2011 Freshmen Top 10

Usually around this time of year, XXL Magazine runs a cover story on the top 10 “freshmen” MCs that are making noise in the streets (internet) and the industry. XXL’s January issue had Dr. Dre on the front, and a week or so ago, they released a shot of their February cover which will formally introduce Eminem’s new Shady Records signees, Slaughterhouse (lyrical super group consisting of Royce da 5’9”, Crooked I, Joe Budden and Joell Ortiz) and Yelawolf. I’m not disappointed by either one of these cover stories, as both are big news and worthy interviews. However, I’m now wondering if XXL will get around to printing a Freshmen Top 10 this year. So I decided to create my own list of the top 10 rap acts on the come up. Some artists from XXL’s list last year still haven’t released an “official” major label album, but through touring and mixtapes have still carved out a spot for themselves in the national spotlight (e.g. Wiz Khalifa, J. Cole); technically, some might still call them freshmen, but I won’t include them on the list for a second time. But if I missed anyone else that you feel is worthy, drop a comment and let it be known. And vote for your favorite from my top 10 under my Twitter on the right side of the page.


10. Chiddy Bang – this band/duo from Philadelphia showcases the fusion of hip-hop, alternative and pop, a sound that is gaining popularity right now, especially with younger and college-aged audiences. This MC/producer combo has gained a lot of notoriety in a short amount of time, accruing a major UK following and making an appearance at Lollapalooza in Chicago.



9. Vado – This Harlem native is best known for his association with Dipset general Cam’ron and their group The U.N. He brings that same flashy, laid-back swag that Cam, Juelz and Jim Jones made popular a few years back, but he spits with more intensity, like an older version of Cam when he was in his prime.



8. XV – Wichita, Kansas native XV has amassed an online following like no other, and with good reason because he is constantly flooding the ‘net with new material. Since 2006, he has released 15 mixtapes, appealing largely to the backpacker and cool kid following. He recently inked a deal with Warner Bros. and is set to release his official debut sometime in 2011.



7. Smoke DZA – Being a major attraction on a national independent tour is not to be taken lightly, especially when the bill includes other notables like Curren$y, Big K.R.I.T. and Mac Miller, to name a few. Smoke DZA has crafted his own flavor of smokers’ rap, and fans love it. Watch out for how big his movement has the potential to become, as well as what else he may be capable of.



6. Kendrick Lamar – Real name, no gimmicks, LA representer Kendrick Lamar is just that – all real. Despite growing up around gang culture, Kendrick focused on hopes of a different lifestyle by avoiding gang association and choosing instead to concentrate on school and music. Now his hard work is paying off, as his newest mixtape O(verly) D(edicated) has been highly praised, and he is rumored to have written for Dr. Dre on Detox…



5. Cyhi da Prynce – This self-proclaimed prince from Atlanta has been grooming his skills since 2006, rubbing shoulders with major industry figures at Konvict Music and Def Jam, until he finally crossed paths with Kanye West who immediately signed him to G.O.O.D. Music. He boasts strong features on tracks from Kanye like “So Appalled” and “Looking for Trouble,” and his Royal Flush mixtape is out and receiving considerable attention.



4. Dom Kennedy – LA is oozing with rap talent these days, and none cooler and more confident than the smooth and easy flow from Dom Kennedy. He first received nationwide praise from his Future Street/Drug Sounds mixtape in ’09, and his 2010 release, From the Westside with Love, showcases his ability to bring that west coast sound and flavor similar to the pioneers of the style from the early 90s.



3. Yelawolf – originally from Alabama, Yelawolf has made small but consistent steps in the right direction, and now seems to be getting the recognition he deserves. Making his name and reputation through features with Slim Thug, Juelz Santana and Big Boi, the tongue-twisting spitter gained the admiration of Eminem and managed to land a deal with Shady Records just a few weeks ago.



2. Big K.R.I.T. – this Mississippian caught the attention of ears all over the country with his K.R.I.T. Wuz Here mixtape, including those of Sha Money XL which gleaned him a deal with Def Jam. That along with his close association with other young heavy-hitters like Wiz Khalifa, Curren$y and Smoke DZA has K.R.I.T. set to be the next southern sensation.



1. Jay Electronica – I hesitate to call Jay Elec a freshman, because he’s been philosophizing over movie scores and wrecking obscure beats for a few years now. His inconsistency of presence is likely the reason he’s yet to make a top 10 list. But last year the New Orleans MC made big noise with his Just Blaze-produced single “Exhibit C,” as well as having a daughter with Erykah Badu, becoming close friends with Diddy and signing with Jay-Z’s Roc Nation.

My Top 15 Hip-Hop LP Releases of 2010

2010 was a phenomenal year in hip-hop, in my opinion the best overall since the early 2000s.  We saw certain established artists continue to maintain their relevance while others made formidable comebacks, and at the same time the underground and up-and-coming artists continued to grow and thrive as well.  I chose 15 LPs that stood out the most, (it was hard to make a list this short – I trimmed it from a list of about 50 new albums that I’ve listened to this year) and I made my selections judging from lyrical quality, musical quality, replay value and originality.  If you didn’t check out any of these albums, consider this your notification that you're missing out!  Drop a comment and let me know what you agree with, disagree with, or what should’ve been included that I left off.

15. Thank Me Later-Drake

14. From the Westside with Love-Dom Kennedy

13. Dirty Money Painting-Dru B Shinin’

12. Live from the Tape Deck-Skyzoo & Illmind

11. Death of a Pop Star-David Banner & 9^th Wonder

10. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy-Kanye West

9. Trill OG-Bun B

8. Leftback-Little Brother

7. Don’t Mention It-Pac Div

6. Revolutions Per Minute-Talib Kweli & Hi-Tek are Reflection Eternal

5. Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son of Chico Dusty-Big Boi

4. Recovery-Eminem

3. K.R.I.T. Wuz Here-Big K.R.I.T.

2. Friday Night Lights-J. Cole

1. How I Got Over-The Roots

Honorable mentions (these two were really really close to making the list): Teflon Don-Rick Ross, Stimulus Package-Jake One & Freeway

Other “cross-genre” honorable mentions: Distant Relatives-Damian Marley & Nas, Nothing-N.E.R.D.

Non hip-hop top 15 of 2010 coming soon…

Thoughts on Jay-Z's Book, Decoded

Until recently, I will admit that I was quick to criticize Jay-Z before praising him.  That doesn’t mean I didn’t like him, I’ve actually been a longtime fan, but I used to hate on how the masses blindly crown him the King of Rap.  It annoyed me that fans refuse to pay closer attention to others among Jay’s contemporaries who are often forgotten (Nas and Scarface, to name a couple), even though they deserve rap royalty status as much as he does.  However, over the past few years Jay has separated himself from the competition, even in my eyes.  One of the biggest ways he did this was through the release of his book, Decoded.

Here’s the synopsis – the book is split into four sections, each one representing a different time period during his life.  He writes an introduction for each section and for each chapter within the sections.  These autobiographical essays are articulate, thoughtful and quite illuminating.  Jay writes about the growing pains and triumphs he has experienced, and is more open about his personal life than he’s ever been (still no direct mention of Beyoncé though – hope that doesn’t ruin it for some of you).  Additionally, in each chapter he chooses 2-4 songs from his catalogue that relate to that time in his life and gives a detailed exposition of what the lyrics mean.  He defines slang words, clarifies metaphors and references, and explains the exact thoughts that were behind some of his deepest lines. 

The thing that impressed me the most about this book was the fact that Jay-Z did NOT use this book to accrue accolades for his own accomplishments – instead, he used his authorship to act as an ambassador for hip-hop culture and art.  He showed how the story of his life and the lives of the people he represented fit into the greater context of what hip-hop culture has done for people and what it has become over time.  For example, a short excerpt:

“The art of rap is deceptive.  It seems so straightforward and personal and real that people read it completely literally, as raw testimony and autobiography.  And sometimes the words we use, nigga, bitch, motherfucker, and the violence of the images overwhelms some listeners.  It’s all white noise to them till they hear a bitch or a nigga and then they run off yelling “See!” and feel vindicated in their narrow conception of what the music is about.  But that would be like listening to Maya Angelou and ignoring everything until you heard her drop a line about drinking or sleeping with someone’s husband and then dismissing her as an alcoholic adulterer.”

With insight like this into the depth of rap music and hip-hop culture in general, Jay-Z has even made Oprah stand up and take notice (and anyone who can convince Oprah to listen to the thoughts of a rapper who is not Kanye West has accomplished something).  If you call yourself a hip-hop head or a Jay-Z fan, do yourself a favor and purchase this book.  It even has a cool gold Rorschach inkblot on a white cover, so it works great as a coffee table piece after you’ve read it.