Saturday, March 24, 2018

20th Anniversary Salute: Aquemini





What's happening people?!  Glad you maneuvered yourselves back around my way once again.  With it being 2018, it's time to salute those monumental projects that really made '98 such an amazing year in hip-hop.  We will begin with an album that many say was hands down the best album of '98 (aside from The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill) and definitively one of the greatest hip-hop releases of all-time.  While the prior two efforts of this particular southern duo really helped to establish the boom of the south, it was this album that really showed their artistic side in a way that was undisputed.  From influences of funk, soul, blues, and gospel incorporated into hip-hop, this album was astounding.  This album was Aquemini.

It was evident Outkast was becoming a hip-hop act to not be overlooked or ignored whatsoever.  With Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik and ATLiens being platinum-plus gems and Big Boi and Dre earning Best New Artist at The Source Awards, they were becoming bigger and bigger stars.  Enter Aquemini.  Combining their respective astrological signs Aquarius and Gemini, Big Boi and Dre reflected their signs and their traits within their music to bring together a momentous occasion on wax.  The album's first single was the ol' traditional blues sounding, "Rosa Parks".  This fantastic single was followed up with the soupy "Skew It On The Bar-B" featuring a surprising collabo with Wu-Tang's legendary chef, Raekwon.  This pairing fit very well though, and made for a standout cut.  The rest of the album was simply a musical experience. 

Lyrically, the duo excelled even more than they did on ATLiens, and contained more of a mixture of spirituality, soul, and down home southern culture that resembled more Southernplayalistic than ATLiens, as the latter was more extra-terrestrial and spiritual in nature overall.  From cuts like the fantastic Southernplayalistic extra, "West Savannah" to cuts like "Slump" and "Y'all Scared", they never mind exploring the streets and lifestyle of where they come from.  However, they go into more poetic, artistic routes with unbelievable cuts like the two-part "Art Of Storytelling" (Part Two in particular is just so left brained amazing), the ultra-funky and compelling spoken-word piece "SpottieOttieDopalicious", and the eargasm "Liberation", which is simply soulfulness at its finest with Erykah Badu, Cee-Lo, and Joi, with a spoken piece by Dungeon Family affiliate Big Rube. 

Musically, this is their richest and most ambitious effort to this very day.  Experimenting with live instrumentation to sampling, this album is production genius.  As was aforementioned, elements such as blues, soul, gospel, world music and especially funk are thick on this album and exemplify the next level they were trying to achieve.  There were no outside producers, just Dre and Mr. DJ.  None others were needed.  The horn blares from "SpotieOtieDopalicious" to the synths attached to "Synthesizer" and the harmonica from "Rosa Parks" showed that they were not trying to be in one other person's lane besides their own.

This album was brilliant, case closed.  Aquemini pushed every musical boundary previously shunned in that era's hip-hop.  Considered one of the most influential albums to ever grace our ears, regardless of genre, Outkast became officially the best duo in hip-hop not named Mobb Deep.  This was an album that kept it soulful and southern like gumbo, but also opened hip-hop up to other influences that were simply about music and less about image.  This became the third straight classic for Outkast, and they officially challenged A Tribe Called Quest and Eric B & Rakim for the greatest hip-hop trilogy ever./  While their other projects of the mega smashes Speakerboxx/The Love Below and Stankonia were equally stellar, Aquemini just may be their greatest overall musical achievement, and redefined how the south an sound.  Happy twentieth Aquemini!

Sunday, March 18, 2018

Underrated Albums Of 2017





What's happening kind folks?! We are finally at the end of the most underrated albums of each year this decade.  While there were a number of notable projects that debuted in the top twenty of Billboard 200 or even won Grammy Awards, there were more than enough albums that got very high acclaim but didn't get as recognized as most of their counterparts.  Last year wasn't any different.  We saw a modern masterpiece and a couple of other instant classics that will continue to be heralded another decade from now.  In 2017, it was all about Kendrick's third straight benchmark release, DAMN, and the highly successful return of Jay-Z with his hallmark effort, 4:44.  However, as you're about to see, others delivered every bit as incredible, if not more.  With that said, let's go!



15. Sean Price
Imperious Rex
Production: The Alchemist, Harry Fraud, Nottz, others

The hip-hop world had been really been in a melancholy state with the loss of Sean Price in 2015.  The talk was that he was nearly in completion of an album called Imperious Rex.  Thanks to his wife, as well as Dru Ha, the late great Bar-barian had his album released and it was as gully as one would expect from P-Body.  With releases like this from him, he will forever live on and here's to hoping there are more music he left behind.



14. Quelle Chris
Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often
Production: artist, The Alchemist, Chris Keys, others

One of the most enigmatic, yet intriguing acts from the D is Quelle Chris.  Previous efforts such as Ghost At The Finish Line and Innocent Country were very decent projects that exhibited his talent and the ability to help carry the motor city on his back.  With Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often, this may arguably be his most well-rounded project, but also his most affirming.  Throughout the album, he pushes confidence and self-love in the face of being odd, unique, and different.  A very needed album that celebrates individuality, and rest assured, he has no problem being himself.



13. MC Eiht
Which Way Iz West
Production: DJ Premier, Brink Santana

Whenever the term "West coast legend" is used, one name that must be mentioned, Compton O.G. MC Eiht.  The former Compton's Most Wanted emcee has been one of the realest spitters to emerge from the left coast.  To commemorate over twenty-five years in the game, he gets up with another legend in DJ Premier to deliver Which Way Iz West.  With a verbal hunger we haven't heard in years, Eiht sounds damn near like a new man over some fresh production by Brink Santana and Premo.  Eiht showed that skills and respect truly have no age limit.



12. Milo
Who Told You To Think?
Production: artist

Milwaukee emcee Milo has garnered a silent yet loyal following.  The Hellfyre Club member released his first project, A Toothpaste Suburb, in '14, but it was his his third solo album, So The Flies Don't Come, that started to really have him on more people's radar.  Somewhat eclectic but definitely an intriguing listen, Milo's left-brained, spoken word-esque delivery garnered him much ado acclaim.  His 2017 effort, Who Told You To Think?, is definitely a continuation, if not better.  Milo's poetic-like delivery, over very melodic production that's very intrinsic with his style, seems compelling and notable.  This was an acquired taste, but worth the drink.



11. Talib Kweli & Styles P
The Seven (EP)
Production: Marco Polo, Oh No, Khrysis, 88 Keyz, others

It's something about gool ol' fashioned hip-hop with no gimmicks, images, or labels.  Just an emphasis on spitting with some education thrown in there.  That's what we have here with the exciting collabo between Brooklyn legend Talib Kweli and LOX member Styles P.  Their debut EP, The Seven, was a highly intriguing and very knocking project that was quite the listen from top to bottom.  Hopefully one day we will get an entire full-length project and it will match the fire that this was.



10. Skyzoo
Peddler Themes (EP)
Production: Apollo Brown, !llmind, MarcNfinite, others

Ah, the ever consistent Skyzoo.  One of hip-hop's most prolific emcees continues to deliver heat year after year.  In 2016, he dropped a hell of a collabo album with Detroit beat giant Apollo Brown, The Easy Truth.  He decided to follow that up with the announcement of a forthcoming full-length solo album, In Celebration Of Us (spoiler alert: possibly the album of his career).  Before then, however, we was dropping an EP entitled Peddler Themes, and this was just a KNOCKING piece of work.  Absolutely zero sub-par cuts on here, Sky went lyrically nuts on every single track.  What can you say? Sky is just THAT emcee.



9. Talib Kweli
Radio Silence
Production: KAYTRANADA, The Alchemist, Oh No, Robert Glaspar, others

Talib Kweli Greene is an all-around emcee.  Although labeled as conscious, he can go beyond that box when need be, and often does.  Through it all, he educates and informs.  With his latest offering, Radio Silence, he focuses on the injustices and social misdealings we currently face among our community, while trying to present hope and pride reminding us of our strength.  Lyrically, Kweli is as on point as ever and continues to make his case as one of the most respected and influential emcees of his generation.



8. Roc  Marciano
Rosebudd's Revenge
Production: artist, Arch Druids, others

One of the most consistent emcees in the game right now is Long Island native Roc Marciano.  Starting things off with his memorable debut, Marcberg, and following that up with the equally mesmerizing Reloaded, then subsequent releases such as Marci Beaucoup and his Pimpire Strikes Back mixtape were also quite dope.  After a very brief hiatus, he returned with his anticipated album, Rosebudd's Revenge.  Mixing street philosophy with gritty tales of hustling and vengeance, Marci was as cold blooded as ever, but over some painfully soulful production made it sound so good.





7. J.I.D.
The Never Story
Production: Childish Major, J. Cole, Christo, others

While many are in full complaint mode over today's hip-hop scene, especially the mumble rap culture, one young southern emcee is looking to be his own man and establish his own identity.  Atlanta's J.I.D. had made a buzz with friends Earthgang, but his talent alone was enough for Grammy nominated emcee J. Cole to sign him to Dreamville Records and deliver his debut album, The Never Story.  Filled with intricate, yet clever, rhymes and a unique style makes this an exciting listen. Not to mention his singing ability isn't to be completely slept on either.  By the end of this album, you knew the sky was the limit.



6. Freddie Gibbs
You Only Live 2wice
Production: KAYTRANADA, Speakerbomb, BADBADNOTGOOD, others

After releasing the acclaimed milestone that was Pinata (with Madlib) and a strong follow-up with Shadow Of A Doubt, Freddie Gibbs was riding upwards.  Until, an unfortunate rape accusation temporarily derailed his career.  After having all charges dismissed, Gibbs returned pissed, but more hungry and focused than before.  The man behind such excellent gangsta releases such as Str8 Killa and Cold Day In Hell dropped a more reflective project, You Only Live 2wice.  While expressing his anger over the accusations and the evening in question, he was also bringing some of his best verses of his career in an effort arguably every bit as incredible as Pinata.



5. Cyhi The Prince
No Dope On Sundays
Production: S1, Lex Luger, Shawty Redd, Novel, others

Kanye protege from Atlanta, Cyhi The Prine, first turned heads on his mentor's landmark My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.  From there, the buzz was about this young A-town native that really didn't sound like or fit the typical Atlanta scene.  Although he dropped the crazy, Black Hystori Project mixtape, we heard little else from him.  That changed with his debut full-length album, No Dope On Sundays.  Mixing gritty street tales with spiritual affirmations and redemption, Cyhi delivered a phenomenal album that showed the world how immensely talented of an emcee and writer.  Kanye invested well.



4. Jonwayne
Rap Album Two
Production: artist

Jonwayne comes across as the least hip-hopish guy you would ever meet. Long hair, glasses, and no good fashion sense, he resembles one of the hippy culture than hip-hop.  However, this Cali native is a fantastic emcee, poet, and producer.  This was displayed on Rap Album Two.  Although he had released a few other albums prior, this one may likely be his most acclaimed body of work.  Filled with introspection and, at times, painful transparency, this was an album that told us more about him than ever.  It's clear Jonwayne has a pronounced love of hip-hop in the most anti-cliche form possible. He doesn't want to be a star, but he does want to make some sort of impact.  He's on his way more and more.



3. Oddisee
The Iceberg
Production: artist

D.C. native Oddisee has been steadily having his light grow for around a decade.  The Diamond District member has been among the most highly touted talents you've likely never heard of.  That is until 2015 when dropped the highly acclaimed The Good Fight and more people started tuning in their antennas towards this very talented emcee.  He followed that up with the equally impressive EP, Alwasta, and his acclaim and following was growing.  Once 2017 hit, he dropped The Iceberg and it was clear this was gonna be an album to pay attention to.  No gimmicks, just immensely dope music and transparent lyrics.  This was just a very well-constructed effort.



2. Brother Ali
All The Beauty In This Life
Production: Ant

It had been some years since we had heard anything from Brother Ali.  The emcee behind one of the most breathtaking debuts of the first millennium decade with Shadows On The Sun, as well as other very highly acclaimed efforts such as The Undisputed Truth and Us had finally returned with All The Beauty In This Life.  Reuniting with longtime producer Ant of Atmosphere, Ali delivers a powerful album that centers on beauty, from the internal to the external, the sweet and the bitter.  As very impactful as this album had potential to be, no better example of how essential his return was than the touching and gripping "Dear Black Son", a tear-jerking conversation he has with his teenage son over the pressures of today's society as a young Black man.  Ali delivered another knockout album that exhibits his love of culture and the importance of perseverance and overcoming obstacles.  That's the real beauty.



1. Rapsody
Laila's Wisdom
Production: 9th Wonder, Khrysis, Nottz, Eric G., others

Ever since the early millennium, NC has been n hip-hop's radar.  While most knew Petey Pablo, but only the underground knew about Little Brother.  While Pablo was hitting gold and platinum, LB was clearly putting out the better product.  Now with artists like J. Cole, Rain910, Lute, and Phonte bringing the Tarheel State into the limelight of hip-hop, another extraordinary emcee has pushed NC even further.  Enter Show Hill's Rapsody.  Already achieving critical acclaim with mixtapes and EPs like Crown, Thank H.E.R. Later, and She Got Game, Rapsody was starting to get courted among the most respected lyricists in the game.  However, with 2017's Laila's Wisdom, any lingering doubts were immediately put to rest about her talent.  This album had depth, emotion, some of the best overall production years, and damn sure BARS.  An album worthy of legendary releases like To Pimp A Butterfly, The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill, and The Low End Theory, this album was rightfully nominated for a Grammy, but was overshadowed by the success of albums like DAMN, 4:44, and Culture.  By the time you've finished listening, you've realized you just heard and experienced greatness.


Honorable Mentions

Brockhampton- Saturation I
Brockhampton- Saturation II
Brockhampton- Saturation III
Prodigy- The Hegelian Dialetic
Your Old Droog- Packs
Snoop Dogg- Neva Left
Action Bronson- Blue Chips 7000
Big Boi- Boomiverse
Anime- Good For You
Goldlink- At What Cost
Jaden Smith- SYRE
Wu-Tang Clan- The Saga Continues
A$AP Ferg- Still Striving
David Banner- The God Box
Cunninlynguists- Rose Azura Njano
Wiki- No Mountains In Manhattan
Belly- Mumble Rap
Binary Star- Waterworld 3
DJ Quik & Problem- Rosecrans
Uncommon Nasa- Written At Night
Armand Hammer- Rome
TiRon & Ayomari-  WET: The Wonderful Ego Trip
Statik Selektah- 8
Open Mike Eagle- Brick Body Kids Still Dreaming

Last year was a simply tremendous year of exciting and formidable hip-hop.  From Rapsody shattering any lingering myths of women in hip-hop to fantastic returns of veterans such as MC Eiht and Brother Ali, this will be a year remembered for stellar lyricism and poignancy within today's heavily divisive communities and corrupt governmental leadership. Thank God for music like this.

Underrated Albums of 2016







What's the haps folks?! It was hard to match the simply stunning year that 2015 was in terms of quality hip-hop, but 2016 wasn't far off whatsoever.  Although we lost another legend in hip-hop with the passing of A Tribe Called Quest's five foot assassin Phife Dawg, the hip-hop that came from that year would surely make him proud and picking up a mic upstairs with God himself.  Among those included were his own group's swan song with We Got It From Here...Thank You For Your Service, Kendrick's masterful lost tapes album, untitled, unmastered, Kanye's The Life Of Pablo, ScHoolboy Q's blazing Blank Face LP, and Chance The Rapper's stellar gospel-influenced breakout effort, Coloring Book, there were quite a number of projects that were equally as impressive and sonically stimulating.  Without further adue, let's get into these efforts shall we?




15. Flatbush Zombies
3001: A Laced Odyssey
Production: Erick "Arc" Elliot

Beast Coast representatives, Flatbush Zombies, are among the most intriguing up-and-coming acts out there.  With their mixtapes of D.R.U.G.S. and BetterOffDead earning them a following, they dropped their first full-length album with 3001: A Laced Odyssey to some pretty decent acclaim. The fellas of Arc Elliot, Meechie Darco and Zombie Juice deliver their own brand of drug humor and, at times, thought-provoking anecdotes that exemplify the unique energy of this trio. This was every bit as dope as their mixtape efforts, as well as their collaborative EP with The Underachievers, Clockwork Indigo.  The Zombies are ones to watch.





14. T.I.
Us Or Else: Letter To The System
Production: Nottz, Mike & Keys, Lil' C, others

Southern legend T.I. has always been about the trap, while occasionally spitting some jewels for you to digest and reflect upon.  With Us Or Else: Letter To The System, he aggressively and bluntly addresses the state of Black America and the injustices that we live with and face daily.  With the heartbreaking deaths of Trayvon Martin, Michael Brown, Sandra Bland, Eric Garner, and many others, along with other issues like gentrification and the judicial system, this is arguably the most important effort of his career.  Don't be fooled, there's a lot of knock with this album too. Thumping production with charged, meaningful lyrics equals greatness.





13. Apathy
Handshakes With Snakes
Production: artist

Connecticut's own Apathy has been regarded as one of the most consistent emcees in the underground.  Since his days with the Demigodz and Army Of The Pharoahs to his numerous mixtapes, EPs, and solo full-length debut, the flames Eastern Philosophy, Apathy has steadily garnered a cult like following, and rightfully. He returned with his fifth full-length project, Handshake With Snakes. It was more of the same from this charged up emcee.  Thunderous production with piercing delivery and in-your-face rhymes.  This was another fantastic release from Willimantic's favorite son.





12. Elzhi
Lead Poison
Production: Bombay, 14KT, Kareem Riggins, Oh No, others

One of the most lyrical emcees to emerge from the D (Detroit, that is) is Elzhi. The one time Slum Village member had already established himself in the underground and then got his breakout shine with SV. Once he left the group, he delivered projects such as the instant classic, The Preface, and the unbelievable tribute to Nas' Illmatic, Elmatic.  However, during his time away, he was dealing with a rather lengthy bout of depression, and it was evident in his next project, Lead Poison.  Although still an overall dope effort, you can tell that the same ferocity we had known was missing, but we did get very honest, soul-bearing rhymes that were both wrenching and brave.





11. Royce 5'9"
Layers
Production: Denaun Porter, Jake One, Nottz, S1, DJ Khalyl, Antman Wonder, others

Sticking with Motor City, one of the lyrical gods of Detroit is Royce 5'9".  His extensive catalog may have some sure fire hits such as Street Hop and the brooding Death Is Certain, but lyrically, he's perhaps the most complete technical emcee in the game. His 2016 full-length, Layers, was an autobiographical, honest piece of work that showed more Ryan Montgomery than Royce.  The one-time Slaughterhouse member has never been afraid to let us in, and he did so again in excellent fashion.





10. Dave East
Kairi Chanel
Production: Cardo, Buda & Grandz, Mr. Authentic, others

Harlem's Dave East is seen as one of the young up-and-comers looking to put NYC hip-hop back to the forefront.  He earned the attention of Nas to be signed to his Mass Appeal label and his debut mixtape under the banner, Hate Me Now, was filled with raw lyrics and heavy street imagery that got him a lot of attention than with prior mixtapes.  He followed that up with his 2016 release, Kairi Chanel, named after his daughter.  The project is more of the same, only with more conceptual cuts like "Keisha" and cuts filled with urgency like the bangin' yet unfortunate "Don't Shoot".  This continued to show that East is definitely among the future greats in the game.





9. Danny Brown
Atrocity Exhibition
Production; Black Milk, The Alchemist, Paul White

Yet another Detroit representative grabbed hip-hop by the throat in 2016.  In this case, it was Danny Brown.  The quirky, yet highly talented, emcee who was responsible for dropping very dope projects such as XXX and Old delivered the most complex, yet fascinating, album of his career wit Atrocity Exhibition.  An eclectic mixture of sounds mixed with warped, drugged-out, and occasionally bizarre lyricism makes for an album that was highly ambitious and intriguing.  Brown's niche for bringing us into his own psychedelic world has some oddball moments, but with this album is still a very enjoyable ride.



8. Royce 5'9"
Tabernacle: Trust The Shooter EP
Production: DJ Premier, Antman Wonder, Nottz, Jahlil Beats, AraabMuzik, others

Just before he dropped his Layers LP, Royce 5'9" gave us a hell of an appetizer with his surprise EP, Tabernacle: Trust The Shooter.  Folks, this is straight up and down lyricism here.  No frills. No chaser. Over top of some sick production from Nottz, AraabMuzik and PRhyme partner, DJ Premier, Royce is in full battle mode here and reestablishes himself as one of the single most dominating mic destroyers in the business.  Cuts like "Which Is Cool" and "Dead President Heads" solidify his mark that could legitimately put him among the most underrated emcees of all-time. Talk about God flow.





7. Ab-Soul
Do What Thou Wilt
Production: Digi-Phonics, Wondagurl, FrancisGotHeat, Mike WILL Made It, others

While we all give much props and accolades to TDE's Kendrick, SZA, and ScHoolboy, there's absolutely no way we can forget about Isaiah Rashad, Jay Rock, SiR, Lance Skiiwalker, and especially the stoned thinker, Ab-Soul.  Garnering much acclaim from his projects of Longterm Mentality and Control System, Soulo quickly asserted himself on a level critically as high as King Kendrick.  While his follow-up, These Days, didn't quite measure up to the greatness of the prior releases, he attempted to get it back with D.W.T.W. (Do What Thou Wilt).  This effort was fantastic, as he delved into familiar subjects like drugs, heartbreak, and society frustrations, while also yearning to fully comprehend women and understand their value.  A step up from These Days, Soul delivered, and delivered well.



6. NoName
Telefone
Production: Saba, Phoelix, Cam O'bi, Monte Booker

Chi-town emcee Noname got some mainstream notoriety for her guest spots on Chance The Rapper's famed and revered Coloring Book effort.  Although not new to the game, her name created more of a buzz to many that may not have known who she was.  In comes Telefone, a rather amazing project that lets us know more about the emcee/poet.  Over mostly breezy and jazzy soundscapes, Noname lets us into her world of complicated relationships and complex outlooks on life as a whole while discovering and establishing self-worth.  Hopefully there's a lot more where this came from.  A lot.



5. Apollo Brown & Skyzoo
The Easy Truth
Production: Apollo Brown

Skyzoo is such a technically gifted emcee.  Among the most slept-on emcees of the decade. He has consistently dropped tremendous project after tremendous project with efforts like The Salvation, A Dream Deferred, and The Great Debater. In 2016, he collaborated with Detroit production phenom Apollo Brown to deliver, The Easy Truth. With Apollo's sick production pedigree, making insane beats for the likes of Ras Kass, Guilty Simpson, and Westside Gunn, this was a virtual marriage in underground heaven, this was just pure boom bap, lyrical proficiency.  Hardly a blemish at all here, Sky and Apollo could very well be among the next producer/emcee duos of the game with more releases like this.





4. Westside Gunn
FLYGOD
Production: Daringer, Camouflage Monk, The Alchemist, Apollo Brown, Tha God Fahim, Statik Selektah, Roc Marciano

Buffalo, NY. No one had ever heard of much hip-hop from this city.  That changed with the emergence of Griselda Records.  Founder Westside Gunn and his brother Conway made it a mission to make Buffalo the next great NY city.  The first major full-length release was the grimy as SHIT debut from Gunna, FLYGOD.  Achieving much acclaim with multiple mixtapes and appearances, this debut was as gritty and streetcore as you could imagine.  For those that had been missing that gutter trash NYC rap from the nineties like Mobb Deep, C-N-N, Screwball, or even recent acts like Roc Marciano, this is your new addiction.



3. KA
Honor Killed The Samurai
Production: artist

Brownsville veteran KA had dropped highly acclaimed projects such as Grief Pedigree, The Night's Gambit, and 1200 B.C. going into 2016, and his next effort, Honor Killed The Samurai, was more of the same.  Jewels upon jewels mixed the vivid nature of the cold streets of NYC, KA methodically gave us an aura of caution and sharp wisdom coupled with dark and bleak tracks that reflect the world he presented.



2. Run The Jewels
RTJ3
Production: El-P

Could hip-hop's most socially angst duo complete the trifecta with an equally momentous album? With Killer Mike and El-P, the answer was a resounding hell yeah.  With RTJ3, the album was released as a surprise release near the very end of the year, and it was one of the best post-Christmas gifts a hip-hop head could ask for.  On the heels of the most deplorable set of events this generation with the election of Trump as president, they had PLENTY to say, and it was at times ugly, other times painful, but all times necessary.  This was an album for the ages.



1. Common
Black America Again
Production: Kareem Riggins, Robert Glaspar

When you have amassed a twenty-five year career like Lonnie Rashid Lynn has had, greatness is attached to you.  One of the true modern legends, Common is the man behind truly hallmark moments in the game such as BE, Like Water For Chocolate, and Resurrection, but added to his nearly immaculate discography with perhaps the most important album of his career, Black America Again.  Filled with love, pain, pride, and anger, this album reflected Black culture at its most transparent.  From the gripping title track with the icon himself Stevie Wonder to the simply beautiful eulogy to his late father "Little Chicago Boy", this was a new benchmark in the already celebrated career of Common.



Honorable Mentions

Ugly Heroes- Everything In Between
Open Mike Eagle & Jack White- Hella Personal Film Festival
Aesop Rock- The Impossible Kid
Mick Jenkins- The Healing Component
A$AP Mob- Cozy Tapes Vol. 1
J DIlla- The Diary
Atmosphere- Fishing Blues
A$AP Ferg- Always Strive And Prosper
Snoop Dogg- Coolaid
Domo Genesis- Genesis
Like- Songs Made While High
Homeboy Sandman- Kindness For Weakness
KAYTRANADA- 99.9%
Pete Rock & Smoke DZA- Don't Smoke Rock
L'Orange & Mr. Lif- The Life & Death Of Scenary
Oddisee- Alwasta EP
Mr. Lif- Don't Look Down
Westside Gunn- There's God and There's FLYGOD...Praise Both (EP)

As you can tell, 2016 was a year that pretty explosive year socially and politically as the music reflected this.  While Common, Run The Jewels, and T.I., injustice and hostile society narratives were the story, others like Royce, Elzhi, Noname, and Ab-Soul dropped introspective releases that explored their emotions and thoughts in such transparent fashion.  This was definitely an interesting, yet very dope, year of hip-hop.