I’m a big fan of that new Busta Rhymes. I’ve been meaning to write about it for about the last three weeks, but you know how it goes. I’ve heard mixed reviews of it, but I’m incredulous about those folks that don’t dig this one. The beats are killer, and Busta finally has what he needs to really make things happen–a guiding hand. He’s no different than LL Cool J in that he needs someone to help him focus his energy into something that works in an album format. Cuz as dope as we all know Busta is, he’s only had one really good album (Extinction Level Event).
Well, make that two.
Anyway, that got me thinking about the hip hop albums that have dropped this year. It’s been a relatively slow year–especially compared to the great year that was 2005–but there have been some really great records to drop so far. I talked on here about how much I love the Tip, Ghost, Juve and–never thought I’d live long enough to say this–E-40. I dig One Hunnid from The Product. I’m also hearing word that the new Mr. Lif is hot, but I haven’t gotten around to it. Maybe another day.
But which has been the best so far? At the year’s halfway point, I figure we’re at the right point to start thinking about these things. So here are my five best records of the year, offered with the caveat that I’m not on top of new music like I once was and am open to any listening suggestions.
5. E-40 – My Ghetto Report Card. In ten years, this one may be on the top of the list for 2006. That’s dependent on this hyphy thing blowing up, though. If it does, it’ll be impossible to deny that this record is a perfect introduction to the scene. And the best part–40 spends a lot less time talking in riddles and rips damn near very track with power and brevity. I honestly didn’t know he had it in him.
4. Ghostface – Fishscale. Just three months ago, I had this chalked up as the best record of the 2006. It hasn’t gotten any worse to me, but I’ve reconsidered some other albums. It’s classically soulful Ghostface, full of all his invigorating and disturbing sincerity. “Back Like That” is probably still the best single of the year, though.
3. Juvenile – Reality Check. If you’ve never heard an old school New Orleans album, this is something you must hear. The tracks are fire and the rhymes are what we’ve come to expect from Juve–very matter of fact stuff from the Scarface lineage. Juve’s caught a lot of hell for the line about using FEMA checks to buy cocaine, but it’s unfair to look at that line separate from the thought process he’s been spittin’ since ’98. His thought is that people should do whatever they must do to get out of poverty, even if that means selling dope. I don’t necessarily agree with that, but that’s pretty easy for me to say from my upper middle-class background. But that line shows that Reality Check is a continuation of his extended treatise on poverty and, like it or not, it’s hard to say he’s not compelling. Check the videos for “Ha” and “Get Your Hustle On” if you need to see more. Oh yeah, “Addicted” is the most unexpected song of the decade.
2. Busta Rhymes – The Big Bang. You know the most interesting thing about this record to me? I learned just how important the mix is on a beat. Pretty much every beat sounds like a Dre track, even the ones that aren’t. The reason is that Dre mixed every song. That’s why every snare snaps, every key hits just right, all of that. Dre made his mark on the record from the background, and that’s really impressive. As for Busta, I shouldn’t have to say anything. Check the record and enjoy. Just try to ignore the mindlessness of “I Love My Bitch,” which proves again that Kelis is the chick to call when you need someone to ride along with gratuitous use of the “bitch.”
1. T.I. – King. You knew this would be on the top. The Big Bang and King are the only records on this list that improved to me after the first listen. My first run through King wasn’t unimpressive, but it wasn’t what I expected. Then I bumped it at the gym and was amazed. There are a couple of disappointing moments–“Front Back”–but the heat is incredible. Mannie Fresh puts his foot in “Top Back” and Young Dro used that song to get me hype for his album. “What You Know” is incredible. “Live in the Sky” hits me in a special way. “Get It” has proven that Swizz Beats is really back. “Hello” is vulnerable without being totally simpish. “Ride With Me” is cool, if for no other reason than shouting out lots of neighborhoods in Atlanta you should work to avoid (thank goodness Little Vietnam is gone). I could go on and on about this one, but I’m not sure who anyone could argue is, right now, the King of the South other than ol’ Clifford. And he’s only 25 years old. More is coming.
17 thoughts on “Best Hip Hop Album of the Year?”
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You know, I only came here to tell you that your favourite artist on the planet India.Arie put a new CD out and I was going to review it, with my new Bomani blinders..because I’m not sure I can listen to her again the same way after that lil’ debate that happened on your blog not too long ago.
I was really feeling that new Ghostface. It’s hot and I can’t believe I forgot to mention it on my mid-year top CDs list…thanks for reminding me. I didn’t give that new Juve a whole lot of airplay, but..I did like the little of it that I listened to.
I didn’t really like that new Busta. Maybe the track with Kelis messed it all up for me, I dunno.
For me I think MURS “Murray’s Revenge” is up there with some of the best this year… and Rawkus’ The Procussions is bringing the label back to prominence, check out “5 Sparrows for 2 Cents”…
Not hip-hop, but Nelly Furtado and Timbaland did drop a nice project with “Loose”… I’m interested in what Rick Ross will drop later this year… I dig the beard, I wish I could grow one like that
Best single of the year: Cham – Ghetto Story (gives me goosebumps like grimy dancehall records should – the fact that the powers that be in JA have banned it let’s you know that Cham’s lyrics ring a little too true)
King and Fishscale (hey Def Jam, where’s the next single?) are both favorites of mine. Good records to come back to every few weeks. Side note, “Ha” is one of my favorite music videos, period. And although it came out last year, (I just got introduced to it recently), that Clipse “We Got It For Cheap Vol. 2”, is a straight up banger!
There is an enduring affinity about Ghost that is just lost on me. I need to listen to that in a dark room and see what I am missing.
I found the E40 album far more intriguing that I intended to.
Am I the only one out there that knows Bun B -Trill is one of the hottest albums out? The lyrical half of UGK tore it up on Trill and atleast deserves and honorable mention in this joint!! Come on Baba!!
I appreciate TI–he’s got flow and a good ear for beats, and occasionally some good lyrics, but I’m just not that into him.
Busta stopped being interesting as an MC years ago, but the production on his album is nice.
Never been big on Juve or E 40.
The MURS was cool.
Fishscale has some flaws, but it wins, hands down…for now. The production is interesting, yet always soulful. Ghost’s storytelling is extremely vivid and creative–nobody is touching him right now–and he’s even better when he teams with Rae. He turns crack rap cliches inside out and, instead of glamorizing them, makes sure that in his stories nothing goes according to plan and everything has consequences. I’m also convinced that his verse on “Jellyfish” and “Beauty Jackson” are 2 of the best rap verses ever written about desired women. He works in wierd metaphors without having to draw attention to them. And I mean actual metaphors, not cliches, weak similes, and punchlines that fans of “lyrical” MCs refer to as metaphors. They’re all over “Clipse of Doom,” I’m especially fond of the Bush one at the end, and the kitten one in the aforementioned “Jellyfish”.
He goes from raw description (“Shakey Dog,” “Crackspot”) to stream of consciousness posturing (“Champ”, “Clipse of Doom”) to irony (“Big Girl”) to bizarre near hallucinations (“Underwater”) to humor (“Barbershop”) to nostalgia–even if it is for getting his ass whooped (“Whip You W/ a Strap”) all on the same album, yet it all coheres. He’s bubbling with creativity and personality and is just a monster vocally, and is threfore the best rapper on the planet right now.
The only artists who can produce albums to topple Ghost’s are Raekwon, Kast, or Monch (will his album ever drop?) maybe Jaydee as a long shot. A lot of people will ride with the Roots, Nas, Lupe, and a host of Southern cats, but I just don’t see them making great albums.
Fishscale is by far the best rap album I’ve heard all year by a significant degree. It is one of the few that is quality in respect to the individual songs and more importantly their context in creating a complete album, which too many people can’t get together recently.
Ghost always had the ability to create clear imagery and having a supreme (oooooh, pun) lock on intelligent and articulate flow among the biggies. He is a perfect example of how the WU consistently stands above so many others in the mainstream in recognizing their fans can understand higher-level lyrics without trying too hard.
Honestly, I’m not really down with Busta anymore. Had always been a fan and the Dre collabo is something we all wish for. Unfortunately, rap is as much about the culture as the lyrics and I’m not down with Busta’s idealogy. I’m not down with bigotry or racism and from what I’ve read and understood about Busta, he has a severe problem with gay people. Do like Bun B. says and be cool with the gay people, they buy your records too.
evan
(the only gay rapper I’ve heard of is Soce, contrary to what the Chronic told us about Luke, Eazy and Tim Dog)
Gotta get that Busta joint, but the question lingers; is Fishcale better than Supreme Clientele?
^^^
The highs of Fishscale are high (he’s at his most creative and his most accessible, he’s perfected his already stellar storytelling), but what keeps it from joining Supreme Clientele and Ironman are the weaker songs. The Biggie song and “Dogs of War don’t fit. “Momma,” “Be Easy,” and “Back Like That” fit, but I don’t care for them at all. That’s like 1/4th of the album.
There are only 2 songs on Ironman that I skip and S.C. is almost unskippable.
“Back Like That” is the catchiest song I’ve heard in maybe 2-3 years, seriously. “Whip You With a Strap” and “Kilo” are great, too. But yeah, a few too many throwaway tracks on there for my tastes.
Other than T.I., I haven’t heard tracks from any of the above. I really haven’t been able to “get into” any newer hip-hop since Ludacris, Missy E, and Nelly–yes, I LOVED “Country Grammar.” Could not STAND “Fitty” though. (50 Cent if it wasn’t clear). I just don’t understand why he’s the shit. I prefer more melodic stuff like the afore mentiioned artists. And I know they’re outdated, but so am I…
🙂
I will give your songs a “listen to” on iTunes…
Man, I’ve fell so far off the hip-hop cliff that I’m missing thangs. Been listening to “NuJazz” from USA underground, UK, Finland, Japan, etc. And I have Brazilian jazz fever (since ’96). But I do like T.I.’s new stuff. I’m like Rex. I prefer more melodic stuff. But when I hear good hip-hop, I give it props.
But I’m livin’ deep in Brazil muzak and NuJazz…
I like most of the albums that have been mentioned. I haven’t gotten a chance to hear the entire Fishscale album by Ghostface but I’ve heard about 7 or 8 tracks and they were all well-done.
The album that I would include in the top 5 so far this year would definitely be “Light Poles and Pine Trees” by Field Mob. They’ve had two previous albums, one of which (From the Roota to tha Toota) I consider to be a classic. The new album is fire, especially considering they are on DTP with Ludacris now. It has two joints that you gotta hear over and over, “Smiliin'” featuring Luda and “At the Park” which sounds like “Dro in da Wind” Pt. 2. If you dig Outkast, you’ll really like this group. And even if you don’t, you’ll still dig it. Lots of replay value.
I definitely think that the Juvenile album was the biggest surprise so far. I knew the boy could rhyme, and I love that New Orleans rap but I didn’t think he was going to be relevant anymore. I was wrong. He’s definitely relevant. Although, I could have done without the Mike Jones cameo.
Anyways, I think the next half of the year will have its gems too, especially with Nas, Ludacris and Young Dro dropping. And of course, Jigga might drop too but who knows, last I heard he might wait til January instead of December. In any case, good picks, but I def think that Field Mob album needs to be up there.
While I’m cool with this list, I’m interested to hear your take on the new Field Mob. Definately country. Definately catchy. I’m about to begin the second listen; let’s see if I change my mind.
What you didn’t like Why You Wanna? on King? It’s addictive…
trill came out in 05
and isn’t better than anything on this list really
save the 40 water maybe
and “back like that” can’t be single of the year
if “what you know about that” is single of the millenium
it’s continuing the TI tradition of keeping a single on the radio forever
Royalty Free Beats For One Dollar
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