FIRE SQUAD’S TOP HIP-HOP ALBUMS OF 2015!

            So last year around December I had a thought. I thought, “hey I like Hip-Hop, and I love looking at year-end lists, so why not make my own.” It was then with the help of my Friends Alex and Aiyana that we stared a Facebook group called the Fire Squad. The purpose of this group was just to discuss year end stuff and make a TOP LIST for 2014, but eventually it got to the point where we would use it year round to talk about Hip-Hop culture as a whole. News, memes, new songs, and random questions were thrown in the group and it motivated us to keep better track of what we listened to throughout the year. So instead of cramping in albums at the end of the year like I did in 2014, I kept myself current and now I feel like I am in a better place to give some great listening recommendations on some of the best Hip-Hop music 2015 had to offer.

HONORABLE MENTIONS

The Ecology- Fashawn

Song Choice: Guess Who's Back 

            This album is great, but unfortunately dropped a bit under the radar with its release. Although it was popular in underground circles the first week of release, that wasn’t enough to really let this album take off. Building off his 2009 classic “Boy Meets World”, West-Coast rapper Fashawn takes another look at the world through soulful production and raw lyrics. Being a bit more clever than crude, this is the kind of album you could show to someone who only associates Hip-Hop with violence and stupidity in order to prove them wrong. Talking about his environment and how that shaped him, Fashawn reminisces on his hard-headed youth, his beautiful state, and his love for his daughter. It is wonderful fully fleshed out album that makes you feel good, no matter where you may be in life, and as a Californian it makes me proud that I belong to a community that helped inspire music like this.

I Don’t Like Shit, I Don’t Go outside- Earl Sweatshirt  

Song Choice: Grief

            The adorable yet twisted young super star of Odd Future has grown into a somber dark rap genius. Already known for his amazing lyricism and dark content, Earl turned everyone into a self-reflective introvert with his latest album. Still containing the same lyrical skill he is known for, this time Earl produced the entire album almost by himself, taking a minimalist approach and allowing heavy bass and quiet melodies to form the instrumentals he dances over. Taking of course about his own lack of desire to go outside, being betrayed by those he trusted, and missing his late Grandma, this is not the kind of album you listen when you want to feel happy. That in itself becomes its greatest strength though, as it holds the unique place of saying what a lot of people may think but don’t say. There is nothing wrong with the feelings of sadness or loneliness, especially when phrased so eloquently like they are by Earl on this album. Read more HERE

Mr.Wonderful- Action Bronson

Song Choice: Baby Blue

            I think Action Bronson is one of the most unique figures in rap right now. With a whimsical attitude and comedic tendencies, you would never expect this man to spit the bars that he does. But his latest album is filled with just that. In addition to the wavy production that fuses Rock N’ Roll, blues, and jazz together to make fun and layered instrumentals, we get Bronson put his metaphors and storytelling skills to work and giving us one hell of an album to listen to. This is another feel good project from one raps most interesting figures, and he proves once again that you don’t have to fall into a stereotype to be a successful rapper. Read more HERE

Sour Soul- Ghostface Killah & BadBadNotGood

Song Choice: Ray Gun

            This album really turned me onto GFK, whom I never really listened to before this. The Wu-Tang legend has been putting out some stellar music lately, but paired with the musical genius that is BBNG, it just gets so much better. With production that takes the improvisation elements of Jazz and fuses them with the classic soundtrack stylings of movies from the 60’s/70’s, this album sounds like it came out of a time capsule and on the way out picked up some raw lyrics. Over all this great music GFK does what he does best, tell stories of being a hood superhero and lyrical assassin. In a lot of ways with sounds like a classic DOOM album (which is funny because he is on the album), but without the cartoon interludes. If this is GFK’s way of branching out into new sounds I hope he continues to expand his horizons, because this album is just a small taste of greatness and I want more. Read more HERE

GO:OD AM- Mac Miller

Song Choice: 100 Grandkids

            Since his debut album was crucially panned, Mac Miller has been on a mission. The youth once hailed as a protégé after the releases of his mixtapes has started to shift his focus to more serious music. Not serious in the sense the lyrical content is too deep, but rather more lush instrumentals and albums that feel like they are actually part of a holistic album. He has spoken at length about how much more into the music he is now and that is certainly shown on his newest album. With production credits from everyone from Flying Lotus to Tyler, The Creater, GO:OD AM is a return to form for Mac Miller. With the optimistic vibe he became famous for coupled with the introspective lyrics that spawned after his darker period, he is now a more complete artist, able to comment on the lows of life while still being able to enjoy it. This album is fun to listen to, and more than that, it goes all over the world in turns of samples and production, and leaves you feeling like this kid is on the top of his game.

The Ten Titans

 10. Cherry Bomb- Tyler, The Creator

Song Choice: Fucking Young 

           While you can read more detailed musings about this album HERE, I think this album is a fantastic step in this young rapper/producers career. Getting to a place in life where you can feel comfortable just being yourself is one thing, but to be able to make music centered around the concept of finding that self and using it to propel yourself to success is another feat entirely. In this album Tyler paints colorful pictures of his inspiration and life goals, all so that you the listener can vibe with the music he is putting out and follow your own dreams.

9.  Rodeo- Travis $cott

Song Choice: Oh My Dis Side

            Rodeo came out of nowhere for me. I had been made aware of Travis’ work and have it all on my computer to eventually listen to, but I just never had time. What I did know was that Travis leaned more to the Trap side of rap production and that had me worried. You can read more HERE, but the basic point is that this GOOD music protégé has found a way to fuse the production style of Trap with the soulful aspects of traditional Hip-Hop production to make a sound that bangs and resonates with you at the same time.

8. The Documentary 2/2.5- The Game

Song Choice: Gang Bang Anyway

            A Lengthy work and bold release, West-Coast legend The Game dropped this double album in commemoration of the 10 year anniversary of his first album “The Documentary”. So what we get in this over 2 hours of music is a bunch of funky jams and tales of The Game’s gang infested past. Even now he maintains that he is a proud affiliate, even though he understands the consequences of his actions. 2.5 is overall stronger than the first CD, but both dive deep into what it means to be a gang member and how that affects your and your environment. Despite what many may think, The Game is no fool. He wants a better life for his sons and fellow people of Compton, and uses this music as a way to take control of his past and help others secure a better future. This is another Gangsta Rap classic, and I hope one day we can get to a point where this genre is no longer needed.

7. 90059- Jay Rock

Song Choice: Vice City

            After keeping his fan base waiting for 4 years, Jay rock dropped his album in September and it takes a different approach to the Gangsa Rap genre. While still telling stories about his hood and the kind of people you may find in it, he surprises you with the unexpectedly melodic production, sounding way more pretty than it has any right to. On top of that the way that Jay Rock changes up his flow from song to song shows just how versatile he is as a rapper. Being a part of TDE, Jay Rock cannot afford to be a slouch. While all of his label mates have found a sound that works for them, it seemed like he was falling behind. However after this album I don’t think there is anyone who thinks that. This takes the best of the in-house producers of TDE and spins a yarn that touches on gang violence, feelings of desperation, and the vices that haunt Jay Rock to this very day.

6. At. Long. Last. A$ap- A$ap Rocky

Song Choice: Electric Body

            A sad year for Rocky, who lost one of his closest friends and business partners A$ap Yams earlier in the year, this album is as much a celebration and tribute as it is anything else. Filled with that signature aggressive soul sampling and dark moody productions, this is the sound that Rocky and Yams made to boost him to stardom. And it is well deserved, appealing to both old Hip-Hop Heads and the new blood. It is a musical homage to psychedelic exploration with contemporary rap flavors mixed in. it is designed t take you on a trip and leave you there, with talk of women, fashion, and spirituality. With the added musicality of Joe Fox, a random musician rocky found on the streets of London who ended up helping with a big chunk of the album, this project excels at what it does, and will carry you away to a dark yet pleasant world that is meant to both hype you up and calm you down.

5. The Incredible True Story- Logic

Song Choice: Young Jesus

            Part Hip-Hop joyride and part Sci-fi epic, this album is a wonderfully put together sophomore release from Maryland rapper Logic. Now logic’s album from just a year prior also made our list last year, and his new joint is even better than that. Logic’s biggest strength is that he is a huge fan of Hip-Hop, and uses other artists as much he does a drum machine for inspiration. What this results is an original story about two space pilots trying to find a lost planet accompanied but the then legendary album by Logic, which takes the best of the rap world and makes it its own. Produced by himself and his friend 6ix, this album features some of my favorite production of the year, with smooth melodies that actually make you feel like you are drifting off into space. Also on this album Logic explores the idea of leaving behind all the negativity of the rap game as well as what it means to find your own paradise. This almost has some of the strongest story telling elements of the year and has the best one of the best ending tracks to an album I have ever heard. Even if you think you wouldn’t be able to take logic seriously. Give this album a chance and really let yourself go.

4. Summertime ’06- Vince Staples

Song Choice: Norf Norf

            The debut album of Long Beach native Vince Staple makes for one of the best releases of the year. Why? While I talk about it at length HERE, The idea of such a young man going through so much is crazy. What is crazier though, is his ability to capture life in the hood so well and analyze the pros and cons of such a lifestyle. The youth may feel like legends and invincible at times, but more often than not they are plagued with anxiety and depression, all of which are hidden behind trigger fingers and gang signs. This is a modern take on Gangsta Rap, with a conscious twist and big ambitions. With the production done by the legendary No I.D, we get everything from booming beats to haunting melodies. While the second half is not as strong as the first, but are just as important and create the image of a lifestyle most of us do not want to even imagine, for it would be too much to handle even in the safety of our thoughts.

3. Compton- Dr.Dre

Song Choice: Deep Water 

            Back after 16 years to grace us once more with an album, this project was more than just promotion for the N.W.A movie that hit theaters in August. It is a powerful maximal production album that is in stark contrast with his older works. Although famous for creating the G-Funk sound back in the 90’s, Dre tried out his hand at makes beats just explode, and the end result is fantastic. With beats that almost break your speakers and features from what seems like the entire rap game, this album amazes song after song and does not stop until that 16^th track ends. Dre is a genius producer, and even better at constructing albums, each song flows into the next, and addresses everything from his rise to power to the state of his hometown today. He may have helped put Compton on the map, but he is well aware that he needs to do more to help his city, and has no shame taking pride in hailing from one of the most violent cities in America. Dre is a legend and continues do make music with the wisdom of a man who has seen the best and worst of this rap game.

2. Tetsuo & Youth- Lupe Fiasco

Song Choice: Mural 

            Lupe is finally back in a big way. After his deal with Atlantic lead to some less than stellar albums coming out, the man who brought us “Food and Liquor” and “The Cool” is back to paint us another musical masterpiece.  Separated into the 4 seasons, this album touches on life, love, pain, loss, the prison industrial complex, and stuff that I am sure is buried so deep that no one has found it yet. All of this done by one of the best uses of live instrumentation and sampling I have seen done on an album this year. Lupe crafts these amazingly long songs that just get so into themselves it’s no wonder he considers this to be a classic already. Despite many people falling off of Lupe, he spared no expenses in delivering a beautiful piece of rap genius. You can read more HERE, but I strongly encourage everyone to hear this album, it is the pinnacle of lyrical mastery and a bold artistic statement from one of raps finest.

1.  To Pimp a Butterfly- Kendrick Lamar 

Song Choice: Alright 

         

          While this should come as a shock to no one, especially considering my lengthy review HERE, This album is still just as amazing as when it dropped in March. Taking some of the best elements of all popular black music from the last 50 or so years, Kendrick creates not only a musical landmark, but an anthem for the new movement sweeping America. This is an album about hate, how we have been taught to hate ourselves for things we have no control over. This is an album about forgiveness, as we all make mistakes, and learning how to grow from those mistakes makes us better people. This is an album about depression, and how carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders will only ever weigh you down. This is an album about hope, and that if we keep holding on, everything will be alright. This is an album about pride, being proud of yourself and your heritage, and using that pride every day to build a better future for yourself and those around you. This is the kind of album people will be talking about in 20 years as the album that changed everything. I will be showing my kids this album when they ask me what got me through hard times in my final college years. Most importantly people will remember this album as the work the inspired them to remember who they are, where they came from, and where they want to go. There have been a ton of amazing albums that I have had the pleasure of listening to this year, but none have plagued my thoughts so much that even in my dreams I can hear Kendrick screaming “I love myself”.

My Favorite Underplayed Hip-Hop Albums of 2015

            Welcome back to the Star World, today we will be talking about some of my favorite underplayed hip-hop releases of the year. While 2015 may have officially come to a close, looking back and reflecting on good music will always be timeless, and these albums represent some of the best creativity I have seen in Hip-Hop this year. There will be a bigger list with the more major releases coming soon, but I wanted to do something just for the stuff I know may not get much love outside of hardcore fans or Hip-Hop Hipsters. With Hip-Hop being at the forefront of popularity I think now is the time for listeners to really branch out and find some new stuff, because who knows, that rapper with no name may be the one who resonates with you most.

THE LIST

9. Smyle- Kyle

Recommend song: Don't Wanna Fall in Love

            When I first heard the rapper known as Kyle on the song “Wanna Be Cool” off of Surf, I thought he was kind of annoying. In a voice more nerdy than early Gambino and a semi-awkward deliver I figured this was his first real feature. However when I saw that his album was coming out I learned that this 22 year old artist was more experienced than I originally thought. So after a friend of mine listened to the album and told me it was fire, I decided to check it out. What I found was one of the year’s most colorful and fun rap projects that a lot of people may just ignore. With a distinct mixture of bright electronic melodies and pop like synths this album is as soulful as it is upbeat. Lyrically Kyle tends more to the nerdcore genre, referencing video games and pop culture while at the same dealing with issues of love and intimacy. It is an album any young 20-year old can listen to and relate to, the struggles between growing up and being free all contained within a chipper album that never loses its positive vibe.

8. Soul Glitch- Daye Jack

Recommended song: Easy

            When I heard “Easy” off the newest release by Georgia born rapper Daye Jack, I was hooked. It is one my favorite songs of 2015 and the represents that unique place that this artist holds in the rap game. Singing has become more of a trend with rappers in the last few years, however the seamless way that Daye mixes his vocals with metaphorical bars and bits of wisdom through this whole album is amazing. With smooth production that is perfect for sitting under the stars and letting the key changes and basslines take you away. Daye strikes me as a rapper who is about to blow, as the specific way that he creates this silky sound just strikes the same point that Nujabes did when I first heard him. Granted with Daye it is more modern and does not rely on a emphasis on Jazz, but with the way the later electronic chords fill in the holes just create this perfect world of a cyber soul sound. Daye is defiantly a child of the internet, and it is clear that he has found a way to fuse the trends of today with the classic sounds of a lost era.

7. All We Need- Raury,

Recommended song: Forbidden Knowledge

            Atlanta based singer/musician/rapper Raury is a bit of an oddball. You would think that being selected as part of the 2015 XXL freshman class would get him some decent exposure, yet when his album dropped he was mostly ignored. To me however, I think his album is fantastic. An eclectic mixture of folk music, Hip-hop, and indie rock, this album pushes what it means to be a rapper in the modern era. In a sense that is probably most people’s problems with this album, it is not just a Hop-Hop album, while he does rap he also sings and focuses more on the holistic process of the album’s sound rather his lyrical delivery. But even so his lyrics are not weak; in fact there is no real weak part of this album. It has features from greats like Big K.R.I.T and RZA, amazing interludes with a smooth jazz atmosphere and touches on topics of breakups, love, and even the racist oppression present in America. If you want something different then look no further. I personally think artists like Raury represent a future of Hip-Hop that could not be predicted 5 or 6 years ago. A fusion of the culture with other aspects of music that help create a new type of art, all of the sake of expressing oneself and making something new and unique.

6. Jade Amulet- A.S.M

Recommended song: Masking

            This is a bit of a random release, that I only really found because there is a MF DOOM feature on this album, but nevertheless I am glad I found it. Penned as a concept album, this is meant to be experienced as a cinematic story. Each song tells a piece of the story and as it progresses you get the whole picture. It revolves around a hero born out of tragedy and given a Jade Amulet at birth. Through trials and tribulations the hero comes to find out his destiny and the secret of his amulet. It is like a musical comic book, which I can tell you from experience is one of the hardest things to do. It is one thing to make a thematic album, but to write a 15 part story and have it not feel repetitive or forced is one of the greatest lyrical feats I have ever seen. Not to say this project is perfect, but it smashes its goals and sounds good doing it. The production is done by a chamber orchestra and sounds like an actual movie score, while still incorporating that golden era sound that may remind you of a Ghostface album. The fun of this album is learning about the character as the music evolves and grows. It is impossible to get it all in one take, and each time you listen you will learn to love it more and more.

5. Wave[5]- Mick Jenkins

Recommended song: P's and Q's 

            Chicago rapper Mick Jenkins had one of my favorite projects of 2014 with his mixtape The Water[s], so when I heard he was set to have another release this year I was pumped. Although I was a bit disappointed by the length of this album at first, it is packed with dense production and lyrical gold spat by one of my favorite young MC’s in the game right now. While this is still retains the theme of water that Mick is known for, it expands more with this album, appealing to the idea of freeing your mind and yourself. With more aggressive production than I expected, Mick takes on a more mainstream oriented sound, but uses it as a platform to tell his own story. There are even tinges of love and affection sprinkled throughout this album that wasn’t found in his other projects. The songs flow well into each and in less than 30 minutes, Mick criticizes the rap game, preaches about his own experience in the trap, and comes off as more mature than ever before. Mick seems to almost come off as something more than a rapper, for whatever reason the sound of this album just shows a demonstrate of master over the kind of music and message that he wants to send. If you love rap that sounds good and also makes you think about yourself and the world around you, check out this album.

4. Lucky 7- Statik Selektah

Recommended song: Beautiful Life

            To put it simply, I love the way that Statik Selektah produces. While he himself is not a rapper, he produced a collection of 21 amazing beats that a multitude of rappers then destroyed to make this heavy tape of dope songs. The downside of that of course is that it may be hard for people to listen to all of this in one take, it is a bit jarring to have so many different rappers all on one project, but it is really Statik’s touch that holds it all together. To his soul driven production that puts a special emphasis on keys and jazzy trumpet improvisation, it just hits the ears in such a good way. Each song stands alone and some of the verses on this album are just unreal. If you want some good ol’ fashion Hip-Hop than this is probably one of the best things of last year to listen to. It touches on everything from Alcoholism to Black Power and is just a beautiful project to jam to.

3. Evermore: The Art of Duality- The Underachievers

Recommended song: Chasing Faith

            The second album by the rap duo consisting of Issa Gold and AK, Evermore is an experience. A concept album that changes its sound halfway through, it is a combination of shifting production and awakening one’s spirituality. The album revolves around the idea that we all have choices in the world, as these two young rappers up about their dark past and us it as a method of teaching. They talk about drug addiction, suicide, and dropping out of school, and how all of that lead them to a point where they had to find a new way to go about things. About 8 songs it the album turns to show the influence of the music of the younger generation, including trap snares and more heavy bass. In comparison to the wavy chord driven melodies we had been getting before that it is a nice change and poignant distinction between different approaches to rap. It is an album that is not afraid to explore the environment that a lot of youth are growing up in, warts and all. But the point of the album is that you have the power to pull yourself up out of the mess, the power to see a better future for yourself, the power to see through to duality of life and come out on top.

2. Preacher Son- YG Tut

Recommended song: Highs and Lows

            Another sleeper hit that I just happened to catch by luck; this album impressed me to no end. This Chattanooga based rapper may remind you a bit like his fellow rapper from the same town, Isaiah Rashad, but the instrumentation and Jazz elements album make this a new refreshing sound to get lost in. The concept of this album is that YG Tut is the son of a preacher, and balances a life of being in the streets doing whatever with being in church every Sunday. It is about how that relationship affects him as a person, so often times the juxtaposition of his harsh lyrics to the smooth music is just the perfect fit. It is always good when a rapper uses their personality shape the themes of their music, it makes it feel so much more genuine. Like you know that this rapper does one thing, but morally feels a certain way about certain situations, which make you want to get into the music more because the storytelling and tone is just sublime. The music was apparently done by live musicians that YG Tut lives with, and this album is the brainchild of live jam sessions and building off the relationship they have with each other. So while it is about the concept of a Preacher Son, it can also extend beyond that and that makes it click more. We are all conflicted and hypocrites in some way, that is what makes us human. It is finding out about these conflicts and using them to learn about ourselves and the world that helps us grow into better people

1        1. Live From The Denist Office- Injury Reserve

Recommended song: Washed Up

      This album took me on a wild ride. What I expected after watching a review of this was a weird indie rap album that was a bunch of kids being awkward on a track. What I found however was much much more. Injury reserve is a Hip-Hop trio from Arizona, and in their short time they have managed to create a sound that mixes early Kanye, Early Cudi, and the best parts of the indie Youtube Rap scene along with abstract production elements that give them something new. Coming off as a bunch of down on their luck dudes who are gifted in Hip-Hop, Injury Reserve is the underdog we all love to root for. Touching on everything from the monotony of being stuck in a small town to life after the part scene of college is over; this album is somber and realistic. Usually we are used to rappers painting themselves as heroes or larger than life figures, even in the case of them admitting their faults it is under the guise of them having moved past that. However in this album we get the viewpoint of the rappers who haven’t made it. We get the grime of living an average life but having the talent and drive to more forward and push past that. And with the wonky way that the synths, drum breaks, and odd hooks come together it makes for one of the most unique and enjoyable experiences I have heard all year. This album is the spirit of Hip-Hop, using what you have in combination with what you don’t have to make a unique work of art that other people can see and get inspired by. It is genuine art that comes from a place of ambition and forces you as an artist to re-evaluate how you see your own work. Albums like this remind me why I love and strive to create my own flavor Hip-Hop as much as I do.