So what are your "top 5 hip hop albums of the year"

[OMEGA]

The year's almost over, and with pretty much all the big hip hop albums out already, what were your 5 favorite? Explain why too. For me:

#5


Not much to say about it other than it's a great album from beginning to end. Good lyrics, hooks and excellent production.

Favorite song: Night Night

#4


Was initially disappointed when I first heard it, but it grew on me. Fucking great album. The reason why is so critically acclaimed is because Kanye does good music, no pun at all. Banging beats and some great lines, even if lyrically is nothing amazing.

Favorite song: Devil in a New Dress

#3


Cudi, while not at the same lyrical level of all the other hip hop artists on my list, is on a league of his own when it comes to create atmospheric, totally unique, and thought inducing music. I absolutely fucking love the production of this album. Like the cover, it's beautiful, mysterious, dark and incredibly atmospheric.

Favorite song: These Worries

#2


Such a well produced and balanced album. Both Nas and Damian Marley killed this shit. Damian in particular made me a fan of him with Distant Relatives. Nas has a lot of energy that it seemed he had lost, and he delivers some of the best verses of the year. Like Kanye's album, even someone who doesn't like hip hop is going to enjoy this.

Favorite song: Patience

#1


There's no way around it, Em has that magic touch that makes his music feel so special and personal. Lyrically, I thought the album was excellent. Plenty of memorable lines (Almost Famous), great story telling (Going Through Changes), and classic, light hearted Shady appearances (So Bad). The production, while subtle, fitted every track extremely well. Definitely my favorite album of the year.

Favorite song: No Love

[AJS2050]

These albums tend to change order alot for me. Might come back later and explain my order.

Others That Deserve Mentioning: Zion I - Atomic Clock, Cradle Orchestra - Transcended Elements, Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives, John Legend & The Roots - Wake Up, Lyrics Born - As You Were.

5. Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II

Favorite Song: Mojo So Dope

4. B.o.B. - The Adventures of Bobby Ray

Favorite Song: Don't Let Me Fall

3. The Roots - How I Got Over

Favorite Song: Walk Alone

2. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Favorite Song: Dark Fantasy

1. Eminem - Recovery

Favorite Song: Spacebound

[Anim]

1. Nas and Damian - Distant Relatives

Insane album, I love the way Nas and Damian blends rap and reggae together. Fantastic production and insane verses from Nas. Friends, As We Enter and Africa Must Wake Up are some of the best songs I've heard in a LONG time.

2. Devlin - Bud Sweat and Beers

Great album all around, just extremely interesting to listen to. This is very new so I might have placed it a bit too high, but it's definitely top 3 for me. 1989, Marching Through the Fog, Community Outcast and End of Day's are all sick.

3. Eminem - Recovery

Great album, gets a bit bland at times, mostly due to production I think, but no weak songs and quite a few extremely good ones such as Going Through Changes and Cinderella Man.

4. Diablic - Liar and a Thief

Raw lyricism, nothing more to say really. Don't Wanna Rhyme, Reasons and Truth part 2 are my favs.

5. B.O.B - Adventures of Bobby Ray

A breath of fresh air. Extremely talented musician that is fun to listen to. Fame, Don't Let Me Fall and Airplanes 1 and 2 are great tunes.

[EminemBase]

Well, I wish I could be bothered to give an analysis of each one but I can't. But I still want to say my top five of the year anyway, in alphabetical (but no quality) order...

B.o.B - The Adventures of Bobby Ray
-
Canibus - Melatonin Magik
-
Eminem - Recovery
-
Kanye west - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
-
Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager

Those are mine. Maybe I'll come back and order, and expand on them later.

[stillmatic]

Good thread, there's still about 6-7 albums left that could potentially make some entries in certain places, but for now, mine is the following.

1. Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives
One of the most powerful releases in music in the last decade. The poignant songs are untouchable, and the sign of a truly classic album is one which gets better year after year. This will be that type of album.
Best Song: Patience.

2. Apollo Brown: The Reset
Ever wanted to a hear artists just as hungry as Eminem was on Infinite just waiting to blow up? Listen to this album. Full of thumping old school hip hop beats, and cold rhymes. These dudes from Detroit are hungry as fuck, and just counting the days until they blow up.
Best Song: Streets won't let me chill

3. Lloyd Banks: The Hunger for More 2
If Eminem didn't have the comeback of the year, then that goes to Lloyd Banks. The street album of the year, full of gritty beats and tough rhymes with great lyrical wordplay and punchlines. Arguably the best street album out of NY for half a decade. Welcome home, Boy Wonder.
Best Song: Home sweet home

4. Kno - Death Is Silent
The production here is flawless. Masterpiece, nothing else can be said. Haven't heard an album with this type of production in years. The features that deliver the lyric do a great job not missing the edge of the beats.
Best song: If you cry

5. Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon II
Great followup, some say it's repetitive but it's not. Great expression of an artists emotions.
Best song: Ashin' Kusher

[slimsoxshady]

1. Recovery
2. Hopsin - RAW
3. Lil Wayne - IANAHB
4. Joe Budden - MM4
5. Kanye West - MBDTF

Honorable Mentions:
Drake - TML
Twista - Perfect Storm

hope im not leaving any off

[ShadyNarkoticz]

Favorite: Cinderella Man


Favorite: Runaway


Favorite: tough one but either Reasons or Frontlines


Favorite: GHOST!/Mojo So Dope


Favorite: Remember The Titans, Role Reversal

6. Hopsin - RAW
7. Nickle - Bar Exam III
8. B.O.B. - Bobby Ray
9. Celph Titled - Nineteen Ninety Now
10. Esoteric - 1212

[Slim's Shady]

1. Recovery. Fav: Cinderella Man

2. Raw. Fav: Nocturnal Rainbows

3. Mood Muzik 4. Fav: Sober Up, Follow Your Lead.

4. Bar Exam 3. Fav: Forever

5. Man On The Moon II. Fav: Scott Mescudi vs The World.

[Bistnal]

^BE3?? That's a weird choice.
Here's my list, not in any particular order.
1)Recovery, favorite: Going Through Changes
2) Distant Relatives, favorite: Strong Will Continue
3) How I Got Over, favorite: The Fire
4) Mood Muzik 4, favorite: Black Cloud
5) RAW, favorite: Nocturnal Rainbows

[Slim's Shady]

^BE3?? That's a weird choice.
Here's my list, not in any particular order.
1)Recovery, favorite: Going Through Changes
2) Distant Relatives, favorite: Strong Will Continue
3) How I Got Over, favorite: The Fire
4) Mood Muzik 4, favorite: Black Cloud
5) RAW, favorite: Nocturnal Rainbows

I told you I love BE3

[Bistnal]

lol Oh yeah you did. Still think you're weird for liking it as much as you do BE2&1 shit all over it.

[Slim's Shady]

lol Oh yeah you did. Still think you're weird for liking it as much as you do BE2&1 shit all over it.

smh

[Bistnal]

^lol don't smh me, mr. I prefer comedic royce but think sslp isn't that great b/c of the comedic tracks

[Slim's Shady]

But, Royce is funnier which makes it better and more acceptable

[Bistnal]

lmao it's all taste but I prefer funny Em to funny Royce.