MERRY CHRISTMAS!
So, this is my end of the year music review. Personally, I can really only remember since the summer, So I had to go back and listen up! In my opinion, GREAT music is music that you can listen to in any mood and any environment. For example, in my opinion, I could never listen to R. Kelly while doing homework...because there IS something wrong with a little bump and grind with my Calculus probem set. Now that you know that here it goes:
Top 10 Albums of 2008:
1. N.E.R.D.- Seeing Sounds
This cd is an excellent blend of rap, rock, funk, and electronica. From songs about annoying groupies ("Yeah You") to songs about cocaine addicted LA girls (Everyone Nose), this cd is good for any setting. N.E.R.D. consists of the power producers The Neptunes (Pharell Williams and Chad Hugo) and one of their homeboys (). They have 2 previous albums: In Search of... and Fly or die.
2. Kanye West- 808's and Heartbreak
I am clearly a HUGE Kanye fan, but I'll explain why I love this cd. Themed albums are something that many artists play around with at some point in their careers, whether its a Christmas album or an album with a totally different feel like this one. This cd shows a side of Kanye that many have never seen. His awesome production work can be seen on every track on this cd since they are all beats made by Kanye using NO SAMPLES at all. Known for his sped ip soul samples, Kanye takes a deeper approach and fits every beat to the mood and message of each song. Artistically and Musically, this is one of the best albums I have ever heard. If you refuse to listen to anything besides Hip-Hop, then this is not the cd for you. For the rest of us. "It's Amazing"
3. Q-Tip- The Renaissance
Q-Tip formerly of the group, A Tribe Called Quest is one of the early predecessors of Hip Hop as we know it. A founding father of the "Native Tongues" movement which included artists such as De La Soul who decided that gangsta rap was not their thing. We see that today more and more with artists like Kanye, Common, Lupe, etc. These guys learned from him. In his second studio album, Q-tip shows why he is so well respected in hip-hop. Songs like "We Fight/Love" ft. Rapheal Saddiq are classic where Q-Tip delivers his slow, smooth flows. A great listen for any Hip-Hop lover.
4. Coldplay- Viva La Vida or Death and All His Friends
Where do I start. This cd is far better than Coldplay's last cd:X&Y. Far less hyped, this cd delivers all that you expect from Coldplay, excellent instrumentals with awesome, epic lyrics and singing from Chris Martin. Start to finish, this is an EXCELLENT buy and listen.
5. Lil' Wayne- Tha Carter III
Weezy F. Well, of course there will be haters on this selection, but this cd rode with me ALL SUMMER LONG. From the dopest intro of the year ("3 Peat") to a fresh flow about saving hip hop's life in ("Dr. Carter") to arguably the club song of the year ("Lollipop") weezy delivers a solid album that is complete with songs for every setting. From start to finish, this cd delivers what you come to expect from our favorite Codeine and Marijuana filled rapper. This cd is "Rare like Mr. Clean with Hair" and I definitely see "no brakelights on Wayne's career"
6. Young Jeezy- The Recession
I used to categorize Young Jeezy with terrible rappers like Gucci Mane and Soulja Boy as poisons to both Black people and to rap as a whole. Then I listened to
Thug Motivation, then to
Inspiration and then I became a die hard Jeezy fan. Jeezy is one of the smartest rappers in the game who clearly has a grasp on the greater political scene in America as well as his own role in entertainment.
The Recession delivers witty, smooth flows with banging beats and catchy hooks from start to finish. "My President" is of course an awesome song accompanied by "Crazy World, By The Way, Put On, Amazin' and Welcome Back" this cd is a CLASSIC. That's right. I said it. This Cd is a classic. Jeezy said it best: "Aint no work, aint no jobs, but What they want? They want that dumb shit, that young shit, that where you from shit, that ride around your hood with gun shit"
So, Jeezy gave it to them. Dope.
7. Lupe Fiasco- The Cool
Another AMAZING themed album here by Lupe Fiasco. This CD was released mid December 2007, so I'm counting it as a 2008 album. This CD revolves around 3 characters: The Streets, The Game, and The Cool. Dope CD including the smash hit: "Superstar" ft. Matthew Santos. This Deep album delivers with good beats and GREAT Flows and lyrics by Lupe.
8. Erykah Badu- New Amerykah Part One
This new cd from Ms. Badu is an excellent listen for those who really dig the whole Neo Soul vibe. These New Amerykah cds are gonna be on the sociopolitical status in America post 9/11
Great Listen.
9. The Roots- Rising Down
No explanation needed. Like Frank Lucas' Blue Magic coke in
American Gangster, This is a brand name. THey stand by it. They guarantee it.
10. Adele- 19
This Grammy nominee for Best New Artist really brings it on this album. Her style is known as "Heartbreak Soul" and reminds me of a British version of Alicia Keys, but with a guitar rather than a piano. This is a very mellow, deep album where Adele lulls your heart and ears into a trance. I uploaded this on the blog along with Mick Boogie's mash-up cd of this album and 1988 beats a couple of posts dow. Check It out!
Top 10 Mixtapes/Albums you've probably never knew existed of 2008:
Click Covers to download
Viva La Hova by Jay-Z and Coldplay
Finally Famous by Big Sean
Leaders of The New Cool- Various Artists
A Kid Named Cudi- Kid Cudi
Adele '88- Mick Boogie & Adele
The Unsung Hero- Colin Munroe
Love Letter in an Unbreakable Bottle- Childish Gambino
Sick Boi-Childish Gambino
Drought is Over 6- Lil Wayne
Thats a lot of music lol
Anyway, I have all the top 10 albums, so hit me up if you want em!!
Enjoy!
-T. "...pa rum pa pum pum..."
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