Hip-Hop In Retrospect ~~2009 Edition~~

  • nIANja909's picture
    Hip-Hop In Retrospect ~~2009 Edition~~
    nIANja909
    says: (12 Dec '09)

    Aiight. So 09 is essentially over now. It's time to go back over this years releases, give our opinion on albums, mixtapes, artists, news, and the industry as a whole.

    Was 09 a good year?

    A Great year?

    A terrible year?

    In Underground...Mainstream...Whatever

    What were the best and worst albums/ Collabo's / Projects / Events

     

    And finally, what are you anticipating for 2010!

     

    And let me make this VERY clear:

    This thread is NOT intended to be solely about Lupe Fiasco. It's meant for the discussion of HIP-HOP and Rap Music in 2009, which may include, but is IN NO WAY LIMITED to Lupe Fiasco.

    34
nIANja909's picture
Submitted by nIANja909
on December 12, 2009

Aiight. So 09 is essentially over now. It's time to go back over this years releases, give our opinion on albums, mixtapes, artists, news, and the industry as a whole.

Was 09 a good year?

A Great year?

A terrible year?

In Underground...Mainstream...Whatever

What were the best and worst albums/ Collabo's / Projects / Events

 

And finally, what are you anticipating for 2010!

 

And let me make this VERY clear:

This thread is NOT intended to be solely about Lupe Fiasco. It's meant for the discussion of HIP-HOP and Rap Music in 2009, which may include, but is IN NO WAY LIMITED to Lupe Fiasco. Keep the dick riding and the Stan-ning to a minimum please. Thank You.

Alright, to start off, here are a few notable events from 09.

 

VH1 Hip-Hop Honors 09: (Honoring) Def Jam Records

VH1’s Hip Hop Honors 2009 is the first time that the show has honored a record label.  For 25 years, Def Jam created the stars that pushed hip hop culture forward, including LL Cool J, Public Enemy, Kanye West, Slick Rick, Rick Ross and Rihanna.  The men behind the scenes are as legendary as its artists, including Rick Rubin, Russell Simmons, LA Reid and Jay Z.  The Def Jam brand didn’t just innovate in music, it also launched a breakthrough comedy show (Def Comedy Jam), a dynamic spoken-word showcase (Def Poetry Jam), and set trends in fashion, film and advertising.  Def Jam led a cultural movement that changed the world.

Featured performances and covers by Wale, Public Enemy, Travis from Gym Class Heroes, KRS One, Trey Songz, Eminem, The Roots, DJ Jazzy Jeff, Method Man & Red Man, DMX, Scarface, Ja Rule, Warren g, Ludacris, Ghostface Killah and many others.

 

MTV's Hottest MC's In The Game

  1. 1. Jay-Z Is The Hottest MC In The Game!1. Jay-Z Is The Hottest MC In The Game!

    Posted 10/04/09

  2. 2. Lil Wayne Rocks The Hottest MCs In The Game At #2!2. Lil Wayne Rocks The Hottest MCs In The Game At #2!

    Posted 10/04/09

  3. 3. Drake Soars Into The Hottest MCs In The Game At #33. Drake Soars Into The Hottest MCs In The Game At #3

    Posted 10/04/09

  4. 4. Kanye West Is The #4 Hottest MC In The Game!4. Kanye West Is The #4 Hottest MC In The Game!

    Posted 10/04/09

  5. 5. Rick Ross Bosses Up As The #5 Hottest MC In The Game5. Rick Ross Bosses Up As The #5 Hottest MC In The Game

    Posted 10/03/09

  6. 6. Gucci Mane makes his list debut, thanks to a mix of club bangers and pop cameos.6. Gucci Mane makes his list debut, thanks to a mix of club bangers and pop cameos.

    Posted 10/02/09

  7. 7. 'My President' brings Jeezy a major hip-hop moment during Obama's election.7. 'My President' brings Jeezy a major hip-hop moment during Obama's election.

    Posted 10/01/09

  8. 8. ' 'Loso's Way' brings Fabolous to a new career peak.8. ' 'Loso's Way' brings Fabolous to a new career peak.

    Posted 9/30/09

  9. 9. 50 Cent has stayed hot with mixtapes, Web presence and publicity.9. 50 Cent has stayed hot with mixtapes, Web presence and publicity.

    Posted 9/29/09

  10. 10. 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II' puts veteran MC Raekwon back in the game.10. 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II' puts veteran MC Raekwon back in the game.

    Posted 9/28/09

 

Eminem, Jay Z, Meth & Red, and Raekwon Return

To drop Relapse, Blueprint III, Blackout 2, and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II

 

Charles Hamilton Dropped from Interscope Records

Following the scandal with him and the deceased J-Dilla n fam among other drama. He's apparently trying to make his comeback now though.

 

Trends

Auto-Tune...

Skinny Jeans...

and other gay s*** like that.

Sales

Lil Wayne's Tha Carter III moved more than 1 Million Units it's first week

Eminem's Relapse sold over 600k First Week

Blueprint III sells over 450k First Week

And of course, here are some much anticipated & POSSIBLE releases of 2010:

Lupe Fiasco - Lasers
Nas & Damien Marley - Distant Relatives
Reflection Eternal - Revolutions Per Minute
Eminem - Relapse 2
Drake - Thank Me Later
The Roots - How I Got Over
Murs & 9th Wonder - Fornever
J Cole - ?
Jay Electronica - ?
Jay Electronica, Mos Def, & Curren$y - Center Edge Territory
Slum Village - Villa Manifesto
Madvillain - ?
Blu & Exile - ?
Kid Cudi  - Cudder
MF DOOM & Ghostface Killah - Swift & Changeable
Method Man, Raekwon, & Ghostface Killah - The Wu Massacre
Black Milk, Guilty Simpson, & Sean Price - Random Axe
Kidz in the Hall - Land of Make Believe
Common - The Believer
Dr Dre - Detox (2010...Lulz)
The Game - The RED Album
Pharoahe Monch - WAR
Phonte - ?

Forum category: 
Talk That Sh#t
nIANja909's picture

December 17, 2009 — nIANja909
OB4CL2. Euuugghh.
Malik_3's picture

December 17, 2009 — Malik_3
The Ecstatic and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2 were the best albums of the year.
nIANja909's picture

December 17, 2009 — nIANja909
BUUUUUMMP!
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
oh yeah, forgot about the BET Cypher. It was aiight, I was kinda bummed Mos used his Brooklyn We Go Hard verse but oh well. I think Joe Buddens and Black Thought were the nicest.
1Prophecy's picture

December 12, 2009 — 1Prophecy
SlaughterHouse! -4 monsters emcees in one group, been excited since i heard the first slaughterhouse track, theyve made quality music, the album was good, not anything special but good, they had some bangers but it seemed to die down by the end of it, but what can u expect they aint a real group... Horse shoe g.a.n.g -theyre too raw. Fawshawn -just started listening to him, sounds promising Drake - meh nothing new, been listening to him for like 4 years...im from toronto. Los - Ransom freestyle, and intro to welcome to swaggsville -I used to blow him up a bit on the old forums, hes not a very versatile artist at all, but i gotta say hes good at what he does, one my top punchline rappers for sure. 50 Cent - BISD - I like it! reminiscent of get rich or die trying. BET cypher- it wasnt bad this year, Joey, nicki, em and krs went in. Mos spit his new york go hard verse so he doesnt count. I like asher roth, bp3 - it was ight.., Young Money - Have you seen Nicki Minaj's ass??, Gucci mane...sigh., Loso's way= oveeerrated!, BUT my Highlight of the year was "Ima let you finish, BUT BEYONCE HAD ONE OF THE GREATEST VIDEOS OF ALL TIME!" *shrugs shoulders* *taylor begins to cry* LMAO! kanye's my hero.
1Prophecy's picture

December 12, 2009 — 1Prophecy
Very Nice wrap up Ian! that reminds wonder if skillz is gonna do a wrap up 2009. Anyways I didnt take in too much music this year just wasn't feeling it. but my highlight projects were Blu-HerFavoriteColo(u)r -This mixtape was a instant classic for me, Blu's music is just so smooth and the way the his songs just flowed with each movie clip he put in was masterful.yes masterful. J.Cole - The Warm Up/ The Come Up -at first thought he was just gonna be some chump jay signed to make commercial songs, but son got skills, and he promotes school! j.cole is on another tip, really anticipating his future material hopefully the industry doesnt ruin him Lupe Fiasco - Say Something Brother Ali- Us -When I first saw the promo video for the Us, it give me a feeling of hip hop, and the album didnt disappoint either, wasnt amazing but it was good, this albino got skills B.O.B - No Mans Land -been avoiding bob forever didnt catch my interest, but came across the no mans land video, dude's got skills his production and musicality is really good, skimmed through b.o.b vs bobby ray, sounds good, highly anticipating him on Lasers now, even Em gave him mad props Mos Def -Estatic -hmmm I didnt like it. I dunno just dont like mos def's album material, in my opinion his best work was on black star.
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
lol yo ex, anyone can be a rapper, and most people on here should be able to say they listened to hip hop before they were nine years old and LOL @ Overdose, Triple C's is the best hip hop group of all time. In Triple C's and Gucci we trust
OverDose of Passion's picture

December 12, 2009 — OverDose of Passion
This is the year of the album delay. However, the only actually good albums that came out this year were the Might Mos Def, the Brother Ali and the, Eyedea and Abilities records. Oh and how could I forget Gucci Mane, the only thing keeping hip hop alive right now.
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
waste yute lol
Kat's picture

December 12, 2009 — Kat
lmaooooo.... what's wrong with indians in the jungle, they have a vast amount of intelligence, IE. how to fish and hunt? hmm ok well, back in the days when I used to be a "muslim" i used to chill with the quran and preach, until the devil (hip-hop) turned me to the dark side... my debate goes behind human attributes? How is that possible, I'm not an alien, now you believe in Scientolog?? loool ... your using words outta context... simmer my youngin ---beeep---
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
LOL yeah Kat, back in the days of his "17" (*cough* 15) year old life, he used to listen to hip hop, and he knows so much more than you do. LOLOL
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
LOL wow
Kat's picture

December 12, 2009 — Kat
omg would this guy please stop posting everywhere??? Stick to your own thread about something you can actually relate to (MUSLIM ridiculousness) not (HIP-HOP).... this is not the place to talk about religion or to preach to us... WE DON'T NEED TO BE SAVED. Ma as-salaamah, Salaam, 'Ilaa-liqaa, Allah yisallimak, M'asselema, Ma'as salaama, Fiimaan illaah, M'a ssalama, Lla yhennik, Xaatrak (hopefully one of those relates to you)
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
Yea, they didn't have as many *holy shit* moments on Casket compared to Hell Hath no Fury, but Lord Willin' had the most. I just thought hell hath had a couple too many fillers. I didn't like the slaughterhouse album though, man that shit pissed me off. I think they limited Budden's involvement or something. Even though my favourite on there is Joell
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
lol, if you didn't already do it (with your ample amount of s****y posts), you just proved you are trolling. 80% of the artists I mentioned are Underground... And most of them don't do it for the money, they do it for the music. You = Idiot, from the beginning. Now please, stop trollin my thread.
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
I'll say, I thought Hell Hath No Fury had quite a few cheesy songs. Stuff like "Dirty Money" and "Aint Cha" honestly, most of the second half of the album. which kinda killed it for me cause I love Pusha and Malice when they go hard on tracks. But when they are sayin stuff like "Wamp Wamp, What it Do" I can't help but shake my head. On Till The Casket Drop, there were still those references but, overall I thought it was less cheesy. However, the high points on it can't touch the high points on Hell Hath No Fury to me. Then again, neither can Lord Willin's. Tracks like Hello New World & Nightmares are some of my favorite Clipse tracks from any albums. Both production and verses are great, and they are nice on "Momma Im So Sorry" and "Mr Me Too". I do like their Mixtapes with Re-Up Gang too though.
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
well that's why the Wu were successful, they are predominantly different in styles.
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
No doubting they had some clever lines. But there were also quite a few bad ones, and tons of just filler. But honestly, that was to be expected. These 4 guys are just too similar in style, it got old too quick for me. Buddens was the only dude who kinda switched it up a bit with his verse on each song, his style is a bit different then the others. Which, I'm not sure if that was a good thing cause it added variety, or if it's a bad thing because he felt out of place and kind of clashed.
Gramitoz's picture

December 12, 2009 — Gramitoz
Hell Hath no Fury was no doubt darker than Till the Casket drops, but in my opinion, casket is better. Malice stopped his game up, and there are alot more personal, deep songs. It still isn't any Lord Willin' but the clipse will at least continue to put out good mixtapes and consistent albums.
Kat's picture

December 12, 2009 — Kat
oh and the mix tape that ElZhi dropped I thought was DOPE... I mean it was better then some albums that came out this year I thought?? So I look forward to what more he has to offer.
Kat's picture

December 12, 2009 — Kat
lol @ rod..................................... Hmmmm ok Ian... I see your heart is in hip-hop huh? I've gotta have respect for you, you take your sht seriously... you need to start a website of your own or something dude, if you haven't already lool... your words and hip-hop views are just going to waste on a forum like this?? I'm seeing your not the idiot I once thought you were haha As much as I love Cudi you critiqued it quite well, and I'm realizing that ya I'm looking like a fool... ermmmmm... haha.. and I thought Enemy state was a hugeee disappointment as well, but I mean Lupe cleared some speculations up as to why it was, I guess it's for fans to take it how it is. I forgot about Slaughterhouse, I agree great idea... but overall I was disappointed with the overall outcome although I still thought they had some great lines, but that's probably cause I'm inlove with Budden and Royce haha
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
Oh yeah, one thing I will say though. is that, as far as 09 is concerned. MAINSTREAM SUCKED. I mean... they failed to deliver miserably. Which is why I think sooo many people think 09 wasn't good. And I can understand why, because so many disappointing albums from mainstream. but still a good year overall I though. Cause i don't judge years based off disappointments or bad albums... That would just be stupid.
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
OVERVIEW of 09: Overall, I think there were TONS of "Decent" - "Really Good" albums. But very few "Great" albums. And not really any incredible ones. As opposed to other years where there are a few great albums I like from them, but not much other stuff. This year has been consistently good, and I actually liked it. I always had some nice music to listen to. Wasn't quite as good as the last few years I don't think, just because they had a lot more, higher quality albums. Like I think 09 had a lot of decent - real good albums, I thought most of 06 - 08 had a lot of Really Good - Great Albums. And years before that, a lot of great albums, and a few good ones in between. But like I said, love the consistency. I've been thoroughly entertained by Hip-Hop this year. NEXT YEAR: Now, 2010 looks to be a f***in phenomenal year based on JUST the hyped releases. And that's not even mentioning the Underground stuff I won't discover until it drops that will be good. Blu is on a major label now, and is supposed to be dropping an album with Exile, as well as a bunch of other stuff. Lupe & Lasers... I'm skeptical at this point, but still looking forward to it a bit. I'm hoping Oddisee, Black Milk, and Elzhi do some s***. Talib and Tek doin Reflection Eternal 2 which I'm super hyped about. Plus, if there is a God, Talib & mos will do Blackstar's sohpomore album. Common's album I'm looking forward too, DEPENDING which approach he takes. If it's another Universla whatever... prob not. But if he goes with No I.D. and Kanye on this one, I'm gonna be ecstatic. Drake sucks... don't care about him. Charles Hamilton needs to stay gone... PHAROAHE F***IN MONCH. Can't wait for his album if it's as good as Internal Affairs. J. Cole... I REALLY wanna see what this kids gonna do. Eminem... eh. And of course, Detox... the album that will never release. I'm hyped... you hyped? I'm hyped. You hyped? I'm hyped....
Rod189's picture

December 12, 2009 — Rod189
Yea it wasnt a good year at all for hip-hop
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
{Continued} Artists: Exile - produced Fashawn's album, as well as released his second album "Radio" which is siiick. It is a concept album of sorts. He basically samples the radio to construct beats. And EVERYTHING you hear on this album is straight from the radio... the drum loops, and all, beats are constructed entirely from sampling different aspects of the radio. DJ Premier - Dudes been killin it since 94. And he's produced some siiick tracks this year, as well as Blaq Poets album, which I wasn't too fond of. But he has enough misc. prod tracks on other peoples albums to solidify him as a fav this year. Blu - 09 was Blu's year as far as I'm concerned. TONS of features, his HerfavoriteColo(u)r Mixtape, as well as his collabo album with Sene in which he produces all the tracks. He also does some production on other dudes albums like Blame One. Blu is a monster. Fashawn - Boy Meets World was dope, and he has another dope mixtape out. Freddie Gibbs - Dropped 2 very dope mixtapes (that I've heard). i'm lookin forward to future projects J. Cole - he's been murdering artists on their own tracks all year. Sick features, and The Warm Up mixtape was really dope. He's got tons of potential. Oddisee - Did a lot of production for other dudes, as well as released his "Mental Liberation" album, and "Odd Autumn" instrumental tape which were both dope. Mos Def - Just gotta give props on the return. The Ecstatic was nice.
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
{Continued} 6) Slaughterhouse - Slaughterhouse [Overrated] Eh, I like the concept. A lot of decent - dope artists collaborating. But it just didn't deliver for me. Production was decent at best, and I expect better from all the artists on the album. Too many lame punchlines. 7) Skyzoo - The Salvation [Disappointment] Was looking forward to it... ended up being average at best. A few nice tracks though. 8) Tanya Morgan - Brooklynati [Unexpected] had no idea who this guy was either, but album is nice. 9) Fashawn - Boy Meets World [Unexpected] All I knew is Fashawns a rapper from the West Coast, and Exile was producing. And it sounds damn good. I'm definitely looking forward to Fashawns future projects. 10) Wale - Attention Deficit [Disappointment] A few really nice tracks like Mirrors & Beautiful Bliss. But not very much connected, and the way the album is organized is just a terrible waste. 11) Eminem - Relapse [Disappointment / Overrated] You can only rap about the same s*** for so long Em. It got old... His flow is sick, and multies. But God the album is just terrible cause I can't stand him wasting his potential with these wack ass themes and lyrics. 12) Clipse - Till The Casket Drops [ Disappointment] The production is dope... But after Hell Hath No Fury in 07, I was expecting much more. It's decent though 13) Busta Rhymes - Back on my B.S. [Terrible] eh... 14) Cam Ron - Crime Pays [Terrible] More eh... 15) Blame One - Days Chasing Days [yeess] Was lookin forward to another Blame One album. He delivered. He's a decent enough rapper, and production is pretty dope. I'm like this guys discography, consistently good.
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
{Continued} Disappointments / Terrible / Overrated / Unexpectedly Good Albums: 1) Jay Z - The Blueprint III [Overrated] Decent production. Decent hooks. Underwhelming Jay Z. An overall "Good" album. But Jay Z was the least inspiring part of this album, which just should not be on an artists own album. Production and Features save this album. 2) Kid Cudi - Man On The Moon [Overrated / Terrible] Overall, just terrible. Decent production though. Bu Cudi can't sing OR rap, which just makes for a horrible listening experience. Only song I REALLY liked was "Soundtrack 2 my Life". And the only other tracks I could even stand to listen to, were Sky Might Falls and Make Her Say. The rest is just... ugghh. And "Solo Dolo"... Really dude... 3) Luck One & Dekk - Beautiful Music [Unexpectedly Good] Had no idea who these guys were, or what the album was about. But it was pretty dope 4) Lupe Fiasco - Enemy of the State [Disappointment] 2 years for this... eh. I'm looking forward to the next tape thats supposed to actually be good though, and if it isn't, I've lost any semblance of hope I had left for Lasers. 5) Royce Da 5 9 - Street Hop [Disappointment] Man Royce... Too much potential to be wasting it like this. When he shines, he shines. ESPECIALLY over Premier produced tracks he's really nice (Shake This, Something 2 Ride 2, Hood Love). But this album just wasn't very good.
nIANja909's picture

December 12, 2009 — nIANja909
Allriiight. My turn. My favorites / thoughts on 09. Albums: 1) Finale - A Pipe Dream And A Promise 2) Oddisee - Mental Liberation 3) Exile - Radio 4) Fabio Musta - Passport 5) Cyne - Water For mars 6) Mos Def- The Ecstatic 7) Blu & Sene - A Day Late & A Dollar Short 8) Fashawn - Boy Meets World 9) Tanya Morgan - Brooklynati 10) Marco Polo & Torae - Double Barrel EP & Mixtapes: 1) Blu - HerFavoriteColo(u)r 2) J. Cole - The Warm Up 3) Freddie Gibbs - The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs 4) Freddie Gibbs - MidwestGangstaBoxFrameCadillacMuzik 5) Oddisee - Odd Autumn 6) Common Market - The Winters End EP I admit I been sleeping on mixtapes like crazy this year though. Songs (No Specific order): 1) Fabio Musta ft T3 of Slum Village - Do It 2) Fashawn - Ecology 3) Finale - Issues (or) Brothers Keeper 4) Blu - Til We Die 5) Tanya Morgan ft Blu - Morgan Blu 6) Oddisee - Hip Hop's Cool Again 7) Grand Puba - I See Dead People 8) Royce Da 5' 9" - Something 2 Ride 2 9) Kid Cudi - Soundtrack 2 My Life 10) Mos Def ft Slick Rick - Auditorium Production: 1) Waxolutionists ft Blu - Steel Remains (Prod. Waxolutionists) 2) Exile - Love Line(s) (Prod. Exile) 3) Clipse - Popular Demand (Prod. The Neptunes) 4) Singapore Kane - Don't Take it Personal (Prod. M1 from Dead Presidents) 5) Royce Da 5 9 - Shake This (Prod. Dj Premier) 6) Oddisee - Tell The Truth Instrumental (Prod. Oddisee) 7) Mos Def - Auditorium (Prod. Madlib) 8) Jay Z - Already Home (Prod. Kanye West) 9) Finale - One Man Show (Prod. Black Milk) 10) Fashawn - Ecology (Prod. Exile)
Rod189's picture

December 12, 2009 — Rod189
it was a great year for one artist ....and thats drake
Kat's picture

December 12, 2009 — Kat
As much as I would love to boycott anything that comes out of ians mouth, this is a legit topic haha, and is organized nicely... Ok so ya Check I agree with you when saying who let gucci mane in the door and wtf is he doing on the list??? sad lool.. I can't stand Gucci, or Lil' Wayne... cause he's just creepy in so many ways. Personally, I didn't like 09 that much hip-hop wise besides the release of Till The Casket Drops, BP3 and Relapse... I also like what Drake was able to accomplish this year. The trends of Auto Tune and Skinny Jeans sucked, and not a lot of artists I 'love' were doing much... if you love these artists with a passion it was a good year for you I guess. This being said in my eyes 2010 looks HOTTTT with all the anticipated albums supposedly dropping; Lu, Nas&Damien Marley, Drake, The Roots, Murs & 9th, SV, MV, blu, cudder, THE WUUU, kidh, Common........... oh man so excited, I love all these artists! It's making 09 look real weak. But that's just my opinion (:

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