Childish Gambino – Because The Internet | Because The Internet is an experience from the moment it blasts through your speakers. Gambino displays his immense versatility from the perfectly blended industrial and trap sounds, smooth neo-soul vocals, unquestioned vision and creativity combined with his ability to spit better than your favorite rapper. Gambino’s latest album was definitely my favorite in 2013. Does it Bump In Da Whip tho? HELL YA!!!
Logic – Welcome To Forever | Unfortunately, we didn’t review this project and I hate we missed this one. This is my 2nd favorite Logic mixtape (album) for a number of reasons; production, flow (obviously), content and execution. Were there some records I can do without? Of course, but I respect those records because they were done well and it sounds good but just not my cup of tea. If you never heard of Logic and decide to pick up this tape check out these tracks; 5AM, Walk On By, Young Jedi and Common Logic / Midnight Marauder.
Chance The Rapper – Acid Rap | Most people who listen to this mixtape for the very 1st time will assume Chance The Rapper is a lame gimmick; nothing could be further from the truth. Chance is refreshingly unique artist that has carved out a lane for himself from the violent city of Chicago. Aside from some of the references, his style, flow and production are unlike most artist coming from Chicago nowadays. After listening to Acid Rap, I feared it would be rather difficult for Chance to be featured on other records. Yea, I was wrong.
Big K.R.I.T – King Remembered In Time | Big K.R.I.T is the epitome of a lyricist and his 4th mixtape reaffirms just that. The Mississippi bred emcee sticks to his tried and true method of soulful beats, deep and thought provoking content with a southern twang that some people simply cannot get over. For me, his down south accent isn’t an issue as I prefer southern music. Big K.R.I.T’s collabs with artist like Wiz Khalifa and Trinidad Jame$ typically yield a more exciting, diverse record but the features on this project were lack luster at best. K.R.I.T heroically saved this project for me with records like; WTF, Banana Clip Theory, Serve This Royalty, Talkin Bout Nothing and Shine On.
Denzel Curry – Nostalgic 64 | Denzel Curry reps the hood that made me who I am today, Carol City, Florida. N64 definitely took me back to my Miami days with tracks like Zone 3 and Threatz. How can my catchphrase be Bump In Da Whip and I not give the DEHH fans the hardest bumping project of 2013? That would be uncivilized! Denzel Curry is a hood/trap rapper but this dude can flow his ass off. I love hard beats and rhymes and Denzel Curry truly provided both of those aspects on N64. There are 2 sides of Miami; South Beach and the real Miami. Denzel Curry sheds a light on what happens in the real Miami and I can tell you from 1st hand experience, it’s not all glitz & glam in the Magic City.
Joey Bada$$ – Summer Knights | Joey Bada$$ kept the summer popping with his latest solo effort. Unlike typical summer bangers, this tape truly embraced the essence of a “summer night”. This was by far the hardest project to keep out of my top 5 of 2013 simply because you can Bump In Da Whip or chill and vibe out to it. Summer Knights really set the perfect mood for any occasion this past summer. 95 Til Infinity is a classic NY inspired record where Joey simply does what he does best.
Dizzy Wright – The Golden Age | I truly wanted to put this in my top 5 but it was simply too long but that is the only negative I have about this mixtape. I love Dizzy’s laid back style and how he was able to match the production throughout the project. The name of the tape was also perfect as the overall feel is a modern Golden Era with records like; The Flavor, Progression and Untouchable you can clearly hear and feel the direction of the project. Dizzy Wright’s project was definitely my favorite release from Funk Volume in 2013.
Audio Push – Come As You Are | Come As You Are was the perfect project to rebrand Audio Push’s image and place themselves into the conversation as one of the best young and upcoming artists to look for in 2014. This project shows the shift in hip hop; from corny dance music to lyrical prowess with hip hop production. This was another tape I considered in my top 5 almost solely off the strength of Theme Song featuring the king of the south himself, T.I. Overall, I truly enjoyed this project and I am looking forward to what Hit-Boy has in store for them.
Killer Mike & El-P – Run The Jewels | Killer Mike & El-P completely murdered their collab project, Run The Jewels. It was short, sweet and to the point with 10 amazing tracks. Unfortunately for me, as the year progressed this tape lost a little steam; nonetheless, it is still one of the best pieces of hip hop work in 2013. I am definitely looking forward to their work in 2014.
Flatbush Zombies – Better Off Dead | This was my 1st introduction to Flatbush Zombies and they unquestionably left a great 1st impression. This project gives you a little bit of everything that a hip hop fan should enjoy; amazing and unique production, 3 talented emcees and content that is very raw and honest. NY has some talented young artist that are making some waves with the whole Beast Coast movement.
Pusha-T – My Name Is My Name | It’s been a while since I’ve been so high on a Pusha-T project. Wrath of Caine was such an uninspiring project that I truly feared the worst on this album. I didn’t know what to expect, but got exactly what I wanted from King Push. From the 1st track, King Push, Pusha-T lets you know what this album is about: I rap nigga about trap niggas I don’t sing hooks! You cannot deny the production and how comfortable Pusha sounds. This was another album that garnered top 5 consideration but as you can see it obviously fell down the list.
Mr. Mfn eXquire – Kismet | I don’t think there is anyone else in hip hop in Mr. Mfn eXquire’s lane. eX is one the most ratchet, realist, sinister, soulful, grimey, thugged out hip hop artist of our time. Another NY artist not following any stereotypical trends and I think I know why; he woke up this morning feelin like that nigga! This project may not be for everyone, but it gets the Bump In Da Whip seal of approval.
Ghostface Killah & Adrian Younge – 12 Reasons To Die | Do you like audio movies? Well if you do, then this is the album of the year. Ghostface displays vivid imagery as he paints the tale of love, loyalty and betrayal throughout this concept album. Ghostface is my favorite Wu-Tang member because of how smooth and grimey he is at the same time; it’s so uncanny. Amazing project!
Vic Mensa – Innanetape | It truly didn’t come off how much I really enjoyed this project on the review. Vic at 1st listen could be deemed a Chance The Rapper imitator, but when you dig deeper there are similarities but they aren’t the same. Vic is a spitter that spazzed all over this mixtape. You do have to get over the herky-jerky rhyme scheme he sometimes employs, but the words he chooses to use hold a lot of weight. If you listened to this project and couldn’t get into it, I advise going back and listening one more time. If not, that’s OK too.
Clear Soul Forces – Gold PP7s | Clear Soul Forces is the perfect name for this quartet from Detroit. This was one of the most soulful projects of 2013. Like Flatbush Zombies, you get a group of artists that seem to push each other lyrically on every single track. Production is on point, lyrics on point, EVERYTHING is on point. If you haven’t listened to this project yet, you are missing out.
Danny Brown – Old | Beezy (please say the 430) would be proud of me having 2 Detroit artists back to back. Danny Brown gave you an introspective view into what made Danny Brown who he is today. The 1st half of the album gives you a glimpse into the Old Danny while having a sound that is reminiscent to his early recording days. The 2nd half of the album gives you insight into the drug use and partying Danny Brown. If you are a new fan or and Old fan, there’s absolutely something on this album you can Bump In Da Whip.
Drake – Nothing Was The Same | This is another project we reviewed that I didn’t feel how much I liked it came off. Since the review, I can honestly say I like this project even more with records like 305 To My City growing on me. Drake is in his own lane (the lingerie lane) and he dominates that lane. Is he a stellar rapper? Nope. Can he sing his ass off? HELL NO! But what Drake does the best is write great music that men, most won’t admit it, and women can enjoy. Drake has moments where you cannot deny he can rap such as Tuscan Leather and Pound Cake. I like this album because Drake didn’t sing too much and wasn’t trying to be a hard ass either.
Jay-Z – Magna Carta Holy Grail | This project definitely lost it luster over time but there is NO DENYING that this album Bumps In Da Whip! F*uckwitmeyouknowigotit, Tom Ford, Crown, Oceans and the list goes on. What held this project back was that Jay can still be lyrical when he wants to be and he doesn’t do it enough throughout the album. The MJ wearing the 45 is the perfect analogy for where Jay is in his career. He will drop a 40 point game (Oceans) and drop a 12 point game the next night (La Familia).
Mac Miller – Watching Movies With Sound Off | Mac has definitely come a long way, he’s no longer easy mac with the cheesy raps. Mac looses me a couple times on this project but the beats and his improved flow are undeniable. And I still stand behind his flow being impeccable on I Am Who Am. SAY SOMETHING TO THAT!!!
Action Bronson – Blue Chips 2 | This project was on the fringe of not making my top 20 but how could I not put Action on this list? Like I said in the review, Action FLOWED his ass off on beats I really couldn’t image any other artist even considering. In 2014, I would like to see Action tackle a concept project where he’s rapping in a more cohesive style but in all honesty, as long as his flow doesn’t go anywhere I’m good.
This is a dope list. The only project that you have on here that i didn’t like was Magna Carta. I thought it was terrible
Loved all the projects on the list. Kinda was disappointed with Summer Knights though. But can’t wait to see what Joey has in store this year.
nice list feefo!
feefo why do you call songs ‘records’?
Well if you are looking in technical terms a record can be a song or more, but nowadays everybody considers a “record” an album. I’m sorry if my wording is a little off.