Late on it's indictment, here is the 10 Best Mainstream Albums of Hip Hop Culture 2013.
Weeding out popularity to replace relevance with skill and refined composition, this collection of albums give you the best of many worlds.
From nostalgic records reminding of you whose best is worth claiming a throne, to bangers that do more than appease the taste of the streets. The chosen artist all possessing their own ingenuity with many holding the flame such as EMINEM himself; the others simply reach level after level.
[EMINEM] reigns supreme once again, from the shadows of silence since his 2010's billboard hit RECOVERY 一 Slim Shady ignites a spark of wistful energy while retaining the seniority of his fluid finesses of words. With tracks like RAP GOD to set bars above normal limitations, letting students and veterans of Hip Hop alike know that THE white rapper is here to stay. Eminem is a force unbound by his color, Rap is his playground and the debate needs not to be spoken of.
Recommended listen: Love Game ft. Kendrick Lamar. A tale of love dissected, and pieced apart to destroy the fallacies brought to the two spitters by former conquest. Baring a feeling of Eminem's own SUPERMAN from 2002's hit The Eminem Show blended with the witted hatred told of in KIM from MMLP, the current album's senior.
MCHG, Jay Z.
The beginning of Jay Z's #NEWRULES campaign. Proven to be bigger than a Rap Career far before the dropping of this 16-track take, Jay Z hasn't lost a touch. This tape trickles wit and wisdom, wordplay and trap - blessing knowledge which most have yet to uncover.
Did I mention? He made a million off of it's completion before it dropped. Samsung...ssh. #NEWRULES
Recommended Listen: Holy Grail ft. Justin Timberlake.
The now frequent collaborators speak on their battles with a bitch named FAME.
Born Sinner, J. Cole.
Blowing his last run out of the water, he settles for bringing together two sides of the same coin. Blending the intricacies of his fresh reality with the grunge preaching of his flow. Telling tales of regretful adultery and sorrow-filled diamonds, the lessons he aims for us to understand on each ride every tracks takes us on is nothing short of his best. Next to his highly acclaimed 2011 FRIDAY NIGHT LIGHTS - Born Sinner is a milestone for the NC bred lyrical hero.
Recommended Listen: Rich Niggaz. Nuff'said.
NWTS, Drake.
Reintroducing my respect for the Toronto native, nothing much as changed aside from the complacency to excel beyond the expectations of Rap. Drake sets his own boundaries as he continues to crone and moan about histories made interesting through his timeless sound. Despite what can be said about his singing career; Nothing Was The Same begs attention by all audiences, smacking sleepers awake with records like Starting From The Bottom and Worst Behavior. Continuing to sooth faithful listeners of his hybrid style of rap and song with tracks like Too Much, featuring the erotic soul vocals from Sampha.
Recommended Listen: From Time ft. Jhene Aiko.
Telling it like it is. Love can be a mystery, but direct words of regret and second chances resonate in the rekindling for this track equipped by the unique songstress that is Jhene Aiko.
Wolf. Tyler, the Creator.
So outside of the box, he needs to stay in it. The rap game I mean, without many innovative geniuses out there pushing limits on how far to take their ideals - nothing would exist of true talent. Tyler gains respect left and right through the artistry of his projects, the founded originality of content and the skillful display of production. From Bastard to Wolf, Tyler remains a force that doesn't care - as long as he enjoys.
Recommended Listens: Colossus. LISTEN.
Mirroring STAN by Eminem, Tyler tells of his like and distastes for fanatics of his work.
MNIMN, Pusha-T.
He almost meant it when he said this project was the best of 2013. Pusha-T is a veteran on his own, keeping the purity of street music where it belongs - out of the clubs and in car speakers. Bringing together bars built on his previous gig of selling them, tales of his struggle and even love ballads about a modern Bonnie; 1/2 of the Clipse? He makes his own name.
Recommended Listens: S.N.I.T.C.H
Sorry Nigga I'm Trying to Come Home. Listen.
Because the Internet, Childish Gambino.
Donald Glover? Comedian, Songwriter, Scriptwriter, Actor, Producer....What can be said about his RAP artistry? A lot. The eclectic ingenious of the unnatural black rapper, as he had called himself before continues to pour ART into the craft behind his projects. From CAMP to BECAUSE THE INTERNET he retains conceptual innovation. He wasn't loved by the thugs (Worldstar), or was it not enough club play (Crawl)? Doesn't matter. Soon his rise will not be limited by his audience as it continues to expand. Musically being understood, he is not to be undermined.
Recommended Listens: Sweatpants ft. Problem (Unaccredited adlibs).
Hall Of Fame, Big Sean.
Gainfully surpassing its predecessor in my opinion, Big Sean's sophomore album is a tape to be ran in its entirety. Without a disappointment in mind, Big owns up to the BIG name in this lyrical project that displays his credited classic flow with perfection. Tracks like ASHLEY which tells of his previous long term relationship once corrupted by his rise to fame - he retains fan favorite memories that correlate with his love song perfections such as Love Song and Don't Tell Me You Love Me. Hall Of Fame tells the hidden truth of his legacy: He is definitely here to stay.
Recommended Listens: MILF ft. Nicki Minaj & Juicy J.
The classic tale of single mothers meeting new men turned into a song from the male's perception. Many moments highlighting the son's feelings, this unique track is a adventurous lesson to listen to.
Trap Lord, A$AP Ferg.
Trap music has never sound so good to a Hip Hop head. A$AP Ferg takes the simplistic genre and turns it into a A$AP modernization. From tracks like Shabba to his Work Remix, he is not shy of the club bangers - but also keeps sympathy to the streets with tracks like Lord ft. the legendary Bone Thugs & Harmony.
Recommended Listens: Fergivcious.
KNOCK MADNESS, Hopsin.
The cutthroat rapper is at it again. Opinionated honesty is painted along the virtuous fluidity of his sober flow as he fights the norm. Arguably one of the best artist without the influence of features and drugs to impose on his popularity - Hopsin delivered the fan anticipated KNOCK MADNESS. Letting you know that just because it isn't always sought, true talent stands. This is record simply for Hip Hop lyrical doctors, listen and dissect.
Recommended Listens: Lunchtime Cypher ft. Passionate MC & G-Mo Skee.
[ Honorable Mentions一LongLiveA$AP, Something Else, Doris, The Gift, Watching Movies With The Sound Off.]