People here think hip hop is cool, but they fail to see it as a form of self expression. They fail to see that by wearing a New Era to look like someone in a video, they undermine the whole purpose of Hip Hop: being different than those around you, being able to think for yourself, and finding a way to celebrate your differences while accepting the differences of others.
With the internet, I was able to stay about as up to date as a head can without having to deal with adjusting to a new country, culture shock, etc. This isn't a list of the best Hip Hop albums during my time here, just my favorites.
10. Eminem - Recovery
I have to admit that while I liked the album and consider Em to be a legend, I did not listen to Recovery much. I feel that it was deeply personal, to a degree which I couldn't connect to Em. But, you can tell Em got his flow a razor sharp wit back. Em's work with Royce da 5'9" is much more exciting to me at this point, they feature b-boy raps moreso than introspective songs. But, he needed to make this album, which has some great songs that should make his greatest hits album, which is saying something for someone who is easily one of the top 10 mc's ever.
9. Big K.R.I.T. - Return of 4eva
This is that Southern Hip Hop that all heads can enjoy. His beats have the energy of a B.O.B., but the guy can actually rhyme and he has a flow. Although this is music to ride to, a listen to KRIT's rhymes will show you that there is substance in his music. He's an everyman who never sold drugs and makes every attempt to relate to his listerns, rather than belittle their socioeconomic status.
8. Curren$y and the Alchemist - Covert Coup
It's unfortunate for both of these that this was not released as an album, because it typifies why both have a special place in this game. The Alchemist has produced for the greatest rappers of all time, and his sound is a classic gritty street hop sound that meshes so well with Raekwon, Mobb Deep, and Nas. Curren$y is finally on a major label, and his work ethic is second to none. His subject matter is fairly limited, but his charisma on the mic and clever rhymes more than make up for it. This mixtape is actual better than both of the albums he released this year.
7. Cam'ron & Vado - Gunz and Butta/ Boss of all Bosses 2
Cam has always been a favorite of mine, as I consider him to be one of the most underrated mc's in Hip Hop and an undeniable legend. Having been in the game so long, he's inevitably made plenty of stale, shitty music. But, he found a new MC in Vado who has the charisma to make it on his own without Cam's cosign. Nonetheless, the two have great charisma together, trading coke rap and hilarious punchlines over some pretty banging beats. There isn't anything of real substance here, but most mc's can take a lesson from Cam'ron on how to construct a rhyme and many "smart" MC's don't have punchlines as clever as Vado's
6. Lupe Fiasco - LASERS
I really don't know what to say about this album. Compared to albums made by artists more popular than him, this album is cut from another cloth. BUT, when compared with Lupe's previous work and the other records on this list, LASERS simply doesn't stack up as a satisfying listening experience. Maybe its unfair to hold Lupe to the expectations I had for him over the last few years (as in, Hip Hop's greatest hope), but its clear at points in the album he does deserve those expectations. Overall, however, the effort seems uninspired.
5. Freddie Gibbs - Str8 Killa, No Filla
The most gangster record I've listed to in a while. Gibbs rhymes with a viciousness I cannot remember hearing in a long time. Clever, humble, and just a pure G, he rhymes with an aggressiveness that makes his stories more believable. Yet, Gibbs is in no way glorifying or using the realities of the streets of Gary, Indiana for his own gain. He treats each subject with a maturity and sense of regret that could only come from someone who has actually done dirt in the streets. THIS is street music.
4. Lloyd Banks - The Hunger for More 2
Due to his G-Unit affiliations, one can't expect too much from Banks in terms of mind-blowing lyricism. But, with a razor sharp flow, punchlines for days, an ear for beats, and enough influence to pull together a great guestlist, I have to believe Lloyd Banks has New York on his back as we speak. This album had club bangers, radio friendly singles, street anthems, and everything one hopes to get when they spend money on an album. It won't be remembered as a classic, but its a solid album that was carefully crafted from an MC who can no longer be overlooked because of his affiliations with 50 Cent
3. J. Cole - Friday Night Lights
Though it's easy to learn that J. Cole is contradictory in many facets, you cannot take away how provocative his rhymes are, or how flawless his flow is, or how brilliant his song concepts are, or how in tune he is with human relationships. We find a man who is conscious of the world around him, which itself is full of contradictions, making it much easier to look past J. Cole's and just notice his amazing rhymes.
2. Kid Cudi - The Legend of Mr. Rager
I'm going to say this: Cudi can't really rap. But, Cudi is one of the few (good) artists where the listener must focus more on the music than the rhymes. The mood he creates with the beats he picks and the songs he write s is dark, brooding, menacing, and it pushes Hip Hop in a new, unexplored direction. Though his subject matter and humility lack in comparison to his classic debut, this album is more adventurous, and in this day of conformity, one must applaud such an effort.
1. Kanye West - My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy
This album is a tour de force. While most rappers are just trying to be heard, or just trying to rhyme, or just ANYTHING to get you to like them, Kanye is being an artist. Say what you want about Kanye, and there's plenty to dislike, but the music is Hip Hop heaven. So many days of mine were spent listening Devil in a New Dress on the bus, I really can't think of my time in China without thinking of this album. In a way, its everything China is. Big, gaudy, full of flaws, but not to be denied. Nonetheless, it is in the flaws where one sees Kanye's passion for his craft. This album set the standard for Hip Hop for the new decade.
No comments:
Post a Comment