Hip-Hop | Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums of 2013
Posted by admin on December 20, 2013
Ah, yes. It’s that time of the year again and although I’m sure your iTunes and Spotify playlists have been inundated with “Top Albums, Videos, Remixes, Puppy GIFS” etc. I figured, “why not add to the mix?”
With that go get ’em attitude in my mind, let me lay out some ground rules for how I decided and debated on this list. First off, this is the top hip-hop albums of 2013, that means no “Acid Rap”, no “Blue Chips”, no “1017 Thug”. There will be a list and a time for those to make their appearance, however, this collection of projects is strictly for artists who released their music in the form of a paid album.
I’m looking forward to sharing this collection with you all, but to be honest, I’m even more excited to have you all criticize me, and make me feel like a worthless nobody because of the albums I missed. So, be sure to toss in some offensive comments below!
Let’s get right in to it…
Hip-Hop | J.Cole – Let Nas Down (Remix ft. Nas)
Posted by dshaq on June 24, 2013
“It’s just part of the game, becoming a rap king, my N*%*a you aint let Nas down”
Just like Kanye did in “Big Brother” with No I.D. being his mentor, young Jermaine decided to serenade his own mentor is Nas. Being a good mentor and all, Nas decided to hop on the track and spit a couple verses to his prodigy. The beat is perfect for the track, bringing a very 90s sound that made it seem like one Nas would have used. Born Sinner is hands down my favorite project that came out the 18th so if you have yet to grab it, I highly suggest doing so! Cole World.
Hip-Hop | J. Cole — Crooked Smile (feat. TLC)
Posted by jeffwbaird on June 3, 2013
This is the one I’ve been eagerly anticipating, and boy was that with good reason. After dropping a b-side, “Niggaz Know”, over the weekend, Cole lets go of the second single, featuring none other than the two remaining members of TLC. In a message about the song Cole said that he’s kept his features on Born Sinner extremely limited, just getting singers (there are no rap features) to do what he loves them for—which is exactly what you get with TLC’s presence on this track. I said it before, and I’ll say it again, Cole just might out-do Kanye with this one. Not in regards to sales, obviously—but as far as content, this is sounding way more like Kanye’s College Dropout than anything I’ve heard since. Cole has that honesty and ability to articulate everyman struggles in a way that not too many rappers have mastered since young ‘Ye. It remains to be seen, but do yourself a favor and get this track while you wait.
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Hip-Hop | J. Cole — Niggaz Know
Posted by jeffwbaird on May 30, 2013
Cole dropped this one less than an hour ago, and I’m already hooked. I haven’t been as excited for an album as I am for Born Sinner in a long time. Let’s be honest, we all know (Cole included) that his debut was a disappointment, but it’s easy to tell from “Miss America” and “Power Trip” and “Cole Summer” (i.e. everything we’ve gotten since) that he’s back to what he does best. He’s got the lyrical dexterity, wordplay, and reflectiveness that makes for the best hip-hop, and he produces for himself, which always leads to an amazing fluidity in sound. I love Kanye, too—but my prediction is that Cole will bring the better album on June 18.
Hip-Hop | Mac Miller — Objects in the Mirror [Live]
Posted by jeffwbaird on May 30, 2013
In anticipation of his upcoming tour and sophomore album, Watching Movies With the Sound Off, due out June 18 (along with Kanye West’s Yeezus and J. Cole’s Born Sinner), Mac lets go of a video in which he performs a new Pharrell-produced cut from the album. While I haven’t always been a fan, he began to show a lot of growth on Macadelic after his disappointing debut, and this song shows that he’s likely headed in the same direction. It’s easy to forget when you watch “Donald Trump” that this 21-year-old is actually a multi-instrumentalist and a pretty gifted songwriter, too. Can’t wait for June 18.
Hip-Hop | J. Cole – Truly Yours EP
Posted by LoffyG on February 12, 2013
It’s been awhile since we’ve last heard any new material from J. Cole, so in light of that he just released this 5 track EP of unreleased material. This is what he had to say:
I appreciate you giving me the time I needed to grow, experiment, and find the direction for my 2nd album.. And I have.
Along the way I’ve recorded at least 4 albums worth of material, lots of it being unfinished demo versions waiting to be polished up, some of them are great songs and important stories that just won’t make the album (either they don’t fit Sonically, don’t fit Theme, or there’s just not enough space) .Tonight, I want to give you a few of these songs because you deserve them. It’s hard as fuck for me to keep all this music from you for so long, so I know it’s been hard for you to wait. Thank you for your patience. Vibe out to these songs in their raw form, no polish.. just a lot of my soul..
The wait is over.
Truly Yours,
Born Sinner
He also announced that his album “Born Sinner” is ready, claiming it’s his best work yet. The first single is set to release this week. Until then, sit back and listen. You can download the full EP and preview the last 4/5 tracks below!
DOWNLOAD: J. Cole – Truly Yours EP