Top 10 Hip Hop Albums Of 2013

1) Born Sinner
-"Born Sinner, opposite of a winner"
Cole delivered with an all around amazing album. He gave me solid bars, truth, and production.  With his two singles, " Crooked Smile" ft. TLC and "Power Trip" ft. Miguel, Cole's singles received plenty of spins on the radio and reached success on Billboard's charts. J. Cole definitely proved himself to the Hip Hop industry in his sophomore album. Born Sinner has creative interludes like "Mo' Money" which I truly thought was a tease for me. My favorite song was "Forbiden Fruit" ft. Kendrick Lamar and "Trouble". I just thought that Cole brought "the church" to Hip Hop and made it work. He is truly the lyrical king of 2013. Cole's use of metaphors, other poetic devices, and sceneries was just unbelievable. Yes, he rapped about his come up but what I love about this album was that he rapped about his down fall. That's why he is getting my number one spot.

2) My Name Is My Name
-"They love me on my Ric Flair shit!"

Pusha motherfucking T snapped on his first solo album, and I absolutely love Pusha T on his Ric Flair shit. Kanye West was the executive producer of MNIMN and I am thankful Ye helped Pusha T because it was a fantastic album. I am truly just glad Pusha T put out his first solo album,  it's been way too long. Now I know you guys are like "But all he does is talk about Cocaine". Well that is true, very true,  BUT this man has the best cocaine similies and metaphors in the game and you know it! I call him the "Poetic Dealer" but he refers to his music as "Higher fashion drug rap". His lyrics always do justice; he never fails me. My favorite songs are "King Push", "Sweet Serenade", and "Nosetalgia" ft Kendrick Lamar. I always said Pusha T was the best featured artist to have on a record because he always delivered with the bars. Nobody in the game has better cocaine analogies than King Push, but Kendrick did snap on Nosetalgia. I am not going to lie, I didn't know Kendrick was going out do the "featured king", but Kendrick really showed out. As I digress, "My Name Is My Name" blew me by surprise, but I should of known that the King was going to go all out.

3) Nothing Was The Same
- "Motherfuckers never loved us!"

I don't think I have to say much about this album because it was perfect. He seriously put his heart and soul into his album. The few topics of the album: love, women, and money....which didn't surprise me. Drake rapped AND sung about things women wanted to hear. I have no problem with that...I enjoyed the honest, but lyrically I wish he could of stepped out the box. Like Furthest Thing and Tuscan Leather had bars in there, Worst Behavior did too, but I just expected an "Ignorant Shit" album. Like at least Pusha T comes up with different cocaine analogies? Right? As I digress, my favorite songs are Worst Behavior and Own It. And even though Drake's sophomore album, Nothing Was The Same, wasn't as successful as Take Care which, which went triple platinum, Nothing Was The Same is my favorite album of his.

4) Because The Internet
-"Go home Roger....Tia and Tamera on my bed, I'm a Smart Guy"

Donald Glover, better know as Childish Gambino really surprised me with this album. He took a break from his amazing acting career and dropped Because The Internet. Even though I didn't have a chance to do a review, I honestly enjoyed this album. The concept of the album was amazing, "because the internet", social media is the center of this generation. From Google, Instagram, even World Star. Instead of saying "pause" Childish said "Spacebar". From clever, very clever bars, to the fantastic production. It gave me Channel Orange with a splash of Nothing Was The Same. Childish Gambino's vocals were on point, which leads me to say, "Donald Glover is a better singer than Drake". Songs like, "Shadow", "3005", "Pink Toes" ft. Jhene Aiko, "No Exit", and "Flight Navigator" showcasted Childish's vocals abilities. My favorite songs are "The Worst Guy" ft. Chance The Rapper, "No Exit", and "Biggest Troll" ft. Donald Glover. "Biggest Troll" was such a deep and emotional song for me; I felt like both Childish Gambino and Donald Glover were talking to me. Over all I absolutely love BTI, if I could I would place it before NWTS but you guys would get rallied up.

5) Yeezus
- "This is the craziest shit since in the club"

I am not going to lie but Yeezus rubbed me off the wrong way, but after listening to it about hundred times, I absolutely love YEEZUS. NOW if you know me, you know I am a Kanye West stan. I seriously ride for this genius of an artist and I might be bashed by this but Yeezus didn't reach my album placement criteria. No doubt about it, Yeezus is the most creative innovative, and complexed album of 2013. The sound blew my mind away, but it lacked lyricism. I heard catchy bars, but nothing that blew my mind. If you followed his career and his personal life, nothing in Yeezus was shocking. I enjoyed "I'm In It", "Blood On The Leaves", "Send It Up", and "Black Skinhead"....basically the whole album,  but I seriously can't say this is his best lyrical master piece. But I can say, it's his best produced album after "808&Heartbreak".

6) Magna Carta Holy Grail
- "Blue told me to remind you niggas"

Well, ite sad to say this but Great Hov didn't even place in my top 5. I am kind unsure about this album,  it was great but then I didn't care for it anymore. MCHG was like like WTT but it should of been entitled "Watch The Thone: Fame". I am not here to criticize the album at all; I already did a review on it anyways. I think Jay Z is a great rapper,  I am just not listening to MCHG no more. Yes he did link of with all the biggest producers in the music industry, but I don't care about that. I care about the music. I did love Jay's humor in his lyrics which people don't really notice. I would say my favorite song is "Oceans" ft. Frank Ocean. The message of the song is deep, and I enjoyed Frank's complex and amazing verse on this record. Even though MCHG met all the criteria,  the album turned into tue album of the summer to blah. I enjoyed the album at the moment, but I rarely return  to the album. Shit, it should of been number 8.

7) WOLF
- "Cats On Everything, Cats on Everything"

I actually bought this album. Ha!
You guys need to get with OFWGKTA, seriously. I am not playing with yall *Tyler The Creator voice*. Don't judge Tyler's music by his fashion, offensive lyrics,  and antics. Let's not forget when Kanye shutdown Kanyewest.com and deleted everything off his website just to put up Tyler's "IFHY" ft. Pharrell video. Tyler The Creator produced all of WOLF and directed all of the video off the album. Tyler is not a rapper; he is an creative artist. As I digress, WOLF is a very enjoyable album. Like the rest of the albums on this list, I didn't skip any songs. My favorite songs are "Rusty" ft. Domo and Earl Sweatshirt , "PartyIsntOver/Campfire/Bimmer" ft Frank Ocean (Tyler said in an interview that his four part song actually happened all in one night). Tyler The Creator has had an amazing year. Video promo by Yeezus himself, Pharrell, Erykah Badu, and Nas was featured in WOLF, he shared the stage with Pusha T,  Kanye and Kid Cudi, Pharrell was in his in video, and Tyler was also in Pharrell's 24 hour video "Happy". GREAT YEAR TYLER!

8) Indicud
-Kid Cudi

9) Trap Lord
-ASAP Ferg

10) OLD
-Danny Brown

Kanye West's 'Yeezus' Album Review

YEESUZ IS FINALLY HERE!

Kanye West six solo album "Yeezus" has finally dropped today on June 18th. But Social Media site like Twitter had been roaring before today because of the leaked album, even though it only had been leaked for four days, unlike J. Cole's "Born Sinner" album which leaked 2 week prior. I still suggest the "Yeezus" sales will do alright; it is predicting that it would sale half a million (500K), but because of the leak I will say no more than 450K. The album itself if a blank disc, no design on it, and an orange tape to to seal it off. Not For Sale, huh Yeezy?

The anticipation for the album has been massize! Ever since Kanye tweeted out "JUNE EIGHTEEN" a month prior, People haven't been able to state their opinions and thoughts about the exclusive day. Kanye then made Social Media roar again by projection a clip of his single "New Slaves" on to city buildings all around the world. Pictures of his face planted on city buildings were seen on Instagram, but the video wasn't shown on MTV or any conventional outlets. But then there was Ye's SNL peformance where he preformed "Black Skinheads" and "New Slaves". From performances at the Met Gala and his newest performace at the Governors Ball festival in New York 2 weeks ago, Kanye has had everybody talking about him for the past couple of month but now his album is finally here.

'Yeezus' first started off with "On Sight", a techno, New York City Rage Fest vibe. The beat which sounded annoying to me started off fuzzy but then later the bass came in (Is it me or did the production to that sound .....cheap?). "On Sight" had to my least favorite production on the album. The lyrics were more bold and consistant, Kanye raps "Yeezy season is approaching.....The monster's about to come alive again" and "Black dick all in your spouse again and I know she like chocolate men. She got more niggas off than Cochran, huh?".

Black Skinhead had to be my favorite record on 'Yeezus'. The production was unbelieveable, a record full with instrumental wonders (thank you Daft Punk). The drums was what got me, it felt so Rock N' Roll but with a Hip Hop edge; it was like a "ready for war" type of record. Ye did discuss different issues like him dating a white women and how people will kill him like King Kong (No, I'm serious). He is very direct in this song, nobody can miss the content and the meaning of the song. Kanye raps in a part in the chorus, "4 in the morning, and im zoning. They say I'm possessed, it's omen. I keep it 300, like the Romans. 300 bitches, where the Trojans". I loved watching Kanye perform "Black Skinhead" on SNL, the projection behind him was interesting, as is anything Kanye does.
Watch Kanye preform "Black Skinhead" on SNL http://vevo.ly/13GuU2H

The only thing that entertained me in "I am a God" was Ye said "I am God, Hurry up with my damn massage, Hurry up with my damn menage. Get the Porsche out the damn garage....In French-ass resturant, Hurry up with my damn croissants". I seriously found that amusing, like him repeating "I am a God" was blah. I hope people don't get offended at this record because some slow ones would think Kanye is serious when he's saying "I am a God". I also thought the screams at the end of the song was the best part of the song (don't mind me). Bon Iver's "Justin Vermon" and "Forward Inna Dem Clothes" performed by Capleton was featured on the song. So many helped produced this record: Daft Punk, Hudson Mohawke, Kanye West, Rick Rubin, and Travi$ Scott

Kanye kept it real with the Black/African-American society on "New Slaves", he raps "You see it's broke n***a racism, that's 'Don't touch anything in the store' and this rich n***a racism, that's that 'Come in and please buy more. What you want a Bentley? Fur coat? A diamond chain'. All you Blacks want all the same thing." He sent a message out to the Black Culture, a controversial message that most blacks would hate to hear but it's the truth. The lyrics were very raw, and I agreed with everything Kanye was rapping about. As I digress, Ye then goes in and talks about  followers and leaders, comparing them to sheep and shepherd, then states "I rather be a dick than a swallower". The production goes hard, perfection. Frank Ocean then appeard at the end singing a little bit which I really appreciated.
Watch Kanye perform "New Slaves": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-SoKFycTmVU&feature=youtube_gdata_player

Now "Hold my liquor" is my third favorite record off the album. Justin Vermon appeared in the beginning of the record singing the intro a little bit woozy. I absolutely love it because it sounds like a Kid Cudi joint even though Chief Keef rapped on the hook (I loved Keef in the song). A lit bit of auto tune was used in the sound which I didn't really mind because it wasn't forced. "Hold My Liquor" tells a story of drunk Kanye stumbling into an exes apartment for some emotional reckless and scattered sex, he raps "Okay I smashed your Corolla, I'm hanging on a hangover. Five years we been over, ask me why I came over. One more hit and I can own ya, one more fuck and I can own ya..." The record is a slow jam that I just love, it compliments the album.

"I'm in it" is a reggae inspired song sampling "Lately" performed Kenny Lattimore. In the beginning of the song Kanye used two different voices as he raps about things he would do in a women's bed (can we just say we know what lady he is talking about). I tried to focus on Agent Sasco giving us a reggae vibe but those lyrics....man oh man. We all know what Kanye is talking about in this record, repeatedly saying "I'm in it", with lines like "Eating Asian pussy, all I need was sweet and sour sause" and "She loving different kinds of sex now, uh black girl sippin white wine. Put my fist in her like a civil rights sign and grabbed it with a slight grind and held it till the right time. Then she came like AAAHH". This is one of Ye's most sexual song, ladies found out a lot about him in this one!

I would have to say I really didn't care for "Blood on the Leaves" but the productoion? Oh my gosh wow the prodcution amazing, let me stop because it was produced by Mr. West himself and TNGHT. Kanye sampled Nina Simone's "Strange Fruit" which played in the intro and throughout the song. Ye used auto tune all through the record (Ye, I thought we was done with that?). I did think that the 4th verse was the most entertaining verse in the song, Ye raps "I don't give a damn if you used to talk to Jay-Z. He ain't with you, he with Beyonce, you need to stop actin crazy". I think this should recieve radio play, if any other song doesn't receive radio spins, then it should be it.

In "Guilt Trip" Kanye looks back on his past relationship. He sampled "Blocka" by Pusha T in "Guilt Trip" which was featured in Pusha's mixtape "Wrath of Caine". "Guilt Trip" also featured Kid Cudi in the interlude at the end of the song which I was very happy about. I loved that Kanye is still cool with Kid Cudi, an ex member of Ye's label GOOD Music.

Kanye featured Chicago relative King Louie and reggae icon Beenie Man in "Send It Up". Record was okay, production was good.....(no shade, I promise!)

Last but not least, "Bound 2"! This record was a great finisher, it was soulful side of Ye who sampled Ponderosa Twins Plus One's "Bound". "Bound 2" featured Charlie Wilson and it sort of love story, well kind of. Mr. Wilson sings, "I know you're tired of loving, of loving with nobody to love, nobody, nobody". In my opinion Kanye had the best lyrics on this sound then in the whole album with bars like "I know I got a bad reputation, Leave a pretty girl sad reputation, Start a Fight Club, Brad reputation" and "So hey, maybe we make it to Christmas, she asked me what I wished for on my wishlist. Have you ever asked your bitch for other bitches?" It's crazy because "Bound 2" is produced by No I.D., (Hip Hop heads and Ye fans know who that is) WOW.

Overall 'Yeezus' was a 5 out of 10 in my book(I like 5 songs out of the 10 songs). The hype was real, this album was anticipated and when I finished listening to it I was kind of disappointed. I liked certain songs but 'Yeezus' didn't give me the same vibe with 'MBDTF' and 'WTT'. For Kanye to name this album 'Yeezus' like it was out of the world was kind of dumb because the album wasn't out of the world. But I think he named this album 'Yeezus' because of his progession, in the album he was even saying people are comparing him to Michael which is true! Kanye West has out passed MJ in Grammys (KW has 21, MJ has 18), Kanye is an innovator, leader, director, film maker, producers, musical genius, trendsetter, fashion trendsetter, controversial celebrity and etc. isn't that what all MJ is? I'm not saying Ye is MJ but I'm saying that they are easy to compare (besides performing). As I digress, go listen to 'Yeezus' and tell me what you think on Twitter @hannniii_

Buy Kanye West's 'Yeezus': https://itunes.apple.com/us/album/yeezus/id662392801