Post by Tidyman on Jan 31, 2004 18:09:09 GMT -5
Well here it is. I vowed it would finish it by the end of January and I made it (just)! So here they are…the 10 best rap records of 2003!
1. The Black Album – Jay-Z S-dots final chapter plays like a victory lap and a celebration. It beautifully reconciles Jay-Z the powerful songwriter and lyricist with Jay-Z the pop star, and is loaded with one great song after another. Happy retirement, hov, the game will never be the same without you. Bangers: Moment Of Clarity and Dirt Off Your Shoulder
2. Get Rich Or Die Tryin – 50 Cent Anchored by near perfect production and cold-virus catchy melodies in the hooks, 50s debut is the best pure gangsta rap record since NWAs early days. Hot shyt: Many Men and In Da Club
3. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below - Outkast A double solo CD from Big Boi and Andre? With Ice Cold singing every song on his record except one? It seemed doomed to fail, but it succeeds spectacularly. This is the second record on my list that will eventually be remembered as a classic (the first is Get Rich Or Die Tryin). Heaters: Ghettomusick and Draculas Wedding
4. The Listening - Little Brother Litte Brother were the discovery of 2003. They came out of nowhere (North Carolina) and released a record that recalled earlier greats A Tribe Called Quest and Pete Rock and CL Smooth. Producer 9th Wonder became a hot commodity over night and was enlisted by Jay-Z to produce a song for his Black Album (Threats). Sickness: Whatever You Say and The Yo-Yo
5.Rip The Jacker – Canibus Bis layed down the vocals for this record, then turned them over to producer Scott Storch, who spent an entire winter crafting tracks that were (for the first time) the perfect match for Canibus’ sick science. Checkmarks: Genabis and M-Sea-Cresy
6. Cheers – Obie Trice With some heavy-hitting talent backing him up (Eminem, Dr Dre, Timbaland), Obie’s debut was a can’t miss – and it didn’t. Jon Blaze: Shit Hits The Fan and Hoodrats
7. This Is Not A Test – Missy Elliot Missy and Timbaland are the deadliest duo since Dre and Snoop. Jane Flame: Pass That Dutch and Wake Up
8. The Ownerz - Gang Starr Although it’s been five years (!) since their last release, Guru and Premier haven’t missed a step. Another collection of great, timeless hip-hop. Science: Peace Of Mine and Same Team, No Games
9. Beg For Mercy – G Unit It seemed like a quickie project for 50 to cash in on his own hot name and launch his record label, but Beg For Mercy far exceeded my expectations. With no shortage of bling or gangsta fairy tales, this is the kind of rap record people love to hate, but it wins with its production and more of those damn catchy hooks courtesy of 50 Cent. Fire: G’d Up and G-Unit
10. Grand Champ – DMX That other ‘final record’. Grand Champ was overshadowed by other records that were released around the same time (Outkast and Obie Trice), but shouldn’t be forgotten. DMX records are both soulful and abrasive, both heartfelt and cold-blooded. Jamz: Where The Hood At? and A’Yo Kato
Noteworthy records I haven’t heard: Joe Budden – Self Titled, Bubba Sparxxx – Deliverance, Ludacris – Chicken and Beer, Chingy – Jackpot, Swollen Members – Heavy.
And there you have it. Remember that although I’ve been listening to rap for way longer than you, this is just one guys list. Any arguments will be gladly accepted. Even abusive language will be tolerated. Hell, throw overripe fruit if you want! Or worst of all, ignore it completely.
1. The Black Album – Jay-Z S-dots final chapter plays like a victory lap and a celebration. It beautifully reconciles Jay-Z the powerful songwriter and lyricist with Jay-Z the pop star, and is loaded with one great song after another. Happy retirement, hov, the game will never be the same without you. Bangers: Moment Of Clarity and Dirt Off Your Shoulder
2. Get Rich Or Die Tryin – 50 Cent Anchored by near perfect production and cold-virus catchy melodies in the hooks, 50s debut is the best pure gangsta rap record since NWAs early days. Hot shyt: Many Men and In Da Club
3. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below - Outkast A double solo CD from Big Boi and Andre? With Ice Cold singing every song on his record except one? It seemed doomed to fail, but it succeeds spectacularly. This is the second record on my list that will eventually be remembered as a classic (the first is Get Rich Or Die Tryin). Heaters: Ghettomusick and Draculas Wedding
4. The Listening - Little Brother Litte Brother were the discovery of 2003. They came out of nowhere (North Carolina) and released a record that recalled earlier greats A Tribe Called Quest and Pete Rock and CL Smooth. Producer 9th Wonder became a hot commodity over night and was enlisted by Jay-Z to produce a song for his Black Album (Threats). Sickness: Whatever You Say and The Yo-Yo
5.Rip The Jacker – Canibus Bis layed down the vocals for this record, then turned them over to producer Scott Storch, who spent an entire winter crafting tracks that were (for the first time) the perfect match for Canibus’ sick science. Checkmarks: Genabis and M-Sea-Cresy
6. Cheers – Obie Trice With some heavy-hitting talent backing him up (Eminem, Dr Dre, Timbaland), Obie’s debut was a can’t miss – and it didn’t. Jon Blaze: Shit Hits The Fan and Hoodrats
7. This Is Not A Test – Missy Elliot Missy and Timbaland are the deadliest duo since Dre and Snoop. Jane Flame: Pass That Dutch and Wake Up
8. The Ownerz - Gang Starr Although it’s been five years (!) since their last release, Guru and Premier haven’t missed a step. Another collection of great, timeless hip-hop. Science: Peace Of Mine and Same Team, No Games
9. Beg For Mercy – G Unit It seemed like a quickie project for 50 to cash in on his own hot name and launch his record label, but Beg For Mercy far exceeded my expectations. With no shortage of bling or gangsta fairy tales, this is the kind of rap record people love to hate, but it wins with its production and more of those damn catchy hooks courtesy of 50 Cent. Fire: G’d Up and G-Unit
10. Grand Champ – DMX That other ‘final record’. Grand Champ was overshadowed by other records that were released around the same time (Outkast and Obie Trice), but shouldn’t be forgotten. DMX records are both soulful and abrasive, both heartfelt and cold-blooded. Jamz: Where The Hood At? and A’Yo Kato
Noteworthy records I haven’t heard: Joe Budden – Self Titled, Bubba Sparxxx – Deliverance, Ludacris – Chicken and Beer, Chingy – Jackpot, Swollen Members – Heavy.
And there you have it. Remember that although I’ve been listening to rap for way longer than you, this is just one guys list. Any arguments will be gladly accepted. Even abusive language will be tolerated. Hell, throw overripe fruit if you want! Or worst of all, ignore it completely.
I curse you spunshuga!