My man Prophet's Top Ten Hip-Hop albums of 2008!
1. Q-Tip - The Renaissance
Classic Tribe Called Quest type feel. Defiantly the best album of the year. Jazzy beats, solid rhymes, great concepts and very little profanity. An album you can feel good playing out loud.
2. Ludacris - Theater of the Mind
A very entertaining album. You can not go three songs straight without either laughing or saying "Did he really just say that". Beats are strong. Quite a few guest appearances but they only add to the overall sound of the album.
3. Skillz-The Million Dollar Backpack
Not many people knew he was still around but he dropped a classic album in 2008. Very witty punchlines and his story telling ability is only compared to the great Slick Rick at this point. A must have for those who love hip hop for the lyrical aspect.
4. Lil Wayne - The Carter III
I am sure many will be disappointed with this selection. However sonically this is the best album I have heard in quite sometime. Whoever engineered it should get referred to everyone in the industry. Lil Wayne branched out and tried some different things with this disc. I'm not a fan but I am a fan of a well put together cd. The Carter III fits the bill. However I am still appalled at the line "I'll run up in your crib and shoot your grandmother up" What does a poor grandmother have to do with anything Wayne?
5. Rising Down-The Roots
Classic Roots material. Not as experimental as their last few albums but a strong showing. Too bad it wasn't promoted better. They still have the best live show in Hip Hop. This album just gives them more to display on the road.
6. D.I.R.T-Heltah Skeltah
Another group many people didn't know were still around. They reunited to drop a strong album full of bass heavy boom bap production and strong rhymes. They may never receive the mainstream attention to match their talent but in the underground they have very little competition. This is a nice addition to your collection if you can get your hands on it. You will not be disappointed.
7. Untitled - NAS
Mr. Illmatic returned with his best album since 2001's Stillmatic. This is a heavy political themed album that was right on time with the election. Very creative. The production is not the greatest but it does not take away from the messages Nas is trying to get across. With stronger beats this could have easily been the best album of 2008.
8. Kanye West-808 and Heartbreaks
Ok so this is not really a hip hop album. However it was a album that grew on me. Kanye went left field for this one and a lot of people didn't catch it. But you will be pressed to find a album that has more emotion in it in any genre of music. It is refreshing to see someone be "real" in hip hop with their feelings. The production is sample heavy and the auto tune effect goes over kill on some songs. In light of this it is still a solid offering
9. TI - Paper Trail
More of a mainstream album than his past offerings but a worthwhile purchase. The hits are BIG and the misses are FEW. As well put together as The Carter 3 but he did not take many chances with this album. That is the only drawback.
10. Ice Cube - Raw Footage
Yep the same man who makes family movies now managed to drop a hard hitting gangster rap album that had plenty of social commentary on it. This album is very comparable to "Death Certificate" in terms of energy. Who knew Ice Cube still had it in him. It has something for everyone on it. "Gangster Rap made me do it" is easily one of the best songs of 2008. If you haven't heard it check it out on you tube.
Comment
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Comment by SINISTERMISTER on January 16, 2009 at 1:52pm - My only real beef was the Lil Wayne album. Dude may have hot production but his content and attitude is not what hip-hop is about. Furthermore, he himself is not an avid fan of freestyling, a definite MUST if you call yourself an MC. It's a shame that our children are subjected to this level of music to define the culture. Business has definitely taken the place of artistry. Sad....
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