#1: Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

For this selection, there was no doubt. Kanye West may have created not only the best hip-hop album this year, but the best album period. As the release date for this album approached, people were expecting big things. Kanye was on a roll with his G.O.O.D. Friday series and even went to the lengths of creating a short-film to promote the album. We all knew that RZA, Pete Rock, Pusha, No I.D., and Q-Tip were hanging out with Kanye in Hawaii as he was putting the finishes touches on the album, and we all struggled to predict what would be the result of an album they all said was incredible. But even with all these factors that pointed towards My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy being all sorts of fantastic, I don't think anyone expected anything like this.

What Kanye has created with his latest album may very well be his masterpiece; his album that helps redefine what rap music is, and this is due to multiple factors. As with every Kanye album, the production is unparalleled. From the triumphant 'All of the Lights' to the more understated 'Blame Game' and 'Runaway', Kanye seems to be able to combine where hip-hop has been to where hip-hop should go. But one of the most common knocks against Kanye is that his rapping skills would keep him from creating that era defining album. And then he created 'Gorgeous', a song that may be the lyrical song of the year:

I was lookin' at my resume
Feelin' real fresh today
They rewrite history I don't believe in yesterday
And what's a black beetle anyway? A fucking roach?
I guess that's why they got me sittin' in fuckin' coach

But this album is more than just the epic beats and Kanye's best rhymes to date. This album is something only Kanye West could have created. From the moments of unrelenting bravado on 'Power' to the self-deprecating moments on 'Runaway', the album shows the power hip-hop (an all music) can have when raw emotion is channeled through a talented vessel.

Almost a decade ago, Jay-Z created the now legendary Blueprint and it's supposed theme was that it would be what all hip-hop artists would try to emulate going forward. People did try to emulate it, but what made it so special is that no one truly could recreate it. When listening to Kanye West's My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, this realization comes back even stronger. It's easy to see that this album, hyperbole aside, will be the benchmark for the coming decade. It is, in essence, the next decades blueprint. But it's also easy to see that it will be a blueprint that all will fall hopelessly short of, perhaps even the creator himself. This is a testament to the completely uncompromising work Kanye West has created, and it certainly is not only the best album of this past year, but an album many will be trying to catch up to for years to come.

Mother's Day Hip-Hop

Believe it or not, hip-hop has provided the world with some of the greatest mothers day tracks known to human kind. Today I head home for Mother's Day and is my usual question before I set out on the 2.5 hour drive- what am I going to listen to? Well here is the answer, an assortment of my favorite mothers day tracks will start me off on the right foot. 

Nas- Dance

Ghostface Killah (ft. Mary J. Blige)- All That I Got Is You

Tupac- Dear Mama

Jay-Z- Blueprint (Mama Loves Me)

Talib Kweli- Momma Can You Hear Me

Kanye West- Hey Mama

Amazing

Wait, is this a Planet Earth video? Apparently Kanye and Hype Williams teamed up to shoot the new video for his song 'Amazing' in Hawaii and what resulted is another great video from Kanye. When most artists release a video at this point in time I usually don't get too excited about it. The era in music in which a great video was essential to go along with a great song are over, but Kanye always seems to come out with something new and original that no one else is doing in hip-hop. Not only is the video something new, but apparently Kanye is also trying to keep his ego in check. Now that would be something really new. Frankly, if he keeps making songs like 'Amazing', he can do whatever he wants. 

Kinda Like A Big Deal

I've been waiting on this one for a long time. I can remember checking the internets almost obsessively for this track this past winter during it's rumored release date, which I think was sometime in November. After rumors that Kanye West had Debo'd this track (which were refuted by Clipse) it finally comes to the light of day with lofty expectations in tow. It won't blow you away on first listen, but it's a great song in every aspect.  Contrary to the Malice Brothers past two albums, this isn't a Pharrell beat, instead Khalil does the production but he keeps the empty drums that were so prevalent on some of the tracks off Hell Hath No Fury. Recession rap this is not.  

It's a blessin'

To blow a hundred thou in a recession 

With no second guessin'

Clipse ft. Kanye West- Kinda Like A Big Deal

Oh and this track is unrelated in almost every way except that Mic Luter is also from Chi-town just like Kanye, but this remix is crazy. I've been looking for an excuse to put this up for a while. Mic Luter murders Lupe's 'Dumb It Down' in almost ever way. 

Mic Luter- Dumb It Down (Remix)

Playoff Time!

In Detroit, April is by far the greatest sports month. The Pistons and Red Wings start their playoff runs and the Tigers begin their 162 game season. Not being a big hockey fan, my attention is generally turned to Tigers baseball and the Pistons playoff run. While good old FSN Detroit always tries to capture the excitement of Detroit sports in the month of April with their yearly 'April In The D' song contest, these songs always come up extremely short, which isn't much of a surprise. Last year's song was a hard rock song that featured a lead singer that was far too similar to Mystery from the unstoppable reality show 'The Pick-Up Artist'.

While last years April in the D song was a pop-metal romp with brilliant lyrics describing Detroit as a place where 'the boys are hard and the girls are pretty' this years song is equally as disappointing as FSN Detroit went with a softer indie rock snoozer. If you can watch all 2:37 of this I commend you. If you stick around a little bit, you will see one of the brief moments in which Allen Iverson is actually playing in a Pistons uniform. What a surprise, he seems to be dribbling around with no intention of ever passing the ball

At this point I obviously need  somewhere else to turn to for my April themed sports excitement. Luckily, the NBA is great at marketing and usually comes up with something awesome for the playoff time. Usually, there is some disappointing playoff commercial that markets some Hollywood action movie, but this year Kanye West's 'Amazing' is played over various highlights from playoffs past. While my Pistons find themselves in uncharted territory coming in at the 8th seed, if they can beat the Cavs in the first round there season is a success. Either way, it looks like their streak of playoff runs to the Eastern Conference finals is over. Doesn't matter, Lakers win it all this year and Kobe gets his Shaq-less championship. 

Sky Might Fall

Kid Cudi has been getting a lot of time on here lately, but don't blame me this man seems to be kicking it into high gear. He also seems to have a knack for creating anticipation for his releases. I can remember watching his trailer for the 'A Kid Named Cudi' Mixtape and endlessly waiting to here a full version of the track at the end.

Well this time he does the same thing but on a slightly bigger stage. His upcoming single 'Sky Might Fall' is in the trailer for the upcoming Transformers movie. Now if you know me, you know I love bad movies (case and point, Alien vs. Predator and ALL the Blade movies), so my excitement for this trailer knows no bounds. By the way, track by Mr. West.

Speaking of Cudi, Kanye and videos, check this crazy video for Welcome to Heartbreak. I don't care if you think 808's and Heartbreak is good or not, this song is an absolute beast and in all honesty one of Kanye's best.

KANYE WEST "Welcome To Heartbreak" Directed by Nabil from nabil elderkin on Vimeo.

Double Ladies

In case you didn't know, Beyonce is indeed Sasha Fierce and her song 'Single Ladies' has been everywhere recently. Therefore, it is only fitting that a remix pop up with her lyrically inclined husband Jay-Z. Kanye is thrown in there for good measure as the track gets a grittier feel as pounding bass replaces hand claps. 

Beyonce ft. Jay-Z & Kanye- Double Ladies (Government Remix)

N.A.S.A.

A nice spacey track that combines two of the hottest female artists that exploded this year mixed in with a certain Louis Vuitton Don. The mixture works fairly well for a nice up tempo track as Santogold gives a nice verse and Lykke Li contributes a very nice hook. 

When ya'll on 10 I'm on 11

I'm gonna make the news be on at 7

N.A.S.A. ft. Kanye West, Santogold & Lykke Li- Gifted

Heartless

I've been waiting on this one, and it has been released, all mastered and everything. I was a little worried when I heard the snippet, Kanye's lyrics and flow seemed empty and delivered with no passion which seemed to go against an album titled 808's and Heartbreak but Kanye picks it up and plays off the first couple of verses really well around the 2 minute mark. 

Kanye West- Heartless 

Love Lockdown Video

Everything about this is surprising. From the video debuting on Ellen, to the music video itself, I don't know what's going on. There is Kanye dressed up like a cocaine cowboy in Miami during the 1980's as well as some African tribe or something with technicolor women. But out of respect for Kanye, I'm not discounting it yet. I still love this track though. 

By the way Kanye's new album 808's and Heartbreak is rumored for a late November release. 

Guilty Pleasures

Lately, there have been a couple songs that have drawn my attention that I normally wouldn't listen to, but for some reason that have found there way into my headphones lately. 

This first song is combines DJ Khaled with autotone, two of the most despised things in modern hip hop these days. I want to make it clear I like this song DESPITE Khaled, not because of him. But autotone I can tolerate, and this is autotone madness as Kanye and T-Pain combine for a song that uses it to death. I love Kanye's closing line though, which is why it's receiving play. 

Imma tell you like George Bush told me

Fuck ya'll ni**as I'm outta here. 

DJ Khaled, Kanye West, T-Pain- Go Hard

The next one I like for the beat, which is provided by Bangladesh, the man who brought you amilliamilliamilliamilliamillamillamillamilli, thats the Weezy song A Milli if you didn't get it. I'm conflicted about this song though, because while I love Busta, Officer Rawse has never really appealed to me besides the monster single from a couple years ago 'Hustlin' But the beat in this song is crazy. The bass dropping during Busta's verse makes this track worth a listen on its own. 

Bangladesh ft. Rick Ross & Busta Rhymes- Girls Love Me

Love Lockdown Version 3.0

Usually I wouldn't be post more than once on the same track, but I'm making an exception for the drama that has surrounded Kanye's new single 'Love Lockdown' since it was debuted at the VMA's. First there was the live version, then the disappointing studio version, but now a new version has been released fresh with re-recorded vocals, which is a good thing because Kanye sounded like he was running a marathon in the previous recording. Don't expect Kanye to get of the aututone though, as he declared his love for it when he posted this song on his blog. 

So here it is, and it's much better. 

Kanye West- Love Lockdown

Love Lockdown

This one definitely made my day/week. The new single that Kanye performed at the VMA's has been released and there have been rumors floating around this song all week so I was happy it came sooner rather than later. I was about to cave in and start listening to the live version, but I come back from lunch and am finally rewarded for my diligence for checking every hour. 

However, I do not think this is the cut that will actually be on whatever record, whether it's Good Ass Job or 808's and Heartbreak, Kanye is planning to release in December (I'm still hoping for Good Ass Job). The chorus sounds a little strange and it isn't the best recording in the world, but I think Kanye was in a hurry to capitalize on all the hype from the VMA's and him being the smart individual that he is hurried and put it out. It's still a definite jam though, and I'll probably give it multiple spins on my commute back to SF this evening. 

Kanye West- Love Lockdown