Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums of 2009

12/29/09 | By David Reyneke | 38 Comments

1- Blitz The Ambassador – Stereotype (Amazon)

“It would be great if albums like this became the prototype for future Hip Hop releases in taste, quality, and execution.” – Kkon-El

2- Tanya Morgan – Brooklynati (Amazon)

“[Brooklynati] is their most endearing and focused effort yet, weaving together a creative collection of breezy songs into a concept album that’s as much about a fictional city as it is their collective state-of-mind.” - seandammit

3- Mos Def – The Ecstatic (Amazon)

“The Ecstatic feels like the album Mos has always wanted and intended to make. It’s experimental and progressive without being too left-field and isolating. It’s hip-hop without being a photocopy of what he’s released in the past. Simply put, it’s Mos being Mos: Equal parts oddball and straight-up dopeness, even with its flaws.” – Andrew Martin

4- P.O.S. – Never Better (Amazon)

“Likely his greatest album musically and artistically, Never Better excels because P.O.S. is just being himself. Pissed Off Stef.” – Zach Cole

5- Diamond District – In The Ruff (Amazon)

“On the whole, In The Ruff is well paced with hardly a dull moment. It’s lyrically top-notch and a superior example of what hip-hop can be. D.C.: be proud.” - Zach Cole

6- Brother Ali – Us (Amazon)

“Us is a 61-minute experience you need to sit down and listen to. You could try doing something else while it plays, but it’s unlikely you’ll be able to focus on anything besides Ali’s words and Ant’s beats.” – Andrew Martin

7- Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II (Amazon)

“It’s still a little hard to believe that the project has finally seen the light of day, but possibly even more shocking is just how worth the wait it actually is, serving not simply as one of the year’s strongest albums, but also a worthy continuation of its predecessor.” – Charles Mahoney

8- k-os – Yes! (Amazon)

“…don’t be surprised if you spin this record several times in a row after your first listen. But doesn’t that seem to be the case with every k-os album? Yes!, it does. And with this, he has now solidified himself as one of music’s most consistent artists.” – Andrew Martin

9- Finale – A Pipe Dream & A Promise (Amazon)

“This fiery emcee has given underground hip-hop heads another reason to embrace the gritty Detroit sound even more with this consistent, hard-hitting, and above all fantastic debut.” – Andrew Martin

10- Shafiq Husayn - Shafiq En A Free Ka (Amazon)

“Its intent is to make you feel positive and free through sound irregardless of your race, sex and nationality. I am inspired that musical genius such as Shafiq and this album are alive and breathing today.” - Francisco McCurry