“Fifteen Greats In ‘08″ - The Most Exceptional Hip-Hop Albums Of 2008
ALBUM REVIEWS By TSSCrew on December 31, 2008 at 9:22 pmGenerally, the bickering and babbling that coincides with ranking the year’s best LPs tend to blur the focus on the overall picture.
While some albums directly catered to personal preferences more immensely than others, all the selections emerged amongst the year’s best in regards to quality, visibility and of course, durability. Behold fifteen albums deserving of all the accolades and praises heaped upon them throughout the course of 2008. And their value will only solidify going in to 2009.
No order. No bias. Just noteworthy Hip-Hop.
“From the brooding opening piano loop of “Queens Get The Money” to the uplifting snares on “Black President,” Nas channels his inner Walt Whitman as he explores the Black Diaspora. Lyrically though, his wordplay and delivery are sharp as ever as if all the attention to the title made Nas put extra effort and focus into his words…“ — From “America” - Review Of Nas’ Untitled Album
BONUS - Get familiar with Nas & DJ Green Lantern - The Nigger Tape
“As a master of the melancholy, Budden’s been able to maintain a thriving fanbase even between record label drama as he’s able to relate to listeners through vehement emotion while remaining emotionless all the same…“ — From “Overkill” - Review Of Joe Budden’s Halfway House
Killer Mike - I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II
“You get the feeling that while he may be telling stories, there’s a lot more truth than fiction, as you can sense the honesty in his vocals. All the while, Killer Mike provides a soundtrack for listeners as they navigate through tough times…“ — From “Can You Buy That” - Review Of Killer Mike’s I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II
“Conceptually Game has never been too much of a prolific thinker…but the highlight of L.A.X. is watching him take steps towards those uncharted waters and venturing out in deeper territory. It’s still a step closer to the light where as he’s kept listeners in the dark for the greater portion of his career…“ — From “Los Angeles Times” - Review Of The Game’s L.A.X.
“As most will agree, legal trouble may not be good for Clifford Harris, but it certainly puts a jolt in the music of T.I. Sonically the songs are different as night and day as Tip makes sure his entire fan base understands his stance…“ — From “Ready For Whatever” - Review Of T.I.’s Paper Trail
“Sonically, this is probably their most fan friendly album since 1999’s Things Fall Apart, despite their continued experimentation with their sound. Reflection on society has given Black Thought more to talk about it than his skills and in turn, keeps the album from becoming monotonous…“ — From “Get Busy” - Review Of The Roots’ Rising Down
G-Unit - T.O.S. (Terminate On Sight)
“Each member (Buck included,) has moments on the album that they dominate, while maintaining a consistent level of quality throughout. The rest of the album is a clinic on modern East Coast gangster rap….“ — From “Shoot To Kill” - Review Of G-Unit’s T.O.S.
“Wayne puts on a show, live from the most eccentric parts of his brain, proving he’s one of Hip-Hop’s most entertaining artists. Over a decade deep in the game, there’s irrefutable evidence that he has completely mastered his flow and the ability to ride the wavelength of any beat in his vicinity…” — From “3 Peat” - Review Of Lil’ Wayne’s Tha Carter III
Ludacris - Theater Of The Mind
“Firstly, Theater Of The Mind is not a concept album. In spite of the magnitude of some of the featureetes on the album, Ludacris plays his star role magnanimously and pulls off a thoroughly commendable oeuvre…“ — From “Undisputed” - Review Of Ludacris’ Theater Of The Mind
BONUS - Get familiar with Ludacris & DJ Drama - The Preview
“Expertly chopped up samples and live instrumentation combine to make each track an eventful in Adam’s story. 88-Keys is a producer extraordinaire and he shows off his ability all album long…“ — From “Morning Wood” - Review Of 88-Keys The Death Of Adam
BONUS - Get familiar with 88-Keys - Adam’s Case Files Mixtape
“Young Jeezy has created an album that directly reflects all the principles Hip-Hop has been founded on; touching on an extensive range of topics over his trademark bass-heavy production that’s equally satisfying as it is stimulating…“ — From “What They Want” - Review Of Young Jeezy’s The Recession
“Lyrically Q-Tip’s ability has slipped a half-step from his peak days, but at the same time, he’s still levels above much of the garbage out there today, unafraid to discuss mature topics like conflict in relationships, as heard on “You…” — From “Life Is Better” - Review Of Q-Tip’s The Renaissance
BONUS - Preview Of Q-Tip’s The Renaissance
“Flaws and all, Trilla is still well above average as well as worth the price in admission. Naturally, Ross is at his strongest with accounts of unearthly wealth, stuffing money down the listener’s throats like some sort of ghetto Ted Diabase…” — From “Maybach Music” - Review Of Rick Ross’ Trilla
“With his latest offering, TRONIC, Black broadens his production range while remaining true to his Detroit roots. It’s the equivalent of an airplane flight with no turbulence…“ — From “Long Story Short” - Review Of Black Milk’s TRONIC
BONUS - Get familiar with Black Milk - ELEC Mixtape
“Each rapper seems to feel right at home over each track, allowing them to spit quality bars within their comfort zone, as opposed to trying to adapt to an unfamiliar beat. Efforts like this will guarantee that more MCs and fans will stay along for the ride to success…” — From “Great Sound” Review Of Jake One’s White Van Music
Previously Posted — Winner: Best Comment Of The Year | TSS Presents 2008: The Best Year Ever - Third Quarter | Pillow Talk 2008: The Most Slept On Albums Of The Year | TSS Presents 2008: The Best Year Ever - 2nd Quarter | TC Sings The Bricks Part DEUX!!!: The Most Disappointing Hip-Hop Albums Of 2008 | TSS Presents 2008: The Best Year Ever - First Quarter
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TRILLLLAAAAAA
happy new years niggas!
to A Tribe Called TSS, and the entire Smoking Section Diaspora:
Be safe, have fun, and have a happy, healthy, peaceful and prosperous new year!
happy new year to you all.
my vote for the best of ‘08 goes to Nas and Roots. they held it down allllllllllll year long. i love the shit out of those two albums.
i’m off to finish killing this eggnog.
Nas, Roots & Mike get the nod from me. Yes, the record shows I was questioning whether Nas’ album would be good. Roots, I haven’t rocked to one of their studio albums in years. Mike, well…hehe.
Happy New Year
I’m going with Jake 1 and the Roots
Yes, the record shows I was questioning whether Nas’ album would be good.
________________________________________________________
Look at Gotty jumping on the Nasir bandwagon faster than Messy Jesse can say “I love Barrack like lemonade and ciroc!!” LOL
14KT’s “The Golden Hour” has gotten no mention yet. Shouldn’t LC be championing his cause? lol
Yo. Happy New Year’s to all the ppl’s of TSS.
08 was on great, 09 stay on ya grind!!!!
http://twitter.com/pnmab
Hey, I admitted the Nas joint exceeded my expectations. I’m glad it did.
Can’t front on any of these selections. Each spent a significant amount of time in the truck and iPod.
—————————–
TSS, and commenters alike, Happy New Year!
Be safe, and have a positive, prosperous new year.
yo. happy new years to my TSS people. I love yall and ur opinions…no matter yall stand. with that said….rick ross trilla should NOT be on this list.
Amp’s Top 10 Album’s Of ‘08
==================
10. I Pledge Allegiance To The Grind II - Killer Mike
Like the title of his debut suggests, Killer Mike is a monster. On IPATTGII, we find Mike at the top of his game with his rhymes & flow at their sharpest, as always, spitting the ghetto gospel as if his life depended on it. His most focused effort to date, Mike’s raw delivery, along with his talent for painting ultrarealistic pictures with his bars, lend an air of credibilty that allows the album to transcend it’s average production & merely servicable supporting cast.
9. It Is What It Is - A.B.N.
I don’t know whether they’ve been underrated or simply overlooked, but it makes sense for cousins Z-Ro & Trae to reunite as A.B.N. (Assholes By Nature) for my pick for sleeper album of the year, “It Is What It Is”. Sticking to what they do best, Ro & Trae continue to deliver double time flows & slowed down, soulful hooks over stripped down Texas style production. It’s the modern day blues & A.B.N. deliver a project that solidifies their standing in the Houston underground while still being accessable enough to appeal to a broader audience.
8. Tronic - Black Milk
Tronic may be the album that forces the mainstream spotlight on Detroit. While it’s drenched in producer Black Milk’s signature Rock City sound, it’s also progressive enough musically that you can hear the seperation from the Dilla school of beatmaking into something that’s rooted in the underground scene but sounds modern & glossy all at the same time. Black Milk may not be as skilled of an MC as some of the guests on “Tronic” (ie. Royce Da 5′9″, Elzhi, Sean Price , etc.), but he manages to hold his own & not be completely overshadowed either. Simply put, Tronic is too dope to front on & has crossover appeal with out blatantly “selling out”.
7. Tha Carter III - Lil’ Wayne
The strangest album since “Dr. Octagon”, Kool Keith’s free associative classic, the third installment of Lil’ Wayne’s “Tha Carter” series is the culmination of Wayne’s undeniable dominance over the Hip-Hop scene over the past couple years. The most appealing thing about the album is the apparent freedom Wayne has this go around, allowing him to indulge all his eccenrtricities regardless of public opinion. Graced with some of the finest production of his career, Weezy is uncompromisingly the same MC from the mixtapes, cocksure, brash, & at points, most certainly off his rocker. Over the years since “Tha Carter”, Wayne’s flow has grown far beyond his “Hot Boyz” days, maturing into a whirling tornado of metaphors & non sequiturs, but there’s still a level of intricity to what he does, as evidenced on standout tracks like “Dr. Carter” & “Tie My Hands”. There are a few attempts of introspection, but none really offer any true insight, so while this is one of the years most entertaining albums of any genre, it lacks the profundity which would truly set it apart from the pack.
6. Paper Trail - T.I.
With all his legal troubles from ‘08 being well publicized, “Paper Trail” does a good job of touching on the issue without dwelling on it, but therein lies it’s main drawback. With a few exceptions (ie. “Ready For Whatever”, “Slide Show” “No Matter What”, “Dead & Gone”) this album is mostly devoid of the introspection one would expect from T.I. after such a tumultuous year. Instead it’s been replaced with the most radio friendly material of his career. For every track where “Tip” tries to shine through, there are three others where “T.I.” is in full superstar mode. Though he doesn’t disappoint lyrically & the album has very few missteps, it comes off vapidly compared to the T.I. of old. Even the track aimed at his rivals, “What Up, What’s Happenin’”, lacks the fire & venom of similar fare from the past. For any other MC, “Paper Trail” would be a fine addition to their discog, but in T.I.’s case it just comes off as a psuedo-inspirational bid for commercial success. Although I’m sure it’s totally unintentional, “Paper Trail” is the depiction of duality that “T.I. Vs. T.I.P.” aspired to be.
5. Theater Of The Mind - Ludacris
If there’s one thing Ludacris has proven with this album is that his success in film hasn’t made him complacent when it comes to his other job. “Theater Of The Mind” is the celebration of an MC who has achieved a certain status in the Hip-Hop game & he’s invited all his famous friends to join the party. Although it doesn’t quite deliver as a concept album, it does succeed in delivering a theatrical experience, with nearly every song featuring A-List features & production. Straddling the line between critical & commercial success, ‘Cris manages to make music that is decidedly mainstream without losing any of the wit or wordplay that he came in the game with. With each release, Luda has made an effort to broaden his appeal & while “Theater Of The Mind” may not get you any closer to understanding who Chris Bridges is, it’s still one of those rare albums that actually has a lil’ something for everyone.
4. The Renaissance - Q-Tip
Yeah, I know what I said back when this first dropped, “The Renaisance = Amplified”*, & that’s still true for the most part. Thing is, I really liked Amplified & after hearing it a couple of times, I realize I really like The Renaissance. I wouldn’t try to compare it to any of the Tribe albums, but at the same time it’s an album made for Tribe fans, especially those who were turned off to the more uptempo sounds of his previous effort. Though he may not be as lyrical as he was in his Tribe days & the subject matter is hardly anything groundbreaking, Tip still succeeds in cementing his status as one of Hip-Hop’s elder statesmen by being present in the now instead of living off the accomplishments of his past.
3. The Death Of Adam - 88 Keys
The concept album in Hip-Hop. An undertaking many have accepted but few have truly delivered on (ask Ludacris). Producer 88 Keys “The Death Of Adam” succeeds where few concept albums do, it sticks to the concept. The album is the story of “Adam from Uptown” & how all his encounters with women lead to his untimely demise. The first thing you’ll notice about this album is the excellent production by Keys, it’s resemblence to Kanye West’s early works should come as no surprise, being that ‘Ye is Keys best friend & co-executive produces the album. Bursting with horns, strings, samples & soul, “The Death Of Adam” offers a sonic experience unlike any other album in ‘08. A dark comedy in tone, the album finds Keys (an admittedly green MC) rapping & singing on a bunch of songs to varied results. It’s the albums guest stars (ie. Kanye West, Redman, Phonte, J*Davey, etc.) that really give life to Adam’s narrative. In all, as good as this project is, it’s 88 Keys’ 1st solo release & one can sense that this is merely the tip of the iceberg for a truly talented producer.
2. Untitled - Nas
Let me preface this by saying that this is a mature album, so if you’re looking for glorified tales of gangsterism or a soundtrack to “Dougie” to, this probably isn’t the album for you. Instead, Nas sets about on the ambitious undertaking of tackling the issues of race in America through his music & for even mustering the nuts to challenge his self in such a way is commendable. With this album, Nas returns politically charged rap back to the mainstream with his most focused effort since “Illmatic”. Nas has always been at his best with a chip on his shoulder & a focal point for his rhymes & “Untitled” provides both, spurring him on to delivering some of the most insightful lyrics of his career. If anything holds “Untitled” back from fully realizing Nas’ vision is the somewhat understated production, with the exception of Polow the Don & Cool & Dre’s contributions. While the lowkey soundscapes allow the listener to fully focus on the depth of the lyrics, they sometimes drone on, losing the listener in the process. But this merely a minor criticism, because the songs themselves are so poigniant without being preachy, that for the most part Nas’ message manages to be heard despite the music around it. Last album, Nas proclaimed that “Hip Hop Is Dead”, but “Untitled” shows that Hip Hop still has a strong pulse & artists like Nas are the reason why.
1. The Recession - Young Jeezy
As an artist that’s made a career outta reporting from the trap, Young Jeezy manages to venture further out this time around & delivers his stellar 3rd LP, “The Recession”. Sonically as dark as ever, “The Recession” is a return to the minimalist synth heavy production of his debut & a departure from the more polished/sanitized sound of “The Inspiration”. Though some of the tracks do have similar instrumentation, it only adds to the cohesive sound of the album overall. No one has ever mistaken Jeezy for a lyricist & while the occasional clunker of a couplet sneaks through, there is a definite improvement from “Thug Motivation 101″ to now. Young Jeezy manages to stick to his usual script without becoming monotnous, at the same time he’s taken steps towards expanding his sights past the block. The main knock against Jeezy from critics has been his lack of substance, and using the recession as a binding theme, Jeezy manages to add a layer of depth to his songs without sacraficing the rawness that fans have come to expect. The “Trap Life” that Jeezy lives in his lyrics may be reserved for real-life D-boys & the denizens of “The Wire”, but everyone can relate to the frustrations of $5.00 gas & past due bills. While his 1st two albums were supposed to motivate the streets, “The Recession” serves as a soundtrack for anyone in the day to day grind, from the corner to the corner office.
unfortunatly…none of my favorite artists that dropped in 08 should be either (Quik, tech and stak).
I was all on board with Amp’s campaign to get himself a guest blogging position until number one there.
Jeezy’s album isn’t bad at all, but it doesn’t stick to the ribs. When tracks were leaking individually, the album sounded EPIC and like a potential best of the year contender. When I heard the whole thing as intended, the EPIC stayed, but the best of the year contender evaporated.
I tried to listen to it again during a recent 4 hour road-trip. I made it to the end (as I knew that Nas was waiting), but the album is tiring. It bludgeons you with synths and monstrous hooks, but Jeezy ain’t talking about shit for the most part. I was in a catatonic state after listening. I had to wash my ears out with some Jay-Z.
That said, solid album, probably better than the previous two, but he’s still Young Jeezy.
Question: HOW COME TSS DIDN’T REVIEW THIS ALBUM?
THE GAS - P BROTHERS
http://rapidshare.com/files/156411035/The_P_Brothers-The_Gas-2008-CMS.tar
Make that list sixteen when you’re done…
(This is what happens when you mis-schedule your family trip and get stuck in rural South Carolina with no broads or booze within an hour of you on New Years Day).
Happy New YEar TSS i’m drunk as hell right now. I hope you had a good one
I apologize for any transgressions I may have committed. Tonight.
No, really. They seem to enjoy it.
Happy new years y’all
I was all on board with Amp’s campaign to get himself a guest blogging position until number one there.
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LOL I’ll settle for a couple of those Mighty Healthy tees =)
Just trying to step my pen game up. With all the top notch writers on the Section, I can’t help but be inspired. Trust me, none of the crew members have any reason to look over their shoulders lol.
I got a spliff in my mouth & a bottle of Grand Cru in my hand, surrounded by nothing but friends & fam…life is good. And to my internet family, I couldn’t see doin 2008 without ya & I’m looking forward to shootin’ the shit with y’all for years to come.
“Cool off, thinkin’ we local, c’mon homie, we major”
I listened to Jeezy on a road trip today & I was amped. TC said it best when he compared it (Jezzy) to a Sugar Rush. You feel good, but after awhile you come down.
It’s top 5 though… but back to drinking.
Happy New Year ya’ll
Happy New Year, Barack Obama and all that…
Where is Al Green, “Lay It Down?” My top album for 08…
Hmmmm…most exceptional Hip-Hop albums…Al Green…hmmmm…
Wasn’t shit good about 08.. I’m being positive as hell and can’t name a positive thing. So much bad shit happen lsat year.. Hope it was better for others but it sure as hell wasn’t for me.
Ah, TC, you can’t even be commenting this late, Chi-town run out of drinks??? Lol. ?uestlove played drums on Al Green, and if that’s not enough, Al’s one of the most formidable sample sources ever, he shoulda got some shine.
Anyways, I’m drunk and it took me about 25 minutes to type this comment free of typoes (I think), Hope y’all had a great New Year’s Eve. TSS 4 Life.
yeah AL Green and Saadiq Raf ’s Albums Are Soul music !
not really Rap music homie…
BUT yea for the large Hiphop music classment !!
To some degree I’m willing to co-sign all of these, except for LAX & Untitled. Both albums were underwhelming (IMO). Overall I think Game’s album lacked the fire he had in his previous works. There were some songs that banged, but there were far more that I had no problem skipping over.
As far as the Nas joint goes, it just wasn’t what he advertised. Nas promoted it as an album that would spark discussion on the issue of race in this country. The only conversation it sparked was how far he’s fallen. I honestly wanted him to succeed. I believed he was one of the few big name MC’s that could pull this off. However after listening to the album a few times I came to the conclusion that he’s taken too many L’s to the head. I’ve grown tired of his blunt smoke logic. He needs to lay off the kush. He sounds like one of those cats that just got out from doing a bid. And stands on the street corner kicking knowledge to anyone that will listen. You know he did a lot of reading while he was away, but you’re not convinced he knows what the fuck he’s talking about. To me Nas has gone from the one of the best MC’s to just another old cat that’s trying too hard (still remember that bullshit that him and Kelis pulled at the grammys). In the end I think Wale was able to do more with one song, than Nas did with an entire album…
I know I’m probably all alone here, but as the saying goes opinions… assholes… everybody something something… Just my 2¢
RMF…
which Wale’s song > Hero !?
Killer mike, Jeezy, 88 and Kanye.
Don’t sleep on 808s.
which Wale’s song > Hero !?
==================================
Greumsy check for Wale’s “The Kramer”
The Kramer > All of “Untitled”
All respect due to Wale, but “The Kramer” bores me with that “pseudo Weezy jacking Jay-Z flow” and the bland beat. He gets a ton of knowledge in though.
That’s a completely different thing from a wide ranging examination of various racial issues over the course of an entire album. Listen to what Nasir is kicking throughout. Listen.
Amp got far too much to say
What a weak year. This is depressing.
How is it possible the Re-Up Gang’s We Got It 4 Cheap vol. 3 didn’t make the list?
Maybe because 1) It’s not an album and 2) it sucked.
all I wanna say…..
TSS sure did avoid 808’s like the plague…haha.
Poor,weak album. The fact a fucking mixtape is in there says it all.
Halfway House is a damn ALBUM.
renaissance and untitled were my faves of 08
universal mind control was nice as well
Not hating, but this was more like “The Best-Selling Hip Hop Albums of 2008″, not including like 5 albums.