Kid Ink - My Own Lane ALBUM REVIEW

The fast rising resurgence of the west coast in hip hop has been quite surprising. What's even more surprising is how diverse the coast is now. It's no longer just the stereotypical violent gang banger music. It's now expanded to everything from bay area hyphy music, skateboarder music, psychedelic or "stoner" music and even some sounds of south influenced trap music. Here now is one of the newest contributors to the coast's change of sound, Los Angeles native Kid Ink. After gracing the cover of XXL in 2012 as a member of the XXL freshman class, that is when many started to take notice to him (those who weren't already aware of his early mixtape success). That year he released his debut album Up & Away. Although it was an independent album, it didn't get much attention due to lack of good promotion and good singles. It wasn't really until late 2013 when got more into the spotlight with his current hit record "Show Me". That single was what he needed to push this, his sophomore album My Own Lane. Now I'm gonna be straight up here. From what I have previously heard from Kid Ink, I'm not at all impressed. He sounds way too generic and too similar to many other mainstream rappers now. So pretty much going into this listening session I didn't expect nothing special. Sure enough, it wasn't. This album is just below average to me. Like I said, Kid Ink's lyrics, flow, and overall sound just sounds so copycat. This album is nothing but the same old generic topics. Girls, cars, money blah blah blah. Today it's known as "swag rap". At least that what's I call it. The album is just filled with it. On top of that, there were points on this album where it sounded like I was listening to other swag rappers. I could hear some Tyga, some Wiz Khalifa, some A$AP Rocky even some Chris Brown (who's featured on the album twice). He's not really doing anything different or original. Nothing unique at all. I guess the one good thing I could say is that the albums is 90% radio singles so he certainly shouldn't be a one hit wonder. Well I guess that's a good thing depending on how you look at it.  Anyway, here's my breakdown of the album starting with what little I did like. The final track "More Than A King" was the only real stand out track. It was also the only track where he sounded most aggressive and non-swaggy with his rapping. The highlight of this song though was the cool beat switch up in the from trap style beat to something more underground and throwback. A definite favorite if I had to pick one. "No Option" became a more like-able song the more I listened to it. This due in large part to King Los's dope guest verse that sounded very Childish Gambino like. But the beat is pretty cool as well. Cool song. "Murda" had a really dope beat and an even doper guest verse from Pusha T (who saved the hell out of this song). But this is another good beat I feel is wasted because of Kid Ink's lack of lyrical depth. Now on to my many dislikes. Like every other swag rapper, Kid Ink favorite topic of discussion is females. He made that loud and clear with countless songs on here for them. None of them were appealing at all. First there's "Iz U Down" which is nothing but all hook, all beat and mediocre swag rap lyrics. He's joined by Tyga on here and the both of them are talking about nothing but how they use their swag to pull females basically. As weak of a song as this is, it's sounds single worthy and that scares me a little. Speaking of single worthy, "We Just Came To Party" actually sounds more single worthy than "Iz U Down". This the second song aimed at the ladies and again, okay hook by August Alsina (despite the repetitiveness), okay trap beat, but Kid Ink's "singy" rap lyrics makes this so non-enjoyable. I feel like this would sound better if it was someone else's song. The next ladies anthem is "Main Chick" and this is the second Chris Brown assisted track on the album. Now this actually is well produced by DJ Mustard who becoming very popular in hip hop. Honestly it sounds like the remix to "Show Me" but much worst. The hook is very lackluster and rushed. Then Kid Ink's boring sing-raps does nothing help as he talks about stealing random chicks and making them his main. I thought rappers were against the whole "wife-ing random chicks at the club" thing? Whatever the case, not even a cool mainstream beat could save this one. But wait, there's more. "Tattoo Of My Name" is a song I kinda expected to hear on this album. He spits some lame lyrics about wanting to brand his girl by tattooing his name on her. This is something else I thought people were against but I guest when you simp like he is on this track then all of that means nothing. This is honestly a Drake song minus the extra singing and depressed emotions. Just not feeling it at all. I'm sure some ladies will enjoy some of these tracks but they all to me pretty much ruined the album. "No Miracles" is an interesting collaboration of him, Elle Varner and Machine Gun Kelly. Now here he finally talks about something different and speak on something more inspiring and I guess "deep". But as you can guess, he's not that guy and he falls short of that. Where he messed up was trying to insert his swag style in a song that supposed to have serious meaning and that will ruin a song every time. I do like what he is trying to talk about as far as overcoming obstacles, pain and suffering to make it in life but again he just doesn't nail it. Waste of effort. In conclusion, this album was not quite enjoyable to me. You can have all the catchy hooks and beats all you want but if you're raps are boring and hold no weight then it's a no go for me. I give it a final grade of a C-. As this swag rap era continues to grow, Kid Ink as well as the others will more than likely stick around for quite sometime  because of their ability to make hit records. But a lot has to be done for them to be taken more serious. In Kid Ink's case, I think his album title is mis-leading. Nothing on this album showed me that he's in his own lane. He's in a lane with a bunch of other people. If he wants to be in his own lane, he has to bring more variety and originality to his music. Do that and the Kid Ink personal lane will open. No question. End.

Final Grade: C-

CREDITS

Executive Producers

DJ Ill Will

J. Grand

Lead Artist

Brian Collins

Production

Floyd Hollis

Alex Schwartz

Joe Khajadourian

Dijon McFarlane

Michael Holmes

Andrew Harr

Jermaine Jackson

Lasanna Harris

Sham Joseph

Jeremy McArthur

Mikhail Cronin

Raphael Jurdin

Pierre Antoine-Melki

Larrance Dopson

Carl McCormick

Ned Cameron

Kenneth Coby

Khalief Brown

Collaboration

Christopher Brown

Michael Stevenson

August Alsina

Carlos Coleman

Terrence Thornton

Richard Baker

Gabrielle Varner

Brandon Green

Robert Williams

Olubowale Akintimehin

Darold Ferguson

Karim Kharbouch

Label

The Alumni Music Group/88 Classic/RCA Records

B.o.B - Underground Luxury ALBUM REVIEW

It's always a great thing to see rappers come into the game and straight up kill the stereotype of which ever city or region they are from. In this case, Atlanta. You normally expect typical southern trap rap and crunk music from there. But when B.o.B debuted in 2010, he showed that Atlanta rappers can be more than just that. He came into the game with a style and presence that was far left from his southern counter parts. That year, 2010, he dropped his debut album The Adventures Of Bobby Ray which featured his biggest single to date, "Nothin' On You". A collaboration with Bruno Mars, a new artist at the time as well. That was followed with "Airplanes" which featured pop singer Hayley Williams. This was essentially B.o.B's thing. Collaborating with many R&B/Pop names and making a lot of cross over tunes. This was strongly the case on his 2012 sophomore effort Strange Clouds. An album that didn't sit well with many (including me) due to the abundance of R&B/Pop sounds and features. Now I don't have a problem with artists experimenting with sounds and blending genres but it seemed to me at the time that B.o.B just didn't know what type of artist he was gonna be. Which just frustrates listeners like myself.  But now, it seems like B.oB has finally found his sound on this, his third album Underground Luxury. I could tell immediately by looking at the title, artwork and track list that this was gonna be a different listening experience for a B.o.B project and that's exactly what it was. It's not a great album but I do like it. In fact, this may arguably be his best album. On this album, he did a lot more of what he didn't do on the last album and not that much on the first, and that's straight up spittin'. He was aggressive, he was lyrical, the production was stepped up big time as well as the features. Also, unlike the previous releases, it sounded like a real southern hip hop album. It's quite clear he listened to his critics and heard them say how he's too "soft" or too "pop" to be a southern rapper. Well now let me begin with songs that stood out. The album started off with such high energy. The second track "One Day" was the first stand out. Throughout this album he speaks heavily on himself overcoming past struggle and making it to where he is now. Just over being blessed and thankful to have what he has now. This song is done from his point of view back then we he and his family was living in poverty and how he has faith that it will all change for him one day. It really sets up the album perfectly. I loved the loud, clap-happy production of "Paper Route". His lyrics were strong on here as well as he touched on a lot of political related topics and other corrupt things going on in the world. "John Doe" was a cool song where he finds himself fighting against infidelity and addiction. Priscilla Renae sings the hook beautifully and she says on it "I just want the John I know/once you put the drinks on hold/maybe you can come back home". Basically saying how the addiction will change you into someone your not and if you fight not to do it then you can come back home to family in one piece. Nice song. I can't even lie, "Ready" is my guilty pleasure. Again I normally hate these kind of songs but this is a cool and catchy club/party track well produced by Detail. As much as I loathe Future, he was actually tolerable on the hook this time around. On "Nobody Told Me", he speaks on the misconception of having money and being famous. A lot of people think life is all good when you're living like that but that's always not the case. Problems and drama comes with it and it sometimes will make you miss how things used to be. That's what he explains here. Now the songs I had some issues with. There wasn't a clear cut "worst song on the album" but there were a few that I didn't agree with. "Cranberry Moonwalk" with a better beat could be a better song. But this production was so erratic and all over the place and just made it an uncomfortable listen for me. The second single "Headband" with 2 Chainz is a favorite for some. It's the perfect strip club/twerk song but eh...it's not my cup of tea. It becomes a headache after a while. "FlyMuthaFucka" I thought was a major contradiction to every thing he talked about on this album. The hook was too cocky and braggadocios for his own good. If he was gonna address the haters he should have went about it another way. "Throwback" had good production but the lyrics were some of the worst on the album ("this dick right here is cleaner than a hypochondriac"). Then Chris Brown drops a rap verse that's even worse ("I bet your girl know me/a young nigga but I feel like a O.G./add a R and a Y that's an orgy"). A good beat wasted. Two songs that have the potential to grow on me: "Wide Open" and "Back Me Up". "Wide Open" is a high erotic sex track that I honestly think didn't meet it's potential. It's evident that these type of songs isn't B.o.B's forte. It was surprising that he got Ester Dean for the hook because this sounds like something right up Nicki Minaj's alley. Then there's "Back Me Up" where he shows some coast to coast love. But I wasn't really feeling the lifeless beat and hook. Well to close, this album at first listen seems average, but is still a major improvement from his previous releases. B.o.B silenced his critics by showing that he is pure hip hop and is not "soft" or "pop" in any way. I give this a final grade of a B-. On this album there were a few hidden interludes where B.o.B was being interviewed by Bun B. He broke down the meaning of underground luxury and he described it as something that is deemed as a miserable situation or something that somebody wouldn't want and making it into something luxurious. Taking something negative and turning it into something positive (or turning it into art as he says). What I personally get from that is that people should appreciate what they have or what's around them because you'll never know, one day that surrounding of negativity (underground) could, by your will, become something positive (luxury). A lesson we must all learn. Props to B.o.B for that one. End. 

Final Grade: B-

CREDITS

Executive Producer

Bobby Ray Simmons

Associate Producers

Doug Peterson

Brian Richardson (A&R)

Lead Artist
Bobby Ray Simmons

Production

Bobby Ray Simmons

Timothy Thomas

Theron Thomas

Aldrin Davis

Geoffrey Earley

Noel Fischer

Raphael Judrin

Pierre Antoine-Melki

Arthur McArthur

Dijon McFarlane

James Scheffer

Isaac de Boni

Michael Mule

Michael Williams

Collaboration

Nayvadius Wilburn

Christopher Brown

Ester Dean

Tauheed Epps

Priscilla Hamilton

Michael Davidson

Jameison Jones

Clifford Harris, Jr.

Jordan Houston

Label

Rebel Rock/Grand Hustle/Atlantic Records

R. Kelly - Black Panties ALBUM REVIEW

As we all know, there's a long, long list of numerous R&B legends that have came and went through the genre's history. But since 1993, there's only been one man. One man who has been hands down the undisputed face of mainstream R&B music. That man is the immortal R. Kelly. Countless chart topping hits, number one albums back to back to back, dozens of songs written and produced for many artists, Grammy's and many other awards. This man as you can see has put together quite the legendary career. A career that a lot of today's new R&B singers can only dream of having. I could on listing his accomplishments. But anyway, here we are with yet another anticipated release from R. Kelly. This is his twelfth album Black Panties. Coming off dropping two albums (Love Letter and Write Me Back) that were both throwback, old school dance albums, it was certainly a good feeling looking at this album title and album art and knowing he's getting back to what he does best. That hot and steamy bedroom music. So apart of me was definitely intrigued to hear this album. Sadly, this wasn't what I was expecting. This wasn't a bad album but it definitely not a good one either. I'm honestly having trouble on where I stand with this album. The sex talk is there in full force, but the album just sounded like a more watered down R. Kelly. The album sounds too much like R&B's current sound today. A lot of hip hop influenced production, hooks and collaborations. Now if this was an album from any of today's singer I probably could live with it more. But this kinda falls short of the R. Kelly we've grown to like for two decades. The only way I can explain this further is by just naming my likes and dislikes so let me start there now. I didn't really have any favorites. Just a few that stood out. The first is the closing track "Shut Up". This was one of two or three songs on the whole album that sounds like the R. Kelly I prefer to hear. On this track he speaks on a more personal issue that has bothered him. In regards to him going through his surgery and listening to the media and the streets talk about how he's near the end of his career or how he has fallen off. Obviously something that doesn't sit well with R. Kelly as he lashed out on this track at all of those naysayers. Cool song. "Genius" sounds like one of those old vintage R. Kelly slow jams. Originally I thought this was gonna be about him being some kind of a music genius and bragging about his accomplishments or something. But nope, he's talking about being a "sex genius". I do like this song because it's sounds old school and it's the only slow jam on the album that sounds like the true R. Kelly. I thought "Spend That" has the best production of the album courtesy of DJ Mustard. However this song still has some growing on me to do. Young Jeezy's verse made it more enjoyable but it's still just an okay song. There were a few "just decent" songs. "Right Back" where he gives salute to "his niggas" and the lovey dovey duet with Kelly Rowland on "All The Way". Well there were plenty of dislikes so let's now go there. By far the worst song on the album is the second single "Cookies". Even when I heard this on the radio for the first time I shook my head in sheer embarrassment. There were bad lyrics throughout this album but this songs lyric were over the top poor. "bout to bang on the pussy like I'm throwing up crip", "break your back crack it open like a lobster", "I kill the pussy dig a grave", "I'm hittin the spot on your map/that's me going on tour". I mean these were just horrible, Lil Wayne level lyrics on an R&B song. The hook is just as awful. I can't even eat Oreo cookies the same anymore. "Marry The Pussy" was plain bad. This was next level simping that would even make Drake laugh. He sings about how he doesn't want to marry the woman herself, but rather her vagina instead. How can R. Kelly's genius mind come up with something so lame and stupid? Then right before that track is "Prelude" which is a pointless three minute interlude with him over the phone with a friend discussing the before mentioned song. All while the friend argues with some chick he just slept with. Again, pointless and not funny. The second single "My Story" could have been a much better song honestly. But the repetitive hook ruined everything. The trap style beat does mesh well with R. Kelly in my opinion. If this song belonged to 2 Chainz, who's featured on the track, I could probably deal with it more because it's something more up his lane. But no. It just sounds like another desperate attempt by R. Kelly to fit in with today' hip hop/R&B sound. It's a short album so I'll end it here. Overall, I wasn't too thrilled with this album. I don't think it was borderline bad but if someone asked me which of R. Kelly's albums is his worst then I'd probably say this one. I give it a final grade of a D+. As stated at the beginning of this, R. Kelly's career and legacy cannot be matched. The man is simply legend. Quite honestly he doesn't have to prove any else to anyone. Some wouldn't even mind him releasing an album of this quality because he's given us so much classic material for two decades. He's been through a lot obviously. But despite all the obstacles he went through throughout his time in the industry, he has always persevered and came back to show why he is a music legend and why he is the self proclaimed "R" in R&B. End.

Final Grade: D+

CREDITS

Executive Producer

Robert Kelly

Lead Artist

Robert Kelly

Production

Robert Kelly

Lamar Edwards

Dennis Manuel-Peters

Daniel Coriglie

Mario Bakovic

Antonio Brown

Dorrell Mays

Paul Jeffries

Dijon McFarlane

Tony Scales

John McGee

Collaboration

Christopher Bridges

Kelly Rowland

Tauheed Epps

Jay Jenkins

Nayvadius Wilburn

Quavious Marshall

Kirsnick Ball

Jordan Houston

Label

RCA Records

BEST OF 2013 PT. 2: Top 5 R&B Albums/Top 5 Mixtapes

Here is part two of my best of 2013 blog. This time is my favorites of the year in both R&B and hip hop mixtapes. Unlike regular hip hop albums, it took me a lot more work reviewing R&B and mixtapes. So needless to say, both of these lists were hard to put together. Which is why it's only a top five for both. This year R&B continued is growing new sound of hip hop blend among the more popular singer. While the others stuck to what they do the best. Meanwhile the mixtape game this year put a lot of newcomers on the map as well as prepared fans for what's to come next from some of the artists. This will be more brief than part one so without further a due, Here is my top five R&B albums of the year:

5. The-Dream - IV Play

Grade: B-

Made to be a modern day version of R. Kelly's 1993 classic, it was certainly an album that grew on me after time. While it obviously doesn't match the genius that is 12 Play, it certainly was a good baby making project for couples to enjoy. A mixture of everything from the hip hop sound to your common slow ballads. The-Dream proves again why he's one of R&B's top crooners.

4. Robin Thicke - Blurred Lines

Grade: B

Probably no other R&B album this year got the party started like Blurred Lines did. Filled with dance/funk/techno/disco fused sounds that's perfect for anyone of any age to groove to. At the same time, Robin still shows off his gentleman charm towards the ladies with a few ballads for them as well. But if there's one song people will remember from 2013, it's the title track and single "Blurred Lines". One of if not the biggest tune of the year. Black and white striped suits and all, Robin Thicke had a huge year and a huge album.

3. K. Michelle - Rebellious Soul

Grade: B+

From reality show superstar to R&B superstar in the making, K. Michelle's debut year in the music world was certainly one to remember. She is the only female singer in my top five and rightfully so. This was a great project. A very dark, soothing toned album filled with plenty of emotion, heartbreak and drama. Of course also, there was plenty, and I mean plenty of flirtatiousness and sexual content to please any man listening. Due to her raunchy, ghetto and at times ratchet attitude and swagger, she takes these simple topics and make them more relatable and enjoyable. I never watched Love & Hip Hop: Atlanta but after this album, I am now a fan. 

2. John Legend - Love In The Future

Grade: B+

It's so unfortunate that I never got a chance to write a review on this because this was one of the best R&B projects of 2013. The impressive list of producers involved put together a well produced album. It gave off an eerie and somewhat dramatic sound that sonically you wouldn't expect a singer who a "piano man" to make. It's so unfortunate that I never got a chance to write a review on this because this was one of the best R&B projects of 2013. The impressive list of producers involved put together a well produced album. It gave off an eerie and somewhat dramatic sound that sonically you wouldn't expect a singer who a "piano man" to make. But John made it work in a way no other can. Most definitely one of the best listens of the year.

1. Justin Timberlake - The 20/20 Experience

Grade: A-

This was simply a no brainer. Justin just out does himself it seems with every release. A ten track album filled with dance grooves, party tunes, love ballads and just a radiant vibe of excitement. Timbaland's fantastic production on here was some of his best ever. "Suit & Tie" one can argue was the biggest song of the year . I could go on with how good this was. JT showed why he is not only on top of his game but on top of the R&B game as well.

Now for the mixtapes. I won't break these down like I did with the R&B albums. I will say that these were the mixtapes that stood out the most for many reasons. Whether it was their lyrics, their originality, the production, or simply the "catchy-ness". The mixtape evolved bigger this year and these five were the leader of the pack in my opinion. Here they are:

5. Los - Becoming King

Grade: C+

4. Yelawolf - Trunk Muzik Returns

Grade: B-

3. Big K.R.I.T. - King Remembered In Time

Grade: B

2. Joey Bada$$ - Summer Knights

Grade: B

1. Logic - Young Sinatra: Welcome To Forever

Grade: B+

Thank you to all of you who supported me and these reviews in my first year doing it. I had so much from listening to so many different artists this year and I look forward to seeing what the new year brings to the table. Mic Navarro's Corner isn't going anywhere. See y'all in 2014!

BEST OF 2013 PT 1: Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of 2013

Well here we are. We reached the end of another wild year in music. This was my first year doing these reviews and I can honestly say I had fun doing every single one. Doing these reviews and listening to so many different sounds in both hip hop and R&B has now opened me up to so many new artists. It also helped me to find out about a lot of artists that I though I knew. While it all was a fun and exciting experience this year, it was also a learning experience as well. Well now it's come to this. After reviewing over fifty albums this year, I was able to put together my top ten hip hop albums of 2013. This list not only was hard to put together but it was even harder to put it in order from worst to best. I took every little thing about each album into consideration. Lyrics, production, creativity, originality, concept and collaboration. With that said here it is. My top ten hip hop albums of 2013:

10. J. Cole - Born Sinner

Grade: B

J. Cole's sophomore album Born Sinner was quite a surprise. Of the many concept albums that dropped this year, this one was wildly missed by many. Filled with great soulful and emotional production, it met it's meaning and message head on. Giving the album a very religious feel. Cole is a great lyricist and a great story teller. Despite the many who believe Cole lacked energy on this album and/or found it "boring", his messages were good enough to keep the average listener up and paying attention. From the self-esteem building single "Crooked Smile", to the salute to a legend on "Let Nas Down", Cole truly painted pictures in your head with every word. No sophomore slump here.

9. Earl Sweatshirt - Doris

Grade: B

What was probably the most anticipated debut of 2013, Earl certainly didn't disappoint. Although many were taken back by Earl's calmer approach to the album, I found it to be quite good. He showed on this album that he's more than just the out of control foul mouth kid from Odd Future that we've come to know. He has a emotional side and has a heart. Tracks like '"Chum" and "Burgundy" show that. Already Earl is lyrically way ahead of his time and this album shows that he is capable of still being as lyrical and as sinister with his flow regardless of topic. Definitely one of the year's best.

8. Talib Kweli - Prisoner Of Conscious

Grade: B

Talib Kweli's wise veteran mind came into play strongly on this album. Many people may think they know what conscious hip hop is but Kweli showed you what the real meaning of it is here. With such a wide arrangement of sounds from the 80's throwback sound of "Turnt Up", the vintage Wu-Tang sound of "Rocket Ships", to the high tempo mainstream sounding "Upper Echelon". Talib Kweli showed that conscious hip hop can be displayed through any sound of hip hop. It's all about how you decide to approach it. Good album.

7. Hopsin - Knock Madness

Grade: B

Full of rage, anger and sheer controversy, Hopsin's long awaited sophomore album was well worth the wait. He continued his usual comedic tirade against the media, wack rappers and every one else that pisses him off. At the same time showing off a more softer side when it comes to the females on a number of tracks ("Good Guys Get Left Behind", "Still Got Love For You"). With such dope underground production and such high energy throughout the whole album, this is an album that I continue to keep listening to.

6. Jarren Benton - My Grandma's Basement

Grade: B+

Much like his homeboy Hopsin, Jarren dropped a high octane, high energy project that was definitely one of my favorites of the year. His comedic shock value lyricism took me back to Eminem's Slim Shady LP days. He took the trap sounding production and made it so much cooler due to his witty lyricism. With over the top horror core tracks like my favorite "Razor Blades And Steak Knives" and "Smells Like", southern trap influenced tracks like "Cadillac's And Chevy's" and "Life In the Jungle", to posse tracks like "Go Off" and "W On (My Own Dick)". It's an album that I still have in rotation six months later.

5. Childish Gambino - Because The Internet

Grade: B+

Two weeks ago Gambino released this sophomore album. It was album that certainly confused many. Including myself. The brilliance behind this album's concept is indescribable. Telling a short story about himself going through all of this drama from beef with enemies, women, the rap game and life in general. All connecting to issues that is in direct result of today's internet age. The experimental production made it pop even more. Yes it's a lot to take in from this album, but if you're patient and can sit and thoroughly listen to what's going on then it will all come to you. Then you will see why it's a 2013 top five album.

4. Pusha T - My Name Is My Name

Grade: B+

Another album this year that caught me off guard big time. Pusha T delivers a sophomore project that perfectly balances the mainstream with the underground/hood music without over doing it. He's always been known for his dark and gritty tales of the hood and the drug game and he had plenty to share here. From his menacing lyrics on "Numbers On The Boards", to his incredible story of a former friend on "S.N.I.T.C.H.", to his brilliant collaboration with Kendrick Lamar on "Nosetalgia". This was an album some magazine critics are already calling a classic. For me time will tell before I can make that assessment. But as of now, this was one of the best this year and maybe one of the best in some years.

3. Danny Brown - Old

Grade: A-

Never did I expect Danny Brown to do with this album what he did. Splitting the album into two showing his old self, where he talked about the horrors he face when it came to drug abuse and surviving the drug infested surroundings of Detroit. Then his current self which is the fun, wild and bizarre Danny Brown that many are familiar with. But despite his looney character and voice, he's shows that his talent for story telling and his creativity are top notch. I loved this album and this will certainly go down as Danny Brown's triumphant album.

2. Ghostface Killah - Twelve Reasons To Die

Grade: A-

Arguably the best album concept of 2013. I was blown away by what Ghostface did here. This was no hip hop album. What this was was a movie told through music. He gave you the dark, haunting story of the underground Italian mafia life. Everything from drugs, violence, love, betrayal and revenge. Adrian Younge's production brought it to life even more with eerie organ sounding beats that sounds like something from the vintage mob/mafia films. This is why Ghostface Killah and the entire Wu-Tang Clan have been a force for so long. Only they can come up with something as brilliant as this. Forget a Grammy, this album deserves an Oscar. 

1. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP 2

Grade: A

Do I even need an explanation for this one? Eminem showed once again why he is hip hop's most prolific lyricist. While the album had it's moments, there wasn't too many other albums this year that I thoroughly loved from start to finished. So many enjoyable songs. From the anticipated sequel "Bad Guy", the dad bashing "Rhyme Or Reason", to the head exploding lyricism of "Rap God", the throwback sounds of "Bezerk" and so much more. No album in 2013 kept me more entertained both lyrically and beat wise. Although it doesn't quite match the brilliance of the original Marshall Mathers LP, this is without a doubt another classic from hip hop's "rap god" Eminem. Album of the year for sure.

Stay tuned for part 2...