2014 Year end Review, Best of List

If No one has told you yet, happy New Year! 2014 has come and gone. Its was an up and down year in music, as usual for the last few years if you wanted the heat  you had to go looking for it because it could not be found on the radio or the video scene. Main stream did a pretty horrible job of putting out quality music, but the new crop of artist that are on the way up, took major risk that paid off and delivered us some projects that have a chance of being test of time classics, we’ll at least still be listening to them in years to come. Big KRIT gave us a stellar album that delivered on the promise he had been showing on mixtapes, but also delivered on the promise of him dropping a quality album that would raise his stock in hip hop.  It was a big year for hiphop’s flagship label Def Jam not only gave us the KRIT album, but also a strong album of the year contender from Logic. Gospel artist Lecrae dropped the gospel rap equivalent of The Chronic, meaning it will probably go down as a classic and be the blue print of Gospel Hip hop for years to come. And it was a #1 album.

When it came to breaking rules and gambling huge, no one did it better than J. Cole. On his Dollar and A Dream Tour, he basically did a show for the love; fans paid a $1 and got a show where Kendrick Lamar and Drake was the special guest. And in what had to be risky and probably scary move for the label, J. Cole decide to drop a surprise album at the very end of 2014, with only social media promotion and no radio single. And what an album it was, easily one of the best of the year, one of the best first week sales rates and definitely his best album to date.  Not all experiments were successful; Musiq Soul Child tried his hands at rapping, with horrible results.

2014 was a year of reconciliation for many, as a number of long standing beefs and miscommunications ended. Fat Joe and 50 Cent squashed their beef and appeared on a song together. Jeezy and Rick Ross also ended a long beef and recorded together. Toni Braxton and Baby Face united together to release a whole album together. Drake and Chris Brown squashed beef and were seen in the studio together.  G-Unit was seen together on stage at Summer Jam, for a while it didn’t seem like they were truly back together since none of the other members really performed at Summer Jam, but afterwards they went on a streak of releasing music the rest of 2014. Outkast reunited briefly to headline a few festivals, but basically broke our hearts when Andre announced that he had no plans of working on or releasing any new Outkast material in the future.  3000 also said that his heart wasn’t fully into the performances, so what ever underlying problems Outkast is having still exist, but he did say the performing got him back in a creative mood, so maybe he’ll record something in 2015 and we can get the long awaited solo album.

It wasn’t all good in music we had a number of separations and beefs jump off.  In a move that was the biggest jumping ship move since Ray Allen left the Boston Celtics to join the Miami Heat, Angie Martinez the voice of New York, decide to part ways with Hot 97 and join the rivals Power 105 team. After years of delays and being somewhat vocal about being unhappy, 50 Cent parted ways with Shady/ Aftermath.  Lil Wayne went off on Cash Money, expressing that they were holding him hostage, delaying the release of his album and that he wanted off the label.

Of course we had beefs. In the video that went around the world we say Solange and Jay-Z get physical in an elevator.  Jay and Drake had beef but kept it to music and the Internet.  Unfortunately for Drizzy Drake his beef with Diddy got physical as he caught a mean 3 piece from Diddy in the club. Drake caught L’s all over the place this year as he got into a small beef with battle rap champion Murda Mook. Murda Mook responded by dropping stellar verse in the BET Cypher, where dissed half the crowd, and Drake, and stole the moment of the Award show.

 Iggy Azela seemingly had beef with half the industry via twitter.  Most of her beefs seemed to be spill over from the controversy that quickly turned racial after Macklemore won the best rap album Grammy over Kendrick Lamar. While Iggy was catching hell Azelia Banks was giving it to the other half of the industry and leading the racial charge. Ms. Banks was quite vocal about white artist in hip hop profiting off of the culture, having unfair advantages, but not speaking out when social issues affected the culture like the Mike Brown and Eric Garner killings.  Lord Jamar of Brand Nubians was also very vocal in this regard.  What extended and expanded the beefs for Azelia and Lord Jamar are the fact they also attacked anyone that came to the aid of or associated with white artist. It was like the Benzino and Eminem beef all over again.  For all the controversy about white artist, all of hip hop was amazingly silent about social issues, especially the number of unarmed young black men killed this year by police. 

Not everyone was completely silent on the politics, artist like Macklemore and J. Cole were seen down in Ferguson Missouri marching with the people, protesting. And Common during brought out Trayvon Martin’s parents and Mike Brown’s parents during his BET Hiphop Awards performance and ended the set by having everyone in the audience do the hands up don’t shoot gesture.

  The divorce bug was rampant, Wiz and Amber announced they were divorcing, Mariah and Nick Cannon announced they’d be divorcing, Robin Thicke and Paula separated and he has spent the entire year trying to get her back through song, even releasing an entire album about her. Joe Budden aired all of his relation problems and filled in everything you may have missed on Love and Hiphop.

Hip hop had a number of significant moments. Steve Stoute released one of the most important hip hop documentaries ever The Tanning of America, and had us all tuned in to VH1 for four straight nights for something other than reality TV.  Dr. Dre sold Beats Electronics to Apple for 3 Billion dollars. Eminem became first hip hop act to headline at Wembley Stadium and brought out Dr. Dre as guest. Fashion Icon Jordan became a billionaire. The Aaliyah movie was an epic fail. So was Annie remake produced by Jay-Z and Will Smith. Sadly, Vibe magazine stopped printing this year.

Gucci Mane dropped 3 mix tapes on the same day from jail. Lil Boosie was released from jail.

And in sad news we lost one of hip hops pioneers, on November 11th, Big Bank Hank of Sugar Hill Gang passed. RIP

With that said lets focus on the musical releases. Here is Slin-K’s annual best of he year list. Enjoy, check out the music that you didn’t hear , you may discover some gems or some new artist to check out. Can’t wait to see what type of rollercoaster ride 2015 will take us on. Enjoy the list, share it and leave your feedback and opinions.

Disclaimer, the list is based on my opinion of the best urban albums I listened to and evaluated throughout 2014.

Best albums overall Rankings

1.     Swollen Members - Brand New Day

2.     May Day and Murs - MursDay!

3.     Leela James - Fall For You

4.     Logic - Under Pressure

5.     Royce Da 5’9” & DJ Premier - PRhyme

6.     Big KRIT - Cadillactica

7.     J Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive

8.     A-Villa - Carry On Tradition

9.     Joe Budden - Some Love Lost

10. Daley - Days & Nights

11. Sam Smith -In the Lonely Hour

12. Christian Gray - School of Roses

13. Teyana Taylor - VII

14. Kelly Price - Sing Pray Love, Vol 1. :Sing

15. GQ - Rated Oakland

16. Lecrae - Anomaly

17. Stat Quo - ATLA : All This Life Allows, Vol. 1

18. Ritzz - Next To Nothing

19. Kem - Promise to Love

20. Raf Almighty - G.T.F.O.M.Y

21. Jeezy - Seen It All : The Autobiography

22. Eminem - Shady XV

23. Dj Mustard - 10 Summers

24. Common - Nobody’s Smiling

25. Skyzoo & Torae - Barrel Brothers

Top 20  Hip Hop Major label

1.     Logic - Under Pressure

2.     Big KRIT - Cadillactica

3.     J Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive

4.     Jeezy - Seen It All : The Autobiography

5.     Eminem - Shady XV

6.     DJ Mustard - 10 Summers

7.     Common - Nobody’s Smiling

8.     Rick Ross - Hood Billionaire

9.     Fabolous - The Young OG Project

10. Stalley - Ohio

11. TI - Paperwork

12. Rick Ross - Master Mind

13. School Boy Q - Oxymoron

14. Ab-Soul - These Days

15. Wu-Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow

16. The Roots - ….And Then You Shoot Your Cousin

17. Iggy Azalea - The New Classic

18. Nicki Minaj - The Pink Print

19. YG - My Krazy Life

20. Theophilus London - Vibes

Top 40 Indie / Underground Albums 

1.      Swollen Members - Brand New Day

2.     May Day and Murs - MursDay!

3.     Royce Da 5’9” & DJ Premier - PRhyme

4.     A - Villa - Carry On Tradition

5.     GQ - Rated Oakland

6.     Lecrae - Anomaly

7.    Stat Quo - ATLA : All This Life Allows, Vol. 1

8.    Ritzz - Next To Nothing

9.    Skyzoo & Torae - Barrel Brothers

10. Raf Almighty - G.T.F.O.M.Y

11. Trip Lee - Rise

12. Havoc - 13 Reloaded

13. Joell Ortiz - House Slippers

14. Bas - Last Winter

15. Iamsu! - Sincerely Yours

16. Rapper Big Pooh & Roc - Trouble In the Neighborhood

17. Tradgedy Khadafi - Pre Magnum Opus

18. Starlito - Black Sheep Don’t Grin

19. Slaine - King of Everything Else

20. Army of Pharoh’s - In Death Reborn

21. Apathy - Connecticut Casual

22. Dilated Peoples - Directors of Photography

23. Run the Jewels ( Killer Mike & El - P) - Run the Jewels 2

24. Tech N9ne - Strangeulation

25. Ras Kass & Apollo Brown - Blasphemy

26. Termanology - Shut Up and Rap

27. J-Live - Around the Sun

28. Chase N, Cashe - The Best There Is…

29. Killa Tay - RNS : Power to the people

30. Swoope - Sinema

31. Ca$his - Euthanasia

32. Divine - Ghetto Rhymin

33. Ghostface Killah - 36 Seasons

34. Black Milk - If There’s a hell below

35. Army of the Pharohs - Heavy Lies the Crown

36. 9th Wonder Presents : Jamla is the Squad

37. Reks & Hazardis Soundz - Eyes Watching God

38. Souls of Mischief - There is Only Now

39. Twista - Dark Horse

40. E-40 - Sharp on all 4 Corners : Corner 2

Best Male R&B / Alternative (Top 20)

1.     Daley - Days & Nights

2.     Sam Smith -In the Lonely Hour

3.     Christian Gray - School of Roses

4.     Kem - Promise to Love

5.     Calvin Richardson -  I am Calvin

6.     Toni Braxton & Baby Face - Love, Marriage, & Divorce

7.     Kindred the Family Soul - A Couple Friends

8.     Santana - Corazon

9.     Prince - Art Official Age

10. George Tandy Jr - The Foundation

11. Terrace Martin - Times

12. Pharell Williams - GIRL

13. J. Holiday - Guilty Concious

14. Chris Brown - X

15. D’Angelo & The Vanguard - Black Messiah

16. Jagged Edge - JE Heartbreak II

17. Trey Songz - Trigga

18. Omarion - Sex Playlist

19. Sebatian Mikael - Speechless

20. Dave Hollister - Chicago Winds...The Saga Continues

Top 20 Female R&B / Alternative  Album 

1.     Leela James - Fall For You

2.     Teyana Taylor - VII

3.     Kelly Price - Sing Pray Love, Vol 1. :Sing

4.     Maryanne Ito - Waking Up

5.     Algebra Blesset - Recovery

6.     Faith Evans - Incomparable

7.     Ledisi - The Truth

8.     Ashanti - Braveheart

9.     Marsha Ambrosius - Friends & Lovers

10. Keyshia Cole - Point of No Return

11. Syleena Johnson -  Chapter 6 : Couples Therapy

12. Mary J Blige - Think Like a Man Too Soundtrack

13. Mariah Carey - Me. I Am Mariah... The Elusive Chanteuse

14. Mary J Blige - The London Sessions

15. Kierra Sheard - Graceland

16. Goapele - Strong as Glass

17. Kelis - Food

18. Jessie J - Sweet Talker

19. Jennifer Hudson - JHUD

20. Tinahe - Aquarius

Top 40 Mix tapes

1.     B.o.B. - No Genre 2

2.     Big K.R.I.T - See Me on Top 4

3.     Chris Webby - The Checkup

4.     Fashawn + Alchemist - FASH-ionably late

5.     Nino Bless - Roam 3 Audio Trip

6.     Flex the Antihero - Salem

7.     Troy Ave - BSB vol.4

8.     Cy Hi Tha Prince - Black Hystori Project

9.     Slaughterhouse - House Rules

10. Emilio Rojas -  ZeroFucksGiven

11. Troy Ave - BSB vol. 5

12. Jahlil Beats & CRMC - Legend Dynasty

13. Ransom - Pain & Glory

14. Don Trip - Randy Savage

15. Big K.R.I.T. - Week of K.R.I.T.

16. Kevin Gates - Luca Brasi 2

17. King Los - Zero Gravity 2

18. Nipsey Hussle - Mailbox Money

19. NORE - Noreaster : The 4:20 Mixtape

20. J Cole - Revenge of the Dreamers

21. Fred The Godson - Fat Boy Fresh

22. Flagrance and Youth - Dead Mc Society

23. French Montana - Coke Boys 4

24. Kevin Gates - By Any Means

25. G- Unit - Back to the Streets

26. Hustle Gang - G.D.O.D 2

27. Fame - Not a Role Model

28. Childish Gambino - STN MTN / Kauai Mixtape

29. 2 Chainz - Freebase

30. Hell Rell - Walking Brick

31. Papoose - Hoodie Season pt 2

32. Papoose - Cigar Society

33. Red Café - American Psycho 2

34. Vado - Sinatra

35. Gillie Da Kid - King of Philly 3

36. Onyx - Turndafucup

37. Young Roddy - Route the Ruler

38. Tony Moxberg - New York Times

39. Travis Porter - Music Money Magnums 2

40. Gorilla Zoe - Recovery

R&B Mixtapes ( Top 10)

1.     Marsha Ambosius - FVCK & Love

2.     Raheem DeVaugn  - King of Loveland

3.     Raheem DeVaugn - King of Loveland2

4.     K Michelle - Still No Fucks Given

5.     Adrian Marcel - Weak after Next

6.     Masspike Miles - Skky Miles 3 PT 2: Blocks

7.     Pleasure  P - Break up to make up

8.     Courtney Noelle - Love on the Run

9.     Chris Brown & Trey Songz - TRGA x BRZY

10. The Dream - Royalty : The Prequel EP

Top 20 EP’s  - Hip hop EP’s

1.     Joe Budden - Some Love Lost

2.     Supastition - Honest Living

3.     Ludacris -Burning Bridges

4.     M.O.P - Street Certified

5.     Rapsody - Beauty and the Beast

6.     G-Unit - The Beauty of Independence

7.     Dizzy Wright - State of Mind

8.     Black Milk - Glitches in the Break

9.     Ugly Heroes - Ugly Heroes EP

10. The Lox - The Trinity 2nd Sermon

11. Maino - K.O.B

12. Maino - K.O.B. 2

13. Vince Staples - Hell Can Wait

14. St da Squad - Pages from the Pavement

15. Erk Tha Jerk & Fly Commons - Junk Food & Vegetables

16. Skyzoo - Tomorrow Mornig

17. Camron - 1st of the Month vol.1 -6

18. Astro - Computer Era

19. Red Café - In Us We Trust : The Compilation

20. YG - Blame it on the Streets

R&B EP’s ( Top 15)

1.    KeKe Wyatt - Ke’KE

2.    Ne-Yo - 3 Simple Rules (EP)

3.    Lyrica Anderson - King Me 2

4.    Mya - With Love (EP)

5.    Chrisette Michele - The Lyricist Opus

6.    Mila J - M.I.L.A

7.    JoJo - #LoveJo

8.    Ciara Elise - No Turning Back

9.    Day 26 - The Return(EP)

10. Clare Maguire - Clare Maguire EP

11. Joey Rey - VI (EP)

12. Sza - Z

13. Beyonce  - More

14. Kimberly Cole - The Prelude

15. JRDN - JRDNEP

Top 8 Rookies of the year (No Particular Order)

·      Young Thug

·      Sam Smith

·      School Boy Q

·      Ab-Soul

·      Bobby Shmurda

·      Ty Dolla $ign

·      Teyana Taylor

·      Logic

Next on Deck (No Particular Order)

·      Action Bronson

·      Bas

·       Joey Bada$$

·      Stalley

·       Isiah Rashad

·      Adrian Marcel

·      Rico Love

Top 15 Most Dissapointing Albums (No Particular Order)

·      Mobb Deep - The Infamous Mobb Deep

·      The Roots - … And Then You Shoot Your Cousin

·      Pharoh Monch - (P.T.S.D.) Post Traumatic Stress Disorder

·      50 Cent - Animal Ambition

·      School Boy Q - Oxymoron

·      Wu- Tang Clan - A Better Tomorrow

·      Ab-Soul - These Days

·      Joell Ortiz “House Slippers”

·      Step Brothers “Lord Steppington”

·      Boyz II Men “Collide”

·      D’Angelo (and the Vanguard) “Black Messiah”

·      Jagged Edge “J.E. Heartbreak II”

·      Joe “Bridges”

·      Trey Songz “Trigga”

·      Mariah Carey “Me I Am: The Elusive Chanteuse”

Top Producers

1.     DJ Mustard

2.     DJ Premier

3.     Boi - 1da

4.     Timbaland

5.     Dj Dahi

6.     J Cole

7.     Big K.R.I.T.

FIRST-WEEK URBAN CD SALES RANKING (TOP 40):

1.     J . Cole - 2014 Forest Hill Drive ( 371,000 1st week)

2.     Nicki Minaj “ The Pink Print ( 244,000 1st week)

3.     Rick Ross “Mastermind” (179,000 sold 1^st week)

4.     Michael Jackson “Xscape” (157,300 sold 1^st week)

5.     Chris Brown “X” (145,700 sold 1^st week)

6.     Schoolboy Q “Oxymoron” (139,000 sold 1^st week)

7.     Shady Records presents “Shady XV” (138,000 sold 1^st week)

8.     Young Jeezy “Seen It all: The Autobiography” (121,200 sold 1^st week)

9.     Pharrell Williams “G I R L” (113,000 sold 1^st week)

10. Linkin Park “The Hunting Party” (110,600 sold 1^st week)

11. Trey Songz “Trigga” (104,800 sold 1^st week)

12. Weird Al Yankovic “Mandatory Fun” (104,100 sold 1^st week)

13. Wiz Khalifa “Blacc Hollywood” (90,500 sold 1^st week)

14. Lecrae “Anomaly” (88,600 sold 1^st week)

15. Kid Cudi “Satellite Flight: The Journey To Mother Moon” (87,000 sold 1^st week)

16. T.I. “Paperwork” (79,900 sold 1^st week)

17. Rick Ross “Hood Billionaire” (79,300 sold 1^st week)

18. Logic “Under Pressure” (72,600 sold 1^st week)

19. Jhene Aiko “Souled Out” (69,900 sold 1^st week)

20. August Alsina “Testimony” (67,000 sold 1^st week)

21. YG “My Krazy Life” (61,000 sold 1^st week)

22. Mariah Carey “Me, I Am Mariah… The Elusive Chanteuse” (58,600 sold 1^st week)

23. Future “Honest” (53,000 sold 1^st week)

24. Iggy Azalea “The New Classic” (51,000 sold 1^st week)

25. Prince “Art Official Age” (51,000 sold 1^st week)

26. Kid Ink “My Own Lane” (50,000 sold 1^st week)

27. Pitbull “Globalization” (48,700 sold 1^st week)

28. 50 Cent “Animal Ambition” (46,700 sold 1^st week)

29. G-Eazy “These Things Happen” (46,100 sold 1^st week)

30. Aloe Blacc “Lift Your Spirit” (45,000 sold 1^st week)

31. Big KRIT “Cadillactica” (44,000 sold 1^st week)

32. Jason Derulo “Talk Dirty” (44,000 sold 1^st week)

33. Tech N9ne Collabos “Strangeulation” (36,000 sold 1^st week)

34. The Game presents “Blood Moon: Year Of The Wolf” (32,900 sold 1^st week)

35. Jennifer Lopez “A.K.A.” (32,900 sold 1^st week)

36. Young Money “Rise Of An Empire” (32,000 sold 1^st week)

37. Prince & 3^rdEyedGirl “Plectrum Electrum” (26,400 sold 1^st week)

38. Andy Mineo “Never Land EP” (26,000 sold 1^st week)

39. Jennifer Hudson “JHUD” (24,000 sold 1^st week)

40. Robin Thicke “Paula” (23,800 sold 1^st week)

TOP URBAN SELLERS:

[SINGLES CERTIFICATIONS in 2014]

John Legend – “All Of Me” [5x Platinum]

Meghan Trainor – “All About That Bass” [4.5x Platinum]

Jason Derulo/2 Chainz “Talk Dirty” [4x Platinu,m]

Sam Smith – “Stay With Me” [4x Platinum]

Ariana Grande/Iggy Azalea – “Problem” [3x Platinum]

2 Chainz – “Birthday Song” [2x Platinum]

Iggy Azalea/Charli XCX – “Fancy” [2x Platinum]

Iggy Azalea/Rita Ora – “Black Widow” [2x Platinum]

Nicki Minaj – “Anaconda” [2x Platinum]

Sia – “Chandelier” [2x Platinum]

Pitbull – “Don’t Stop The Party” [2x Platinum]

Jason Derulo/Snoop Dogg – “Wiggle” [1.5x Platinum]

Jessie J/Ariana Grande/Nicki Minaj – “Bang Bang” [1.5x Platinum]

August Alsina – “I Luv This” [1x Platinum]

Jeremih/YG  – “Don’t Tell ‘Em” [1x Platinum]

Sam Smith – “I’m Not The One” [1x Platinum]

Calvin Harris – “Summer” [1x Platinum]

Charli XCX – “Boom Clap” [1x Platinum]

Christina Perri – “Human” [1x Platinum]

Somo – “Ride” [1x Platinum]

Tinashe/Schoolboy Q – “2 On” [1x Platinum]

Ariana Grande – “Break Free” [1x Platinum]

Demi Lovato – “Really Don’t Care” [1x Platinum]

YG/Drake – “Who Do You Love” [1x Platinum]

Ty Dolla $ign/Wiz Khalifa – “Or Nah” [1x Platinum]

Ed Sheeran “Sing” [1x Platinum]

Fifth Harmony – “Boss” [Gold]

Mr. Probz – “Waves” [Gold]

Nicki Minaj – “Pills N’ Potion” [Gold]

Bobby Shmurda – “Hot Boy” [Gold]

Ed Sheeran  – “Don’t” [Gold]

[ALBUMS CERTIFICATIONS in 2014]

Sam Smith “In the Lonely Hour” [1x Platinum]

Ellie Goulding “Halcyon” [1x Platinum]

Drake “Nothing Was The Same” [1x Platinum]

Kanye West “Yeezus” [1x Platinum]

Kem “Album II” [1x Platinum]

Coldplay “Ghost Stories” [Gold]

Christina Perri “Lovestrong” [Gold]

Ed Sheeran “X” [Gold]

J Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive [Gold]

Maroon 5 “V” [Gold]

Pharrell Williams “GIRL” [Gold]

Michael Jackson “Xscape” [Gold]

Ariana Grande “My Everything” [Gold]

Iggy Azalea “The New Classic” [Gold]

Most Anticipated Hip Hop of 2015 (No Particular Order)

·      Action Bronson – “Mr. Wonderful”

·      Andre 3000 - *untitled solo album

·      Big KRIT & Yelawolf  - “Country Cousins”

·      Boosie Bad Ass – “Touch Down 2 Cause Hell”

·      The Clipse – *untitled group album

·      Drake – “View From The 6”

·      50 Cent – “Street King Immortal”

·      G-Unit – *untitled group album

·      Ghostface Killah & MF Doom – “DOOMStarks”

·      Jadakiss – “Top 5 Dead Or Alive”

·      Joey Bada$$ - “B4.DA.$$”

·      Juicy J – “THC: The Hustle Continues”

·      Kanye West – *untitled solo album

·      Kendrick Lamar - *untitled solo album

·      Lil Wayne – “Tha Carter V”

·      Ludacris “Ludaversal”

·      Lupe Fiasco – “Tetsuo & Youth”

·      Missy Elliott - *untitled solo album

·      Nas – *untitled solo album

·      Nipsey Hu$$le – “The Victory Lap”

·      Redman – “Muddy Waters 2”

·      Redman & Method Man – “Blackout 3”

·      Slaughterhouse – “Glass House” (exec. Prod by Just Blaze)

·      Q-Tip – “The Last Zulu”

Most Anticipated R&B (No Particular Order)

Adele – *untitled solo album

Dru Hill – “The Second Coming Of Dru”

Jazmine Sullivan – “Reality Show”

Mario – “Evolve”

Ne-Yo – “Non-Fiction”

Rico Love – “Turn The Lights On”

Rihanna – *untitled solo album

Slin_K’s favorite songs (No Particular Order)

·      BIG KRIT ft Lupe Fiasco - Lost Generation

·      Lambo - B.o.B. ft Kevin Gates, Jake Lambo

·      No Competition - 9th wonder ft. Talib Kweli, Elzi, Phonte

·      OffShore - Slaughterhouse

·      2020 AD - Nino Bless

·      Chosen - B.o.B. ft TI, Spodee

·      Pretty Birds - 9th wonder ft.

·      Trophies - Drake

·      Fall in Love - KeKe Wyatt

·      Lie Under You - Keke Wyatt

·      Conversations with her - Kelly Price

·      W.R.O.H - Ab-Soul - st. JMSN

·      So Ambitious - Troy Ave ft. Avon Blocksdale

·      Your Style - Troy Ave

·      Falls Down - GQ

·      Something Right - Big KRIT ft. Yo Gotti

·      Mt. O lympus - Big KRIT

·      Changes - G- Unit

·      0 to 100 - Drake

·      Garvey - Reks & Hazardis Soundz ft. NORE &  Saigon

·      All I need is You - Lecrae

·      Nobody - Kem

·      Check - Hustle Gang

·      If it aint about the money - TI ft. Young Thug

·      Home in a Minute - Calvin Richardson

·      Feels like Vegas - Tinashe

·      Make a Deal - Joe Budden  ft. Ransom

·      Luxury - Azelia Banks

·      Shampain - Ransom ft Jadakiss, Raekwon

·      Cant Stop - Theophilus London ft. Kanye West

·      Alone Together - Daley ft Marsha Ambrosius

·      Teyana Taylor - Broken Hearted Girl

·      Teyana Taylor - Just Different

·      Add me in - Chris Brown

·      Underground Kings - PRyhme ft School Boy Q & Killer Mike

·      Dat Sound Good -PRyhme ft Ab- Soul, Mac Miller

·      Too Me, Too You - PRhyme ft Jay Electronica

·      Forever - Sebastian Mikael

Lyrics of the year

1.     Phonte - No Competition

2.     Lupe's verse  - Lost Generation

3.     KRIT - hook on Lost Generation

4.     Keving Gates verse - Lambo with B.o.B.

5.    Big Sean’s verse on  - Face Down

6.    GQ’s verse on -  Falls Down

7.     Big Sean’s verse - Detroit vs Everybody

8.    Jay Electronica’s verse on -  To me, To You 

Slin_K

@slin_k_polymath on Twitter

Big KRIT / Joe Budden

I don't really have time for a full analysis review, bu you may want to check the new Big KRIT and the new Joe Budden Albums.

BIG KRIT, Lost Generation, That track with Lupe, the hook is better than some verses you'll hear from some great rappers. BIG KRIT has thrown his hat in the ring for major label album of the year. Def Jam is having a good qtr with KRIT and Logic. Cadillactica is solid from beginning to end.


If you a fan of Love and hip hop check that new Joe Budden album, its a big update. If you just broke up or not over some one you may want to wait, its very introspective and emo, not in a drake way, but still it'll make you think. But its beast lyrically. Check for it

@slin_k_polymath

They Don't Dance No More? Why?

Lets talk music for a second; the art, culture, expression and inspiration of it. Is it me or are young people no longer appreciative or in tune with music unless they have heard it before, and it has to be something they discovered? What happened to catching the beat and just continuing to party? Where are the real dancers? You all are severely limiting the artistry and innovation of dj’s, and forcing them to create the same party experience, the same party list, regardless of age, theme, event, etc.; then they blame it all on the dj, promoter or the artist for not making good music. Or they blame it on getting old. Age has nothing to do with it, lets just call it you’re lame and / or subconsciously bored of the same routine of music but won’t admit and you don’t want to learn anything new. And in your all knowing, youthful ignorant wisdom, you believe you know it all and can’t admit that don’t know how to listen to music or when. Yes, there is some music that you have to learn how to listen to it, and what to listen for in order to appreciate and some that fits certain setting and times. Lets also just admit that you may not know how to dance, you know how to shake, wiggle and wine, but you can’t move your feet, and if you have to dance arms length apart and look someone in the face, it’s borderline mission impossible for you.  You have mastered the art of dancing on the wall and looking at your phone. And the art of bouncing back and forth and jumping around similar to a mosh pit, I guess Goodie Mobs song and video, “They don’t dance no mo” was spot on.

One of the few positive stereotypes about Africanized people is that we all supposedly have rhythm and can dance well, or can dance to anything; and that used to seem true. But now it seems we’re severely limited on the dance floor to the same, lets say 100songs that are played with little variation at every party from middle school into your 30’s and right through the rest of your lives.  Ad apparently our stamina for dancing no longer exist, you ever heard those stories of your parents dancing all night long. At the modern party 3 songs  in a row is a push, if they dance the whole song.  And he further you go back, the harder they danced, their dances used to be a work out, and the songs were long as heck. We can’t dance because we’re out of practice? Are we just too prissy to dance and don’t want to sweat? Have we turned the party into a fashion show, and we just want to go to be seen and rip the runway, is this why we cant dance, we have no intention of doing so? Has dancing become something you watch, more so than do? Breakdancing the official dancing of hip hop has largely become spectator sport, so much to the fact most people don’t even pretend they know how to do it, you either know how to do it or not. I mean think about the number of dance shows on tv, have we turned dance into spectator competition only? Is it not something we do to have a good time anymore? Most of us are not trained, flexible, strong, athletic enough to do the splits, spins and lifts and hold of break dancing or swing; like we see on tv, understandable. But why is it we no longer even do the simple two- step and other couples dances associated soul, or R&B music?  Allow me to cross market for a minute, in my student organization workshops, I speak against college student organizations having parties. It’s not that Im against partying or dancing, its that for many student organizations that are supposed to be cultural, political or historical organizations, the type of music, dancing and dressing that would be seen at that party would be a blemish on the positive that they claim to stand for, and would not be a good look. For most students they see sexualized debauchery as fun, there is not going to be any learning or practicing of their culture, or getting in touch with their ancestors experience. What we consider a successful party in college and what it will take for people to come to that party is not R&B, jazz, stepping or footwork.

It’s a shame because we’re loosing our culture and we’re not even recreating a new one and taking it to a higher level. As, Dr. Michael Eric Dyson stated, “ the beauty and genius of African Culture, is its repetitiveness, each round always goes higher”, rather than this new simplifying and watering down. What happened to our ability to adapt and create, rather than just settle in on what we’re comfortable with? Lets get back to owning the dance floor.

Slin_K

@Slin_k_polymath on twitter

B.o.B. Leela James, Buckshot and Trey Songz

B.o.B. - No Genre 2

The No genre mixtape is exactly what I like about B.o.B., it’s a clinic in creativity and versatility, proving that he can make dope music rather it be street, party or pop and that he can’t be put into any kind of box, and that he can hold his own with anyone, by himself, with young hungry cats or top notch headliners.  It’s a free album in my opinion and one of the best releases of the year, I like every song on the project and could listen to it multiple time on repeat, it’s dope music.  I’m a huge fan of the songs Lambo ft. Kevin Gates and Jake Lambo, Chosen ft. T.I. and Spodee. I can’t say I truly dislike any of the songs, but I’ll say the lower points of the album for me are Get Right ft Mike Fresh and So What ft. Milla J, I just didn’t feel like they were the same quality, but they served a purpose in adding to the versatility of the project so no biggie.

The B.o.B. - No Genre 2 is a free album essentially. I highly recommend it . You may want to down load that ASAP from www.datpiff.com/BoB-No-Genre-2-mixtape

 BOB NO GENRE 2

Leela James - Fall For You

Fall for You is a dose of good, soulful, traditional R&B; no hip hop features, the artist isn’t trying to rap, no dance cuts, no attempts at crossover, just pure R&B. It’s a vocal performance album, made for the stage; no gimmicks, tricks, auto tune, production that overpowers or over shadows the vocals/lyrics. The production is complimentary and will be perfect with a live band for a live performance. It won’t be confused for anything else. The production is strong, warm and upbeat. There’s various subjects that every one can relate to and something for everybody and any mood. Honestly I like all of the songs on the album, but I really dig Say What ft Anthony Hamilton, Who’s Gonna Love, Set Me Free, and Do Me Right.  I’m not a huge fan of Leela doing sensual songs, I feel she doesn’t have the voice for it and that she holds back on those types of songs so that she doesn’t become to explicit, erotic or overly sexual; sadly its what we’ve come to expect from theses types of songs, but she doesn’t even deliver by slyly/ creative talking about it either. She has a strong, aggressive, weighty, husky voice; I haven’t heard her with the intonation to pull off and make a sensual sultry song work. That being said Im not much a fan of Give It.

I give the Leela James Fall For You album, 4  1/2out of 6 stars, I think it will be one of the best R&B albums of the year, and will stand the test of time, you’ll be able to jam to it years from now

Buckshot & P-Money - Back Pack Travels  

Back Pack Travels is a throwback album from a fargone era. Its full of simple, grimy gritty, beats street and cypher beats like you heard from the late 80’s to the middle 90’s Its borderline a complaint album, full of this how we use to do it, here’s what wrong with the game, things done changed for the worst, the old school / under ground emcees will still rap circles around some of you young cat narratives Its throwback and restores the feeling, but Buckshot is past his prime and below his average on this one. The flow is still he same, the style and intensity of his delivery are still he same, but the impact is drastically different, it’s not mind blowing or even really rewind worthy. I liked Crown, which is the intro and We In Here ft. David Dallas.  I can’t really say I disliked any of the songs, but more so was unmoved by the other songs, indifferent and mostly not entertained or intrigued, it was a hard listen for me, but I gave it a respectful listen due to it being Buckshot. Even the features didn’t impress.

Because I was mostly unmoved, I suppose I’d have to Give the album a rating of 3 out of 6 stars. Just because I don’ really have a desire to listen to it again and I wouldn’t have been upset if I hadn’t heard it. I’m not sure if I would recommend it to anyone. Its not garbage, just bland.

Trey Songz - Trigga

Trey Songz album is better than expected and better than the last few pieces of crap he dropped, but It's still missing something. That something is the soul of Bryan Michael Cox. The two are made for each other. The album is missing the deeply emotional, hard to write, hard to sing ballad that makes women swoon and dudes dig deep to imitate the words. I appreciate his wishes to get laid, but he’s no longer making music that sets the mood. It’s more right on front street like a rapper, “ this is what’s up, you down or what. If not ill replace you.” Instead of the deep romantic and erotic metaphors, he’s a lot more vulgar. He’s no longer charming the pants off women and helping you do it too, no longer a gentleman, now he’s more of playa and concerned with stealing your girl and cheating on his. The majority of the album is made for the club; partying, wild scenarios, spending money, sex, drinking, lavish lifestyles and travels and the beats match that scene. The songs I’m most fond of are Cake, I know, Na NA, and Smartphones; they are each a combination of his new direction and the type of music that initially drew most people into him, its as close as you can get to his old stuff without being stagnant. I don’t have too many songs I don’t like but I feel like the subject matter is repetitive and are too much like the song Foreign. Decent album tho. I don’t hate or love it, but I’ll give it a strong 3  1/2 out of 6 stars, because there are only a few songs I’d like to hear again, and none that I have to hear or would listen to on repeat, possibly one that I’d put on a slow jam tape, and I’d only recommend the album to a true Trey Songz fanatic.

Slin-K

@slin_K_polymath on Twitter

George Tandy Jr

Ok full disclosure as a professional music and album reviewer, I usually stray away from giving my opinion and reviewing work by people I even remotely know, because I have an emotional investment in that persons success and its awkward and I find it hard to be bluntly honest if I have any negative comments.

However, if you haven't heard Mr George Tandy Jr.'s song March. Get to it. I knew the cat was special when he use to perform at poetry spots I frequented and he turned FAU out a few times when we invited hm to perform at events, and now he's taking it to new levels and growing in his craft. 
Everybody take time and check this out, remember the name . Peace!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tn2aEXiisGc