2017 was a motherfucker, as we all know.
And I'm not even talking about everyone we lost this year. Or even this past fucking week. (R.I.P. Combat Jack and DJ Pam the Funkstress.)
I can tell because, even though I remember listening to a lot of new music this year (and finding specific chunks of it to be well outside of my realm of expertise, if we're being honest with one another), I can't recall many actual new albums I played through.
Perhaps this is a commentary on how music is experienced today, as streaming has quickly overtaken the act of walking into a store and exchanging goods for services clicking three times on Amazon (or four, if you use one of my links, hint hint). Maybe it's no longer important to folks to actually own things. I don't fall in that category, but I will admit that I got a lot of use out of Spotify this year.
However, my understanding is that 2017 actually wasn't a bad year for hip hop. I couldn't tell just by listening to the radio, but then again, that's always been the story around here.
Regardless, life shit beyond my control got in the way of my musical enjoyment, and more importantly for the two of you who still visit the blog, it also prevented any actual music criticism from taking place. As life shit is the type that never truly goes away, I can't guarantee that there won't be another hiatus, but we can at least try to enjoy this as long as possible.
What follows are year-end lists that are in no particular order, but you'll likely read into them anyway, so be it. I won't be discussing individual songs in the post, but if you wish to bring something up, try your luck in the comments: if I'm free, I try to respond quickly.
NEW ALBUMS I ACTUALLY LISTENED TO ALL THE WAY THROUGH AT LEAST THE ONCE
(Editor's note: as I wasn't writing about any of these, this doesn't mean I was paying very close attention to every syllable. Please keep this in mind.)
Drake - More Life
Kendrick Lamar - DAMN.
Vic Mensa - The Manuscript
2 Chainz - Pretty Girls Like Trap Music
Jay-Z - 4:44
Statik Selektah - 8
...and one additional project, which I won't name here as it is the subject of my final post of 2017. Feel free to speculate below.
THE ALBUM I'M SURE WILL CAUSE YOU TO DOUBLE-CHECK WHAT YOU JUST READ
2 Chainz - Pretty Girls Like Trap Music
CONSPICUOUS ABSENCES FROM THIS LIST
CZARFACE - A Fistful of Peril
Raekwon - The Wild
Masta Killa - Loyalty Is Royalty
Wu-Tang - The Saga Continues
Anything you two would consider to be "good"
Let everyone know your favorite and least-favorite 2017 projects below. Maybe I'll use those recommendations for myself (not for writing, necessarily, but just for entertainment purposes). Maybe I won't. Either way, it'll be fun to see.
See you in a few days.
-Max
Didn't listen to a lot of new releases this year, other than a few of the ones you mentioned, but my favorite albums this year were DAMN., 4;44, and Meyhem & Muggs' Gems of the Equinox. (I also enjoyed Sadat & Diamond's The Sum of a Man).
ReplyDeleteIn "enjoyable if inessential:" Juicy J's Highly Intoxicated and Big Sean & Metro Boomin's Double or Nothing. The lyrics on the former are better this time around, and Boomin's production on the latter are a kind of "growing the beard," mostly breaking from the overbearing-yet-dull bass-driven melodies he's done in the past: while Sean's lyrics aren't up to his usual standard they're not bad for a bunch of mostly-freestyles verses – at least, more consistent than Lil Wayne. (The same seems to be true of what I've heard from 2 Chainz' album, but I haven't gotten to listening to the whole album).
The Saga Continues doesn't really hold up under repeated listens. (BTW, if any of The Wu is listening: My offers for a Soul Brother vs. Soul Assassin & Wu Sequenza still stand).
My immediate impression was that Revival was better than MMLP2, though upon second listening it's either just above or below Relapse…still miles better than Encore.
In case you were still doing that thing, your Fat Joe project has been set back three albums.
Yeah. I expected him to continue to release stuff, but didn't see the "All The Way Up" resurgence coming.
Delete2 Chainz album was actually not bad. That and Migos' project were good examples of solid mainstream hip hop releases. High quality production, good guest appearances, decent rhymes.
ReplyDeleteI'm curious what you thought of Vic Mensa's project. It got good reviews, but I found it to be quite dull. I liked maybe 3 songs off the whole album.
As for your review.... my first guess was RTJ3, but that came out late in 2016. Maybe Tyler, the Creator?
My favorite hip hop projects of the year were probably DAMN., Big Fish Theory, and 4:44.
I haven't listened to The Autobiography, just The Manuscript, the EP with like four songs, one of them being "OMG". I liked "OMG".
DeleteIt’s Lil Pump, isn’t it.
ReplyDeleteWe'll just have to wait and see.
Deletewell I'll be DAMN.ed
DeleteVery sad about Combat Jack, I have to say I have learnt a lot listening to his podcast over the years, not just about hip-hop either.
ReplyDeleteGlad to see you making more frequent blog posts, long time reader here that relies on people like you help filter through the bullshit that is presented on radio/online etc.
The only 2017 hip-hop album I even remember listening to all the way through was Joey's. Perhaps I need to re-visit K Dot - I've not been sold on his output since To Pimp a Butterfly, maybe I'm not listening properly.
I guess I'm the last person to hear 4:44 too...
You may very well be. Not saying that's a bad thing though.
DeleteAs the Wu never really leaves my playlist, I’ll gladly recommend them, along with Same Moon, Same Sun, Perestroika and GEMS FROM THE EQUINOX! Imperius Rex and Rockness AP were notable as well. And finally, I wear my hatred for Shawn Carter proud on my sleeve when I say: I will NEVER listen to 4:44 in its entirety.
ReplyDeleteI've heard through my sources that Shawn Carter will never listen to YOU in your entirety either, so kudos!
DeleteAw, why not?
DeleteThe new Big K.R.I.T. is a must-listen
ReplyDeleteI need an entry point for K.R.I.T. I've only paid attention to his cameos, never his albums or mixtapes. Thoughts, anyone?
DeleteR4 the Prequel might be a good entry point, though 4eva N a Day is probably my favorite project by him.
DeleteHis new album is great, especially the first disc.
are you looking for a brief playlist of songs for entry or a definitive project to begin with? happy to help with either as dude can fucking rap
DeleteOpinions on the Alchemist produced Kendrick Lamar songs? (The Heart IV and Fear)
ReplyDeleteI really like the 2 Chains song with Gucci Mane and Quavo, the beat is really awesome.
"Fear" sorry "FEAR" is a crushingly mediocre interlude on an otherwise unlistenable album of no artistic merit whatsoever. 2 Chainz is soulless garbage. And the 'Good Drank' beat isn't awesome, it's bland, plodding, pedestrian elevator music. You asked for opinions. You're welcome.
DeleteAs for speculation:
ReplyDeleteProdigy - Hegelian Dialectic?
Eminem - Revival?
Brockhampton - Saturation I, II and III? (As one big super post?)
Sean Price - Imperius Rex?
Kool G Rap - Return Of The Don?
Although it's very recent, what made you listen to the Statik Selektah album specifically, given you listened to very few releases this year? What appealed to it more so than any of the 'conspicuous absences', especially given how much you've praised Czarface and not so much Statik in the past? just curious
ReplyDeleteStatik Selektah played the album in its entirety on his Shade 45 radio show the night before its release, and it intrigued me enough to actually play it (on Spotify, but it still counts) the following day. I haven't really sat down with any of his other albums, though.
Deletejust a quick yes/no verdict then, is it worth listening to as a fan of 'classic' boom bap style rap?
DeleteI liked K-Dot's a lot. He's a true album artist, one of the very few in hiphop who can make me listen all the way through and then put it back on again. Joey's album and also 4:44 were solid listens as well.
ReplyDeleteThough I'm a Wu head, I didn't like "Saga Continues" a bit and also "The Wild", though gettin positive reviews, isn't really good to me. Masta Killa's album is quite dull too, but "Return Of The Masta Kill" is a banger. Czarface I still have to come around...
Albums
ReplyDeleteApathy & O.C. - Perestroika
Your Old Droog - Packs
Meyhem Lauren & DJ Muggs - Gems from the Equinox
Singles
Meyhem Lauren & DJ Muggs - Street Religion (ft Roc Marci)
Sadat X - Devil Is Near
Supreme - Arctic II (ft Ice T & Icepick)
Jay Z - Story of OJ
Action Bronson - Chairman's Intent
I've watched the video for "Chairman's Intent" twice now and I cannot get into that song personally.
DeleteBrockhampton?????
ReplyDeleteWhat in the history of the site makes anyone think that Brockhampton is the next artist I'm reviewing? Serious inquiry.
Deleteoh, nothing at all. just from one head to another I offer a hearty recommendation for some genuinely creative and refreshing hip hop in 2017 :)
DeleteCheck out Rap Album Two by Jonwayne. Def a contender for best of 2017.
ReplyDeleteAlso:
Belly - Mumble Rap
J.I.D - The Never Story
Spice 1 - Throne of Game
Is Boomiverse the mystery album? I enjoyed it.
ReplyDeleteMax has been listening to Young Thug lol.
ReplyDeleteI'm still listening to DAMN which is easily Kendricks most accomplished album its crazy that I first heard Ignorance is bliss (the song that introduced me to K.Dot) back in 2011 and after hearing it told my bruda this guy's garn go global.
4.44 was the best Jigga release since American Gangster but it wasn't in heavy rotation.
Revival is quite embarrassing tbh Eminem jus sounds to awkward when rapping nowadays and seriously believe he should call it a day after this one.
Mobbs Infamous Hell on Earth and Prodgidys final album have also bin in repeat plus I started going through Vince Staples catalogue.
On a side note we're still waiting Nasir...
Anyway HNY and I hope you made a resolution (who really does?) To get back on job and writing the reviews that always have me lol while rarely agreeing (mostly disagreeing) yet understanding your gut reaction!
I’ve left for a few years (see: life shit). I never realized til now, how much I missed the blend of hip hop knowledge and internet schnarkiness that only you provide, Max. Just my luck, you’ll disappear after tearing apart my favorite new album.
ReplyDeleteHey, I was gone for a while too. We'll work through this together.
DeleteRaekwon's The Wild was alright, didn't really like The saga continues and the Masta Killa album. Prodigy's Hegelian dialectic had a few tracks that I dug, but overall not his best solo project. Mc Eiht and Dj Premier's ''Which way iz west'' was also kind of OK - worth a listen or two. 4:44 was quite boring, but that can be said for most of Jay's albums. Eminem's album however was outright shit, so Sean Carter wasn't the worst thing that happened to hip hop last year. And Kendrick - never really gave a damn (pun intended) about him and his music. Drake is not even hip hop, that's some pop singer, so a different category. Overall 2017 was bad enough for hip hop, but probably a tad better than 2016.
ReplyDelete