Welcome folks! It's been a good minute since I updated my hip-hop blog due to various reasons (both personal and professional), however this new addition to my hip-hop section today will be well worth the wait, and the debate. So let's begin!
This has been an OUTSTANDING year for hip-hop. I'm definitely not talking about that watered down garbage being forced down the ears of listeners nationwide due to shady radio handlings with labels and such. I'm talking about that hip-hop that radio won't allow you to listen to because of how "inaccessible" these acts and their albums are. Truthfully there hasn't been a year this consistently good since 2009, and we've had some damn good ones since then as well. From the beginning of the year when The Alchemist and Evidence came together to become Step Brothers and dropped their stellar debut, Lord Steppington, to today when J. Cole dropped his AMAZING third effort, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, this has been a year that actually greatly continued the momentum last year brought when Nas, Rapsody, Black Milk, Slaughterhouse, and Gangrene dropped tremendous rotators for albums. While we were disappointed that albums from Joey Bada$$, Kendrick Lamar, Ludacris, Scarface, and Lupe Fiasco didn't drop this year, please be aware that they're on deck for 2015, with albums also from Nas, Sean Price, Slaughterhouse, another posthumous album from Dilla, Drake (hopefully without the black eye), and the epic collab album between Premo and Pete Rock (WHOA!). However, right now I'm going to concentrate on the top forty albums of the year. Normally I do twenty-five albums, but it was just that hard to compress twenty-five albums. They were all that good. With that being said, let's begin.
40. Cormega- Mega Philosophy
Production: Large Professor
Guests: Styles P, Nature, Redman, AZ, Raekwon, Black Rob
This Cormega's long-awaited return to the game, and he brought long time revered producer, Large Professor, with him to this album. We saw a less gangsta, more grown-up, introspective Corey on this release, and this definitely delivered.
39. Various Artists- 9th Wonder Presents Jamla Is The Squad
Production: The Soul Council
Guests: Talib Kweli, Lecrae, Masta Killa, Elzhi, Phonte,Jadakiss, Blu, BJ The Chicago Kid, Pete Rock, others
9th Wonder has brought together a big group of talented artists under his umbrella and hooked them up with some more notable guests and the results are overall great. The Soul Council (9th, Khrysis, Eric G., E. Jones, Kash, among a few others, as well as Nottz) provides some sonically blistering delights all over here. Rapsody's "Betty Shabazz" is just one of the year's most lyrically stellar cuts, period (hint: this isn't the last time I mention Rapsody).
38. 50 Cent- Animal Ambition
Production: Dr. Dre, Jake One, Swiff D, Ty Fiffe, others
Guests: Prodigy, Jadakiss, Styles P, Kidd Kidd, Trey Songz, Yo Gotti
Curtis "50 Cent" Jackson has finally re-emerged with perhaps his best wall-to-wall album since The Massacre. Many may scoff that content wise he's still the same 50 as we've seen. This is true. However, if flashes of 50 circa 1999-2001, this is your album.
37. M.O.P.- Street Certified (EP)
Production: Fizzy Womack
Guests: Busta Rhymes, Mobb Deep
FIYAH!!!!!!! Great to see the return of the Mashed Out Posse (or Monkeys On Parole, whichever sounds better to you, or to them for that matter). One of hip-hop's most consistent, and in-your-face, duos ever, return with an EP that will precede their tenth full-length album coming next year (word has it Premo will be the sole producer of the album *shivers*). This is classic M.O.P. and contains much of the same ruggedness that we've been used to for over a decade. The track "Broad Daylight" with a rather menacing Busta Rhymes holds the crown on this one.
36. Cunninlynguists- Strange Journey Vol. 3
Production: Kno
Guests: Masta Ace, Blu, J-Live, Murs, Del The Funkee Homosapien, Aesop Rock, Apathy, Celph Titled, others
One of hip-hop's most slept-on and unappreciated acts returns with the third edition of their Strange Journey mixtape series. Kno, as usual, brings his highly eerie yet melodic production to this one. This album contains tons of guests, plus this doesn't completely measure up to recent albums like Dirty Acres, the astonishing A Piece Of Strange, and the recent Oneirology, but they do manage to provide a breath of fresh air in terms of originality and a spacey concept.
35. Various Artists- Eminem Presents Shady XV
Production: Eminem, DJ Premier, Statik Selektah, Boi-1nda, Just Blaze
Guests: N/A
Em and the boys of Shady celebrate their fifteenth anniversary of the label and present a compilation of precision. While the second disc contains Shady classics, the first disc is an excellent example of the talent in Shadyville. Obviously Em steals the show, but he allows Slaughterhouse, Skylar Grey, and Yelawolf to get lots of shine themselves and the results are overall spectacular.
34.Vince Staples- Hell Can Wait (EP)
Production: Hagler, No I.D., others
Guests: Teyana Taylor
Cali's next to blow, Vince Staples, delivered his debut EP to much critical acclaim. The atmosphere was one of anticipation after great guest spots on albums from Earl Sweatshirt and Common. This EP didn't disappoint, but you do wish this was more than an EP. Raw talent + No I.D. production = Two thumbs up, way up!
33. Dag Savage (Johaz & Exile)- E&J
Production: Exile
Guests: Fashawn, Blu, Ras Kass, Choosey, Co$$, others
Exile remains as one of hip-hop most incredible underground producers, although he's done work in the past with Mobb Deep ("Pearly Gates"), but most notably he's worked with new Mass Appeal (Nas' indie label) signee, Fashawn. While we wait with heavy anticipation for Fashawn's sophomore album, The Ecology (which will be exclusively handled by Ex), we got presented with a rather potent album by he and fellow Cali native Johaz as Dag Savage. Simply put folks, Ex's very engaging production combined with Johaz' sharp skill equates into a winner.
32. Black Milk- Glitches In The Break (EP)
Production: artist
Guest: Fat Ray
This was the first of two projects from the heir apparent to Dilla outta the D. This was an EP, but a very strong EP at that. This EP was reminiscent of Popular Demand, only within eight tracks. This is not the last you'll see of Milk in this list, but this is a pretty decent start. The track "Dirt Bells"...man listen!
31. Skyzoo & Torae- Barrel Brothers
Production: !llmind, DJ Premier, Oh No, Jahlil Beats, Khrysis, Black Milk, Apollo Brown, others
Guests: Random Axe, Sha Stimuli, Blu
This album has been awaited for a few years, and now it's here. Boy was it worth the wait. Anytime, Sky and Torae get together, you can sense a hell of a tandem, and on their debut, they prove themselves worthy of the next generation of formidable duos in hip-hop much like Run The Jewels and The Underachievers. Truly bananas production only puts the cherry on top of the sundae that is lyrical tag teaming that would make EPMD applaud them. This is NYC at its essence.
30. Statik Selektah- What Goes Around
Production: artist
Guests: Heltah Skeltah, Royce Da 5'9, Black Thought, Styles P, Kool Keith, Bun B, Logic, Pro Era, Crooked I, Pharoahe Monch, Sheek Louch, Astro, Action Bronson, Posdnous, Lil' Fame, others
Statik Selektah has become one of hip-hop's most in-demand producers, and has also crafted his best album to date. This Boston DJ, who has collaborated with the likes of Termanology, Bumpy Knuckles, Freddie Gibbs, and many others, brought the elite of hip-hop together over relatively jazz-esque sampled production and nobody, I repeat NOBODY, brought anything sub-par. Plus, how good was it to have Rock and Ruck (Sean Price) back together for a track?!
29. Bishop Nehru & MF DOOM- NehruvianDOOM
Production: MF DOOM
Guests: N/A
It's about damn time we got DOOM back on the mic, much less crafting behind the boards. He brought with him young NYC upstart, and Mass Appeal signee, Bishop Nehru. Oft-times compared to fellow NYC youngster Joey Bada$$, he clearly tries to establish a path all his own alongside his elder mentor. The result: a promising album from one to watch in the very near future.
28. The Roots- And Then You Shoot Your Cousin...
Production: artist
Guests: Raheem Devaughn, Patti Crash, others
Come on folks, it's the legendary Roots crew. Need I say more? Continuing their themes of suffering, poverty, and the decaying of the American dream, this album may not be quite as cohesive as say their amazing How I Got Over or their truly breathtaking classic Illadelph Halflife Vol. 3, this album will still grip you from the time you push play.
27. Mellow Music Group- Mandala Vol. 2, Today's Mathematics
Production: Apollo Brown, Has-Lo, Oddisee, others
Guests: Murs, Wise Intelligent, Rapper Big Pooh, Blacastan, Ugly Heroez, others
Mello Music Group is an indie label based out of Arizona, and their acts that include Open Mike Eagle, Quelle Chris, Ugly Heroez, Has-Lo and Castle are without question dope artists. The second half of their Mandala double album is more production heavy than the first half, but that's not saying the lyrics are below average by any means. This is a label with a ton of promise, and trust me, there's enough talent to make noise.
26. The Underachievers- The Cellar Door: Terminus Et Exordium
Producers: Supreme, Statik Selektah, others
Guests: N/A
Brooklyn natives The Underachievers brought a fresh new ethereal sound with down south 808s on their highly heralded mixtape/free album Indigoism. This is their debut full-length album, and it definitely holds up. This album is dark, and focuses on much of the same themes as Indigoism does, however Issa Gold and AK makes their impression more accessible without bastardizing what brought them to the dance in the first place.
25. Pharoahe Monch- P.T.S.D.
Producers: Quell Chris, artist, Lee Stone, Marco Polo, others
Guests: Talib Kweli, Black Thought, The Step Kids
We're all familiar with the lyrical legend that is Pharoahe. However, we've been wanting that subsequent superior album like his debut, Internal Affairs. While Desire and W.A.R. were both fairly good albums, we've been missing that oomph from him. Conceptually, lyrically, and in terms of storytelling, Monche is among the top five emcees in the game. With P.T.S.D., he continues the theme of W.A.R. and shows the after effects of the W.A.R. if you will. The results are great overall music, but it's really Monch himself that shines above everything.
24. Mello Music Group- Mandala Vol. 1, Polysonic Flows
Producers: Apollo Brown, Oddissee, Has-Lo, Audible Doctor, others
Guests: Denmark Vessy, L'Orange, Quelle Chris, Mr. Lif, yU, Open Mike Eagle, Oddisee, Has-Lo, others
This is the first half of the Mandala double album, and this is a lyrical ambiance. We see future potential stars like Open Mike Eagle and Castle and the production on this half is hypnotic and among the best in all of hip-hop all year.
23. Mobb Deep- The Infamous Mobb Deep
Production: Havoc, The Alchemist, !llmind, Boi-1nda, others
Guests: The Lox, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, French Montana, Nas, Bun B, Juicy J
Twenty years ago, hip-hop was declared "shook" by some troublesome nineteen year olds from Queensbridge, and they dropped one of hip-hop's most incredible, albeit very dark and menacing, albums ever in The Infamous. They pay homage to that album by calling this one The Infamous Mobb Deep, and although the new cuts on this double album don't quite bring the same chills that the debut did, they do recapture the magic that made them one of the game's most "infamous" duos. The second disc contains demos and B-sides that make you greatly miss the early 90s, but if you've never peeped "Shook Ones Pt. 1", you're in luck. Best album from them in years!
22. Ka & Preservation- 1200 B.C. (EP)
Production: Preservation
Guests: Roc Marciano
Last year, Ka dropped one of the year's best albums in The Knight's Gambit. It was murky, dark, and you felt the dampness of NYC streets. This EP doesn't stray far at all, in fact these are some damn compelling six tracks. While I'm waiting for Roc & Ka's Metal Clergy collab album, I could use another album from these two as well.
21. ScHoolboy Q- Oxymoron
Production: The Alchemist, Digi-Phonics, Pharrell
Guests: BJ The Chicago Kid, Jay Rock, Kendrick Lamar, 2 Chainz, Raekwon, Tyler The Creator, Kurupt
What a year for Schoolboy Q. He definitely made a mainstream impact this year, especially on the radio. The album reflected much of his prior album Habits & Contradictions, only with more accessibility. I don't care how much you despise the radio, you can't deny the production of "Man Of The Year" and the bounce of "Collard Greens", but other bangers like "Hoover Street" and the title track solidified this album.
20. Your Old Droog- Your Old Droog
Production: DJ Driz
Guests: N/A
Shooting down conspiracy theories of this cat being Nas under a new moniker, people could still see how he could he could be compared to the iconic emcee, if not by voice alone. His debut is intriguing and definitely deserves some much warranted attention. Stop sleeping!
19. Rapsody- Beauty & The Beast (EP)
Production: The Soul Council
Guests: N/A
Many regard her as the best female emcee in the game right now. She states she's the best in the game, period. Either way, she very well may be the best regardless of man or woman. Last year, she dropped the extremely dope She Got Game, and this year she extends her impressive catalog with this formidable EP. Her track "Godzilla" is just lyrics personified.
18. Step Brothers (The Alchemist & Evidence)- Lord Steppington
Production: artist
Guests: Domo Genesis, Fashawn, Rakaa Iriscience, Gangrene, Action Bronson, Roc Marciano, Blu, Styles P
80s pop culture references galore, this long-awaited collab between two of the best producers from the west coast (not to mention longtime friends) was every bit as hot as it was expected to be. While the majority of the album was done by Allan The Chemist, the track Ev did, "Byron G" is arguably the most thunderous cut on the album. While not breaking any new ground lyrically, the album makes up for it with outstanding production from head to toe.
17. Joe Budden- Some Love Lost (EP)
Production: Karon Graham, 8 Bars, others
Guests: Emanny
As one quarter of the most lyrically feared supergroup in the game Slaughterhouse, we're used to hearing Budden ripping mics apart, but on this EP, which will serve as a pre-cursor to his 2015 release All Love Lost, he bares his soul in ways we haven't heard him before. While one of hip-hop's most honest emcees already, Budden goes another few miles discussing his addictions and failed relationships with complete sincerity. Wish there were more cuts to this tremendous EP.
16. Isaiah Rashad- Cilvia Demo
Production: Digi-Phonics
Guests: Schoolboy Q, Jay Rock, SZA
Wow!! This was arguably the dopest southern debut to come out this year, in fact in the past few (sans Big K.R.I.T.). This TDE representative has been called a "southern Kendrick Lamar", and with most of the cuts on this incredible album, it's not hard to see why. Although it doesn't contain a ton of depth, it more than makes up for it with prodigious talent and some of the best production this year.
15. De La Soul- Smell The D.A.I.S.Y. (mixtape/free album)
Production: J Dilla
Guests: Redman
De La + Dilla = SUPERB!!! Nothing more to say!
14. Slaughterhouse- House Rules (mixtape/free album)
Production: Jahlil Beats, !llmind, Just Blaze, ARAABMUZIK, Nottz, The Heatmakerz, Harry Fraud
Guests: N/A
If this is ANY indication of what to expect from their 2015 album, Glass House, they will be one of the acts that will OWN 2015. This mixtape makes you damn near forget about their good yet underwhelming Shady debut Welcome 2 Our House.
13. Black Milk- If There's A Hell Below...
Production: artist
Guests: Bun B, Random Axe, Pete Rock, others
Earlier we gave acclaim to his Glitches EP, but this album is nothing short of fire (hence the Hell Below title I guess). Last year, he dropped the vivid conceptual album No Poison, No Paradise, and this picks right up from there in all respects. Lyrically, he continues to slowly improve, but it's his continuously stellar production that continues to make Black Milk a worthy heir to Dilla's throne.
12. Mindsone & Kev Brown- Pillars EP
Production: Kev Brown
Guests: N/A
Admittedly, I wasn't too much up on this west coast duo of Mindsone, but I had heard of MC/Producer/DJ Kev Brown, as he was a student of DJ Jazzy Jeff. This collab is straight lyrical and is no filler and contains no lightweight material. Meanwhile the production Brown provides is classic, melodic boom bap that will make you a fan of his if you've never heard work from him before.
11. Dilated Peoples- Directors Of Photography
Production: Evidence, Babu, The Alchemist, 9th Wonder, DJ Premier, Oh No, Jake One, Diamond D
Guests: Vince Staples, Krondon, Sick Jacken, Aloe Blacc, Defari, Gangrene
What an outstanding return by team Dilated. With each member putting out solo albums, it was only a matter of time before the reunion took place. This is clearly the best album they've done since their exceptional sophomore album, Expansion Team. As a whole, they sound as fresh as they did when they debuted in 2000.
10. Damani Nkosi- Thoughtful King
Production: Warren Campbell, others
Guests: PJ Morton, Musiq Soulchild, Robert Glasper Jr.
I'll admit and say I slept on this Cali vet, who apparently has collaborated with the likes of Snoop before. This album is the most laid-back, melodic, sincere album to hit in 2014. This is strictly grown folk hip-hop, and quite frankly this is the single most REFRESHING hip-hop album this entire year. Did I mention this contains little to no cussing in here??
9. J. Cole- 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Production: artist, !llmind, Cardiak, others
Guests: N/A
Disillusioned with the subsequent buffoonery mainstream/commercial hip-hop has seemingly become, Jermaine Cole went back to his roots and went back to his home of Fayetteville to remind himself of who he is and where he came from. Even with no marketing, advertising, or lead single, Cole has presented the best best, and most cohesive, album to date of his career.
8. Run The Jewels- RTJ2
Production: El-P
Guests: Zach De La Rocha, Travis Barker, Gangsta Boo
If it was even possible to outdo their nearly flawless debut self titled album, Killer Mike & El-P may have surpassed even that phenomenal piece of work. With RTJ2, this even more urgent. This is even more paranoid. This is even more anti-establishment. It's very possible I should've ranked this higher, but this folks is a true CLASSIC!!!!!
7. Cyhi The Prince- Black Hystori Project (mixtape/free album)
Production:Tec Beatz, others
Guests:Jon Connor, Milah Brown, others
This G.O.O.D. Music, Konvict Music artist was best known on the Cruel Summer album, but man oh man did he shine on his mixtape/free album, that places great emphasis on Black history and historical figures. The production is completely enthralling, but it's relatively understated compared to the raw, exceptional talent that is the man born Cydal Young. BTW, did I mention Mr. West executive produced this?
6. Apollo Brown & Ras Kass- Blasphemy
Production: Apollo Brown
Guests: Sean Price, Sick Jacken, Slaine, Bishop Lamont, Royce Da 5'9, Xzibit
While it may very well be the most controversial hip-hop release of 2014, this is also among the most standout as well. Apollo continues to show why he's quickly becoming a force to be reckoned with on the boards, while Ras continues to prove why he's one of the most stellar lyrical emcees of all-time. If you peeped Ras' infamous "Nature Of The Threat" and you were taken aback and offended, trust me, this album isn't for you.
5. Common- Nobody's Smiling
Production: No I.D.
Guests: Lil' Herb, Jhene Aiko, Elijah Blake, Vince Staples, Jay Electronica, Drezzy, Snoh Allegra, Big Sean, Malik Yusef
Com reunited with his longtime collaborator No I.D. to construct a very socially conscious, bleak record documenting the hells of his native Chi-town. Darker than most of his usual stuff, brother Com was seeking salvation and answers to the problems plaguing his city, resulting in his best body of work since his landmark classic, BE.
4. Logic- Under Pressure
Production: artist, 6ix, Dun Deal, others
Guests: N/A
After generating enough buzz from his Young Sinatra mixtape series, he released his Def Jam debut, and to be perfectly honest, this is highly comparable to 2012's most prized possession, good kid, M.A.A.D. City. Consistent and engaging production is thrown a back seat compared to Logic's occasional rapid fire, double time rhymes, but also his sense of vulnerability and his unapologetic sincerity. The track "Nikki" is one of the year's most compelling cuts. Hell of a debut.
3. Big K.R.I.T.- Cadillactica
Production: artist, Jim Jonsin, Terrace Martin, DJ Khalil, Raphael Saadiq, others
Guests: Raphael Saadiq, Rico love, Bun B, Devin The Dude, Jamie N Commons, Lupe Fiasco, E-40, Wiz Khalifa, others
K.R.I.T. dropped his Def Jam sophomore album with much hype and anticipation. The result: his best body of work to date, and that's saying knowing just how consistent and outstanding the rest of his work is, including his heralded Def Jam debut, Live From The Underground. Conceptual, soulful, consistent, and highly engaging, this album is damn near flawless.
2. PRhyme- PRhyme
Production: DJ Premier
Guests: Schoolboy Q, Ab-Soul, Slaughterhouse, Mac Miller, Killer Mike, Common, Jay Electronica, Dwele
This new version of Gangstarr (R.I.P. Guru) is just what hip-hop ordered. This is hip-hop tour de force. Royce brought his A-game as usual, maybe even with some extra animal. Premo, well what can you say it's Premo. As for the unofficial third member of this ensemble, Adrien Younge, he proivided the samples for Preme to use for the album. The only complaint about this impeccable album: it's only an EP.
1. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib- Pinata
Production: Madlib
Guests: Scarface, Raekwon, Earl Sweatshirt, Domo Genesis, Ab-Soul, Danny Brown, Mac Miller, Casey veggies, others
This was the best album, not just in 2014, but in the career of Gangsta Gibbs, no question about it. This album served as a new benchmark, not just for Gibbs but for the ever eccentric Madlib as well. While this may not be the genre-changing flawless classic Madvillainy was, this can arguably be considered as Madvillain's gangsta cousin. Madlib's sinister, yet highly melodic, production was meshed effortlessly with Gibbs straight in-your-face delivery. If you were fortunate to conceive the brilliance that Madvillainy was, you'll roughly get that same feeling, only with more brutal realism and vivid storytelling. If not for anything else, his venomous diss towards his one time mentor Jeezy, "Real" could easily be among the top diss records in recent memory. This album has been compared, at its highest, to another exceptional classic in hip-hop, Raekwon's Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... and rightfully so. This album truly deserves the title CLASSIC.
Honorable Mentions:
Flying Lotus- You're Dead!
The producer's most experimental, yet most accessible, album to date with great results
Childish Gambino- STN MTN/Kauai
Catchy, R&B-flavored mixtape/EP from Mr. Glover that continues to expound his overall well-rounded talent. Not a bad follow up to Because The Internet
Ray West & O.C.- Ray's Cafe
Veteran D.I.T.C. member collabs with a production upstart and the album is filled with laid-back, ol school-tinged production.
Ghostface Killah- 36 Seasons
The dude Starks is back with yet another incredible conceptual album, backed with The Revelations. Although it falls short of other stellar moments in his discography like Ironman, Supreme Clientele, Fishscales, and the more recent Twelve Reasons To Die, it still shows GFK as one of the game's best storytellers.
Lecrae- Anomaly
The Grammy-award winning Christian hip-hop artist dropped another sonically pleasing album filled with references of God, love, and how rappers nowadays need to grow up. Is "All I Need Is You" the new hip-hop love song anthem?
Diamond District- March On Washington
Fairly decent follow-up to their exceptional debut, In The Ruff. More accessible, yet the boom bap never disappeared. Not to mention, this Mello Music trio has rhymes galore.
Buckshot & P-Money- Backpack Travels
Always good to see Buck on a track, and this new collab with the Australian producer is a throwback to mid-90s hip-hop and it works well.
Wu-Tang Clan- A Better Tomorrow
Regardless whether or not this may the final album for hip-hop's divine nine, this is a nice step up from their half hearted 8 Diagrams in 2009.
Jeezy- Seen It All: The Autobiography
Still sounding as hungry as he did when he made his debut in the early millennium, this is yet another heatmaker from the "snowman".
YG- My Krazy Life
Attempting to make "Toot It & Boot It" a memory, he resurfaced with a west coast knocker that brought some polish back to the gangsta scene out there. You can also thank DJ Mustard for constructing the new movement out there as well.
Locksmith- A Thousand Cuts
This young underground cat's newest project is among the personal and truthful albums you'll hear all year. Much like Has-Lo's In Case I Don't Make It, you'll FEEL every bit of this release.
Mick Jenkins- The Water(s)
The young Chi-town upstart created an interesting, yet promising, album to show he's among the next to blow from the Chi
Open Mike Eagle- Dark Comedy
Unorthodox, yet strategic, debut from this Cali upstart.
Stalley- Ohio
Raw and unbridled, there was bubbling anticipation for this Maybach artist, and it met the hype
Azaelia Banks- Broke With Expensive Taste
She made a habit of speaking her mind and garnering some enemies via Twitter, but her debut is definitely full of potential
Atmosphere- Southsiders
Slug and Ant are among the underground's most heralded acts, and albums like this continues to show why. Although it's no God Loves Ugly, it's still a big time project for these two that shouldn't be ignored.
Blu- Good To Be Home
This son of a preacher man from Cali brought it back home with a double album full of goodies, although it lacks the substance and cohesiveness of Below the Heavens or Her Favorite Colo(u)r.
Ab-Soul- These Days...
TDE's deep thinking stoner crafted a more commercial follow-up to his outstanding release Control System. Hell, he had me with the video trailer for the album. Dope, but a slight letdown considering we've seen him do lots better.
Kid Cudi- Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon
Always eccentric and different from Scott Miscudi, but always worth a listen. This is no different.
Tragedy Khadafi- Pre-Magnum Opus
What else do you expect, it's the Intelligent Hoodlum for God's sake!
Remy Ma- I'm Around
We celebrate Remy's return to freedom with a mixtape worthy of her maintaining her status as a 'Murda Mami'.
Joell Ortiz- House Slippers
One quarter of Slaughterhouse dropped his most personal album yet complete with searing production from the likes of !llmind and The Heatmakerz. You must be sure and peep "Say Yes", which is considered one of the realest songs you'll hear this entire year.
Hasaan Mackey & Kev Brown- That Grit
Low Budget Crew member out of Rochester, NY native connects with the aforementioned Kev Brown for an impressive outing of tracks that shows the undenyable talents of Mr. Mackey. Cuts like "War" and "Simone Louder" are especially knocking. If no frills, boom-bap hip-hop is what you want, don't snooze on this one any longer.
As you can see, this was a superb year for hip-hop and I don't know about you but I'm ready for 2015 already. Stay tuned later for my mixtape of 2014. For now, peep these albums on this list. Just because there were albums that didn't make it onto the top 40 didn't mean they weren't dope, thus the honorable mentions. If you feel your album didn't make the cut or should've been on one of the two lists, definitely let me know and we'll discuss it. Here's to an awesome year in hip-hop! Until next time folks!
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