TSS x 2007 Year End Review
12.31.07Preface By Gotty™
Contributions, Words & Editing by DJ Sorce-1, MZ., TC, Patrick M., Beware, K1NG, Jada G., Boogie Tonight, Gotty™, Dirk Diggaho, Corey Bloom, Matthew Mundy, Jessie H., Chief78, Paola
I’m glad it’s fucking over.
Don’t get me wrong. 2007 was a remarkable year for all things musical, especially hip-hop. Even while sales continued to slump & we were faced with even more one-hit wonders & their songs, we had quite a bit of good music.
We took it upon ourselves to compile our own list of what we could remember about 2007 and that we hope will still be listenable in 2008 and beyond. Is this everything noteworthy that came out in 2007? No. Even with the massive Crew that we have, no one could listen to, sort through, recall & write about every single artist, song or album that left it’s mark.
Is our list any better than any other publications’? No…it’s ours. And it’s the best, word to Khaled.
So what did we do? We put down the ones we could remember in hopes that if this page becomes a time capsule, someone will one day dig for the joints off this list, listen and say “So, that was hip-hop & rap music in 2007.”
Amy Winehouse – “In My Bed”
So this track is from Amy Winehouse’s previous album, Frank, but was widely overlooked prior to her rollercoaster year. By lacing Nas’ “Made You Look” sample with saxophones and Amy’s voice from another era, she reminds hip hop of its distant cousin jazz.
Alicia Keys Ft. Kanye West – “No One (Remix)”
Great song made greater by Kanye. One of the best, laugh-out-loud lines of the year – “Young Halle told me make me feel good / so I gave her the monster balls.”
Alicia Keys – “I Need You”
Upon its release in October, As I Am has dominated hip hop soul. “I Need You” is a throwback to Stevie Wonder’s “As,” fueled by forceful drums accompanied with a horn section blending a rich yet organic sound that would make Stevie proud. Alicia’s legendary status: Achieved.
Amerie – “Crush”
Ms. Rogers’ takes us back to the days of roller-skating Saturdays and Reebok classics. Over a synth-laced track full of harmony, she lures her crush into a night of fun. It sounds so nice, he probably didn’t realize it until the next morning when he woke up and she was gone.
Amy Winehouse – Back To Black
So talented. So conflicted. Maybe rehab is a good idea…
Amerie – Because I Love It
Her third album and first not to feature production from her long-time collaborator and producer Rich Harrison, SBMG has yet to release it stateside. This 80′s inspired CD was my shit and still in constant rotation in the ride and mp3 player.
Andre 3000
By dropping a few superlative guest verses here and there, Dre has got everyone fiendin and chomping at the proverbial bit for a solo album.
All-Star Remixes
After Game took the Dream Team idea 100 miles and runnin’ in 2006 with the epic “One Blood Remix,” Fat Joe (“Make It Rain”) started off the year following the same approach to hype an underappreciated single. By the end of the year, it was mandatory. Some chose to improve the OG, like Diddy (“Last Night”) and Rich Boy (“Throw Some D’s”), while others simply milked it (Hurricane Chris and the Shop Boyz). DJ Khaled on the other hand, parlayed it into a career using that same successful formula on both the remix and original versions of “We Takin’ Ova” and “I’m So Hood.” Somewhere, Marley Marl is demanding a royalty check.
B.A.G. (Bad Ass Grasshopper) – “Mic Check”
Weezy is his usual otherworldly self as he introduces his new side project over a towering Maestro backdrop.
Big Kuntry Kane – “Fuck Being Famous” Read the rest of this entry »
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