In hip hop, the remake or cover song has been somewhat taboo in many cases. There is a very thin line between whether someone is biting or paying homage. While covers & remakes are widespread in other genres, you see this done less often in hip hop. As the years go on, more seem to pop up as the urge to pay homage to the legends rises. When done right, a track can become a well done tribute to a classic as well as become its own unique song. I’ve compiled what I feel are the 10 best remakes in hip hop (along with a few honorable mentions). Don’t be silent though, let us know whether you agree, disagree or what you think should be on the list in the comments section.
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The following list is of albums the staf here at KN.com is looking forward to. The list is in alphabetical order as we are not ranking these. The list includes some major label and independent artist/groups as well.
We included some tentative release dates, but we know how reliable they are. If we missed something hit the comments and let us know what you are anticipating this coming year.
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Happy New Year and welcome to 2010! After our many lists of 2009 from yesterday, I wanted to take a moment and recap the 2000’s, since we are now in a new decade. What started off as a Top 10 list, turned quickly into a Top 20, and then just really got out of control. So instead of a “list,” I’ve decided to just pay homage to my personal favorite albums of the past decade. Some are obvious, some are more underground. In no particular order, the follow albums prove that hip hop was very much alive in the 2000’s.
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It was very tough to narrow these down but here we have the top 25 songs of 2009. The one thing we definitely agreed on – Jay Electronica’s “Exhibit C” is #1. We have a wide range of artists making the list here so check out our picks and let us know what you think!
NOTE: This list was compiled by myself & Thomas.
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Kevin: This list was sort of tough for me as most of the music I listened to this year were actually free releases. Because we have a separate list for those, I didn’t want to include any here. Then we also have a separate list for smaller releases, so this list is more or less for more major hip hop releases. Though a lot of albums on my list are still underground, I felt they deserved Top 10 recognition. I broke it down by albums that I actually bought and then further by albums that got constant rotation.
Justin: OB4CL2 is the easy choice for me, Rae matched the high expectations that came with all the delays and the name of this LP. Cyne created another gem and Fashawn gave us a great debut. Max Minelli capped off a busy 09 with his long awaited Pain Medicine and the legendary lyricist K-Rino may have created one of his best albums in Solitary Confinement.
Thomas: A Pipe Dream and a Promise is probably the best album no one has heard of. The album dropped in April 09 and seven months later still sounds fresh. The neck snapping tracks mesh perfectly with Finale’s rhymes. A burner from start to finish.
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Kevin: There may be a lot of albums Justin, Thomas and myself disagree on, but one that we do agree with is that Rakim had the most disappointing album of 2009. Rounding out the rest of my Top 10 were albums that I was eagerly awaiting but ended up being very disappointing at the end result.
Justin: The God Emcee returned and off the strength of “Holy Are You”, looked poised to succeed. In the end, 7th Seal fizzled and have you wishing Rakim had given a call to Premo. The idea of Slaughterhouse had many fans drooling BUT their group effort & solos from Royce & Budden didn’t live up to the hype. Busta Rhymes proved his album title correct as he gave us nothing but B.S. on his latest album. Stoupe of Jedi Mind Tricks gave heads a solo album they’d been looking for yet provided some of his most lackluster production in his career.
Thomas: The God Emcee did the unthinkable…he made a bad album. From the rhymes, the hooks, to the beats…it wasn’t a well put together album. Guru and Busta are normally trend setters, but followed the trends with their latest releases. The CNN album lacked the previous chemistry between the two emcees and Charles Hamilton dropped a dope “mixtape” (Pink Lavalamp), then made that dud of an album This Perfect Life. I may be the only person in internet land upset about this!
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2009’s Top 10 Posse Cuts is clearly dominated by Raekwon and with OB4CL2 full of them, that’s no surprise. Sean Price also makes a major presence with 3 songs he is featured on included in the list. Alchemist & L.E.G.A.C.Y.’s posse tracks were the shining moments on both their albums and each lands in the top 3. Check out the complete list along with a few honorable mentions after the jump.
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Thomas: Joell Ortiz has ripped every song he has been featurned on this year. From his guest spots, freestyles, Slaughterhouse group album, to his own mixtapes; he has dropped a wack verse yet this year. If you don’t believe me peep: “Sound Off” and “Crime Wave Freestyle.” Sean Price, Sha Stimuli, Raekwon, and Fashawn all get top 5 nods as they all displayed great lyricism on the various projects/mixtapes they were featured on.
Justin: Raekwon, see the trend yet? The star of Chamber Music, the string of dope mixtapes & guest spots and the album of the year make The Chef the emcee of 09. Max Minelli nearly matched Rae with the output and rightfully gets the #2 spot. Cyne’s Cise Star & K-Rino land in the top 5 for their amazing performances on their respective albums.
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Kevin: This is a list that I hold near and dear to my heart. It was a close call between Exile and Oddisee for me. Oddisee was obviously one of the hardest working producers this year with his own solo album, his work as Diamond District, and his numerous instrumental EPs. Exile on the other hand had a great year with Fashawn’s Boy Meets World and his own instrumental album, Radio. Statik Selektah was real close as well, as he also delivered consistently great hip hop.
Justin: Producing all of SJV1 & most of SJV2, Kno is the clear #1 choice as he continues to cement his spot as one of the best in the game. Exile laced Fashawn, King I Divine delivered bangers to a variety of artists and G.C. was possibly the hardest working man behind the boards this year. Tokyo Cigar had a few credits to start the year but ended it with a ended it with a BANG with the psychedelic production on Left of The Scenery.
Thomas: All of the producers on my list provided some impressive board work. DJ Khalil blessed the Clipse and Fabolous with heat rocks as did Oddisee for A Pipe Dream and a Promise, In the Ruff, Mental Liberation, and his impressive EP’s. Exile, Sean C & LV, and Best Kept Secret deserve notice as they provided tracks for Fashawn, Ghost/Clipse/Fabolous, and Wale respectively. Big shout out to G.C., Tokyo Cigar, and Small Professor as well.
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2009 brought a lot of successful comebacks to the hip hop game. This year gave us the reemergence of Mos Def & Souls Of Mischief as well as the return of southern mainstays like B.G., Big Mike & Trick Daddy. Slick Rick made it known he’s still got it with show stealing verses on The Ecstatic & Dynas’ The Apartment. Del The Funky Homosapien rebounded from a disappoiting 2008 with his free album and a collaboration with Tame One. After years of delays, Raekwon finally delivered his long awaited Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 as well as releasing a few mixtapes & contributing to Chamber Music. Fellow Wu member Inspectah Deck also experienced a resurgence with his standout verses on OB4CL2, Chamber Music and his diss of Joe Budden. Check out the top 10 after the jump.
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Kevin: Most of these EPs just left me wanting for a full length album… the music was that good. For me, Statik Selektah gets the top spot for coming through after his full length album, 100 Proof, got delayed til next year. If this is just the Pre Game, I can’t wait to hear what else he’s got!
Justin: Max Minelli gave Pre-Med to us as a preview but maybe even topped his own album. Strange Fruit Project reassembled for a dope EP and Ohini Jonez told his trials & tribulations on Ikarus Fell. King I Divine contributed to 2 of the best EP’s of the year from BLCTXT & Tito Lopez. Slum Village overcame a tragedy in the death of Baatin to end the year on a high note with Villa Manifesto.
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Kevin: If anything killed the music industry in 2009, it was the free album. I mean, why pay for mediocre music, when there is an abundance of quality music available legally for free? Every single album on my list, I would personally pay the artist money for it.
Justin: 09 was the year of the free album to me. In a toss up for #1, G-Side took Huntsville International while Tokyo Cigar & Cyclops joined forces to become The Plexiglass Fountain. Duos dominate the top 10 as Diz Gibran & Moonshine, Hawdwerk & Jansport J, MaG & G.C. and Count Bass D & DJ Pocket all make the cut.
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The music video has become somewhat overlooked in the digital age but 2009 had some impressive videos. The cream of the crop came from the west coast as People Under The Stairs & Zion I created the top videos of the year. PUTS’ came with a 1980’s Japanese show concept for “Trippin At The Disco” while Zumbi & Amp Live had one of the most unique videos I’ve seen but it perfectly matched the frenetic pace of “Geek To The Beat.” Check out the entire top 10 list after the jump.
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Kevin: Every album in my Top 10 deserves the number one spot, as they all stayed in constant rotation all year long; most more than other major releases.
Justin: New Orleans emcee Lyrikill made the best album you didn’t hear. Al Great teamed with Heist for a prized release that went under the radar. Longtime Ghostface affiliate Trife Da God took awhile but finally released a solo album which showed he could hold his own. Illogic’s album may be overlooked but the Weightless artist showcased his lyricism with the help of Ill Poetic.
Thomas: Suicide Music is only 33 minutes long, but L.E.G.A.C.Y.’s dark and twisted rhymes along with Khrysis’ dark backdrops leaves the listener wanting more. Another banger from start to finish.
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A string of new artists emerged this year led by the success of Fashawn. Arriving on people’s radar last year with guest appearances & mixtapes, Fashawn teamed with producer Exile for his debut & one of the best albums of the year - Boy Meets World. Baltimore’s Al Great may not have been well known but his debut The Heist showed that should change soon. Suga City helped proved Arkansas has talent while Pill & Freddie Gibbs made names for themselves throughout the net. With that said, it’s time to reveal the top 10 new artists of 09.
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