jon Barlas224 days ago
Three musicians performing: Future with sunglasses and tattoos, Kanye West wearing a green jacket, and Kendrick Lamar in a black outfit.

The 35 Best Rap Albums of the 21st Century

From 50 Cent’s 'Get Rich or Die Tryin’' to Drake’s 'Take Care' to Cardi B’s 'Invasion of Privacy', these are the best rap albums since 2000.

Jon Barlas237 days ago

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