Top 10 Slept on Albums of 2008

These may be slept on in terms of how many people listened to them, appreciated them, or simply just noticed them. Some probably didn’t get enough praise despite being listened to by thousands, but there are a variety of ways for one to be “slept on.” This is ordered on a combination of how hard it’s been slept on and why it shouldn’t be slept on, due to its quality. It also takes into the consideration the ability to be slept on, meaning that the album has to get considerable talk and mention for people to sleep on.

10. DJ Revolution: King of the Decks

• Given the talent on this album, it should’ve been better than what it was. Regardless, the good tracks are very good, and this album warrants a listen based on the names alone.

Album Review

9. Common Market: Tobacco Road

• A great release that needs more attention is Tobacco Road. Sabzi is an extremely musically gifted producer and Ra has all the mechanics to be a great MC. No reason not to peep.

8. El Da Sensei & The Returners: Global Takeover

• One of my favorite duos in hip hop is the tandem of Tame One and El Da Sensei. One half unites with the Polish production duo, The Returners, to drop a gem of an album in 2008. It’s loaded with great material and it needs to be checked out.

Album Review

7. Nicolay & Kay: Time:Line

• This was the other Nicolay album that came out this year and got massively slept on. Kay certainly is no Phonte, but he’s sufficient enough to help elevate Nic’s style on joints like “Tight Eyes” and “Blizzard.” Nic is about as musically beautiful as it gets right about now, so don’t miss out.

Album Review

6. The Knux: Remind Me In 3 Days…

• I hope my frequent mention of these guys throughout these top 10 lists don’t keep them slept on much longer. There’s too much talent to ignore and too much flavorful tactics to shy away from.

Album Review

5. People Under the Stairs: Fun DMC

• Sure, it’s their sixth album, but why the hell are people still sleeping on this? It has such a dope concept and execution. It’s a great album that certainly deserves more attention than what it is getting.

4. DJ K.O. Presents: Picture This…

• An album featuring Elzhi, Kweli, Diamond D and O.C. (just to name a few) really shouldn’t be slept on. Throw on the fact that Illmind, M-Phazes and Black Milk are only a small list of featured producers on this and you got an album that really should be listened to regardless of what type of hip hop fan you are.

3. Killer Mike: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II

• It is certainly one of the best lyrical performances of the year. Killer Mike is ultra-talented and easily could be the third member of Outkast if he wanted to be. There aren’t many flaws in this album and Killer goes off on numerous tracks. Slightly political, but that’s hard to hate on. It’s better than the overrated Immortal Technique LP.

2. J-Live: Then What Happened?

• Have you seen this cover? Because that’s what everyone else has been doing to this album and J-Live’s career. One of the best MC’s ever in hip hop, EVER, and people still seem to sleep to high hell on this guy. It’s sickening at the lack of respect and notice he gets for the caliber of hip hop he puts out. This is just another classic from J-Live, just another.

1. Akrobatik: Absolute Value

• It came out in early 2008, so chances are, it’ll miss a ton of the 08 lists. It’s a great LP and Ak is a beast on it. Some noteworthy features include Little Brother and Talib Kweli, both acts tear up their verse only increasing Ak’s abilities. It was slept on during the first quarter of the year and it kind of just drained away by the late second quarter. Do yourself a favor and listen to one of the best albums of the year.

Honorable Mentions:

• Wax & EOM: Liquid Courage
• Shad: The Old Prince
• Torae: Daily Conversations
• Ill Bill: The Hour of Reprisal
• Z-Ro: Crack