Coming to a city near you….or not. Regardless, if you’ve never had the luxury of attending a live Atmosphere show then you know it’s worth the price of admission and then some. West Coasters, enjoy.
Jul 172012
Jun 082012
Some new jams from Freddie Gibbs, Mac Miller and Big K.R.I.T. More substantially, a revisit to Nas’ Hip-Hop Is Dead, DMX’s It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot and UGK’s legendary album Ridin’ Dirty. Pay special attention to Kendrick Lamar’s stellar opening verse on Birdman and Mack Maine’s “B Boyz”.
Jun 052011
We’ve got 70 for you this time; the best of the best hip hop tracks from the past two months. Pretty damn extensive list, but if you think I missed any let me or dharis know on twitter (@dflanz, @AllMyHeadMusic). Download links for most; other ones you can listen to on youtube or buy.
- I can’t even imagine what beats J. Cole is saving for himself if he’s giving away ones like this, and this. Along with Cole, Kendrick is right up there as one of the best young rappers in the game. This might be the best song he’s dropped to date.
2. I’m On One (Featuring Drake, Rick Ross & Lil’ Wayne) – DJ Khaled
- Already beginning to be played out on the radio, but there’s no denial that this song is a jam. Love that Drake is sticking with the producers that have always brought out the best in him (40), contrary to what Wiz Khalifa has turned to (Stargate tracks over Johnny Juliano on Rolling Papers???).
- Zero Heroes is my favorite mixtape of the year so far, hands down. Truly great songs top to bottom; this one’s my favorite along with “Smallville”.
4. Oh My (Featuring Fabolous, Wiz Khalifa & Roscoe Dash) – DJ Drama
- Roscoe completely steals this show as he outshines mediocre verses from both Fab & Wiz. Despite an abundance of corny lines, “Oh My” bumps harder than any other song that dropped in the past 2 months. Click the link to watch the extremely dope video.
5. Tron Cat – Tyler, The Creator
- The best song on Goblin. Tyler spits for four minutes showing off some impressive rhyme schemes over a pounding, twisted beat he made himself.
May 032011
For those unaware, Rhymesayers is one of the top underground labels in the game. Originating in Minnesota, the labels features the likes of Atmosphere, Brother Ali, Eyedea & Abilities, Freeway, Evidence, P-OS and MF Doom. The label has done a great job of keeping its artists out of the limelight while simultaneously producing some of the best hip-hop over the past decade. Take a look at this list and download all these tracks.
Jan 202011
Intro; 100-91, 90-81, 80-71, 70-61, 60-51, 50-41, 40-31
The list dedicated to the best hip hop music of last decade is back. These next 30 albums are the real gems of 2000-2009; they range from chart-topping to relatively unknown, but each one deserves a spot in your music collection.
30. Fishscale - 2006 – Ghostface Killah
This is why Ghost is my favorite Wu-Tang member. Not only did he rip shit in the 90′s when Wu was on top of the hip-hop world, but he continued to make dope albums on the regular into the next decade. The beat selection on Fishscale is impeccable; Ghost knew what he was doing working with the likes of Just Blaze & Pete Rock, as well as grabbing instrumentals from Dilla’s Donuts and MF DOOM’s Metal Fingers albums. He continues the trend of rapping straight up over old school soul songs which he started on The Pretty Toney Album on standout “Big Girl”, and heads a successful Wu-Tang reunion on “9 Milli Bros.”.
Top Tracks: The Champ | Shakey Dog | 9 Milli Bros.
29. S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. – 2005 – One Be Lo
Binary Star’s OneManArmy (or One Be Lo) released his second solo project in 2005, proving that he can stand alone as a very capable MC. From the moment the disc starts it’s hard to stop listening to One, who sports an enticing flow along with clever lyrics and socially relevant subject matter. This CD didn’t sell as well, or get as much acclaim as most other albums on this list, which is sad but makes sense. Independent artists with something to say don’t always make it to the charts, but there is certainly space for rappers like One Be Lo on your iPod.
Top Tracks: Axis | Used 2 Be Fly | enecS eht no kcaB
Dec 182010
This is a very interesting article. Most of the songs are true hip-hop songs. Much respect to them for spittin J. Cole’s name all over this. Other notables on the list include, 7L and Esoteric, Nas and Atmosphere. Take a read here.
Oct 212010
At the Smokeout tour in San Bernadino, the Minnesota duo ripped the stage. Check it out.
Aug 232010
60. O.S.T. – 2002 – People Under The Stairs
Thes One and Double K are arguably the best crate diggers we have in the game today, as well as two of the best rapping beat makers. They fly under the radar yet produce nothing but quality hip hop, with their 2002 release being the best of P.U.T.S.’s career.
Top Tracks: Acid Raindrops | Empty Bottles of Water | The L.A. Song
59. Tha Carter II - 2005 – Lil’ Wayne
Between Tha Carter, which showed hip hop fans that Lil’ Wayne could actually spit, and Tha Carter III, which made Lil’ Wayne arguably the biggest pop star in the country, Tha Carter II helped heat up the winter of ’05-’06. This is where Wayne started to really expand his sound, not that he had any choice with the departure of Mannie Fresh from Cash Money, and we get a very enjoyable album as the result.
Top Tracks: Best Rapper Alive | Fireman | Reciept
Aug 212010
80. The Grind Date – 2004 – De La Soul
The legendary De La showed they were still relevant in ’04, with the help of 00′s underground stars like Dilla, Madlib and MF Doom. Dave & Pos showed no rust, bringing classic golden age hip hop to a new era of listeners.
Top Tracks: Rock Co. Cane Flow (Featuring MF Doom) | Verbal Clap | He Comes (Featuring Ghostface Killah)
79. When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold – 2008 – Atmosphere
The Minneapolis duo went a bit of a different direction with their latest full-length, slowing it down and going with a more electronic feel, but the result is one of their all-time best efforts. More of the serious side of Slug here, but again not a bad thing.
Top Tracks: Wild Wild Horses | Shoulda Known | Can’t Break
Aug 202010
90. The Tipping Point – 2004 – The Roots
The most air-time Black Thought’s ever gotten over a full CD, and the album thrives because of it. Check out the BDK/Kool G Rap impressions on Boom!; the man can spit. You can’t go wrong with any Roots material but this is a stand out.
Top Tracks: Guns Are Drawn | Star/Pointro | Boom!
89. The Format - 2006 – AZ
AZ get’s some of the freshest production of his career, with help from Emile, J. Cardim, DJ Premier & Statik Selektah. Just another reason why he should be considered one of the best ever, but rarely gets that recognition.
Top Tracks: The Format | Get High | Animal