The HedRush Episode #38 - The Boom & The Bip

Keeping it short and sweet, here's the new episode that showcases more of our bread & butter. Lots of bangin' tracks, many with exquisite production. So check us out and tell all your friends.

Oh, and we're looking for beats. So hit us up at: thehedrush@gmail.com

Click here for the playlist.

And here's the playlist:

Gravediggaz - No Where to Run, No Where To Hide
Trendz of Culture - Off & On
Whooliganz - Put Your Handz Up
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LL Cool J - Back Seat
Young MC - Non Stop
Craig G - UR Not the 1 (rmx)
Superlover Cee & Casanova Rud - Romeo
Above the Law – V.S.O.P.
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Simple E – Play My Funk
Mad Skillz f/ Q-Tip & Large Professor – Extra Abstract Skillz
Paula Perry – Paula’s Perry
Organized Konfusion – Somehow, Someway
Justin Warfield – Season of the Vic
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Basehead – 2000 B.C.

The HedRush Radio Show, Episode #37 - We Get Ruff

So we hope you enjoyed the Top 600 best of the '00s list, but now it's back to our regularly scheduled program: The HedRush Radio Show. And with our new episode, we got back to our bread and butter: dusty hip-hop from the '80s and '90s. So here's another fix.

Head over here to download the show.

And here's the playlist:

Jaz f/ Jay-Z - The Originators
Max & Sam - Rumble Young Man, Rumble
Supreme Nyborn - Versatility (rmx)
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YZ - The Ghetto's Been Good To Me
Brand New Heavies f/ Grand Puba - Who Makes the Loot?
Rough House Survivor - Rough House (Pete Rock Remix)
Resident Alien f/ Maseo & Dres - Shakey Ground
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Krumb Snatcha - Closer to God
Tragedy f/ Extra P & Havoc - Da Funk Mode
Cru f/ Slick Rick - Just Another Case
Rasco - Sophisticated Mic Pros
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Brothas Uv Da Blackmarket - Livin' in a Bottle

Enjoy the music and the analysis and tell a friend.

Top 600 Hip-Hop albums of the '00s

The list below represents the work of over a year of my life. I’d actually hazard it took close to 18 months to compile and rank this list. And hey, it’s only a little over a year late. As you might guess, I’m into hip-hop, like, REALLY into hip-hop. So when I saw all of the “Best of the Decade” lists pop up in various media around mid-2009, I decided to compile my own centering on hip-hop music. This list was first conceived as a Top 500, but grew to Top 600. Truthfully, I could have turned it into a Top 700 (I’ve got up to #676 loosely mapped out), but that seemed gratuitous even to me.

Okay, some general notes about the list:

1. It a list of MY favorite hip-hop albums released between 1/1/00 and 12/31/09. Releases from the year 2010 are not included.
2. It’s a list based on MY personal tastes and preferences. It does not factor in sales or “impact” or “relevance,” just what I liked the most.
3. Here’s what I did not include on the list of 600:
a. Hip-Hop EPs; they’re on a separate list.
b. Releases of albums/material originally intended to be released before 2000, or compilations of material that was released before 2000; they’re on a separate list.
c. Non-exclusive hip-hop albums released by hip-hop artists; the definition gets a little dicey sometimes, but I tried to keep it as consistent as possible, and yes, they got their own list.
d. Mixtapes. I didn’t get/download enough of these to really put together a comprehensive list. However, I included a separate list with my five favorites.

If you don’t see an album on the list, here are the potential reasons:
1. I didn’t hear it. It’s possible: even I can’t listen to everything. I certainly tried though, as I sought out A LOT of albums I hadn’t heard before putting this list together, and listened to them multiple times whenever possible. Many of them got included on this list.
2. I heard it and liked it but forgot to include it. Less likely, as I tried to be as exhaustive as possible. But my mind does not have an airtight seal; things can slip through.
3. There are, in my opinion, 600 hip-hop albums better than that album.

Last few notes: This list reflects my order of preference right now as I type this. I’ve edited this list countless times. Hell, I’ve edited it a few times since I started writing this intro. The order could be different 10 months or 10 minutes from now. So, if you’re wondering why one particular album is only #X in the list, it’s because I right now like #Y hip-hop albums more than that one.

I’ve listened to just about every album on here multiple times since I started putting it together, ESPECIALLY the ones that are ranked towards the end. There were A LOT of dope/great albums released between 1/1/00 and 12/31/09, which I why I expanded the length of this list from 500 to 600.

Also, I’m old enough that I’ll give just about anything its day in court, but be aware that there is a certain style of hip-hop that I prefer, and the list below reflects my tastes. That said, there’s stuff for everyone to hate about how I ranked these albums, but it’s an as accurate reflection of my beliefs right now as can be expected.

And, if after all that anyone wants to complain about this list, honestly, kiss my ass.

See without further ado, here’s the list:


Top 600 Hip-Hop albums of the ’00s.

1. Ghostface Killah – Supreme Clientele
2. Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein
3. Outkast – Stankonia
4. Madvillain – Madvillainy
5. Edan – Beauty and the Beat
6. Jay-Z – Blueprint
7. People Under the Stairs – O.S.T.
8. Mr. Lif – I, Phantom
9. Blueprint – 1988
10. Reflection Eternal – Train of Thought
11. Blu and Exile – Below the Heavens
12. People Under the Stairs – Fun-DMC
13. Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2
14. Masta Ace – Disposable Arts
15. De La Soul – The Grind Date
16. Third Sight – Symbonese Liberation Album
17. Roosevelt Franklin – Something’s Gotta Give
18. Viktor Vaughn – Vaudville Villain
19. Atmosphere – You Can’t Imagine How Much Fun We’re Having
20. Slum Village – Fantastic, Vol. 2
21. El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
22. J-Zone – A Job Ain’t Nothin’ But Work
23. Wu-Tang Clan – Iron Flag
24. Asheru and Blue Black – Soon Come…
25. Count Bass D – Dwight Spitz
26. MURS – End of the Beginning
27. The Roots – The Tipping Point
28. CunninLynguists – A Piece of Strange
29. Immortal Technique – Revolutionary Vol. 2
30. People Under the Stairs – Stepfather
31. Aesop Rock – Labor Days
32. Brother Ali – Shadows of the Sun
33. Insight – The Blast Radius
34. Jaylib – Champion Sound
35. Juggaknots – Use Your Confusion
36. Porn Theater Ushers - Taxachusetts
37. Little Brother – The Listening
38. Kanye West – Late Registration
39. Quasimoto – The Further Adventures of…
40. The Roots – Rising Down
41. J-Zone - $ick of Being Rich
42. Wu-Tang Clan – The W
43. The Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury
44. J-Live – All of the Above
45. Illogic – Celestial Clockwork
46. The Roots –Game Theory
47. Willie Evans Jr. – Communication
48. Akrobatik – Balance
49. Kanye West – Graduation
50. Mr. Lif – I Heard It Today
51. Quasimoto – The Unseen
52. P.O.S. – Audition
53. Roddy Rod – Blunt Park Sessions 2.0
54. Devin the Dude – To Tha X-Treme
55. Maspyke – Blackout
56. Diamond District – In the Ruff
57. Super Chron Flight Brothers – Emergency Powers
58. Konceptual Dominance
59. Akrobatik – Absolute Value
60. Edan – Primitive Plus
61. J-Zone – Pimps Don’t Play Taxes
62. Atmosphere – God Loves Ugly
63. Asamov – And Now
64. Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow
65. Common – Like Water For Chocolate
66. Tanya Morgan – Brooklynatti
67. Tony Touch – The Piece Maker
68. MF DOOM – MM… Food?
69. Jedi Mind Tricks – Violent By Design
70. El-P – Fantastic Damage
71. Dilated Peoples – Expansion Team
72. RJD2 – Deadringer
73. All Natural – Second Nature
74. Five Deez – Kool Motor
75. De La Soul – Art Official Intelligence Vol. 1: Mosiac Thump
76. Azeem – Craft Classic
77. Kanye West – College Dropout
78. Jurassic Five – Power in Numbers
79. Beanie Sigel – The B. Coming
80. M.O.P. – Warriorz
81. Capital D – Insomnia
82. Brother Ali – Undisputed Truth
83. Big Boi – Speakerboxxx
84. Ghostface Killah – Fishscale
85. Jay-Z – American Gangster
86. Gangstarr – The Ownerz
87. Babbletron – Mechanical Royalty
88. Murs and 9th Wonder – MURS 3:16
89. Soul Position – Things Go Better With RJ and Al
90. The UN – UN Or U Out?
91. Prophetix – High Risk
92. People Under the Stairs – Carried Away
93. Perceptionists – Black Dialogue
94. Binary Star –Masters of the Universe
95. Hieroglyphics – Full Circle
96. CunninLynguists – Dirty Acres
97. Jake One – White Van Music
98. Styles of Beyond – Megadef
99. Louis Logic – Misery Loves Comedy
100. Guilty Simpson – Ode to the Ghetto
101. Jon Doe – Meet Jon Doe
102. One Be Lo – S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
103. Mos Def – The Ecstatic
104. Semi.Official – The Anti-Album
105. Wisemen – Wisemen Approaching
106. Capital D – Return of the Renegade
107. Jedi Mind Tricks – Visions of Gandhi
108. Non-Phixion – The Future is Now
109. Little Brother – The Minstrel Show
110. Sean Price – Monkey Barz
111. Slug & Murs - Felt 2: A Tribute To Lisa Bonet
112. Foreign Exchange – Connected
113. Scarface – The Fix
114. Uncut Raw – First Toke
115. Ghostface Killah – The Pretty Toney Album
116. Soul Position – 8 Million Stories
117. King Geedorah – Take Me To Your Leader
118. People Under the Stairs – Question in the Form of An Answer
119. J Dilla – Donuts
120. Dilated Peoples – The Platform
121. Pep Love – Ascension
122. Atmosphere – Seven’s Travels
123. Black Milk – Tronic
124. Dagha – The Divorce
125. P.O.S. – Never Better
126. The Roots – Phrenology
127. Living Legends – Almost Famous
128. Esoteric – Egoclapper
129. Y Society – Travel At Your Own Pace
130. Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
131. Cunninlynguists – SouthernUnderground
132. Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
133. Scarface – The Last of Dying Breed
134. Sean Price – Jesus Price Superstar
135. Tony Touch – The Piece Maker 2
136. Five Deez – Kinynasti
137. Invincible – Shape Shifters
138. Zion I & The Grouch – Heroes in the City of Dope
139. Fashawn – Boys Meets World
140. Esoteric – Saving Seamus Ryan
141. Swollen Members – Bad Dreams
142. Ghostface Killah – Bulletproof Wallets
143. Brother Ali – Us
144. The Mighty Underdogs – Droppin Science Fiction
145. Canibus – Rip the Jacker
146. Ugly Duckling – Taste the Secret
147. Binkis – The Reign Begins
148. D12 – Devil’s Night
149. Danger Doom – Mouse and the Mask
150. G&E – Say G&E
151. Jurassic Five – Quality Control
152. Smut Peddlers – Porn Again
153. Del – Both Sides of the Brain
154. Zion I – Mind Over Matter
155. Count Bass D – Act Your Waist Size
156. Aesop Rock – Bazooka Tooth
157. Azeem – Air Cartoons
158. DOOM – Born Like This
159. Nas – Hip-Hop is Dead
160. Esoteric – Esoteric Vs. Japan
161. Smile Rays – Smilin On You
162. Murs & Ninth Wonder – Murray’s Revenge
163. J. Rawls – The Essence of J. Rawls
164. Zion I – The Takeover
165. Exile – Radio
166. Dr. Oop – Mad Hueman Disease
167. Wee Bee Foolish – Brighton Beach Memoirs
168. Jay-Z – The Black Album
169. 7L and Esoteric – A New Dope
170. All Natural – Vintage
171. Strange Fruit Project – The Healing
172. Blackalicious – The Craft
173. The Molemen – The Ritual of the Molemen
174. Common – Be
175. Devin the Dude – Just Tryin’ to Live
176. A.G. – Get Dirty Radio
177. Sacred Hoop – Go Hogwild
178. Masta Ace - Long Hot Summer
179. Mr. Lif – Mo’ Mega
180. Illogic –Got Lyrics?
181. Cool Calm Pete – Lost
182. Lifesavas – Gutterfly
183. Zeph & Azeem – Rise Up
184. Iomos Marad – Deeply Rooted
185. Lifesavas – Spirit in Stone
186. Mr. Len – Pity the Fool
187. Ed O.G. – The Truth Hurts
188. Souls of Mischief – Montezuma’s Revenge
189. Johnny Five – Summer
190. K-Otix – Universal
191. Louis Logic – Sin-A-Matic
192. Nappy Roots – Watermelon, Chicken, and Gritz
193. The Beatnuts – Take It and Squeeze It
194. Motion Man – Clearing the Field
195. Tanya Morgan – Moonlighting
196. Cut Chemist – The Audience is Listening
197. Heltah Skeltah – D.I.R.T.
198. Ken Starr – Starr Status
199. Cage – Hell’s Winter
200. The High and Mighty – Highlite Zone
201. CunninLynguists – Strange Journey Vol. 1 & 2
202. Sound Providers – An Evening With the Sound Providers
203. Porn Theater Ushers – Sloppy Seconds
204. Ghostface Killah – More Fish
205. Redman – Malpractice
206. T.I. – King
207. Busta Rhymes – Anarchy
208. Little Brother – The Getback
209. Five Deez – Kommunicator
210. Mr. Dibbs – The 30th Song
211. Executive Lounge
212. Immortal Technique – Revolutionary Vol. 1
213. Beatnuts – The Originators
214. The Last Emperor – Music, Man, Myth
215. Gift of Gab – 4th Dimensional Rocketships Going Up
216. Deltron – Deltron 3030
217. DJ Shadow – Private Press
218. DJ Drez – Capture of Sound
219. One Be Lo – The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.
220. Freddie Foxxx – Industry Shakedown
221. Marco Polo – Port Authority
222. Jedi Mind Tricks – Legacy of Blood
223. DJ Rob Swift – Sound Event
224. 7L and Esoteric – Soul Purpose
225. Aceyalone – Accepted Eclectic
226. J-Live – Then What Happened
227. Torae and Marco Polo – Double Barrel
228. Killer Mike – Monster
229. Wu-Tang Clan – The 8 Diagrams
230. J Dilla – The Shining
231. Paten Locke – Super Ramen Spaceship
232. Masta Killah – No Said Date
233. Decompoze – Decomposition
234. De La Soul – Are You In?
235. Nas – Stillmatic
236. Leak Bros. – Waterworld
237. Masterminds – Stone Soup
238. Prince Paul – Itstrumental
239. Hell Razah – Razah’s Ladder
240. Chamillionaire – Ultimate Victory
241. Cam’Ron – Purple Haze
242. Arsonists – Date of Birth
243. Aesop Rock – Float
244. D.I.T.C. – D.I.T.C.
245. yU – Before Taxes
246. Dela – Changes in Atmosphere
247. Dynas – The Apartment
248. Masterminds – Underground Railroad
249. Cali Agents – How the West Was Won
250. Percee P – Perseverance
251. Grayskul – Deadlivers
252. All Natural – Elements/Fire
253. Foreign Legion – Kidnapper Van
254. Cunninlynguists – Will Rap For Food
255. EMC – The Show
256. Keely and Zaire – Ridin High
257. Casual – He Think He Raw
258. C-Rayz Walz – Year of the Beast
259. Finale – A Pipe Dream and a Promise
260. K’Naan – Troubadour
261. J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid
262. Murs – Murs 4 President
263. Greenhouse Effect – Columbus or Bust
264. Atmosphere – Lucy Ford
265. Stimulated Vol. 1
266. Eastern Conference All-Stars Vol. 2
267. Ghostface Killah – The Big Doe Rehab
268. Copywrite – The High Exhaulted
269. The Opus – First Contact 001
270. Aceyalone – Magnificent City
271. Dead Prez – Let’s Get Free
272. Q-Tip – Renaissance
273. CMA – All Over
274. Boss Hogg Barbarians – Every Hog Has Its Day
275. L’Roneous & Elusive – Dreamweavers
276. Hangar 18 – Sweep the Leg
277. Casual – Smash Rockwell
278. Cap D & The Molemen – The Writer’s Block
279. Turf Talk – West Coast Vaccine
280. Eminem – The Eminem Show
281. Sadat X – Black October
282. Murs – Murs Rules the World
283. Da Beatminerz – Fully Loaded With Statik
284. RZA – Digital Bullet
285. DJ Jazzy Jeff – Return of the Magnificent
286. Z-Trip – Shifting Gears
287. Cryptic One – The Anti-Mobius Strip Theory
288. Vakill – The Darkest Cloud
289. Single Minded Pros – From Now On…
290. Phenetiks – Revolutionary Non-Pollutionary Mechanical Wonder
291. Nas - Street’s Disciple
292. 7L and Esoteric – DC 2: Bars of Death
293. Sadat X – Experience and Education
294. Pigeon John – And the Summertime Pool Party
295. Lyrics Born – Later That Day
296. Ludacris – Back For the First Time
297. Unsung Heroes – Unleashed
298. Atmosphere – Strickly Leakage
299. Kan Kick – From Artz Unknown
300. Boot Camp Clik – Casualties of War
301. Dynas – Me, Myself, & Rhymes
302. Thirstin Howl III – Skillitary
303. Da Beatminerz – Brace 4 Impak
304. Sage Francis – A Healthy Distrust
305. DJ Spinna – Sonic Smash
306. DJ Zeph – Sunset Scavenger
307. The Beatnuts – Milk Me
308. The Grouch – Making Perfect Sense
309. Fresh Daily – The Gorgeous Killer in Crimes of Passion
310. Homeboy Sandman – Actual Factual Pterodactyl
311. Sandpeople – Honest Racket
312. Pharoahe Monch – Desire
313. Laid in Full Vol. 2
314. The Nextmen – Amongst the Madness
315. Esoteric – Serve or Suffer
316. Sene & Blu – Day Late and a Dollar Short
317. Count Bass D – L7
318. Phife Dawg – Ventilation
319. Super Chron Flight Brothers – Indonesia
320. Slum Village – Detroit Deli
321. Kidz N the Hall – School is My Hustle
322. Clipse – ‘Til the Casket Drops
323. Vast Aire – Look Ma, No Hands
324. T.I. – Trap Muzik
325. Opio – Traingulation Station
326. The Clipse – Lord Willin’
327. Young Jeezy – The Recession
328. The Coup – Party Music
329. L’Roneous – Purposely Powerful
330. Outkast – Idlewild
331. Hell Razah – Renaissance Child
332. Sacred Hoop – Sleep Over
333. Talib Kweli – Eardrum
334. Mission – One
335. Sage Francis – Personal Journals
336. Electric – Life’s a Struggle
337. MC Paul Barman – Paullelujah
338. Masters of Illusion
339. Phat Kat – Carte Blanche
340. BK One – Radio Do Canibal
341. Side Two
342. Jedi Mind Tricks – History of Violence
343. Doomtree – Doomtree
344. Prefuse 73 – Vocal Studies and Uprock Narratives
345. A & E – Arts and Entertainment
346. Beastie Boys – To the 5 Boroughs
347. Large Professor – Main Source
348. Big Tone – The Art of Ink
349. Nobody – Soulmates
350. SA Smash – Smashy Trashy
351. Army of the Pharaohs – The Torture Papers
352. Planet Asia – The Medicine
353. Jedi Mind Tricks – Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
354. Danger Mouse & Jemini – Ghetto Pop Life
355. Blame One – Days Chasing Days
356. Wu-Tang Clan – Chamber Music
357. El Da Sensei – The Unusual
358. The Game – Documentary
359. Devin the Dude - Landing Gear
360. The High and Mighty – The 12th Man
361. Kidz N the Hall – The In-Crowd
362. Slug and MURS – Felt 3: Tribute to Rosie Perez
363. Maspyke – Static
364. Tek and Steele – Reloaded
365. Bus Driver – Fear of a Black Tangent
366. Jay Dee – Welcome to Detroit
367. Encore – Self Preservation
368. Jel – 10 Seconds
369. Spank Rock – YoYoYoYoYo
370. Elzhi – The Preface
371. Dabrye – Two/Three
372. Ludacris – Theater of the Mind
373. DJ Zeph – DJ Zeph
374. Toki Wright – A Different Mirror
375. Three Melancholy Gypsies – Grand Caravan to the Rim of the World
376. Azeem – Show Business
377. Masai Bey – Art of the Covenant
378. Wu-Tang Meets Indie Culture
379. Souls of Mischief – Trilogy: Conflict, Climax, Resolution
380. Jay-Z – Kingdom Come
381. Embedded – The Bedford Files
382. Buc Fifty – Bad Man
383. Dillon & Paten Locke – Studies in Hunger
384. Dizzee Razcal – Maths + English
385. GZA – Pro Tools
386. Rapper Big Pooh – Sleepers
387. Supastition – Chain Letters
388. Convexed
389. The War Compilation
390. 007 Bond – Golden Gunn
391. 7L and Esoteric – Dangerous Connection
392. Hangar 18 – Multi-Platinum Debut Album
393. The Dwellas – The Last Shall Come First
394. C-Rayz Walz – Ravipops (The Substance)
395. The Coup – Pick a Bigger Weapon
396. Mac Lethal – 11:11
397. Nappy Roots – The Humdinger
398. Jigmastas – Infectious
399. Common – Electric Circus
400. Fakts One – Long Range
401. G & E – No More Greener Grasses
402. Black Panther – Darkest Night Ever
403. Euphony compilation
404. P.O.S. – Ipecac Neat
405. Vordhul Mega – Mega Graphitti
406. Raw Produce – Feeling of Now
407. Brooklyn Academy – Bored of Education
408. Abstract Rude – Rejuvenation
409. The Reavers – Terra Firma
410. Nas – God’s Son
411. Jay-Z – Roc-A-La-Familia
412. LA Symphony – Disappear Here
413. Billy Woods – Camouflage
414. Shawn Jackson – First of All…
415. Method Man & Redman – Blackout 2!
416. Freeway – Philadelphia Freeway
417. Dizzee Rascal – Boy in the Corner
418. Topr – Parade of Shame
419. The Micranots – The Emperor & the Assassin
420. Sage Francis – Hueman Death Dance
421. Bus Driver – Roadkill Overcoat
422. Sharkey – Sharkey’s Machine
423. Project: Polaroid
424. Kirby Dominant – Starr: Contemplations of a Dominator
425. The Procussions – …As Iron Sharpens Iron
426. Black Spade – To Serve With Love
427. Nappy Roots – Wooden Leather
428. RJD2 – Since We Last Spoke
429. Non-Prophets – Hope
430. Wild Child – Secondary Protocol
431. Young Jeezy – Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101
432. K’Naan – Dusty Foot Philosopher
433. Johnson and Jonson – Johnson and Jonson
434. Crown City Rockers – Earthtones
435. Buck 65 – Man Overboard
436. Qwel – If It Ain’t Been in a Pawnshop Then It Can’t Play the Blues
437. Lone Catalysts – Hip-Hop
438. Mars Ill – ProPain
439. P.E.A.C.E. - Negabyte
440. Poison Pen – Pick Your Poison: Mark of the East
441. Earatik Statik – Feeling Earatik
442. Tajai – Power Movement
443. Jurassic Five – Feedback
444. Virtuoso – World War One – The Voice of Reason
445. Monsta Island Czars – Escape From Monsta Island
446. Diverse – One A.M.
447. Project Blowed Presents: The Good Brothers
448. The Grouch – Three Eyes Off the Time
449. Bubba Sparxxx – Deliverance
450. K-The-I??? – Yesterday, Today, & Tomorrow
451. Grieves – 88 Keys and Counting
452. The Jacka – Tear Gas
453. Lo Deck & Omega One – Postcards From the Third Rock
454. The Grouch – Crusader For Justice
455. Oddiesse – Mental Liberation
456. DJ Muggs and GZA – Grandmasters
457. Matllock – Moonshine
458. Kool Keith – Matthew
459. k-the-i????? – Broken Love Letter
460. Blue Scholars – Bayani
461. Vast Aire and Mighty Mi – The Best Damn Rap Show
462. Black Milk – Popular Demand
463. Lupe Fiasco – Food and Liquor
464. Dujeous – City Life
465. Weightless – The Weightroom
466. East Coast Avengers – Prison Planet
467. Canibus – Mic Club
468. Junk Science – Gran’dad’s Nerve Tonic
469. Mykil Myers – Long Time Coming
470. Substantial – Sacrifice
471. Lone Catalysts – Good Music
472. Devin the Dude – Waiting To Inhale
473. Boot Camp Clik – The Last Stand
474. DJ Murge – Search and Rescue
475. Tame One and Del – Parallell Uni-Verses
476. Triple Threat – Many Styles
477. 50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin’
478. G-Unit – Beg For Mercy
479. tRebleFree - Return of the Dirty Cymbals
480. Jern Eye – Vision
481. Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, Pain That Shit Gold
482. Antipop Consortium – Arrhythmia
483. 14kt - The Golden Hour
484. Dilated Peoples – Neighborhood Watch
485. Aceyalone – Love and Hate
486. The Are – Hustler’s Theme
487. Nabo Rawk – Mt. Olympus Steeze
488. Douljah Raze – Where Are You?
489. L.E.G.A.C.Y.
490. Zion I – True and Livin’
491. Shapeshiftaz – Shapeshiftaz Was Here
492. Zion I – Deep Water Slang 2.0
493. Together Brothers
494. Blueprint – Chamber Music
495. Z-Man – Dope or Dog Food
496. Screwball – Y2K
497. D-Tension – Contacts & Contracts
498. J-Live –The Hear After
499. Nighthawks
500. Nabo Rawk - Teched Out Neanderthals
501. De La Soul – Art Official Intellgence Vol. 2 – Bionix
502. Slaughterhouse
503. Young Buck – Straight Outta Cashville
504. Mystik Journeymen – Magic
505. 50 Cent – Before I Self Destruct
506. Rick Ross – Deeper Than Rap
507. Army of the Pharaohs – Ritual of Battle
508. Josh Martinez – World Famous Sex Buffet
509. Rasco – Hostile Environment
510. Scienz of Life – Project: Overground
511. Hi-Tek – Hi-Teknology
512. Buff-1 – There’s Only One
513. Apathy – Wanna Snuggle?
514. Chief Kamachi & The Ju-Ju Mob – Black Candles
515. Rob Sonic – Telicatessen
516. Grayskul – Bloody Radio
517. Wordsworth – Mirror Music
518. Primeridian – Da Allnighta
519. The Grouch - Show You the World
520. Sadat X – Generation X
521. Abstract Rude and Tribe Unique – P.A.I.N.T.
522. Snoop Dogg – R & G: Masterpiece
523. Lord Jamar – The 5% Album
524. Sixtoo – Songs I Hate (And Other People Moments)
525. Panacea – Ink is My Drink
526. Jay-Z – Blueprint 3
527. Cam’Ron – Come Home With Me
528. KRS-One – The Sneak Attack
529. Dilated Peoples – 20/20 Vision
530. Tame One – When Rappers Attack
531. X-Ecutioners – Built From Scratch
532. Protoman – Grey Area
533. Micranots – Obelisk Movements
534. Ill Bill – The Hour of Reprisal
535. A-Plus – My Last Good Deed
536. Rasco – Escape From Alcatraz
537. Common – Finding Forever
538. Lyrics Born – Everything at Once
539. Akbar – Big Bang Boogie
540. GZA – Legend of a Liquid Sword
541. Eligh – Poltergeist
542. Gift of Gab – Escape 2 Mars
543. Black Moon – Total Eclipse
544. Invizzibil Men – The Unveiling
545. Verbal Kent – Fist Shaking
546. Common Market
547. Haiku De’Tat – Haiku De’Tat
548. Jean Grae – The Attack of the Attacking Things
549. MF Grimm – The Downfall of Ibliss
550. Mayday
551. Sole – Selling Live Water
552. Odd Jobs – Drums
553. Eyedea & Abilties – E&A
554. Themselves – Them
555. Big City – The City Never Sleeps
556. Evidence – The Weatherman
557. Afu-Ra – Body of the Life Force
558. Rasco – The Dick Swanson Story
559. El Da Sensei – Relax, Relate, Release
560. 88 Keys – The Death of Adam
561. Pete Rock – NY’s Finest
562. Thawfor – Where Thawght is Worshipped
563. Rick Ross – Port of Miami
564. Coremega – Legal Hustle
565. Eyedea & Abilities – First Born
566. Analog Brothers – Pimp to Eat
567. Outsidaz – The Bricks
568. Talib Kweli – Quality
569. Ugly Duckling – Bang For the Buck
570. Outerspace – Blood Brothers
571. DJ JS-1 – No Sell Out
572. Dungeon Family – Even in Darkness
573. Statik Selektah – Spell My Name Right
574. Adeem & Shalem – Transitions
575. Son Doobie – Funk Superhero
576. Self-Jupiter – Hard Hat Area
577. Krukid – Af-I-Can
578. Panoramic Utopia
579. Cymarshall Law –Hip-Hop in the Flesh
580. Hezekiah – I Predict a Riot
581. Span Fly – Two Weeks Notice
582. Hobo Junction – Industrial Strength People
583. Kool Keith – Spankmaster
584. Wale – Attention Deficit
585. The Knux – Remind Me in 3 Days
586. Young Jeezy – The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102
587. Barak Yalad – A Loss For Words
588. The Procussions – 5 Sparrows and 2 Cards
589. Grand Agent – Peak Oil
590. Hezekiah – Hurry Up and Wait
591. Embedded Joints
592. Foreign Legion – Play Tight
593. 7Heads R Better Than 1
594. Themselves – The No Music
595. Living Legends – Classic
596. Slum Village – Trinity
597. Sadat X – Brand New Bein’
598. Murs and 9th Wonder – Sweet Lord
599. KRS-One – Kris-Styles
600. Hip-Hop 101 compilation


Here’s my 15 favorite “not-exclusively hip-hop” albums by “hip-hop” artists. Yeah, the definition is dicey, but I just felt weird incorporating these into the list:

1. Andre 3000 – The Love Below
2. K-Os! – Atlantis: Hymns For Disco
3. Avalanches – Since I Left You
4. Cee-Lo – Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections
5. Willi.am – Songs About Girls
6. DJ Spinna – Here to There
7. Djini Brown – Surround Sound
8. Breakestra – Hit the Floor
9. Plate Fork Knife Spoon
10. DJ Jazzy Jeff – The Magnificent
11. Wale Oyejide – Africa Hot!
12. Handsome Boy Modeling School – White People
13. El-P – High Water
14. DJ Vaddim – The Art of Listening
15. Roddy Rod – Cuba After Market

Here are my favorite EPs of the ’00s. Wish I could come with 50 of them, but 46 will have to do:

1. Mr. Lif – Emergency Powers
2. Brother Ali – Champion
3. Aesop Rock – Fast Cars, Danger, Fire, and Knives
4. Mr. Lif – Enters the Colossus
5. Aesop Rock – Daylight
6. People Under the Stairs - …Or Stay Tuned
7. J Dilla – Ruff Draft EP
8. The High and Mighty – Air Force One
9. Atmosphere – Sad Face Clown Season EPs
10. Blueprint – Blueprint vs. Funkadelic EP
11. Third Sight – Murderdeathkill EP
12. Sadat X – The State of New York vs. Derek Murphy
13. RJD2 – The Horror
14. Blueprint – Printmattic
15. J-Live – Always Will Be
16. DVS & Treblefree – Nigga, I Know James
17. Talib Kweli and Madlib – Liberation
18. Count Bass D – Begborrowsteel
19. Maroons – Ambush
20. Romanowski – Part in My Pants
21. J-Live – Time Will Reveal
22. Missin Linx – Exhibit A
23. Living Legends – The Gathering
24. Cool Kids – Bake Sale EP
25. Outsidaz – Night Life
26. Blu – HerFavouriteColo(u)r EP
27. Pumpkinhead – A Beautiful Mind
28. C-Rayz Walz – Black Samurai/We Live
29. The Waldorf and Statler Experience – Balcony Music, Volume One
30. The Opus – 000
31. Atmosphere – Leak at Will EP
32. Dujeous – As Promised
33. Ritchy Pitch – Live at Home
34. Brother Ali – Truth is Here
35. 14KT – Nowalataz EP
36. Dumhi - Yoga At Home EP
37. Kirby Dominant – Prostitute EP
38. Spank Rock & Benny Blanco – Bangers and Cash
39. Tanya Morgan – The Bridge EP
40. Demigodz – The God’s Must Be Crazy
41. Mighty Underdogs – The Prelude
42. Jean Grae – The Bootleg of a Bootleg EP
43. Evidence – The Layover
44. Foreign Legion – Secret Knock
45. Cage – Weatherproof
46. Chicharones – Swine Country

Here are my favorite compilations of previously released/unreleased material. It includes full albums originally scheduled to drop in the 1990s but were shelved:

J-Live – The Best Part
Juggaknots – Re: Release
Nas – The Lost Tapes
KMD – Black Bastards
Company Flow – Class X
Thirstin Howl III – Skilligan’s Island
Large Professor – The LP
One Be Lo – Project F.E.T.U.S.
Pep Love – Ascension (Side C)
J-Live – Always Has Been EP
Asheru & Blue Black – 48 Months
Molemen – Lost Sessions
El-P – Collecting the Kid
Casual – Truck Driver
Lootpack – The Lost Tapes
Five Deez – Slow Children Crossing
Kwest the Mad Ladd – These Are My Unreleased Recordings
MC Serch – M.any Y.oung L.ives A.Go: The 1994 Sessions
Living Legends – Crappy Old Shit
Outerspace
Brand Nubian – Time is Running Out


And here are my five favorite mixtapes released between 2000 and 2009:

Oddisee – Foot in the Door
Kirb and Chris – Niggaz and White Girls
Super Chron Flight Bros. – Deleted Scenes
Prodigy – Return of the Mac
G-Side – Huntsville International

So, that’s it, to the fruits of 18 months of work. Even if you don’t agree with the lists, you’ve got to appreciate the effort.

The HedRush Episode #36 - Ultimate Beats and Breaks, featuring Thes One

It's time for a special episode of the HedRush, our celebration of the classic Ultimate Beats and Breaks collection. And this time, we've got a little help in breaking down the importance of and the context for all 144 tracks of dopeness: MC/producer/crate digger extradinaire,Thes One of People Under the Stairs. Thes graciously took time out of his busy schedule to let us interview him (at an earlier date) about what makes the UBB collection so damn dope. All that, plus we play more music that ever before. It's an all around banner episode for the Podcast.

Below is the playlist. Note that we included the music we played during the interludes as well, as the songs are either tracks from the collection, or instrumental versions of the tracks.

Here's the playlist:

Jimmy Castor Bunch - It's Just Begun
The Politicians - Free Your Mind
Freda Payne - Easiest Way to Fall
Friends and Lovers - Reach Out to the Darkness
Marvin Gaye - T Plays It Cool
- Interlude
Stanley Turrentine - Sister Sanctified
Bobby Byrd - I Know You Got Soul (Inst.)
Olympic Runners - Put the Music Where Your Mouth Is
- Interlude End
The Monkees - Mary, Mary
The Emotions - Blind Alley
Herman Kelly & Life - Dance to the Drummer's Beat
Melvin Bliss - Synthetic Substitution
The Honey Drippers - Impeach the President
- Interlude
James Brown - Funky President (inst.)
- Interlude End
Eddie Bo - Hook & Sling
The VIllage Callers - Hector
Brother Soul - Cookes
Johnny Pate - Shaft in Africa
Lightning Rod - Sport
- Interlude
The Meters - Hand Clapping Song (inst.)
- Interlude end
Esther Williams - Last Night Changed it All
Dyke and the Blazers - Let a Woman Be a Woman, Let a Man Be a Man
Joe Tex - Papa Was Too
Lyn Collins - Think (About It)
The Winstons - Amen, Brother
- Interlude
Thin Lizzy - Johnny the Fox Meets Jimmy the Weed (inst.)
John Cougar Mellencamp - Jack & Diane (inst.)
- Interlude end
James Brown - Funky Drummer
Syl Johnson - Different Strokes
The Mohawks - The Champ
Foster Sylvers - Misdemeanor
The Jackson 5 - It's Great to Be Here
- Interlude
Galactic Force Band - Space Dust
The Whole Darn Family - Seven Minutes of Funk
Incredible Bongo Band - Bongo Rock
Billy Squire - Big Beat (inst.)
Wilson Pickett - Get Me Back On Time, Engine #9 (inst.)
- Interlude end
Boobie Smith - Lovomaniacs (Sex)

And click here for the episode.

Enjoy the music and the analysis and tell a friend.

The HedRush Podcast Episode #35 - Head Cracks and Love Trax

For this episode, we go for an odd little mix of tracks, going from highly entertaining drunken ramblings of a future rap mogul to hip-hop love songs to a few more slightly left of center hip-hop tracks. Side note: I used to hate a least two of the songs we played on this episode.

Click here for the episode.

And here's the playlist:

Russell Rush – Cold Chillin in the Spot
Original Concept – Charlie Sez
- break –
Dangerous Dame – I Call Your Name
Brotherhood Creed – Helluva
Antexx – Understand Me Vanessa
Lil Shawn – Hickies on Your Chest
- break –
UltraMagnetic MCs – Travelling at the Speed of Thought
Jemini the Gifted Ones – Funk Soul Sensation
Mr. X & Mr. Z – Drink Old Gold
The Alliance – Kibbles and Bits
Sir Mix-A-Lot – Something About My Benzo
- break –
Tracey Lee – The Theme

The HedRush Podcast Episode #34 - Cold Gettin' Dumb

I was feeling slightly goofy when JB and I recorded this episode, coming off of a long day at work, but the music is still banging, and the convo stays interesting. For this episode we went from old school electro-hop to straight boom bap to mid-'90s gangsta shit. A fun lil' podcast.

Click here for the episode.

Here's the playlist:

Raw Fusion f/ Shock G & Big Money Odis – Funkintoyear
MC Shan – I Pioneered This
Larry Larr – That’s What They Call Me
- break –
Just Ice – Cold Getting’ Dumb
Mantronix – Fresh is the Word
Akinylele – The Bomb
Broken English Klik – Here Come the Hoods
- break –
M.O.P. – Rugged Neva Smooth (rmx)
Street Smartz f/ O.C., Pharoahe Monch, & F.T. – Metal Thangs
Method Man – The Riddler
Yeshua – The Head Bop
- break -
DFC – Dig a Bigga Ditch

The HedRush Podcast Episode #33 - Fat Beats & Purple Drank

And so kiddies, it's time to promote another episode of The HedRush. If you want to hear myself and JB d'Mulatto act like some bonafide fools, plus a rack of dope tracks, definitely check this one out.

Click here to check the podcast.

Here's the playlist:

Old World Disorder f/ Eminem – 3hree6ix5ive
Saukrates – Father Time
East Flatbush Project – Tried By 12
- break –
Akinyele & Sadat X – Loud Hangover (rmx)
Daddy-O – Flowing in File
Monie Love – Pups Licking Bone
Showbiz and A.G. f/ Lord Finesse & Diamond D – Diggin’ in the Crates
-break-
Fu-Schnickens – Ring the Alarm
Blood of Abraham – Stabbed by the Steeple
Defari –The Bottom Line
Nice & Smooth f/ Preacher Earl, Bas Blasta, Asu, & Guru – Down the Line
- break –
Wise Guyz – Time for Peace

The HedRush Episode #32 - Keep 'Em Coming

Yeah, we know, another delay between episodes. We're trying to fix that. Anyway, hope you enjoy the podcast, because he go the full range from the fairly well-known to the really obscure on this one.

Click here for the show.

Here's the playlist:

Redman & Method Man – Da Rockwilder
Too Short – Rhymes
-Interlude-
Urban Beatniks – Smoke Filled Room
Call O’ Da Wild – Cloud of Smoke
Thirstin Howl III & Master Foul – Spit Boxers
Shazzy – Gigahoe (rmx)
Phat Doug f/ Preacher Earl – Here We Go
-Interliude-
Leaders of the New School – Sobb Story
Da Youngstas – Hip-Hop Ride
EPMD – Rampage (rmx)
Slick Rick – It’s a Boy (rmx)
-Interlude–
Ill Al Skratch – Where’s My Homiez?

The HedRush Episode #31

So here's the 31st episode of the HedRush. It was actually ready to go a week or two ago, but ya know, life interfered. Another good little mix of the rugged, the goofy, and the outright weird. Plus a little convo on the talent and how the best make it all look easy.

Click here for the show.

And here's the playlist:

Schooly D - Gucci Again
Smooth Ice - Do It Again
Dr. Octagon - Earth People (remix)
- break -
Joeski Love - Joe Cool
Lord Finesse - Funky Technician
S.O.P. - Bok Bok
Steady B - The Undertaker
- break -
Maestro Fresh Wes - Certs Wid Out the Retsin
Frankenstein - Rain Is Gone
Mr. Live & Tony Bones - Hungry Strike
Future Sound - The Bop Step
- break -
The Nonce - Who Falls Apart?

The HedRush Episode #30 - Of Boom Bap and Happy Rap

The new episode of hip-hop goes from rough-and-rugged hip-hop, to upbeat party tracks, to meditations and life and death. Shit is heavy, son. But, as always, the tunes are sharp and the discussion is a little humorous. Well, at least we think so.

Check out and dowload the episode here:

http://hedrush.podomatic.com/entry/eg/2010-05-31T17_58_22-07_00

And here's the playlist:

Boogie Down Production - Gimme Dat (Woy)
Craig G - Take the Bait
Big Daddy Kane - Put Your Weight On IT
- Break -
Kid 'N Play - Gittin' Funky
Heavy D - Money Earnin' Mt. Vernon
Guru - Loungin' (rmx)
Masta Ace - Go Where I Send Thee
- Break -
To Da Core - We Got It Goin On
Da Wascals - Class Clown
2 Face - Hey Hey Hey
Dream Warriors - My Definition...
- Break -
Geto Boys - Six Feet Deep

The HedRush Podcast - Episode #29: The Next Chapter

Once again, it's on. The HedRush Podcast begins its second year of existence with us returning to our bread and butter: dope hip-hop from the '80s and '90s. Hip-Hop from the West Coast, East, and Down South. Thugged out, smoothed out, and even a lil' goofy. We play it all.

Click here for the episode. Check it out and tell a friend.

And here's the playlist:

L'Roneous - L'Chemy

Double XX Posse - Not Going to Be Able to Do it

Keefy Keef - Three's Company

- interlude

Downtown Science - This is a Visit

Odd Squad - Smokin That Weed

OC & Big L - Dangerous

Private Investigators - Damn it Feels Good

- interlude

MC Eiht - All for the Money

KMD - The Humrush

Da King and I - Flip Da Skript (rmx)

Raw Breed - Rampage Outta Control f/ Kool Keith, Godfather Don, and Melle Mel

- interlude

Killa Army - Blood For Blood

Enjoy the music.

HedRush Podcast - The Jazz Episode

The new episode of The HedRush podcast is up. It's our jazz episode. Most of the music featured in this episode is from the "fusion" period of jazz music, late '60s/early '7os, etc., with an emphasis on funky jazz. There's also a few blues songs. Though neither JB or myself would ever call ourselves jazz "experts," we do thoroughly enjoy the music. Hope you enjoy it as well.

Click here to download the episode.

And here's the playlist:

David McCallum - The Edge
The Blues Project - Flute Thing
Reuben Wilson - We're In Love
Jimmy McGriff - The Bird
(break)
George Benson - Footin' It
Ronnie Laws - Tidal Wave
Roy Ayers - Feel Like Making Love
Ahmad Jamal - Misdemeanor
(break)
Joe Sample - In My Wildest Dreams
Galt MacDermott - Coffee Cold
Junior Parker - The Tax Man
Lou Donaldson - Wig Blues
Joe Williams - Get Out My Life, Woman
(break)
Bernard "Pretty" Purdie - My Way Home

The HedRush Podcast 2/20/10 - Explorations in Hip-Hop Beef

The new episode of the HedRush podcast is up. We kick off 2010 with an exploration of hip-hop beef, while giving some shine to some lesser known, but particularly venomous dis tracks. We also delve into personal beef with former bosses, former friends, and even a rapper or two.

Click here to download it.

And here's the playlist:

1. Roxanne Shante - Big Mama
2. MC Lyte - Steady Fucking
- break -
3. Cool C - Juice Crew Dis
4. Twista - Suicide
5. Tim Dog - Step to Me
6. Compton's Most Wanted - Who's XXXing Who?
7. Spice-1 - You Done Fucked Up
- break -
8. Common - The Bitch in Yoo (orig.)
9. Masta Ace - Top 10 List
10. YZ - Crocodile MC
11. 3rd Bass - Green Eggs and Swine
12. Black Sheep - H.A.A.
- break -
13. BDP - Build and Destroy

Timz 'N Hood Check Mix

So yeah, the entire Eastern Seaboard has been buried under feet of snow (55 inches in D.C.? Gotdamn!!!!!!) over the last few days, and I understand the Midwest hasn't fared much better either. It reminds me of exactly what I don't miss about either region. I'll take overcast and the occasional thunder-storm that the Bay Area has thrown at me so far this winter and keep it moving, thankyoumuch.

Still, visions of snow on the evening news and throughout the web bring back memories of Philly, where I spent four years during the mid-1990s at the University of Pennsylvania. That's four winters, each with it's own unique and miserable snow-storm to go along with it. From what I recall, the massive blizzards during freshman year and senior year were particularly heinous. And although the snow was occasionally bad enough to cancel school (for an unprecedented three days during freshman year), I did spend many a day tromping through massive snow-drifts in my goretex boots, extra-heavy parka, a hat I got from Hed Rush co-host JB, and one of those face-masks that Das EFX and Wu-Tang Clan used to wear in their videos, in effort to get from my dorm to class on time.

But what helped my much it through the cold misery to reach Spanish 130 was my Walkman, equipped with the latest tape in my rotation. It was usually a rapper/group from Brooklyn or Long Island or New Jersey, and he/they usually rocked Timberlands and kept a razor-blade under his/their tongue(s). I loved that type of hip-hop shit. I wish they still made that type of hip-hop shit.

So, to commemorate those days, I came up with this little compilation/"mix" (quotations marks because there was no "mixing" involved in making this), which I call "Timz 'N Hood Check." It goes out to all you East Coast/mid-West shut-ins, people who used to live in either region and are now enjoying better climates, and those of you who just love gritty mid-'90s East Coast hip-hop.

Download

Here's the track-listing:

1. Real Live - Real Live Shit
2. Akinyele - Dear Diary
3. The Artifacts - Notty Headed N@#$!z
4. CMC (The Cash Money Click) - 4 My Click
5. O.C. - O-Zone
6. Smif 'N Wessun f/ OGC - Sound Bwoy Buriel (rmx)
7. Now Born Click - Now Born Soldiers
8. Lace Da Booms f/ Royal Flush - Cut That Weak Shit
9. Pop Mega - Ghetto News
10. Cellas Dwellas - Recognize and Realize
11. Channel Live f/ KRS-One - Mad Izm
12. Broadway - Must Stay Paid
13. The Fab 5 (Heltah Skeltah & OGC) - Blah
14. Show & AG - All Out
15. Young Zee - Milk
16. Blahzay Blahzay - Jackpot
17. Shabazz the Disciple - Crime Saga
18. Smooth Da Hustler f/ Trigga Da Gambler - My Brother, My Ace
19. The Troubleneck Brothers - Back to the Hip-Hop

Enjoy the music, and tell your friends.

12/16/09 Episode of The HedRush podcast: The 25th show

Anoter week, another new episode of the HedRush. To check part 2 of the two-part "Music of the '00s" episode, head over here: 25th Episode.

Here's the episode's playlist:

1. Roosevelt Franklin – TroubleEarth
2. Anitpop Consortium – 9/9/99
3.Five Deez – Let the People Know
-interlude-
4. Prophetix – Crispus Attucks
5. Insight – Bother Me
6. Foreign Legion – Rommate Joint
7. Sacred Hoop – Dance the Cooch
8. Sandpeople – Group Home
-interlude-
9. Mykill Miers – Gone Too Far
10. Smile Rays – By Design Three
11. Super Chron Flight Brothers – To Catch a Thief
12. Dagha – My Luck
13. RA the Rugged Man – On the Block
-Interlude-
14. Douljah Raze f/ Scavone & Oxygen – Calling Occupants of Interplanetary Craft

And now, here's a pair links to two tracks that we played on the show.

First up is a relatively straight-ahead song by the usually mega-abstract Antipop Consortium. "9.99" is a solo cut and ill story rhyme by group member M. Saayid from their first solo album, Tragic Epilogue.

Download it.

Second, we've got "Gone Too Far" by Mykill Miers one of L.A.'s fiercest and most slept on MCs. This comes from Miers' sophomore album, The Second Coming. It's out of print at this time, but, again, it's worth the effort to seek it out.

Download it.

Enjoy the episode, and the extra music if you feel so inclined. Another episode due next week, even further off our usual track.

Stay tuned for the Best of '09 list, coming soon.

12/8/09 Episode of The HedRush radio show b/w Re-Introduction

So, yeah, it's been really time since I posted anything, but now is the time that I'm getting back on my grind. As the last post (circa: 10 months ago) notes, a while back I, along with my partner, JB d'Mullato, started The HedRush radio show through Podomatic. If you haven't checked it out, here's the URL again: http://hedrush.podomatic.com/

If you're coming here from over there, then welcome. Hope you stick around and come back.

So for this week's episode, and for at least a few episodes into the future, this blog will serve as the site of the playlist. It'll also host links to a couple of mp3s of songs that I play on the show. Furthermore, if people start regularly coming around, we can discuss the shows' content as well. And, I swear, I'll be updating this blog more often. I'm cooking up a Best of 2009 list, and I've got a few other ambitious projects on deck. Plus, I'll be around to just speak my mind, as usual.

Now that we're through with the Re-Introduction, here's the playlist:

1. Blueprint – Boom Box
2. Roddy Rod – Whip
3. Willie Evans Jr. - The Unknown
-interlude-
4. Akbar - The 5th Element
5. Substantial – Resurrection Of The House Party
6. Binkis – Bullit
7. Time Machine f/ Edan – @$$hole
8. Babbletron – Space Tech Banana Clip
-Interlude-
9. Azeem – Duragz
10. Maspyke - P.H.Y. vs. Men
11. Porn Theater Ushers f/ Higgenz & Rhyminal – Scummerville to Brocky
12. Al S.H.I.D. – Ig’nant
13. capital D – Enough Already
-Interlude-
14. Third Sight – The People vs. The Fake

And now, here's a couple of mp3s.

First up is Substantial's "Resurrection Of The House Party." This is off the Maryland MC's Sacrifice album, released in 2008. It's still available on iTunes, Amazon, and finer record stores, so if you dig it, definitely support, 'cause it's a damn good album.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/m2ofzn


Next up is Maspyke's "P.H.Y. vs. Men," from their 2002 album Blackout. The album is a little harder to find, but it's worth the effort. Haneef and Tableek are slept-on rhymesayers, and you can't go wrong with a whole album of Roddy Rod beats.

http://www.sendspace.com/file/eihz8v


Hope you enjoy the music. Be sure to come back around.

The Hed Rush: in mp3 form

One of the great sources of joy I’ve had in my life is having the opportunity to host my own radio show. Multiple times. Without getting into an in-depth history I’ll say that I’ve done radio (either live or Internet) on and off since 1994.

So now, after an over four year hiatus I’ve got my own show again, thanks to my long-time homie/high school potna, JB d’Mulatto. Only this time the show is in podcast/mp3 form. Recorded in JB’s studio, aka Ma’s House, I present to you, Hed Rush, the radio show.

Here’s the 411: The Hed Rush Radio Show features myself and JB playing and conversating on hip-hop from the late '80s through the '90s. We also discuss in-depth some of the trends and context that surrounded the music when it was released, and how it reflects hip-hop today.

It’s lots of hip-hop that I grew up on, and lots of JB and I talking. And cracking corny jokes. So if you like hip-hop from that era, and want to hear a couple of cats shoot the shit about it, you just might enjoy these podcasts.

Here’s the link Pt. 1 (about an hour):

http://rapidshare.com/files/200855493/1-01__1__Pt._1.mp3

And here’s the link to Pt. 2 (about 70 minutes):

http://rapidshare.com/files/200869147/01__1__Pt._2.mp3


The only problem now is that it’s going to be at least another month until me and JB can record another one of these podcasts. JB is currently on the road, helping manage the cross-country tour of The Whitest Kids You Know. As soon as he’s back, there’ll be more music. I’m hoping this is the first podcast of many. I certainly have a lot more music I want to play. Eventually I’ll figure out how to hook this up on iTunes or something. And I also promise that I’ll also start updating this blog with more music.

Until then, listen and enjoy. And let me know what you think.

More Steroid Stupidity

I really don’t care about this budding Alex Rodriguez scandal. Not even a little bit.

I seriously couldn’t care less. I’m not going to feign outrage and yell about he betrayed my trust and set a bad example for the children (“WON’T SOMEONE PLEASE THINK OF THE CHILDREN!”) I’m not going to call him A-Fraud or A-Roid or any other lame-brained nickname. I’m not going to lecture how he’s ruined his legacy and doesn’t deserve to be in the Hall of Fame. None of this matters to me. These allegations (coming from multiple unnamed sources) don’t change the way I feel about Rodriguez.

Since, you asked, here is what I feel about A-Rod: He’s essentially a vastly talented base-player that also happens to be more than a little weird and completely obsessed with his own self-image and how the public perceives him. In those respects he’s exactly like any other athlete-celebrity. The fact that he’s also fixated on people far less talented than himself (Derek Jeter and Madonna) is a fairly odd, but it’s not like he’s eating babies. A-Rod is one of the most-gifted baseball players to ever to ever put on a uniform, and he also happens to be yutz. Anyone disputed the former is either a deluded Derek Jeter fan club or a member of the Red Sox Nation.

What more concerns me is how this information on his positive test ended up getting to the press. These urine tests, conducted back in 2003, were supposed to be confidential. They ended up the government’s hands after they raided the lab where they were processed and stored as part of the BALCO investigation. The players thought they’d never see the light of day. Neither did the union. And Major League Baseball certainly didn’t want the results to become public either. It’s one thing to talk about reforming the game, and even take steps to actually reform it, but that the names getting out there is bad for business.

As soon as the government seized the samples a few years ago, I knew it would only be a matter of time before the list of the players that tested positive would become public. It might be in MLB’s best interest to keep things under wraps, but the Federal Government leaks like a fucking sieve. This whole fiasco feels even sleazier than it had before, which is an impressive feat. There could be dozens of reasons why four sources working closely with the federal investigation leaked A-Rod’s name, including the fact that they’re case against Barry Bonds is looking shakier by the day, and they want to put a new “enemy” in the spotlight. But no matter who’s names are named, it certainly won’t hurt the federal government in any way.

And honestly, it doesn’t really help anyone else either. We in the general public (especially sport-writers) may yammer on about how we’re entitled to “the truth,” but in this case, we’re really not. Each and every other person would want there own privacy respect and promises made to them honored. Baseball players shouldn’t be accord any less respect. But I doubt that’s going to stop any more serious clamoring for the list naming the other 103 players that tested positive six years ago.

I HATE every single part of the steroids scandal. I hate the posturing everywhere I turn on this issue, from the players, to the union, to the ownership, to the sports writers, to the Federal Government. I HATE that it keeps Jose Canseco in the public eye. I HATE that it’s never going to stop. Just shut up already and let me try to enjoy my days and nights at the ballpark.

Do Go Away Mad...

As of now, it’s past midnight on the East Coast, which means that it’s the first day of Barack Obama’s presidency, while the final day of George W. Bush’s reign has ended. Believe or not, I tend to be an optimistic guy, and most of the time I would opt to celebrate beginning of the good rather than the end of the bad. But given the shitty mood that I’ve been in for the past half-week or so, celebrating the good just doesn’t fee natural. So with this entry I bid adieu to one of my least favorite people that I’ve never met.

I’ve said before on this blog that I don’t do eloquence. So I’ll keep it to the point as possible and leave in all the curse words. I’m aware that I’m saying anything that hasn’t been said or typed before, but my feelings are as visceral as anyone else’s.

Fuck you George W. Bush. Fuck you very much. I have hated every nano-second of your presidency. Everything you’ve done for the last eight years has made life worse for 98% of citizens of the United States, and a large percentage of the world’s population. I can’t think of a single good thing that you’ve done while in office except treat your family dogs well. Barney is the most likable member of your household. I found your two-week “victory lap” around the country and trip down memory lane bullshit asinine and insulting. Fuck you and your non-existent legacy. If you finally want to do something right, you’ll just go away. Forever. The only time I ever want to hear about you again is if: 1) you or members of your administration are prosecuted for war crimes and various other crimes against humanity, 2) you’ve just died. Otherwise, I ain’t trying to hear any of that shit.

2008 Year-End Music Wrap Up

Note: Many moons ago, when I was the editor for a couple of small community newspapers, my managing editor once told me the year end recap issue couldn’t drop after January 1st, as there’s nothing worse recapping old news after the new year has started. So, please forgive me as I recap this old news, but this entry turned out to take a lot longer than I originally imagined.


It’s a fairly common perception in hip-hop that things nearly aren’t as dope as they use to be. A decade ago, I was a devoted subscriber to this way of thinking. In 1997, you couldn’t tell me nothing except that hip-hop was getting worse each year, and that the art form would soon to be completely rent to pieces by corporate vultures by the year 2000 at the latest. Well, by 1998, I learned to calm my ass down and realized that hip-hop is now big enough that whatever drives the mainstream doesn’t drive the music as a whole. I’ve learned to ignore the music that I know doesn’t appeal to me, and focus on everything else. I’m much happier these days.

So while many hip-hop heads lament how the last few years have been lousy, I’ve been pretty damn happy with the state of hip-hop music over the past ten years. I guess you could maybe make the argument that hip-hop wasn’t as strong in 2008 as it was in 2007, but I still had more than enough albums to consider when putting together a list of the 10 best albums of the year. Truthfully, I could have even put together a perfectly acceptable top 10 list from the albums that didn’t quite make the list and call it a day.

As it stands, I’ve put together a list of 60 hip-hop releases that dropped in 2008 I enjoyed quite a bit. Plus five more that disappointed me. So, starting with the good, here are the 10 best hip-hop albums of 2008:

Top Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2008



10. Azeem – Air Cartoons
As the chorus of the title track says, Air Cartoons indeed sounds like it was written while Azeem’s hand were tripping on ’shrooms. The Jersey born MC, now residing in Oakland, has already had a unique way of thinking and rapping, and with this, his fifth album, the beats reflect his mind state. Convincing psychedelic hip-hop albums are hard to pull off without seeming forced and self-indulgent, but Air Cartoons succeeds because of Azeem’s ability. The despite its lysergic sonic feel, the album isn’t an ode to mind-altering substances; Azeem takes Oakland residents and artists to task for “going dumb” and searches for universal truth. It’s good to see that there are MCs that aren’t scared of being intelligent.


9. Invincible – ShapeShifters
Detroit is really on a come up these days. The scene is spawning some of the best rapper and producers doing it these days. Invincible is one of them, and is a somewhat unconventional rhyming hero: a Jewish female MC. You don’t see many of those everyday. But Invincible is skilled enough to be thought of as a dope MC, period. Though she made her name in the underground as a battle MC, she’s most adept on ShapeShifters creating thematic rhymes, such as commentary on the Israeli/Palestinians state of affairs (“People Not Places”), the beneath-the-surface racism that exists In liberal Ann Arbor (“Deuce/Ypsi”), and the slow and sad gentrification of urban Detroit (“The Locusts”). She even puts a little spin on the Patty Hearst kidnapping on “Ransom Note.” I hope to hear a lot more of Invincible in the future.


8. Dagha – Divorce
I’m tempted to call Divorce the Hear, My Dear of hip-hop albums, but on this album Dagha the details of his acrimonious divorce from his wife in a largely matter-of-fact and straight-forward manner, as opposed to Marvin Gaye’s protracted bitterness. On his second album, Boston’s Dagha explains the all the minutiae that can go along with a failed marriage in vivid detail, from his wife changing the locks on their house without his knowledge, to the process they go through trying unsuccessfully to sell their home, to his separation from his daughter. Divorce then follows Dagha as he describes trying to piece his life back together and maintain his grind as independent artist. It’s a sobering and occasionally depressing album, but its also refreshing in its complete honesty. It also helps that Dagha is a gifted MC and enlists a crew of talented producers.


7. Black Milk – Tronic
Have I mentioned the strength the Detroit scene? Rapper/producer Black Milk is one of the better beat-makers in the game these days. Tronic, his second album, only enhances his reputation. Tracks like “Give the Drummer Sum,” “The Matrix,” and “Hell Yeah” are some of the better produced beats of the year. Black Milk really shines with his drum programming, an increasingly lost art in hip-hop production. However, the beats are the star of the album, as Black Milk rhyming skills need work. But the beats are so well made, that I’m will to give Black Milk more time to grow as an MC and consider this album one of the year’s 10 best.


6. The Mighty Underdogs – Droppin’ Science Fiction
The Mighty Underdogs started the year with a solid EP, and ended it with a spectacular album. The Bay Area trio, comprised of the Quannum Collective’s Gift of Gab and Lateef the Truth Speaker and Crown City Rocker’s Headnotic put together a short and sweet (48 minute) album that still seemed epic in scope. Like almost all of the best albums of the year, it was varied in subject matter and feel, while still feeling cohesive. And like all good album, the Mighty Underdogs prove capable of evoking emotions through their music, from sadness to inspiration; I freely admit to dancing in joy to the album’s closer, “Victorious,” the on Barack Obama’s election night.


5. Guilty Simpson – Ode to the Ghetto
The third and final album by a Detroit artist on this list, Ode to the Ghetto is a throwback “street” album. On it, Guilty Simpson seems less concerned with proving his street credentials than he proving he can actually, you know, rap his ass off. Ode to the Ghetto demonstrates that’s not it’s not what you rap about it, but how you rap about it. Songs cover topics like ghetto life, problems with his girlfriend, and crooked cops, but doesn’t ever sound stale. Guilty Simpson has a very distinctive voice, flow, and demeanor that all command attention. He’s got vocal presence that comes off like an odd combination of Biggie Smalls, Redman, and Sean Price (how makes an appearance on “Run”). It’s also got dope beats provided by Black Milk, Madlib, and the dearly departed J Dilla. Ode to the Ghetto doesn’t reinvent the wheel, but its simple effectiveness carries the weight.


4. Jake One – White Van Music
Part of me objects to the nature of how this album was put together. From Seattle producer Jake One’s own description in the linter notes, much of White Van Music is made up of unused and unfinished tracks featuring a who’s who of mainstream and underground MCs that they originally intended for the own respective albums, but didn’t make the cut for whatever reason. That feels like cheating. But whatever, the results are outstanding so I can’t hate. Some of the tracks on the album are among the best songs released this year, including Blueprint’s “Scared,” Casual’s “Feeling My Shit,” Bishop Lamont and Busta Rhymes’ “Kissin’ the Curb,” MF DOOM’s “Trap Door,” and Freeway and Brother Ali’s “The Truth.” And when it comes down to it, I imagine a lot of my favorite albums were put together in a similar manner.



3. Akrobatik – Absolute Value
This Boston MC is quietly putting together a really solid career. Most of what I needed to say about this album I said already in a record review I did for this neglected blog earlier this year. But suffice to say this is the type of album I wish more artists would make: well-constructed rhymes covering a variety of topics over dope beats, guest appearances that enhance rather than overshadow the artist, and everything coming together to create a distinctive mood.


2. The Roots – Rising Down
Rising Down is a dark and brooding album, which serves as a bookend to The Root’s 2006 album Game Theory (apparently this album is made up songs recorded during those same sessions). It’s also probably the Roots’ best album since 1999’s Things Fall Apart. While these days the group is making a greater pop culture name for themselves on TV as Jimmy Fallon’s in-house band, they certainly weren’t fucking around when they recorded Rising Down. Black Thought’s non-stop lyrical barrage on “75 Bars” has been known to melt speakers. “Criminal” is powerfully grim and haunting. Songs like “Get Busy” and “I Can’t Help” hit harder than left hooks to the jaw. The album also brings out the best in the guest MCs that grace the tracks: Mos Def’s performance on the title track/album opener might be the best verse of the year. And the album’s closer, “Rising Up,” shows that a go-go inspired hip-hop track can actually sound dope. That’s an amazing feat in itself.


1. People Under the Stairs – Fun-DMC
People Under the Stairs make great music about loving music. Their albums reflect deep and abiding love of music by people whose lives are consumed by it. Fun-DMC could be the best album the Los Angeles duo has ever released, which is saying something, since I believe that P.U.T.S. is one of the best groups of the ’00s. Their sixth album, Fun-DMC, is mostly about the joy and fun that goes along with listening to and creating music. This is more difficult than it sounds, since most hip-hop albums are about actions themselves, rather than the happiness that can result from the action. On this album, rappers Thes One and Double K cover the love of rhyming over old school breaks (“The Ultimate 144”), the love of old school hip-hop (“Letter C/O the Bronx”) the love of growing up in a house full of music (“Same Beat (Wesley Rap)”), the love of their home state (“California”) and just plain old loving the act of sitting back and listening to music (“The Mike and Chris Story”). Considering how fun has been sucked out of most hip-hop these days, this album is its own revelation.

Like all People Under the Stairs’ album, Fun-DMC seems like it was made for the spring and summer day and nights, but this album brings a smile to my face, whether it’s 78 degrees and cloudless day when I’m driving up Highway 1 on the way back from Monterey, or I’m shivering in a brick freezing apartment on an overcast and drizzly weekday night.



Bonus: Blueprint – Blueprint vs. Funkadelic EP
I disqualified this EP because it was a free mixtape available online, and its barely 30 minutes long, but if I had to fit this sucker in, it would somewhere in-between #5 and #10. On this EP, Cincinnati’s Blueprint raps over loops (or entire songs) of early Funkadelic. Not the happy, upbeat, poppy stuff the group produced as the 1970s drew to a close, but the dirty, LSD-drenched, rock and blues soaked funk from the early part of that decade. The common theme being that early Funkadelic was a revolutionary and subversive as hip-hop can be at its best. In-between snippets of the Parliament-Funkadelic PBS documentary that aired back in 2005, Blueprint does his best to free the listeners mind, hoping their asses will follow suit.


Best of the Rest:

Here’s another 14 that had a shot of cracking my top 10 list:

Heltah Skeltah – D.I.R.T.
EMC – The Show
Johnson and Jonson – Johnson and Jonson
Count Bass D – L7
Murs – Murs 4 President
J-Live – Then What Happened
GZA – Pro Tools
Brooklyn Academy – Bored of Education
Devin the Dude - Landing Gear
The Grouch - Show You the World
Kidz N the Hall – The In-Crowd
Jedi Mind Tricks – History of Violence
Esoteric - Esoteric Vs. Japan
Doom Tree – Doom Tree

And here are another five albums that can be included in the list of 14 above, but just had flaws that I felt the need to comment on:

Ludacris – Theater of the Mind
Ludacris is a consummate shit-talker on record. I’d even say he’s fairly underrated among hip-hop heads at writing braggadocio punchline rhymes. Tracks featuring this particular talent bookend the album, and as a result Theater of the Mind starts and ends strong. “Undisputed,” “Wish You Would,” “MVP,” and “I Do it For Hip-Hop” are all just as good as anything in Luda’s catalogue. However, the middle of the album severely sags when he gets into the syrupy “for the ladies” tracks, which Luda has NEVER been good at making. Tracks featuring Chris Brown and Jamie Foxx are as corny and forgettable as the low-points of Luda’s catalogue (think the 2003 clunker “Splash Waterfalls”). I’m aware I’m being pretty hard on what’s only a three-song stretch, but the sequence kills the album’s momentum, and prevents Theater of the Mind from being great.

Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold
Not a bad album, but being Atmosphere is one of my favorite groups making music, this album fell short of expectations. I understand what Slug and Ant were trying to go for, by making a “quieter” album, and this album is suitably quiet, and as a result, sometimes painfully lacking in oomph. Slug still has mad skills as storyteller, and successfully walks the line between genuine and emo. But if you put together Atmosphere for “seasonal” Sad Clown EPs that preceded When Life Gives You Lemons… you’d have a better album. The free Strictly Leakage Atmosphere released via free download at the end of 2007 was a better album. I respect the effort, but the next time please don’t forget the bass.

Q-Tip – Renaissance
Speaking of albums that needed a little more oomph, Q-Tip’s grand return after a prolonged hiatus is generally a good album, but it’s, for lack of a better term, too soft. First, the good: he can still rap and can put together a technically proficient beat. I don’t take the former for granted, seeing as many the rhyming skills of many of Q-Tip’s contemporaries have evaporated; lyrical longevity is nothing to be scoffed at. But this album has its fair share of flaws. Too often the drums, basslines, scratches, etc. all sound too weak. And Q-Tip still can’t sing. Now, he this lack of ability had it’s own charm on some old Tribe Called Quest tracks, but it’s done without any irony here. I’m aware I’m giving the impression that I don’t like Renaissance, but that isn’t true. It’s just that this isn’t revelation that many are making it out to be.

Elzhi – The Preface
I wanted to like this album more than I actually did like it. I’ve been a fan of Elzhi (yet another Detroit MC) since the beginning of this century. I’ve enjoyed his guest appearances on other artists’ projects and his work as a member of Slum Village. Heck, I even enjoy the work of the producers involved; the aforementioned Black Milk handles the great majority of the production duties. But The Preface never quite gels together, and it’s frankly kind of boring. There are some interesting concepts on The Preface, such as “Guessing Game,” “Colors,” and “D.E.M.O.N.S.”, but it fails to achieve it’s potential.

88 Keys – The Death of Adam
If producer 88 Keys had just decided to make this a regular old compilation instead of a concept album, everything would have been gravy. His own vocal stylings are entertaining in an off-key sort of way, and tracks featuring artists like Redman, Kanye West (sans auto-tune), J*Davey, Phonte, Kid Cudi, and Bilal are all entertaining. But he had to fuck around and make the whole album a “story,” complete with a corny, pointless, running narration. And the point of story, you ask? Thinking with your dick and not using a condom when having sex can lead to bad things. Thanks dude, but I’m not in 8th grade anymore.




More good albums

And just for good measure, here’s another 30 albums that I rather enjoyed, but I don’t think I could consider among the best of the year.

Large Professor – Main Source
The Knux - Remind Me in 3 Days
C.R.A.C. Knuckles – The Piece Talks
Murs and 9th Wonder – Sweet Lord
Substantial – Sacrifice
tRebleFree - Return of the Dirty Cymbals
Lyrics Born – Everything at Once
Buff-1 – There’s Only One
Median – Relief
Nappy Roots – The Humdinger
Invizzibil Men – The Unveiling
Sadat X – Generation X
Cool Kids – Bake Sale EP
Tanya Morgan – The Bridge EP
Dumhi - Yoga At Home EP
Kirby Dominant – Prostitute EP
Vordhul Mega – Mega Graphitti
Ill Bill – The Hour of Reprisal
Jean Grae and 9th Wonder – Jeanius
Giant Panda – Electric Laser
Statik Selektah - Stick to the Script
Sadat X - Generation X
DJ Babu - Duck Season 3
Nabo Rawk - Teched Out Neanderthals
14kt - The Golden Hour
Mighty Joseph - Empire State
Ice Cube – Raw Footage
Butta Verses - Reality B.V.
C-Rayz Walz - The Dropping
Paris – Acid Reflex


Oh, and special mention goes to Freeway for his Month of Madness series, where he released a song a day from his vaults for free download throughout the month of December. It wasn’t perfect, but there’s enough quality in there to raise my respect for Freeway as an MC.


Most Disappointing albums:

These aren’t necessarily the worst albums of the year, but they’re albums by artists that I expected a lot better from.

1. EPMD – We Mean Business
Oh, how the mighty have fallen. When I was growing up, EPMD represented everything that was good about hip-hop to me: the lyrics, the beats, the scratching, the pass-the-mic-back-and-forth wordplay, the attitude, etc. We Mean Business is the antithesis of all of that. It’s almost worse that the album is dull and forgettable that outright wack. Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith are lyrically outshined by almost every other rapper that makes an appearance on this album, from Redman to KRS-One to Keith Murray to Raekwon to Method Man. These guest verses create the few moments of interest throughout the entire album. The beats, handled almost completely by Erick and Parrish, are as bland as the duo’s lyrics. It was probably better for E & P to stay out of business.

2. Kool Keith – Dr. Dooom 2
Oh how the mighty have fallen, pt. 2. This album demonstrates why Kool Keith never should burn his bridges. One of Kool Keith best and most critically acclaimed albums was First Come, First Served, an album he released 1998 under the name Dr. Dooom, featuring production by Kutmasta Kurt. It was the first of three albums that he collaborated with Kurt over a three-year period. Somewhere along the line, the two fell out, with Keith claiming that he did all the real work in the collabos. Keith has released somewhere in the neighborhood of 10 albums since his split with Kurt, and I’ll be generous in saying two were any good at all. So after realizing that they never should split up in the first place, the two reunited to try to recapture the magic with Dr. Doom 2. Yeah, well, in this case, you can’t go home again. Keith was once the shining example of a rapper that could record new music past his “prime” and still be as good as anyone out there. Now he just sounds old, disinterested, and uninspired He’s become a caricature rather than a character. And the beats are boring too.

3. Common – Universal Mind Control
Rappers simplifying their style to become more accessible is so late 1990s. To call Universal Mind Control a genuine disappointment is kind of a stretch, because Common has moving this direction since at least 2007’s Finding Forever. This used to be one the better concept and punchline rappers in the biz. Now he routinely dumb down his style to double his dollars, but mostly just sounds dumb. I enjoy the electro/”Planet Rock”-esque throwback title track and the Kanye West (sans auto-tune) collabo “Punch Drunk Love.” But it’s a sad day when his “lyrical” track on the album is “Gladiator,” where what passes powerful punchlines is something like, “At any moment opponents will drop out like college.” Dude was clearly spending more time prepping for his role in the fourth Terminator movie when recording this album. Ah well, at least he tries harder than Mos Def.

4. Nas – Untitled
I’ve given up on spending too much time being disappointed in Nas’ output. Untitled is the same as just about very post-Illmatic Nas album: poetic lyrics that hampered by half-baked concepts and, moreover, Nas’ tin-ear for beats and desire to make songs that will appeal to as many people as possible. And the results are pretty much the same too: a poetic but unspectacular album. Untitled falls somewhere in the middle of his catalogue: not as good as Stillmatic or It Was Written, not as bad as Nastradamus or I Am…. However, in 2009 I shouldn’t still be making so many excuses for Mr. Nasir Jones, a guy who really should be the greatest.

5. Kanye West – 808s and Heartbreak
Another case where I can’t even be disappointed, because I wasn’t really expecting much. I don’t even think it’s THAT bad, but it’s certainly not nearly as good as the three Kanye albums that preceded it. That being said, I expect new albums by artists I enjoy to be at least comparable in quality to their previous releases, no matter if they’re “going in different direction.” Different is fine, I just want it to be dope, and 808’s and Heartbreak definitely isn’t dope. I’ve listened to it four or five times, and I still can’t remember anything about the majority of it.



Other genres

Finally, I spent a lot of 2008 listening to new music that wasn’t hip-hop. This is the first year in my life that I’ve ever done that. So, I figured I’d put together a top lists for 2008’s R&B/Soul and Rock, electronica albums. I’m not going to include reviews, but I honestly don’t know if I possess the right musical vocabulary to describe why I like them. But I will say that I enjoyed the respective numbers #1’s in soul and rock just as much as Fun-DMC. Never thought I’d ever see the day where I liked the year’s best rock and soul records as much as I liked the year’s best hip-hop album.

R&B/Soul
1. Raphael Saadiq – The Way I See It
2. Al Green – Lay it Down
3. Foreign Exchange – Leave it All Behind
4. John Legend – Evolver
5. Gnarls Barkeley – The Odd Couple
6. Zo! and Tigallo - Zo! and Tigallo Love the '80s
7. Solange Knowles – Sol Angel and Hadley Street Dreams
8. Menahan Street Band - Make the Road By Walking
9. Santogold - Santogold
10. Thicke - Something Else

Rock
1. Vampire Weekend - Vampire Weekend
2. Ry Cooder - I, Flathead
2. Radiohead – In Rainbows
3. TV on the Radio – Dear Science
4. The Black Keys – Attack and Release
5. Mars Volta – Bedlam in Goliath

Electronica
1. Flying Lotus – Los Angeles
2. Lone – Lemuria
3. Heliocentrics – Out There