Top 6 Hip Hop Albums (Of The 2000's)

Kanye West - The College Dropout

The debut of an album by an artist that was refused a bunch of times for his approach and in fact just his rapping abilities, Kanye created a masterful project that didn't deal with violence nor anything hard or gang related, had to do with himself and perceptions of life

Kendrick Lamar - GOOD KID, MAAD CITY

Considered a classic in its first month, Kendrick released a bulletproof album which has been praised all over for its attempt to be self conscious revealing, and having records that you could potentially party to, this appealed to so many

Madvillian - MadVilliany 

Doom and Madlib created something special here, this project had so much chemistry, Madlibs production matched against Doom's monotone rapping along with comic book skits. Its a great project.

50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin

Every song on here could be a single, this album is from one of the last gangster rappers. This album is a finale of gangsta rap in my opinion, this mainstream album made audiences be more comfortable with content used.

Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor

Coming from the Mos Def & Kweli era, Lupe hit the world with a self conscious album that had top production, brilliant album with a fresh outlook on concepts from new school rappers, this is a personal favourite of mine. 

Drake - Take Care 

You already know, i consider this album to be one of the most interesting albums to come out this century simply because this is so unique in its approach, courageous, vulnerable and artistic that it deserves the acclaim. Spawning from 808's thanks to kanye rappers aren't afraid to be looked at this way and Drake is considered to be one of the greatest and this album explains it. 

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Top 6 R&B Albums (Of The 2000's)

                                                 

Frank Ocean - Channel Orange

Very nostalgic for me, the summer of 2012 had a big transition for me, it was a really bright summer and i bought this the minute it came out and whenever i listen to it, it brings back fond memories. This project is one of my all time favourites, Frank did a great job on this one and has left us with this drought ever since. 

Miguel -Kaleidoscope Dream

Classy R&B has returned with Miguel being one of the new kids on the screen to have a sound so universally appealing, the project fusing soul, pop and funk is risky, but Miguel does it justice.

Usher - Confessions

Probably the most prolific r&b artist next to R Kelly is this man, this album consisted of hits, not just sexy r&b but self conscious and introspective r&b which changed the game in many ways. An impactful album from a legend.

Craig David - Born To Do It

This album is considered one of r&b's finest, the british artist hit the world with this unexpected debut, this project opened the eyes of those who are new to 'Garage'. 

Destiny's Child - Survivor

Once the worlds biggest R&B group and certainly the last good one, the trio released a classic r&b album that shaped the sound for the 2000's and birthed a phenomenal indepedant career for Beyonce. 

Alicia Keys - The Diary Of Alicia Keys

Baby baby babyyyyy. Alicia with undoubtedly her best release, this just felt like her with her piano and some drums, with some beautiful writing and bam here we are. 

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Top 6 Hip Hop Albums (Of The 90's)

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Blackstar

One of the classic socially conscious albums of the 20th century lies here between the charismatic duo. Safe to say that this is my favourite hip hop album of all time, this project consists of introspective lyrics over boom gap, r&b instrumentals. 

Mos Def - Black On Both Sides

Being a Mos Def fan i have to include his solo effort here,  a project which i admire so much, there are records on here that i still relevant and Mos Def sings and raps throughout the record which is really ahead of his time, the use of his voice during is passionate and delivered well. Peep 'Miss Fat Booty' where you have some slick rick type of storytelling.

The Notorious BIG - Ready To Die

One of the illest to ever do it, Biggie Smalls with possibly the greatest Hip Hop album of all time. Puffy directed this project with the confidence in the lyricist. The project has classics. 'Juicy' & 'Big Poppa' set this rapper into a star.

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

Shouts out to Tip & Phife on the mic and Ali on the beats, this dynamic trio released one of the finest projects in the golden era. this record right here is my personal favourite as it is cohesive and experimental in sound. 

Nas - Illmatic

Considered the Hip Hop Bible, Nasir hit the world with a classic. Peep 'the world is yours' and 'New York, State Of Mind', the record is self explanatory in its content. 

Jay Z - Reasonable Doubt

Jay Z's debut was not just a commercial success but also a masterpiece in its era, it deserves the critical acclaim as these records are the pinnacle of hip hop and the start of Jay's incredible career of being an icon. 

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Top 6 R&B Albums (Of The 90's)

Maxwell - Maxwell's Urban Hang Suite

The inspiration for this blog btw is from the title of this album, clearly it defined the genre for neo soul. Every track on here is a 10/10 and a groove. It grows on you and doesn't seem to get old at all, its jazzy and would be playing in my bachelor pad for decades. Peep the live version of this project too, Maxwell doesn't disappoint in this era. 

Jodeci - Diary Of A Mad Band 

If we're talking R&B, you have to give it to the 90's. This group is essential in every R&B playlist. 'My heart belongs to you' 'Feenin' and 'Alone' being personal favourites this whole album is cohesive and ahead of its time, especially for a 1993 release and for their sophmore effort. This the first album where Timbaland and Missy Elliot were credited too. 

Ginuwine - The Bachelor

Phewwww, this album right here has enough classics. An out of the box type record that had Timbaland putting out his best work, 'Pony' coming straight off it proves how funky this late 90's record is. 'Tell me do you wanna' Only when ur lonely' & 'Ill do anything/im sorry' are personal favourites. 

Janet Jackson - Velvet Rope

An album which paved a way of Janet, this beautifully composed record has gems, 'Got till its gone' touched by Dilla is a classic, very well executed in its approach you have records on here like 'I get lonely' and 'Rope burn' are classics. Production atmospheric and quite ahead of its time. 

Sade - Love Deluxe 

Cherish the day my friends, this record here is explosive, magnificent and every track on here is worth your time. Baby making music indeed! Tracks on here have been covered many of times, songs like 'No Ordinary Love' 'Bullet Proof Soul' Kiss of life' & 'Feel no pain' are prime examples of how great R&b once was. 

D'Angelo - Brown Sugar

When Jodeci meets Blackstreet, this record has some neo soul classics 'Me and those dreaming eyes of mine' 'lady' 'brown sugar' are seductive in its execution. Funky and groovy, this record here are one of my all time favourites. 

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Top 6 Breakup Albums

Its time to get that Kleenex out for different reasons.

Kanye West - 808's & Heartbreaks

This album is a classic for a the dudes who have been hurt, yeezy understands. The first track, 'Say You Will' discusses the trust and the lack of it, the disappointments of actions and the failure of words, powerful stuff. The rest of the project is cinematic in its approach of heartbreak and disappointment. I guarantee there are records on here that you can relate to. 'Heartless' being the most straightforward and poignant record on here


Drake - Take Care

The tears are real on this one, the much R&B influenced album will have you questioning everything, "where did it go wrong" "why did she/he?" or "darn, it was me" or even "darn, it was both of us. Marvins Room is a perfect example as why this album is a contender for this top ten the loss of a woman and Drake needing to call her and rekindle a flame that was much real. Then her voicemail echoing across your headphone makes everything much real and relatable. Other songs such as 'Shot For Me' 'Doing It Wrong' 'The Real Her' 'Good Ones Go' & 'Hate Sleeping Alone ' are songs that will stay with your broken self.

Marvin Gaye - Here My Dear 

Spawned out of his own breakup with his wife, this album is dedicated to her and the loss of her companionship, very heartfelt and passionate, this  album is considered a classic breakup album for its time and even one of the greatest albums of all time. There is deep agony and gets personal in its execution, so personal you can hear the hurt in his voice. Check out 'I met a little girl' & 'Time to get it together'


Amy Winehouse - Back To Black

Clearly mentioned in its album title, sweet, sweet Amy was suffering through heartbreak, many of these records are reminiscent, even the most up-beat catchy and poppy songs on here consist of heartbreak. 'Rehab' as a clear example of that, 'Love is a losing game' 'Tears dry on their own' 'Black to black' are titles that are evident, and these records should be appealing to those in heartbreak.

Bon Iver - For Emma, Forever Ago

This is a classic for the recluses as Bon Iver, Justin, put himself in a cabin for 3 months creating this very record, his breakup and the loss of his band & his illness caused him to do so, throughout he wrote music that helped him with his personal issues and demons. He recorded it all himself and mastered it, the indie folk singer put out a thorough heartbreak album.


Adele - 21 

An album packed with emotion, the heartbroken Adele took to this project with intent to heal. The project was spawned out of the end of her 18 month relationship. A follow up to '19', this has the classic song that had the world in complete awe of adele. 'Someone like you' is the theme song for all that has all suffered loss in their own way.

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LATENIGHTSWITHZAIN ~ UrbanHangSweet

Here is a mixtape for youuuuuu

https://tapely.com/36817

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Drake - If You're Reading This Its Too Late (Mixtape/Album review)

Sup its your boy Zain and its time for another review. This week its the boy, 6 God, Champagne, Drizzy Drake. Dropping a gem for us, this is an artist with no introduction needed, you're aware of him and even if you hate him there are records you have to admire, whether it be on the radio or if it were the old 'mixtape drake' you appreciate what he's done for the culture. Im a huge Drake fan but i will try to be real unbiased in this review.

Legend

"OH MY GOD OH MY GOD IF DIE IMA LEGEND"

BOOM, dat ginuwine sample is killin it, shouts out to PND for the production, this project is starting out wonderful. Basically if Drake were to die he would be a Legend, it is very straight forward and poignant. Loving the gun shots btw.

Energy

"I GOT 3 MORTGAGES, 30 MILLION IN TOTAL"

Drake has a lot of enemies, its easy to understand, he's the king right now. this record has a lot of energy indeed, flow is on point and the direction of the track is nice.

Know Yourself

"RUNNIN THRU THA 6IX WITH MY WOES"
W.O.E: Working On Excellence

Man this track has all the hype you want from a track, if there were a single for the project this would be it. it has made waves. Cant wait till Baka get back on the road btw.

10 Bands

Probably my favourite song on the tape, 10 bands, fiddy bands, hunnid bands. lets not even discuss it man oh em gee this record is tight. Heard a snippet of this months ago and i just knew this would be a banger. Cookin with the wri wri wri

No Tellin

"I mean besides Ricky Ross, Aubrey the biggest boss here"

 phew, just when you thought the beats couldn't get any more heavy this track comes on, Drake doesn't want to give it all way, theres no tellin.

Madonna

"i saw potential in you from the go, you know that i did"

First track thats dedicated to a lady on this record and the beat is calm, headed to more of an rnb path right now. More ginuwine on this too.

6GOD

"I'LL ADMIT I'LL ADMIT IT"

Indeed he will, the god of the 6 has spoken, Drake dropped this record months back along with the classic How Bout Now & Heat Of The Moment. Its a filler track, great hype song but doesn't live up to the other records on the tape. Nice use of the donkey kong sample tho

*Star67

"Line Blowing up"

Lowkey, the best song on the tape. Just because of its in depth material, you have to look beyond the surface to understand what Drake is talking about. Classic voicemail Drizzy, this record has a nice switch up. Late night driving type.

Preach (Feat PartyNextDoor)

Meh

Wednesday Night Interlude (Feat PartyNextDoor)

"Girl I'm lonellyyyy"

This the type of PND i like, the crooning persian rugs R&B slow jams performer, i really like this record. Has a lot of depth even when PND does his famous runs.

Used To (Feat Lil Wayne)

"THEY DONT LOVE YOU LIKE THEY USED TO"

Besides lil wayne's questionable lyrics, Drake goes hard and i thought this was the same record that was on Waynes sorry 4 the wait but nah this has a new verse, and its fire.

6man

"LIKE IM LOU WILL"

What a tribute, this is a bouncy and captivating beat that instantly takes you back to the club vibe.

Now & Forever

"I CANT BE OUT HERE ON SOME LAID BACK SHIT"

Sounding like a Cudi song, Drake gets on his midnight escapade. Sounds like he just left a love interests house, needing to escape from the daily troubles of finding someone. Getting back on the road

Company (Feat Travi$ Scott)

"IM STILL A CANINE AT HEART IM A DOG"

Probably my second favourite i like this record a lot, its hazy and sounds like a sequel to days in the east. You have some K9 ad-libs and then Travis with his impeccable "a=ajdibwihf I'm a dog, i go ham I'm a hog" honestly a pretty good song with a lot of quotables.

You & The 6

"SHE GOT GOOGLE ALERTS"

Conversations with Drakes mama is interesting, Drake is games of throne with it, he hates being aggressive on the phone with his mama. Its all good, not a personal favourite of mine but i understand the content. its no 'look what you've done' but it serves a similar purpose.

Jungle

"ARE WE STILL GOOD?"

This that classic slow jam drizzy I've been waiting on got damn, this song makes you want to call your former partner and you want to ask her if every things ight, if she needs anything, if theres still mutual appreciation, a closure song, trust me this shit is everything to me.

6pm in New York

"YOU NEED TO ACT YOUR AGE AND NOT YOUR GIRLS AGE"

RIP TYGA basically. This no 5AM but it shows you the boy can still rap and he still needs to vent, there are still things happening that are bothering the boy, its pretty ight. He still has a decade to go with this stuff so step aside and let Drizzy become the GOAT.







Well, there was my unbiased review.



BRING ON VFT6 FAM.

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