Best Hip-Hop/Rap Albums of 2010 (My Opinion).

Friday, February 18, 2011

Best Hip-Hop/Rap Albums of 2010 (My Opinion).

4:19 PM |

Posted by bangtimeblog |

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Pt. 2 - Albums

"B.o.B Presents the Adventures of Bobby Ray", B.o.B's first studio album release, and it was a good one. It went straight to number 1 on the US Billboard 200, US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and US Billboard Rap Albums. The 12-track album, that was almost entirely produced by B.o.B himself, featured some very big names on it, and when I say big I mean Eminem, Hayley Williams, Lupe Fiasco, Playboy Tre, Janelle Monae, Rivers Cuomo and who could forget Bruno Mars? Some big names on the production team included T.I, The Smeezingtons, B.o.B himself, Alex da Kid and Dr Luke.

"Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty" is the solo debut album of Outkast-member Big Boi. This was a very good debut release for someone that already had a large fanbase. It peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and US Billboard Rap Albums. The 15-track album featured some big names in the form of Jamie Foxx, B.o.B, Gucci Mane, George Clinton, Too Short, Janelle Monae, T.I and Yelawolf. On the production side of things, Big Boi's name comes up a lot as well as Maylay, Lil Jon, Andre 3000 and Organized Noise.

Ice Cube's 9th studio album "I am the West" was somewhat of a disappointment for those hardcore Ice Cube fans. The album sold 22,000 in the first week of being released, and as of November 7th 2010 it had sold 44,000 units. In my opinion I thought it was actually worthy of more, there is some solid competition these days. The 18-track album features fellow west-coast rappers Jayo Felony, WC, Young Maylay and others. Producers include Doughboy, Hallway Productionz, T-Miz and JIGG among others.

"Man on the Moon II: The Legend of Mr. Rager" is the second studio released by Kid Cudi. If Kid Cudi hadn't already forged his style on the music industry, then after this album I believe he has, and that style is to be different. That's why I and many other people out there love Kid Cudi and what he's about. The 17-track album peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard 200, and number 1 on both the US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and the US Billboard Rap Albums. The album features a few big names, these include Cee Lo Green, Kanye West, GLC, Mary J. Blige and Cage among others. Members of the production team include The Smeezingtons, Emile, No I.D, Kid Cudo himself, Dot da Genius and a few others.

"No Mercy" from T.I, his seventh studio album and perhaps his best. One of his best, at least. T.I himself said "This is the most significant return from incarceration that the game has had since 'All Eyez on Me'". The album peaked at number 4 on the US Billboard 200, number 1 on both the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and the US Billboard Top Rap Albums, and peaked at number 3 on the US Billboard Top Digital Albums. The album featured some heavy players on it, a few guys (and girl) by the name of Drake, Eminem, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Chris Brown, Christina Aguilera, Pharrel and Trey Songz. On the production side of things, names like Kanye West, Dr. Luke, The Neptunes and Alex da Kid start to pop up.

"Last Train to Paris" from Diddy is his 5th studio album and was one of the biggest releases of 2010. It also introduces us to his Hip-Hop/R&B collective 'Dirty Money'. This wasn't one of the biggest releases of the year in terms of chart position, although peaking at number 7 on the US Billboard 200 and number 3 on the US Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop isn't too bad, but if you take a look at the featured guest vocals you will realise that this is a big album. Those guest vocalists include Swizz Beatz, Chris Brown, Lil' Wayne, Drake, Skylar Grey, Wiz Khalifa, Rick Ross, Usher, Justin Timberlake, Trey Songz, Grace Jones, T.I and even the late, great Notorious B.I.G. Producers include Jay-Z, Swizz Beats, Diddy himself, Alex da Kid, Sea Garrett, Hollywood Hotsauce and Mario Winans.

That leaves just one more on my list and arguably the best one of the lot. Kanye West's 5th studio album "My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy" and without a doubt his magnum opus. This was exactly what Mr. West needed. Amid all of the controversy surrounding him, he releases musical perfection that essentially screams "FUCK YOU" to all of his haters (not that he had't said that already). Peaking at number 1 on the US Billboard 200, US Billboard R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and US Billboard Rap Albums. When his dark lyrical themes and his luxurious musical style where added together, a lyrical masterpiece was created. Featuring on the 13-track classic is Kid Cudi, Jay-Z, Raekwon, Pusha-T, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, Swizz Beatz, Bon Iver and John Legend. Production was handled by Kanye West himself, No I.D, Jeff Bhasker, The RZA and Mike Dean.

Well that concludes my 2-part 'review' of the best Hip-Hop/Rap mixtapes and albums of 2010, I hope you enjoyed it.

Which do you think was the best of 2010? Maybe I didn't mention your vote or maybe you disagree me.

Keep it banging.

Luke.

Bang Time Arts