ALBUMS
OF THE YEAR 2006 |
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1.
T.I. – The King: In a less than stellar year of Hip Hop music
this is arguably the most balanced album of 2006. With standout tracks such
as “What You Know” and “Why You Wanna,” as singles,
TI held his own on the charts for a good part of the first quarter 2006.
This album was the first this past year to bring UGK back to the mainstream
by featuring them on the album and in the video for “Front Back.”
Along with showing the pioneers love T.I. also featured the likes of BG,
Young Jeezy, Pharrell, Common, Young Buck, Jamie Foxx and introduced the
world to his protégé Young Dro. |
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2.
Snoop Dogg – The Blue Carpet Treatment: Snoop has for over
a decade been one of the most consistent artists in the Hip Hop. This album
marks one of his best efforts to date. Coming off of his stint with The
Neptune’s Startrak label, this album shows more depth to Snoop’s
style. Something we really haven’t really seen album since his debut
in 1993. With standout collaborations with Dr. Dre, The Game, R Kelly, Akon
& Pharrell. This album was one of the most entertaining of 2006 and
stands out mainly for quality of the quantity… That’s something
a lot of artists have trouble doing when they have a lot of tracks on one
album. |
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3.
The Game – The Doctors Advocate: The Game without Dr. Dre???
That’s like Tony Yayo without 50 Cent. BUT! The Game held his own
in 2006 with this album... For the tracks he couldn’t get from Dre
he enlisted some of Dre’s top gunners like JR Rotem and Scott Storch
to get on their Dr. Dre tip. With the mainstream lead single “Let’s
Ride” produced by Storch this album set off to a good start. Overall
this is a much deeper/darker album than his debut, but lacked that depth
in creativity that 50 Cent and Dre provided him. In all The Game definitely
held his own throughout the record and it surely will keep him relevant
for at least one more album. |
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4.
Obie Trice – Second Rounds On Me: Even though this wasn’t
a mainstream success it was one of the most lyrically and diverse projects
of 2006. The production on it was strong, but simple and Obie’s distinct
voice and style transcends through each track. Listen carefully and you’ll
see. Stand out tracks include “Wanna Know,” “Snitch,”
& “Jamaican Girl.” |
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5.
Rick Ross – Port Of Miami & Young Jeezy – The Inspiration
(TIE): Rick Ross has been on the scene for sometimes and finally
had a breakthrough with his hit single “Hustlin’” in
’06 (Mind you – The single was done independently). A deal
with Def Jam and late summer release date resulted in a colorful album
with some of the best production of 2006. Ross’s voice and character
carried this project to it’s success.Young Jeezy’s sophomore
album was a notable late addition to this list mainly because it was so
well rounded and really showed fans that Jeezy wasn’t just a one
album wonder. 16 songs deep and with no real filler; this album shows
more then just slick production and his signature adlibs… It shows
Jeezy is a well rounded artist and deserves the shine he’s gotten.
If TI is the “King of The South,” then Young Jeezy is right
on his ass and ready to snatch the crown. |
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6.
Ludacris – Release Therapy: Ludacris… By far the most
consistent man in Hip Hop. Every year another album better then the last
or at least on that same level. This time around he showed a little more
depth in his rhymes. Told some real stories and touched on social and personal
issues. Luda’s always seemed to carry himself as more of an entertainer
then a teacher and on this effort he showed his more “learned”
side. Overall another solid effort for him and he closes 2006 on a high
note. |
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7.
E-40 – Ghetto Report Card & Ghostface Killah – Fish Scale
(TIE): Underground favorites for years, but never had the mainstream
shine they deserved later on in their careers. 2006 proved otherwise for
these two rap veterans though. E-40 has always been a trendsetting emcee
with his ever changing vocabulary/slang and musical style that seems to
be on a different plain than your typical West Coast artist. On this one
all we have to say is “Tell Me When To Go” and you’ll
know it was all about the Hyphy in Cali this past summer. Ghostface is another
king of the words that always comes up with a new word for everything from
his hat to his socks. Fishscale showed Ghost’s maturity as far as
his song making goes. Going more mainstream on certain songs (“Back
Like That” ft. Ne-Yo) and back to that old Wu-Tang Shaolin style on
songs like “Whipped With A Strap” and the fast and furious “Charlie
Brown.” Production by the late J Dilla made this a treat as well.
It was more refreshing to hear some straight Hip Hop like this in 2006 rather
than the gimmicks. |
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8.
Busta Rhymes – The Big Bang: Busta was on his New York shit
for sure in 2006. Along with almost every rapper from the Big Apple he was
on a crusade to bring it back home. Well he definitely delivered an album
worthy of notoriety for 2006. This is definitely Busta’s best effort
since his 1996 classic “The Coming.” Stand out tracks include
“In The Ghetto,” the lead single: “Touch It” and
“New York” shit. |
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9.
Nas – Hip Hop Is Dead & Jay-Z – Kingdom Come (TIE):
Well… What can we say a lot of hype and hope and these two deliver
pretty much average albums, but they make our list because in 2006 there
wasn’t really much to pick over for “best” albums... Besides
strong names in front of these projects Nas & Jay didn’t deliver
what fans would have expected. Hip Hop is Dead, like most of Nas’s
albums, lacks a center and is full of clutter. Did we need all those tracks
when anyone can just pick out 10-12 songs that will make this one a banger?
Jay’s Kingdom Come will make his fans happy, but to those who haven’t
listened to Jay in the past, they will notice that he’s as off center
as he was on The Blueprint 2 album. “Show Me What You Got” was
the most well produced track on the whole album and songs like “Minority
Report” & “Anything” just ain’t Jay… Jay
maybe rusty, but if he put some serious time and gunned for an early 2007
release he’d probably made another real classic. |
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10.
Fat Joe – Me, Myself & I: “I MAKE IT RAIN ON THESE
HOES!!!” Joey Crack is back and this album is his best in years. So
much lyrical growth and superior production to boot. It wasn’t a commercial
success, but it was something that showed that Joey can still be relevant
in this age of snap music and dumb rappers. Listen to ”Damn,”
“Pandemic” “Think About It” if you have any questions.
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Robin Thicke - Ms. Sexy