Jay-Z – “The Blueprint 3″ Is Our Album Of The Year Pick!
These lists are never easy to make, yet so easy to debate. The world of hip-hop is becoming so large that it’s pretty impossible to make any sort of universally accepted list. If you have followed this blog though, you should already have an idea of what my list will look like. HipHopForNerds.com has been a supporter of mostly mainstream hip-hop, as well as some independent stuff that you have probably never heard before. With that said, certain artists did not make it onto this blog or into this list because they simply were not in the pool of candidates I listened to. I listen to everything I can, but I know there are probably albums I have missed. Feel free to comment if you feel I’ve omitted an artist who should truly be in the top 5. With that said, here is my list of best rap albums of 2009.
1. Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
I know the haters are gonna be mad about this one. I don’t really know why anyone expected a 40 year old man to release an album for the streets, but that has pretty much been the big criticism. Critics call this “white collar rap”, but it’s a lyrically eye opening album if you actually listen to the words. For once, Jay is taking a stand against some of the stupidity he once stood for. He tells us why all the things he once thought were cool are no longer cool, and he shares the story of how a poor drug dealer from Brooklyn became a global star. The production of the album puts this above Eminem’s Relapse on my list, and is definitely my favorite album of 2009. It is good music for anyone who cares to be successful in life. If you consider it bragging, well, Jay has a right to brag.
2. Eminem – Relapse
Relapse is not the best album of Eminem’s career, but it beats out his previous two (Encore & The Re-Up), and should be considered as an appetizer to what I anticipate will be the best album of his career in Relapse 2. Eminem sounded like a man only beginning to reach his prime on this album. Ever since he quit drinking and drugs, his flow has gotten quicker and more crisp. You could tell he had some rust to shake off, and a few of these tracks are filler material in his overall catalog, but if you’ve heard The Refill, you already know he’s only getting better. Expect Eminem to hold the top spot on next year’s list, but until then, go get that Refill!
3. Rick Ross – Deeper Than Rap
Ricky Ross didn’t receive the greatest review from me when the album initially dropped, but in hindsight, this really is a good album. Lyrically it’s nothing mind blowing, but the replay value, production, guest features, and energy of the album make it one of this year’s best. Add that to the fact that Ross nearly outsold 50 Cent’s album in the first week, and you’ve got an emerging star here. Can Ross keep it up next year? I have a feeling we’ve heard his best work already, but maybe I’ll be pleasantly surprised by another one.
4. Kid Cudi – Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
Is it possible that being born and raised in Cleveland led to my inclusion of this album on my list? Possibly. The more likely reason though is that Cudi dominated the rookie class of 09 with his music and sales this year. Man On The Moon was the highest selling album of anyone in XXL magazine’s top 10 freshman list, and was one of the best selling rap albums of 2009 in general. It is very artsy and slow paced, but when your mood is down and you need some musical therapy, this album should do the trick. It was an impressive rookie release, and Cudi will likely shine again as it appears his label is already granting him a second album packed with even more star power.
5. MIMS – Guilt
If I went around the streets polling people on their top rap albums of the year, MIMS’ album probably wouldn’t even be on most top 20 lists. With that said, most people also haven’t given this album a chance. MIMS is the type of rapper who always releases fun, shallow, danceable singles which degrade his credibility, but his albums usually tell a different story. Guilt is one of my favorite albums this year because of it’s diversity and creativity. MIMS explores the rock genre just enough to add an alternative feel to the album, and you can tell he really made this one from the heart. This album should not be slept on. It hasn’t left my rotation since it dropped, and if you think I’m crazy, at least give it a listen.
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