http://www.thecoli.com/2013/01/ziggiys-top-5-albums-of-2012/
2012 was an excellent year for Hip Hop. Now if one were to take a peak at the soundscan numbers for the past year they might be inclined to disagree. Only ONE album by a rap act released within the calendar year was certified platinum, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday Reloaded, and many would argue that Nicki Minaj is more of a pop act than a rapper nowadays, while others would say that her album in itself was a shameless crossover attempt headlined by nausea inducing singles and nonsensically average lyrics. This may very well be, but if we were to Ignore the soundscan numbers and sales estimates and pay attention to the actual MUSIC that was released by Hip Hop artists in 2012, you would find a staggering amount of quality, depth, introspection, and skill. The following is a listing of the top five releases of the past year that speak to the quality of Hip Hop as an ever expanding genre and credible means of continued expression and creativity. So with no further Ado..
5).Blu & Exile- Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them
"I was telling people to find God. The song "A Man" was just telling people that I'm just a man. Find God. Find out who God is. If it's in yourself. If it's Biblical. If it's Islamic. If it's Jah. Whoever your God is or however you perceive God. Some people think their higher self is God. It's tons of religions so there's tons of answers. But it depends on you as an individual or as a man is looking for."
Blu & Exile Talk About "Flowers," Premature Releases, And Blu's Failed Run-In With Nas | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop | HipHop DX
A Poet is defined as a person who has the gift of poetic thought, imagination, and creation, together with eloquence of expression. This is truly the correct definition of the MC known as Blu. Over Exile's mellow, breezy, and at times melancholy production Blu expresses the inner workings of his mind on the universal subject of Life. Such as the stand out track "A Man" blu speaks on the topics of religion and faith in a manner that isn't ham-fisted, overly-preachy, or judgmental, but in the manner of an individual sharing a common philosophy. Blu, at times poignant but still relatable, is an MC who understands that lyrics are first and foremost the most important message that are given to an audience, and he wastes not a breath on making sure that his message is delivered with substance.
What I said upon release- "This album is truly a worthy follow up to Below The Heavens. Exile again, provides top notch production for Blu's incredible lyricism. They have proven that they are still ahead of the curve.
What I say Now- one of the best albums released in 2012, Blu and Exile are still as magnetic and dynamic a team as ever.
Rating- 4.5/5
4). Killer Mike- R.A.P. Music
"My job... is to continue to remind people that this is not racial, this is not just class, this is not just gender, this is not about straight versus homosexual," he declared. "This is about social problems that affect us all and if we're willing to band together around anybody that's being victimized, we can make the situation better for all."
"I'm talking about all justice for all America."
Killer Mike On 'R.A.P. Music' Album: 'I'm Talking About Justice For America' - The Juice | Billboard
Fierce. Passionate. Unapologetic. Brave. Outspoken. Excellence.
These words and more describe Killed Mike's R.A.P Music album. An unflinchingly honest and raw account of everything that makes up the persona
of a one Michael Render. The Atlanta trailblazer absolutely grabs every single beat that producer El-P gives him and lyrically beats it to a dazzlingly bloody pulp. Proudly proclaiming that "Rap Music is my religion!" He sermons the 45 minute length time of the album with all the enthusiasm, pain, anger, and unwavering faith of the most legendary southern pastors. His album is an audio monument to the culture. A lyrical masterpiece of self expression. And an absolutely joy to experience.
What I said upon release- RAP Music is the second best album of the year and just all around enjoyable. Kudos to Killer Mike and El-P, even though I'm not a fan of P lyrically I'll give any project he does with Mike Bigga a chance just off the strength
What I say Now- A tremendous achievement by an already artist. Killer Mike is just incredible in this album, his passion is his greatest strength as an artist and its on full display here. This album will be remembered as a defining landmark in southern Hip Hop. This is one of those albums that when people say that the South only snaps their fingers and does the stanly leg, can be put forth as a modern example of excellence of a southern rapper. Killer Mike is a force to be reckoned with.
4.5/5
3). Lupe Fiasco- Food & Liquor Part 2: The Great American Rap Album
"I question the concept of freedom. Is freedom really “free”? You have to pay for everything; everything comes at some type of cost; are you just going from one form of subjugation to another? As I said, I am just making statements. The song is a collage of different scenes through American history, and American pop culture. The struggles of Native Americans, the black community, the white community, the struggles of the far reaches of the U.S .empires."
[INTERVIEW] Lupe Fiasco on Freedom - Entertainment & Culture - EBONY
To live by an ideal is to be defined by that ideal. What do you as a human being believe in? Do you believe in your country? Do you believe in your own freedom and your RIGHT to that freedom? Do you believe that you can challenge your own country and lay bare the corruption, the hypocrisies, and atrocities that your country was founded upon and that you can in turn benefit out of it? Can Lupe Fiasco be an outspoken critic of the fallacies of his country, while being a multimillionaire, platinum selling artist who by his own admission has a rather impressive Ferrari collection? So is the inner turmoil of Lupe, put on full display here on his 4th studio album. Named after his near classic and much celebrated debut album, but following little of that album's formula; Lupe Fiasco systematically rips the fabric of the American Dream down to its barest fibers. Lyrically sweeping across such heavy handed subjects as Racism, Black identity, Sexism, gentrification, war, and political exploitation. Each theme seems to be but an overarching link back to the album's true concept, Lupe's turmoil and love/hate relationship with America. Intelligent, arrogant, ashamed, repulsive, alluring, and supremely complex. Lupe Fiasco is a product of his country, an MC who isn't afraid to stubbornly proclaim that he doesn't vote while at the same time proudly emphasizing Barack Obama's presidency as an example of Black excellence. Lyrically as awe inspiring as ever, the album is outstanding in its abrasiveness, this is the true Lupe Fiasco, an MC so gifted that even with all his faults the album itself is a complete work of art.
What I said Upon Release- F&L2 isn't a return to the "old" Lupe. It's less a sequel and more a progression, in the same way that "Nasty Nas" will never again appear for an entire album, neither so will the 25 year old Lupe who was on the OG F&L. This is what the artist has grown to be and that's a damn great MC who chooses to use his platform to speak on issues that are relevant to not only Black culture, but the greater AMERICAN culture. This album should receive the utmost of praise for its lyrical prowess, message, and determination to actually SPEAK to the listener. Again for those who say that they are tired of preaching and heavy handed messages throughout the music let me ask you, who ELSE on a mainstream level is doing this? Are Hot 97 and your local radio stations blasting Freedom Ain't Free all day on the radio? Has video been number 1 on 106 & c00ns for the past two months? Has the album received nonstop promotion that I've been personally missing? Where ELSE are we being "preached too" in popular music?
What I say Now- One of the most important releases by one of the most important artists that the genre currently has. A true gem of lyricism, substance, and subject matter. Don't let the album cover fool you, F&L 2 is anything but an empty meal.
4.5/5
#TPC
2012 was an excellent year for Hip Hop. Now if one were to take a peak at the soundscan numbers for the past year they might be inclined to disagree. Only ONE album by a rap act released within the calendar year was certified platinum, Nicki Minaj's Pink Friday Reloaded, and many would argue that Nicki Minaj is more of a pop act than a rapper nowadays, while others would say that her album in itself was a shameless crossover attempt headlined by nausea inducing singles and nonsensically average lyrics. This may very well be, but if we were to Ignore the soundscan numbers and sales estimates and pay attention to the actual MUSIC that was released by Hip Hop artists in 2012, you would find a staggering amount of quality, depth, introspection, and skill. The following is a listing of the top five releases of the past year that speak to the quality of Hip Hop as an ever expanding genre and credible means of continued expression and creativity. So with no further Ado..
5).Blu & Exile- Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them
"I was telling people to find God. The song "A Man" was just telling people that I'm just a man. Find God. Find out who God is. If it's in yourself. If it's Biblical. If it's Islamic. If it's Jah. Whoever your God is or however you perceive God. Some people think their higher self is God. It's tons of religions so there's tons of answers. But it depends on you as an individual or as a man is looking for."
Blu & Exile Talk About "Flowers," Premature Releases, And Blu's Failed Run-In With Nas | Rappers Talk Hip Hop Beef & Old School Hip Hop | HipHop DX
A Poet is defined as a person who has the gift of poetic thought, imagination, and creation, together with eloquence of expression. This is truly the correct definition of the MC known as Blu. Over Exile's mellow, breezy, and at times melancholy production Blu expresses the inner workings of his mind on the universal subject of Life. Such as the stand out track "A Man" blu speaks on the topics of religion and faith in a manner that isn't ham-fisted, overly-preachy, or judgmental, but in the manner of an individual sharing a common philosophy. Blu, at times poignant but still relatable, is an MC who understands that lyrics are first and foremost the most important message that are given to an audience, and he wastes not a breath on making sure that his message is delivered with substance.
What I said upon release- "This album is truly a worthy follow up to Below The Heavens. Exile again, provides top notch production for Blu's incredible lyricism. They have proven that they are still ahead of the curve.
What I say Now- one of the best albums released in 2012, Blu and Exile are still as magnetic and dynamic a team as ever.
Rating- 4.5/5
4). Killer Mike- R.A.P. Music
"My job... is to continue to remind people that this is not racial, this is not just class, this is not just gender, this is not about straight versus homosexual," he declared. "This is about social problems that affect us all and if we're willing to band together around anybody that's being victimized, we can make the situation better for all."
"I'm talking about all justice for all America."
Killer Mike On 'R.A.P. Music' Album: 'I'm Talking About Justice For America' - The Juice | Billboard
Fierce. Passionate. Unapologetic. Brave. Outspoken. Excellence.
These words and more describe Killed Mike's R.A.P Music album. An unflinchingly honest and raw account of everything that makes up the persona
of a one Michael Render. The Atlanta trailblazer absolutely grabs every single beat that producer El-P gives him and lyrically beats it to a dazzlingly bloody pulp. Proudly proclaiming that "Rap Music is my religion!" He sermons the 45 minute length time of the album with all the enthusiasm, pain, anger, and unwavering faith of the most legendary southern pastors. His album is an audio monument to the culture. A lyrical masterpiece of self expression. And an absolutely joy to experience.
What I said upon release- RAP Music is the second best album of the year and just all around enjoyable. Kudos to Killer Mike and El-P, even though I'm not a fan of P lyrically I'll give any project he does with Mike Bigga a chance just off the strength
What I say Now- A tremendous achievement by an already artist. Killer Mike is just incredible in this album, his passion is his greatest strength as an artist and its on full display here. This album will be remembered as a defining landmark in southern Hip Hop. This is one of those albums that when people say that the South only snaps their fingers and does the stanly leg, can be put forth as a modern example of excellence of a southern rapper. Killer Mike is a force to be reckoned with.
4.5/5
3). Lupe Fiasco- Food & Liquor Part 2: The Great American Rap Album
"I question the concept of freedom. Is freedom really “free”? You have to pay for everything; everything comes at some type of cost; are you just going from one form of subjugation to another? As I said, I am just making statements. The song is a collage of different scenes through American history, and American pop culture. The struggles of Native Americans, the black community, the white community, the struggles of the far reaches of the U.S .empires."
[INTERVIEW] Lupe Fiasco on Freedom - Entertainment & Culture - EBONY
To live by an ideal is to be defined by that ideal. What do you as a human being believe in? Do you believe in your country? Do you believe in your own freedom and your RIGHT to that freedom? Do you believe that you can challenge your own country and lay bare the corruption, the hypocrisies, and atrocities that your country was founded upon and that you can in turn benefit out of it? Can Lupe Fiasco be an outspoken critic of the fallacies of his country, while being a multimillionaire, platinum selling artist who by his own admission has a rather impressive Ferrari collection? So is the inner turmoil of Lupe, put on full display here on his 4th studio album. Named after his near classic and much celebrated debut album, but following little of that album's formula; Lupe Fiasco systematically rips the fabric of the American Dream down to its barest fibers. Lyrically sweeping across such heavy handed subjects as Racism, Black identity, Sexism, gentrification, war, and political exploitation. Each theme seems to be but an overarching link back to the album's true concept, Lupe's turmoil and love/hate relationship with America. Intelligent, arrogant, ashamed, repulsive, alluring, and supremely complex. Lupe Fiasco is a product of his country, an MC who isn't afraid to stubbornly proclaim that he doesn't vote while at the same time proudly emphasizing Barack Obama's presidency as an example of Black excellence. Lyrically as awe inspiring as ever, the album is outstanding in its abrasiveness, this is the true Lupe Fiasco, an MC so gifted that even with all his faults the album itself is a complete work of art.
What I said Upon Release- F&L2 isn't a return to the "old" Lupe. It's less a sequel and more a progression, in the same way that "Nasty Nas" will never again appear for an entire album, neither so will the 25 year old Lupe who was on the OG F&L. This is what the artist has grown to be and that's a damn great MC who chooses to use his platform to speak on issues that are relevant to not only Black culture, but the greater AMERICAN culture. This album should receive the utmost of praise for its lyrical prowess, message, and determination to actually SPEAK to the listener. Again for those who say that they are tired of preaching and heavy handed messages throughout the music let me ask you, who ELSE on a mainstream level is doing this? Are Hot 97 and your local radio stations blasting Freedom Ain't Free all day on the radio? Has video been number 1 on 106 & c00ns for the past two months? Has the album received nonstop promotion that I've been personally missing? Where ELSE are we being "preached too" in popular music?
What I say Now- One of the most important releases by one of the most important artists that the genre currently has. A true gem of lyricism, substance, and subject matter. Don't let the album cover fool you, F&L 2 is anything but an empty meal.
4.5/5
#TPC
I envy your analysis skills
He's just having a victory lap at this point
Ziggiy so far ahead of everybody he got nikkas shook to post next to him. Its okay guys,he murders all of us on our own shyt
