Top 10 Albums 2005
My Top 10 list of albums for the year ran in the Straight today. If you are too lazy to click on the link (which I often am when I'm reading blogs), here's the titles in no particular order:
Kanye West Late Registration
In the man’s own words: “I didn’t do no sophomore slump/I did the sophomore Jordan jump”.
John Legend Get Lifted
Legend is the only dude in urban music who can make lines like “You can’t say I don’t love you just ’cause I cheat on you” and “I keep strapped up when I sleep around” sound hopelessly romantic.
50 Cent The Massacre
I hated on 50’s sophomore disc when I reviewed it earlier this year. But I’m big enough to admit I was wrong. The Massacre just gets better and better with time. Infectious hooks, bangin’ beats, and near-hypnotic rhymes make this an infinitely listenable outing, whether you love 50 or hate him.
Young Jeezy Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101
The hottest debut of 2K5, bar none. Repping for Atlanta, Jeezy is utterly compelling with his gritty thug tales, and his collabo with Akon, “Soul Survivor”, is easily the top street anthem of the year. Yeeaaahhh.
K’naan The Dusty Foot Philosopher
Somali-Canadian emcee K’naan’s stunning debut is making noise across the globe. With a distinctive voice (a sonic cross of Eminem and Bob Dylan), a witty sense of humour, a fresh perspective on American gangsta rap (“If I rhymed about home and got descriptive/I’d make 50 Cent look like Limp Bizkit”), and lots of heart, K’naan has fans from Africa to the Americas nodding their heads to his single “Soobax”.
Common Be
Following his ultra- bizarre release Electric Circus, Common is back to true Resurrection form, getting his grown man on with a collection of beautiful, insightful tracks. “Go” gets my vote for sexiest song of the year.
Smoxz Holy Smoxz
The most engaging rapper to emerge from Van City’s underground in years, Smoxz brings to the hip-hop table an arresting flow, an off-the-hook stage presence, penetrating lyrics, and seriously polished beats (courtesy of Stylust). His views on gangsta rap are real talk: “If you ever met a thug, then it’s nothin’ you want to be”. I have big hopes for this MC.
The Game The Documentary
Although it’s true that Dr. Dre protégé the Game isn’t the most skilled rapper ever to spit rhymes, it’s undeniable that he has something unique to offer. The dude is ardently, unabashedly in love with hip-hop, and it’s kinda refreshing. Plus, the beats on his debut are bananas.
Bocafloja Jazzyturno
Mexican rapper Bocafloja handed me his disc at a concert in Venezuela and I haven’t been able to stop bumping it ever since. With stirring, whimsical beats and a flawless flow, Bocafloja bests the bulk of North American rappers out right now.
50 Cent Music From and Inspired by Get Rich or Die Tryin’ the Motion Picture
There’s a real simple reason why 50 is on top right now: he writes hot records. This album solidifies his King Shit status with a collection of scorchers featuring the G-Unit clique and recent signs Mobb Deep and M.O.P.
Kanye West Late Registration
In the man’s own words: “I didn’t do no sophomore slump/I did the sophomore Jordan jump”.
John Legend Get Lifted
Legend is the only dude in urban music who can make lines like “You can’t say I don’t love you just ’cause I cheat on you” and “I keep strapped up when I sleep around” sound hopelessly romantic.
50 Cent The Massacre
I hated on 50’s sophomore disc when I reviewed it earlier this year. But I’m big enough to admit I was wrong. The Massacre just gets better and better with time. Infectious hooks, bangin’ beats, and near-hypnotic rhymes make this an infinitely listenable outing, whether you love 50 or hate him.
Young Jeezy Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101
The hottest debut of 2K5, bar none. Repping for Atlanta, Jeezy is utterly compelling with his gritty thug tales, and his collabo with Akon, “Soul Survivor”, is easily the top street anthem of the year. Yeeaaahhh.
K’naan The Dusty Foot Philosopher
Somali-Canadian emcee K’naan’s stunning debut is making noise across the globe. With a distinctive voice (a sonic cross of Eminem and Bob Dylan), a witty sense of humour, a fresh perspective on American gangsta rap (“If I rhymed about home and got descriptive/I’d make 50 Cent look like Limp Bizkit”), and lots of heart, K’naan has fans from Africa to the Americas nodding their heads to his single “Soobax”.
Common Be
Following his ultra- bizarre release Electric Circus, Common is back to true Resurrection form, getting his grown man on with a collection of beautiful, insightful tracks. “Go” gets my vote for sexiest song of the year.
Smoxz Holy Smoxz
The most engaging rapper to emerge from Van City’s underground in years, Smoxz brings to the hip-hop table an arresting flow, an off-the-hook stage presence, penetrating lyrics, and seriously polished beats (courtesy of Stylust). His views on gangsta rap are real talk: “If you ever met a thug, then it’s nothin’ you want to be”. I have big hopes for this MC.
The Game The Documentary
Although it’s true that Dr. Dre protégé the Game isn’t the most skilled rapper ever to spit rhymes, it’s undeniable that he has something unique to offer. The dude is ardently, unabashedly in love with hip-hop, and it’s kinda refreshing. Plus, the beats on his debut are bananas.
Bocafloja Jazzyturno
Mexican rapper Bocafloja handed me his disc at a concert in Venezuela and I haven’t been able to stop bumping it ever since. With stirring, whimsical beats and a flawless flow, Bocafloja bests the bulk of North American rappers out right now.
50 Cent Music From and Inspired by Get Rich or Die Tryin’ the Motion Picture
There’s a real simple reason why 50 is on top right now: he writes hot records. This album solidifies his King Shit status with a collection of scorchers featuring the G-Unit clique and recent signs Mobb Deep and M.O.P.
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