For our final 2010 post, WhiskeyTeeth.com & SteadyBloggin.com wanted to bring you 100 of the most underrated and overlooked independent hip hop recordings that dropped in 2010. There is a mixture of the experienced and the unknown within the collection, but the common ground they share is that they are all tracks that flew under the radar, didn't get a fair shake in the blogosphere, or were great songs that didn't get the props they deserved from fans and critics alike.
The 100 songs are split up into a four part download due to the 600+ MB size of the folder. Here is a list of the artists featured in the folders (Most of it is in alphabetical order):
aDaD & Exile, Aleon Craft, Atmosphere, Basic Vocab, Black EL, Black Milk, Blu, BMB (aka Spacekid), Celph Titled, Ceschi, Chuuwee, Cloudy October, Count Bass D, Debilorithmicos, Dela, Descry, Danny Brown, Dom Kennedy, Dr. Oop & Rogue Venom, Droop-E, ESQ, Earl Sweatshirt, Erik L & 7even:Thirty, Erik L & Illingsworth, Fashawn, Fel Sweetenberg, Freddie Joachim, Fresh Daily, Front Porch Poets, Gonjasufi, Incise, Intuition, Jermiside, JR & PH7, John Robinson, Junk Science, Kokayi, KON, KVBeats, Little Brother, MadKem, MaGr, Mally & The Sundance Kid, Maxilla Blue, MellowHype, Panacea, Poetic Republic, Quincy Vidal, Qwel & Maker, Raedawn & Main, Roq'y Tyraid, Miedlev, Moe Pope, Nemo Achida, Nocando, Nottz, Open Mike Eagle, Othello, Outasight, P.SO, Kenn Starr, Oddisee, MED, Random, Rugz D Bewler, Soul Professa & Roc C, Statik Selektah Sene, 7even Thirty, Shad, Shawn Jackson, Strong Arm Steady, Thaione Davis, The Burnerz, The Grouch, The Gent$, The NewOld, Truthlive, Finale, Ras Kass, 8thw1, Tyler the Creator, Von Pea, Writtenhouse, Young Gully, Zion I, and SkuFL.
Here are the Top 10 Free Albums/Mix Tapes of the Year (only one mix tape) according to Whiskey Teeth (or just me). I'm sure I missed a lot, but these are the freebies that received the most spins, shares, and I felt gave the blogosphere something different and refreshing to look forward to in the future. Thank you to all the artists that continually give their music to us for free. Don't forget about us music nerds when you get big.
10. Odd Future- Radical
Thoughts: Many like Earl and Tyler's solo freebies, but, in my opinion, neither carried enough umph to be put on an end of the year list. Odd Future has incredible potential, they have hypnotized the internet for the better half of 2010, and have a bushel of addicting singles, but they still lack experience and it shows in their compilations. I'm on the edge of my seat with what Earl and Tyler have to offer in the future, but I'd be lying if I said their music completely blows me away so far (the hype, reaction, and ethos is a different story).
Radical, a haphazard mix tape that features every single Odd Future member, is the best 2010 representation of the biggest internet buzzed act next to Lil B and it's why I chose it over Earl's self titled give away.
Thoughts: While many of the blogosphere's sheep bahhhh at a basket full of blow hards and overrated youngin's, a 19 year old from Sacramento, California slid under their radar. Chuuwee's collaboration with Lee Bannon sounds like a long lost demo tape from 1995 and showcases the young MCs immaculate throw back flow and potential. The sound quality is all over the place (I think that's a Lee Bannon thing that he does on purpose?), but fans of Fashawn and AZ will love the kid that sounds like a mashup between the two.
Thoughts: RoQ’y TyRaiD is a Phoenix, Arizona based MC that released his free album The New Millennium Man earlier this summer which featured RoQ'y terrorizing beats from Madlib, Jake One, Just Blaze and original production from The Baron Boys, Dn3, and Rie$go. I got hooked on RoQ'y's cynical, misanthropic content and after multiple listens got even more into his style, flow, and versatility. Definitely a slept on unveiling, but I know he'll be making noise in 2011 and beyond when you slow mother fuckers decide to catch up.
Thoughts: I caught this little ray of sunshine from Jacksonville, FL producer Batsauce towards the end of the summer, which is constructed entirely from versions of Gershwin’s classic song ‘Summertime’, and it instantly became one of my favorite releases. The project features special guests The Perceptionists (Mr. Lif & Akrobatik), Mass Influence, Qwazaar, Baje One, Dillon, Chop, Paten Locke, Lady Daisey, and Wynton Kelly Stevenson. Underrated and overlooked-- what's new.
Thoughts: Kon's introduction to the world has an impeccable sound. The versatile production from DJ Dyllema, Marcus Sebastion, The Individualz, and Kon himself will exercise your neck as Kon anchors the ship with his crystal clear cadence. The luminous feel of the EP gives a whole other meaning to its title, but is more than likely due to the simple touch of an MC/Producer that also holds a degree in music engineering and has produced/engineered for Ras Kass, O.C., Blahzay, and more.
Besides the EP's altostratus sound, Kon makes quite a first impression. Reminiscent of a fellow New York MC in Sene, his pen is heartfelt, thoughtful, and poetic; his flow is simplistic, precise, and digestible; and his ear for production near flawless.
As Kon prepares us for his debut full length LP, My Glorious Imperfection, we are left with a good feeling about his supposed weaknesses to come. In one debut EP/Demo, Kon has already proven worthy to pilot hip hop fans above the clouds for years to come. Buckle up.
Thoughts: The Dick Vitale of Hip Hop shows his everlasting energy and excitement for music on his sophomore release, even more so than on his debut, A Major Minority, an almost impossible feat.
Black has definitely upped his game and has transformed from a diaper dandy into a PTPer with Ryan Durkin at his side.
Word is that this connection will continue, and if that's the case, so will the success. Black EL's voice is refreshing.
Thoughts: This is a freebie that I missed during my internet hiatus, but the first thing I downloaded once I returned and it never left the rotation. I don't know what it is about Dom, but he has that 'something' that crawls inside your head, infects, and lasts. His style is simple, nonchalant, and blunted, but is extremely infectious and replayable. All of his freebies have been dope, so if you aren't familiar yet-- get to it.
Thoughts: I've been supporting Outasight's movement (Rhymehouse, etc.) before he finally caught fire on the bigger blogs and the Yonkers, NY bred artist has only gotten better. This 2010 freebie gives fans a glimpse on his growth and a sneak peak into what I think his major label debut will sound like. Out of all the new artists that have popped up in the blogosphere in the past few years, Outa remains one of the most innovative and original MCs out there. I still believe he has the most potential to "blow up"-- it's only a matter of time. Never say never.
Thoughts: I only got into Danny Brown and The Hybrid about a month ago. If I had been on the Danny Brown bandwagon earlier, I would have handed over 2010 to Mr. Brown and called it a year (just peep what he dropped in 2010-- I haven't even gotten through half of it). The Hybrid is what you would get if Young Zee, Redman, and Lil Wayne became one MC, so this freebie was aptly titled.
It took me awhile to catch up with what I missed this Spring, but I have listened to everything I wanted (and you forced me) to hear in 2010. With that being said, here is WhiskeyTeeth's Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of the Year list. The winner receives that beautiful award pictured above, which is presented to you by Big Lots.
Thoughts: Canadian hip hop gets a bad wrap (mostly because a lot of it is bad rap), but Shad has proven himself more than worthy to the snarky and pretentious United States hip hop elite, especially with his acclaimed 2010 release, TSOL. Seamless, conceptual, intelligent, and full of humor-- Shad somehow topped 2007's The Old Prince and gave underground hip hop fans a canuck to pull for.
#9-1 on the flip side!
9. Moe Pope- Life After God (Brick Records- July 27th)
Thoughts: If WhiskeyTeeth had a Top 10 Underrated Albums of the Year category, you can bet your ass Moe Pope and Rain's project would top that list. After numerous overlooked collaborations with Electric, Headnodic, Project Move, and Mission that never went the distance, Moe Pope has found his comfort zone and an emerging producer he can flourish with. I'm hoping that this wasn't a one and done.
8. Atmosphere- To All My Friends, Blood Makes the Blade Holy (Rhymesayers- September 7th)
Thoughts: Am I the only one that thinks Atmosphere has only gotten better with time? From Seven's Travels and on, my love for Slug and Ant has grown exponentially and their 2010 double EP has me loving them even more. Over a pool of classic rock guitars, organ stabs, and crisp drums, Slug slangs slurred grown man raps that a lot of hip hop heads in their late twenties/early thirties will connect with.
7. Kokayi- Robots & Dinosaurs (QN5-August 28th)
Thoughts: The official follow-up to 2008’s Mass Instructions, Robots & Dinosaurs is a self-produced tour de force that showcases the Grammy-nominated artist’s varied talents on every track. With lush layers of live instrumentation, soulfully expressive sung-vocals and wordplay galore, Kokayi has managed to create a work that highlights the spaces between the extremes of modern pop, rock & hip hop and subsequently deletes them. One of the most exciting and unexpected independent releases of 2010-- why aren't more people excited about this?
6. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasty (Roc-A-Fella Records- November 22nd)
Thoughts: Out of the ten, this is the one that I have sat with the least and the only record that affected me outside of the music that it contained. Accidental genius or not, Kanye knows how to grab this generation's attention and keep it. Even though I think his media theatrics, ego, 30 minute film school reject video, and live performances are comedy skits, I think any lunatic artist that can control this generation like he does deserves a round of applause. Plus his shit sounds good.
5. Ceschi Ramos- The One Man Band Broke Up (Equinox- June 28th)
Thoughts:Ceschi is a genius. I became a huge fan after listening to the self titled Toca album (I would give my life savings to members of Toca if it would help them pull off another album), which made me dig into Ceschi's solo catalog. His third solo album is without a doubt his magnum opus and one of 2010's must hear albums. It is definitely an album you have to sit with, absorb, and give multiple listens, but the reward is well worth the efforts. Combining hip hop, folk, and psychadelic rock, The One Man Band Broke Up tells the story of a well-traveled musician at odds with the industry and himself. Ceschi speaks through the character of Julius & the Bearded Saviour as he weaves narratives about the perils of the road, failure and self-destruction.
4. Big Boi- Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty (Purple Ribbon- July 5th)
Thoughts: Bangarang.
3. Open Mike Eagle- Unapologetic Art Rap (Mush Records- May 11th)
Thoughts: Yes, in my world, Open Mike Eagle's debut solo album ranks above both Big Boi and Kanye West at the end of the year. If I wasn't a big enough Swim Team/OME fan boy before, Unapologetic Art Rap put the scoop of hummus on top and made me one for life. The self proclaimed 'nutcase displaying an obvious what the fuck face' will grab your attention with his untouchable rhyme schemes, playful concepts, and intelligent humor and make your blunt smoke smile and sway to his weird wordplay and infectious hooks. But you have to have enough patience to catch all that he throws at you.
It took awhile for internet nerds and blogosphere bums to take to Homeboy Sandman, so it's only a matter of time before more people catch on to Open Mike's genius-- a genius that, in my opinion, will take him further than any Blowedian has ever gone before. You can see what I mean in the I Rock (For the Unemployed) Remix and Haircut.
2. Intuition- Girls Like Me (Hellfyre Club- February 9th)
Thoughts: For a first quarter release in the middle of the ADD generation, Intuition's sophomore album held up extremely well. Not only did this album feature some of the best production of 2010 (courtesy of emerging Los Angeles beatsmith Equilibrum), but it was a 15-track clinic on the long lost art of song sequencing. Combine these two vital components with Intuition's easy to digest style and well penned tales of a directionless man in his mid 20's that's prone to complacency, womanizing, and debauchery, you got yourself the go to album for any 18-33 year old white boy for years to come. Asher Roth who?
On top with having a lot of emotional connections to Intuition's lyrics ("Don't Try" plays when I walk down the street), Girls Like Me allowed me to musically connect with a lot of special ladies in my life that would have never listened (or given a chance) to this type of music. You can't say that for many new artists or albums. I think this says a lot about what Intuition and Equalibrum accomplished and what they will accomplish in the future.
1. The Roots- How I Got Over (Def Jam- June 22nd)
Thoughts: They did it again and no one should be surprised.
These are posts from the old WhiskeyTeeth.com website. You can find open download links from all types of independent hip hop artists, as well as videos, mix tapes, free albums, and more.
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