Somehow this blog has been around for sixteen years. I have no idea how that happened either - this side project has clearly taken on a life of its own - but even though the updates are far less frequent, Hip Hop Isn't Dead still isn't quite, er, dead, so we should celebrate accordingly.
I'm going to keep this celebratory post short. While we all collectively wait for me to get my shit together over here, I want to hear from you, whether you happen to be a longtime supporter who still checks out the site out of habit, or if you're brand new to the camp and have absolutely no idea why anybody in their right mind would ever continue doing this in the first place. Spefically, I'd like to strike up a conversation with two questions:
1) What is the last album you listened to that you thoroughly enjoyed? Regardless of this site's focus, it doesn't have to be related to hip hop.
2) What is the next project you're looking forward to the most?
I'm sure everybody is busy these days with Superbowl stuff or Valentine's Day plans or, you know, general life shit that none of us can get away from, so this prompt will be at the top of the site for a bit. Chime in if you'd like, and I'll circle back often to see how everybody's doing. Regardless of if you're a newbie here or if you've somehow stuck around for all sixteen years, just know that I appreciate the support and will get back to posting stuff at a time TBD. (And, of course, there's always the Patreon if you'd like to support me financially as well.)
-Max
16 years is a lot for anything, much less a blog - congrats Max!
ReplyDelete1. Raye - My 21st Century Blues. The second half is mostly just decent, but the first half is awesome. The last hip hop album would probably be Kings Disease III.
2. For anything that's confirmed, I'd say Miley Cyrus or Kali Uchis' upcoming albums. But it seems like KD4 is on the way, and I've enjoyed all of the Nas-Hitboy stuff, so that too.
I still have KD3 on the pile somewhere, I really need to get on that soon.
DeleteIt's too long and lack of any features hurts it a bit but the highlights are great
DeleteHold It Down - Das EFX
ReplyDeleteNext album, The Turnaround by Real Live
I always enjoy your insistence on ignoring every writing prompt to serve your own agenda. Cheers!
DeleteI'm just fucking with you. I'd expecting nothing less.
1. The last project I thoroughly enjoyed pretty much front to back (and still bump on the daily without tiring of it) is Sadistik & Kno's Bring Me Back When The World Is Cured.
ReplyDelete2. As far as projects I'm most looking forward to, of course there is the next Aesop Rock album which has not been announced yet, but the man confirmed the recording is over so it is to be expected this year. Also really looking forward to the new Black Thought joint project with El Michels Affair.
Honestly forgot that the Black Thought x El Michels Affair project was real until just now. Hopefully it'll work better than that BBNG/Ghost album, where I really enjoyed the music but found the rapping weary and boring.
DeleteCongrats! I've been reading for the past decade+ and you've introduced me to a lot of great things, always enjoy your posts.
ReplyDeleteListened to the Ray Charles live album from the late 50s (well, its really 2 combined on to 1 disc. One is from Newport and one is from Atlanta.) Really enjoyed that one, particularly the vocal selections (the instrumental tunes were a lot more hit and miss).
I've got the new Bob Dylan Bootleg series but need to listen to it - always enjoy those. Over time, my taste has bent more and more away from hip hop but I'm always hopeful super lyrical hip hop will come back to the forefront of the genre. And thankfully there's so much good stuff that's come out that even when I'm not finding new things there's something to enjoy all over again.
Thank you for coming back time and again as I take these random sabbaticals!
DeleteCongratulations on 16 years of HHID!
ReplyDeleteThe last album that I thoroughly enjoyed from front to back would have to be Denzel Curry - Melt My Eyez See My Future
Album I'm most looking forward to this year would be Danny Brown - Quaranta. I'm sure a lot of stuff will get announced in between however
Thank you!
DeleteHey Max, congratulations! Even though I do not always agree with your opinion, I often make reference to your reviews when I assess Rap albums for the fun of it. Your writing is very interesting and has improved a lot since you started this blog!
ReplyDeleteThe last album I thoroughly enjoyed is not even an album in the narrower sense. In my opinion, Lil Wayne´s Da Drought 3 can hold its own among most double albums released by rappers. On my part, Lil Wayne´s stellar performance on Da Drought 3 led to a change of mind regarding his persona. Nonetheless, he is far from his claim of being the best rapper alive... I hope you will review this Mixtape some day.
I´m anticipating the release of Pusha T´s mixtape with DJ Drama. Hopefully he will be able to draw on the great mixtapes released by Clipse/Re Up Gang. Your reviews of the Clipse related projects are great, btw!
Keep up the good work! Best wishes!
Thank you for the kind words! I'm also looking forward to that Pusha T/DJ Drama tape, although that rumored Clipse reunion album is much more appealing to me.
Delete1) King's disease 3
ReplyDelete2)I don't know
Congrats to your success. I pray to god one day you relisten to life after death and realize how brilliant it is. You're really a contrarian.
I mean, I like the album, I just think there's an awful lot of filler, but either way I appreciate the kind words!
DeleteCongratulations to 16 years of blogging. I've been reading posts from this blog for a long time.
ReplyDeleteThank you!
DeleteMax, long time lurker. First (and probably last) time I reveal myself. 16 years is a long time, congrats.
ReplyDeleteLast album I really liked was "Skids And Angels" by Tobacco. He's the main dude/producer from Black Moth Super Rainbow, also collaborated with Aesop Rock (Malibu Ken). It's an instrumental album, not quite Hip-Hop, more like Boards Of Canada type of stuff, but with a twist.
Next album I'm really looking forward to is "Maps" by Billy Woods x Kenny Segal. Their first album "Hiding Places" is the best.
AnonymousE.
Appreciate it. Thanks for lurking!
DeleteHey, hey, congrats on the 16th; this site is great for me, as i'm not a big hip hop guy, but what i like, i really like and any time i feel in the mood to find something new (to me at least) from the genre, i feel like your tastes are similar enough to mine that i always find something interesting. Also, seems like a good moment to check in, as i'm on the way out the door to see Onyx in concert. No shit. Onyx. Live, Tonight.
ReplyDeleteHappy to help. Hopefully you report back to let us know how much older material they performed versus the new stuff.
DeleteHeartbreak. Onyx tour canceled at the list minute, didn't know til i got to the venue. I hate it when that happens R.A. The Rugged Man was set to open.
DeleteWell, that blows.
DeleteSuuuuuucked. Also I forgot, I wanna play the game too; last album i enjoyed? Assuming, for fun's sake, by last you mean last released, or newest, Overkill's Scorched. It sounds like they're having as much fun as they ever have, the energy is infectious, it's just a wildly fun and entertaining piece of work.
DeleteLooking forward to? No idea, i've not been keeping up, but i haven't heard the newest Depeche Mode yet tho I want to.
And also, I wanted to mention; last thing i checked out specifically because of this site, I impulse purchased Pet Rock & CL Smooth's Mecca & The Soul Brother on vinl after reading about it here, and I owe you for that one! Not sure how I'd never heard about it before!
Congrats max! I have one question can you do a review on the Rakim album The Master?
ReplyDeletePeace
Thanks! His is a catalog I'd been wanting to get back to eventually, so I'll see what I can do.
Delete1) tie between Megadeth - Rust In Peace and TOOL - Aenma
ReplyDelete2) whatever nas or push puts out next. honestly there's not many other rappers at this point that I feel like I 'need' to check out their latest work.