5 mics = a classic lp
4 mics = excellent
3 mics = good
2 mics = patchy
1 mic = terrible
Choose a month:
This guy has a reputation in Detriot that he is the new J Dilla. Thus after hearing 'Popular Demand' it becomes obvious that BM, has the skill to slot into Dilla's legendary shoes. BM joints the small list of producers that are decent on the mic. Sadly Popular demand suffers because the guest appearances can't live up to the smooth beats. But BM is surely going to have a big future in hip hop.
3 mics
Originally released in 2003, Ruff Draft was a limited edition release, that sold out overnight and due to this fetched crazy money on e-bay. Hence Stones Throw have re-
released this LP to mark the one year anniversary of Dilla's passing. Yet just like on 'Donuts' its hard to understand what all the fuss is about. Granted Dilla's beats are genious but lyrically the LP sags and 2CDs makes it overlong.
3 mics
Quence has paid his dues and has ran with hip hop legends (Tribe, Dilla and now Kanye), but will DQYDJ, launch him as a household name? Well unfortunately not because the
themes of being an average have been done to death by Mr West & Fest. Thats not to say the LP does not have heat on it 'Grammy Family', 'Uptown' and 'Night Night' all stand out.
3 mics
Boy, how hip hop has changed since Thes group People Under The Stairs first came to light at the end of the 90s. Back then it was a sweet and innocent time, where PUTS would make songs about digging in the crates. Here lies the problem rap buyers are now a different market and Thes has not progressed as a producer.
2 mics
RJ's last 2 LPs on Def Jux have shone very brightly, so anticipation for third hand was very high hear at 5 mics. But this LP isn't in the same league as his other LPs. He has adopted a new approach where he records his voice differently to his beats and it sounds a mess.
2 mics
Ev is the first member of the super group Dilated Peoples to release a solo LP. And here at 5 mics we pleased to say its heat. Ev's lethargic flow is excellently suited to all the beats on the LP. The plethora of guests (Phonte, Alchemist, Planet Asia, Mad
Child, Rakaa, Big Pooh and Defari) all accompany Ev into making one of the LP's of the year. Heres to Rakaa releasing his solo LP.
4 mics
El-P does not know how to make a normal LP. His solo LP and indeed his Company Flow work, pushes the boundaries of hip hop to the next level. Both his beats and lyrics are like no other you'll hear this year. This LP is consistent from start to finish, but sadly in today I-Pod generation of hip hop fans, who don't have the patience of listening to a LP from start to finish this will be overlooked.
4 mics
Wayne over the years has progressed to one of todays nicest rhymers. Here with the influential Baby they have made a LP that will keep up the street buzz. As expected from a Wayne LP the themes are the usual drugs, money and guns. As mundane as this sounds Wayne's delivery and wordplay highlight why he is the true king of the south.
4 mics
YJ, has came along way since he signed to Bad Boy in 2005. Two million LP sales later he is now a household name and one of the pioneers of the south movement. Unfortunately YJ, has not progressed from last years 'Thug Motivation 101' and only die hard fans will seek this LP. There is heat on the LP, but YJ needs to try something different if he wants to keep his fan base.
3 mics
What strange times we live in, when a LP of this caliber is free to download at www.stonesthrowrecords.com. Madlib has a knack of teaming up with great artists and crafting glorious LPs (J Dilla, MF Doom and Danger Mouse) and he has done it again. What are you waiting for? Go get it.
4 mics
Wow. Where only two months into 2007 and we have already given out two rare 5 mics awarded. Joe Buddens beats, are the perfect accomplishment to Klashs superior rhyming. Not only is this going to be LP of the year, but with tracks such as 'My Life', 'Refuse To Die' and 'Revolution' this is also the greatest UK hip hop LP ever!
5 mics
Its been four years, since P released the LP 'The Gangster And The Gentleman' and its been a very eventful four years. In that time, P has done a stretch in prison and had label issues. Unfortunately, the majority of tracks here have been leaked on the net taking away some of the freshness. But dope joints like 'I'm Black' and 'Burn It Down' make the LP a solid release.
3 mics
Whats surprising is, the solo members of the Boot Camp Click, are actually making better LPs now, then they were as part of the super group. Sean P, has crafted a solid street LP that is a breathe of fresh air. The production and the guests all shine on what will surely be in the top ten LPs of the year.
4 mics
After the terrible mess of 'The New Danger', Mos Def returns to a solid LP. Although its not as good as 'Black On Both Sides' Mos has tried to create a similar style LP, where he sings 'Soon Moon And Stars' he gets deep 'Katrina Clap' and rhymes like a pro ' U R The One'. Unfortunately the LP is let down by Mos going off on a tangent to try and please every one.
3 mics
The Rawkus Records imprint is back, with a new batch of underground kids to start another revolution. This time its the turn of KITH, to rule the underground school playground. Both members are ivy league graduates that met at The University Of Pennsylvania. This LP is refreshing and thought provoking both lyrically and musically.
4 mics
Whoa Blow! The Clipse have followed up their last LP (Lord Willin) with yet another classic. What makes this a classic is Pusha T and Malice have thought outside the box to create an original LP. Due to the LP only having 12 tracks there is no throw away material and 12 tracks of street heat. Let's just hope their next LP does not take 5 years to be released.
5 mics
It must be hard work being a rapper. The title of this LP suggests, it will contain all the throw away tracks from last years dope 'Fish Scale' LP. But being the hard working chap Tony Starks is he went back to the lab to create fresh heat. Ghost as ever produces an ace narrative on 'Josephine'. The only small gripe is in the naughties a few of the tracks have appeared on mix CD's making it not as fresh as it could be.
3 mics
The LP title, will shock the younger generation of rap fans. Yet old school heads have known this for many years. But unfortunately the MC that has created one of hip hops greatest LP's (Illmatic) is not the MC to bring hip hop off its death bed. Awful tracks such as 'Playa On Playa' and 'Who Killed It' clarify this fact. Fortunately Nas' in house producers (DJ LES & Salaam Remi) have made refreshing beats to stop Nas creating another LP that helps kill hip hop.
3 mics
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