So here we are... already a quarter of the way thru 2010, and save for Gil Scott-Heron's latest, I haven't really been moved by much of the new stuff on the hip hop front thus far. It's gotten so bad that I've actually found myself rewinding some of the more slept-on jewels from 2009. And even after a few month away from them, they're starting to heat up my hard drive again.
As you can see, this dime's a mix of vets, newbies and under-promoted folk that really brought some nice music to the game in 09. But judge for yourself. So if you're hungry for some nice little tidbits to tide you over until Detox, or 3 Stacks decides to grab a mic again, or T.I. releases another album, try these on for size.
At his best, Teddy P. produces rhymes like Common (at his best) -- sublime, intelligent, even-flowing and organic. And that's exactly what made Word & Deed sip like fine wine in '09. It's a long-player that corrals an extraordinarily diverse group of young MCs into a sweater-thick unit that sticks to the theme start to finish.
Word & Deed explores soul and daily struggles thru the lens of Christian faith. Every song on Word & Deed examines the conflict these artists face in matching the acts and deeds they commit, witness, and live thru as they relate to (the) Word.
And don't worry: The results are far from preachy or guilt-ridden rants. It's just dope confessionals and question-als. And because of the high level of production and lyricism, Word & Deed never sounds corny or forced. It's just good music that's sure to spark some debates among you and yours about life, integrity and more.
Lend An Ear: "Long Way To Go," "Reality Rap," "The Gospel," "Love," "Word & Deed," "The Giver"
iTunes classifies Best Crisis Ever as "electronica." But there’s really no app for what Apsci is. I wanna say "imagine Devo, Gwen Stefani and Braille made a dance album." But that still wouldn’t encapsulate just how jarringly melodic and strangely dope Best Crisis Ever is.
Sadly, if Apsci were cute young MTV-ready hipsters instead of the humble, quirky 35-year old multi-ethnic married couple that they are, they'd be media darlings by now. Instead, they're just one of the most inventive and recklessly creative music duo you've never heard of. And truthfully, Best Crisis Ever probably won't change that; but it will remind you just how good music made for music's sake can and should be.
Lend An Ear: "Til The Windows Rattle Off," "Cubic Zirconia," "Let's Rip The Town Up," "Allow Me This Poetry," "Camera On"
Over 20 premier lyricists bringing bars, styles and praise to spare. It's a brash, broad concept, and a mix of boom-bap-ish, aggressive grimy thump and country gospel-tinged street rhythms. Entermission isn't a break; it's a hard left turn right off the cliff going 100mph.
Lend An Ear: "Show Off," "Go," "Chaos," "Streets Of New York," "Streets Of Philadelphia," "On My 116"
4. Aceyalone & The Lonely Ones
Anyone who believes Jay-Z and Nas are the only viable MCs over 35 obviously missed the single best album of 2009. On Aceyalone & The Lonely Ones, Freestyle Fellowship legend Aceyalone delivers grown, sincere, crafted and polished spit that feels less like rhymes and more like conversations with the crowd. The beats are so urgent, so organic, so funky and so soulful, you’d think the Lonely Ones are a full-on band that escaped from Stax, not an uber-inventive twenty-something producer named Bionik.
Lend An Ear: "Lonely Ones," "Power To The People," "To The Top," "On The One"
5. Raphael Saddiq, The Way I See It
I know this isn't a hip hop album per se, but Raphael Saadiq is as beloved by folk in the hiphop community as any singer this side of Beyonce or Mary J Blige. And even if he weren't, he'd make this list because 2009 was another reminder that Raph-baby is just one of the best all-around artists of his generation.
Add 2009's The Way I See It to his work with luminaries like the Roots, Common, Jill Scott, Joss Stone, etc. and it's clear that there's nothing musically that Mr. Saadiq can’t do. The Way I See It finds the Tony!Toni!Tone! founder channeling 1960s doo-wop soul with enough modern lyrical flavor and energy that it never sounds clichéd or calculated.
The Way I See It is just a great album, simple and plain.
Lend An Ear: "Keep Marchin," "Love That Girl," "100 Yard Dash," "Just One Kiss (feat. Joss Stone)"
6. Maxwell, BLACKsummers' Night
It's been 14 years since his epic Urban Hang Suite urban opus and 8 years since the underrated NOW. But no matter… this one was easily worth the wait.
There aren’t many male artists that make other straight males say, “yeah that’s a sexy album.” But Maxwell’s in that lane. I’m from the southside of Chi; and when Blacksummers’ Night dropped in ’09, I witnessed hardcore hoodlums proudly bumpin Max’s return like it was classic Scarface or M.O.P.
While Maxwell's past albums focused on wooing and courting, there was always an underlying sense of shyness and self-doubt in his work. It was like he was hoping he’d get the girl or hoping she'd be there in the morning. Blacksummers' Night finds Maxwell now knowing damned well he can pull any woman he wants, but instead seeking quality over quantity.
In short: the brotha's still got it. He still brings it. And he still knows how to leave you wanting more. If Blacksummers' Night is any indication, Maxwell’s impending dawn (currently scheduled for Fall of 2010) will be more exquisite than ever.
Lend An Ear: "Fistful Of Tears," "Bad Habits," "Playing Possum"
7. Everyday Process, Outtadisworld
"Avoid the landing gear/we're landing here!" proudly proclaim Everyday Process on their second release. While the "I'm not you, rapper!" pose has been done before, I don't think anyone's done it better than EP did on Outtadisworld.
From top to bottom, EP revel loudly, lyrically and proudly that they are not of the game, not playing the game and simply here to wreck shop come hell or high water. The energy EP brings on every track is stunning, even for a tandem. Sonically Outtadisworld mixes techno, 80s, soul claps and country funk in a way that would make Outkast proud.
Outtadisworld is high octane hip hop with a soul and a purpose.
Lend An Ear: "Alien," "I Don't Belong," "Fire," "Against The Grain"
8. Emayus, "Life Could Be Beautiful"
It's rare that you hear an optimistic MC that isn’t basing his positive outlook on wealth, weed, women or vaguely esoteric higher-consciousness; but Emayus managed to deliver one of the more thoughtful albums of ‘09 by not only focusing on the every day, and the better day that’s just around the corner, but his faith as a Christian.
Emayus’ lyricism and flow are conversational yet dense (think J. Cole), but he’s not out for the bars. He's underground yet accessible and he’s as sincere as all get out. But never preachy. This album will stick to you.
Lend An Ear: "Wonderful Feeling," "Life Could Be Beautiful," "Made It Through"
9. Theory Hazit, Modern Marvels
Usually when you say "Cincinnati hip hop" names like Tanya Morgan or Hi-Tek come to mind. But if you never heard of Theory Hazit, you’re missing out, because TH is one of the most consistent MCs you’ve probably never heard of. Hopefully Modern Marvels will change that.
Produced largely by Toni Shift, Modern Marvels is Theory Hazit's most cohesive work to date. From "The Hurricane" onward, Theory exhales and doesn’t stop until the finish line of the thumping cipher-ready "Uncanny." In between, Hazit eloquently delivers the goods on topics from lust and faith ("Marvelust") and fatherhood ("You Are") to violence/street life ("Hanzel & Gretel"), death ("Late Summer Sun") and more.
Modern Marvels was easily one of the cleanest, best-produced albums of ‘09. Good dusty samples and breezy melodies, well-crafted rhymes and poetic delivery, sublime sequencing: Modern Marvels was a definite joy to hear.
Lend An Ear: "The Hurricane," "Modern Marvels," "Grow Old," "Marvelust"
I came up on Illmatic. I still remember where I was the first time I heard Nasty Nas snap with Main Source. And if I had a dollar for every cat that was hailed as “the next Nas” I could probably afford to pay Kelis’ alimony -- for a couple months at least.
With that said, Boy Meets World is as potent a lyricist’s debut as I’ve heard since that ’94 opus. Where Nas took you on a tour of QB, FaShawn reps Fresno, a land of sun, blue-collar suburbs, and just enough street sin to keep you on your toes.
Of all the young crop of MCs, I haven't heard anyone as equally lyrical, nimble and poetic as FaShawn -- at least not on a full-length production, as Boy Meets World is.
On the unexpected lyrical showcase "Bo Jackson," FaShawn destroys a classic Chubb Rock-eque beat with his producer Exile (of Below the Heavens fame) in tow. "Life As a Shorty" and "Samsonite Man" find Fashawn working his verbal paint brush as well as the masters.
Lend An Ear: "Hey Young World," "Stars," "Father," "Samsonite Man," "When She Calls"
And that's just some of the good stuff from 2009 that I was digging. There's still 9 months left in 2010 and soon as someone drops something fresh, I'll get it up here on Rhapsody. Thanks for reading... see you soon!
- Portions of Album Content Provided by All Music Guide © 2008 All Media Guide, LLC.
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