2009 seemed like an age where hip hop artists could achieve anything with help from the Internet and a release or feature like mixtape or magazine article.
Masta Ace and Edo G display their formidable rhyming talent over classic hip hop beats on this album, earning some of its critics’ disapproval but remaining classics nonetheless.
Rick Ross – “Best I Ever Had”
William Leonard Roberts II, better known by his stage name Rick Ross, has amassed one of the most impressive empires in modern hip hop. A powerhouse on both mic and boardroom, Rick Ross can deliver messages using vivid imagery in a booming voice that draws audiences in.
Roc Nation founder Rick Ross’ catalogue is full of bravado and boasts, but his production skills are undeniable. For this project he brought in some of hip hop’s top producers; the results are truly outstanding. “Best I Ever Had” provides an outstanding introduction to an album featuring Miami cocaine lords as well as modern day R&B queens.
“Rapper Estates,” Rozay continues his rise-from-poverty story on track two. He teams up with rising rap star Benny The Butcher – an artist known for delivering hard, soulful bars – as his sound serves as a soundtrack for this album’s rest of its tracks. This track really sets the mood.
The title track of this record truly showcases its potential. A hard-hitting street anthem featuring Alchemist’s poignant production and Twista’s fiery delivery; plus Maxwell adding soulful crooning. Together they form an epic track that speaks directly to our current economic situation while encouraging us all to remain united.
T3 & Elzhi – “Dope Man”
Gangsta rap’s arrival in the 1990s propelled hip hop to mainstream prominence. Its lyrics often criticised police brutality, drugs and prostitution while its sound featured G Funk, Miami bass and West Coast beats. Hip hop also gained a reputation for its explicit content with many MCs using profanities and demeaning language in their rapping performances; numerous regions developed distinctive regional styles including St Louis/Chicago/New Orleans Ghettotech; Atlanta/DC Ghettorap; Detroit Ghetto tech etc
Hip hop artists were socially aware and used their music to address issues related to race, class, violence and sexuality. They encouraged listeners to be self-advocates while creating spaces where people could gather freely to dance or express themselves artistically.
T3 and Elzhi were part of Detroit-based group Slum Village that achieved prominence during the underground Hip Hop scene during the 1990s. Together with producer J Dilla (deceased 2009), they worked closely.
Dilla’s production combined the sound of Fela Kuti-inspired funk and Kanye-esque 808s into hip hop music, while also crafting a dynamic drumbeat which propels Raekwon’s vivid descriptions and catchy metaphors on “10 Bricks.” Additionally, this Roc Nation signee delivered his own sermon using “Lights Please” sample to deliver an epistle of social commentary without becoming preachy – making for one memorable track with Nelly Furtado sample vocal power!
Wu-Tang Clan – “New Wu”
Few groups shaped 1990s hip hop as much as Wu-Tang Clan did. Their unique blend of gritty lyrics and innovative beats have left an indelible mark on hip hop culture for almost 30 years, so when RZA debuted “Claudine,” an exclusive new track from them on Sway in the Morning it served as an appropriate way to pay homage and honor their longstanding legacy and impactful influence over culture.
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers), their debut album, was an instant classic. The Wu’s signature sound consisted of dissonant, symphonic strings layered over rugged drum breakbeats with sampled Kung Fu movie dialogue and deeply politicised wordplay that spoke directly to Black nationalism. This success led to numerous sequels and spin-off projects from its core members as well as secondary affiliates like Popa Wu, Shyheim, GP Wu and Killarmy adopting crime boss aliases while creating new Wu-Tang slang words that became part of everyday language.
The Wu-Tang was named for a film called Shaolin and Wu Tang, which depicted a clash between two schools of martial arts: Shaolin and Wu Tang. Their debut album followed this theme loosely, featuring songs divided between Shaolin and Wu-Tang sections as well as dialogue excerpts used as skits. Furthermore, The Ten Core Principals included Honor, Integrity, Fight Peace Love Strength Knowledge Courage Wisdom Truth Unity Death as backronyms.
Alchemist & Twista – “Crooked Smile”
Hip Hop curator MC WordWeaver unearths hidden gems, honors pioneering artists and highlights classic tracks. He believes hip-hop to be more than music; rather it has global ramifications.
2009 was a landmark year for young rappers. Drake released what many consider his best album yet, Nothing Was the Same, while J. Cole and Kendrick cemented their positions in the game with Born Sinner and good kid, m.A.A.d city respectively.
Gang Starr’s Guru (real name Keith Elam) was also part of this wave. A talented producer, his work can be heard on iconic albums like Illmatic, Madvillainy and To Pimp A Butterfly – and would later pass away in 2010. This song pays a fitting tribute.
Maxwell & Freddie Gibbs – “Slow Down”
If you appreciate classic 90s boom bap style, this song will certainly take your fancy. Emcees deliver some of the finest rhymes you’ll hear all year over smooth beats; and its production recalls A Tribe Called Quest and Gang Starr works.
This track features Freddie Gibbs and Maxwell, who both showcase excellent flows. Furthermore, this song stands as an outstanding example of Hip Hop music which shouldn’t be underestimated; an important subgenre of Hip Hop that is often ignored; with this song standing out both for its lyrics as well as production values.
This track is a true gangsta anthem, packed with everything a hip hop record should offer: incredible flows, catchy chorus and an unforgettable hook that stays with you long after listening to it for the first time. All hip hop fans must listen to this amazing record!
Large Professor is a legendary producer known for creating groundbreaking hip hop records since 1996. After being shelved for some time, his debut solo LP was officially reissued as an official release in 2009. Filled with some fantastic songs like “Mad Scientist” and soulful tracks like “I Juswannachill”, this album should not be missed by hip hop enthusiasts of any stripe – you won’t regret listening! From its energetic beats and clever rhymes to soulful melodies reminiscent of R – Professor’s debut solo release is truly outstanding!
DJ Premier & Guru – “Ante Up”
Guru’s 2010 death seemed to seal his legacy as one half of Gang Starr – an iconic 90s hip hop duo comprised of rapper and producer DJ Premier – but was also marred by their falling out over musical control, leaving Guru without means to support himself and no family to turn to for support. Premier had taken full control over Guru’s work in recent years while becoming increasingly distant from family members due to an addiction problem which caused their partnership to dissolve altogether.
DJ Premier began releasing music featuring unheard rhymes by Guru after his death, under the moniker One of the Best Yet and featuring many old Gang Starr colleagues as featured artists.
Production-wise, this record is timeless: its jazzy yet soulful boom-bap recalling classic tracks such as “DWYCK.” But Guru really stands out; even after being dead for nearly 10 years his lyrics still flow with ease and streetwiseness while the flow touches upon everything from his troubled past to disillusionment with contemporary hip-hop culture.
The record’s final track, featuring All City Crew as guest artists (not to be confused with the short-lived WWE wrestling duo of the same name), is particularly captivating. On it, All City Crew’s rappers explore how multiple genres are being mixed together on one track; their verses fit perfectly with the beats that supported their rhyme style.