HipHopDx Reviews
Bun B - Trill O.G.
In the end, fans are left with a pleasant close to a respected series, and one of Hip Hop's most respected voices still outshining the majority of his peers.
El-P - Weareallgoingtoburninhellmegamixxx3
For the most part, the album's gangsta boogie meshes well with Meline's penchant for using metallic drums, sinister synths and jarring samples.
Ras Kass - A.D.I.D.A.S.
Though the means of getting his album havs changed, the Ras' abilities haven't. The album has some very visible flaws, but it's easy to understand each of them.
Cut Chemist - The Sound Of The Police
Listening to Sound of the Police, you can hear the origins of American music throughout - from the drums, to the instrumentation.
Gyptian - Hold You
Hold You a tastefully-done modern (read: Auto-Tuned) take on Lovers' Rock, which will be catchy enough to keep people listening.
June Marx - Body of God
Time and again, with a few notable exceptions, a great beat is introduced only to be paired with lyrics that don't equal the music's depth.
Tech N9ne Collabos - The Gates Mixed Plate
Tech N9ne's delivery harkens to Kool G Rap's crazed flow and Kool Keith's off-kilter timing, making Gates as unique and wild a listen as ever.
Slum Village - Villa Manifesto
Slum Village never got the chance to make an album when all four members were alive and on on good terms, but Villa Manifesto is not only a great, sentimental note for die-hard SV fans to end things on but one of 2010's better albums.
Fat Joe - The Darkside Vol. 1
This is easily Fat Joe's best-produced album in over a decade - but that isn't the key to this album's success. Hardcore lyricism backed by the conviction that has been lacking since the '90s give this project heart.
Trek Life - Everything Changed Nothing
It's not that Trek Life is a bad rapper, it's more that he does nothing on Everything Changed Nothing to make him stand out. In fact, from the break it feels as if Oddisee's beats are overpowering him.
Killah Priest - The 3 Day Theory
But we'll all be damned if Priest can't write the hell out of a Rap verse. For the most part, every rhyme serves a purpose, and the stories are, if nothing else, rarely boring.
Paul Wall - Heart Of A Champion
As flawed as it is, Heart of a Champion is still an album worthy of merit. Paul exhibits a lyrical vigor unheard since his 2005 major label debut. While the album may not be a complete victory, he proves without a doubt that he's still the People's Champ.
Rakaa - Crown of Thorns
"Delilah," produced by Dilated bandmate Evidence, is a booming outcry on infidelity. Told in the past tense, the deep theme is reminiscent of J-Live's "third" series, and with the amazing vocal sampling and hard-hitting bass, is the album's show-stealer.
Rick Ross - Teflon Don
Despite three albums and a handful of notable hits, Ross has yet to put forth a project that truly defines his Rap legacy. Will Teflon Don, solidifying his status?
Godfather Don - Donnie Brasco
Not only did Don make beats for Ultramagnetic MC's and Mobb Deep, but he also joined the exclusive ranks of emcee/producers whose skills in one area weren't completely dwarfed by the other.
Stat Quo - Statlanta
At first glance, Statlanta shows little sign of having retained much of its originally-intended content. Frequent Aftermath collaborators Needlz, Focus... and Sha Money all offered their production services, giving a possible glimpse on what could've been
Curren$y - Pilot Talk
Bouncing from boutique to boutique, Curren$y finally delivers on Def Jam. It won't be mistaken as one of the year's best albums, but it is a solid debut from a 29 year-old that brilliantly connects with younger fans.
Capone-N-Noreaga - The War Report 2
Transcending subpar sequel syndrome, the follow-up LP isn't going to be perfection in anyone's eyes who considers the original one of their favorites, but it's a definite step up from much of Noreaga's solo work, or even Channel 10.
Juvenile - Beast Mode
It's unfortunate for longtime Juvie supporters, who may be disappointed by the effort, especially with Hot Boys reunion rumors floating around. This can't be a sign of what's to come. For now at least, it seems things aren't all back on track.
M.I.A. - ///Y/: Deluxe Edition
While there is no track on Maya with the Pop sensibility of "Paper Planes," there are enough cross-genre cuts to satisfy the mainstream. "Born Free" the Punk raison d'
