One of the most pleasant surprises this month was the release of what I believe to be the first hip hop musical documentary whose subject is the legendary Q-Tip from A Tribe Called Quest. The album The [Abstract] Best Vol. 1 produced by J. Period is amazing for its musical production and fresh takes of Tip's music in addition to being a historical record for this genre. You absolutely must get a hold of this album.
The worse piece of trash came from an "artist" calling himself N.A.P. with his contribution titled Define Me. I have never been so insulted in all my life. You people really should be paying me to listen to everything in order to be fair and objective about my selections. I see why other critics and award selection committees are so lazy. It really is painful to waste one's life listening to "music" like this. But when you find some gems as I did this month life is worth living again.This month's selection for best hip hop album of June 2011 was hard people. We got blessed with some extremely creative and entertaining albums and I have been flip flopping more than John Kerry over my choice.
The south really did it big this month with albums like Big Sean's Finally Famous, C.O. Tha! Bad Black with Themi-God and Curren$y's Weekend at Burnie's. The east coast was represented strong by the new Smif-N-Wessun joint Monumental produced by my man Pete Rock, Vast Aire dropped OX 2010: A Street Odyssey and the new group Random Axe released the self titled album Random Axe. There is not a bad one in the bunch. Even Bad Meets Evil, with Femi uh I mean Eminem and Royce Da 5'9 was pretty decent. I am not an Eminem fan but I have to speak the truth. It's not bad but I only liked five cuts therefore it won't be winning so dislodge any suspense you had for it from your mind.
The choice came down to two albums, Weekend at Burnie's by Curren$y and Monumental by Smif-N-Wessun and I am still going back and forth even as I write this post but let's break it down like this.
These two joints, both destined to be classics and should make both acts some serious scrilla this year, are listened to for different reasons.
If you want to smoke one and lean back while listening to some hip hop with steady beats and lyrics that pay homage to the good life, chilling and living a laid back life style then Weekend at Burnie's by Curren$y is definitely your album. This is burn one music for the 21st century but clever, imaginative and entertaining without resorting to Tom Foolery and buffoonery like some other weed head albums that came out about a decade ago. The subject matter gets serious occasionally but not enough to kill your buzz.. Curren$y did an amazing job and should be proud of this album.
For that street, head nod music you bang in your car or turn up to piss off your neighbors there was nothing better released in June than Monumental by Smif-N-Wessun featuring Pete Rock. With Pete Rock's ever flawless beats and production along with guest appearances from Black Rob, Raekwon, Hurricane G, Freeway, Sean Price, Memphis Bleak and Styles P the lyrics are not for the faint of heart. This hard New York City street music at its finest and excellent I must say. Smif-N-Wessun chosing Pete Rock to produce this album was a stroke of genius and hopefully will continue on future albums bot only after Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth bless us with something. Does it sound like I'm begging? Good because I am. Pete Rock we need that reunion album homie. For real.
You know what I'm not going to declare a tie. I am going to be a fucking man and make an executive decision. As much as I love that street shit my selection for best hip hop album of June 2011 is Weekend at Burnie's by Curren$y. Only because I know that I will be listening to it slightly more than Monumental and for no other reason. If you have the money get both albums dammit and enjoy the summer right.
As a matter of fact I gave you a bunch of great albums to discover and enjoy. Just stay away from that N.AP. cat and his rubbish and you'll do very well.
I want to also add that Big Sean's album is outstanding yet some people will attempt to say he is imitating Drake, that's bullshit. This cat is actually from the south and had this sound and flow since he was 16. Drake is from Toronto and his mom is well you know. You tell me whose southern flow is genuine. I'm not saying....but I'm saying.
