Your Favorite Album of the Year So Far?

Written by Rizoh. Posted in Gumbo

Published on April 23, 2008 with 96 Comments">96 Comments


When life gives you lemons, just listen to Atmosphere

It’s been a an exciting first quarter and I’d like to know what you’ve been digging so far.
Not much out there in terms of quality, but we’ve seen some decent rap releases.


Obviously, Atmosphere’s When Life Gives You Lemons… gets the vote for longest rap album title of the decade. It’s also the year’s best release so far, in my opinion. Lemons reminds me of Brother Ali’s Undisputable Truth, in the sense that Ali’s album also won my heart around the same time last year (Undisputable Truth dropped on April 10, 2007). Moreso, Ant and Ali share a distinct, preacher-like eloquence that always seems to enhance their ability to draw your attention and hold it for 45 minutes. Not to mention that Ant produced both albums. There’s a bit of contrast though. Whereas Truth was dark and broody, with “Take Me Home” offering the only true bit of elation, Lemons is brimming with Slug’s newfound optimism.

Other Favorites…
Estelle – Shine
eMC – The Show
AZ – Undeniable
Guilty Simpson – Ode to the Ghetto
Little Vic – Each Dawn I Die
Akrobatik – Absolute Value
J Live – Then What Happened?
Buckshot & 9th Wonder – The Formula
Bun B – II Trill

Rizoh

Rizoh is the most powerful man in all the lands. He lives in Houston where he earned a BS in Nerf Herding. He's the founder of The Rap Up, the editor of Roc4Life.com, and is in the Grammy-awaiting band Pervertable Disciples.

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  • DCDRO

    that chaundon albu is pretty fire too

  • B3N // 003

    GREAT CHOICE! Atmosphere is tops. I have been slogging along, waiting for “Lemons,” with his array of EPs and his wonderful Christmas gift, “Strictly Leakage.” Check out the fantastic website associated with “Lemons”: http://www.paintthatshitgold.com. And how!

    And Ivan, how “low” have our standards dropped? Estelle is hot, Buckshot + 9th is hot, and Atmo is bonfire hot. Akro is nice, too. I must admit, however, that AZ’s new joint isn’t quite up to his usual lyrical prowess. Still ill, but not quite as much as A.W.O.L.

    Cheers!

  • B3N // 003

    GREAT CHOICE! Atmosphere is tops. I have been slogging along, waiting for “Lemons,” with his array of EPs and his wonderful Christmas gift, “Strictly Leakage.” Check out the fantastic website associated with “Lemons”: http://www.paintthatshitgold.com. And how!

    And Ivan, how “low” have our standards dropped? Estelle is hot, Buckshot + 9th is hot, and Atmo is bonfire hot. Akro is nice, too. I must admit, however, that AZ’s new joint isn’t quite up to his usual lyrical prowess. Still ill, but not quite as much as A.W.O.L.

    Cheers!

  • B3N // 003

    GREAT CHOICE! Atmosphere is tops. I have been slogging along, waiting for “Lemons,” with his array of EPs and his wonderful Christmas gift, “Strictly Leakage.” Check out the fantastic website associated with “Lemons”: http://www.paintthatshitgold.com. And how!

    And Ivan, how “low” have our standards dropped? Estelle is hot, Buckshot + 9th is hot, and Atmo is bonfire hot. Akro is nice, too. I must admit, however, that AZ’s new joint isn’t quite up to his usual lyrical prowess. Still ill, but not quite as much as A.W.O.L.

    Cheers!

  • kk

    AZ – UNDENIABLE

  • kk

    AZ – UNDENIABLE

  • kk

    AZ – UNDENIABLE

  • Swag Diesel

    How ’bout Torae’s Daily Conversation?

  • Swag Diesel

    How ’bout Torae’s Daily Conversation?

  • Swag Diesel

    How ’bout Torae’s Daily Conversation?

  • John

    Gnarls Barkley…

  • John

    Gnarls Barkley…

  • John

    Gnarls Barkley…

  • Renato Pagnani

    AFTERPARTY BABIES, by Cadence Weapon.

    Y’all should put away the futons.

  • Renato Pagnani

    AFTERPARTY BABIES, by Cadence Weapon.

    Y’all should put away the futons.

  • Renato Pagnani

    AFTERPARTY BABIES, by Cadence Weapon.

    Y’all should put away the futons.

  • Real

    Dappa – You Got Me: The Preview
    Listen to a nice track floating on the net, turn out to be a solid album

  • Real

    Dappa – You Got Me: The Preview
    Listen to a nice track floating on the net, turn out to be a solid album

  • Real

    Dappa – You Got Me: The Preview
    Listen to a nice track floating on the net, turn out to be a solid album

  • khal

    that guilty simpson is smooth. i like presto’s state of the art. i cant think of much else off the top of the head…

  • khal

    that guilty simpson is smooth. i like presto’s state of the art. i cant think of much else off the top of the head…

  • khal

    that guilty simpson is smooth. i like presto’s state of the art. i cant think of much else off the top of the head…

  • HipHopConsensus.com

    Akrobatik – Absolute Value
    8thW1 – Love, Money and Music
    Archetype – Unfolding
    Artofficial – Fist Fights and Foot Races
    EMC – The Show

  • HipHopConsensus.com

    Akrobatik – Absolute Value
    8thW1 – Love, Money and Music
    Archetype – Unfolding
    Artofficial – Fist Fights and Foot Races
    EMC – The Show

  • HipHopConsensus.com

    Akrobatik – Absolute Value
    8thW1 – Love, Money and Music
    Archetype – Unfolding
    Artofficial – Fist Fights and Foot Races
    EMC – The Show

  • Rick.

    Atmosphere is the only cd I’ve purchased since Kanye’s last joint.

  • Rick.

    Atmosphere is the only cd I’ve purchased since Kanye’s last joint.

  • Rick.

    Atmosphere is the only cd I’ve purchased since Kanye’s last joint.

  • GONE2HDUB

    LITTLE VIC iS 08 tops!!!

  • GONE2HDUB

    LITTLE VIC iS 08 tops!!!

  • GONE2HDUB

    LITTLE VIC iS 08 tops!!!

  • J to the AAP

    Bun didn’t officially drop yet, did he? So if you include you can do so with The Roots too. Nothing touching that one yet.

  • J to the AAP

    Bun didn’t officially drop yet, did he? So if you include you can do so with The Roots too. Nothing touching that one yet.

  • J to the AAP

    Bun didn’t officially drop yet, did he? So if you include you can do so with The Roots too. Nothing touching that one yet.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    I hadn’t heard Rising Down when I threw that list up.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    I hadn’t heard Rising Down when I threw that list up.

  • http://www.therapup.net Rizoh

    I hadn’t heard Rising Down when I threw that list up.

  • Plush

    No mention to EB’s “New Amerykah?” That album is dope!

    Anyone peep Rising Down yet?

  • Plush

    No mention to EB’s “New Amerykah?” That album is dope!

    Anyone peep Rising Down yet?

  • Plush

    No mention to EB’s “New Amerykah?” That album is dope!

    Anyone peep Rising Down yet?

  • dubbnasty

    the roots rising down.
    ?uestlove and the guys do it yet again.

  • dubbnasty

    the roots rising down.
    ?uestlove and the guys do it yet again.

  • dubbnasty

    the roots rising down.
    ?uestlove and the guys do it yet again.

  • Gill

    When life gives you lemons isnt only the best album this year so far, it might just be better than any album last year…
    Competiting with Getback & American Gangster

  • Gill

    When life gives you lemons isnt only the best album this year so far, it might just be better than any album last year…
    Competiting with Getback & American Gangster

  • Gill

    When life gives you lemons isnt only the best album this year so far, it might just be better than any album last year…
    Competiting with Getback & American Gangster

  • Pingback: Atmosphere Make[s] History with ‘Lemons’ | The Rap Up

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