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Loosie's Top Ten Our typically late Hip-Hop Best of 2005 List As we approach the middle of the first month of the New Year, many of the hip publications and websites have proudly paraded their top picks in all the exhaustive genres of music. We don't do that here. We're going to focus on the already complicated and saturated genre of Hip-Hop -- and what a year it was. As we did the last time we tried one of these fancy lists, we're going to limit our picks to five top choices in commercial and independent releases. You are welcome to agree, disagree, send vehement e-mail, stalk our writers, buy us beers, send us more free shit and hope that we drum up some sales for your product. The Loosie word goes a long way. Top 5 Commercial Releases Kanye West Obstinate nonconformists to the core, we intended to break away from the common theme in many of these top 2005 lists by slapping Kanye's masterful second LP with a lower ranking. We couldn't justify it -- and that's based strictly on the production alone. Sure, Kayne West's grating Midwest cadence will never be for everyone, but make no mistake -- this man has a vision for his sound that continues to become as legendary as his outsized personality and penchant for argyle. We forgive him for the seizure dance craze he’s started (or co-opted from Hyphy weirdos) and applaud him for having the humility to call in Jon Brion to help fine tune what was already greatly crafted music. Loosie cares about Kanye West.
The checkered legal past of Beanie Sigel isn't as legendary as 50's bullet wounds or even T.I.'s many jail stints, but this Philly MC is a rare find -- a Xanax-filled MC with loads of gusto that can actually craft a song that goes beyond the typical fare for those of his ilk. Considering the mediocrity of his first two jawns, the maturity and polished production of The B Coming isn't what you'd expect from this grizzled former dope dealer who happily will put three in a baby's crib. And for a man who claims to never wanting the rap life, he stepped up his flow and delivered what many consider the sleeper LP of the year. With strong features from 2/3s of punk-beating Brand Nubian, Houston superstar Bun B and Snoop Dog, there's just enough of a break in Beans' pronounced North Philly flow to appreciate him that much more.
Hailed as the return of the Common Sense of old, this LP could easily pass as a Kanye West record that just happens to feature the Windy City MC. Despite his overwhelming influence, Kayne's heavy-handed (but necessary) direction makes this all-too-brief LP a 2005 must-have. Jumping off from "The Corner" -- where Com introduces a twisted and layered multi-syllable delivery and Kanyeezy gracefully supplies the hook -- the pair's chemistry works by combining Com's yak-vest depth with Ye's personality. A curious selection of singles may have derailed the momentum of the release, but this is as close as Common may get to satisfying his old fans without finding out where the fuck No ID is hiding out. The former partner of the blackest-sounding white rapper ever, DJ Paul Wall, Chamillionare is a more dexterous MC than many of the other Houstonites who saw success in 2005 (not including Bun B, of course). Even without the sure-fire ticket of name association and a big media push, Cham has shown enough improvement since the Mixtape Messiah era to warrant serious attention next go 'round.
The summer was Jeezy's, from the hollow synths of his Akon-buoyed "Soul Survivor" to the Yuletide cheer of those omnipresent snowman shirts. Jeezy's charm isn't smooth or polished, but it's undeniably magnetic -- as soon as that first “yeeaaahhh” adlib hits your ears, you're sucked in. With surprisingly consistent production from a horde of unfamiliar names, Jeezy proved that the standard paint-by-numbers method of creating an album isn't necessary (even if the album drags at the end like Roseanne's ass). Top 5 Independent Releases Edan By far the most original piece of work released in 2005, it will take some a few years to digest all of the various levels that Maryland native/Boston transplant Edan Portnoy took us on this trip. The CD isn't simply a concept; it is a kaleidoscope of emotions, themes, sounds and ambition. A worrisome thought: can Edan top this masterpiece or has he exhausted all he can do for the art form? With features from fellow Bostonians Mr. Lif and Insight (and a very hungry Fat Beats frontman Percee P), this album hits every note with expert ease. Everyone should hope to heavens that this isn't the last of Edan's journey.
Corny album title and contrived Cartoon Network plugs aside, this LP is Doom's most accessible effort to date. For listeners who embrace a few hooks, clean production and guest appearances from fellas like Ghostface, Ceelo Green and Talib Kweli, TMATM was a far cry from the muffled and chaotic mayhem King Geedorah and his Monster Island Czars typically spout. Still, with joints like "Vats of Urine" and "Sofa King", Danny Dumile's performance sacrificed none of the inventive quirkiness nor tangled flow that made him a cult hero in the first place.
Sean Price, known to many as Ruck of the duo Heltah Skeltah, released Monkey Bars to much critical acclaim -- and complaint. But few of the LP's faults lie with Sean Price, the self-proclaimed "brokest rapper you know"; that is, the production takes a definite backseat. Coupling one of Hip Hop’s most conversational and fluid flows with expert breath control and an understanding of negative space, the Grimey Boots Man needs better beats to insure his follow-up, Jesus Price reaches full potential.
Gift of Gab's harsh accent and gnarled verses aren't for everyone, but the West Coast rapper continues to push the limits of his vocal instrument and proves undaunted by anything producer Chief Xcel throws at him.
Cage's evolution from a conflicted drug abusing yet extremely gifted underground MC to his current sober and clean living phase is amazing in of itself. The former shock rap king takes us through his personal life with often staggering results, and even showing a side of humility many wouldn’t expect from Agent Orange. Despite yoking stellar production from indie luminaries El-P DJ Shadow, Cage doesn't let any of the superb tracks upstage him in this new chapter in his tortured journey. Honorable mention: Clipse We Got It For Cheap: Vol 2 (Might be the best effort of the year, but it's a mixtape), Little Brother Minstrel Show, Game The Documentary. Read more articles in Arts » |
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