In a year which saw vuvuzelas invade our teevees and mediocrity invade the movie theaters, it’s great to have quality music to fall back on. No matter what those cynical bastards tell you, 2010 has been a strong year for music. Let TRU’s annual halftime report guide you through the best hip-hop albums and songs of 2010 thus far.
Albums
6 Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2010 (So Far)
- yU – Before Taxes
yU transports the listener to a place where music isn’t diluted by economic motivation. It’s a powerful statement by the Diamond District member. One that he truly backs up with inspired rhymes and mellow compositions. - Freeway/Jake One – Stimulus Package
Stimulus Package is unpretentious hip-hop, stacked with soul samples, dizzying rhymes, and laudable guest features. But it’s the magnetic production of Jake One that astounds throughout. - Nas/Damian Marley – Distant Relatives
If you’re in the business of perusing rap lyrics for every iota of contradiction, then that last statement is pure blasphemy. In the business of music as social commentary, however, Nas is peddling his version of a redemption song. - Big K.R.I.T. – K.R.I.T. Wuz Here
Pretend it’s 1996 and UGK’s Ridin’ Dirty is oozing from every trunk in Southeast Texas. Elsewhere in Detroit and Atlanta, J Dilla and Outkast are making huge strides. Now fast forward to 2010. Throw Pimp C, Dilla, and OutKast in a blender and sprinkle a hint of 8Ball & MJG. Welcome to Big K.R.I.T. Wuz Here. - The Roots – How I Got Over
A sprawling sonical palette drives How I Got Over the perfect backdrop for Black Thought and the cast of supporting MCs, as they explore the harsh realities of life with uncommon insight and depth - Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty
Sir Lucious Left Foot summons OutKast’s musical risk-taking and adventurous spirit to yield an essential addition to the duo’s enviable catalog.
5 Mixtapes That Sound Better Than Most Albums
- Rhymefest – Dangerous 5:18 [Download]
- Pill – Pill 1140: The Overdose [Download]
- Cee-Lo – Stray Bullets [Download]
- Danny Brown – Detroit State of Mind 4 [Download]
- Yelawolf – Trunk Muzik [Download]
4 Brilliant Albums That Flew Under the Radar
- DaVinci – The Day the Turf Stood Still
- Apollo Brown – The Reset
- Shad – TSOL
- Preemo – Concrete Dreams
3 Insanely Hyped Albums You Already Forgot About
- Drake – Thank Me Later
- Young Money – We Are Young Money
- Lil Wayne – The Rebirth
2 Rap Albums Worth Buying for the CD Packaging
- Freeway/Jake One – Stimulus Package
- MF Grimm – You Only Live Twice: The Audio Graphic Novel
1 Great Hip-Hopcentric by a Non-Rapper
- Janelle Monae – The ArchAndroid (Suites II and III of IV)
Songs
6 Best Rap Songs of the Half-Year
- B.o.B. – “Airplanes II”
- Kanye West – “Power”
- Big K.R.I.T. – “Children of the War”
- The Roots – “Walk Alone”
- Reflection Eternal – “Just Begun”
- Big Boi – “Looking 4 Ya”
5 Tributes That Made Guru Smile in His Grave
- DJ Premier’s Guru Tribute [Download]
- Mister Cee’s Tribute to Guru [Download]
- Statik Selektah’s Tribute to Guru [Download]
- Boogeyman’s Tribute to Guru [Download]
- Nate Flagrant’s Tribute to Guru [Watch the Video]
4 Rap Songs That Put the “C” in Collaboration
- Reflection Eternal (Feat. Mos Def, Jay Electronica, and J Cole) – “Just Begun”
- Big K.R.I.T. – “No Wheaties” (Feat. Curren$y and Smoke DZA)
- Big Boi (Feat. Andre 3000 & Sleepy Brown) – “Lookin’ 4 Ya”
- Rick Ross (Feat. Erykah Badu, T.I., Jadakiss) – “Maybach Music 3″
3 Stellar Songs on Average Albums
- Drake – “The Resistance” (Thank Me Later)
- B.o.B. – “Airplanes II” (The Adventures of Bobby Ray)
- Rick Ross – “Maybach Music III” (Teflon Don)
2 Artists That Got Chris Brown’d on Their Own Song
- Rick Ross – “Free Mason” (Feat. Jay-Z)
- B.o.B. – “Airplanes II” (Feat. Eminem)
1 Popular Non-Rap Song That Makes Everything on this List Sound Like a Classic
- Ke$ha – “Tik Tok”
See Also:
2008 Halftime Report
2009 Halftime Report
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