Top 10 Most Disappointing Albums of 2008

by Sean Deez on December 31, 2008

10. Ludacris: Theater of the Mind

The great tracks are great, don’t get me wrong, but they certainly set the bar ridiculously high. This led to a rather sub-par album with loads and loads of filler. The features get tired as well; Luda’s best tracks are the ones when it’s just him, so, why not stick with what works?

Album Review

9. Nas: Untitled

With Nas, you’ll always get your lyrical content, that’s no surprise. The coin flip comes with production and well, the coin falls off the table and into that crack in the wall. We’ll never know the outcome of Nasir’s beat choice because they all change, but we are rattled with the frustration of shotty, tacky production and a limited and seemingly lazy conceptual album. It could’ve been so much more.

Album Review

8. Madlib: WLIB AM King of the Wigflip

With Madlib, it’s really hit and miss. This was the latter. Some tracks bang, but others bore to a ridiculous flop. It’s a really painful listen at times and to listen to a Madlib album is to do an ear workout when you really don’t want to.

Album Review

7. Buckshot & 9th Wonder: The Formula

The “chemistry” still isn’t there. 9th’s beats limit Buck and degrade him to this overly sensitive MC; one who is much too laid back. We get no fire from Buck and we get no bangers from 9th (at least not the amount that we are used to). It was a gradual upgrade from their previous effort, but there is still a lot of work in the lab to be done.

Album Review

6. Fakts One: Long Range

I don’t know what’s more disappointing, how mediocre this album was with all the talent behind it or the lack of attention it got from just about everyone (check the 0 comments on my review). With names like BCC, Little Brother and J-Live, you’d expect a great album; unfortunately, those aforementioned names provide the only bright spots.

Album Review

5. Pete Rock: NY’s Finest

Wow. Is this the same guy who brought us all those classics? I mean, sure, there are some dope tracks on this, like 2 or 3, but when the track with Jim Jones is the strongest on the album, there’s a problem. Pete on the microphone is worse than ever and his production sounds like he’s trying to fit in with the cool kids at recess. See that double entendre there? That’s better than just about any PR lyric on the album.

4. Immortal Technique: The 3rd World

Perhaps this album needs to be taken with a grain of salt or a ton of liquor. There are two ways of looking at it: one, a ridiculously in depth political look at this and that or two, what Revolutionary Vol. 2 would’ve sounded like without any inspiration or creativity. It’s bland and it’s sad because I really like Immortal Technique. This was a bore.

3. LL Cool J: Exit 13

Apparently, this was supposed to be LL’s big coming back to hardcore party. It was still very Modern-LL. I saw no change, and we got the same old jargon from Ladies Love and less of this fiery Mama Said LL that was being talked about. It’s one of the worst albums of the year by an acclaimed Hip Hop legend.

2. KRS One: Adventures in Emceeing & Maximum Strength 2008

KRS struck out twice this year. Adventures is the worse of the two because Maximum Strength had plenty of flashes of brilliance, but still, that’s still no excuse to drop not one, but two terrible albums in one year. The production has never been worse and KRS has no sense of direction with a particular sound or style. This is my favorite rapper of all time people, understand my pain.

1. Large Professor: The Main Source

You could go over to some websites and see them talk about how much they loved this album. Frankly, I think this is one of the saddest displays I’ve ever seen this year. Large Pro has never ever had direction in terms of emceeing; he was always rather fun and free-flowing, because, of course, no one could stop him- he was Extra P. Aside from two very good tracks, this album is loaded with about 15 other pathetic tracks including the beautifully craptacular, “Large Pro Says.” No excuses.

Album Review

Honorable Mentions

Vast Aire: Deuces Wild
C.R.A.C.: The Piece Talks
Jean Grae & 9th Wonder: Jeanius,
Del the Funky Homosapian: The 11th Hour
D.I.T.C: The Movement

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Thomas

Of course you know….I firmly believe #9 shouldn’t be on this list. Great great great album. I may be the only person that believes that, but I’m in my own world at times. Peep the video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-9bN06SajpM

This is all you need to know about this album and its content. Too bad Nas didn’t come up with the idea.

9th and Buck most disappointing….not sure about that one. I agree Buck doesn’t sound the best over 9th production….its too laid back for him, but its a good listen.

The last 4 or 5 song’s on the Luda joint are good.

LL’s joint was trash. I enjoyed Large Pro’s joint.

9th and Jean Grae? I know the material was old…but it was fresh sounding to me (cause I never heard it before).

Skills ‘Million Dollar Backpack’ was lackluster for me.

Disappointing album for me is NO new Jay album.
jhaze

I would have to disagree with the Buckshot thing, Buckshot is a bad rapper, very monotone and boring. No beat will change that. 9th had some bangers on there, as he always has but the same story will always go with a Buckshot solo effort. He just isnt good enough to carry an album 9th or no 9th. 9th’s track record and producing for bad artists speaks for it’s self and although i applaud him helping people get thier shine, most of the time it turns out bad. so I guess I’m saying the album isn’t disappointing, you maybe just expected something when you really shouldnt have.
http://kevinnottingham.com Kevin

Yeah, I actually liked The Formula better than Chemistry. 9th had some good beats, but I don’t think Buckshot could keep up. Everything else, pretty much disappointing… although, you know I’m one of those that likes the Large Pro (we’ll go back and forth). To me, Nas should be number one on this list. Young Jeezy and T.I. are on the top of this list for me too. And I know I’m gonna be a lot of heat for this one, but I was pretty disappointed in Heltah Skeltah. Shoot me now!
http://theliberatorsofhiphop.com Matchz

And to think, here I am actually LIKING Theatre of the Mind
http://adotmccray.blogspot.com A Dot McCray

i’m not really feeling how absolutely corny Buckshot sounds at times…he’s like a grimy ass Mr. Rogers…beats always bang though, except that beat with the girl on the hook and he samples Curtis Mayfield, that whole song is type asscheeks
http://hitsfromtheblog0322.blogspot.com dom corleone

I do agree with most of this list but, I’m sorry, I loved Nas’ album despite the production.

Also, Pete Rock’s album is better than most this year strictly because of his beats.. Did you hear “Til I Retire,” “Best Believe,” “Comprehend,” or “Bring Y’all Back”? That Jim Jones jam is one of the mediocre tracks, quit buggin! LOL

Overall this list is dope.
Dr. MaD

I spent money for 6 of these 10 albums !!! xD
well gotta be agree with madlib, 9th and Nas but…good albums anyway its just not at their full potencial..
kc0075

i jus wanna say iv really njoyd these lists, av bin gr8 readin.
nas’ production was off again, hes neva got it truly right, thodd track on his albums but no consistency.
the otha albums iv listened 2 bits of but not impressed greatly.
http://www.youtube.com/CenzoDaKillah Cenzo

all in all, the legends have to get back to their old condition. it’s crazy man.
http://www.myspace.com/beatsby20 20 keys

As far as the top 10 goes, I’m agree with you. Jeanius being in the honorable mentions is crazy though. That album has been in my iPod for over a year now. Jean is a monster. I’m hoping it’s there because of the whole release date fiasco.
Will

Kev – I expected some editorial control as I know you liked the Large Pro album as do I lol. I would have personally had the Common album on this list – not a terrrible album but a disappointment compared to the previous 2 albums. I agree on Nas, but am too much of a Pete Rock fan to place him on such a list – the man can do no wrong in my eyes! lol.
Well written summary Deez.
Phil

I can agree with most of this list except number 9. Minus the obligatory radio singles, the album was fire. And “Jeanius”? Uh uh. That was a great piece of work top to bottom. You forgot your meds on that one, buddy.

After hearing large pro’s album, I was convinced that dude could easily make the best East Coast compilation album that Pete Rock can’t seem to make, lol…Pete cheated me out of a complete Redman song on that album, and some of his choices for features were just terrible. Still give the LP a good C+ tho.
http://kevinnottingham.com Kevin

I think the reason why a lot of people see Jeanius as a disappointment is because the original leaked version was so much better. The released version just seemed too polished.

Yeah Will, I could have pulled Large Pro from the list, but I respect Deez’s opinion.

Pete Rock’s was def a disappointment.
http://www.j2fpromotions.wordpress.com joeytoofresh

Man Kanye’s Album should of been Number 1..Rappers who think they can sing using the Vocorder for a whole album is just whack…Ludacris’s album should not be on this list
the production is nuts and he is on some real shit..re-review this list please lol
skeme

i def agree with the PETE ROCK,MADLIB,FAKTS ONE,IMMORTAL TECHNIQUE as been disappointments..i was lookin forward to those albums..more disappoinments..VAST-AIRE “dueces wild”,SKILLZ “million dollar backpack”,GRAND AGENT “adult contemporary”, RZA “digi snacks..
drewj

FIRST OF ALL…9th & BUCKSHOT ?? COME ON DAWG… I THINK THAT HEADS ARE STILL WAITING FOR THAT 92 “WHO GOT THE PROPS” BUCKSHOT AND IT’S NOT GONNA HAPPEN. IT’S OVER. FORGET ABOUT IT. BUCK IS STILL BETTER THAN 80% OF THESE DUDES. I DON’T GET CAUGHT UP IN THE LAID BACK DELIVERY. DUDE STILL HAS LYRICS. SECONDLY, LARGE PRO HAS NEVER BEEN AN OVER THE TOP EMCEE. THAT WAS APPARENT WHEN HE KICKED THAT “MAMMAJAHAMBO” LINE BACK IN THE DAY, BUT THE DUDES ENERGY,PASSION,AND HIS BEATS MORE THAN MAKE UP FOR THAT. LAST BUT NOT LEAST, SEAN DEEZ NEEDS TO STOP SMOKIN’ THAT DUST FOR EVEN THINKING ABOUT PUTTING “JEANIUS” ON THIS LIST. HONORABLE MENTION OR NOT. SO WHAT IF IT’S OLD MATERIAL. THAT ALBUM BANGS AND YOU CAN’T DENY THAT. PLUS JEAN CAN RHYME HER ASS OFF. IT COULD BE THE MOST GARBAGE TRACK EVER KNOWN TO MAN AND SHE’LL STILL SHINE.
http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

jhaze
Posted December 31, 2008 at 9:56 am | Permalink

I would have to disagree with the Buckshot thing, Buckshot is a bad rapper, very monotone and boring. No beat will change that.

- I think I just lost all hope for anything in life…
http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

Guys, I’m loving all the comments and I’m trying to read and respond to each and every one of them

Keep going at it… Love that you guys love the lists
http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

To answer to Will and any others saying Common/Kanye on the list

It wasn’t disappointing, because you knew it was coming. My definition of Disappointing depends on plenty of elements surrounding it.
http://myspace.com/remotmusic Deez

the large pro was awwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwful

holy smokes
http://cantstopfanatics.blogspot.com/ nofrillz

deez is right, large pro was reeeeeeaL BAD. JEAN GRAE & 9TH is nice in my view though & 2 or 4 beats apart (especially the 1st one) 9th ^ buck was a bit of a let down too. right on the miney about luda & everything else too in my view.
Mike

I have to whole heartedly agree with KRS-ONE. He is my favorite emcee and I have stopped checking for him and it is heartbreaking to me. After “the mixtape” album I think everything has been below average material. BDP changed my life and I have always been loyal but every new KRS joint I hear is terrible. Especially the production. There is nothing wrong with helping new producers and putting people on but make sure their ish is blazing and tight. It has been a sad thing to me for a while now… I really disliked the Marley Marl and Krs joint… just disappointing.
BC

The TI album, the Jeezy album, any mixtape from Lil Wayne.

Oh. And American Gangster, i know that dropped in December, so thats technically last 12 months?
http://www.djbozo.com DJ Bozo

I have the utmost respect for KRS-One, LL Cool J & Nas as MC’s but, honestly, when either one of ‘em drops an album, I always look the other way. Call me a hater, but that’s just what I do. I get the feeling that even if Nas were to drop an “all production by Primo” album, he’d still come off weak.

Anywho, I agree, for the most part, with this list for the albums I have/listened to. I haven’t heard the Fakts One album and The 3rd World is starting to grow on me. I’m a huge Madlib fan and I can’t believe this album is on the list but I haven’t really been feeling it so maybe you’re right.

Excellent post Sean!
http://www.kevinnottingham.com Samuel Blackwell

this is fucking crazy u gonna put 9th wonder & buckshot, large professor, madlib, nas, and luda. u people dont know the true values of hip especially underground, cuz yall gonna separate truth from fake music. thats y dis country is blinded wit racism n confusion towards da whole world 2 c. i will always remember da artists i listen 2 dat talk bout real shit n dis fucking spoiled country. n i hope people will one day realize da true hip hop wit sum of these artists dat have successful consistent careers n dey dont care if people judge dem cuz dey don play der music on da radio anyway, jus dat fake shit of other unknown artists wit no talent. so i think dis is a disgraced how hip hop is dying slowly every year cuz of the mainstream bullshit out der. bet 2 me is da cancer of hip hop.
Sean Deez

thanks for that really weird post Sam
Thomas

“even if Nas were to drop an “all production by Primo” album, he’d still come off weak.”

The most ridiculous thing I have heard all year. You skim through music my friend.

Please.
http://wordisbondage.blogspot.com Ackronym

@ thomas

co-sign on that. an all producted primo CD would atomic bomb hip hop to the stratosphere, believe that.

anyways, most of this list I agree with. Ludacrise was aiight, big ups to him workin with preem tho, the KRS album with marley marl was sadly subpar, and i LOVE KRS no doubt.

At least Q-tip is holdin it down as a vet.

word is bond.
http://wordisbondage.blogspot.com Ackronym

produced*
http://wordisbondage.blogspot.com Ackronym

ludacris*
http://kevinnottingham.com Thomas

Nas will probably never have more than 2 tracks from Preemo from here on out.

I thought T.I.’s joint was a good commercial album. Jeezy has grown on me. With Pete Rock I was looking for that Soul Survivor sound and didn’t find it. Had some good tracks though.

I hate to admit it, but RZA’s joint let me down. I’m still waiting for The Cure. I like it at first, but after a few listens it didn’t sound the same.
http://kevinnottingham.com Kevin

Yeah, RZA was a let down for me too, as well as the EPMD.
Young K

bro there is some good albums on this list man… what about kanye? what about common? those weren’t dissapointments to you? Nas album was about 100x better than Kanye’s. My list would look a lot different then yours. I saw Nas cd get number 1!! on a lot of other lists for TOP 10 hip hop albums of 2008. This aint a good look to me.
jayski

Gotta disagree with Nas and Luda on the list two great albums to me. I wouldn’t put Kanye on the list I already knew what to expect when I copped the album…him singing. I would put Common on the list after Finding Forever was one of my favorite albums. I would put Weezy album as one of the most overrated albums though.
Purefire

Wouldn’t mind seeing a top 30 list. There’s way more garbage out there than that…
http://www.myspace.com/djsoulclap SoulClap

LL Cool J was very wack, 2 or 3 cool joints, the rest was garbage!
oscar guerrero

The Madlib and PR albums could of been better, but I don’t know what the writer is talking about, that Extra P album had some bangerz. It had that 90′s feel to it.
http://www.therealfrequency.com Vatkeezy

I am so glad Large Pro is #1 on this LOL! BY FAR the worst album of the year, with the worst titles for songs ever created. Someone please explain WTF a “Classic Emergency” is. Nas and Luda don’t belong on this list, should have been replaced with Kanye and Common. I’m also glad to see Madlib on there, I couldn’t believe how bad the album was… and I love Madlib. Nice work Deez!
Ross Burrell

I’m surprised to see The Formula and Jeanius on the list. Buckshot is just too monotone. He shows no emotion. This was some of 9th best productions, maybe they should have been used with another artist. Jeanius was a great album, every beat fit with Jean’s flow. Luda’s and LL’s albums did suck but i’m really surprised that Kanye did not make the list.
Sean Deez

I should’ve explained why Common and Kanye weren’t on this list.

some of 9th’s best production ross? *Throws LB’s discog and all 3 Murs projects at you*
trapperjohnmd

Definitely disagree with Nas and 9th Wonder & Buckshot. It’s some hard joints on The Formula. ONe of my fav albums. The beats on Untitled could’ve been better, but all around dope. That Pete Rock album was dope as well. Large Pro album was ill to me
Ray

WHAT THE F HAPPENED TO 808S AND HEARTBREAK it was definately not on the Kanye Level
Preem

10, 8, 7 shouldnt be on this list imo. The Formula and the Lib were two of my top 20 fav albums of the year, especially the Formula. And this is one of the few Luda albums I consider above avg.
Young K

this should be on the top 10 list of worst top 10 lists.
Victor

What about Lone Catalyst Square Biz?
mike

Nas should not be on there. Untitled was a great ablum, yes the lyricism wasnt as good as illmatic or God’s send but none the less.
http://www.rapcredits.com Thomas

Bump, bump, bump!
yo_mutha

“this should be on the top 10 list of worst top 10 lists.”

That was easily the greatest thing I’ve heard all day, and I agree wholeheartedly. Thank you sir.

@Deez: You have horrible taste. I just spent 2 hours on the blog and every one of your lists are trash.

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Top 10 Most Disappointing Albums of 2008

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