Top 10 Albums of the Decade - 7

7. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP

You can hate him or love him, I'm sure Eminem doesn't care. Acclaimed as one of the most controversial rappers of all time, this white rapper from Detroit exploded on to the hip-hop and pop charts with the hit single "My Name Is" in 1999 and hasn't stepped out of the limelight since. After building up an incredibly large fan-base off of two singles, Em released the Marshall Mathers LP, which would go down in the history books as one of hip-hops most praised albums by critics, but most criticized by mainstream society. Unlike the Slim Shady LP which focused on his persona (Slim Shady), the Marshall Mathers LP weighs in heavily on the dark, disturbed personal life on Marshall Mathers (Eminem's real name). Mather's hatred towards critics, family and his ex-wife Kim are blatantly obvious throughout the album. I guess the first track after the intro titled "Kill You" is a disclaimer to those that want to hate and beef with Shady.

When it comes to lyrical content not much needs to be said about Eminem. I wasn't allowed to buy his albums for two reasons: my mother was a responsible parent; parental advisory stickers became hot after Eminem, Korn and Limp Bizkit put out albums. Noteworthy is Eminem's style through the entire album, jumping back and forth from dark, violent personal raps to outrageous comedic acts. The Marshall Mathers LP put out four singles, three of them dominating the charts for months: The Real Slim Shady, The Way I Am, and Stan. Thank God for "Stan," the hook by Dido made my mother even like the track, which I'm sure allowed me to eventually buy the album.

You can write a story book about Eminem and his controversies, albums, style, 8-Mile, and so on, but I am going to stop here. I don't want my number 7 choice for album of the decade to have the longest, most descriptive write up.

Top 10 Albums of the Decade - 8

8. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Part II

This album deserves to be on the list for a number of reasons. For one, Raekwon maintains his flawless, crime-ridden, mafia don storytelling technique that made the original Only Built 4 Cuban Linx so amazing (mind you, there are differences...). As usual, Rae gets the bulk of his beats from the Wu camp, but also uses some classic J Dilla beats, like on the "House of Flying Daggers." I also feel this album deserves to be listed because it simply lived up to its hype. How many "older" artists do that? 50 Cent has put out a series of flops since Get Rich Or Die Trying and even Jay-Z released some mediocre work (and I'm not downplaying Blueprint 3, more or less B2 & Kingdom Come). OB4CL... II keeps the Cuban Linx trilogy hot. The album also features the majority of the Wu-Tang Clan and also Styles P, Jadakiss, Beanie Sigel, however, Raekwon is the don.

Top 10 Albums of the Decade - 9

9. Gang Starr - The Ownerz

I can't stress enough how many times I went through my CD collection, iTunes, and old tapes/CD-Rs to try and find what I feel is the best representation of amazing hip-hop from the past 10 years. My rough draft had about 30 albums on it, cutting out 20 albums that I feel are not only amazing, but had a strong impact on hip-hop, was far from easy.

We all know Gang Starr, the dynamic duo consisting of Guru and DJ Premier, and their everlasting impact on East Coast hip-hop. The only release Gang Starr put out this decade is the Ownerz, their final album before the two disbanded. Gang Starr stays consistent to their roots as The Ownerz brings classic Premier production filled with jazzy samples and piano riffs and the casual Guru smooth, free-flowing lyricism (check out song titled "The Ownerz" for example, a perfect summary of what the album has to offer). The album also features some New York heavyweights like M.O.P., Jadakiss, Freddie Foxxx, Fat Joe, Bean Town label-mate Big Shug and LBC's Snoop Dogg, although half of them do not compare to Guru's raw lyricism. This album is proof of Gang Starr's longevity in hip-hop - sucka free since '89.

Top 10 Albums of the Decade - 10

Alright, so before I get started I would just like to say that the criteria used to make this list is twofold: my personal sentiment towards to album is obviously the strongest, however, with a list like this, looking over an entire decade of hip-hop is no easy task and an album's mainstream influence must be considered. That being said, I will gradually post my way to number 1, hopefully before Christmas.

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10. The Game - The Documentary

In 2005 The Game released The Documentary, which became on of the West Coast's biggest releases since Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001. During the albums production stages Game was signed to Dre's Aftermath Entertainment, Interscope and G-Unit, along with featuring countless hip-hop and R&B big timers on his debut album. The album put out five singles, the two most popular being "Hate It Or Love It" featuring 50 Cent and produced by Cool & Dre, and also "How We Do," which again featured 50 Cent. The production on the album was handled Dr. Dre, but also featured Cool & Dre, Just Blaze, Kanye West, Timbaland and more. It sold over half a million records in its first week, and has since reached to 5 million mark. As stated numerous times on the album, The Game's goal was to revive the West Coast rap scene that flourished in the 80s and 90s. Although Game's lyrical depth can easily be criticized as being bland, relying more on name dropping (I can't even count how many times he drops famous names or rap albums), Game still managed to "create a buzz without a single like N.W.A. did." and then once releasing some singles took hip-hop in 2005 to a whole new level, becoming one of the most know rappers, for better or worse, this decade.

Welcome to Nova Scotia

I came across this track a few months ago, it is called "Welcome to Nova Scotia" by Ghetto Child. I totally forgot about this track until I saw it on my friend Jeremy's facebook. Check it out, its like a history lesson with really good production.

Pro Tools

After hitting up Future Shop today for some christmas shopping I came across a bargain bin that had a Sean Kingston album on the top. After seeing this I figured there must be some mediocre at least albums in there since that album was somewhat recent. Within 10 seconds of searching the pile I came across GZA's Pro Tools album that was released last year. With a price tag of $2.99 I would be stupid not to. I already listened to the album and have it downloaded (for shame, I know) but it doesn't hurt to add this to the collection.

For those who have never heard it, Pro Tools weighs in heavy on GZA's lyrical ability, but also comes through with solid, simplistic production quality. The album received for the most part positive reviews, it did not rank as high as Liquid Swords and Beneath the Surface. The albums first single was Paper Plate, which is a 50 Cent diss - a good one at that.

Go check out your local Future Shop to see if they have any left laying around. Three bucks is a steal for some quality Wu.

"Compose like a symphony with the a chorus." -GZA, Alphabets

Top 10 of the Decade

As the remaining days in the 00's (I feel incredibly awkward calling it that by the way...) wind down, I decided to take the unoriginal route and copy the Rolling Stone's Top Albums of the Decade article. The only difference is mine will be exclusive to hip-hop music. That being said, I don't have the list done at the moment. But I will gradually add albums up, starting with 10 and working my way down. Hold tight, friends.

Also, Celtics movin' on up to an 18-4 record after tonight's dangerously close game against the Wizards.

Boombox, V10

Damn things are hectic! Not really actually, I really hope my peers don't mind me saying this, but I only have one take home exam left till I get to go home for the break... and exams haven't even started yet! I have been busy finishing everything up however, and that is why I have not been updating often.

Maybe I'll just hook you guys up with some nice tunes for now, since I don't really have anything else to say...

Lil' Wayne - Receipt

The Roots - Game Theory (Feat. Malik B)

Scarface - Born Killer

X-Ecutioners - Live From the PJs (Ghostface, Trife, Black Thought)

R.I.P. Pimp C

Its been two years and two days since the death of Pimp C from the rap duo UGK (Underground Kingz). I remember getting a text on last class bash two years ago from my friend Mex saying that Pimp C had just passed away. Since last night was last class bash I was reminded of this anniversary. As a tribute, jam these tracks that are either Pimp C or a feature.

Ridin' Dirty

Diamonds & Wood

International Players Anthem

Kings (Young Buck)

Big Pimpin' (Jay-Z)

Welcome 2 Houston (Slim Thug)

Chris Clements: Exam Time Blues

Exam time is rolling up quick on University students, I know I am affected until mid-December. Chris sent me a list of tracks that he likes to listen to while studying and essay writing. Check it out.

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I put this playlist together for myself during exam period. It's a rather cool mixture of slowed down beats and calm lyrics. Overall, it pays tribute to some of the best that's ever done it and the nice new talent that is developing overtime.
Enjoy!

1. The Fugees - Zealots

2. Lupe Fiasco - Much More

3. Kanye West - Gone

4. Lupe Fiasco - Jedi Mind Tricks

5. Gangstarr - Moment of Truth

6. T-Pain - Can't Believe It

7. Lupe Fiasco - Lupe the Killer

8. Common - So Far to Go

9. Jay-Z - Girls Girls Girls (Remix)

10. Blakroc - Ain't Nothing Like You