Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of 2008

10. J-Live: Then What Happened?
 

• It may be one of the saddest things in hip hop when you hear that an artist as talented and as skillful as J-Live has only sold 100,000 records over his 5 album span. What’s even more upsetting is the number of people that still sleep on someone who is arguably one of the brightest and best lyricists out of the hip hop Mecca, New York. Whatever, it doesn’t slow down J and he continues to put out quality material like Then What Happened? Not sure what else the guy has to do, but whether it is taking care of production on his own, getting guest production from Oddisee, DJ Evil Dee, DJ Jazzy Jeff, DJ Spinna, and Nicolay, or dropping mad science, J-Live will never sell his soul for money or fame.

9. Akrobatik: Absolute Value
 

• It’s been a decade since Ak first stepped in the hip hop came, he makes this known on the intro track, “A to the K.” Not only is it hard to break out the way Ak did and continues to do, it is even harder to keep an album relevant at the end of the year when it came out in the first quarter of the year. Absolute Value had more than enough power to remain in the deck and get constant spins on the daily. With production from Illmind, 9th Wonder, J Dilla, Da Beatminerz, and J-Zone, it wasn’t hard to make this album sound good. What pushed it over the edge was Ak’s fearless lyricism and impeccable style. His technique on this album is a ten; fitting some very difficult beats to rap over and maintain the star of each and every track even with features ranging from B-Real, to Phonte, to Talib Kweli and Bumpy Knuckles.

8. DJ K.O.: Picture This…
 

• Criminally slept on. Criminally. This album contains one of the first times Royce and Elzhi ever got together to make that magic happen, K.O. heard it first and made it happen. Surely, that eye and ear for potential and success shouldn’t be slept on. Crafting together everything from the sequence of rappers, to the sequence of tracks, to the overall beat and product put out to gathering artists like Talib Kweli, Masta Ace, Diamond D, and O.C. to appear on the same album and in some cases the same track, K.O. does it all. Along with other releases this year, hip hop brought it back to the backbone of the industry, the DJ. The production is courtesy of super beatsmiths like Black Milk, 9th Wonder, Buckwild, Illmind, and Ayatollah. Nothing more should be said…check it out.

7. Statik Selektah: Stick to the Script
 

• What a year for Statik. He has asserted himself as one of the premier producers in hip hop and has made himself a household name in discussions surrounding the up and coming power of the genre. If his debut, Spell My Name Right, wasn’t enough for people to fess up, perhaps his unjinxed sophomore release will spurt more interest. Even if you wanted to step aside from Statik, check out the names on the album: Little Brother, M.O.P, CL Smooth, Redman, Bun B, and Talib Kweli. It doesn’t end there though. He blends the old school with the new school and crafts some remarkable joints that all combine perfect chemistry with perfect production and theme. Great album.

Album Review

6. Q-Tip: The Renaissance
 

• You may have remembered how harsh I was on this album when I first reviewed it. Through plenty of listens later, Tip’s live performance, and lots of research, it is evident that The Renaissance is easily a 4-5 star album. Q-Tip is undoubtedly hip hop’s comeback story and what better ways to do it then handle 95% of the production on your own album, get an assist from the late Dilla, and rap your heart out on tracks like “Dance on Glass” and “Renaissance Rap.” Key features from Raphael Saadiq, D’angelo, and Norah Jones all contribute to the soul and beauty that Tip wishes to display. It is indeed a Renaissancial album.

Album Review

5. Reks: Grey Hairs
 

• Top to bottom heat from Statik Selektah, DJ Premier, and Large Professor, Grey Hairs already had a lot backing it. A veteran of hip hop, Reks recently only sprung up on everybody’s radar, in large part to this masterful album. He is hungrier than ever and seemingly pissed off and frustrated. These traits make for some of the heaviest and energized tracks of 2008. One listen to the title track, “Say Goodnight,” and the crazily creative and perfectly executed “All in One” will not make you think twice about putting this album in your top 10.

Album Review

4. Atmosphere: When Life Gives You Lemons…
 

• There was little chance that this album wasn’t going to make the list, straight up. The beauty in this album can be found in the stories. Slug has cemented himself with some hip hop royalty as one of the best storytellers in the genre. The album comes with a storybook, tells a story through its song titles, and 15 songs (+ 2 bonus tracks) that each tell a story of its own. Whether it is “The Waitress,” where Slug raps from the perspective of a homeless man, or “The Skinny,” where he raps as an addictive pimp, a cigarette, Slug makes genius seem so easy. Ant is, as always, tremendous on production and, this time around, uses live instruments to perfect the craft. Each element of Lemons contributes to this tremendous piece of work and the continuously impressive catalogue that Atmosphere continues to develop.

Album Review

3. Black Milk: Tronic
 

• After the success and surprise of Popular Demand, there were extremely high expectations for Black Milk. What better way to exceed these expectations then become the undisputed Best Producer of the Year on nearly every relevant website and blog? Not to mention the fact that he managed to put Sean Price, Pharaohe Monch, and DJ Premier on the same track and make it sound as good it did. The praise doesn’t end with the production, fact is, Black’s microphone game is much improved; the flow, the lyrics, the style- everything has picked up. He’s about as focused as it can get and the rap world needs to pay attention to this Detroit juggernaut.

Album Review

2. The Roots: Rising Down
 

• Anytime a Roots album drops, they are undoubtedly perennial candidates for year end list in pretty much any category (as you have seen). Rising Down was risky to say the least; it was the darkest we’ve heard The Roots sound and the darkest we’ve heard Black Thought. It was also a continuous theme of The Roots becoming a whole large crew again, evident from the frequent number of guest spots from Malik B, Peedi Peedi, P.O.R.N, amongst others. These guest spots on Rising Down also turned out to be some of the bright verses of the year including ones from Mos Def, Styles P, and verse of the year candidate, Dice Raw (on “Get Busy”). “75 Bars” is arguably the best song of the year, but more over is the crafting around it. This album is a story from beginning to end and the genius of The Roots doesn’t seem to slow down. It’s now time for them to get some paper on The Jimmy Fallon show though, so get what you can here.

Album Review

1. Elzhi: The Preface
 

• This album truly doesn’t hit you until further down the road. It isn’t until the 3rd or 4th listen that you begin catching onto the brilliance of “Colors” or “Guessing Game.” It isn’t until the 4th or 5th listen that you begin to further appreciate “Talking in my Sleep” or “Transitional Joint.” Still, tracks like “Hands Up” and “Motown 25″ hit you right off the bat. The entire disc, except for 2 tracks, is produced by Black Milk and even then, T3 and DJ Dez hook Elzhi up with great tracks. A guest spot from Royce and a jam packed “Fire” remix sweetens the deal. It’s a complete album from head to toe loaded with lyrical passion, persuasion, annihilation, and comprehension. It’s a lesson in emceeing taught by arguably the best emcee of the last 2 years. Don’t miss out on what is a very, very special LP. 

Album Review

Honourable Mentions:

Johnson&Jonson: Johnson&Jonson | Album Review

• Great album. Blu continues to evolve but also continues to jump around on tracks a bit. Once he finds his niche, he will be right on point. Mainframe’s production is sufficient, but it is obvious who this album is about. 

EMC: The Show

• The album doesn’t sacrifice its length to get across the theme. Loaded with great tracks, EMC fires up an album that got overlooked by many. Plenty of guest spots behind the boards and on the mic though. Definitely worth a check. 

Murs: Murs For President | Album Review / Murs & 9th Wonder: Sweet Lord | Album Review

• Hard to split up these two. One is great lyrically and the other has great production and great chemistry. Regardless, both are dope albums with Murs delivering rhymes in typical Murs fashion and branching out lyrically to only a higher level.

Heltah Skeltah: D.I.R.T. | Album Review

• Punchline city. Some of the most vicious and hard hitting lines of the year appear from the classic duo. It was a great comeback too and Rock still shows that he can duke it out.

Shad: The Old Prince | Album Review

• One of the most refreshing listens of the year. Shad is certainly one to watch out for, and with a good head on his shoulders, the future is bright for him. Some of the best lyrics to come out of Canada in the last decade come from The Old Prince

88 Keys: The Death of Adam | Album Review

• Even though it wasn’t what it was after the first listen, The Death still proved to be an entertaining album. The shocking story twist was cool and the production was great for the most part. Kanye backing it up certainly helped it out a tad bit too, but it was great to see one of the most under rated producers in hip hop finally get out there on his own.

Cymarshall Law & Mr. Joeker: Hip Hop in the Soul | Album Review

• This album was without a doubt the biggest surprise to grace my inbox this year. Big ups to Aubrey (Cy’s manager) for hooking this up and opening up my ears to one of the best LP’s on the underground circuit this year. The production is seemingly flawless at times and Cy is so energized and anxious; it is great.

Nicolay & Kay: Time:Line | Album Review

• Nicolay rarely drops bad material. Kay is sufficient; he isn’t a Phonte, but it certainly is a refreshing listen at times due to its very alive and emotional feel.

Gza: Pro Tools

• I was a little skeptical after the 50 Cent beef and stuff, but “Paper Plates” was pretty dope. You wouldn’t expect Gza to lower himself and do that stuff though. Regardless, the album is dope for the most part. Some intellectual rhymes and great production; what more do you want?

Killer Mike: I Pledge Allegiance to the Grind II

• Congrats to Killer for winning HHDX’s “Album of the Year” award. It is tremendously well deserved. The reason why it didn’t make the top 10 is not because of its lack in quality, but its lack in replay value. It is extremely intense and essentially drains you. The first few listens will blow any listener away though and Killer certainly earns that part of his name. The album is great.