Dopest Albums of 2010 Part 2

The next 3 albums we gona get into are a mix of local talent from San Jose (Rey Resureccion), Oakland (Zion I),  as well as the East coast's  Brooklyn/New Jersey (Skyzoo & Illmind) . Each of these albums blended dope beats, unique lyricism, storytelling and fresh style and helped re-create a familiar sound, yet add something new in 2010.

Quick reminder check me out on 90.5FM KSJS, thursdays 6-10am FRESH TO DEATH.... or stream it at : http://www.ksjs.org/ksjs_live.
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Rey Resureccion- Sleeping Giants
http://www.cloutonline.com/2010/12/sleeping-giants-album-download/

Rey Resureccion's Sleeping Giants is San Jose at its finest. Fresh beats, suitable flows that match up with each track perfectly, features that enhance each track. It features some dope 408 producers such as Cutso of the Fingerbangerz, Barry Bones and ChexMex as well as Nima Fadavi. Also has DJ Squareweezy (Fingerbangerz), DJ Traps(Freshmen Crew), and DJ Rcade(BevMo) scratching on different tracks. Whether its on the melodic Who Want it feat. E-Sik, posse track Tripple Beam with Noah Deeakili, Apakalips and Matty Slims, or on classic hip hop tracks like Gunman, Spell or King of the Town, Rey Resureccion delivers an album that can be played all the way through. A unique track is Hometown, a san jose anthem, produced by Cutso which has a nostalgic feel, and does a good job wrapping the album out. I definetely have some favorites on the album, which are Every Moment (with Paulie Rhymes, Vic Freeze & G Owens), Who Want It, King of the Town & Hometown, but i can confidently say, there aren't any weak tracks on this. Big ups to Clout Magazine, Cukui and Rey Resureccion from providing Sleeping Giants, something all San Jose hip hop heads can be proud of.

Zion I- Atomic Clock

Emcee Zumbi and producer Amplive provide us with another instant classic this past year when they dropped Atomic Clock. The album is filled with potential underground mega hits such as the collaboration, "So many Stylez" with Rebelution, which recently reached #1 on 90.5FM KSJS's charts, as well has receiving spins at many other online and college radio stations. The album also has tracks like "The Sealing", a upbeat, catchy banger, and "The History", a creative track which takes us back through Zion I's journey and explains how the group came together. Despite being their 6th studio album (7 if you count the collabo with The grouch), Zion I still manages to keep it fresh and bring us an album that really had no weak tracks. Tracks like "Always, 4 u and Signs of Light" are not exactly my favorites, but  others will find these ballads dope and some may even think these the albums best tracks. Other notable tracks is the ode to the ladies in "Girlz" as well as the hard track "Polarity" featuring raw spitters Macklemore and Locksmith (of the Frontline). Overall Amplive provides another creative set of beats and through his vision and emcee Zumbi's unique style, Zion I created another hit with Atomic Clock, thus its no brainer why its considered one of 2010's best.

Skyzoo & Illmind- Live from the TapeDeck

With his latest project, Skyzoo (106 & Park battles) brings us a new fresh concept with Illmind on the beats providing a nostalgic, early 90s feel, yet with dope delivery, lyricicism, and vivid stories that showcase Skyzoo's hard punches and flows as well as story-telling ability. Skyzoo's first solo album without the production of past super producer collaborators such as 9th Wonder and J Dilla (R.I.P.), Live from the tapedeck is one of the freshest albums of 2010. With lead single "Speakers on Blast" becoming a fan favorite, it also features dope tracks such as Frisbees (which also has an interesting music video) & Langston's Pen. Some other amazing tracks on the album are the graffiti anthem "Krylon" and The Boondocks inspired "Understanding Riley". Also another interesting track is "Kitchen Table" which has some great lyrics about providing for one's family and social responsibility. All in all, though some hardcore Skyzoo fans were a bit dissapointed, this album was a blessing in today's hip hop and was one of my favorites from 2010.

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Music & more: Some of 2010's dopest albums... part 1

We're gona start this blog off by re-capping the dopest albums of 2010. Here's the first 3.... not in any particular order.


Music & more: Some of 2010's dopest albums... part 1: "Joe Budden- Mood Muzik 4 Joey brings his A-game once again with his mixtape Mood Muzik 4. Working with several producers, the album's best ..."

Some of 2010's dopest albums... part 1

Joe Budden- Mood Muzik 4

Joey brings his A-game once again with his mixtape Mood Muzik 4. Working with several producers, the album's best tracks are produced by J. Cardim, but also Just Blaze and Megaman. There are several standout tracks, but overall the album has a cool vibe that is personal, dark, yet introspective, something Budden usually brings to the table, but even more so this time around. Standout tracks include Sober Up, yet another track with a slight sample reference to 2pac's "hail mary", but also featuring a dope melodic beat from j. Cardim and a hot verse from fellow slaughterhouse MC, Crooked I. Another great track is his posse cut featuring Fabolous, Royce the 5'9 and Lloyd Banks, called "Remember the Titans" A Similar track, "Desert 4 thought" featuring Pusha T & Styles P is also inmpressive. Another great track, produced by megaman & Zalezy is "Black Cloud", where Budden vents to us about various issues from girls to beef, to stardom. Some other solid tracks are stuck in the moment, produced by Just Blaze, Follow my lead feat. Joell Ortiz and Aftermath, produced by Fliccs. Overall this is not your average mixtape, and Joe Budden proves once again, that although he may have been a one-hit wonder on commercial radio, he still has alot to prove in the underground rap scene and Mood Muzik 4 is a step in the right direction for him and slaughterhouse.

 Shad- TSOL

Underground canadian MC, Shad's TSOL was one of the most impressive independent efforts of 2010. The album is filled with dope tracks, suitable beats from various producers. Shad proves that he can spit over a variety of laid-back beats, whether jazzy or soulful like "Lucky 1s", "Rose Garden" and "Keep Shining", or classic hip hop tracks like "A Good Name" and "Listen" or even more uptempo unique beats which he flipped nicely on "We are the ones", my favorite track off the album. His lyricism is on-point and he does a good job balancing exploring different facets through his spit, yet still keeping it relevant and relatable for wide range of listeners. If you have slept on Shad, nows the time to catch on, and his 3rd studio album, TSOL is one of 2010's best.

Soul Khan- Soul Like Khan

Soul Khan proves with "Soul Like Khan" that battle rappers can make good music. The album has no weak tracks, dope production, primarily from J57. Soul manages to combine his knowledge, vocabulary, ferociousness, humor and humbleness into this album. Every song has some kind of purpose and he is a good storyteller, as well as lyrically able. Tracks like "For That", which has Soul spittin about hip-hop and his love for the art are instant classics. While tracks like laid back tracks about the industry like "Fe La Soul" and "Minyan" are great indicators of Soul's readiness to blow, as well as his ode to LA "place that birthed me" and the funny "So I says" or the lead single "Fahrenheit" which shows Soul's more aggressive side. Soul Khan has the ability to get his message across, provide entertaining commentary while still providing dope delivery, beats and an overall impressive final product. "Soul Like Khan" was a complete album that can be played without skipping a track.