It’s no secret that hip-hop is in constant motion – it changes year to year. Emerging technologies combined with the fickle needs and wants of the industry, the artists, and the fans, all play a role in shaping our musical world. Some of the changes to the hip-hop scene have been, well, less than desirable (see: the decline of radio rap). However, the past ten years, 2000-2009, still held releases of some of the most creative and unique hip-hop albums of all time, with an ever-expanding range of sub-genres. Traditional hip-hop rooted in the golden age of the ’90s was certainly alive and well, but it was sharing chart space with newer, progressive styles. That said, we have compiled a list of our 25 favorite hip-hop albums from the past ten years, as a form of celebrating the musical diversity in hip-hop from the decade that was.

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Hip-hop has been around for nearly thirty years now. However, its still feels very young at its core. Whiles many emcees have graduated to have success some are just college dropouts with no plan for what’s next. In a genre of music that has no set rules it also seems to be void of maturity in the process. The idea of hip-hop and “growing up” feels like something of an oxymoron when you look at the current music landscape and its future. Very few emcees are willing to take that music past frivolous beefs/feuding, actually becoming successful as artists and making music that doesn’t compromise who they are. In hip-hop for some reason that feels unrealistic? Music is supposed to inspire, how come we ain’t getting no higher? © Lauryn Hill

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Welcome to the weekly rundown where we (soulsupreme and Marty) provide you with our top ten headlines for the week that was.

1. Shyne to be released from prison and possibly deported. Lookout Diddy, Shyne is coming home. The real question is will he deported back to Belize or not.  I don’t like the way P. Diddy did Shyne with different lawyers © Nas
2. The Beastie Boys’ Adam Yauch feels ‘hopeful’ about cancer treatment. After a year full of deaths, we’re happy to report some good news from the Beastie Boys. We’re hoping for a speedy recovery.
3. Jay-Z wins MTV’s Hottest MC of the year, Eminem not included on the top 10 list. MTV sucks, ’nuff said. Seriously, there’s nothing else to say about this without stooping to MTV’s level of shittiness. Read the rest of this entry »

Album Review: Q-Tip – Kamaal The Abstract (2009)
Rating: 3.5 out of 5 Potholes

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Welcome to the weekly rundown where we (soulsupreme and Marty) provide you with our top ten headlines for the week that was.

1. Kanye West at the VMA’s. Probably the most overblown news story of the year. There are bigger issues in the world. Blame it on the Hennessey and keep it moving.
2. Pioneering DJ Grand Master Roc Raida passes away. Another hip-hop legend gone to soon in 2009. Roc Raida was battling complications from surgery. This weekend his condition worsened and he passed away. Busta Rhymes confirmed the news on Twitter. Our prayers are with his family.
3. Benefit concert in Detroit for Hexmurda. We hope people come out and support the cause. And we hope Hex makes a full recovery really soon. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the weekly rundown where we (soulsupreme and Marty) provide you with our top ten headlines for the week that was.

1. Phonte/Nicolay don’t want you to buy City Lights 2: Shibuya from iTunes. We shouldn’t be surprised since iTunes has pulled shit like this before. But it’s still a damn shame that they have messed up this release. Just make sure to hit up Amazon, Rhapsody, e-Music, etc… to pick this one up. I (Marty) have spun it a few times and it’s absolutely worth the money. And be on the look-out for a review this coming week.
2. Jay-Z – Answer the Call concert @ MSG. Incredible concert for a worthy cause.  Jay-Z and a number of guest appearances from the likes of John Mayer, Mary J. Blige, Kanye West, Kid Cudi & Rihanna. They, put simply, rocked MSG for the 9/11  benefit concert.
3. Raekwon OB4CL2 Release Party @ Santos, NYC. We wish we could have been there for the festivities. If the party was even one-tenth as good as the actual album, it was probably ridiculous. Peep the video and pretend you were lucky enough to attend. Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the weekly rundown where we (soulsupreme and Marty) provide you with our top ten headlines for the week that was.

1. DJ AM tribute by DJ Premier & DJ Jazzy Jeff. A fitting tribute for a fallen soldier. DJ Riz and Eclipse were also on hand to bless the turntables in honor of DJ AM. (R.I.P.)
2. The Blueprint III leaks online, so does OB4CL II, now both will be dropping on 9/8. From what we have heard (and played over and over), Rae’s definitely got the better album. The Blueprint 3 will sell more copies, sure, but we hope it will receive at least some form of competition at record stores from OB4CL II.
3. Mayer Hawthorne drops another new remix and debuts in the top 10 on itunes! Big congrats to Mayer on this one. It’s refreshing to see an album as good as his crack the iTunes Top 10. As for the remix, well, Astronote has done it again his second take on “Just Ain’t Gonna Work Out”. Cop the album! Read the rest of this entry »

Welcome to the weekly rundown where we (soulsupreme and Marty) provide you with our top ten headlines for the week that was.

1. We leaked the first joint from upcoming mixtape. The name is Potholes In My Blog Presents… Transmitting Live Volume One and it’s coming August 25th to a blog near you!
2. Jay-Z brings Oprah to Marcy Projects, confirmed guest for show. “And the streets say Jigga can’t go back home. You know when I heard that? When I was back home.” © Hov
3. Mayer Hawthorne releases video for “Maybe So, Maybe No”. A nice breezy summer video for the second single from the forthcoming album A Strange Arrangement dropping September 8th on Stones Throw records. Check out cameos from House Shoes, Rob Dyrdek, and more.

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Album Review: Grand Puba – Retroactive (2009)
Rating: 3 out of 5 Potholes

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This past Saturday I headed over to Central Park to check out this year’s SummerStage featuring Q-Tip, Chester French, Little Dragon and Benji B. It was probably my fourth or fifth time seeing Tip live, but my first seeing any of the other acts. Both Chester French and Little Dragon have been making quite a buzz online, so I was quite excited to see if they had what it takes to back it up on the live front.

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