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
