Top 10 Rap Albums That Impacted Me Growing Up

This is my top 10 list of albums that had an influence on my music experience growing up. THIS IS NOT a top 10 list of my favorite albums by no means, that’s for a later discussion. This list basically signifies different stages in my life where rap and hip hop had exposed me to something different. I DID NOT include albums I listened to in my mid/ late teens because by then you’re already put on game on so many things. Just albums that changed my listening experience growing up young.

 

With that being said here we go in descending order...

10. Ma$e "Harlem World"

     ~ Hands down Puff and Ma$e had the most swag before it became a household phrase in upper suburban homes. Ma$e was the young'n of badboy and had flow. He even had brandy sprung at the time. http://youtu.be/oCdE_bl0q1g

9. Eminem "The Slim Shady LP"

     ~ Eminem hit the scene with a whole new crazy stupid wild style when I was growing up. Not to mention being white and co signed by Dr. Dre. His over the top overkill subject matter set him apart of other rappers a that time. http://youtu.be/Xbw_BxDwdjk

8. NAS "I Am..."

     ~ Nas and his grimy rhymes will get you for at least one album. For me, it just so happened to be "I am..." that put me on to him. I didn't catch his flow when he first came out, why? probably my age, but after hearing "Hate me now" and peeping he video of the whole crucifixion it was a done deal for me. http://youtu.be/dKSJN3WWR3E
7. Jay-Z "Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life"

     ~ What's a list without a Jigga man album. This was the first Hov album I listened to, Stole it from my sister and never gave it back, for good reason too. After the first listen it was evident he was gonna be that nigga for life. http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10ji2_jay-z-nigga-what-nigga-who_music

6. Kanye West "College Dropout"

     ~ "If this is your first time hearing this you are about to experience something so cold man". He was right this was straight dope and soulfully original that when I first heard it, it changed the way I listen to music. Not to mention the cameos by the late great Bearnnie Mac. http://youtu.be/uvb-1wjAtk4

5. Joe Budden "Joe Budden"

     ~ I know what yall are thinking. Joe Buddn? The pump pump pump pump it up guy?? Yes, that guy Joe Budden Mr. Pump it up and don't front that track was hot. But I probably bumped this album everyday for a year when I first got it. It was one of those albums that just clicked with me. If you get a chance check out the track 10 mins. In the meantime though>>> http://youtu.be/ySfwW_xSRU4
4. The Notorious B.I.G. "Life After Death"

     ~ Big came at an interesting time for me, I was too young to fully appreciate his art at the time, but listening to this album was something serious, it had the whole world jumping. Even today you can go into a club and hear at least one track from this album being played. Words cant describe the inspiration Big gave you. This album help me introduce me to a different side of rap baby baaabbbyyy! http://youtu.be/ktDeFS8KZPs

3. 2Pac "All Eyez on Me"

     ~ Like Big, I was still young at the height of his career, but if there was one thing you needed to know back then it was 2Pac songs. If you didn't know your Pac songs it was a sad day for you a school even elementary school. Pac single handily shaped the way I would act, walk, talk, speak after hearing this album. He had so much love and influence over a culture. http://youtu.be/BL6dWDfs5x8
2. Juvenile "400 Degreez"

     ~ So this was like a whole new rap to me and all my friends. This album was borrowed and bough by every person in the hood. This album was more than an album, it was a movement that if you were in the right age group you were able to experience it. This album got banged in my crib all year when it dropped in my headphones so my mom couldn't hear. I bumped this so hard I use to make multiple cassette tapes for my Walkman just in case I couldn't barrow a cd player from my friends. Being from the Midwest this opened the door to all types of music I was never exposed to. http://youtu.be/Ww9VlmXKYgs

1. Master P " Ghetto Dope"

 

     ~ So This album dropped when I was about in 5th grade! This was around the same time that Pac and Big had both passed and even though there were still a lo of artist in the game killing, I cant remember anything bigger than "Ghetto D". The most common phrase was "bout it bout it" you had to make sure you bout it bout it about anything or someone would pull your card. The hard hitting bass was stupid before that even meant a good thing. Straight classics up and down the track listing. They took over with the music they had, their clothing, and their jewelry. This was the album that had the biggest impact on me growing up considering culture, peers, and music. http://youtu.be/d5ZvzIOO6aU

Thanks for checking it out. Stay tuned in for more music reviews on the way! more Top 10 list on the way!

 

Kevin Gates "Stranger Than Fiction"

 

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/22829/kevin-gates-stranger-than-fiction.html

 

 In case you've been under a rock since the turn of the new year Baton Rouge's own Kevin Gates drops another solid mixtape for us to rock to. He's recently gained attention from the the the hiphop audience with his last mixtape,"The Luca Brasi Story" that gained respectable reviews and exceeding 60,000 downloads (datpiff). He's arguably the hottest rapper from Louisiana since Lil Boosie, and there has been a bidding battle to sign him between Young Money and Atlantic Records with Atlantic edging out the competitors. He's been quoted of saying many different generes have had an influence on his music including listening to country, soft rock, reggaeton,  and even punk rock. After serving time for possession of a firearm and drugs  with prior felony convictions Kevin Gates picked the rap game up right where he left it and has big plans to be the first platinum artist out of Baton Rouge.


It's refreshing to hear someones uncut story stacked like legos articulately on top of heavy hitting 808 beats, and feel nothing but honesty through your speakers. Kevin Gates gives the kind of honesty through his music that you probably only share with the person you face in the mirror in a clandestine room with a locked door. With his raspy voice accompanied by his thick southern slang fits perfectly with the heavy drum patterns and looping melodies on the album. He shows just how versatile his style is with the merit most songs hold from his story telling to his fluent flow and delivery. He's quickly making a name for himself in the rap game holding down the boot state. His flow distinctly identifiable, but to paint a better picture he reminds me of his own version of Gorilla Zoe or the great Zero from Texas. No doubt he has talent and rarely exercises overly repetitive choruses and sparingly uses childish lullabies for an annoyingly amount of time. Nahhhhh...... Not Kevin Gates. This is the kind of music that you throw on in the morning while you do your daily routine and play at all kinds of type of obnoxious levels. This is the kind of music that you can let ride and look at your partner sideways if they dare put their finger on that next button. The only track that had a downside for me was "Patrick Swazy," which had an excessively tiresome simple chorus, but even with that lack of substance downer of a hook, he still makes up for in the word play of the verses. I expect that this mixtape will demand the attention of many listeners and shed light back on Louisiana rappers as artists.

With that being said on to the Ratings.


Flow: 4/5 His flow is distinct and brings something new and not just another recycled one we've been accustomed to hearing.

Lyrical Content: 3.5/5 This is probably the hardest to judge because he isn't a trap rapper, but wouldn't consider him strictly a conscious rapper either. Whatever you want to label him he does it well.

Consistency: 4/5 Yes, if your looking for consistency hear it is. Straight forward story telling from a first hand experience. The final couple tracks seem to go in a different direction though.

Subject: 3/5 The subject matter will get the lowest score because it doesn't open me up to anything new but his side of the story. Don't let that take away from mixtape though because for the theme of the album he hits the hammer on the head.

Beat/Music: 4/5 Maaannnn each track rides and helps bring out the most of the lyrics please show the tape the respect it deserves and play with the proper headphones or speakers that allow the bass to bang.

Score: 18.5/25

Favorite Tracks; 2. Get Em, 3. MYB, 4. White Tan, 5. 4:30am, 7. Strokin', 8. Thinking With My D, 14. Careful, 17. Angels

https://twitter.com/OneBond007

TeeFLii "Firewoks"

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/23031/dj-mustard-teeflii-fireworks.html

Christian Jones better known for his stage name TeeFLii is a singer/ recoding artist out of the South Central Los Angeles area bringing a new risky, west coast luscious avenue to the R&B scene. He's teamed up with DJ Mustard again for another sexy boarder line raunchy album, that is sure to contribute to late night, after club specials. TeeFLii may be a newcomer to the R&B scene, but he's no stranger to the hiphop culture as he grew up dancing and being a part of the whole krump movement along side of Tommy the Clown and David LaChapelle. He has an impressive background including dancing with Chris Brown in his first three videos and along side of Omarion as well.

The mixtape is entitled "Fireworks" and that's exactly what this album brings; hard hitting west coast music with an explosive feature roster that includes west coast legends such as Dom Kennedy and E-40 for starters. Since the more recent decline of Ray J's Career, California has birthed another up and coming R&B star to take the crown. There's nothing forced on this mixtape and the message is clear with every song, sex, sex, sex, and more SEX. This album isn't for the innocent listeners as he dives in head first with the fist track "Better Know" to set the tone for this sexual roller coaster filled with vulgar turns, and openly acceptable lewd twists. This artist gives me a feeling of a cross between The Dream and Jeremih with his own distinct voice, but similar content and subject matter. The music and beats go hard, as it sounds like a blend of bass lines being lead by guitar and piano/key harmonies that can be played in the club or the after After party. Each track is as sexy as LisaRaye McCoy when she played Diamond in 'The Players Club" and as ratchet as her co-workers as well, at the same damn time. He also drops the name "Annie" throughout the whole mixtape, which is his way of calling a woman and alternate name like shorty, boo, lady etc... The mixtape is overall impressing and I will be having a few tracks on my play list while I chill out by the pool this summer to catch me a few Annies.

With that being said on to the Ratings.

Flow: 4/5 He has a distinct flow to his R&B that easily separates him from other artists.

Lyrical Content: 2/5 The content has a unique spin that he puts on it but still room for improvement.

Consistency: 5/5 Every track is consistent no doubt. SEX.

Subject: 2/5 This where the tape lacks at I would've never guessed he grew up singing gospel, so that should tell ya.

Beat/Music: 4/5 The beats ride from beginning to end and can be played in multiple settings just no variation.

Score: 17/25

 

 

Favorite Tracks: 1. Better Know, 2. So Good, 3. U Can Get It, 6. Neva Turn down, 8 Put It on U

 

 

https://twitter.com/OneBond007

PartyNextDoor "PartyNextDoor"

http://www.livemixtapes.com/mixtapes/22951/partynextdoor-partynextdoor.html

Never heard of this guy before, until he dropped a 10 track mixtape a few days before Independence Day. After doing brief research on him soon found out he is apart of the OVO movement with Drake and his crew. I found it surprising that I haven't heard of him and that he is directly connected with arguably the hottest artists out right now. Inevitably being associated with Drake automatically puts some type of unprecedented expectation in every ones mind. So going into this mixtape I tried to give him the fair listen without pre judging or comparing him (still knowing that hes associated with Drake).

Right off the bat like Barry Bond's 756th Home run I cant' help but notice the striking similarities that I hear between The Weekend and himself, so I can already predict what the rest of the tape might feel like and what I should expect. The mixtape is layered with deep soothing bass lines accompanied by synth horns and trumpets as leads and add ons to contribute to the feel good music vibe I get. The beats sound simple, but strategic the way they blend with the high and low filter effects that are popular in Drake and The Weekends music. With the music being similar if not identical to his crew it doesn't help that his style seems to be of a R&B singer that resembles The Weekend, but none the less still decent enough to keep me listening. His music doesn't give me the sense of the more traditional R&B singers like R. Kelly, Usher, and Trey Songz, but Its more vibe R&B with lyrics you can relate to woven throughout the beat. The kind music that you find yourself pre gaming and getting ready to before you go out, the kind of music that if you cant find anything to play at the party, you can never go wrong having it on your play list. I find it relaxing to vibe to, because its not meshed with overriding fractions of half stepped hi hat leads followed by identical hard kick breakdowns. It gives you the chance to enjoy all instruments and vocals and appreciate the quality of the music. Most of the tape subject matter is directed towards more everyday situations (relationships, partying, chilling with friends, etc..) something that you can't argue with and can relate to, so that's definitely a good move to connect with the audience.

With that being said on to the Ratings.

Flow: 3/5 He rides each beat with the blend of singing and rhyming. Could stand to find away to separate from sounding too similar to others in his camp though.

Lyrical Content: 2/5 The content sounds similar from beginning to end and doesn't stray too far off from the party scene the music gives you. (When in doubt throw Drake on the track).

Consistency: 3/5 He stays consistent through the whole tape. No curve balls all vibe music.

Subject: 3/5 All lot is about the party scene and talking about situation with girls. Would like to see him expand more on subject, but he makes it work still.

Beat/Music: 4/5 The music is probably the best party of the tape. From start to finish if nothing else does it for ya, he'll have your head nodding to beat.

Score: 15/25

Favorite Tracks; 2. Wild Bitches, 9. Over Here, 10. Ballin
https://twitter.com/OneBond007

Joey Bada$$ "Summer Knights"

 

This mixtape is a step out of the popular hard hitting, electro, 808 bass, and a step back into the uncut, raw, Brooklyn rap. At first listen you recognize instantly that this mixtape isn't that of the typical dumb down, lullaby, repetitive chorus filled anthems that we've come accustomed to "turning up" to. Joey BadA$$ mixtape takes you back to early Brooklyn New York rap where substance is more important than catchy hooks. It gives you that "Crooklyn" flow all over again reminding you of the times when it wasn't required to wake up in a new Bugatti to enjoy the unique rhythm of the vinyl scratch laced with raw fumbling lyrics. Joey BadA$$ gives me the feeling of past great upstate Emcees such as Rakim, Big L, Busta Rhymes, Wu-Tang Clan, etc....

This is my first time listening to Joey BadA$$ as a whole project and overall I wasn't let down. Although, I was expecting him to be more lyrical because of surrounding hype, I was still impressed by his substance to match his raspy straight forward delivery. After only a few tracks I found myself forgetting that he is only 18 by the subject matter that he touches on giving a feeling of stepping out of the normal and back into the natural. The mixtape isn't overly filled with famous features, He holds his own on this project. Another thing that impressed me was the production and mixdown of the entire project. Each track complements the next and doesn't compete with the next to win the attention of your ears. His ad libs are used sparingly if any, which is a relief given the overly used and exaggerated ad libs that control club anthems. "Summer Knights" has an impressive list of beat makers/producers as well. Topping the list the more notable names; Kirk Knight, Lee Bannon, Alchemist, and not to mention the great DJ Premier.

With that being said on to the Ratings.

Flow: 4/5 He rides the beat well. Sounds forced on some tracks, but overall smooth

Lyrical Content: 3.5/5 Each track gives you something new he expresses. With years vocab will improve. Impressed nonetheless

Consistency: 4/5 You know what your getting with each track lyrics and beats. There are no surprises after listening to the first few tracks it sets the tone for the rest.

Subject: 4/5 I praise him for not talking about money, hoes, or drugs. Especially at his age growing up in the game now.

Beat/Music: 3/5 I love the that he kept it straight Brooklyn, but at times it can be too much at one time. Not much variety, but it doesn't take away from the mixtape, Just similar feeling for most tracks.

Score: 18.5/25

Favorite Tracks; 10. Trap door, 11. Satellite, 12. 95 Til' Infinity, 14. Reign, 17. Unorthodox

Twitter: @Onebond007
             

Mixtape/ Album Review Rubric

Mixtape/ Album Review Rubric

 

There will be 5 categories that each track will be evaluated on worth 5 points each totaling 25 points possible (out of /25). The categories follow as;

 

Flow: Does the flow ride the beat and concise, or does it collide with the beat and feel forced

Lyrical Content: What is the artist talking about, something relevant or irrelevant? This is debatable for many, so I will judge accordingly to the artist and genre (conscious, trap, 90 baby rap so on) Does it have substance (varies).

Consistency: Is the flow in agreement with the delivery.

Subject: Overlooked by most, but do the artists stay on topic. Does stray away from the general idea

Beat/Music: Probably the most important part. Does the beat make your head nod or doze off? Is it repetitive or does it has transitions and clean?

 

SOD=Song of the Day: J.Cole "Runaway"

http://mp3skull.com/mp3/j_cole_runaway.html