Underrated Albums of 2015

What's good peoples?!  The year of 2015 has been considered the best year within hip-hop this decade music-wise, and rightfully so.  We saw what may be the best album this generation of To Pimp A Butterfly, the landmark sophomore album by Kendrick Lamar, as well as Drake's excellent If You're Reading This, It's Too Late, Dr. Dre's LONG-awaited return with the flammable Compton, Game's phenomenal sequel to his 2005 classic debut, The Documentary, and Lupe Fiasco's best album since his 2007 release, The Cool, Tetsuo & Youth.  Not to mention other stellar releases from Joey Bada$$ and the triumphant return of Scarface.  There was critical acclaim all over the place in 2015, and it was such a time to be a hip-hop fan.  Of course, we also mourned the loss of the legendary Sean Price that summer as well.  Such a blow to the hip-hop community hurt us, but musically, we knew Sean was pleased even in his afterlife.  However, there were other releases that were almost just as acclaimed as the ones you heard and rotated more, and these are the ones we will give love to.  With that said, let's start this simply awesome list.

15. Earl Sweatshirt

I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside

Production: artist, Left Brain

Arguably the most talented, albeit the most enigmatic, ember of the former OFWGKTA was Earl Sweatshirt.  His mixtapes plus appearances on various members projects made him a standout star.  His prior album, Doris, introduced us to his deeply personal and complex world while seeing how very talented this kid was.  He followed it up with the brooding I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside.  Even more personal and introspective than before due to the loss of a close relative and his battles with depression, this was very dark but very insightful.  Earl is among the brightest young emcees in the game, even if sometimes his material is melancholy.

14. Freddie Gibbs

Shadow Of A Doubt

Production: KAYTRANADA, Frank Dukes, Mike Dean, Murda Beatz, Speakerbomb, Boi-1nda, others

Fresh off his career-defining classic with Madlib, Pinata, Gangsta Gibbs dropped Shadow Of A Doubt.  The album was filled with what we usually expect from Gibbs, only varying up his style at a time or two.  Much like prior albums like ESGN, Str8 Killa, and Cold Day In Hell, Gibbs brought the rawness as only he could and it became an album that took him from just a mixtape sensation to a bonafide artist.  Lyrically focused over some tight production, Gibbs' stature was building and building, without being on a major label.

13. Rapper Big Pooh & Apollo Brown

Words Paint Pictures

Production: Apollo Brown

In the wake of the saddening deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Eric Garner, and Sandra Bland among countless others, former Little Brother member Rapper Big Pooh addressed society's heavy, tense climate on the excellent Words Paint Pictures.  He tackles issues such as racism and police brutality and other societal issues on this release.  Arguably his best project up to this point, Pooh came back from his hiatus in a big time way with this highly dope project with one of the hottest up-and-coming producers around in Apollo Brown.

12. Milo

So The Flies Don't Come

Production:Kenny Segal

Milwaukee emcee Milo is a complex lyricist with a quirky, yet unique, approach to hip-hop.  typically categorized in the alt hip-hop arena, Milo has a sense of humor and eclectic vision for his talent.  Although make no mistake about it, he has a lot of talent.  This is made evident by his album, So The Flies Don't Come.  Often times fascinating and intriguing, Milo delivers aesthetically smart rhymes into his independent thinking.  He is an emcee that requires a lot of listening in order to get the full gist of who he is and where he comes from on an artistic level, but it's worth the ride.

11. Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD

Sour Soul

Production: BADBADNOTGOOD

The ever prolific Ghostface Killah had been hitting on all cylinders for the majority of his career, if not his whole career period.  Back to back to back smash releases puts him among hip-hop's true elite.  He followed up his incredible Twelve Reasons To Die and ambitious 36 Seasons with Sour Soul, a collaboration with Canadian jazz production group BADBADNOTGOOD.  As had been the case, the production very nicely suited to Ghost's distinctive style and complimented him damn near perfectly.  Along with guests like Elzhi, Danny Brown and MF DOOM, Big Face Ghost knocks another one out and continues to show why he should rightfully be considered among the legends of the game.

10. Rapper Big Pooh

Home Sweet Home

Production: Nottz

As was previously mentioned, Rapper Big Pooh had reemerged on the scene, but he didn't just drop one project.  Although the aforementioned Words Paint Pictures was the more serious in terms of tone and content, his collaborative effort with highly acclaimed VA beatmaker Nottz, Home Sweet Home, was definitely more flavorful in terms of just good ol' fashioned hip-hop.  While you almost rest assured anything Nottz touches turns to a certified banger, Pooh almost flawlessly glides over each track with ease over some of the most thumping production that year.  What a year for Pooh.

9. Czarface

Every Hero Needs A Villain

Production: 7L

After the critical success and acclaim of their debut self-titled album, the crew of Czarface (7L, Esoteric, and Inspectah Deck) decided to do it again with the release of their follow-yup effort, Every Hero Needs A Villain.  Literally every bit as knocking as their debut effort, this album is cleverly executed with relentless lyricism and quite the blistering production.  Easily a throwback to nineties styled hip-hop, this album also serves a great purpose in today's times as well.  This team was two for two.

8. L'Orange & Jeremih Jae

The Night Took Us In Like Family

Production: L'Orange

One of hip-hop's most brilliant, yet highly slept-on, producers is NC native L'Orange.  His penchant for dramatic, vintage-themed production is borderline breathtaking at times and can be very distinctive.  This was very evidenced on the collaborative effort with LA rapper/producer Jeremiah Jae, The Night Took Us In Like Family.  Thematically, this piece has a scent of dark hip-hop from far earlier eras such as the thirties or forties.  One gets the aural feeling of being in the gangster age in New York during that time period, and  you'll notice how seamlessly each track blends into the next.  This is a dynamite piece of work that will leave you wanting more from them.

7. Skyzoo

Music For My Friends

Production: !llmind, Antman Wonder, Jahlil Beats, Thelonious Martin, Apollo Brown, others

One of the leaders of the new school from Brooklyn is Skyzoo.  Dropping consistent acclaimed mixtapes, EP, and full-lengths, Sky is one whom you would consider an emcee's emcee.  His focus on being honest and letting you into his world is refreshing and at times quite captivating.  With his third full-length album, Music For My Friends, Sky brings us into his adolescence much like The Game did on his stellar 1992 album.  With simply fantastic production from the likes of frequent collaborator !llmind, Apollo Brown, and Thelonious Martin, Sky effortlessly owns each beat he's on.  Conceptually, musically, and lyrically, Sky hit another home run with this one.

6. Ghostface Killah & Adrien Younge

Twelve Reasons To Die II

Production: Adrien Younge

When emcees attempt to deliver sequels to major efforts, they can be hit or miss.  For every Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, there's a Blueprint 2.   Fortunately that was not the case with Twelve Reasons To Die II, the sequel to Ghostface's knockout album Twelve Reasons To Die.  Scored and produced once again by Adrien Younge and narrated by RZA, Ghost is not done raising hell on those who killed him in the first installment.  With more co-stars with him such as Chino XL, Vince Staples, and his Wu brother Raekwon, this latest version is every bit as intriguing and visually stunning as its predecessor.  Will Ghost ever lose? Don't bank on it.

5. Big K.R.I.T.

It's Better This Way

Production: artist

After packing up and leaving Def Jam, K.R.I.T. went back to the indie route and dropped another critical darling of a mixtape, It's Better This Way.  Every bit as soulful as previous efforts, K.R.I.T. is at a crossroads on this release, as evidenced by the cover art.  It's this paradox and ambiguity that K.R.I.T. wrestles with on this project, which makes this even more orf a project to peep.  His honest duality and complexity is very human at this stage in his career and we're just elated we get to hear him bear it all to us.

4. Vince Staples

Summertime '06

Production: No I.D.

Long Beach emcee Vince Staples had been much the buzz from his appearances on Earl Sweatshirt's Doris to his own Def Jam debut EP, Hell Can Wait.  It was time to deliver his debut full-length, Summertime '06, which was a double album filled with flames.  An overall dark yet lyrically gifted project, Staples details his life in the streets letting us in to his one time world of gangs and violence.  The world outside his window wasn't pretty and with knockers like "Street Punks" and the DOPE "Summertime", Staples secured his place as one of hip-hop's brightest newcomers.

3. Joe Budden

All Love Lost

Production: AraabMuzik, Boi-1nda, Vinylz, others

Joe Budden is quite the polarizing emcee.  While most won't dispute his verbal and lyrical talents, it's his antics away from the mic that have made him gain almost as many detractors as fans.  However, musically, the one time Slaughterhouse member has been delivering some fairly dope efforts such as Padded Room and definitely Some Love Lost.  However, he hit a career high with All Love Lost.  Unquestionably the most personal and honest we've ever heard him, Budden bares his soul like never before and it comes off equally troubling and refreshing.  Jersey Joe put his pride to the side and let us into his personal diary and the result was a career hallmark.

2. Oddisee

The Good Fight

Production: artist

DMV native Oddisee has often times been overlooked when it comes to up-and-coming stars within hip-hop.  The Diamond District member has dropped some very dope efforts, but it was his seventh solo album, The Good Fight, where he finally see him come into his own.  An exceptional piece of work, Oddisee dropped a jewel of an album that was relatable to the common man and those just trying to maintain out here in the world.  The epitome of not giving up and living dreams, Oddisee emphasizes that off and on throughout this effort and it's so very needed.

1. Scarface

Deeply Rooted

Production: N.O.Joe, Mike Dean, Nottz, others

The ever legendary Brad Jordan.  Known for being among the most influential emcees to ever grace a mic, Face dropped his first album in seven years with Deeply Rooted.  His best album since his seminal classic The Fix in '05, Face shows once again why he's been such a big part in helping mold the careers of cats like Ludacris, T.I., and Bun B, while garnering massive respect from the likes of Jay, Nas, and The Game.  Tackling social issues, dropping jewels. and reminding everyone just who's the hardest of the hard is what Face is about on this album.  This was classic Scarface, and this was so very welcomed.

Honorable Mentions

MED, Blu, & Madlib- Bad Neighbor
Conway The Machine- Reject 2

Kirk Knight- Late Knight Special

Tyler The Creator- Cherry Bomb

Canibal Ox- Blade Of The Ronin

The Underachievers- Evermore: The Art Of Duality

Dizzy Wright- The Growing Process

Donald Trump & The Social Experiement- Surf

Death Grips- The Powers That B

Mick Jenkins- Wave(s)

Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder- Indie 500

Raury- All We Need
Statik Selektah- Lucky 7
Dr. Yen Lo- Days With Dr. Yen Lo
Georgia Anne Maldrow- A Thoughtiverse Unmarred
Quelle Chris- Innocent Country
Mello Music Group- Persona
Pete Rock- Petestrumentals 2

What a hell of a year 2015 was in hip-hop. We had some very triumphant highs and some heartbreaking lows, but this was among the best hip-hop years of the decade.  Underdogs rose to the occasion and crews such as Pro Era showed their potency among some of hip-hop's true finest.  It would be hard pressed to find a better year (besides the prior year) than 2015, and for good reason.  Until next time folks!

Underrated Albums of 2014

What's happening folks! Before we get into the popping year that was 2014, let's lift one up for one of hip-hop's true icons.  The legendary Lovebug Starski passed last week.  The triple OG is considered one of the earliest innovators of the genre, being credited with coming up with the term "hip hop".  We salute this brotha who now sits with the Most High and we say thank you for helping to present this beautiful give of art and expression that we so value and live in every day.  Sincere condolences and sympathy to his family during this very difficult time.

The year of 2014 was a particularly incredible year of hip-hop.  ScHoolboy Q's major label debut, Oxymoron, officially established him as a star, while YG's My Krazy Life gave gangsta rap the much missed boost it needed.  Also, J. Cole dropped a career defining album in 2014 Forest Hills Drive near year's end.  Other releases by 50 Cent, Big K.R.I.T., Common, and Rick Ross were blaring in many a car deck from city to city.  However, the most acclaimed albums of the year never saw high chart rankings or were minimized by mainstream's consciousness, including one of the most impactful releases of the entire decade. With that being said, let's get into this fantastic list.

15. Pharoahe Monch

PTSD

Production: artist, Lee Stone, Marco Polo, Quelle Chris, others

Following up 2011's very dope W.A.R. album, he continues the war-esque series with P.T.S.D.  He had already through "war" conceptually with the music industry, now he's feeling the ill effects of it.  This album was based around a veteran who returned home and whose life became a downward spiral with addiction and paranoia.  Another innovative and thought-provoking release from one of the game's true lyrical monsters.

14. Skyzoo & Torae

Barrel Brothers

Production: DJ Premier, Antman Wonder, !llmind, Black Milk, Oh No, Khrysis, Jahlil Beats, others

Two of the most talented emcees to emerge from NYC throughout the decade has been Brooklyn's Skyzoo and Coney Island's Torae.  Sky's laid-back, scholarly flow mixed Torae's no holds barred, unfiltered style meshes like hand in glove with their flames debut collab album, Barrel Brothers.  The chemistry here is just impeccable track to track and over tracks from the likes of frequent Skyzoo collaborator !llmind, Oh No, Black Milk (their track with Random Axe "All In Together" is just unfairly dope), and the legendary Premier made for one of the most hard-hitting albums to come from NY that year.

13. DJ Quik

The Midnight Life

Production: artist

West coast legend DJ Quik is still bringing that Compton funk some twenty-three years after his influential debut album, Quik Is The Name.  In 2014, he dropped The Midnight Life and showed that he still had it and didn't lose a single step.  Considered one of the greatest emcee/producers ever, Quik reminded these young gunnas that he still is Way 2 Fonky.  He even reunited with protege Suga Free and his own son on a couple tracks.

12. Black Milk

If There's A Hell Below

Production: artist

Curtis Cross was on a roll.  From his promising debut, Sound Of The City, and his highly intriguing follow-up, Popular Demand, up to 2013's excellent, No Poison, No Paradise, Milk was gaining more and more momentum as an emcee and damn sure as a producer.  He delivered the follow up to Poison, If There's A Hell Below, which is a darker transition from his prior effort.  This is a bleak, intricate release, although the sparse, 80s sounding 'Detroit's New Dance Show" was a rather welcomed surprise that would normally come off sticking out like a sore thumb, but leave it to Milk to make it fit in place and make it work.  Arguably Black Milk's best effort to date.

11. Vince Staples

Hell Can Wait EP

Production: No I.D., DJ Infamous, others

Introducing Vince Staples, a highly dope young emcee from the LBC.  First heard with close friend Earl Sweatshirt on his album Doris, he got signed to Def Jam and he dropped his EP, Hell Can Wait.  Obviously talented and someone to keep your eyes peeled to, he gave heads a project that didn't even scratch the surface on how high he could go  While Summertime '06 became his career highlight, it drew from this very dope effort.

10. Cormega

Mega Philosophy

Production: Large Professor

Queensbridge's own Cormega is one of the underground's most acclaimed artists, despite initially being a part of The Firm and having his Def Jam debut shelved.  He never gave up, remembered his hustle game, and has been putting out standout and after standout since.  In 2014, he dropped Mega Philosophy, a gem of an album solely produced by another Queens legend, Large Professor.  Mega took it back to the basics and reminded people that he hasn't fallen off one iota.  Although being noted for it being free of profanity, this album still packed a wallop, as lyrically and conceptually, Mega is still as hungry as he was when he started in the nineties.

9. Dilated Peoples

Directors Of Photography

Production: Evidence, DJ Babu, The Alchemist, DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, Oh No, Diamond, Jake One, others

When it was announced that Dilated Peoples would be reuniting for an album for the first time in eight years, heads rejoiced immediately, and rightfully so.  Their seventh album, Directors Of Photography, showed their world through their "lens" (partially taken from Ev's legit love of photography).  This album was easily among their best work, if not their overall best since their sophomore hallmark release, Expansion Team.  Sounding as fresh as ever and rejuvenated, DP's brought everything back in...well...focus.

8. Step Brothers

Lord Steppington

Production: artist

After being on several projects together, Dilated People's Evidence and emcee/producer extraordinaire The Alchemist delivered their much talked about debut, Lord Steppington.  It goes without saying that their chemistry was on point, as the two emcee-producers delivered a project that's very lax in content and just an album filled with witty bars and an overall enjoyable album.  Don't get It confused however, this isn't a fun and games album, as you can tell they took this album seriously and this tag team needs to have more championship collabs in their future.

7. Isaiah Rashad

Cilvia Demo

Production: Sounwave, Black Metaphor, Antydote, Danny Dee, others

One album that people somewhat missed and they really shouldn't have whatsoever was Isaiah Rashad's debut EP, Cilvia Demo.  This new TDE signee at the time from Tennessee was a highly talented young cat who's transparency was poignant and at times jarring.  From suicidal thoughts to addiction to beefing with his father, this was a project that has people arguing that this may have been the best album from the TDE camp that year, and in most cases, that's a strong argument.  Top Dawg had a new star in the making.

6. Rapsody
Beauty & The Beast
Production: 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Eric G., others

Throughout the decade, we had seen Snow Hill's finest really see her buzz and her notoriety increase with efforts such as Thank H.E.R. Later, She Got Game, The Idea Of Beautiful, and The Black Mamba.  She continued her acclaim with Beauty & The Beast, a ten track (thirteen if you include the three bonus cuts) firestarter that has Rap being her charming, yet in control and focused self on this project.  Lyrical as ever and reminding everybody that she's more than just a "female rapper", Rap's rep only grew bigger.

5. Damani Nkosi
Thoughtful King
Production: Warryn Campbell, others

One album that was arguably the most acclaimed album you never even peeped in 2014 was from former Snoop-affiliate Damani Nkosi.  Previously having worked with the likes of Kurupt, The Clipse, and the aforementioned Snoop, Nkosi delivered the simply fantastic Thoughtful King.  Naming the album after the translation of his name, he displays how thoughtful he is lyrically and conceptually.  Over some of the most relaxing, jazzy, soulful tracks you'll hear in hip-hop, this was grown folk hip-hop in its fullness: classy, honest, introspective, and even free of profanity.

4. Mobb Deep
The Infamous Mobb Deep
Production:  Havoc, !llmind, KAYTRANADA, Boi-1nda, The Alchemist, others

Twenty years after the album that put them among hip-hop's consciousness, The Infamous, Hav and P brought back a sound that was somewhat reminiscent of their legendary second album,The Infamous, with The Infamous Mobb Deep.  Definitely their best overall effort since Murda Muzik in '98, they sounded like two veterans showing and proving that they were still among the best duos in hip-hop's history and with searing cuts like "My Block" and "Dirt", these QB kids reminded us they still had us shook off the realness.

3. PRhyme
PRhyme
Production: DJ Premier, Adrien Younge

Anytime one of the game's legendary producers and one of the game's most complete emcees would get together in DJ Premier and Royce 5'9", we were in for something unequivocally knocking, and with cuts like "Shake This" and "Boom", we were naturally in full sweat when the announcement came that they would do a full collab project together.  Calling themselves PRhyme, their self-titled debut EP was one of the most magical and naturally gifted works of the decade. Using samples compiled by producer/composer Adrien Younge, Preem and Royce scorched every single track. We even had Preem bless us with a MUCH overdue rhyme.  Not to mention Royce alongside guests such as Black Thought, Common, Logic, and ScHoolboy Q over Preemo tracks were nothing short of momentous.

2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib
Pinata
Production: Madlib

A lot of us remember the hallmark moment that was Madvillainy and the practically just as amazing Champion Sound.  The common element with both classics was west coast legendary producer Madlib.  This year, he assisted red hot Indiana emcee Freddie Gibbs with the anticipated Pinata.  We knew we were in for something special when we first "Thuggin'", as it sounded like Gibbs naturally belonged over Madliberator's production.  The rest of the album followed suit, as this easily got mentioned with the two aforementioned epic efforts.  Gibbs' star power hit a new high and Madlib continued to reveal his importance to hip-hop production.

1. Run The Jewels
RTJ2
Production: El-P

When Killer Mike and El-P got together to officially become Run The Jewels, it was met with a huge sense of intrigue.  Coming off El-P's excellent work on Mike's R.A.P. Music album, their self-titled debut was incredible and showed their infectious chemistry.  However, the gloves came off and they didn't play nice on their masterful sophomore album RTJ2.  This was one of the most explosive releases in many years and arguably the most in-your-face album of the decade up to this point.  Social and political commentary by the truckloads, Mike and El-P officially declared themselves unfuckwittable.

Honorable Mentions

Ghostface Killah- 36 Seasons

Bishop Nehru & MF DOOM- NehruvianDOOM

Azaelia Banks- Broke With Expensive Taste

Open Mike Eagle- Dark Comedy

Various Artists- Shady XV

Mick Jenkins- The Water(s)

Tech N9ne- Strangeulation

Flying Lotus- You're Dead!

The Underachievers- The Cellar Door

Joe Budden- Some Love Lost

This was a super strong year of quality hip-hop and a bunch of time tested releases saw the light of day to bless our ears.  With each passing year, releases were getting stronger and stronger and with he previously mentioned projects and honorable mentions, this was possibly the best year up to this point.  We were almost halfway done with the year, and the best was still yet to come.  Until next time.

Underrated Albums of 2013

What's happening everybody? As you can tell with this series, this decade has delivered some outstanding, seminal releases thus far going into 2013.  While 2012 was the best overall year up to this point, the prior two years were excellent themselves.  The year of 2013 delivered attention-worthy albums such as J. Cole's sophomore effort, Born Sinner, Kanye's polarizing effort, Yeezus, Drake's rather impressive, Nothing Was The Same, and Jay-Z's lackluster, yet still notable, Magna Carta Holy Grail.  While most or all went at least gold in status, there were other projects that year that didn't receive the attention they should've gotten.  Many would say the albums on this list were better in quality and lyricism than the ones mentioned and others like them.  We'll examine this theory as we go over the most overlooked and underrated albums of 2013. Let's get it!

15. Kid Cudi

Indicud

Production: artist, Hit-Boy, others

The eccentric and left brain musical traits of Chi-Town representative Kid Cudi goes back to his rather intriguing debut album, Man On The Moon. It was followed up by his even better sophomore effort, Man On The Moon II.  However, it was his third album, and first off G.O.O.D. Music, that was his most ambitious.  The album, Indicud, is more eclectic in feel, yet hungrier in approach.  Typically a Cudi project is filled with somber, emotive cuts that portray his pain and determination to overcome his demons, this album felt free.  A more in control Cudi, and the result felt like a triumphant Cudi that had finally artistically arrived.

14. Freddie Gibbs

ESGN

Production: ID Labs, Willie B, Tone Mason, others

Indiana's favorite gangsta, Freddie Gibbs, was hot going into 2013, as his prior releases of Str8 Killa and Cold Day In Hell were establishing him as a force to be reckoned with.  In 2013, he dropped his first full-length album, ESGN, and it was prototypical Gibbs, as his stories of hustling and wylin' are the album's makeup.  With assistance from the likes of Daz Dillinger, the legendary Spice 1, and TDE's Jay Rock among others, Gibbs brought that thug music that G's and hustlas can relate to all too well.

13. Statik Selektah

Extended Play

Production: artist, The Alchemist

Boston's finest DJ/producer, Statik Selektah, had presented tough releases such as 100 Proof and Stick 2 The Script, but this was a level up from both releases.  Staggering production and highly impressive guest spots from the likes of Pro Era, Sean Price, Flatbush Zombies, Prodigy, and Raekwon earned this an official banger award.  One can't front on how dope the inspirational cut "Game Break" featuring Posdnous, Termanology, and Christian emcee Lecrae was.

12. Roc Marciano

Marci Beaucoup

Production: artist

What was starting to be a yearly thing with Roc Marci was dropping another solid album.  After the critical successes of his prior efforts, Marcberg and Reloaded, he delivered Marci Beaucoup.  While it would've been nice to have an Alchemist beat or two on here, the album still bangs notoriously.  Gritty and gutter, Marci Beaucoup continued to show how needed Marci was the uphold the tradition of grimy NYC hip-hop.  Count this as three-for-three for Long Island's rising triggerman lyricist.

11. Ill Bill

The Grimy Awards

Production: artist, DJ Premier, Ayatollah, Large Professor, El-P, Pete Rock, DJ Muggs, others

Grimy Brooklyn emcee Ill Bill had been wrecking mics since his days with underground crew Non-Phixion (their album The Future Is Now was GONZO).  However, his solo work was overall quite excellent.  His albums of What's Wrong With Bill and The Hour Of Reprisal were stellar and he continued his momentum with The Grimy Awards.  Often bleak and hardcore, Bill brings you raw, unfiltered lyricism and dares you to try his gangsta.  This album is hard enough to put a screwface on Obama's grill.

10. Ugly Heroes

Ugly Heroes

Production: Apollo Brown

The trio of Detroit's Red Pill, Detroit super producer Apollo Brown, and Chicago's Verbal Kent comprise of Ugly Heroes, and their self-titled debut album was nothing to fuck with.  An overall dark and gloomy experience, this album examined the despair and cloudy days of their respective worlds.  Brown provided a very appropriate soundtrack to their harsh realism, and this was a excellent, albeit depressing at times, effort from these "heroes".

9. Chance The Rapper

Acid Rap

Production: Nate Fox, Jake One, DJ Ozone, others

Before Chancellor Bennett got these Grammy Awards and became one of the most revered artists in the game, he was an underground emcee trying to get on his come up.  While he officially became a household star with Coloring Book, his journey began with the decent 10 Day, but his bigger and better effort was Acid Rap.  A more zoned out and trippy experience than his church-rooted follow-up, Chance's star was starting to get shown and this fantastic mixtape was just an indication of things to come.

8. The Underachievers

Indigoism

Production: Mr. Bristol, Roca Beats, Rich Flyer, Dreamrite, others

There was a movement that started to emerge from NYC in the form of "Beast Coast".  The fathers of the movement were Pro Era, Flatbush Zombies, and two young enlightened stoners from Brooklyn known as The Underachievers.  AK and Issa Gold were two young cats that were not only excellent lyricists, but also provided substance to their style.  Their debut mixtape, Indigoism, was a pleasant acid trip filled with spiritual undertones, intelligent rhymes, and an overall feel good aura.  Expressing individuality and growth, The Underachievers shined among their peers with a rather impressive project.

7. Demigodz

KILLmatic

Production: Apathy, DJ Premier, Marco Polo, Snowgoons, others

The crew of The Demigodz have been among the underground's most hard-hitting clicks.  Consisting of Apathy, Celph Titled, Ryu, Blacastan, Esoteric, and Motive have been a force for a number of years, with past members including subterranean notables Louis Logic and L-Fudge.  Following up their debut album, The Godz Must Be Crazy, this was the click's first album in five years in KILLmatic.  With relentless lyricism and knocking production, including one from the might Premo himself, this album isn't for the Drake lovers of the world.  This is mean-mugging hip-hop at its purest.

6. KA

The Night's Gambit

Production: artist, Preservation

Brownsville's KA is what one would call a street journalist. Reporting on intriguing observations and reporting them as he sees them.  In his world, he observes a world of bleak, murky lives and he identifies them personally in his second album, The Night's Gambit.  The production resembles the same murky, dark world that surrounds him, as you get a sense he's walking through the streets of Brownsville at two in the morning and it's dark and foggy seeing climates of hustling, betrayal, and body stashing.  While his debut, Iron Works, and his impressive follow-up, Grief Pedigree, were both great ventures into finding his voice, he establishes his identity on The Night's Gambit, and he only climbed from here.

5. Czarface

Czarface

Production: 7L, DJ Premier

The duo of 7L & Esoteric have been delivering dope hip-hop for some years leading up to 2013.  Albums such as The Soul Purpose and 1212 made them respected and earned them a lot of props in the underground.  They decided to do a full project with frequent collaborator, Inspectah Deck from Wu-Tang, and they became Czarface.  Their debut self-titled album was a thunderboomer.  A knockout album that was hard as any album either act had ever put out.  For Deck, this was his most stellar overall effort since The Movement.  With an additional beat from the legendary DJ Premier on "Let It Off", this album was one of the best debut albums of the early decade.

4. Black Milk

No Poison, No Paradise

Production: artist

Detroit's Black Milk had become a slowly building household name within the game.  No longer an understudy for the late Dilla, Milk was delivering consistent, potent material.  With No Poison, No Paradise, he goes the conceptual route, as he lives through the life of a young man, whose childhood and adolescence resembled his.  With his production telling the story just as much as his actual lyrics, No Poison is a carefully woven tale of a young man exploring his lost childhood and getting caught up in the world that surrounded him.  His discography was getting better and better.

3. Prodigy & The Alchemist

Albert Einstein

Production: The Alchemist, Adrien Younge

When the hip-hop world lost Prodigy of Mobb Deep, we lost a true legend in hip-hop.  One of the most influential emcees outta NY, P was known for his venomous bars and the aura that he was just that dude that would take you out in a moment's notice.  His collab album with frequent collaborator Alchemist, Albert Einstein, was another example of how stellar he was.  Vivid rhymes were his marquee, and over some highly delightful production by Alan The Chemist, this was a vicious album and one that belongs in high upstanding in NY and Mobb history.

2. Ghostface Killah & Adrien Younge

Twelve Reasons To Die

Production: Adrien Younge

When many mention the name Ghostface Killah, they associate that name strictly as part of WU-Tang, but the truth is Dennis Coles has become one of the most prolific and consistent emcees, with or without his crew.  The creator of epic releases like Ironman, Supreme Clientele, and Fishscales delivered another amazing release in Twelve Reasons To Die.  Alongside incredible producer and composer, Adrien Younge, and narration by RZA, this brilliant conceptual album (inspired by a legit old comic book of the same name) follows him as a deceased spirit resurrected by playing twelve different albums, in which he gets revenge to the ones that killed him.  The score and production alone sounds like vintage Italian horror/B-movies but the vision of GFK with this project highlights his legendary status.

1. Run The Jewels

Run The Jewels

Production: El-P

We first heard Killer Mike and El-P collaborate on Mike's zenith album, R.A.P. Music.  Little did we know an entire project with the two of them, this time Elk-P emceeing along with producing, would take place.  Calling themselves Run The Jewels, their self-titled debut was alarming in terms of content and issues, but was fun and exhilarating.  The chemistry between them was surprisingly magical and almost effortless.  Certainly an ambitious project, this must be considered the most fantastic debuts of the decade, easily up there with good kid, M.A.A.D. City and PRhyme.  Beware of the game's most relentless duo.

Honorable Mentions

Action Bronson & Harry Fraud- Saaab Stories

Talib Kweli- Gravitas

R.A. The Rugged Man- Legends Never Die

Homeboy Sandman- Kool Herc Fertile Crescent

Guilty Simpson & Small Professor- Highway Robbery

Boldy James- My 1st Chemistry Set

Oddisee- The Beauty In All

Goodie Mob- Age Against The Machine

Hopsin- Knock Madness

Danny Brown- Old

Action Bronson- Blue Chips 2

A$AP Ferg- Trap Lord

Quelle Chris- Niggas Is Men

Clearly a formidable year for hip-hop, 2013 was stretching its arms with being a huge year of releases. While we celebrated massive albums from the aforementioned Jay, Kanye, and Drake, these albums were, in all likelihood, BETTER than all mentioned at the beginning of this piece.  The decade was becoming stronger and stronger per year, and the scary thing was that the best was yet to come. Until next time folks!

Underrated Albums of 2012

What's good everyone?  We're back with the next year's worth of highly acclaimed, yet heavily slept-on and underrated, releases.  While 2010 and 2011 were very damn good years, 2012 had become the best year of the new decade.  Along with more known albums such as Kendrick Lamar's major label classic debut, good kid, M.A.A.D. City, Nas' incredible Life Is Good,  Big K.R.I.T.'s major label debut, Live From The Underground, and the major label debut of now defunct supergroup Slaughterhouse, welcome to: Our House, there were quite a number of other projects that were every bit as knocking and impactful on different levels, but didn't get the just due they deserved.  This was truly a hell of a year.  With that said, let's get started.

15. El-P

Cancer 4 Cure

Production: artist, Nick Diamonds, others

The genius behind underground revolutionaries, Company Flow, as well as the creative force behind Cannibal Ox, returned with his first album in five years with Cancer 4 Cure.  Most known for his menacing I'll Sleep When You're Dead and the landmark underground debut, Fantastic Damage, El-P struck with the same conspiracy theoretic talk that has earned him among the most intelligent and thought-provoking emcees around.  Not to mention his innovative production style that has garnered him rightful acclaim over the years, especially his later work with Killer Mike as Run The Jewels.  Although a little different sounding in overall texture, El-P reached another level of unconventional hip-hop.

14. Action Bronson & The Alchemist

Rare Chandeliers

Production: The Alchemist

The charming chef outta Queens was blazing the underground before he blew up with his major label debut, Mr. Wonderful, three years later.  He was a mixtape favorite with efforts such as Bon Appetit...Bitch and Blue Chips. Not to mention his debut full-length album, Dr. Lecter, and his Well Done collabo album with Statik Selektah.  With Rare Chandeliers, he teamed with producer extraordinaire, The Alchemist, and he spits over some of the grimiest, yet melodic, Alchemist production to date.  Along with guests such as Evidence, Styles P, and the late Sean Price, Bronson delivered the goods served on a platter, only complete with good, witty lyricism.

13. Brother Ali

Mourning In America & Dreaming In Color

Production: Jake One

One of the most important fixtures in all of hip-hop is Brother Ali.  Besides crafting some of the game's most amazing albums known to hip-hop to this very day, Ali is above all else, real and highly woke.  Continuing to shake up the game with his brand of political and social commentary, he dropped Mourning In America & Dreaming In Color.  The effort, solely crafted by Seattle beatknocker Jake One, is as flammable and controversial as anything we had ever heard from Ali.  More political than anything we had heard from him before, this is the album we needed in 2018, even more so than 2012.  Caught between his "mourning" and his "dreaming", Ali was a visionary that never stopped with his undisputed truth.

12. Ab-Soul

Control System

Production: Sounwave, Willie B, Dave Free, Curtiss King, Tae Beast, others

TDE's stoned thinker, Ab-Soul, had just delivered his excellent debut, Longterm Mentality, in 2011 and showed his above average rhyming abilities and storytelling.  He took it to another level woth his fantastic follow-up, Control System.  Mostly touching on subjects dealing with control in some sort of capacity (thus the title), it's also painfully personal, as the simply heartbreaking "The Book Of Soul" demonstrates, as it's mostly centered around the death of his girlfriend, fellow TDE artist Alori Joh.  Soul is straight MENSA with his release and knows how balance his intuition and intelligence with his pain in amazing detail.

11. Killer Mike

R.A.P. Music

Production: El-P

Killer Mike is a philanthropist, motivational speaker, and one of the hardest emcees out.  Already known for previously acclaimed work such as I Pledge Allegiance 2 The Grind and Pl3dge, he dropped the solo album of his career with R.A.P. Music, which also served as a precursor to his now landmark collaborations with El-P as Run The Jewels.  This was the first taste as El Producto served as sole producer on this hellacious project.  Revolutionary and in-your-face, this was the south's version of AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted and is still revered as his magnum opus to this day.

10. Sean Price

Mic Tyson

Production: The Alchemist, 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Evidence, Babu, others

The late Sean P was one of the most ferocious emcees to come from NY.  This Boot Camp Click member and half of the ominous duo, Heltah Skeltah, had already been known for putting in serious work with excellent releases such as Monkey Barz and Jesus Price Supastar.  With his third full-length album, Mic Tyson, he stepped up his bars even more over some thumping production the entire album.  Although not quite the four alarm blaze Jesus Price was, this was every bit as rugged and no holds barred, and stands as one of his truly blistering efforts.  Long live P!

9. Big K.R.I.T.

4eva N A Day

Production: artist

The growing phenomenon that was Big K.R.I.T. was continuing to bubble by the year and by the project at this time.  In 2012, he dropped 4eva N A Day, which followed other critical darlings Return Of 4eva and K.R.I.T. Wuz Here.  Soulful production with honest, personal rhymes are what defines K.R.I.T. and this excellent effort was just another example.This mixtape contained little to no filter and he was starting his rise to stardom, as this was his official precursor to his Def Jam debut, Live From The Underground

8. The Alchemist

Russian Roulette

Production: artist

When you hear an Alchemist beat, you can always expect heat and fire from him, as his form of cleverly crafted melodies and prodigious usage of samples make him among the elite of hip-hop producers.  In 2012, he dropped the conceptual Russian Roulette, which was covered with tons of samples from Russian songs and excerpts.  Although mostly an instrumental album, when emcees such as Roc Marciano, Durag Dynasty, Action Bronson, and Fashawn show their skills, we see the best come from these cats and the others represented on there thank to the ingenious production from Alan The Chemist.  This mad scientist dropped an unorthodox, yet knocking, effort.

7. Skyzoo

A Dream Deferred

Production: !llmind, 9th Wonder, Jahlil Beats, Black Milk, Focus, DJ Khalyl, others

One emcee that has to be considered among the most consistent and prolific emcees of the decade is Skyzoo.  The Brooklyn-bred spitter is highly respected due to his verbal daggers mixed with his insight and introspection of the world as a whole.  His prior full-lengths of The Salvation and especially the THUMPING collab project with producer !llmind, Live From The Tape Deck, were examples of his incredible talent.  With A Dream Deferred, he goes back to his Brooklyn roots and takes us through his childhood dreams of wanting to be an emcee and all of its ups and downs.  This is top to bottom a darling of an album and Sky continued to show why he keeps being an acclaimed artist.

6. Murs & 9th Wonder

The Final Adventure

Production: 9th Wonder

The duo of Murs & Grammy Award-winning producer 9th Wonder have been compared to the likes of other emcee/producer duos such as Pete Rock & CL Smooth and Show & AG.  Many have argued that the majority of Murs' best work has come courtesy of his work with 9th.  Beginning with the epic Murs 3:16...The 9th Edition, the two have crafted some magical releases, and they decided to close the book with The Final Adventure.  Just as soulful and charming as ever, we saw Murs grow from a down-in-the-dumps, bitter man into a more enlightened, optimistic man with sights on grandeur.  As for 9th, well he continued to be among the greatest beatmakers alive, but together, this was one of the best duos around.

5. Bumpy Knuckles & DJ Premier

KoleXXXion

Production: DJ Premier 

The saying is "One man's trash is another man's treasure".  This saying held especially true with this collaborative effort between veteran NY emcee Bumpy Knuckles and the almighty DJ Premier, KoleXXXion.  This was an effort that was filled with Premo beats that were turned down by various emcees (who the FUCK turns down a Premo beat for God's sake!) and ended up being used by Bumpy.  One listen to this whole album and one is thinking, "Why would anyone turn down a beat like this?" No worries, as Bumpy blistered them and made this album was power-packed right hand.

4. Joey Bada$$

1999

Production: MF DOOM, J Dilla, Statik Selektah, Chuck Strangers, Lewis Parker, Lord Finnesse, others

The beginning of Pro Era started with its most known and notable star, Joey Bada$$.  The young Brooklynite dropped his mixtape, 1999, to immediate acclaim, as this was a fantastic throwback to the 90s.  The sound and aura of this effort was so lid to late nineties NYC, and with production from DOOM, Dilla, Lord Finnesse, and Statik Selektah, it's not hard to understand why.  Praised for bringing back a sound beyond his teenage years, this was the essence of great things to come for Badmon and the Pro Era crew.

3. Rapsody

The Idea Of Beautiful

Production: 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Eric G, AMP

Before she was a Grammy nominated emcee, the Snow Hill, NC native was still an underground spitter making a hell of a lot of noise among her peers.  Down with 9th Wonder and his Soul Council collective, Rapsody dropped her first full-length studio album with The Idea Of Beautiful.  Still bringing the same confidence and ferocity previously displayed on projects like Thank H.E.R. Later and Return Of The B-Girl.  Honest and personal, Ms. Evans lays it out for you to digest tackling issues mostly relating to the average everyday woman, much less being a woman in the hip-hop game.  We saw greatness here, and it only got better.

2. Roc Marciano

Reloaded

Production: artist, The Alchemist, Q-Tip, The Druids

Long Island's Roc Marciano is gritty NYC hip-hop at its finest.  Displaying a ruggedness not seen since the nineties with his insane debut album, Marcberg, he continued with his equally menacing, Reloaded.  Much like Mobb Deep's Hell On Earth to their Infamous album, Reloaded took the formula that made Marcberg such an animal album and made it even darker and every bit as cohesive.  This isn't one for the shook.

1. Apollo Brown & O.C.

Trophies

Production: Apollo Brown

Longtime NYC veteran, D.I.T.C.'s own O.C. has been known as a definite emcee and a damn talented one at that. Dropping an underappreciated classic in Word...Life in '94 and a hell of a follow-up with '96's Jewelz, O.C. can deliver excellent hip-hop.  However, it had a minute since we heard Omar Credle at his Smoke & Mirrors best.  Enter Trophies, a collaborative effort with insane Detroit beatmaker Apollo Brown.  This album is easily his best effort since Jewelz and O.C. sounds so refreshed to the point where he sounds almost flawless over every single track presented.  This album served as a hallmark within this era for O.C. and let even more people know that Apollo Brown officially had next.

Honorable Mentions

ScHoolboy Q- Habits & Contradictions

Oddisee- People Hear What They Wanna Hear

Death Grips- The Money Store

Aesop Rock- Skelethon

Gangrene- Vodka & Ayahuasca

Apollo Brown & Guilty Simpson- Dice Game

Oh No- OhNoMite

Ghostface Killah & Sheek Louch- WU-Block

Obie Trice- Bottom's Up

Freeway- Diamond In The Ruff

Homeboy Sandman- First Of A Living Breed

MHz- MHz Legacy

Big Boi- Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors

As we were still fairly new into this new and burgeoning decade, we were starting to see more and more stellar material.  In 2012, this was the most evident up to that point.  Non-stop bangers flooded our speakers and showed us how special this year really was.  Until next time folks!