Truth be told: I’ve never been one to listen to a Mos Def album from front to back. Still somethin’ kept bringing me back to The Ecstatic throughout the past year. And no it’s not because Diddy said it was hot. No, I think it’s because its such a unique collection of dense tunes containing true eclectic sounds. My faves: the intoxicating “Priority,” the as close to a Black Star reunion as you’re ever gonna get headnodder “History”, and the regal collabo with Slick Rick The Ruler (“Auditorium”). But it’s throughout the whole disc that Dante, as lyrically sharp as he’s been since his Black On Both Sides debut, finds his comfort zone on the strange ride you’d be a fool to miss out on.
#9 Rick Ross “Deeper Than Rap”
Hip-hop’s top cop wasn’t taking any prisoners last year. In the midst of controversy and severe backlash, Ross was shielded by cinematic production and clever wordplay on his third time out. He tried to bury his comp with “Valley of Death” but seemingly brought life to “Maybach Music 2″. He kicked endearing fables (“Rich Off Cocaine”), taunted foes (“Mafia Music”), and laughed in the face of danger (“Gunplay”). With the odds against him, Rick proved that good music runs deep. Take note rappers. That’s a 10-4.
#8 Gucci Mane “The State vs. Radric Davis”
’m a convicted card-carrying member of Team Snowman, but I must admit La Flare won me over this year. Yes, I enjoyed most of his seemingly endless collabos, but it was his album that truly surprised me. During an advance listen from Asylum’s Joey IE, I marveled at his new array of flows. Yeah, his lyrics still aren’t hip-hop quotable worthy but he sure puts them together well. Plus, he’s such a charismatic collaborator. Whether he’s gettin’ “Wasted” with Plies, actin’ “Stupid Wild” with Cam and Weezy or playin’ “Bingo” with Soulja Boy and Waka WTF, Radric remains the master of the ceremony. It’s cold the way the rap world decided to not support this album enough. Burrr!
#7 Eminem “Relapse”
Marshall Mathers returned to the rap game clean and sober but his mind was still on drugs. Relapse is chock full of references to seemingly every prescription your grandma ever thought of havin’ in her cabinet. Unlike any other MC on your iPod, Eminem is truly in his own dark and demented world. He’s poppin’ valium like ma dukes on “My Mom”, disintergrating babies on “Stay Wide Awake”, and chokin’ Lindsay Lohan with a sixty-six inch extension cord (“Same Song and Dance”). But my fondness for Slim Shady still lies more with tracks that fully display the wizardry wordplay of “Hello”, the booming “Medicine Ball” and the joyously jarring “Underground”, where like his later guest spots proved unequivocally, Em can still rhyme circles around your favorite artist. Deceptively effortless.
50 Cent “Before I Self Destruct”
Good things come to those that wait. And after a couple of false starts, 50’s Before I Self Destruct finally saw the light of day last November. First, he tested the waters with “OK You’re Right” and “Flight 187”. Soon after, he made a big splash with “Crime Wave”, “Baby By Me”, and “Psycho”. By year’s end he satisfied his female core with, “Do You Think About Me”. Hate it or love it, but 50 actually delivered.
#5 Fabolous “Loso’s Way”
It’s easy at first to dismiss Fab’s latest CD as being just like all of his previous. Well Loso’s coming out party doesn’t deviate far from his hardcore hip-hop/R&B flavored collabo formula except for the fact that these joints got a lil extra bang to them. You can’t front on the emotive “Imma Do It” and the verbal intercourse displayed with Lil Wayne on the stirring “Salute”. Your ladyfriend will enjoy Ryan Leslie’s captivating contribution (“Everything, Everyday, Everywhere”) and appearances by Trey (“Last Time”) and Ne-Yo (“Makin’ Love”). Still the true jewels to be found are joints where Fab bares a lil of his soul as he addresses topics like lost friends (“Pachanga”) and fatherhood (“Stay”). Plus that Alchemist “Lullaby” joint still got me sportin’ a screwface. Ha!
#4 Clipse “Til The Casket Drops”
The Clipse are one of the most fawned groups in hip-hop—and for good reason. Last month, Malice and Pusha showcased their wit on their third helping, Til The Casket Drops. Once again, The Thorntons recreated magic with The Neptunes on tracks like “Door Man”, “Counseling”, and “Popular Demand”. For good measure, DJ Khalil dug in his bag of tricks and made “Kinda Like A Big Deal” just that. Good job guys, keep thuggin’ til the casket dips.
#3 Kid Cudi “Man On The Moon: The End Of Day”
The sometimes rap purist inside me pretty much ignored the Kid Cudi CD after a few first listens. It’s so emo, you have to almost be in the mood for it. Then I started to peep the praise from some fellow critical colleagues that I respect and they were right. Man On The Moon should be sellin’ enough to keep Drake up at night. But even though it isn’t is no reflection on how good it is. Yeah like the funny-dressing dude from OutKast and Wyclef’s ex in her prime, he hits notes more than he puts bars together but the songwriting is strong throughout. Whether recallin’ his childhood (“Soundtrack 2 My Life”) feelings of isolation (“Mr. Solo Dolo”) or his future ambition (“Pursuit Of Happiness”), the singing stoner blows the proverbial fresh air into the rap game. The first freshman to fully deliver. Nice work, Scottie.
#2 Raekwon “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II”
It’s been a long time coming, but after 14 years Raekwon returned to the main stage with, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II. For starters, The Chef curbs our appetites with “House Of Flying Daggers”, “New Wu” and “Surgical Gloves”. He breaks bread with Beanie Sigel on “Have Mercy” and toasts to the fallen on “Ason Jones.” You rappers got fat while Rae starved. It’s his turn. Again.
#1 Jay-Z “Blueprint 3″
It’s a no brainer. Jay-Z’s Blueprint 3 takes the gold for best album of 2009. Let’s talk facts: Last summer, Hov’s “D.O.A.” eradicated Auto-Tune while “Empire State of Mind” rejuvenated everyone’s spirits in the fall. Meanwhile, Kid Cudi’s melodies buoyed “Already Home” and “A Star Is Born” introduced us to one of the game’s promising upstarts. Elsewhere, Jigga found solace on “Real As It Gets” but still took time out to address you “Haters”. Just another great template from Roc’s architect.
Okaaaay, well let's see wait until we see the rest of his list.
Now THAT's sad.
