What's happening folks! I know, I know, this is supposed to be a HIP-HOP blog. It is still a hip-hop section, do trust. However, there are various other forms of music that affect hip-hop and vice versa so this still equates. I'll start by saying I don't listen to much non hip-hop except some occasional rock, gospel, definitely some jazz but mostly R&B. With that said, I'm going over the ten best non hip-hop albums of the year so let's go!
10. Shabazz Palaces- Lese Majesty
Production: artist
Guests: N/A
This duo, that consists of Baba and Ishmael (formerly of 90s jazz hip-hop trio Digable Planets), brought an even more experimental album in Lese Majesty. This duo is not your conventional hip-hop duo in the least so you have to go into it with open ears and an open mind. In 2011, their album Black Up was so sonically unbelievable, and they did a very good follow-up to it. Here's a look at "Motion Sickness".
9.
Tinashe- Aquarius
Production: Stargate, artist, Boi-1nda, others
Guests: Future, Schoolboy Q, A$AP Rocky
The west coast native presented an excellent debut that has heralded all across the board. Her breezy, wispy vocals makes one reminisce of a 2014 Janet Jackson of sorts. Filled with sultry rhythms and passionate, yet vulnerable, lyrics, this will not be the last you hear of this young lady. Shouts to a fellow Aquarian!!
8.
Luke James- Luke James
Production: unknown
Guests: Rick Ross
It's about time we got a whole full-length album from a guy even Beyonce herself says is one of her favorite artists. So much to the point where he even opened up for her on a few dates. The anticipation had been building for him since 2011. His mixtapes were just teasers for the full meal, as his great radio hit "I.O.U." made rounds in the urban contemporary circuit. This self-titled debut is passionate, angry, and sincere, all the traits for a lasting R&B debut. You don't feel him, to quote him, "Fuck u"!
7.
Joe- Bridges
Producer: D.O.A.
Guests: Kelly Rowland, 50 Cent
Yet another incredible album from Mr. Joe Thomas. This is a follow-up to last year's equally fantastic Doubleback: Evolution Of R&B. With just over twenty years under his belt, he's officially a seasoned vet, and based upon albums like this, he still sounds as good as he did when he debuted, maybe even better.
6.
Faith Evans- Incomparable
Producer: artist, Chucky Thompson, Mike City, others
Guests: Missy Elliot, Sharaya J, Karen Clark-Sheard, Keke Wyatt, others
Incomparable is a very accurate description and adjective for the multiple Grammy Award winner. Her latest album continues to show her exceptional vocal talents and gripping songwriting. While it barely doesn't hold up to her last offering, Something About Faith, Faith Renee Evans still holds tons of weight on this album and more than worth the listens.
5.
FKA twigs- LP1
Producer: artist
Guests: N/A
English singer-songwriter FKA twigs delivered a somewhat spellbinding debut full-length that contains bits of mystery, yet a huge amount of intrigue. Truthfully, the aura of this album is something refreshing and different. This young lady is something to keep an eye on.
4.
Mali Music- Mali Is...
Production: artist
Guests: N/A
Mali Music entered the world of the mainstream with his KonVict Muzik debut, Mali Is..., and what an amazing debut. The contemporary Gospel artist made a genre-free album that although inspirational, provided gripping pieces of personal heartbreaks and growing pains. It's not hard to see why this album has been compared to Lauryn Hill's masterpiece The Miseducation Of Lauryn Hill.
3.
Tank- Stronger
Production: Jerry "Wonda" Duplessis, artist, others
Guests: N/A
R&B's general is back with a MONSTER of a follow-up to his 2012 offering This Is How I Feel. Complete with songs that contained live instrumentation as well as his powerful set of ballads, Tank continues to show why he's one of the most insane vocalists and stirring songwriters of our current time. Let's hope the industry hasn't jaded him as he has stated and that he actually DOES put out another album. This was his best solo album to date!
2.
Jhene Aiko- Souled Out
Production: No I.D., others
Guests: Common, Cocaine 80s
Jhene Aiko's debut, in a word, breathtaking! In another word, flawless. No I.D. presented us with his most defining production soundscape we've ever heard from within R&B. This album reeked with pain, love, heartbreak, and redemption. Arguably the most vulnerable album of the year. Fellas, we don't look so good on this album, but this is less about male bashing and more about one guy that has hurt her badly and she expresses it in such poetic fashion. There's a Grammy in her future.
1.
D'Angelo & The Vanguard- Black Messiah
Production: artist
Guests: N/A
DAMN!!!! Fourteen years was the last time we heard from D'Angelo, but man was it worth the wait. As good or possibly better than his last epic, Voodoo, Black Messiah presents anti-establishment, and provides social commentary the likes of which resembles timeless classic albums like Marvin Gaye's What's Goin' On. This is a musical conundrum of funk, soul, and some bits of Prince-influence and Jimi Hendrix influence. Vocally, he's as strong as ever and makes you forget he's been out of the limelight for fourteen years. What a way to end the year with this modern day instant classic.
There have been some great albums to come out this year, and these were just some of them. ALbums from Keke Wyatt, Chris Brown, Flying Lotus, Erica Campbell and others showed ferocity and true musicianship. Let's keep the momentum going next year with albums from Jill Scott, Tyrese, Stevie Wonder, Carl Thomas, and more. Here are some honorable mentions for the year.
Prince-Art Official Age
His Royal Badness returned with edgier sound yet still unapologetically funky.
Chris Brown- X
The much awaited and oft delayed album from Breezy resulted in his finest album since Exclusive.
Pharrell- G.I.R.L.
He forced the world to get "Happy", but the rest of the album is just as infectious and catchy. Pharrell had a sleeper on his hands.
SZA-Z
TDE's only R&B princess delivered a great montage of songs that introduces us to her slightly eccentric, yet fascinating, world
Michael Jackson- Xscape
This posthumous EP was met with mixed reviews, but regardless of how you feel about a couple of the music selections, you can't deny that it remains feel good to hear the King back over fresh production. Love live the King.
Sam Smith- In The Lonely Hour
Vulnerable and emotional, this newcomer dominated the urban contemporary airwaves with "Stay With Me", but with this new album, he may the next in charge of blue-eyed soul
Erica Campbell- Help
One half of the famed Gospel duo, Mary Mary, delivered an album that even heathens could relate to and reflect upon.
Tink- Winter's Diary 2
One word...NICE!!!
Mary J. Blige- The London Sessions
Now THIS is the MJB we've been wanting to hear for years. She returned in incredible fashion with her best album in years.
Until next time folks, one love!!
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