Now I haven't really gone through any new albums this week, but sometimes I don't go through them. And like this week, sometimes I just blast one genre. This weeks was, you guessed it rap and hip-hop. But with the exception of Watch the Throne, I was largely stuck in the 2000-2007 years. People write off the 2000s as the start of the decline of hip-hop. I've always highly disagreed with that. If you wade through and push aside the Souja Boy's and the Wiz Khalifa's you can find great songs and albums.
Eminem- The Marshall Mathers LP
Now these are two of the best songs off what I call Eminem's best album. This first song is dark humored rant at women over a catchy beat in "Kill You". Why does is go off on women? Cause he can, and it makes for a damn good open to the album. Then we get the other end of the spectrum with "Kim". If you've heard this song before you know it's the story of a man who has been cheated on (and cheated himself) and he reaches the breaking point in an anger filled rage chronicling the last moments of his wife's life. This song hit's me HARD every time I listen to it, but it's too damn good to just skip over.
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Jay-Z- The Blueprint
Now I featured "Heart of the City (Ain't No Love)" in last weeks post, but I remember listing off a ton of runner up songs from the album. Well here's two of them and one even includes the man from above, Eminem. The Blueprint, I've always said is Jay's best album. All the tracks are top notch, beasts crisp, and lyrics on point. Fun fact Jay-Z wrote this entire album in 24 hours. If ya'll didn't think he was good, listen to this in his prime Jay-Z. He'll change your mind. Here's "U Don't Know" and "Renegade"
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Lupe Fiasco- Food & Liquor
This is a classic for me, even though it's only 5 years old it's still a damn good listen and gave me hope that new ideas and great lyricists are in this world. Lupe's voice and timing, down to breathing technique is smooth. Not to mention he can spit fire and sounds good doing it. The beats are all nice, and even though it's about my 50th listen to the album it never feels old to me. That's the sign of a good album with retaining value in my book. This is Lupe's freshman album too, last time I was impressed with a rappers first album was Kanye with The College Dropout. Not I featured "Daydreamin'" feat. Jill Scott last week. But please do enjoy "Kick, Push" and "Sunshine" from this great album.
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Talib Kweli- Eardrum
Now Talib you've probably never heard of outside of being on a few guest spots. BUT if you're a hip-hop head like me you know he's one half of Black Star with Mos Def and one of the best rappers in the last ten years. He's a true wordsmith and even his slow raps are usually quick and well done. Now most people would say Talib's best album is Quality from 2002 ("Get By" is an epic song), but Eardum has always been my favorite of his. The lyrics, beats, and multitude of guests make it a great album all around to listen to. The two tracks I've singled out from this album are "In The Mood" feat. Roy Ayers and Kanye West and "Oh My Stars" feat. Musiq Soulchild.
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Kanye West- The College Dropout
Haha you knew it was coming. What's a list of mine without my personal favorite. Mr. Kanye West. And with My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy being like 1 millionth on a notch lower than The College Dropout this is his best album. He came in roaring with "Jesus Walks" and "Through The Wire" and kept the rap with songs like "Spaceship" and "Two Words." The beats are still great to me, though I can see how they could be heard as a bit dated after MBDTF. His rapping is great, this album has his best lyrical content, and the guests are bountiful (Jay-Z, J. Ivy, Common, GLC, Consequence, Mos Def, Ludcris, Twista, and Jamie Foxx). This is what the mid-2000s hip-hop scene needed and after 2010s MBDTF he's changed the style yet again. Please enjoy "Spaceship" and "Through The Wire" (both mentioned above).
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