Year in Hip Hop 2008
I know what you’re thinking. It’s barely December, and everyone is already playing Christmas music. Meanwhile, you’re still making turkey sandwiches from the cast-off pieces of your Thanksgiving bird. Similarly, it’s barely even gotten cold outside, and people are already making Best Of 2008 lists? What gives, people? Well, that’s what we do here — we keep track of the best albums of the year so that you know what hot tips to pass along to the special hip-hop fan(s) in your life.
The biggest knock about “hip hop today” is that there haven’t been any legitimate classics since the Jiggy Era (1997-present) began and the Backpack Era (1997-2001) ended. This album is undeniable proof that they can still make ‘em like they used to. Between Invincible’s laser-precise, rapid-fire flow, her incredible lyricism and the brilliant production from heavy hitters like Lab Techs, Waajeed (Platinum Pied Pipers), and Black Milk, ShapeShifter is practically flawless.
Torae is a member of one of the best crews in Hip-Hop today, Justus League. This young wordsmith delivers a nonstop barrage of hot verses from the moment he begins spitting on this album’s “Intro”. Torae prides himself on emceeing, and always stays on point lyrically. This is most evident on the bangers “The Journey Pt.1″ (where we learn why he calls himself “the young veteran”), “Click,” “Switch,” “Get It Done” and “Casualty”. Production was handled by DJ Premier, 9th Wonder, Black Milk, Khrysis and Marco Polo. If you don’t pick this one up, you’ll regret it later.
Tanya Morgan isn’t an R&B singer, it’s the name of a rap group. The trio first appeared in 2006 with the modern classic Moonlighting. Their follow-up isn’t far off from their debut. Von Pea, Donwil and Ilyas will remind fans of Native Tongues with their humor and creativity, as well as the way they play off of one another. Songs like “The Bridge,” “We Doin ‘Our…,” “Got 2 Get Done” and the infectious “Threemcees” will have your neck hurting from nodding so damn much. This 9-track EP is a definite must-have.
Life is stressful, and this is one of the most harrowing periods in recent history. Not only is the recording industry in dire straits, but hip-hop itself is in a state of flux. All of these topics weigh heavily on the mind of underground veteran Reks, and he airs out his concerns on Grey Hairs. Why don’t the youth value intelligence, creativity and originality in today’s music? Whatever happened to the real emcees? Reks ponder these questions in song form, and answers them simultaneously. Where’s the real hip-hop? Right over here.
Shawn Jackson is poised to be the hip-hop Rookie Of The Year in ’08, after dropping his introspective debut First Of All…. From the moment you hear his effortless flow over soulful lead single “Feelin ‘Jack,” you know you’re in for something special. Jackson’s smooth, laid-back style is so engaging you won’t think about touching the FFWD button once. Jackson’s versatility allows him to spit everything, from straight-up battle rhymes to joints for the ladies.
When Ra Scion and Sabzi get together, great things happen. They opened 2008 with the stellar EP Black Patch War, and a few months later they delivered Tobacco Road. The album opens with “Service” and goes directly into the rousing “Trouble I,” which is sure to keep ears riveted. “Tobacco Road” successfully draws parallels between today’s working man and the farmers of the Great Depression, and the result is rousing and thought-provoking. Similarly, songs like “Slow Cure,” Winter Takes All” and “Weather Vane” will stay ingrained in your memory.
Black Milk is widely recognized as the heir to the beatmaking throne J Dilla left vacant after his passing in 2006. He’s since made a gang of hot beats and dropped a few projects leading up to his 2008 masterpiece, Tronic. The concept behind this album was to avoid the typical flipping-and-chopping of soul samples, and to use electronic music instead. The results are devastatingly effective — just listen to the thumping “Give The Drummer Sum,” “Losing Out,” “Hell Yeah” or “The Matrix”. The lone track employing a soul sample is the super funky “Try.” All in all, classic material.
9th Wonder & Buckshot — The Formula
9th Wonder met with the legendary Buckshot for the second time with devastating results. This album may even surpass their debut, which many fans consider a modern classic.
C.R.A.C. Knuckles — The Piece Talks
Veteran emcee/producer Ta’Raach and elite young rhymer Blu set aside a few weeks to record this offbeat gem. The project is bolstered by Ta’Raach’s evocative sonic soundscapes.
Elzhi is arguably the best pure lyricist in all of Hip Hop today (sorry, Lil ‘Wayne fans!) and he gets down for his crown by repeatedly blacking out and spraying vicious bars over Black Milk’s production. You emcees can have Elzhi’s crown…when you pry it for his cold dead hands!
Mighty Joseph (Vast Aire & Karnegie) — Empire State
When you take high school friends Vast Aire of Cannibal Ox fame and underground stalwart Karnegie, add beats by Madlib, J-Zone, Melodious Monk, 4th Pyramid and the late Camu Tao. You, the listener, end up with 14 tracks of hip-hop perfection.
Blu & Mainframe — Johnson & Jonson
Blu pairs up with producer Mainframe to create the long awaited “Johnson & Jonson” project. Between Blu’s rhymes and Mainframe’s beats, this joint is a must have for any hip-hop fanatic.
J-Live — Then What Happened?
What happened was J-Live recruited the best beatsmiths he could find and he made another excellent album.
Vordul Mega — Megagraphitti
Vordul Mega is often thought of as the “other guy in Cannibal Ox”. After this album dropped, people began to realize how wrong they were.
Sean Price and Rock infuse their hardcore rhymes with humor.
