In actuality, hip-hop, & music period, is still alive and kicking. And if you really look @ it, alot of good quality material and artists came thru the speakers. Yeah, you may have had to dig a little deeper & gotten dust on your fingers.
With that in mind, we’re gonna recap the year over the next few days with an undisputable* list of the good, the bad & all the ugly that popped off this year and made ‘06 a pretty decent year.
Loosies Award - For the tracks that stayed on repeat.
Wailing sample, heavy bassline. Rans speaking partly on his split from A-Team partner Hitchcock as well as clearing off the smoke and mirrors that has so many of us thinking that all rappers are living lovely. Honestly, this might THE song of the year in my opinion. From the time it dropped until the end of next year, this track will always find it’s way into rotation.
After surviving a highway driveby attack, Obie really must’ve hit the booth like this could be his last shot. This track was proof positive that the man deserved to be seen in a light outside of the most famous white man from Detroit.
Yola Da Great - “Ain’t Gone Let Up”
The word “swagger” is tossed around heavily these days. But if one track embodied raw emotion and bravado, it had to be this one. It makes you feel young, brash and hungry just by chanting along to the chorus.
Every now and then…well repeatedly, you hear the statement that Jeezy ain’t “lyrical.” If you ask me, the most oft-quoted Southern legend, Scarface, wasn’t “lyrical” either. Like ‘Face, on this track, Jeezy paints a most believable picture into the darkside & paranoia that corner boys face.
Joe Budden - “Dumb Out” & “Broken Wings” Freestyle
If you can’t understand why, just stop reading. Lyrically, not too many are ahead of Joe. “Mixtape rapper,” “internet favorite,”…whatever you want to label him, after listening to these two tracks, if you can’t understand why his fans are passionate about his music, hip-hop music really may not be for you.
Always approaching the mic with a certain level of fury, Mike managed to bring a mix of hardness and social commentary that’s been missing from hip-hop for years.
Jim Jones feat. Stack Bundles & Max B. - “Life’s Like A Movie”
A few things happened as a result of this track. Stack got some shine. We got a nibble of Max B’s skills as the new go-to-guy for a hook. And Jim stepped up his rhyming abilities.
Lil Wayne - “Maneater” (Remix)
“I’ll be Diddy/you be Mase…”
Truly hypnotic, this slow as molasses track showed a certain level of versatility for the young NO boy. If he could only open his mouth to rap and keep his foot out of it, Wayne could definitely maintain his illusions of granduer in the public’s perception.
I’ve never really been a fan of Luda. But the ill sample & Luda just straight sizzlin over this track with some tenacity…banger.
Got a track in mind that may not have been mentioned? Everybody needs to hear it?
Drop it in the comments with a link if you’re feeling real giving.
* - undisputable only because this is primarily one person’s opinion. I ain’t even sure if the rest of the crew is vibin with my picks lol. Feel free to disagree if it’s that pressing for you.
The little list of my own.
Nas - Hustlers ft The Game
The Game - It's Okay (One Blood)
Jay-Z - Beach Chair ft Chris Martin
Eminem ft 50 Cent - You Don't Know
Lupe Fiasco - American Terrorist II
Snoop Dogg - Imagine ft Dr Dre
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