Category Archives: hip hop

#141 – Madvillainy by Madvillain

Since I’ve repeatedly stated my affinity for interesting collaborations, I won’t yet again belabor that point.  Madvillainy, suggested to me by my most prolific album-recommending friend, is the 2004 offering from Madlib and MF DOOM, reminded me that my selections have become homogenous recently.  The recommendations that I get have not only provided interesting listeningContinue reading “#141 – Madvillainy by Madvillain”

#113 – Give The Drummer Some by Travis Barker

This album was recommended by a friend a few days ago and I’ve been thinking about it ever since.  It’s essentially a compilation album with all the beats by Travis Barker and each song features the lyrical styling of some of the biggest names in hip hop.  I have always enjoyed these types of projects,Continue reading “#113 – Give The Drummer Some by Travis Barker”

#108 – King’s Disease by Nas

Today is the first day I’ve ever written my post while the sun is still up.  I’m not sure if its completely meaningless or an important breakthrough, but it seemed worth mentioning.  I haven’t listened to a Nas album since 2001’s Stillmatic, so when a coworker mentioned his new album having come out today, itContinue reading “#108 – King’s Disease by Nas”

#71 – Anything But Words by Banks & Steelz

I think I’ve mentioned before how much I love supergroups.  This is a really interesting one.  Banks & Steelz features Interpol’s Paul Banks and the RZA of Wu Tang Clan.  Apparently the RZA sought out Banks for this collaboration because he “just has an energy about him.”  I saw them at Coachella a few yearsContinue reading “#71 – Anything But Words by Banks & Steelz”

#66 – Big Grams by Big Grams

I wish I could take more enjoyment in watching the wheels come off the trump administration bus, but their problems are killing far too many people to feel OK about that.  I don’t want to get my hopes up about any of these people feeling any consequences for their actions, but it is technically possibleContinue reading “#66 – Big Grams by Big Grams”

#56 – Church Tapes by KC Ortiz

A trans woman and former Air Force personnel, KC Ortiz has an unusual resumé for a rapper.  Her religious upbringing features heavily in the appropriately named Church Tapes, which makes the juxtaposition between her beliefs and her gender identity all the more prominent.  She is clearly a person who likes to be challenged and isContinue reading “#56 – Church Tapes by KC Ortiz”

#48 – Under Construction by Missy Elliott

This album is excellent.  The beats are great, as you would expect from Timbaland, and the tracks feature some amazing guest appearances, including Method Man, Ludacris, Jay-Z and Beyoncé.  Now I will be spending the rest of the evening listening to more of those artists.  The situation we find our country in really makes youContinue reading “#48 – Under Construction by Missy Elliott”

#44 – Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle

This man came up today in a conversation about people we never got to see live.  Its always tragic to see a beloved artist die so young and we’re unfortunately all too familiar with stories of overdosed celebrities, but it’s another thing altogether to have them murdered in broad daylight.  There are always going toContinue reading “#44 – Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle”

#41 – ATLiens by OutKast

It seems fitting to pick something from the latest flashpoint in the fight against police brutality and systemic racism, Atlanta.  Between the Rayshard Brooks case and the issues with the recent primary vote, Georgia has a lot of issues to work out.  Of course, neither of these are isolated incidents.  The shadiness surrounding their electionsContinue reading “#41 – ATLiens by OutKast”