Wednesday, December 29, 2010 at 1:06PM 
38)T.I. King
Was at his best on this album. Finally was able to put together something cohesive as a whole. This might be the All Eyez On Me of the generation.
That intro that DJ Toomp built for "What You Know" is Rap's version of the intro to "The Final Countdown." Only difference is that "What You Know" wasn't cheesy.
37)Clipse - Lord Willn, Hell Hath No Fury
The reason I have put all three of these in the mix is the fact that it was almost like a trilogy. The first album was so breakthrough to me because I hadn’t heard content like that in such a fresh way in a long time. The second was the darkest album I had heard since that 2nd Mobb Deep and, to this day I still think these are some of the greatest beats the Neptunes ever crafted. The last album just had so much lyrical depth to it. While upon first listen I was lukewarm in the reception, digging into it some more into it showed the tale of repentance and ultimate realization about how a man lives his life. Malice was the star of this one where Pusha T was on the last. Either way this is one of the best groups to emerge out of this decade.
36)Raekwon- Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
The reintroduction of raw rap again. It had been awhile since anything from the Wu (besides Ghostface) had assembled anything memorable. This brought these guys back up in discussions again. This is everything that 8 Diagrams should have been.
All members of the Wu rap that gangsta lyricsm, but all had their subtle style. Ghostface is loud, explicited and brass. Method Man had the swagger flow. But with Raekwon, he would flow as if he was voicing over a black and white film noir. As you listen to Raekwon rap, you could even smell the cigar smell in the air.
35)N.E.R.D-In Search Of...
Why this on the list is cause if it wasn't for this I don't think we would of have had a relevant Snoop Dogg, Justin Timberlake as a solo artist, or half of the hits post 2003 from Chad and Pharrell. This allowed them to expand their sound plateau while letting their own creative devices materialize.
34)Alicia Keys-Diary of Alicia
Her best album by far. The production was on some other level. Some of today's best were behind her the boards on this one, and they definitely provided the landscape necessary to advance her past all other young starlets at the time.
Sometimes timing and luck can make a great album so much more successful. "The Diary of Alicia Keys" came out when Kanye West's production was in it's pinacle of the label "Soul Beats." Luckly for her, her second single "You Don't Know My Name" was produced by Kanye and was able to ride that Soul train. Also who can forget the Duet with Usher with "My Boo." While this song didn't appear on "The Diary of Alicia Keys," the song help give the extra push of promotion and overcome the ill fated sophmore slump curse of matching the sucess of "Songs in A Minor."
33)Will. I. Am-Lost Change
32)Bubba Sparxx-Deliverance
Timbaland I thought was just a great beatmaker. This was the album where he became a great producer. The Southern sound-scape he provided/oversaw was nothing less than remarkable. A definite classic in hip-hop, before Bubba was forced to search for Mrs. New Booty, he was adding another unique tell of tragedy turned triumph to some of Timbaland's finest music to date.
Bubba Sparxx was able follow the footsteps to what made Eminem sucessful. But it wasn't trying to be as equally gangster as his other African American rap peers or even try to copy Eminem's style verbatum, it was just trying to be himself that people appreciated.
31)Janet Jackson-All For You
The last good Jackson album happened back in 01 when Janet and her team put together some fun futuristic material for the world. Does not sound dated at all and a bunch of young ladies entering their thirties will definitely be seen bumping this from their cars still on a girls night out.
The Previous album "Velvet rope" was very bleek and depressing. Almost unexpected yet something we should have seen since she is a Jackson. So for Janet to come back Happy and liberated was what Janet fans were hoping for, and she delevered.
30)Eminem-The Marshall Mathers LP
It’s sad that his second album was his really his last cohesive work. I really was rooting for the guy when it was all said in done. He had skills, a unique story, and a great creative spirit. Unfortunately the drugs, and drama would limit his talents as time progressed. Anyways this album was for its time something else. His sound was more alive than ever here, and with some of Dre’s best production this decade. Em went in on this album. I can’t name a song besides the Lose Yourself that made me that would remind me of his true greatness after the after this album. Brilliant lyrics, and a style that was just basically ahead of a good amount of rappers at the time. This is a true work of his genius on display.
"Stan" shouldn't have been sucessful mainstream song at all because it broke all the rules. But like "Bohemian Rhapsody," it was such a great song because it was exploited all the rules. Sampling a song that coincidentally would come out the same time (Dido's "Thank You), having ultra violent lyrics, and having 4 verses instead of 3 would make any A&R cringe to be release as a single. But the brilliance of the song made it overcome conventional music industry rules.
29) Lupe Fiasco-Food & Liquor
Another one of the best hip-hop albums this decade. The guy was on some next level rhyming, while speaking on social ills today, had a great lead single that wasn't trying to get crunk or anything else that was popular at the time. Plus one of the best in the game(Jay-Z) was his Executive Producer. What else do you want?
The great thing that Lupe Fiaso was able to do was to show the difference between Diversity and Gimmicky. I bet most rappers were to be put in Lupe's position of having a sucessful song about Skateboarding, they would have done a "Sir Mix-A-Lot" and exploited that song until people got sick of it. Instead, he moved on and continued to show his individuality and delivered his talent of being a lyricist.
28)Mariah Carey-The Emancipation of Mimi
Was the album that made us remember one of the best pop voices of our time again. Jermaine Dupri decided to take her back to what she did best straight up R&B material, and then it was a match made in heaven. We had a great mid-tempo (what happened to these?)club jam, some classic slow jams, and one of the best sounding ballads of all time in You Could Be Mine. A great reintroduction to R&B just when it was getting a little too confused with hip-hop.
I read somewhere that "The Emancipation of Mimi" was delayed a year because higher executives said the album wasn't to par and had her remake it. Whoever made that call was a genious.
27)The White Stripes- Icky Thump & Elephunk
All of a sudden Blues was in, I had grown tired of the indie sound personally at when these guys started taking off. By these are two of the later albums when the band had found a little more fame, yet they didn't commercialize their sound at all and kept it very rootsy and raw. Jack White is one of the greatest guitarist/producers of our time. Love how he took the blues to the next level with these albums.
26)Xzibit - Restless
25)Little Brother The Minstrel Show
One of the best concept albums ever made. This is right up there with De La’s first two, and took some shots at hip-hop industry in the process. Phonte, Big Pooh, with 9th Wonder on the beats made some hilarious skits about black entertainment, as well as making some great music as well. All For You still is one of my favorite songs of all time.
24)Snoop Dogg- The Last Meal, R&G Rhythm and Gangsta
The Last Meal is hands down the second best album in Snoops discography. This album recaptured a lot of the same playful energy from Doggystyle while updating the G-Funk sound. R&G was the album brought snoop into his second career. This is where he added more pop elements to his sound as well as implementing more heavily his taste for old-school R&B. The Neptunes supplied Snoop with some of their ideas of where he should go and snoop just kept building on that ever since.
23)Talib Kweli & Hi Tek Reflection Eternal-Train Of Thought
Because of this album I officially was able to understand and get into the more conscious rap. I was too young for the whole Native Tongues movement when that happened, so this was my chance to catch the next wave. Such a well done album, Kweli and Hi-tek elevated the underground to new heights with this collection of thought provoking, fun, intelligent songs.
22)Ghostface Killah Supreme Clientele, Fishscale, Apollo Kids
21) Common Be, Electric Circus, and Like Water for Chocolate
Common this decade was pretty much at his prime the early part of the decade. Though many criticize Electric Circus, I place right up there with all the other good stuff he did. Be was the album the hip-hop heads wanted, Water For Chocolate helped capture the whole Soulaqurian movement at it's peak. All were great, and all belong on this list. Common was on top of his game for the most part this decade.
Not only did Common bring what hip-hop heads want, he brought stage showmanship that no other rapper was bringing at the time. Without having the budget of Jay-Z or Kiss during his touring, Common still knew how to throw a show. If you have to see only one rapper perform, I give my nomination to Common.
20)Sufjan Stevens-Illinoise
18)Usher-Confessions
One of the best pop albums ever made. Besides the huge single that Yeahh!! was, it integrated a lot of what made R&B music great through the years into more mature songwriting. Jermaine Dupree might be the Quincy Jones of this decade.
One thing that facinated me was that "Yeah!!" was so polar opposite of the album. You have those albums that would put a lead single that was considered the "hit" but then when you purchase the album the rest would be garbage. But this wasn't the case here. It was as if Usher lure people into his album with a Unhealthy sugar donut song "Yeah!!" but once entering the album you got fed a healthy chicken soup that lead you to want more.
17)Big Boi-Sir Luscious Left Foot: Son Of Chico Dusty
in the recent absence of Andre 3000 over the last few years, Big Boi has almost single-handily kept the Outkast movement going. This album, continues on with what the ATLiens have done since they came in the game...making next level music for us to catch up too.
16)DJ Quik-Under The Influence
Quik is this generation's Coltrane. I think he got overshadowed by Dre, but musically was light years ahead of him. His full genius was on display throughout this one. He showcased his whole bag of tricks, expanding the G-Funk to new levels. From the first track you knew he had it with this album.
DJ Quik worked hard. Ever Since 91 he has able to get production done. Just look at his Production Credits
15)Erykah Badu Mamas Gun, New Ameryka pt 1&2, World Wide Underground
I think she must be from another planet. In some form or another she has been a part of a lot of great music to come out the last ten years. These four albums were just ahead of the curve. Shoot it took me two years to catch up to World Wide myself. So it would be a complete deserve to place any of this above, or below each other.
14)The Roots-Phrenology, Game Theory, Rising Down, & How I Got Over
These four albums by themselves are great but together tell the story of a decade of wonder, hope lost, and hope found. I don't know what four albums encompass what the decade was about any better.
After the commercial success of The Tipping Point, The Roots went into a direction that most groups/bands wouldn't have gone. They went dark with their new direction. It was as if they spat on their newly success so that they wouldn't compromise their artist integrety. But what's great was that they were able to twist that around with "How I Got Over," a more positive album that still reflected the mood of thier previous 2 albums.
13)Nas-Gods Son, Stillmatic
All it took was a diss from Hov and Nas was awoken with a fire like never before. These two albums showcase that energy focused, and though he might of had one of the most lyrically aggressive rebuttals of all time with Ether, the body of work was incredible for both. Made You Look was a new street album, Rewind was one of the most creative stories told on a wax, outcry for justice of Poison, or the Slick Rick styled Bridge Is Over, the man had it. One of the greatest of all time, being just that.
12)De La Soul Art Official Intelligence: Bionix, The Grind Date
Bionix was a life changer, Trying might be one of the best rap songs ever written, and The Plugs were finally having fun again while easing into adulthood. Bionix was full on fun from the guys, and basically just picked up the ball right after Bionix left off, some of the illest rappers alive basically just showcased why they were just that, and it was nothing but business as usual to them.
10)Madonna-Music
All this Electro stuff coming back around isn’t anything new under the sun. Back in 2000, Madonna had already had an incorporated this sound into her works, but it was hit and miss. This was all good. She was gold with this one, and even though I am a straight (oh the clichés in the US) man, I had to give props were props were do. None of these new jacks have yet to touch this one.
9)Jay-Z - The Bluprint, Black Album, American Gangster
Jay-Z had just turned my head again with a few tracks from The Dynasty Album but as a whole it had been a while since I had respected him as an artist. He had made so much Nelly type music that I was thinking he was in that category. Well these two albums cemented his place in history. You put those three and Reasonable Doubt together, and it adds up well. He was finally saying something again, and connected with the souls of people everywhere.
I knew Jay-Z wasn't going to retire. Still I thought the Black Album was the best way to leave the game. It was such a cohesive album as it mixed in reflective personal thoughts, his biography, and some lasting words that to make you think "man he is leaving." To top it all off he ends the album with "My 1st Song," rapping fast like how he used to in his early career.
8)Kanye West- The College Dropout,Late Registration, Graduation, Dark Twisted Fantasy
Kanye is the artist of the decade. His movement in music has impressed us all; even his toughest critics have to admit this. The progression of his sound is what impresses me the most. Though he has worked with everyone from RZA, Jon Brian, to Kid Cudi in the process, his vision still stays strong. The man is fearless in terms of creativity and if it wasn’t for his outburst here and there, he would be the Michael Jackson of this generation.
What worried me about Kanye when Late Registration came out was that alot of his unreleased old material was recycled. I was and still am a huge Kanye fan. So when I was collecting alot of his unrealeased music, I would notice alot of reused verses. I was starting to feel skepitcal of his ability to become a great rapper. Yet Kanye was able to squash that skepticism by rapping like a real MC on a wave of guest remixes all over the mixtape circuit and came out with the mixtape "Can't Tell Me Nothing" to promote the Release of "Graduation." My favorite 2 guest verses that I still feel are great today are "Because of You" with Ne-Yo and E-40's "Tell Me When to Go."
7)Raphael Saddiq- Instant Vintage
crime of the century was how did this not win a Grammy? The man almost single handily reinvented soul this one. Yet, after being up for five nominations went home empty-handed? Don’t know what happened there, but this is and will always be one of the great soul albums of all time.
6)Bjork - Vespertine
All voices, that's all this was. But it was done in such a way that hadn’t been tried in the mainstream. The work is not just unique though, it was good music. The way that voices became instruments and Bjork is just as great as they come when it comes down to it.
5)Scarface-The Fix
One of the best to ever do it Scarface worked with up-in-coming mainstream talents such as The Neptunes, Just Blaze, and Kanye West to create one of the best albums of all time.
Scarface is one of the greatest for not only his great wise storytelling, but with also the use of his narrative commanding voice that would be equal to Morgan Freeman or James Earl Jones. When you listen to him rap, you can picture whats going on with the song.
4)Kirk Franklin- The Rebirth of Kirk Franklin
the future of gospel music was this man. I don't know a musician alive who doesn't appreciate this work. Incorporating hip-hop, r&b of yesterday, pop and more into a live recorded work of greatness. The arrangements were out of this this world ...like possibly God himself might of hand in this.
3)Loretta Lynn-Van Lear Rose
I remember reading about this album when it came out and thought it would just be another over-hyped work from all the uppity music journalist. Boy was I wrong. This is one of the best country albums ever made. Though I tend to stay away from this music for the most part now days, I have always appreciated the old stuff. Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, and of that sort. This is more in tradition with that music. Not just some comeback album featuring a new jack where they try to adapt them to the new sounds. This is rooted in blues-rock, and gospel. Just like the songs of yesteryear, yet doesn’t sound dated.
2)Janelle Monae-The Archandroid
I have raved about this album all this year. Most creative body of work I have heard in a while. I don’t even know how to classify it. The thing is though that a large share of it is great. She is in a league of her own with this one, and might have opened the doors for a lot more diversity in music for the next generation.
1)D’Angelo Voodoo
The one album I would take with me anywhere, anytime, anyplace. This was and will be forever one of the greatest works ever made. He was somehow able to draw from the soul of old and embrace the sound of new and make something that sounded fresh. Devils Pie, Send It On, Left & Right, Africa, and so many other songs connect with each other beautifully at that point. This was the rebirth of soul right here. Might be the closet we get to a 70’s Marvin, Stevie, or Mayfield for a while.
Albums of the Decade, Jay-Z, Kanye West, Music, Nas, Outkast, T.I., Top, clipse, de la soul, ghostface killa, mariah Carey in music Wednesday, December 15, 2010 at 2:00PM 39)Corrine Baily Rae-I'd Do It All Again
I picked this one cause it was the first song I heard off her follow-up album. I listened to this song at least over 100 times easily that first week the video came out. I never do that anymore really, but sometimes a song is just that it deserves it.
38)The Roots ft Dice Raw- How I Got Over
After one of the worse years of my life last year, this song was the first musical glimpse that things would get better, if I would be able to change my perspective on things in my life. Very Sly & The Family Stone influenced, none the less though a great song to start the year off to.
37)Kid Cudi ft Cee-Lo-Scott Mescudi Vs The World
Kid Cudi sure knows to kick off an album. Last one was Soundtrack 2 My Life, and now this Cee-Lo aided opener. One word can describe this track:epic.
36)Rick Ross ft T.I., Jadakiss, & Erykah Badu-Maybach Music III
If Rick Ross decides to make another Maybach Music, it better be out of this world. Because part III in the song series, is on some big budget, major motion picture, type level. I feel like I am watching the opening of the most expensive movie ever made when it starts, but when it gets to when Ross verse and the beat flips...speechless. This is beautiful music on any level.
35)Corrine Baily Rae-Closer
More music for my bedroom play-list. This definitely for the kids right here. She sounds so good on this I would hate to ever hear a cover version. Corrine is a definite candidate for a wifey one day.
34)Cee-Lo- You Don't Shock Me Anymore
Fantastic song that I wouldn't ever imagine Cee-Lo singing. It almost sounds like it was from a 60's game show intermission. Nothing sounds like this track that I have heard this year. Definitely a standout.
33)The Foreign Exchange-The City Ain't the Same Without You
Haven't heard a country R&B song in a long while. Not since the days that Lionel was the go to songwriter of radio. If some coming-of-age, film were to pick this song up it would blow up in the indie scene for sure.
32)Drake ft T.I, Mary J Blige & Swizz Beats- Fancy
Go head, Go head, Knew from the moment I heard it that this was going to be a radio smash. Just don't know why they choose to release it so late. My favorite part is that breakdown at the end. I just can see the type of girls he is referring to in ATL, LA, and NY for sure. Love asking a woman nowadays “Oh you fancy huh?” great hook, pop-culture gold right there.
31)Cee-Lo-Fuck You
Like Fancy, I knew this was going to be a huge radio single as well. Glad they took the chance on it and put the money behind it to help it get there. Great song, right here from Bruno Mars and his production team.
30)Raheem Devaughn ft- Nobody Wins A War
So many features on this track I had low hopes that it would amount to anything that was remotely interesting. I was wrong, everyone? voice fits well on this protest track against war in the vain of Marvin Gaye.
29)B.o.B-Don't Let Me Fall
Great feel good song from Bobby Ray. This guy really needs to do more of his own production on his next album. Every track that he did, I thought were highlights on his debut. I could tell he made this song sometime around the time when Nothin On You,the first single took off. Because the song sounds like a giant sigh of relief, followed by self-thoughts of trying to stay focused on his goals. I don't think this song would even exist from him if not for that hit.
28)Pac-Div-Here We Go
On Church League Champs this was just an interlude at the end of a song before another one started. I wondered why they didn't use it. Well obviously they had something in store for it,just wasn't time yet. This song is powerful, and when the 2pac surprise verse at the end comes in at the end...it becomes classic.
27)Kanye West ft Jay-Z Charlie Wilson, Pete Rock-The Joy
Why didn't he put this on his album? This is boom-bap hip-hop at it's finest. Both MC's do their thing, especially HOV's. His guest verses for the most part this year, have been pure venom. Don't know what got into him, but I like it.
26) The Roots ft Blu & Phonte-The Day
My ringtone for the majority of the year was this song. But it wasn't because it was super catchy, it was because it was an anthem. Of what I wanted my mindset to be everyday. Blu's verse especially captures everything I want to be everyday.
25)Aloe Blacc-I Need Dolla
For a few consecutive weeks this summer, this was the theme song I heard on HBO's How to Make It In America, great theme for our recession mindset and what a lot of people are going through today.
24)Lupe Fiasco-The Show Goes On
K, when I put this on the first day it was made available, I almost cried(Shoot I am almost crying now listening to it). Yes, I loved I'm Beaming, but this was the song for a movement. A movement of people that are trying to get through this life everyday and make it more. I had this one on repeat all day, upon its release. Love that there is a voice of hope in the music today.
23)Big Boi ft Sleepy Brown & Joi-Turns Me On
If you slept on this album(I don't know why you would), make sure that you at least listen to this track. This is something that you can ride to with either sex. Big Boi is just too far ahead of the curve for most. This is at least 6-years away from being understood by the masses. Too much going on, for the average listener to wrap their head around. Guy is a legend in music, the way the vocals are mixed, space age sounds, jazzy keys...just listen to it sometime and I'll rest my case.
22) Tiron-For Your Smile
First song I heard off the MSTRD album, great summer time jam about growing up, and trying to impress girls. Tiron brought back the innocence that was missing from the music lately with this one.
21)N.E.R.D-Hypnotize U
First off I would like to send thank you to Prince for influencing so many great artist today. This song is from his school, right up his alley actually. N.E.R.D, have a gem with this one. I think this might be one of the best songs they have ever recorded since Run to the Sun. Could be club music, Bedroom, or chill, depends on the moment I guess. Awesome production though for sure.
19)The Roots-Doin it Again
Whats hard about a great album is that the majority of the songs on it are great as well. So when making a list like its hard to leave stuff out but you don't want to not bring attention to standouts. This was a later standout to me. Upon first listen just thought it was a John legend flip, but the feeling that it is able to bring is incredible. It builds on the original song for sure.
18)Kanye West ft Kid Cudi, & Raekwon-Gorgous
Kanye benefits from Cudi being around so much now days. Some his best hook ideas are coming from that man. Even some of his sound is influence by the Kid. This song though is not just about the hook, verses are next level as well. Kanye is spitting on this as we like to say in my inner circle. When Rae comes on its crazy as well. Second favorite song on this album for sure.
17)Rhymefest ft Phonte-Say Wassup
The other night I heard Positive K's I Gotta Man and I remembered how great that song was. This is in that vain to me. Just a more mature dude saying wassup, not on that holla, holla,holla or that typical rapper talk about getting some girl back to their place, and I'll buy this and that for you nonsense. Just real game, basically. Letting a woman know he is interested without being cliché, or disrespectful. Most young men and woman don't know whats up with this now days. More of that grown folks talk right here.
16)Big Sean-Almost Wrote You A Love Song
I think that Sean had to be watch 500 Days of Summer when he wrote this one. The feel of it kind of has that vibe to it. When you put it on your just basically listening to a song about the end of a dysfunctional relationship. Yet there are some funny lines in it that keep it kind of light, but well written for sure. There are not enough honest songs from the male perspective relationships. Definitely need more of this in today? music.
15)Murs & 9th Wonder- I Used to Love H.E.R Again
Do we need another song about hip-hop? Yeah we do, cause there aren't enough that sound that great. Every 5-10 years you get one that is decent or great. Well this leans on the later side. Murs is a great storyteller, and this is one of the better 9th productions in a long time. Beats and Rhymes, is what it comes town in the end, this song has both of those. Great tribute.
14)Cee Lo-No Ones Going To Love You(Paul Epworth Mix)
Why was this version not included on the album? A great cover of a Band Of Horses song that was polished up a little too much for my liking. The edge on and more Electronica sound on this one just makes it sound more raw. A stellar vocal performance though from Mr Green for sure, and I hope this version will stay around longer than that version on the album.
13)T.I. Ft Michelle'L & Scarface-How Life ChangedOnly thing keeping this out of the top ten is the lateness of its arrival. I been bumping this track ruthlessly over the last week or so. It's my anthem for 2011 for sure. Clifford Harris sounds so good on tracks like this. Deep southern funk, is usually where he can excel. Verbally he is able to bend his words around the music more showcases his uniqueness as an artist. Another reason they used to call him the Rubberband Man I guess. When you throw in Uncle Face as well, just becomes magic. Scarface is to music what Morgan Freeman or Robert Duvall are to film. Just a well-respected artist, who has put in his time in and draws respect and added interest to the song. I want to look back in 2012 at all of this and sing this song remembering how much life has changed.
TOMORROW THE FINAL 12
B.o.B, Bruno Mars, Corinne Bailey Rae, Hip-hop, Kanye West, Music, R&B, Raheem Devaugn, Rhymefest, T.I., Urban, Year End List in music Tuesday, October 28, 2008 at 8:46PM With Economic turmoil, Revision3 having Massive Layoffs, now we have the video for T.I.'s Live Your Life:
What a shitty week.......
