After seeing Nelly win hip hop artist of the year last night at the AMA’s I decided that I have to hand out my prestigious year end awards so some deserving souls get some recognition. And without further ado, the envelopes please…

Album of the Year

Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein

Mark my words, hip hop is going to spend years before they catch up with this album. El-P’s beats are something to be behold, he takes your mind on a journey with his thick soundscapes. Truly incredible.

Runner up: Atmosphere – The Lucy Ford EP’s

An emcee and DJ combo of Slug and Ant are about as obscure as it gets, but this album is a masterpiece nonetheless. Slug’s abstract thoughts and wit will make you think in ways no one else can and the soulful beats provide the perfect backdrop.

Top Ten Albums

1. Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein

2. Atmosphere – The Lucy Ford EP’s

3. Aesop Rock – Labor Days

4. Dilated Peoples – Expansion Team

5. Chino XL – I Told You So

6. D-12 – Devils Night

7. Masta Ace – Disposable Arts

8. Jay-Z – The Blueprint

9. Swollen Members – Bad Dreams

10. Aceyalone – Accepted Eclectic

Song of the Year

Nunca – Chino XL

This song is the definition of murdering the mic, Chino spits mind-bending lyrics at a rapid pace over an incredible beat that harnesses his words perfectly. Just trying to keep up with Chino in this song will leave you out of breath.

Runner up: Kiss U – Ras Kass

The result of the Alchemist fiasco was this song, an incredible DJ Khalid produced semi-dis song. While Ras isn’t at his absolute best on the mic (which is still better than nearly everyone), the beat and chorus are just incredible.

Best Rhyme

Eminem – Renegades

Runner Up: Ras Kass – Van Gogh

Best Battle

Jay-Z vs. Nas

Runner up: Eminem vs. Everlast, Dilated Peoples, Limp Bizkit

Best Dis Rhyme

Eminem – Girls

Runner up: Jay-Z – The Takeover

Best Battle Rhyme

Ras Kass – Game Over

Runner Up: Chino XL – Chino XL

Best Metaphor Rhyme

Sticky Fingaz – Money Talks

Runner up: Cormega – American Beauty

Best Storytelling Rhyme

Aesop Rock – No Regrets

Runner up: Nas – Rewind

Best Braggadocio Rhyme

Chino XL – You Don’t Want It

Runner up: Jay-Z – U Don’t Know

Best Conscious Rhyme

Sage Francis – Makeshift Patriot

Ras Kass – Hot Game (for one line only)

Funniest Rhyme

Kool Keith – Drugs

Runner up: J-Zone – Jailbait Jennifer

Compilation Album of the Year

High & Mighty Presents – Eastern Conference All-Stars II

Runner up: Farewell Fondle’Em

Best Posse Cut

Eastern Conference All Stars Mighty Mi RMX – Tame 1, Copywrite, Cage, Mr Eon, J-Zone, Skillz

Runner up: Full Contact – Swollen Members f. Evidence & Chali 2na

Comeback Album of the Year

Masta Ace – Disposable Arts

Nas – Stillmatic

Producer of the Year

Alchemist

Runner up: El-P