Mixtapes were as crucial as albums this year. It would be asinine not to incorporate a few pieces of free art that outshone the compilations that were sold. In 2009, the branded new artists of the game quickly attained names for themselves. Be advised, this is my opinion but granted this is still a list coming from the mind of a student of hip-hop music. This is my analysis of the top 10 albums and mixtapes of 2009.
10. Slaughterhouse
Slaughterhouse is the 2009 debut album by the super-group, including Joe Budden, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, and Royce da 5’9”. Although pressed for time, the album made a serious mark on hip-hop’s radar and revitalized the essence of witty lyricism.
9. Back to the Feature
Back to the Feature is a 2009 mixtape by Wale and 9th Wonder, which exemplifies the talent of multiple artists as well as showcases Wale’s aptitude as an MC.
8. Melanie Fiona The Bridge
Melanie Fiona embraces the divinity of R & B on her debut album The Bridge. She makes a fine distinction in her sound from the main.
7. Chrisette Michele Epiphany
Epiphany is a 2009 album that should be in any fan of Soul music’s collection. It’s something you can just listen to and not bother to press the skip button.
6. The Dream Love vs. Money
The Dream had the ladies wanting to be with his chubby ass and the gentlemen wanting to recite a melody as sweetly as he did when he dropped Love vs. Money. As a college student, I assure you that his voice was coming through every dormitory on campus this year.
5. Fabulous Loso’s Way
5 – Loso’s Way definitely proved the relevance of the artist and told you Fabolous is an immovable attraction in this rap game. Point blank.
4. Jay-Z Blueprint 3
4 – Most critics might put this album in the #1 spot, but it is not an album of that magnitude. The Blueprint 3 is a good album but is not better than any of Jay-Z’s other albums. The only reason in my opinion why many see it as a worthy album for the top slot is because of the name Jay-Z. We as listeners have to strip the artist from his accolades and judge him by the music. Commercial-like songs and a New York anthem are the components that get this album on my list.
3. Rick Ross Deeper Than Rap
Deeper Than Rap was a strong, solid album. Unfortunately, because of the “50 Cent antics” on YouTube and any other media out there that may have injured the rapper’s reputation, people failed to hear the music. Instead, they listen to the sales, which every true student of hip-hop should know quantity does not equal to quality. Rick Ross gave us a thorough album from start to finish with critical singles. And yes, I believe this album is better than Jay-Z’s.
2. J. Cole The Warm Up
2 – J. Cole’s 2009 mixtape entitled The Warm Up is certainly a compilation that resembles a well-put-together album. A key song on the piece is “Lights Please”, which gained the attention of Jay-Z and quickly acquired him a home at Roc Nation. I wish the guy much success. He has a nineties Hov style to him and hopefully attains the same status. Please do not stifle an artist under you that has the potential to be over you Mr. Carter.
1. Drake So Far Gone
The #1 spot has to go to October’s own. Whatever you have to say about him, you cannot deny that Drake has changed the sound of a mixtape and turned the heads of signed artists putting out half-ass albums. No offense. So Far Gone has established a fan base that has fans so far gone. Besides Lady Gaga, Drake was definitely a major factor in 2009. And he deserves it. This 2009 mixtape was undoubtedly the hottest and nicest (there is a difference) set of 17 tracks out this year.
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