Nominees for Independent/Underground Album of the Year...

[RuffDraft]

Kendrick Lamar: Section.80​

Kendrick Lamar followed up two great releases with his best to date. Section 80 was filled with conscious storytelling tracks that showed wisdom in the young mind of the talented Compton-born and bred emcee. With tracks like the J. Cole produced Hiii Power, Kendrick was able to start up an Internet following that he had previously lacked. With backing from Dr. Dre, he showed growth as an artist and Keisha's Song showcased his talents more so than any other track. But perhaps the more ignorant tracks that Kendrick is able to create with bars filled with intelligent rhymes and flows are more enjoyable, the hood tales aplenty about the contradictions of women on Tammy's Song. Overall, I played this album in its entirety over 20 times in one month. That's the reason it's here and worthy as a nominee for Album of the Year, 2011.

[video=youtube;QHJaqvz28ng]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QHJaqvz28ng[/video]

[video=youtube;ep0hay4Qw54]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep0hay4Qw54[/video]

[video=youtube;QjlFqgRbICY]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QjlFqgRbICY&feature=related[/video]​

 

[RuffDraft]

CunninLynguists - Oneirology​

Containing possibly my favourite line of this year, 'Instead of wishing on a star, grab a comet by the tail;' the CunninLynguists may have shone brightest in 2011. Deacon, Natti and Kno definitely re-directed the comet with this release, reaching the edges of music with another sonically brilliant soundscape from Kno. Having come from fart jokes (early days) to concept albums (APOS) to tales of marijuana obsession (Strange Journey), the CunninLnguists have continued to change with the weather of their music. Oneirology was no different, meaning 'a study of dreams,' Oneirology saw Natti and Deacon in top form, but to me it was Kno and Natti that stole the show on the closing track, Embers.

It wasn’t Heaven that I was seeking but a haven I sought

A canvas of the mind painted with my thoughts

A quality album, deserving of its place in the great catalog that resides from the SouthernUnderground emcees.

[video=youtube;ml0PEKKvj1k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ml0PEKKvj1k[/video]

[video=youtube;YM5xJzFhbW8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM5xJzFhbW8&feature=related[/video]

[video=youtube;VsFL17DvOIA]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VsFL17DvOIA&feature=related[/video]​

 

[Lou Cypher]

I wish i had your writing skills ruff, Reading your posts is like a magazine article. Here i go.

Pharoah Monch - W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)​

Pharoah Monch has been around for quite some time, his albums are spread far apart from eachother, but not a single one has disappointed. Every album this man has put out is classic material to me. He's Phenomenal with his wordplay, the man made a whole song about being a bullet. hes a genius. W.A.R. was no disappointment. When i first heard the single Clap, i knew i was gonna have a new album in rotation for quite awhile, the production is great, Exile and Marco Polo have a track, as well as another great one from the always ill Diamond D. newbie (to me atleast) M-Phazes takes the production for most of the album and does a fantastic job at it. Every album Pharoah releases, there is a more evolved sound and he adapts to it greatly. WAR is another showing of that ability.

[video=youtube;VG_iDZbSZ3I]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VG_iDZbSZ3I[/video]

[video=youtube;sb49FN_AKwg]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sb49FN_AKwg&ob=av3e[/video]

[video=youtube;zCFxldvqNKM]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zCFxldvqNKM[/video]​

 

[RuffDraft]

You did a great job with that post, Lou :tu but thanks :tu

Apollo Brown - Clouds​

Massively overlooked here in The Essence, yet deserving of its place alongside this years best, Apollo Brown's Clouds reaches instrumental heaven. The Left's producer who has been working on beats since '96, is only just beginning to break through as an emerging producer. Having had a very successful 2010 with the release of Gas Mask and The Reset, Apollo has stayed close to the boards all year, releasing not just Clouds, but a collaboration project with Haasan Mackay; entitled Daily Bread as well. Clouds showcases the creativity Apollo possesses, mixing old vocals and rhythms effortlessly. One moment we're in the 1930s awaiting World War II on the albums intro, 'Sound of Guns.' The next we're listening to a laid back drum pattern and we're on our way to a treat, particularly on 'Never In A Million Years,' which shines as one of the best beats the album has to offer. If Gas Mask-esque beats was what you were looking for though, see 'Drinking Life' for the daunting sirens and awakening samples. Tao Te Ching takes the reigns as the best this beat CD has to offer, although 'Imagination' comes close; this mellow beat followed by the trumpet sample is flawless. Apollo Brown is likely to bring some great releases over the coming year, he's certainly not dropped the baton yet.

[video=youtube;44mb4lNXt8k]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=44mb4lNXt8k[/video]

[video=youtube;nVL1GSBRBik]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nVL1GSBRBik[/video]

[video=youtube;qamUDqvCG2M]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qamUDqvCG2M[/video]​

 

[Lou Cypher]

Apollo Brown and Hasaan Mackey - Daily Bread​

Apollo Brown has been a beast these past couple of years, This album is more of that same great material. Hasaan Mackey (who ive never heard of until this album) makes a great first impression to a listener. His laid back flow and subject matter match Apollo's hard hitting beats very well. Apollo's Sample flips on this are insane, on many songs he gives you a tease of a nice little oldie and then BAM makes a soft love song turn into a dark, grimy head bobbing loop. Anxious to see what either one of these artists put out next.

 

[MastaAceTheGOAT]

Saigon - Greatest Story Never Told

1) I hate to praise an album mainly on it's production, but Just Blaze blessed that album with fantastic backdrops on every single song.
2) Saigon held the album off being released for 6 years because he wanted it to sound right and he has finally released the project without selling out.
3) Lyrically, Saigon isn't the strongest but his content varies, is precise and is thought provoking.
4) The feature choices were quite outstanding: Black Thought, Jay Z, Bun B & Q-Tip

[video=youtube;JfD3JsaHySs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JfD3JsaHySs&feature=related[/video]

[video=youtube;dVIevAC2H00]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dVIevAC2H00[/video]

[video=youtube;Vlzq9U5-Was]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vlzq9U5-Was[/video]​

 

[Lou Cypher]

Ah shit i forgot saigon came out this year. I remember hearing about this album 6 years ago and never hearing a from this guy. then this year comes and i finally listened and it was pretty damn dope. he sounds ignorant sometimes when hes in interviews but he is pretty sick and intelligent on the mic.

 

[RuffDraft]

Ah shit i forgot saigon came out this year. I remember hearing about this album 6 years ago and never hearing a from this guy. then this year comes and i finally listened and it was pretty damn dope. he sounds ignorant sometimes when hes in interviews but he is pretty sick and intelligent on the mic.

Dude was my favourite rapper in 2004, check his Abandoned Nation Mixtape, incredible.

 

[satyrone]

damn i may have to dig thru the vaults when i get my computer fixed. gonna be a tuff choice

 

[H-Rap 180]

I may be a little bias because im from the West-Coast but Kendrick Lamars "Section 80" was incredible to me. His lyrical complexity is refreashing coming from a coast were post people view us as ganngbangers who just rhyme simple words over g-funk tracks.

This kid is a spitter and he has the intellectual capacity to incorporate cultural awareness and political thoughts within his 16's.

This joint is my favorite Indie of the year.

[video=youtube;ep0hay4Qw54]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep0hay4Qw54&feature=related[/video]
​

 

[ty the great]

Slug and Ant return for their most mature and ambitious effort yet, and this time they brought some friends along. The long running duo of Atmosphere is no longer, as the 2 have evolved into a full fledged band. With the band comes an evolution in sound, featuring crisp guitar, pounding guys, and a tempo more akin to southern rock than underground Hip Hop. But they make it work. Became showcases Slug at his allegory best while Sluggo may have not have written anything as emotionally hard hitting as The Last To Say. Sure, the bar hopping emo king Slug may be a thing of the past on this album, but Slug finds new footing in grasping storytelling and brooding rock melodies.

[video=youtube;9uEJi0x-49E]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9uEJi0x-49E[/video]

[video=youtube;k1wm0F3tJjU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1wm0F3tJjU[/video]

[video=youtube;7ztJeUtWV1Y]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7ztJeUtWV1Y[/video]

 

[Lou Cypher]

Phonte - Charity Starts At Home​

While i dont think this album will win album of the year, i think it deserves a mention. At Least the recommendation. This album was awesome to me. Since the departure of 9th of LB i just dreamed of the day Phonte would rap on another 9th wonder track. Then the stupid twitter beef they had for a day made me think that dream would never come true. Then out of no where you hear they are friends again and phonte would be RAPPING, taking a break from his singing with Foreign Exchange. While Phonte has accomplished Grammy nominations with his singing (I think they won one. Correct me if im wrong plz) I have always preferred rapping phonte. I can stand phonte singing on the hooks tho because i do think hes great at everything he does, but when Phonte raps i think hes much better. From the first single released i knew it was gonna be great. 9th has been slacking on the beats imo as of lately, The beat was Average 9th, But phonte brought in the laid back flow that immediately gave me that Old LB feel. It felt like they never stopped working with eachother, the chemistry is always there between them, Then elzhi comes and drops a verse that is one of my favorites on the album, "Im Poetic, while they PO-Thetic, i play they life like a movie and in the end give em no credit." The rest of the album still has you reminiscing on the old days of Little Brother, 9th Produces the bulk of the album, Khrysis has one track. Others are produced with people i am not familiar with, but they dont disappoint.

Notable songs (sorry Ruff if ya could Tube em for me )

Im Not Here Anymore
The Good Fight
Everything Is Falling Down
We Go Off Feat Pharoah Monch
The Life Of Kings Feat. Evidence and Big KRIT

 

[Robothug]

[video=youtube;YmPMVzsO3Vw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YmPMVzsO3Vw&feature=player_detailpage[/video]

I truely feel this is an exceptional album from the Meridian, MS. MC/producer Big K.R.I.T. He's a southern MC but very strong lyricly and gives alot of food for thought on more than a few tracks and still makes room for tracks like "My Sub" or "Shake It". I can hear a little bit of Pimp C., Andre 3000, T.I., Luda, the kid got flow for days. Also lets not forget he produced the whole damn thing 21 tracks strong. From start to finish I could play this album without skipping. He is the valedictorian of XXL 2011 freshman class and this album is proof.

 

[StoneColdMikey]

section 80>>>>

 

[skeep]

ILLUS

For Adam

For Adam is an original and fresh collection of diverse songs that are both universal and personal. This is a positive album with hard hitting lyrics and beats that are though provoking, inspirational, fun, clever and meaningful. Illus comes correct side by side with legends and some of the best newcomers in the business and crafts great songs. Some may think Illus is a goofy dude because he does a lot of comicbook work but he comes with 100% passion and heart and is honest refreshing.

[video=youtube;HFad0_YWUQc]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HFad0_YWUQc&feature=channel_video_title[/video]

[video=youtube;EwW91hae6ZI]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EwW91hae6ZI&feature=relmfu[/video]

[video=youtube;1x01Htxlsv8]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1x01Htxlsv8&feature=related[/video]

 

[Madbeats]

I dig a lot of underground so it's hard to choose one. These are all dope selections though.

 

[RuffDraft]

Trek Life - Wouldn't Change Nothing​

LA based Trek Life was blessed with production from Oddissee and Apollo Brown for this Mello Music Group effort. The remix album of the previously released 'Everything Changed Nothing,' features production from Audible Doctor who produced 'Battle Cry' for Joel Ortiz. I feel the production was outstanding all the way through on this release (as most Mello Music Group releases seem to be), it's one of those albums that can be in the playlist and continue to play all the way through.

On another note, as time goes on, it's really apparent that Mello Music Group is a great label with great producers and talents coming through - with an endless list of talents including Finale, Kenn Starr, Has-Lo, Boog Brown, Diamond District, The Left, Declaime, Hassaan Mackey and more.

With tracks like 'As The World Turns', 'What it is' with production from Apollo Brown, So L.A. and the album-titled track, 'Wouldn't Change Nothing,' this release is deserving of at least a nomination for album of the year… some of the tracks I like:

[video=youtube;fzEnIl0hj7U]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fzEnIl0hj7U[/video]

[video=youtube;ubYCC0sgqrU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubYCC0sgqrU[/video]

[video=youtube;FrCADyXFWPU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FrCADyXFWPU[/video]

 

[rip.dilla]

Saigon - Greatest Story Never Told

1) I hate to praise an album mainly on it's production, but Just Blaze blessed that album with fantastic backdrops on every single song.
2) Saigon held the album off being released for 6 years because he wanted it to sound right and he has finally released the project without selling out.
3) Lyrically, Saigon isn't the strongest but his content varies, is precise and is thought provoking.
4) The feature choices were quite outstanding: Black Thought, Jay Z, Bun B & Q-Tip

Co-sign this post

My album of the year

 

[rip.dilla]

[video=youtube;1po7KurK564]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1po7KurK564[/video]​

. .

 

[blackat87]

Doomtree: No Kings

The Minnesota hip-hop scene seems to have an endless supply of talented artists, and the Doomtree collaborative may be the best that state has to offer. After ten years together, and many exceptional solo albums, the unit has united to release a masterpiece. I enjoyed their self-titled album from 2008 and listen to it on a regular basis but this album is on a whole different level. The five Emcees (Sims, Dessa, Mike Mictlan, Cecil Otter, P.O.S.) vary in their style, but they play off one another perfectly. The beats (produced by Doomtree beat makers Lazerbeak and Paper Tiger as well as P.O.S. and Cecil Otter) are a layered, genre bending mix of electronica, hip-hop, rock, punk and even industrial. The groups lyrics lean towards the abstract. Like an Aesop Rock song, they reward careful listening and personal interpretation. I can't recommend this album enough.

[video=youtube;iWDHxK_HfOw]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iWDHxK_HfOw[/video]

[video=youtube;z_Dz5fJLIhU]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_Dz5fJLIhU[/video]

[video=youtube;vcpokC2Ewzs]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcpokC2Ewzs[/video]