My 10 Favorite Rap Albums of the Past Year
Nov 08 '07
The Bottom Line -
Taking Chaostamer’s advice, I finally decided to write a Top 10 list. Not exactly quite sure what to write it on, but not wanting to do something that has been done by almost everybody, I finally decided on my favorite rap albums of the past year. These are strictly albums that I enjoy listening to, and are not based on anything other than how much I enjoy them. Feel free to leave comments, although I may not get around to reading them right away, due to my busy schedule.
MY 10 FAVORITE RAP ALBUMS OF THE PAST YEAR
HONORABLE MENTIONS:
STRENGTH AND LOYALTY by Bone Thugs n Harmony, UNDERGROUND KINGS by UGK, RED GONE WILD by Redman, HIP HOP LIVES by KRS-ONE and Marly Marl, WAITIN TO INHALE by Devin the Dude
10. EMINEM PRESENTS THE RE-UP by Eminem
I can already see the eyes being rolled, and the heads shaking at the mention of Em’s most recent offering. I can somewhat understand the fact that there are probably very few who feel as I do when it comes to this CD. More of a mixtape than an actual album, it is meant to showcase up and coming Shady/Aftermath “talent”. However, as I’m sure most everybody knows, other than Eminem himself, there is very little actual talent coming from that section of the industry. So why do I like this album so much? It certainly can’t be strictly because of the production, since after all, basically all albums associated with Shady Records have good production. It certainly can’t be because of 50 Cent’s mumbled flow, or Stat Quo’s uninspired lyrics. I guess the main reason I enjoy this album so much is Eminem himself. Sure, he’s not what he used to be, but he is still a good lyricist, and he still has charisma. Add in the nice beats, and the occasional good verses from other artists, and EMINEM PRESENTS THE RE-UP, becomes one of my favorite albums of the past year.
9. THE UNDISPUTED TRUTH by Brother Ali
Being a white albino must be really tough. Being a white albino rapper must be even tougher. Being a SUCCESSFUL white albino rapper must be hard as SH!T. But one man has accomplished this, lifting the hopes of underdogs everywhere. Brother Ali. Have I said enough to convince you that this man demands respect, or do you need me to explain to you about the dope beats and intricate lyrics?
8. EARDRUM by Talib Kweli
Talib Kweli has always been a great artist, with great beats, and even greater lyrics. EARDRUM is no different. Backed by nice production he gives us verse after verse of introspective socially conscious lyrics. Sure he may have a rather annoying voice, but Talib Kweli has been a consistent rapper, with good lyrics and good production, and EARDRUM is what we have come to expect from him, greatness.
7. HIP HOP IS DEAD by Nas
You knew this album would have to pop up on here somewhere, right? Great production, great lyrics: it seems Nas is out to prove that hip hop ISN’T dead. One of the greatest emcees of all time drops yet another great album, and you had the AUDACITY to not expect it to be on this list? My personal favorite from HIP HOP IS DEAD is NOT GOIN BACK, possibly my favorite Nas songs of all time (yes, I like it better than MEMORY LANE, ARREST ME).
6. DESIRE by Pharoahe Monch
Pharoahe Monch had been absent from the solo album scene for about EIGHT YEARS before he dropped DESIRE, and by most he was sorely missed. He debut album, INTERNAL AFFAIRS was a classic masterpiece, and although DESIRE is not quite up to that standard, it is still a great album. He is an amazing lyricist, with nice punch lines, and production that just adds to the experience. Seriously though, why the hell has he only dropped two solo albums, and why was the wait between them so long? That should be considered a form of mild torture, and banned from the US.
5. SERVANTS IN HEAVEN, KINGS IN HELL by Jedi Mind Tricks
Okay, I know. This album wasn’t TECHNICALLY released in the past year. But you know what, I don’t give a DAMN. It’s the best Jedi Mind Tricks album yet, and if that doesn’t get your blood pumping, its time to take a little visit over to the psychiatrist’s office. Stoupe provide some of his best production, and Vinnie Paz is as good as ever, minus the anti-Christian rants. What more could you possibly want?
4. GRADUATION by Kanye West
FINALLY, Kanye West has figured out how to make a near classic album. Get rid of those DAMN skits. Its amazing how much more annoying it is to listen to great songs like NEVER LET ME DOWN and DIAMONDS FROM SIERRA LEONE when their mixed in with pointless skits like WORKOUT PLAN and SCHOOL SPIRIT (it would also help if Jay Z quit dropping wack guest verses). On a serious note, GRADUATION is great album, with great beats, and um, okay I guess, lyrics. Notable due to the fact that it is the first Kanye album that you won’t skip more tracks than you listen to.
3. FINDING FOREVER by Common
In my mind, Common is easily one of the top three greatest rappers of all time. This is not only due to his introspective, socially conscious lyricism, and good production. What I think really make him so great is his consistency. Quick! Name a bad Common album off the top of your head. Exactly, you can’t do it.
FINDING FOREVER is no different than what we have come to expect from Chi Towns greatest, and easily earns the number three spot on this list.
2. ULTIMATE VICTORY by Chamillionaire
I HATE southern rap. OK, maybe not all southern rap (Scarface, Outkast, Devin the Dude, etc.), but overall the Dirty South is nothing but an embarrassment. I HATE crappy, overplayed, singles that everybody loves just because everybody else loves them. I HATE music that teenage girls love (I also hate most teenage girls). So when I heard Chamillionaire’s hit single RIDIN, I had every reason to hate him too. I quickly brushed him aside as another southern rapper with wack lyrics and those wack (yes, I said wack) southern beats. But then, being the open minded individual that I am, I gave him one last chance and listened to some of his music online. Damn, was I surprised. He wasn’t mentioning ice, rims, money, and women, every other line. He wasn’t commercially saturated like the rest of the southern rap scene. He was basically a diamond in a pail of feces. His second solo LP, ULTIMATE VICTORY is even better than his first, and comes in at number two.
1. FOR WHOM THE BEAT TOLLS by Canibus
I love rap for a lot of different reasons. I love the beats (the good one at least), whether they be minimalist underground beats or thumping G-funk beats. I love introspective complex lyrics, and rappers pouring their hearts into their music. And, I love just plain old lyrical FIRE. Canibus has never been much in the beat department, and most of his lyrics aren’t very socially conscious, but he has got the be the GREATEST lyricist of ALL time. Very few can match his vocabulary or freestyling skills. I love just listening to him spit line after line of furious battle raps. Songs like the twelve minute POET LAUREATE INFINITY are sonic orgasms. This album is not for fifteen year old girls, Justin Timberlake loving boys , or even grannies who enjoy doing that Soulja Boy dance. This album is for fans of REAL HIP HOP (you know, the stuff that was popular fifteen years ago). Canibus proves once again that popularity is not always the best policy.
Please Note: This list was completed several weeks before it was published, and therefore did not include several albums that may have made the list.
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Epinions.com ID:
slim7117
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Member: Tony Jones
Location: Woodbridge, Va, USA
Reviews written: 13
Trusted by: 6 members
About Me:
Success is my only option- Eminem
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