Finding general consensus in a Hip Hop review is a difficult task to accomplish, especially when a rating is attached. The results can be polarizing, and our dedicated readership certainly let us know in the comments section when they feel like we dropped the ball. This is certainly true when we give an artist and album a higher rating than what their own opinion is.
In 2014, we only had four albums where our opinions diverged widely, but when it did happen it was divisive. Of course, all of the albums involved had two things in common: they were done by female artists not considered “Hip Hop” enough or by “trap” artists not considered deft lyricists. In both cases, the comment section let us know. As such, we highlight four albums that got high marks from HipHopDX but not from our readership.
2 Chainz – Freebase
DX Rating – 4.0
DX User Rating – 2.6
Freebase was raucous and fun. It featured a hilarious opening skit about a guy done with freebasing cocaine, but nothing else. And that “smoky-white-devil” weaved itself into and out of the narrative with Chainz getting more personal than ever. The first time he saw a crack pipe was in his parents kitchen? Selling weight to your own family? All of that was scattered in between the hilarious non-sequiturs and straight up jokes had on the mixtape. The beats were well executed machinations as well, and in a very, very serious year, it provided some comedy relief. Relief none-too-appreciated by our own readers.
Never-the-less, we thought it was worthy of strong consideration. And it was ceremoniously lambasted in the comment section. 2 Lamez had some harsh words for HipHopDX in general with, “HAHAHA this why people never take DX reviews serious 4 outta 5 for this trash . Tell me this do dx still stand by giving Yeezus 4.5 outta 5 cause you don’t even have the reviewers name on it someone is ashamed or fucked up badly.” And the others were just as negative sans a few. Either way, Freebase was an anomaly we liked a lot. And even though you didn’t, that’s what relationships are about, right?
Rich Gang – Tha Tour Pt. 1
DX Rating – 4.0
DX User Rating – 2.95
Rich Gang’s Tha. Tour Pt. 1 came out of absolutely nowhere to be one of the best mixtapes of the year — in our mind. The chemistry between Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan was completely undeniable, especially on standouts like “Lifestyle,” “Givenchy” and “730.” Quan got all melodious on us on a few of his own like “Milk Marie” and “Everything I Got.” And Birdman, thankfully, mostly stayed out of everyone’s way and let everyone be great.
This was Young Thug’s second mixtape of the year. The first, Black Portland, was almost universally denounced by our readers as well. Still, Tha Tour Pt. 1 might not have just been a great mixtape but a look in the future of Cash Money. So, it seems, Young Thug may be around for quite a bit longer whether anyone likes it or not.
Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste
DX Rating – 4.0
DX User Rating – 3.0
Who would have foresaw 2014’s most controversial figure coming in the form of Azealia Banks? More known as a one-hit wonder years back with “212,” the Harlem-native managed various Twitter beefs and parting ways with her labels. Incidentally, she became the voice of a discussion regarding cultural appropriation that has divided Hip-Hop enough to cause a civil war. While the rest of the world disregarded her, Banks released one of the most sonically refreshing albums of 2014 through Broke With Expensive Taste; proving she had the music to back-up that sassy mouth of hers.
For an album spending years in limbo and production several years old, Banks’ independently launched debut bucked many trends. Even her vocal ability stood out beyond the Chicago bass and house mashed into the electronic melodies she used to great affect. Missing was her penchant to make things hot for various rappers in her social circle as well as, apparently, any major label she’ll eventually land on. What comes next for the Harlem harlequin is anyone’s guess, but she’ll always have a place in our hearts despite her lack of real estate in yours.
Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
DX Rating – 4.0
DX User Rating – 3.01
YMCMB’s first-lady Nicki Minaj spent 2014 relatively ingrained within the consciousness of pop culture. Doning a more natural aesthetic, she dropped “Lookin Ass Nigga” in February and followed up around April with the Lil Herb assisted “Chiraq.” Many thought “Mixtape Nicki” was making her grand return. Then Onika released The Pinkprint’s first single, the emotional and vulnerable “Pills and Potions” as the summer kicked off. The single underwhelmingly came-and-went but nothing could prepare the world for the viral “Anaconda” cover art. Once the actual Sir -Mix-A-Lot sampled single and accompanying video were released, anticipation for Minaj’s third studio album were at an all time high despite a slight delay. Lets also not forget the highest profile feature of the year through Beyonce’s “Flawless” remix.
Once The Pinkprint was let out unto the world, DX writer Marcus Dowling called it “a true foray into the mind and life of Nicki Minaj, tightly woven and intricately laid.” For once, the Trinidadian – Queens transplant managed to balance both mainstream pop and Hip Hop roots well enough to create a cohesive body of work. Those same attributes were seen as a problem for most DX commentators who felt Minaj didn’t dive farther enough into the days of Beam Me Up Scotty. Regardless, The Pinkprint was honest, spaztic, gritty, fun and entertaining most importantly.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
Ural Garrett is an Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
maybe hhdx need to do some house cleaning because all of those albums are garbage. Well….Nicki album isn’t garbage, it’s just not as good as the review it was given. especially when you held it as high as the j.cole album, which is another one you all got wrong, it should have been rated higher. jump off a bridge dx.
REALLY?!?!?
These are your favorite albums that nobody liked?
This will be the last time I come to this God awful website that has its lips completely melded to The corporate mainstreams ass.
2 Chainz? Really?
Iggy?
NICKI FUCKING MINAJ?!?!?!!?!??
Whoever employed the writing staff for Hip Hop DX deserves to be shot in the face.
it’s Azealia Banks not iggy. this shows how much you read that article…
Hey What?
Sometimes people do disagree. Azealia Banks, I’m sure, doesn’t necessarily count in along with the “corporate mainstream.” For the three others, I think that four wide disagreements out of a few hundred reviews ain’t too bad. Either way, thank you for checking out the piece.
LMFAO you guys have complete shit for taste
Vamp,
You’re more than entitled to you opinion, but I’m not sure you can judge us based on the four anomalies between DX and the audience that popped up last year. These things are bound to happen. Of course, thank you for checking the piece.
Nah man, all of these projects isnt good at all. Nicki is the only one I would give like 7 out of 10 ( a decent project ). 2 Chainz project is terrible all because 2 Chainz is a seriously BAD rapper and Young Thugga isnt that good too.
How can u praise Thug and 2 Chainz with RHQ and give an average rating to a lyrical mosnter King Los and not even mention the best Atlanta rapper Rittz. Seems like you like repetitive unoriginal MC’s more.
Killer Mike tho
Honestly I think you guys got it 100 percent right. Rich Gang Tour was probably the hottest mixtape of the year. And I loved Freebase, it was dope. Its a regional or type thing. Most of the people that like those Trap Albums dont comment in hip hop blogs. Dont be fooled by Trollers Acts like Yo Gotti and 2chainz make like 40K a show while your back pack rappers and ‘lyricist’ that you love can barely pack out a show. By the way idk what you guys ranked this but Monster by Future was a Top 5 Mixtape of year as well.
Thanks for the kind words, Gucci. You’re right. In the spaces both 2 Chainz and Yo Gotti frequent, they are very successful artists. It’ll be interesting to see what sort of projects come out of both of those guys this year. And, Future had a good year, indeed. He’s certainly kept his success going, and changed the minds of a few people who thought he’d be a flash-in-the-pan.
You got one thing right HHDX, your readers do hate this list. What trash, can’t believe i still visit this shit site. This article is either the biggest troll bait or the editors of HHDX are legit fucking morons with terrible taste. FOH
Hey Anonymous,
Out of about 200 or so albums reviewed in 2014, we were apart by about one point or more on only four albums. I think that’s pretty good. Of couse, we completely respect your opinion, and thank you for checking out the piece.
I don’t see Young Thug or Rich Homie Quan around for long. Neither of them are rappers that are built to last. They’ll make a few dumb and catchy songs but will ultimately fade away once the next “hot trend” comes in.
Cosign that homie
You may be right, AR. Or maybe this is a shift in Hip Hop as a whole. Nevertheless, it should make for an interesting time seeing if Young Thug and Quan can go from being sort-of novelties to strong standalone artists or a group. Either way, thanks for checking the piece.
I am for diversity in Hip-Hop, but when Lifestyle is being played out of every radio station all the time, that is sad. Catchy toon, but you don’t understand a word they are saying. They shouldn’t last long.
I usually use this site for my info on what’s hot and what’s not….. I agree 100% on the selections. Especially the Azealia Banks Album. That album is a landmark game changer. Most people that are disagreeing with this article. Only hear and believe and see one sound. They truly don’t inderstsnd music unless it’s live from the underground or some crap. I can name quite a few albums that are underground that are wack. I love the underground… I thought BLU album would have made the list. It didn’t and I’m not tripping. Hip Hop Dx is always in point with their reviews. Not only have they recognized a masterpiece with Azealia Banks album. The industry has seen the same thing. Do your research……. Broke with Exspensive Taste is on every top 25 albums of 2014.
Bad troll, not even funny.
You forgot Animal Ambition, hiphopdx? smh
And the ones you actually picked on the list above…its just that everbody knows that its really really bad music and you try to dickride that shit, that it
We actually didn’t rate “Animal Ambition” very well, Yep. This list were for albums that we enjoyed but you didn’t. Our next year end list will cover albums you enjoyed but we didn’t. “Animal Ambition” is on that one, though.
Of course, thank you for checking the piece.
Lucky to say I haven’t heard any of these and can’t imagine doing so!
Cocaine Pinata belongs on this list!
no it doesnt because the readers all loved it for the most part… this is a list of albums that got terrible user reviews but good editor reviews.