Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of 2009

Here is my list of top Hip Hop albums of 2009. I used to do this a lot when I was with Genetik and post it on the Genetik's blog but I haven't in awhile so I thought, why not now more people will probably read it.

These albums are my favorites of the year in order. They might not be your favorites but maybe there is one on here that you haven't heard and you can give a listen.

1. Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon; End of Day
2. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
3. Brother Ali - US
4. Fashawn - Boy Meets World
5. Royce Da 5'9" - Street Hop
6. Clipse - Till the Casket Drops
7. K-os - Yes
8. Wu Tang Chamber Music
9. J Dilla - Jay Stay Paid
10. Maino - If Tomorrow Comes

The albums that almost made the cut.

Jay Z - Blueprint III

MF Doom - Born Like This

Fabolous - Loso's Way

Finale - A Pipe Dream and a Promise

Mos Def - The Estatic'

POS - Never Better

Classified - The Self Explanatory

AZ - Legendary

Slaughterhouse - Slaughterhouse

Felt 3 - A Tribute to Rosie Perez

The albums that I thought would be good and weren't. There were a few good tracks but overall disappointing.

Wale - Attention Deficit

Eminem - Relapse

Rakim - The 7th Seal

Beanie Siegel - The Broad Street Bully

Jadakiss - The Last Kiss

Cam'ron - Crime Pays

Method Man and Redman - Blackout 2

FRESHJIVE throws some salt at Obama

One of my favorite brands has used their World's Got Problems line to compare President Obama to former President Bush through a new t shirt and a commentary on their website. Freshjive is a unique brand that uses their pieces as a form of social commentary to speak on what is important in current events. Their new tee aptly titled Hope is Fading Fast Tee will feature the iconic OBEY Obama Hope picture with the ink running. No Freshjive brandmarks will be on the tee.

http://www.freshjive.com

Insanity

So like most people, I am involved with the different social networking sites out there. Myspace, Facebook, Twitter, etc... People like to post what they're doing, links they find on the internet, shit like that. So right after the inauguration people are posting how proud they are of our new president, how happy they are to be American, and how change has finally arrived. Well I was going through the different posts on facebook and came across one in particular from a kid I went to high school and college with, and let me tell you it doesn't get any stupider than this. This is what said person posted. Person's name, is say what you will about President Bush... but he was way better then Al Gore or John Kerry would have been!! Good Work Bush!!!
What the blood clot is this kid thinking? What is even more humorous than the actual post are the uneducated responses from people who agree with this statement. "Right on bro, Bush was the best!", or "Gore and Kerry would have ruined our country a ding dang do!". I was going to write a rebuttal to that post but it is just too bat shit crazy for me to dissect in the time I have. There are a lot of things wrong with that post and it goes to show you how what an education from a State college will get you.

Imaginary Foundataion

Another brand that debuted at Magic back in 05 was the Imaginary Foundation. They are Swiss and have some pretty crazy designs. Well they inked a deal to create some decks for Element. They are pretty sweet.

Imaginary Foundation Bowler Imaginary Foundation Carpet Imaginary Foundation Man Imaginary Foundation Smoker

http://www.elementskateboards.com/skateboards/

Palin's blues, and Obama's shoes.

Jeanine Cummings of Policto.com, reported today that the Republican National Committee has spent $150,000.00 on clothing for Governor Sarah Palin since she was announced as the Republican Vice Presidential Nominee. I know that right now is not the time to waste on a topic, when there are more pressing issues, but I will make my point quick. I think that this is important, given the fact that these purchases might be a direct violation of rules set forth by the Federal Election Commission. The FEC makes it clear that it is illegal to spend campaign money on personal items. With John McCain crowing about how he is a "Maverick" with regards to Campaign Finance Reform, this rampant spending on pant suits must be explained.

This might be an unfair comparison, but while looking through some campaign photos of Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, I stumbled across this. A photo of Barack Obama planning for a speech in Rhode Island, wearing shoes that have worn thin at the soles. A man of the people who is as modest as they come.





Callie Shell. "Obama.". 2008.

Cummings, Jeannie. "RNC shells out $150K for Palin fashion". Politico. 10/22/08 .

Fashion Statement

I happen to believe that people should support any political candidate in any manner they please, as long as it is not offensive or someone could get hurt, obviously. If a person wants to wear a button showing support, so be it. If they would like to put up a yard sign or a bumper sticker, by all means do it!

I myself have been an avid supporter of Senator Barack Obama's Presidential run since he announced his candidacy back in February. I support him, with buttons, a bumper sticker, blogs, and engaging in healthy debate. I do not however look down on someone who is supporting the opposition in a healthy way. I may question their motives, but I have plenty of friends who support McCain, and I will make my points to them and call it a day. Let's be honest with each other here, it's pretty hard to change someone's political beliefs. There are times where I may criticize the candidates because of their stances on issues or statements they may make in the media. but not the people who choose to support the candidate in a healthy way. If a person, whether here at work or at the casino was wearing a McCain/Palin button I would not make a point to bring that up. I have been very cordial with people who are supporting Senator John McCain's bid for the White House. In fact my father and I had multiple conversations with a couple from Wisconsin who happened to be visiting Washington DC the same time we were.

Alright so here is my point. Today at work I wore my Shepard Fairey Barack Obama t-shirt, because Sarah Palin spoke at a rally not a mile away from my office. Now let's keep in mind my opinion on the matter that I discussed earlier. People who support Senator Barack Obama came up to me and told me how awesome the shirt was and asked where I had gotten it. However there was one person who did not share the same praise that everyone else did. Instead, they laughed and asked me why I was wearing the shirt. I want to explain that I have previously attempted to discuss politics with this person, mainly supply capitalism, and they were a little lost and started with the name calling that most uninformed people revert to when confused.

I think that we as Democrats are the more respectful of the two parties and I could be wrong. What I witness on a daily basis shows me that we are respectful to the opposition, tolerating ignorance but not racism or hatred. We ensure that we respect the rights of others to support who they want. Now had I gone into work wearing something totally obnoxious and ran around spreading lies about Senator John McCain, then what this person told me would be totally warranted. I JUST WORE A FUCKING T-SHIRT!



photo credit Karmloop.com

Truth

Colin Powell came out and endorsed Senator Barack Obama's campaign Sunday morning, on Meet the Press. I'm not sure if this will have an impact or not. We will have to look at polling in Red States to see if the Powell's announcement is enough to change who Republicans in those states are going to vote for. This morning two Las Vegas Conservative talk show hosts, Heidi Harris of KDWN and Allan Stock of KXNT, stated that it would not have an impact on the outcome of the election. Harris even went as far to say that anyone under 30 has no idea who Colin Powell is. I think that the ship is sinking for the McCain campaign and this is huge for Obama. Couple this with Google's Chief Executive Eric Schmidt endorsing Obama, and it could be a large margin of victory for the Illinois Senator. Lets just hope that all of the young people put down the bongs and PBR on November 4th and get out and vote.