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Who the hell got next? · by Sach O
Because November and December 07’ ain’t that far away.
Fuck a year end list, I’ll deal with one of those when the year actually ends. But until Ghost and Nas drop (Young who?), it’s all about figuring out if there’s a valid reason rap-wise not to snuff it right here and now.
10 albums I’m anticipating in 07 that might actually drop.
(No particular order)
UGK – Underground Kings
Why I’m looking forward to it: The Game Belongs to me features that classic UGK sound.
Why I’m not: A couple of other tracks don’t, including a Big Daddy Kane and Kool G Rap collaboration which was kind of disappointing. Plus on Quit Hating on the South, they come off as insecure as the south-dissing rappers they address.
Joe Budden – The Growth
Why I’m looking forward to it: Rappers make good albums when they’re under hellish stress and label pressure, something that shall henceforth be known as Clipse’s law. Plus those mixtapes were fuego.
Why I’m not: I’m convinced Def Jam will find a way to fuck this thing up with a corny crossover joint or two…if they release it at all.
MF Doom and Ghostface Killah – Swift and Changeable
Why I’m looking forward to it: Umm…do I have to explain it to you? Despite Doom not being coke-related enough to garner any internet buzz in 06’, he’s an excellent rapper under the right circumstances and teaming up with Ironman is exactly what he needs. As for Ghost, any full length release that will bring out his weirder off-the-wall side is cause for celebration. Plus the Doom produced joints on Fishscale were flavor.
Why I’m not: Internet hype…which I just contributed to didn’t I?
The Federation – Untitled album
Why I’m looking forward to it: Rick Rock is by far my favorite Bay Area producer at the moment and when given a chance, his stuff just oozes creativity. He never gets to show it with mainstream acts, but the man is like Timbaland with the eyeball roll inducing attempts at sensuality replaced by pure adrenaline pumping aggression. Throw in the fact that Doonie Baby, Goldie and Stresmatic have perfected their high-middle-low vocal alchemy and this just might be the most cohesive group album out next year.
Why I’m not: I have a feeling I’m the only one outside California who’ll care.
Saigon – The Greatest Story ever told
Why I’m looking forward to it: Just Blaze is the best producer in Hip-hop today, period. Saigon is a suitable street rapper who can potentially deliver content, style and everything else I want from a Hip-hop album.
Why I’m not: It’s been delayed so long that I’m worried as fuck that this will turn into another Canibust. The first single is ok but it’s NOT produced by Just Blaze which is a poor decision if I’ve ever seen one.
Madvillain – Madvillainy II
Why I’m looking forward to it: Doom and Ghost could fail, but the chemistry between Madlib and Doom is unfuckwitable. The slow smoked out beat on Monkey Suite silenced any doubts I had that this thing will be anything less than a proper sequel to one of my favorite albums of the decade. They should just go balls to the wall and release it on 4:20.
Why I’m not: The album will cost 45$: 20 bucks for the CD and the rest for some trees.
Raekwon – Only Built for Cuban Linx II
Why I’m looking forward to it: Ghostface may be killing it, but he’s moved away from the Wu sound almost entirely and it’s left me jonesing for Rza production and Kung Fu samples. Raekwon has been hungry as fuck recently and everything that’s leaked about this project sounds A list…
Why I’m not: Except that Dr Dre, Scram Jones and DJ Scratch will be involved. Come on Rae, give the people what they want!
Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth
Why I’m looking forward to it: Ali is probably the single best rapper to emerge from the second generation of underground rap. That’s not much of a compliment, but his debut and subsequent EP were about as dope as serious, literate rap music gets nowadays and they proved Ali has quite a knack for writing a quality rap song without falling victim to standard clichés.
Why I’m not: I’ve heard whispering that Ali might be getting “experimental” on this release. I don’t know what that means but I sure as hell hope there won’t be 20 minute washboard solos.
Sean Price – Jesus Price Superstar
Why I’m looking forward to it: Sean Price is a friend of the site and he’ll smack us up if we don’t mention him. Nah seriously, Monkey Bars was a great album and Ruck has only refined his belligerent Brooklynite act since then. I was as big a fan of Heltah Skeltah as anybody, but it’s Sean’s newly apparent personality that’s really got me hyped for this release
Why I’m not: I’m worried about the 9th Wonder involvement on here, but Price has got a great ear for beats so it’ll probably work out.
Cormega – Urban Legend
Why I’m looking forward to it: Despite having heated arguments with RHS on the subject of his rhyme style and general approach, I still think Mega is one of the best doing it today and that his next album will be the intelligent-thug material that’s been lacking this year. Either way, with rumors of DJ Premier, Large Professor, Buckwild, Pete Rock and Marley Marl handling the production, it should win on beats alone.
Why I’m not: That Lake collaboration album was pretty average…but that’s mostly because of Lake.
Comments for "Who the hell got next?"
I wish Budden’s beats were better, because his flow is bananas.
More Fish on Dec. 12. I’m like half & half on this one, I’m getting tired of cutting Shawn Wigz out of all my favorite Theodore Unit tracks, I wish ghost would just do it at the factory.
AZ’s Format was aight. Him and ‘Mega should just form a group.
Anything Sean Price comes with is iPod fodder for real. I love that cat.
You’d be right about Raekwon except there will be no RZA. You get 2006 Deck and GZA and that’s it. Oh, and because he’s on Aftermath now, special uninvited guest who came in through the back door- Busta Rhymes on half the album. And he’s been yoking up on a year-long steroid binge so you know he’s gonna come aggro on his joints and all gangsta nuevo. Not word.
Just Blaze is really dope. For all the crappy poppy bullshit Jigga cuts he’s dropped, there are some straight diamonds in there too, and honestly Saigon needs the production so I’ma check on that one for sure.
— Skylar Nov 29, 04:11 PM
“worried about 9th wonder”....sonz….wtf. If anything your boy Sean Price is going to dumb down his stellar beats. (no disrespect meant, BCC is still sick in 06)
— Moody the Mixtape Monster Nov 29, 04:21 PM
yo, i didnt even look at the comments and i was about to post about the same thing moody just did. worried? 9th? come on, let’s be real now…and there’s no way saigon will dissapoint. ” a suitable street rapper who can potentially deliver content, style…” suitable? potentially? saigon merks everyone out there right now
— hernandez Nov 29, 06:57 PM
i don’t understand the unconditional love for 9th wonder. i really don’t. the only thing he’s done the last couple of years is sample the first four bars of every soul track in his library (and by ‘library’, I mean the internet), turn them into five minute loops and walk-the-fuck-away. as far as computer chopping goes, everyone knows khrysis has always been nicer.
is jesus price still chanting, “sean p!” before every one of his verses? bring on the marco polo crap.
— d-luv Nov 29, 09:01 PM
good looking on Brother Ali. Alot of people just hate on him because of his label affiliation (rhymesayers) but dude is so nice, will son your favorite mixtape/backpack rapper anyday. I remember they put one of his new songs on the bangers section at xxl and everyone was going apeshit over how good it was, for real Ali is the sleeper champ of 07
— pat Nov 29, 10:39 PM
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— extra penis Nov 30, 02:30 AM
def looking forword to mega’s next album after what he and lake did this year i cant wait to hear more from corey
— Ramon Nov 30, 02:37 AM
Definitely that Brother Ali joint. This cat gets shafted and overlooked due to the shine that Atmosphere constantly gets. Dude is dumb raw.
I’ll agree with your anticipation of the other picks, but will once again give you props for showing the Bay some love by putting up the Federation. Dont forget about the upcoming releases from Mistah FAB, Clyde Carson, and San Quinn.
— Ninoy Brown Nov 30, 02:48 AM
The Federation aren’t those dudes who remade “Sunglasses At Night” are they?
It’s pretty safe to say that rap has reverted back to being a twelve-inch single kinda music – minus the actual 12” vinyl, of course. The only album that actually worked all the way through this year was the K-Def “Willie Boo Boo”, and that didn’t even have lyrics!
— Robbie Nov 30, 04:15 AM
Ninoy Brown: Not forgetting them, had to choose one. But all of those are anticipated. Clyde was dope on the Team LP, Fab has got much potential and San Quinn speaks for himself.
Robbie: That is one of the Federation’s many songs. I’ll probably give them a write up next week to show off a wider range of what they do.
— Sach Nov 30, 10:41 AM
carter 3?
— extra penis Nov 30, 12:05 PM
monch?
— noz Nov 30, 07:43 PM
Carter 3: dubious after that Baby collaboration.
Monch: Looking forward to those 10 more so than Monch, but that doesn’t mean he won’t deliver the best record when all’s said and done.
— Sach Nov 30, 11:27 PM
“Carter 3: dubious after that Baby collaboration.”
Crazy talk.
And there’s no way Brother Ali’s record will be better than Pharoahe Monch’s. Even Brother Ali knows that.
— noz Nov 30, 11:36 PM
I was extremely disappointed when I heard that Rae would let Dre handle production duties, especially since I have been diggin the hell out of Rae’s mixtape joints. If RZA can’t even produce Cuban Linx 2, then he will never produce the any new Wu solo album. I really do think that with RZA, this would’ve been the album of the year, not based nostalgia, but on skills.
I’m interested in:
1. Ghost/Doom,
2. Madvillain
3. Monch,
4. Nas tentatively. I swore off his albums a while ago, but at least he seems to be trying this time. But Chris Webber on the boards? I can’t get over that.
— eauhellzgnaw Dec 1, 12:17 AM
I actually think Sean P and 9th Wonder go very well together..beat/lyrics wise..imo.
I’ve lost all anticipation for Saigon’s album but hopefully it bangs..
I’m certainly NOT looking forward to Marley’s production (if it sounds like anything I’ve heard of late) on Mega’s album..except there’s a decent surprise..
I dunno why RZA wasn’t given the full reins of Rae’s project but oh well…we’ll see how the Dre collab turns out.
— esbee Dec 1, 01:16 AM
http://stilllistentogangstamusic.blogspot.com/2006/11/lil-wayne-carter-3-info.html
— extra penis Dec 2, 02:56 AM
1. chip fu m.a.t.h album
— angreeantz Dec 3, 07:35 PM
co-sign.
— bkbodega Dec 6, 08:39 PM
Sean P’s album is my most anticipated for sure!!! Check this video of him sonning underground rapper Rugged Intellect, this is why I love Sean P (no homo)!!! http://youtube.com/watch?v=hCyROZDp7EQ
— ispreadhateforfun Dec 11, 06:43 PM
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