2013 Hip Hop Albums of the Year Part 1
ITS TIME
ITS A(s)OTY TIME!!!!!!!
Pusha T – My Name Is My Name
The long awaited solo debut album from the self proclaimed “½ of the greatest duo ever” has lived up to its expectations and quieted all its haters. Signature tracks Nosetalgia, Numbers on the Boards and Who I Am give an ominous and dark vibe, a precursor to letting Push enter the scene with provoked imagery and slice the tenseness in the air with a cocaine sickle.
Executive producer: Kanye West (which is probably why it took so long to come out)
Beats by Kanye West, The Neptunes, Hudson Mohawke, NOTTZ (VA!), and No I.D.
Vocal features: Ab-Liva, Chris Brown, Kendrick Lamar, Rick Ross, The Dream, 2 Chainz, Big Sean, Jeezy, Pharrell
Beats: 9
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8.5
Danny Brown – OLD
OLD gives listeners a look into the head of Danny Brown post- ‘XXX.’ On Side A, he gives a glimpse into his past, allowing us to see his inner demons and past transgressions. On Side B, Danny gives us his present state, which is basically a Hunter S. Thompson novel played over EDM.
Executive Producer:Nick Catchdubs (Mixtape about Nothing)
Beats by SKYWLKR, Paul Walker, Oh No, Darq E. Freaker, A-Trak
Vocal features: A$AP Rocky, Schoolboy Q, Freddie Gibbs, Ab-soul, Purity Ring
Beats: 8
Rhymes: 8.5
Life: 8
Kanye West – YEEZUS
Executive Producers: Rick Rubin, Kanye West
Beats by: Kanye West, Daft Punk, Hudson Mohwake, Travis Scott, No I.D., 88-Keys
Vocal Features: Justin Vernon, Frank Ocean, Chief Keef, Kid Cudi, King Louie, Charlie Wilson
Beats: 9
Rhymes: 9
Life: 9
Drake – Nothing Was The Same
After watching the latest South Park I realized I was hating hard on Drakes latest album; mainly because I was confused about the endgame of the record. I didn’t know what he was a softcore ganster rapper or a hardcore R&B singer. Then I realized; he has created his own lane. Drake is Drake. Once I came to that conclusion, the album made more sense to me. Just because I don’t agree with the person Drake is trying to be doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the album for what it is. I will say this, I don’t agree with the way the album was organized the tracks are out of place. I think Bigghostface has ruined Drake for me, also when I saw Wu-Tang Forever I expected to hear something completely different.
I’ll put it like this, I came into this album expected the whole thing to have bangers like Started From The Bottom all over the joint. You can’t expect things when you listen to a new album, free you mind and take the album for what it is.
Executive Producers: Lil Wayne, Drake, 40, J. Prince, Birdman, Slim …(People are eating…)
Beats By: 40, Boi 1da, Jake One, Mike Zombie, DJ Dahi, Key Wane, Hudson Mohawke
Vocal Features: Jay Z, Jhene Aiko, Big Sean, 2 Chainz, Detail, Majid Jordan
Beats: 8
“Vocals”: 8.5
Life: 9
Roc Marciano - The Pimpire Strikes Back / Marci Beaucoup
To be honest I couldn’t decide which one was better because they’re both great albums. You instantly get transformed back into the late 70-80’s with his slow flow which is remarkable (ha). The brash delivery and hunger in his voice mixed with the jazz influenced production (most of which he created himself) allows for a great predecessor to MARCBERG. You will also notice the number of features on both albums, you would think this would overshadow the production and feel of the album but it is seamless and cohesive.
Executive Producer: Roc Marciano & The Arch Druids
Beats: Roc Marciano, Madlib, Evidence, Mic Raw, Lord Finesse, Alchemist,
Vocal Features: Evidence, Ka, Guilty Simpson, Action Bronson, Knowledge the Pirate, Freeway, Maffew Ragazino, A.G. the Coroner, Boldy James, Gangrene (Alchemist & Oh No), S.A.S., Blu, Quelle Chris, Cormega, Mayhem Lauren, Willie the Kid
Beats: 9
Rhymes 9.5
Life: 8.5
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels
For a while, this was album of the year to me. Last year Killer Mike and EL-P took over the rap game and since they frequented each other’s albums, they figured, why not make a collabo, and Run the Jewels was born. Both veterans in the game, EL-P and Killer Mike sound like they’ve rhymed together for years. Similar subject matter, the ability to match flow for flow and all while keeping the intensity high and the listener engaged throughout.
Executive Producers: EL-P, Killer Mike
Beats By: EL-P, Wilder Zoby, Little Shalimar
Vocal Features: Prince Paul, Big Boi, Chest Rockwell
Beats: 9
Rhymes: 8.5
Life 9.5
Chance the Rapper – Acid Rap
Chance the Rapper is not new the scene by any means but he did a very good job of flying under the radar for this long. Out of all the albums reviewed this year, this one has the most heart and comes from the perspective of someone actually going through it. Some of y’all might not like his voice. And the Na Na Na stuff is pretty annoying sometimes. But the lyrics stick to your ribs, they follow you. I can’t tell you how many times I put Cocoa Butter Kisses on repeat. I can’t explain how he makes me see his boy Rod gets stabbed on Juice.
Chance is the next pop/rap star.
Executive Producer: Chance the Rapper and Elton Cheung
Beats By: Jake One, Nate Fox, Blended Babies, DJ Ozone, Peter Cottentale,
Vocal Features: Lili K, Nate Fox, Vic Mensa, Twista, Action Bronson, Childish Gambino, Saba, BJ the Chicago Kid, Ab-Soul, NoName Gypsy
Beats: 7.5
Rhymes: 9
Life: 8.5
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