It’s been fun. This year came and went like a blur of alcohol and hangovers. Rap music wavered in quality but was always present. It’s not outmoded, yet. However, certain rappers became clichéd even further than they were in the 04. 50 Cent released a super successful but inconsistent follow up to 2003’s excellent in places debut. G-Unit became the laughing stock of the rap world due to cheesy beef and a terrible album by Tony Yayo.
The biggest surprise was that all of a sudden underground or ‘indie’ music was last week’s garbage and the mainstream was chic once again. This is shown by my #1. However, the underground did have its few shining stars and although Atmosphere and Aesop Rock couldn’t hold this year’s ‘troubled white guy’ torch, another depressed white kid released an excellent album (Cage for the slow ones).
In the end though the year was a disappointment. No Nas or Jay-Z albums, and over hyped albums from conscious rap’s alumni resulted in disappointment all around. Last year’s one classic record (‘Madvillainy’) spits in the face of everything this year, and although the top 3 are very solid efforts, it feels like the 05 was missing something. At least crunk has all but disappeared . Roll on 06.
The Ten Best Albums Of 2005 (Rap Music Only)
10. Beanie Sigel - The B. Coming - This album stayed strong after multiple listens and became th
e best album to come out of Roc-A-Fella's final year. Hopefully Beans can build on this when he gets home.
Better than releasing your best album : 'Bread and Butter', 'Lord Have Mercy', 'Look At Me Now'
Worse than getting locked up as you do it : 'Don't Stop'
9. AZ - A.W.O.L. - AZ is always ignored, it's just not fair. All whinging aside this is a very solid release from perhaps hip-hop's most underrated lyricists. Just because Nas isn't around doesn't mean AZ can't spit, and with this he proves it.
Better than releasing consistant albums : 'So Sincere', 'AZ's Chillin', 'New York'
Worse than getting ignored regardless : 'Envious'
8. Quasimoto - The Further Adventures Of Lord Quas - One of the most interesting ideas in recent years returned with an almost as good sophomore. However this album isn't 'The Unseen' it still has it's moments, and plenty of them with the high pitched hooligan getting into more adventures.
Better than Madlib on helium : 'Closer', 'Bus Ride', 'Fatbacks', 'Life Is (Chippin)'
Worse than Madlib on oxygen : 'Greenery'
7. Common - BE - Common returned to his roots with an album anchored by witty lyrics and strong production by fellow Chi-towner Kanye West. However the production holds down the replay value of this album and thus the record dropped down the list through the year.
More interesting than a Kanye West interview : "B.E.", "Testify", "Faithful", "Go", "Love Is",
Worse than Common trying to experiment : "The Food"
6. Little Brother - The Minstrel Show - Over-hyped but still great. This is the album critics who dislike Kanye will be praising, but all that hype came with a price. The first listen is disappointing after all the 9/10’s but the album, and it’s fairly flimsy concept, grow on you.
Better than your major label debut : 'The Becoming', 'Not Enough', 'Lovin It'
Worse than not selling : The skits, 'Cheatin'
5. Danger Doom - The Mouse and the Mask - The concept is restrictive but ingenious at the same time. However, Danger Mouse’s tour de force is ‘Demon Days’ and this sounds about half as good sonically. The album is a step forward for Doom but has too many weak tracks.
Better than Atari cartridges : ‘The Mask’, ‘El Chupa Nibre’, ‘ATHF’, ’Space Ho’s’ ‘Benzi Box’
Worse than misplacing your mask : ‘Bada Bing’, ‘Crosshairs’
4. Sean Price - Monkey Barz - The BCC returned, but it wasn’t the BDI thug who re-ignited the flame, it was Jesus Price (and Smif-N-Wessun). The album was rough, rugged and raw from start to finish with Sean refusing to liquidise his style for a pop orientated media.
Better than a strong BCC album : 'Shake Dowithin', 'Brokest Rapper You Know', 'Boom Bye Yeah', 'Mad Mann'
Worse than Buckshot flopping : Very little. 'Heartburn' doesn't sound like a Ruck song, but otherwise we cool.
3. DJ Muggs vs. GZA - Grandmasters - The Wu-Tang came back ninja style and struck while quiet. This however was the only noteworthy album from the crew in a disapointing year for the Killa Bees. However, the future looks bright for hip-hop's premier clique.
Better than a killer chess move : ‘Illusionary Protection (War Drumz)’, ‘Advance Pawns (Royal)’, ‘Exploitation of Mistakes’, ‘Destruction of a Guard (Pop, Pop, Pop)’, ‘All in Together’
Worse than leaving your Queen unguarded : Again nothing. A slim album with excellent production, great concepts and great lyrics.
2. Edan - Beauty and the Beat - Like a Volkswagen from the 60’s, this album was pure psychedelic nostalgia. Funky, trippy and lacking in filler this was the ultimate winter/spring album for 2005. Let’s hope we see more from Edan in the new year.
Better than finding your old Transformers : ‘Funky Voltron’, ‘Making Planets’, ‘I See Colours’
Worse than Edan’s haircut : Nothing, it's a pretty bad haircut.
1. Kanye West - Late Registration - Kanye West took a long run up and jumped the sophomore slump with this genre-bending modern day masterpiece. Maybe not perfect, but definitely the best thing put to record this year. Excellent concepts and perfect pop production anchor this record at number one. The biggest ego in hip-hop justifies his self acclaim.
Better than a Prada man-bag : ‘Roses’, ‘Drive Slow’, ‘Golddigger’, ‘Gone’, ‘Hey Mama’
More played than last season’s loafers : The skits.
Overrated Nonsense (A.K.A.) Most Disappointing
The Disappointing.
Dreddy Kruger Presents - Wu-Tang Meets The Indie Culture - Where were the Wu-Tang? No Ghostface Killah and a lot of overrated underground artists dropping their B material over wannabee RZA production leaves fans slightly peeved.
The Overrated.
The Game - The Documentary - OK, OK, the production is strong but it is hardly Dr. Dre at his best, and the lyrics are absolutely awful in places. This isn’t a bad album, but it is definitely overrated by fans and pop culture in general.
So we’ve come to the end of another year and rather than looking back on the year in delight this year has quite simply gave us promise for the future. Come on guys, we know you’ve got it in you.
I'll be back in the new year where i'll be upping the ante with reviews coming weekly and perhaps even a regular column. Have a good new year Sixshot!
