I really had no idea how to put this category in, but we get tons of music all the time; sometimes really bad, sometimes really good. Fact is, not everybody even knows about it. This category is for those albums.
10. Trav Williams: The Trickle Down
- Ha, my first ever review on KevinNottingham.com was a gem. The Trickle Down is a great album with some fantastic production and hunger from a rather good emcee. Some t’s need to be crossed and some loose ends needed to be tied up, but it is still a solid release.
9. Rugged N Raw: Truth Serum
- He was recently featured in Entertainment Weekly for his video “Broke n’ Proud” and has created quite a buzz with his live performances. Truth Serum has its moments where RnR flashes some genius. Consistency will be key. Features from Hasan Salaam and a joint produced by Remot and multiple tracks produced by DJ Static make this a worthy joint.
8. Praverb: Center of Attention
- Pra has so much potential. He really just needs to find that beast within him to unleash some of these great lyrical fundamentals that he has. The production is impressive on CoA and the possibilities for this MC are endless.
7. Johnson & Jonson: Johnson & Jonson
- Blu is a great emcee, there’s no doubt in that. Mainframe delivered the good on this release as well. It may be the widest release of all the releases on this list, but there’s still a wider audience that it could reach. Especially when you got talents like these two.
6. 14KT: The Golden Hour
- 14KT is just another slamming producer out of Detroit. It’s like this city breeds hip hop producers on the daily basis. This album is no exception to the rule of “Great Detroit Hip Hop in 2008″ because it simply just obeys all the rules of great music. It’s about as hungry as a release that you’ll hear from a producer.
5. Hasan Salaam: Children of God
- This was a pleasant surprise. The lyrical complexion of Hasan is really well versed in plenty of the issues that matter in our world today and he knowledgeably speaks on them. He’s extremely convincing over some moody beats and has a great flow. This album exemplifies all of his best qualities and puts them front and center.
4. Wax & EOM: Liquid Courage
- Wax finally broke out of his YouTube mode and dropped one hell of an album with VA producer EOM. It’s currently getting praised all over the map for both the lyrical microphone mastering of Wax and the beat product of EOM. There isn’t much bad to say about the album aside from the fact that it does have an unprofessional feel to it. But what do you expect in the “Smaller Releases” section?
3. Common Market: Tobacco Road
- It’s a shame this didn’t get a wider release. Even with Sabzi on it, an underground juggernaut, it hasn’t managed to hit a wider audience. It’ll slowly make its huge waves to shore though, it is that powerful.
2. Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker: Hip Hop in the Soul
- One of the best releases of the year comes from this unlikely tandem. What a great album with some tremendous joints about hip hop, life, and the self. It’s some of the best production I’ve heard all year and it would be dope to see another hook up from these two.
1. Shad: The Old Prince
- One of the best lyrical components out of Canada is Shad. With a variety of production, a variety of topics, and a variety of styles, Shad hits just about every and any note possible on The Old Prince. It makes for one of the best releases of 2008. Regardless of how many people listen to it now, everyone eventually will.
Honorable Mentions
- N’Telligence: Black Boy Lost
- K. Sparks & Pajozo: Definition
- Nobody Famous: Order up, Vol 2: Biscuits & Gravy
- Buff1: There’s Only One
- Fokis & Focus: 20/20
- Master 3: Women & Music
- Tudakay: The Dollar Menu
{ 35 comments… read them below or add one }
lol Deezill takes a loss for posting an album that came out in 07, and a ton of songs on the album that came out in 06
hahah
and its The Old Prince im talking about obviously
oh thats right.. you mean the album that got all the 2008 acclaim? the one that got a 2008 juno and polaris nomination?
Right… you mean the one that got wider release in 2008 to major retail outlets and stuff .. right?
LOL shut up Deezill your just mad you got owned
it was released in 07, doesnt matter about any of that
Huh? Listen, if you wanna bash the writer, let’s see your list. Taking a stab at Deez is taking a stab at me and this site. Mistakes will be made. We never claimed to be an encyclopedia of hip hop. At least name the album you are talking about JHendrix. I approve these lists and as far as I know Deez is right on.
lol.. kev.. he’s just a pre-pubescent kid on this message board.
he got banned for being a racist…
lol… I just couldn’t sit by and have him bash you like that. I GOT YOUR BACK MAN! lol
But, yeah Shad was officially released in Oct 2007, but like Deez said, it did not break out until 08. Personally, I had not even heard it until August!
others in his category..DELA “changes in atmosphere”..DEEPSPACE 5 “bakesale ep”..THEORY HAZIT & VINTAGE “lord fire”..THE GIGANTICS “die already”..SUBSTANTIAL “sacrifice”..DJ CADIK “basic”..
One thing I love about year end lists is reading about everyone else’s favs. I can honestly say that I have never heard of any of those albums, Skeme. I’m sure their hot and we’ll definitely check those out. Thanks for sharing!
you know what KEV when you listen to music with an open mind (not saying you dont)youll find so many great artists out there..DEEPSPACE 5 is a christian hiphop group..anyways..i could go on, on, and on with these artist..i also been blessed to been exposed to theses artists and if i could put people on to good music (my opinion) then im doing my job of spreading good music
What about Retro Future Legacy…how did that not make this list?
Skeme, you just summed up in one paragraph the reason why I created this blog. I couldn’t agree more.
big ups skeme.. great post
There’s only so much music i can listen to, kev had to help me out with this list
thx..big up to yall for all your hard work in making this the best blog outhere..props
oh so since you guys havent heard it, that means it was definently released this year?? lol good arguement there
Another one I haven’t heard… Retro Future Legacy. I’m gonna make a list of all the releases commented in this post and check em all out. I remember that’s how I got turned onto 100dBs, Rashid Hadee, and Mr. J. Medeiros last year. Those albums are STILL in rotation.
Has Lo dropped two great EP’s and a Bangin remix joint with Small Pro!
solid list!
as for the 07/08 debate… a lot of late (q4) releases get categorized as a release for the following year.
the juno’s and the polaris music prize concur… 2008 was the year for shad.
Trav Williams….The rap’s David Stern!
I’m with Thomas man. All these albums are dope, but I think Trav’s album was higher than 10. Hell, the Bootlegs & B Sides should be on the list too. I’m thinking we should release the acapellas so everyone can actually hear and listen to what he spits.
I haven’t heard many of the albums on the list. What I can say is this site has put me on to stuff I wouldn’t normally listen to.
20 Keys….give me the acapellas please….I need that in my life. LOL.
I forgot about Fokis & Focus: 20/20…that joint was hot.
Props though Deez…I know the work you put behind these joints!
Big ups to Deez on the listand I will have to check out some of the joints that were named by everybody.
What about M.C. Bubblious Fish Eyes? LMAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
(just acting a damn fool,fellas)still LMFAO
well, I hope Shad’s manager responding and giving his answer puts an end to that debate
You missed out The Cool Kids EP which should be at no. 1.
thanks Sean…I am honored to be on the list with such talented people.
The Trickle Down is #1 on my list… totally forgot about Has-Lo’s joints… quality stuff. N’Telligence #2 for me!
Nice list for sure. About the only one I didn’t care for was the Shad, but I know a ton of y’all dig him. And Kev, I think you’d really like that Dela “Changes in Atmosphere” album.
The one album I’d have to add (besides the Has-Lo’s, but hey, I’m biased) is the Prolyphic & Reanimator – The Ugly Truth. Coming off of Sage Francis’ label, I was prepared to hate it, and didn’t like it much at first, but the shit grew on me.
and I think that N’Telligence was the best album Kev put me onto this year
yea i really dig wax and eom. Wax has a great delivery.music and liquor is my life in a nutshell.
word… real dope
Very nice!!!
dope shyt!
Trav?! what up homie?
awww
bff’s?
no love for tanya morgan on any of the hip hop lists, huh?
The Bridge EP was very solid. PEOPLE NEED TO STOP SLEEPIN’ ON THE LESSONDARY CREEEEEW!