Jean Grae is probably the most relevant femcee out currently, still making moves, and still blessing our ears with her innovations. Lyrically Jean Grae is top notch, bringing a poetic style to her songs and allowing us access to some of the deeper abyss’ of her mind. My one problem with Jean is that she sometimes gets monotonous but as with any good lyrical album, it’s best if you can listen to this while you have some time to really pay attention and digest the lyrics.
Production: Da Beatminerz, Ev Price, Koichiro, Masta Ace, Mr. Len, Nasain Nahmeen.
“Simon says get the fuck up!” haha you tell em Monch. He started out as one of two members of Organized Konfusion with Prince Po. They certainly had a good thing goin and usually I hate when people decide to go solo. It seems like putting out dope solo work is the exception not the rule. Lucky for us Pharoahe is the exception. He is such a good example of QUALITY over QUANTITY. It took him eight years after his debut album (Internal Affairs) to put out a second release (Desire) but they are both amazing. You might also recognize him from his more mainstream hit ‘Oh No’ with Mos Def & Nate Dogg. I hate using this saying cause its kinda retarded BUT Pharoahe Monch goes so hard! Yeah I said it. You know when you meet people and their level of creativity is so different that you just think they must be living in a totally different world than the average person? Case in point, Pharoahe. Homeboy is kinda wild and he is not scared to push the envelope. I mean he has one song where he uses rape as a metaphor for what he does to his songs. Yeah its like that. His work oozes with an east-coast vibe and I love this album for maintaining that raw, grimy old-school sound that I know and love so much. But don’t him fool you, he has a softer side too which he shows on tracks like ‘The Light’ and ‘The Truth’ feat. Common. If you aren’t listening to Monch already then you got some splaining to do!
Production: Diamond D, DJ Scratch, Lee Stone, Pharoahe Monch, The Alchemist
Features: Apani B. Fly, Busta Rhymes, Canibus, Common, Lady Luck, M.O.P., Method Man, Prince Po, Redman, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Talib Kweli
Who says all good hip hop is made by Americans? Here are three French beat-makers that prove otherwise. This album is the epitome of jazz-hop. Dazzling jazz inspired beats mixed impecably with verses from skilled emcees such as Asheru, Apani B Fly, Sadat X & Raashan Ahmad. This album kinda blew my mind when I first heard it. I am honestly astounded that they aren’t more well known because their insane amount of talent soars over many in the game right now. I think this is an album that can be enjoyed across the spectrum of hip hop fans.
Production: DJ Damage, Dusty, Madhi
Features: Apani B Fly, Asheru, Buckshot, Fat Lip, J-Live, J. Sands, Lizz Fields, Raashan Ahmad, Sadat X, Soul Clan, Stacy Epps, T. Love, Tableed, Tre Hardson
