It’s July, and it’s finally starting to feel like summer in LA. Tons of Hip-Hop albums have been released that I had been anticipating, but did they live up to the hype? Some, but there are still a handful of CDs that you patiently wait for, and that continue to get the TBD stamp (wigs pushed back)…

Those albums will hopefully be released sometime this year. With that being said, I wanted to shed light on the Hip-Hop albums that have been released so far that I honestly believe are pretty dope records. If you find yourself agreeing with a big ass Kool-Aid smile intact…Leave a comment! One Love!

NOTE: This list is not in order, although the first 3 albums would all be tied…

1: Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot
This album deserves way more attention. Any true Outkast fan will find themselves right at home. As funky as a George Clinton/P. Funk album! Can’t really find a flaw with this album.

2: The Roots – How I Got Over
The legendary Roots deliver a deep and somewhat emotional follow-up to their amazing album “Rising Down”. An album that truly deserves to played in its entirety.

3: Nas/Damian “Jr Gong” Marley – Distant Relatives
BRILLIANT!

4: Eminem – Recovery
One of the most consistent emcees in the game doesn’t let up on his latest effort. Another dope album to add to his track record.

5: Drake – Thank Me Later
Probably more R&B than Rap but fuck it! I dig it a lot! He actually made an album…a COMPLETE album. Something that lacks in music nowadays.

6: Murs & 9th Wonder – Fornever
One of my favorite duos in the game are back with another 10-joint gem! Honest West Coast music with a vintage boom-bap sound. Highly recommended!

7: Curren$y – Pilot Talk
One of the smoothest albums in my CD deck. Peep the Mos Def, Jay Electronica, Big K.R.I.T, and Snoop Dogg features! JETS!

8: Little Brother – Left Back
The last album from LB..very bittersweet.

9: Meth, Ghost, Rae – Wu-Massacre
30 minutes of the vintage Wu sound that we all love. I needed this album!

10: Freeway & Jake One – The Stimulus Package
This was a very dope collaborative album! The packaging alone is definitely worth checking out.

HONORABLE MENTIONS:
Madlib – Madlib Medicine Show Series
B.O.B – The Adventures of Bobby Ray
Reflection Eternal – Revolutions Per Minute
UNI – A Love Supreme 2.0
Kidz In The Hall – Land of Make Believe
Don Will – High Fidelity

ON MY RADAR:
Andre 3000
Lupe Fiasco
Kanye West
Kid Cudi
T.I.
Cee-Lo
N*E*R*D
J Cole
Jay Electronica
Blu
Slum Village
Bun B
Slaughterhouse

Editor’s note: I have been blessed to know and learn from Darrick and all he knows about both past and present Hip-Hop. Feel free to comment on this post! I look forward to his contributions to the site in the future. // Cedar

About @D_WILL_YUMS

Hip-hop head! Official Hip-Hop Contributor for A Big City Died. Follow him on Twitter @d_will_yums! // Favorite Quote: "I find it's distressin', there's never no in-between. We either n*ggaz or Kings, We either b***hes or Queens. -Mos Def // Favorite Album: Nas - iLLmatic // Why: It's the reason we still have rappers. Everyone is trying to make their iLLmatic...

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