Half Way Done: The Midway Report - The Top 20 Albums Part One

2008 has been kind of odd. While there hasn't been tons of albums that have been "mind blowin'", there has been a large quantity of "enjoyable" albums. When I say "enjoyable", I mean albums that I can put on and enjoy, although I don't I probably won't think much about them after a month or so. Nothing wrong with that. Anymore, if an album gets more than two or three plays from me, it's doing something right. I just have too much to listen to, as well does anyone that frequents online sites much. I will say that my favorite seven albums are all GREAT albums, which does make it an exciting year regardless. I've been HORRIBLE about reading other blogs and checking the forums the past six months, so this list has not been affected much by outside influences. They are all things that I have played quite often. They are found on the iPod at any time. They make me appreciate being a hip hop again.

Of course, my tastes are probably not the typical blogger tastes. In my old age, I like what I like, which is the underground obscure shit. I guess I can't relate to a lot of the music being made these days. There were some albums that I didn't get a chance to listen to just recently, such as the Snowgoons, Opio, Danny! and most notably, the new Invincible "Shapeshifters" album, which I think would have easily made it into this top 10. Be on the look out for that album in the third quarter report. We will start with the bottom half of the top 20, then wrap it up with the top half tomorrow (or possibly Saturday). As I've mentioned before, these are MY personal favorites. There are also NO mixtapes, I'll cover the mixtapes this weekend. I'm not going to say they are the absolute best, because after all, it's only my opinion and nothing else. But if you are someone that has similar tastes as me, you oughta check anything out you haven't heard yet. With that, let's jump on into it.



Top 20 Albums for the First Half of 2008: 11-20

20. The Camp - The Campaign

Sounds Like: They show a lot of influences from Apathy and the Demigodz crew. Party music, nothing too serious.

Summary: Coming out of the northeast, Boston more specifically, The Camp is just some good ole fashioned boom bap with the party vibe coming down with them. The Campaign is comparable to an action comedy movie, where you don't have to do a lot of thinking and are entertained through the whole watching/listening experience. Apathy of the Demigodz was the Executive Producer on this project and his influence is readily seen on the album as they soemtimes come off as official Demigodz card carrying members. Only negatives I would say is that with five MC's, they kind of blend together and it's hard to tell who's who and at seventeen tracks, a few could have been shaved off. Regardless, it's an enjoyable album that fans of this type of hip hop should check out.

Favorite Tracks: "The Campaign", "Gentlemen Needs", "Little Story"

19. Weapon X - Portrait of a Starving Artist

Sounds Like: I think Jedi Mind Tricks when I think of Weapon X both in the terms of rhyme style and beats.

Summary: Weapon X was one of those artists that I ran across on a blog, downloaded the album on the strength of a recommendation, and really enjoyed the album. Since then, I've have mentioned the album several times on WYDU, posted several tracks from the album, and even interviewed X himself. Goes to show you that blogs ARE good for something. Portrait of a Starving artist is somewhat of a dark album, as we take a trip through X's psyche that is filled with uncertainty, struggle, and roadblocks. Armed with everything from deep thoughts, to straight up "F.A.Y" (fuck all y'all for those of you not in the know) type tracks, X paints a strong image with this album.

Favorite Tracks: "Destined For Greatness", "Don't Dream Of Women", "Asshole Syndrome"

18. Substantial - Sacrifice

Sounds Like: You've heard him on several QN5 projects, as well as part of EFamm.

Summary: Maybe I'm a little biased by the fact that I saw Substantial live this past May and besides being a very cool dude, he put on a hell of a stage show. Then again, Sacrifice was ranked in the first quarter as well. This album is kind of hit in miss as far as the tracks go, but that's only because Substantial isn't afraid to take chances. Some of those chances don't work, but at least he doesn't create some boring album that plays it safe the whole way through. The songs that do work though are well exucuted and creative. Who knew that you could make a quality song using an interpolation of a Christmas carol as it's hook. Substantial is also a very versatile MC, going from battle rhymes to concept songs almost effortlessly.

Favorite Tracks: "Chain Reaction", "Resurrection of a House Party", "It's You"

17. All Natural - Elements (Fire)

Sounds Like: Coming out of Chicago, these are underground cats should that bring that late 90's indie boom bap to the scene.

Summary: I've been a fan of Chi-town's All Natural since first hearing them in the late 90's. They haven't changed their sound much over the last decade, but in this case, that's not a bad thing. DJ Tone B Nimble and Capital D are down with the Molemen. Their album, Elements (Fire), it's nothing more than straight up, quality boom bap hip hop. This is an album that I'm still getting more and more into, so this has a chance to move up even more before the end of the year. Great for fans that wish hip hop hadn't changed so much.

Favorite Tracks: "The All", "Poppers Pop, Breakers Break", "Nothin' To Lose"

16. Akrobatik - Absolute Value

Sounds Like: A cross of battle rap, political consciousness, and Ak being Ak; a versatile MC

Summary: Absolute Value, grew for me over time and continues to win me over as the year goes on. Akrobatik is a very accomplished MC who brings a versatile LP to the consumer, to almost a fault. Absolute Value has something for everybody, everything from nuggets of knowledge found as Ak and Chuck D kick it "Kindred", to Ak just kickin' battle rhymes on the title track, produced by the great and mighty J-Zone. As I mentioned, the album kind of lacks a central focus and strays a bit in some places, but it's still a quality album that should stay in the top 20 when 2009 rolls around.

Favorite Tracks: "Soul Glo", "Put Ya Stamp On It", "Absolute Value"

15. One Man Army - The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.

Sounds Like: A lyrical MC that would rank up with the top MC's in the game right now. One Be Lo is very consistent, you know what you are getting when you get a One Be Lo album.

Summary: I haven't heard much about this album being mentioned in the hip hop circles after having a critical acclaimed release in 2005 in S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. One Be Lo's sophomore retail album, The R.E.B.I.R.T.H., is everything his debut was, but just more focused. After being unceremoniously left off the first quarter list, I made sure the album was included on the midway report. The album is a twelve track focused effort, as One Be Lo is one of the more sociological MC's, touching on society as a whole as well as the state of hip hop. There are a couple classic tracks to be found on the effort, as both "Hip Hop Heaven", which takes a spin on Scarface's "I'm Dead" and "Gray", which incorporates a laid back beat with a sax loop that should be on any "end of year" list.

Favorite Tracks: "Rebirth", "Gray", "Hip Hop Heaven"

14. 9th Wonder & Jean Grae - The Jeanius

Sounds Like: With beats from 9th Wonder, you get that soul sampled North Carolina sound that 9th has basically trademarked. With Jean Grae, you get a lyrical female MC that can hang with any male when it comes to rhymes and making songs.

Summary: The first of three albums that have appeared previously before in one form or another in the top 20. I was a big fan of the version that leaked on the 'net way back in 2004. The beats found on the original was one of 9th's best efforts. While a few things have changed on the 2008 version, the reincarnation is still undoubtedly dope. Jean proves while she should be mentioned as one of the top female MC's to ever grace the mic as she drops lyrical gems and thought provoking jawns as 9th paints soundscapes that seem to match perfectly with what Jean Grae has to say.

Favorite Tracks: "Don't Rush Me", "My Story", "The Time is Now"

13. Ill Poetic Presents Joe Budden X Portishead: Mood Muzik's 3rd (LINK)

Sounds Like: Something completely new....

Summary: My man Eric over at When They Reminisce has done enough campaigning for Ill Poetic to last the next two years, and while I've always thought Ill Poetic was dope, I just wasn't into his music as much as E. I also liked Joe Budden's Mood Musik 3, but it didn't get a ton of play from me. That is until Ill Poetic presented us with this "mash-up" of sorts. For those of you not familiar with the concept, Ill Poetic made beats using Portishead samples and it works WONDERFULLY. It's something completely new sounding and very creative. Tracks like "Roll Call" is just freakin' hard as fuckin' nails. It almost reminds of the 2008 version of The Bomb Squad. Just pure noise and chaos.

Favorite Tracks: "Dear Diary", "Roll Call", "Warfare"

12. Kidz In The Hall - The In Crowd

Sounds Like: Little Brother meets Cool Kids meets 90's Native Tongues

Summary: While some of my fellow blogging cohorts question their taste in fashion (and probably rightfully so), I wholly expected not to care for this album when it dropped for different reasons. Not because of the new image they were trying to cash in on, although the "Drivin' Down The Block" single didn't help at all, but I also wasn't a big fan of their debut, "School Was My Hustle". I still can't stand "Drivin' Down The Block", and I'm not big on their "image" (I won't call them douche bags though), the album was a pleasant surprise. Once again, versatility rules, as they cover a wide spectrum of sounds and topics. The production is on some top notch quality, when they aren't trying to cash in on the hipster sound. I'm not sure of the staying power of the album yet, but so far, it's getting the spins.

Favorite Tracks: "Let Your Hair Down", "Mr. Alladatshit", "The Blackout"

11. Raashan Ahmad - The Push

Sounds Like: Mr. J Medeiros comes to mind and his album from last year. Also, since Raashan Ahmad is from the Crown City Rockers, there is some of that flavor as well.

Summary: I've never been one to get into the Crown City Rockers. It's not that I didn't like them, I just didn't pay them much attention. I don't really remember what made me listen to The Push, I guess a couple people who's opinions I value said it was a good album. Sure enough, I played this album two times in a row the first time I heard it. There is nothing totally mind blowing on it, but just about every track is quality. Raashan Ahmad isn't the most lyrical MC there is, but he constructs quality tracks that lends to a overall cohesive album that grows on the listener the more he/she listens to it.

Favorite Tracks: "Cool Down", "Here We Go", "Get Funky"

Thirty Tracks from Jan-July 08 That You Need To Hear: 11-20

Amad Jamal - Goin' Postal (myspace)

Baje One - Mission Statement (Weightless EP)

Camp Lo - Lumdi (?)

EdO. G & Masta Ace aka A&E - What Does It Matter (Advance)

Kurupt - Yessir (?)

Oddisee ft Motion Man - Holding Back (Good Tree EP)

Praverb - Freedom To Prevail (Center of Attention)

Foul Mouth Jerk ft Masta Ace - Small Town USA (Street Light Music)

Suzi Analog ft DJ SoulClap - HandClapRap (myspace)

The Grouch - Artsy (Show You The World)

Read More...

Summary only...

Spins, Tracks, & Thoughts For The Week

WYDU just recently went over 500 posts. I was going to do something special for the 500 posts milestone, but in all honesty with some "extracurricular" activities going on in my life and the holiday weekend this past weekend, I spaced it off. I guess I'll save my idea for The Daughter's three year birthday. But looking back at the sheer number of "500 posts", it kind of boggles my mind. Obviously I haven't done all 500+ but I'm guessing I've done at least 400 of them. Not sure what that says about my own life, drive or desire for this site to succeed. Maybe it says a little bit about all of those factors. It'd be different if a lot of those 500 were just mp3 tracks thrown up or a few sentences and call it a post, and we have those kind of posts, don't get me wrong, but they are few and far between. There has been a lot of planning, research, writing and just overall execution that has gone into a lot of these posts. I'll admit, I've been feeling a bit burned out, unmotivated and uninspired lately but I guess that's bound to happen from time to time. No fear, I've experienced this feeling before and once I figure out how to make a living out of doing nothing but blogging and hip hop related stuff, then shit is on, but till then, we'll just plod our way to another 500. Thanks to everyone who has ever visited, sent an email, left a comment and even acted like a douche bag, you've all made this entertaining and fun to do.

Masta Ace & Edo G

I've heard word through my close sources (and actually its been on Ed's myspace for over a month) that Ace & Ed have started working on a new album together entitled (tentatively) A&E. We all know how I feel about Ace, so any project with Ace always sounds good to me, but the joints Ace and Ed have done in the past ("Wishin'" anyone?) have always been on point, so after waiting two plus years in anticipation for the eMC project, the wait starts again for Ace and Ed. There is a rough copy of a new Ed & Ace track on Hip 2 Da Game, check it out if you haven't yet, it's pretty nice.

Top Ten Tracks of the Past Few Weeks & Top Five Spins
I've always met for this to be a weekly feature, but I'll be damned if I can keep it on schedule, so we'll just say these are my favorite tracks of the past two-three weeks or so. After a fairly slow start of the year, things are starting to pick up. I've hit upon a couple albums that I'm feeling and also getting some tracks stuck in my head that are getting some major play

10. Nino Bless - Droppin' Names (Scratches by Scram Jones)

I'll probably get some heat for selecting this track, but I'll gladly take it. The fact that just the thought of most of the New York "Dun Rap" stuff sends me into an narcoleptic seizzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzure....sorry about that, but you get my point. I didn't really know much about Nino Bless, wasn't he one of the dudes on Puffy's "Making The Band"? Regardless, I like the cats flow and the beat on this track and while the concept of the song, dropping group names (ala alcoholic drinks, breakfast cereal and other things) throughout the rhymes isn't all that new or original, it is well executed. He just dropped a new street LP titled Untold Scriptures that I have yet to listen to as of yet, but this track is rather nice.

9. The Grynch - That's Hip Hop

I've been sitting on this track for awhile, but this it has really grown on me. I don't know all that much about the artist, other than he is from my neck of the woods (well, same region) in Seattle. The track doesn't break the mold of the typical "Ode To Hip Hop" type of track, it's just the fact that the Grynch does it well. I'm not sure who is on the beats, but it's horn heavy with a thick sound to it. You can find his mixtape "Heat" from last year here.

8. Pharohoe Monch - Broken Heart

Why couldn't "Desire" have joints like this? Sure, it's mellow, kind of slow and sounds like "adult contemporary" hip hop, but Monch's smooth and soulful delivery that he has trademarked just glides over the headin' bobbin' track. Not sure where this is coming from, but hopefully if he is doin' a new album, it's more like this.

7. You - Atmosphere

I've heard mixed reactions toward "You". All in all, just about everything I've read and seen regarding Slug and Ant's new album has been positive, but some people list this as their least favorite song and some list it as their favorite. I'm guessing the catchiness that the song encompasses probably is the main factor in that response. Me personally, I've spent many days at work with this track going through my head. It does contain that pop-like quality of containing a simple yet catchy hook, but I'm okay with that. Also the fact that it's one of the more uptempo tracks on the album also makes me like it more than I probably would otherwise. They don't disappoint.

6. Grip Grand - Poppin' Pockets feat A.G.

Why isn't this cat down with Stones Throw? Sounds like something right down their alley. Grip's album, Brokelore, has gotten enough plays from me that I would call it one of my top 5 favorites of the year so far. While the remix for "Poppin' Pockets" is nowhere my favorite track from the album, like most albums that I like and start playing on a daily basis, but favorites roam from track to track. Lately, I've had this song stuck in my head. Not sure if it's the chipmunk sample of the way AG and Grip flow back and forth over the track, or shit, it might be the catchy ass hook. Just another banger from the "Brokelore" album.

5. Copywrite feat King Dom - It's A Wrap

I know it's not cool to like Copy, but I never given a shit about that kind of thing. I've always liked Copy as an MC. Don't know him any other way, so whatever. I'm guessing this track has been around in the past, but I just kind of "re-discovered" it on the bootleg of his that's floating around. It's over a Dilla beat, not sure if it's legit or what, but the beat is classic Dilla and Copy and partner sound pretty damn fresh on it. Eric told me it was probably from The Cruise Control mixtape that he dropped a year or two ago, which that might be, I'm sure I've heard this before, but for some reason it grabbed me this time around.

4. Weapon X - Asshole Syndrome

Another album that has been getting a steady increasing amount of spins. I'm not real familiar with Weapon X either, but I know he is out of LA and has some serious potential. Not saying his album "Portrait of a Starving Artists" is mediocre, far from it. This track employs an almost nursery rhyme hook, but I get a chuckle out of it. If you are like me, you'll end up singing along with it.

3. Praverb - Freedom To Prevail

I'm a sucka for strings, and man, does this song possess some serious strings. It almost reminds me of the first time I heard "Paparazzi", it's that good. This track will cause you to catch a kink in the ole' neck as you nod along to the beat. Long time WYDU favorite Praverb brings the goods lyric wise as well. Great track all the way around.


2. Dagha - Scat

You'll hear me gushing about The Divorce soon enough, but this track is an example of why I'm so high on the album. Let's just say it's one of the 6 new CD's I picked up recently. A big band sounding sample lets Dagha just rip shit in an old school funky way. Great track that should be in the top 25 by the end of the year.

1. Has-Lo & Small Professor - Prelude

My man Has and my man Small Pro bring the heat on the ...Still Fucked EP. This track is just simply amazing to me. As I've mentioned before, I saw no reason for Has' original EP to get the remix treatment, but I'll be damn if some joints are better than the originals. This one is a toss up with the original, just because I'm such a big fan of the original.

Top Spins

1. Has-Lo & Small Professor - Fuck Has Day: Remixed But Still Fucked

I've said pretty much all I've needed to say about this remix EP last week. The more I listen, the more it grows on me. It's just a solid album all the way around. And best of all, it's free. Also, be on the look out for a "top secret" project from Has in the upcoming weeks.

2. Dagha - The Divorce

Thanks to my man Jaz for pointing this out to me. I had heard of Dagha only as a guest artist on one of Edan's albums a few years back. Nothing that really made me take notice, but when I sat down with this beautifully executed concept album, I had to hit "replay" when I was done with and go through it again. It's funny, when I first listened to it, it immediately reminded me of Connecticut legend Dooley-O, and come to find out, Dagha is on Lewis Recordings, the same label that Dooley is on (or at least was, I haven't checked lately). Dagha is straight from Beantown, Boston for the suckas out there, and I think made a better album that Dooley's "I Gotcha..". The album is based on going through a divorce, which I've never had the pleasure of going through, but I can still relate in some ways. Very witty and funny, this will be one of my top albums of the year in the near future.

3. Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons, Paint That Shit Gold

I'm still playing this quite a bit, although I've cooled down from in the past couple weeks. There really isn't any song I dislike on it, but some I obviously feel more than others. I'm not sure where this will fall in at for my favorite albums of the year, but I'm guessing pretty high. It's a mature effort from Slug and something different (or maybe a revert to the old sound) from Ant.

4. Grip Grand - Brokelore

Another album I'm pumping on a regular basis. I can't really even pinpoint why I'm diggin' this album so much, it's just easy for me to get a "grip" on, excuse the bad pun. The beats aren't the greatest, Grip as an MC isn't the greatest, it's all just comes together in a way that makes me want to listen to it more and more. Only one track really sucks on it, all the rest have really made it on my list of favorites at one time or another.

5. (TIE) Poorly Drawn People - Shoot For the Stars, Hit The Ceiling & Joe Budden & Ill Poetic Meets Portishead - Mood Muzik 3 Remixes

My man Storm Davis and his crew, PDP are still getting regular spins as well. I almost got in trouble for singing "Storm Davis fucks like a puma" the other day at work....not good. I'm still waiting on Storm's next release (where the fuck is it dude?) but this is more than a good enough holdover until that happens.

My man Eric does more than enough promoting for his dude Ill Poetic, but I can't front on this remix album, it's fuckin' incredible. Totally my kind of shit, just loud....noise. And well know how much I dig the noise production, ala Bomb Squad. This shit just fuckin' bangs like crazy. I've always liked Ill Poetic, not as much as Eric, but this jumped him up a couple spots on my list for sure.

WHY???
Why am I not sure what to think of the new Busta album line up? Once again, a ton of guest appearances and some odd ones at that. I did like the last one though, so I'll give this a chance.

Why (and I brace myself for the hate) am I not really feeling the new Roots album? And this is coming from someone who at one time claimed the Roots as one of his favorite groups.

Why did that Digital Underground sneak up on everybody?

Why have I still yet to listen to it?

Why do I kind of want to see Vakill go at this Matlock dude? Nothing against Matlock, I don't really know who he is, but I would like to see Vakill go agro on someone.

Why if I heard the news about Little Brother possibly never recording another album 5 years ago, I would have been effected more than I am now?

Why do I not get what the hype is about this Wale cat?

Why have I yet to hear any of the new Nas songs? Dude will just end up pissing me off when the album is released anyway.

Why does it take someone's passing for me to realize the quality material the put out? RIP Camu Tao

Read More...

Summary only...