Favourite Hip-Hop album of '08.

Orizio

Feel free to explain your choice, tell us your thoughts on the year as a whole and post a list of your fave stuff for the year...which I will do eventually.

DarkJager

Good idea for a thread! I really wish I could write here now and say that The Game had dropped the album I was waiting for and crown it the album of the year but sadly, I can't. I loved every second of Doctors Advocate (Why you hate the game is still 1 of my favorite rap tracks of the last decade) and even though I've tried very hard to like L.A.X on the same level I just can't. Its actually the first Game album on which I've had to skip tracks, even after giving them 5 or 6 chances to grab me. I'm a massive massive game fan, but just felt he dropped the ball with this album.

To make things worse again for the West Coast,Snoop also slipped up this year. Ego Trippin was a mish mash of different ideas that just did not sit well together when listened to as an album. I was really digging that "Sensual Seduction" track when it came out, made me hopeful that snoop was goin to try an old school g-funk style slant on this album. However it turned out to be as gangsta as a tea party, with Snoop resorting to sugary love ballads and rock style beats for songs which just were not "Snoop Dogg".

Album of the year in my opinion has to be Lupe Fiascos "The Cool" ( I was a bit skeptical if this was a 2008 release but sources suggest it was January this year it dropped - please correct me if I'm wrong! ). Absolutley blew me away on the first listen, the depth of the tracks and the lyrical styles just bounce off each other perfectly. I'd only discovered Food & Liquor about a week previously, so both albums were on repeat for a solid month at least

Overall 2008 was a letdown on the hip hop front for me. Nothing really new or worthy of repeat listening has popped up since the early part of the year, with L.A.X being the biggest disapointment IMO. However on the flip side, that has resulted in me picking up some savage 90's hip hop compilations (death row etc) that have given me some tracks I missed first time around (and I've finally completed my 2pac collection! )

cashville

08 sucked in my opinion, but being a massive Mobb Deep fan it was great that Prodigy dropped such a brilliant album in HNIC 2..I was disappointed by most of what came out...The Roots,Nas amongst others. Q-Tip made a decent effort, let's hope 09 is better.

Makaveli

Tha Carter III - Lil' Wayne

I'll post properly later but The Cool was released in 2007.

Orizio

Tha Carter III - Lil' Wayne

Poll up. I voted for Q-Tip's "The Reniassance". Here is what I wrote about it on the soon to be up 'Chopshop's Best of Hip-Hip in '08'...

1. The Renaissance - Q-Tip

With The Renaissance, Q-Tip again shows off his rare ability to bypass the barriers of 'underground' and 'mainstream' and just make nice ass, distinctive Hip-Hop that everyone can appreciate. The beats manage to be incredibly accessible, from the abundance of delicious R'n'B hooks, the Dilla esque head nodding drums to Raphael Saadiq's soulful singing and gorgeous bass on We Fight / Love or the simple piano on Gettin' Up, every moment oozes an energy and feshness that seems to come effortless to the ATCQ veteran, while the more eclectic elementss, like the second half of Move and Shaka are amongst the LP's stongest moments. The guests are exceptional - while Kanye ****s around with Jeezy and Weezy, Q-Tip has enlisted a number of Soul's illuminaries like Saadiq, D'Angelo and Noah Jones, the latter in particular stealing the show with a sexy as hell opening verse on Life Is Better.

One could argue that Q-Tip is lyrically rehashing well worn ground, focusing particurly on love songs, but this is one vet, like a Masta Ace, that can entertain whatever he rhymes about. His voice and flow are so distinctive and natural that it barely matters what he is saying - once he opens his mouth, you immediately pay attention, an ability to captivate solely through charisma and talent. Although the title suggests otherwise, The Renaissance is a throwback, an album that embodies such sensibilities - positiivity, creativity, individualism complete with a contemporary sheen - that once made Hip-Hop great, before all the silly underground/mainstream schism and in-fighting. Artists please take note - The Reniasssance is where Hip-Hop should be heading.

I agree that Hip-Hop in '08 has been pretty mediocre.

Boom_Bap

The In Crowd - Kidz In The Hall

I voted for "Other". I've bandied on about this album here before, Cecil Otter - Rebel Yellow, it's brilliant and stands out above anything else that was released this year for me.

ghostface ste

808's And Heartbreaks - Kanye West

I thought Elzhi was by far the best Hip Hop album i've heard this year and not having listened to him before (or black milk and the liked from those parts) i have had it on constant rotation. Not a great year for hip-hop i thought in general altho i'm looking forward to dl the new Scarface which i'm sure will be good.

Just a small point, can we remove the 808 album off the list, obviously not hip-hop even if its by Kanye

Weezybabee

The Preface - Elzhi

its gotta b the carter 3........ every song is wicked, and the amount of artists he collaberates with is crazy!!

marko91

The Preface - Elzhi

a milli a milli a milli:cool:


weezy is the best!

TheLoc

Paper Trail - T.I.

I voted the GAME. not because its brilliant. Just because it was better than the rest of the useless annoying garbage thats been released. The game went a bit back to old school RAP and one are 2 songs are good. But not a great album. I still listen to my last years favourite album which was Common - finding forever. unreal album.

floggg

When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That **** Gold - Atmosphere

I think Nas - Untitled (or the N****r Album if i'm allowed say it!). It was creative, original, thought provoking, and clearly lived up to all the hype and controversy.

I'm still listening to "Queens Get The Money" and "Can't Stop Us Now" on repeat.

After that, i would say the Roots - Rising Down. Get Busy is one of the best songs i've heard in years.

Havn't got round to buying Q-Tip yet, but will do so over the next few days - I just discovered ATCQ's greatest hits this year and it blew me away.

Just got Elzhi yesterday, and like what I hear. Also really want to get Johnson&Jonson - Blu & Exile was one of my favourite album last year after Pharoahe Monch's Desire.

Also, i fail to see what the fuss is over The Carter III, or Lil Wayne in general. I've listened to it a few times, and while there's some good songs, nothing grabbed me too much. He is completely overhyped and is nowhere near Top 5 Dead or Alive - he can 't come close to the likes of Jay-Z, Phonte, Pharoahe Monche, Nas, Andre 3k,or even Biggie and Pac for lyrics, flow, delivery or hits.

TheLoc

Paper Trail - T.I.

I agree, untitled is a good album. i have rising down but just havn't listened to it yet. I also bought IAM's new album - au printemps and MC Solaar - 7s. both absolutely class albums but it's up to you weather or not you want to branch out into french RAP (in my opinion have the best beats).

Kold

Tha Carter III - Lil' Wayne

I voted The Renaissance. Also, marko91's username just made me feel really old for some reason.

TheLoc

Paper Trail - T.I.

Kold wrote: »

I voted The Renaissance. Also, marko91's username just made me feel really old for some reason.

Yep me too. I hope to god he's not 17. that makes me a loser haha.

Makaveli

Tha Carter III - Lil' Wayne

TheLoc wrote: »

I agree, untitled is a good album. i have rising down but just havn't listened to it yet. I also bought IAM's new album - au printemps and MC Solaar - 7s. both absolutely class albums but it's up to you weather or not you want to branch out into french RAP (in my opinion have the best beats).

Are you talking about Chapitre 7? That came out in 2007. Wasn't that impressed with it either compared to his other worker. Da Vinci Claude is great though.

That IAM album is not their new one if you mean Revoir Un Printemps (it was released in 2004). Saison 5 (2007) is their latest.

TheLoc

Paper Trail - T.I.

Oh right. I only got them this year (2008). I only heard of them then since I usually hear of them when they come out. I know neither album didn't sell as well as many of their otheres. I thought Chapitre 7 was better than IAMs this time round. But only for a couple of the songs. there are a few songs that are crap but MC Solaar is a legend.

The soundtrack to "the wackness" is not bad either!

0854603

Nas 'Untitled' was the best lyrical album of the year. The beats were a bit rubbish but the verses were absolutely incredible. Maybe not a best seller but masterpieces usually are.

Most underrated album of the year was Elzhi's debut called The Preface. Check it out on youtube, if you like Nas, you should like this fella too.

0854603

I wouldnt call 808s and Heartbreaks a rap album.

It's ok, but thats not hiphop.

ghostface ste

808's And Heartbreaks - Kanye West

0854603 wrote: »

Most underrated album of the year was Elzhi's debut called The Preface. Check it out on youtube, if you like Nas, you should like this fella too.

Don't think anyone that has heard The Preface will think its underrated, best album of last year i thought. It's just not many people are aware of him (as was i until recently!!).

Another top album from last year - The Evil Jeanius by Jean Grae really really good production and as far as lyrically she is top notch

Jimmyjimster

Keeping it UK with my favourites of 08

in third it has to be A New Bloodline by Sir Smurf Lil'
Very strong album from the man who seems to of popped up on every other uk album this year, great production and clever thoughtful lyrics, this guy is gonna be big soon

in second its From the Ashes by Chester P, one half of taskforce steps out on his own with this brilliant debut, great production by louis slippaz and ryhmes which are up there withs chesters best

My favourite album of 2008 is Dear Listener by Lowkey though, a lot of hip hop artists these days stay away from important issues and politics but lowkey hits them head on, some very intelligent lyrics about the state of the world today over some very impressive beats too, a definite winner

Horno

Has to be the game and L.A.X .........wasnt the best of years album quality wise so i have to give it to game because he had the chef on his album...bulletproof diaries is a banger...my life and the track with cube are good aswell.....this year is gonna be special tho ...ONLY BUILT 4 CUBAN LINX II (hopefully)....Nice!!!

Boom_Bap

The In Crowd - Kidz In The Hall

ghostface ste wrote: »

Don't think anyone that has heard The Preface will think its underrated, best album of last year i thought. It's just not many people are aware of him (as was i until recently!!).

Another top album from last year - The Evil Jeanius by Jean Grae really really good production and as far as lyrically she is top notch

Only (finally) got around to listening to The Preface and i thought it was excellent. Initially i wasnt expecting much but i'm a now big fan of Elzhi's wordplay, along with the spot on production. I dont think it would have been my #1 in 08 though, might have snuck in at #3 or #4.

godspal

Listening to Atmosphere's album. ITS AMAZING!
Never been a fan of them before, but this album totally redeems all past problems.

Check it out:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKCasTWjzEg

clio_16v

Pete Rock - NY Finest anyone? Thought it was a great album, love the Best Kept Secret with LOTU

phatkev

its got to be angels by dan le sac vs scroobius pip:D

flag123

The Game LAX...best album i've heard in a long time...

The Abstract

Its a toss up between Statik Selektah - Stick 2 the Script and Q-Tip - The Renaissance but i'll have to go for Tip. This was a brath of fresh air and gave me hope for Hip Hop its only a pity we had to come to a member of the Old School to get it.

Michelle_H

definatly L.A.X d best Game is king of kings!!!
ggggggggggggggggggggggggggggggG-Unot!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!:):):)