The Internets Best of 2010 Rap

It's the end of the year and ain't shit going down. To be fair we have seen and heard way more dope music than anyone has a right too in one lap around the sun. I'll be devouring things that dropped this year for the next decade. But thats cool, music is sounding great and when the need to debate what was the best goes down? Far better than the feeling of scratching your head asking what did I get down to this year, didn't it all drop years ago? I for one can't get enough new music and struggle with the prospect of balancing out time spent hearing new things versus just enjoying them music I love.

As I prepare to move at the top of 2011 and put together our own best of lists I've been perusing the usual haunts, more so hopping for something new to be delivered than to read yet another list but that's what critics do this time of year. A few sites have impressed me with their choices, my favorite site dropped a list of 50 albums over half of which I'm certain I never heard - got even more listening to do, thank god for the first quarter when nothing drops and we all play catch up with what we missed in the year that was.

What lists have impressed you? If you have never ventured over to No Trivia I highly reccomend Soderbergs sly take and ear on modern hiphop. He resides in B More and sometimes he lets his city influence him more than it would if he lived elsewhere which is ok, it provides a voice for some dope music in a town no one cares about. What you know about that Moodyman? He dropped his list of 25 best rap tunes then went on to mix 'em up and drop off a smooth playing podcast. He sounds like a radio DJ throughout the mix, basically just letting one tune finish and dropping the next one, but hey not everyone can be a DJ and at least this way you are able to actually hear the full song in case you missed any. His best selection in my eyes? The Little Brother jam, that as the title states, is "Tiggalo For Dolo." Don't forget that Phonte has bars, even if he is more concerned with singing a tune these days.

Passion of the Weiss always organizes a pretty serious year end wrap up, you may have already seen it, or clicked the above link to my fav site - yeah I said it, if you are looking for music journalism on the internet focused on forward thinking artists this is the site to visit hands down. Enough stanning, this is about Sach O aka Son Raw's best of the year rap mix. Sach has multiple skills with his hands, not just writing dope pieces on bass music of the future he gets down on the tables behind his computer and in front of crowds every now and then in Montreal. Mixing a tad bit more than Soderberg did and looking at a whole other section of hiphop, listening to these two mixes next to each other you will hear just how wide open hiphop is these days. Lots of dope music coming from so many different angles.

And if the glasses are confusing you just watch this and be ready for one of the dopest projects of 2011.

The Post Christmas Wrap Up

I'm enroute to work brunch once again after many months away. I told the bartender to be hooking up some champagne in my glass of OJ, hope he remembers! If you took a break from the computer over the holiday you might of missed more than a few things, here are a few jawns that grabbed me.



Kendrick Lamar has only elevated in the months since the release of his stellar O(verly) D(edicated) record. If you missed out on the review or interview peep 'em respectively. Schoolboy Q is the only member of the Black Hippies who hasn't hit us with a great project. With this leak off Setbacks there is no doubt in my mind that he will stand tall with his family.



SL Jones isn't a name I've heard too much outside of a guest verse or two with Killer Mike. Here he calls on the big homie to close out his track. Pill also swings through for a solid 16, dude is becoming my new favorite guest rhyme slanger. SL holds it down, makes me curious what he has coming. This is off a tape he plans to drop in January. The new year is already looking promising and I'm still devouring music from the year that we ain't quite finished with. Gotta love great music!



Speaking of Mike this is some serious hiphop shit right here! Just let that track above play. Yes that is El-P lacing Killer motherfuckin' Mike with a monster of a beat. They are working on an album that shall be released via Adult Swim. I seriously couldn't be more excited for this and it's been more than a hot minute since Jamie Meline's alter ego has gotten me excited in the slightest. Rest assured should this hit the internets faces will be melted while minds are sharpened on the knowledge Killer Mike recites with ease.

And this being our blog and all we did drop a little EP yesterday you might have missed. It's from Brothers From Another and you can learn more here - or just scroll down slightly. I'm outta here, come eat some food at Palisade today and help ease my hatred of the place.

Wick-It "The Brothers of Chico Dusty"

I guess Christmas time just brings out the mashers. After that ill lil Budos Band and Wu-Tang merger a character known as Wick-It has taken two albums from the top 10 lists and delivered something that might be better than the originals.

A year ago The Black Keys delivered a collaboration with many rappers called Blakroc. It seemed to go fairly unnoticed but some of the recording techniques they picked up in that process rubbed off as they entered the studio to make the next proper Black Keys album. Brothers was the result and it's an album all you hiphop heads should put on and escape for awhile too.

Big Boi not much can be said for. He is the smoothest spitter to ever emerge from the A. Most heads had seemingly written him off the books and resigned themselves to celebrating whatever few verses Andre deemed suitable to bless us with. Then the much discussed solo work from Mr. Patton Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty hit the world like a new Outkast album dropping. And that's pretty much what it is, Outkast minus Andre. It's dope. Sounds like everything the greatest duo ever has given us for damn near 2 decades. I know I'm alone in this thought.

Now enter Wick-It. This guy takes some awesome blues inflected rock that is dustier and grimier than any hiphop record to be released in the last decade (as long as the record is not called Marcberg) and flips the shit into some awesome beats that fit Big Boi like a glove. While the soulful drenched production of Chico Dusty is pretty beautiful and groove inducing, these beat incarnations hit harder and convey more southern authenticity than a a shutterbug.

I don't know how long this will last thanks to our archaic copyright laws, but Wick-It has the tunes on his soundcloud page here.

UPDATE: Thanks to Andrew who works with Wick-It I've discovered the bandcamp page for this project too! Listen below.

Currensy "Daze of Thunder"

Curren$y - Daze of Thunder from Creative Control on Vimeo.

What's a morning without some Spitta? I can hear Swerve rockin to it at the moment and this video is as fresh as any other one he's dropped. Off his upcoming tape Return to the Winners Circle.

Show Tufli "Keep in Mind That I'm an Artist and I'm Sensitive About My Shit!!"

Show Tufli is a name that's been buzzing around the blogosphere for the last couple years but his tribute style mixtapes haven't really gotten him off the ground. I suppose the Charles Hamilton affiliation may be hurting too. But regardless of who he knows and how the public views his marketing ploy's the bottom line is the music on his latest project, inspired by Erykah Badu, is fresh and the perfect slice of summer for these cold and wet days Seattle has been awaiting.

I put this 10 track project on tonight and was immediately caught up in his style. Dude is only 18. I guess recovering from paralysis would be invigorating. The above video features an intro that gives you a little history on Show and the one below is a more professional affair that shows off the traditional summer BBQ on the block. Of course there's a girl who's caught the young emcee's eye.



If the videos got you interested you can download the tape here for more.

A Low Budget Christmas

Whoever determined that the day after Thanksgiving marks the start of the Christmas season I would like to meet and shake them into convulsions. Between listening to country holiday "classics" for my job throughout college to the lame ass smooth jazz covers of Christmas standards playing on repeat at Palisade these days I just can't get away! The Low Budget crew out of the DMV has dropped off a little something to help those of you like me who don't want to listen to your typical holiday music - bang this and I'm sure you won't be getting called a scrooge for turning off the radio.

Full of fresh tunes from the likes Kev Brown, Oddisee, Roddy Rod, Kambir & yU most of the cuts are just slow burning grooves that feature some sleigh bells at times or a melody from a traditional song flipped only how these cats do. Get in the holiday spirit and download this!

Shawn Chrystopher "You, And Only You"

The uprising of young emcees who are college educated has allowed for a shift in content and image. Shawn Chrystopher is one of these artists having attended USC on a scholarship he graduate and put out his first album last year - A City With No Seasons. That project caught my ear thanks to his carefree attitude and desire to remember what it was like to be a kid and have fun.

I just downloaded his latest project You And Only You and it’s feeling just as good. His carefree attitude seems to be tempered with some reality this time out. He opens the album with a strong a cappella addressing he and his moms relationship, making money, chasing dreams and working in this industry.



But not all is so heavy. The lead single for which he shot a video for, “Catch Me If You Can”, is a great shot at the haters who want to bring him down. Sometimes he gets like Drake and tries to analyze his fame - it’s interesting to hear someone who isn’t famous yet saying “I don’t want to be famous cause fame just aint right.” When Drake does this it seems as though he is asking for pity or sympathy - hard to give to someone who runs with the Young Money crew. Shawn on the other hand pulls off the struggling artist who needs to come to terms with his public presence.

In the liner notes to this release he includes a statement that says “Constantly challenge the listener to think outside the box. No flow is the same.” He does change it up more than some, but I’m not sure he is always completely different. Sometimes he pulls off a nice sing song flow, he can’t carry much of a note but he flows out of it smoothly and succinctly.

Chrys and some homies of his handle the production, which never recalls a West coast sound, isn’t really boom bap. It does feature some celebratory sounds, some minimal drum sounds, but throughout it’s original and head nodding just how hiphop should be!

Download for free or purchase a physical copy at Shawn Chrystopher’s spot.

Poetik Force "The Mary Jane Project"

LA hiphop has been flourishing as of late. Maybe I’m just paying attention more often but I’m hearing more music from the Capitol of the West coast these days then ever before in my life. Poetik Force is one of those voices. His The Mary Jane Project is a suitably titled affair and Ms. Botwin gracing the cover is hilarious.

This rarely sounds like any weed smoking rap from the left coast you might expect. Poetik Force is anything but generic. He comes across as a considerate fellow, trying to live life and get relaxed every so often. Maybe more so than it might at first seem.

His flow is great. Laid back in style Poetik Force doesn’t rush anything and he likes to give you positive tunes to help inspire better living in the future. Rarely do these wishes come across naively, usually they seem to offer some insight into the struggle of the emcee delivering the words.

The beats throughout the project are melodic and slower in tempo. Full of samples Poetik Force has an ear to the ground snagging up tracks from up and comers who have yet to be destroyed by the business. Sometimes the drums feel a little too boom bap for an LA affair, after talking to Kendrick Lamar and looking at what young music is coming from the city of angels I have to say I think NY hiphop circa the nineties is influencing a lot of young kids who grew up years and miles removed from the second golden age.

The Mary Jane Project doesn’t spend much of it’s time really getting caught up in the details of Marijuana, much like Currensy the weed is just there. Force and his guests are fans of blunts but it all is delivered in a manner that won’t have you wondering what else these guys do, smoking is just a part of the daily routine for this crew.

As an emcee Poetik Force lives up to his name typically. I’m never bored while giving this project a listen. It’s not always the most captivating record, sometimes slowing down to a point that might let you get lost in your own thoughts and forget about what you are listening to. Surprisingly this is especially true for his J Dilla tribute “Playaz”. Whoever cooked up the beat did a sufficent job recreating the SV classic, but the groove is almost too deep, none of the rappers really own it.

This isn’t a common occurrence on the album however. Time is rarely wasted on discussing the little things, Poetik Force is more concerned with addressing life and letting those out there listening know that they aren’t alone for it. The album screams of their own regular life, no one who raps here comes off as though they are bigger or better than the listener. They are just some everyday people spitting life living raps. Inhale deep and put this on in your headphones if you want to feel good.

EvergreenOne "Born In 86 (Preview)"

Almost Famous went down last night, Meka impressed all there I think. While sipping on some whiskey I got to chopping with A-Hyp and he hipped me to some Tac goodness. Been playing that Milk On Wax from Evergreen and Todd Sykes and this sounds like it's in the same vein. Raise your hand with me if you were born in 86!

I Love My Friends... Mad Rad @ Neumos

Mad Rad had me skipping down 2nd Avenue last night with my hands in the air screaming “I want your blood.” Straight up I didn’t give a fuck, I was high off music and an overall great feeling in the air that didn’t leave Neumos until security escorted everyone out of the building around 3 AM. Whatever expectations you held about Mad Rad, they were met last night.

It wasn’t their best show, I don’t know what a bad show would look like for these guys but there was no way it was going to happen last night. Selling out the venue early people were drinking and having a glamorous time. Portland’s White Fang and that Champagne gang opened up and set the mood for a party. Once Darwin got on the tables it might as well of been over.

The crowd roared and then got down to his eclectic set of high BPM mashers that would of had any passer’s by outside thinking it was a rave. He brought the energy up and got the people ready for his team, not that anyone needed preparation - I think Seattle had been waiting for last night for quite some time.

The album being celebrated last night is the new one from the Mad Rad guys. P Smoov, Terry Radjaw, Buffalo Madonna and Darwin have been at work on The Youth Die Young since White Gold started making waves. They’ve had a lot of highs in that time, a few lows, but the biggest change is their profile and that fame they’ve been confronted with is addressed throughout the album.

Having been met with some great and some not so great words The Youth Die Young hit shelves Tuesday and judging from the crowd’s response a few people had already been digging into it. The Nathan Hale High School choir opened their set singing the beautiful “My Friends” - a classic greeting for a group that has the strongest fan base in the city. The party started when the beat drops in the tune entering Smoov’s trademark synth workout he seems to be perfecting and developing everyday.

The floor at Neumos shook through the next two songs “Caveman” and “Party Mountain.” The later has become a show staple and is probably the oldest on the disc yet it still destroys the crowd - us hill kids just can’t get enough of the anthem. The former is bound to become a fan favorite with it’s “Fuck you that’s how we do around here” chanting refrain throughout the end of the tune, just wait til the next show after everyone has devoured the project.

Some standards were performed much to the crowds pleasure. When the familiar beats of tunes like “Electric Sheep”, “Crack The Blunt” and “My Product” hit the air the mass of people screamed and boogied. Throughout the night you could look around and everywhere people wore smiles. I’ve recently been paying attention to the music that makes me physically happy. It’s true there were a lot of factors contributing to my personal happiness but to see a room full of strangers all loving themselves and each other thanks to some awesome music made in our city, that was priceless.

The standout tune on The Youth Die Young is “Epiphany.” Without question one of the best songs of the year. They premiered the tune just shy of a year ago at Neumos for a free show they called Squashed in celebration of the end of the “beef” between them and an assortment of Capitol Hill clubs that had banned them. When the single piano key lands and then the sparse drum intro plays your mind is just caught. By the time they keys start playing and Smoov starts singing you’ll be relishing in the theme of the song, you only live once, enjoy it.

That has really always been Mad Rad’s message. Life is short, enjoy it and don’t tolerate the BS. While the first album gave them bombast to party with this one is showing them growing up a little bit and developing something I’m certain many people thought could go nowhere. “I Want You Blood” and random bars from all of them still capture the rawness that was their initial draw, but it’s not what will be drawing people in after the dust settles on this record. This is the record for them to make new fans, fans who want some dope thought provoking music that will also make you dance. Who’s making that?

80's Babies "Sonic Music"

It’s time to look at the album, and group, that is responsible for this whole bandcamp feature. Sometime in the summer I heard Sonic Music from the 80's Babies. Sure I was listening to some other jawns at the time but nothing quite struck me like this album. The fact that it was available almost exclusively from their bandcamp got me wondering how many albums could be out there in the ether a person would never know about it they didn’t just make one click.

The 80’s Babies are Dee Jackson on rhymes and Tall Black Guy cooking up the beats. The album falls in line with a lot of early underground east coast rap from about a decade ago yet nothing here sounds old. One of the refreshing qualities to this album is it’s air of newness. While I feel like I’m certainly listening to something inspired by music of the past, the 80’s Babies are not biting anyone delivering 16 tracks of original banging music.

The production throughout the album is ridiculous. Tall Black Guy flips so many jams, I’m afraid to investigate his crates be them digital or physical. From the “Intro” with it’s spacey synth line and drum-less groove in the beginning you will be mesmerized before Dee even starts dropping quotables.

Elsewhere he chops things so hard your neck might be in fear of snapping should you repeat listen all day long - and you will want. Horns get dropped in the mix, music is present in all his beats. Tall Black Guy has a great ear for melody and producing rather than just making a beat. These tracks grow and develop as you listen to em. On “C.O.B (Control Our Block)” he cuts the drums our and gives Knoc-Turn’al a fitlhy ghostly break to spit over, later in his verse bringing a mellower drum kick in over the piano keys he has making the track sparkle.

Most of the guests here are their homies from what I can gather. Crooked I also shows up on the aforementioned “C.O.B.” and delivers his trademark brand of scorching devastation he isn’t given the credit for being capable of enough. No one else here ever touches Dee Jackson though. The guy has a commandeering tone that insists you take him seriously. He never feels forced, his flow is as natural as Slick Rick’s story telling.

Topically Dee Jackson covers a lot of ground. Politics are addressed and their hometown pride in the current president shines through. The constant synchronous living with the internet and social media is a struggle and cause for confusion addressed in “Technology.” Stories are told on “Fighting Demons” about people in unique situations and the different demons that can be faced. Love isn’t far from the heart and Dee Jackson certainly has both. His daughter is mentioned with a sincere passion only a father could deliver.

No rap album is complete without some track extolling an emcee’s virtues on the mic and that’s here too. These two demonstrate a serious passion for the art, and a serious skill for it. Musically this album has made me smile, dance, laugh and just feel good about life. Lyrically its made me think, reflect and look at the life surrounding me. It’s great. Give it a listen below and if you dig it give em the 7 bucks - it's better than that sandwich you were thinking about for lunch.

What's all the hype about, who is J. Cole?

That's who J. Cole is. If you didn't watch it, you should. I haven't been sold on dude, still not but he is slightly captivating and I'm intrigued. He's coming to town on the 23rd to rock Neumos. While it's his first headlining appearance in town, he was here last October with his boss - Jay-Z.

I didn't catch that set, my roommate at the time did and wasn't impressed. He was the one who told me to listen to The Warm Up but I never did. Until this past week. Today I went back to it again while writing something about him for a friend. He has an interesting story that is unlike many of his peers.

He graduated college in 2007 and quickly put together his first tape. This cat isn't only a college grad, he finished magna cum laude. Since then he has become the first artist signed with Jigga's new Roc Nation label and released one more mixtape, with another scheduled to drop in a couple days although the hype has been minimal and his album has already seen delays.



Regardless of what's happening with his projects, what is out shows an emcee that's talented and smart. He obviously isn't just a book smart kid, and his rhymes reflect both sides of his education. He makes beats and pulls on heavy drums and dusty samples like so many NYC legends, his samples and overall vibe of his music can't escape his heritage in the south however and you hear southern soul seeping out of many of his cuts. He owns the industry beats he takes as well. I guess I do like J. Cole.

Download the Warm Up here.

Listening this morning and learning a bit more about him has made me a bit more a fan, I'm still curious as to where exactly he is going and I'm not convinced he is always really talking about anything. Critiques with answers in time. Right now I'm gonna let "Last Call" replay once again. Check out his tapes and catch him at Neumos on the 23rd.

Tassnata "Between Planets"

Tassnata is a young emcee haling from Canada. While our Hip Hop counterparts to the north have never really seen the kind of success in the states that your average, nondescript rapper from the block can a few from the North have proven bars and flow aren’t just an American trait.

Tass wears his life on his sleeve. It’s what he knows and what he raps about. He discusses being broke, being abandoned by his family, growing up, traveling, having fun, and a whole lot more. Between Planets is a well rounded journey that will leave you satisfied and intrigued, questioning what he had to say and desiring to hear more.

I’ve had several friends vacation in Mexico this year, had even more say they wish they could visit the country. Tass makes a song about running away to the Southern country that is pretty funny and heartfelt, we all just want to get away every now and then. The beat features some guitar that is distinctly latin, if it’s a sample I wouldn’t be surprised if it was pulled from a record originating in Spain. It works regardless, with some heavier drums layered you won’t have any problem nodding your head or moving your feet to it with a lovely senorita.

Tassnata sounds like a dude who has gone through some shit in his life, yet he doesn’t dwell on anything overly negative - the true sign of someone who has overcome great adversity. You can hear the pain, but the hope is so much larger throughout this album. “You & Me” sees him rocking over a great Tone Mason beat discussing his love for the special lady in his life. People would be lucky to find someone to care about this thoroughly.

He calls on a few guests throughout the record. Detroit is present which is never a bad thing. Promise caught my ear last year rocking over some FlyLo production and just generally doing what it is 313 cats do with ease. He shows up here on “Remember” next to Black Milk, who needs no words of description. Addressing the past and their individual memories, they speak on the old vs. new worlds of Hip Hop but don’t close any doors on where it’s going. Appreciate the old and use it to grow into something greater.

Between Planets will keep you listening. Tass lacks nothing when it comes to the basics of emceeing. He has a captivating flow and writes about things place him solidly in the every man rap category. This isn’t a bad thing but it may not be the most popular of circles with the flood of this style of rhyme. If you’ve enjoyed Blu or Phonte, among the many others who have tried to perfect Slugs methods, Tassnata is someone who needs to be heard.

Listen and download below!

Currensy "Michael Knight"

This Currensy is leaps and bounds beyond the kid whose tapes I've reviewed so far. Something illy for your Sunday morn wake n bake. I see Spitta's repping a Seahawks hat?!

Hezekiah "She-Male"

This is funny. Shout out to my guy Pomz. Hezekiah hails from Philly and has a new record called Conscious Porn out and this is the lead single. Produced by I Make Mad Beats. Cool visuals.

Marky "Monster"

Swerve is determined to keep this dude's name in my ear. I'm not convinced, but I kinda like what he is doing here. Different than what I've heard from him. What do y'all think?

On another note, It always was a creepy film.

Gangrene "The Sickness"

In an alternate apocalyptic reality Oh No and Alchemist would be the perfect pairing to create music for chaos. They decided not to wait and are about to deliver their collaborative album Gutter Water under the guise of Gangrene next month on Decon Records. The first single, "Not High Enough," featured trademark Alc keys and an overall spooky kind of vibe. This track right here is full of Oh No's signature odd sounds that only he could compose into something that makes you nod your head.

Domo Genesis "Kickin It" (Fan Video)

Domo Genesis - Kickin It from Ska Azaro on Vimeo.

I'm fully on the Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All skateboard . While they are gaining some Internet praise nationally and got heads talking their name around town they are still just at the beginning of something.

I gave Domo's album Rolling Papers a spin today walking to work. It's pretty awesome. It's also the first album from the crew I've listened to in it's entirety. This track stands out with it's reversed beat and Domo's stoned flow. They posted this fan video up on their site and had this to say:

Some Fanmade Video For Domo Genesis ”Kickin It” From his Rolling Papers Project. Produced By Tyler Creator. We Rarely Post Shit Like This, But The Video Fits The Mood of The Song So Well, We Had To Give Respect To The Person Who Put These Clips Together.

It's not like any of the videos Tyler himself has done, but it's pretty spooky in it's own way. What is going on with that clock? It's some highed up shit for sure. Fuck with it, and Kill Them All.

OFWGKTA = HARD AS FUCK

I've recently become slightly obsessed with OFWGKTA or Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All. They are young cats around 10 deep creating a signifigant buzz through personality and volume of material. In the last couple years they have released 10+ projects, most with orginal production and zero support from the "big hip hop blogs". I don't understand all of their slang (Why they gotta say Fuck Steve Harvey all the time), I don't understand their videos (which are cringe worthy), and I don't understand why Sweatshirt is in trouble (I can guess though). Nevertheless I am very excited by their brand of in your face, all or nothing, with us or against us, insanity.

Here are some flicks from the crew:



Earl Sweatshirt is very talented for his age, anyones age for that matter. He isn't even a legal adult and he is out rapping half of the mainstream right now which has got him some notice from the mag Rolling Stone. This vid gives you a little insight into his personality.



Tyler, the Creator is the defacto front man of the Odd Future crew, he is the oldest, he does much of the production, and he is brutal in his wordplay. When I first saw this vid the first thing out of my mouth was "Why is he doing that with his eyes". The opening line resonates is a very Rossian manner, the bass knocks hard and he is off on a lyrical sprint filling everybar with outlandish verbiage. His laugh after saying he is gonna fuck Mary in her ass, and the rape of Goldilocks and eating all the bears' motherfucking porridge slays me everytime. Tyler is very savvy and knows exactly what he is doing or at least I hope he does.

I am very interested in seeing where these kids go, and based on the Rolling Stone and Pitchfork coverage it could be far. I hope they make it to Seattle once Earl is of age so we can see them tear up a stage the way only people who don't give a fuck know how to.

Free Earl!

Ski Beatz & The Senseis ft. Nesby Phips "Blue & Green"

ILL.

And apparently Ski has the rights to re-work Miles classics. I can't wait to see what else is cooked up.