Animalistic-Fauna (2010)
Animalistic get the honour (honour probably isn't the right word, I'm sure no one actually cares what I think) of being the only act from a non-English speaking country to make it into this top 100. The duo of Korhymes and SB hail from Utrecht in Holland although you cant really tell as they rap in English and their accents sound almost American but with an odd hint of Dutch, I actually thought they were from the US until I found their website. Their debut album 'Fauna' sounds so much like it was made in the early 90s, the first time I heard it I was pretty sure I was listening to golden age Pharcyde with its chilled out jazz samples, fun, energetic rhyme delivery and boom bap production. Anyone feeling nostalgic about the early 90s era of hip-hop should definitely check this album out.
You can download the album for free from the Animalistic website.
Busdriver- Cosmic Cleavage (2004)
Busdriver has always released some pretty odd stuff, but on this album he gets really bizarre. At only thirty minutes long this is a pretty short album but while it lasts it's an amazing trip through a psychedelic world of acid jazz and super fast raps. If you haven't heard Busdriver before this maybe isn't the best place to start but I think he's an amazing rapper and he really thrives on the weirdness of this project.
Dangerdoom- The Mouse And The Mask (2005)
I absolutely love Danger Mouse and DOOM so I had very high expectations for this album but unfortunately I was a bit disappointed, this is still a fantastic album, I was just expecting a classic. The beats are good, and so is the rapping, but I just feel that DOOM works better over instrumentals that are more dark and obscure. 'The Mouse And The Mask' is still really worth a listen though, you need to hear 'Crosshairs' and the bumping 'Benzi Box' featuring Cee-Lo.
David Banner & 9th Wonder- Death Of A Popstar (2010)
When I first heard about this project I thought it was a very weird pairing, David Banner was known for his heavy club bangers while 9th's vibe is a lot more chilled out and soulful. Surprisingly though they work perfectly together. 9th comes with his usual truck load of soul but Banner has toned down his style, his flow is more mellow while his lyrics are at times romantic and on some tracks even political. Songs 'Stutter', 'Be With You' and 'Silly' are all fantastic, this LP was definitely the surprise hit of the year.
Year Round Records- DJ Premier presents Get Used To Us (2010)
There isn't really that much that needs to be said about this album, we all know Premier is one of the best producers of all time (or at least you should know) and here we have an album full of his signature thumping beats. On top of Premier's sublime production we have an amazing all star cast of guest appearances featuring KRS One, Grand Puba, Lady of Rage and Saigon. You just cant go wrong here.
Heltah Skeltah- D.I.R.T. (2008)
Sean Price has been one of my favourite rappers for a while now and with fellow Boot Camp Clik member Rock joining him again on this album I knew it was going to be good. Heltah Skeltah do what they do best here with some of the best punchline raps in hip-hop, so don't expect any deep, uplifting lyrics, just total destruction of track after track. Both of these guys have almost unbeatable flows and they really prove it on this LP, especially with tracks like 'Insane' and the hilarious 'The Art Of Disrespekinazation'.
Micall Parknsun- Working Class Dad (2005)
Micall Parknsun has to be one of my all time favourite rap names, it's just so British, not only because of the reference but the humour behind it as well. This album is also very British, and quite on the gritty side of the UK scene. Parky has a gravelly voice, a flow that almost stabs the beat and sick punchline raps which go perfectly over the heavy UK style instrumental. 'Working Class Dad' is a serious head nod album, a classic example of the type of music we do so well over here on this side of the pond.
Mos Def- The Ecstatic (2009)
By the time 'The Ecstatic' came out I'd pretty much given up on Mos Def, I really liked his early work but he had been getting progressively worse as time went by. I only got this album because I'd heard Madlib did a lot of the beats, and as usual he delivered, helping make this one of Mos Def's best projects ever. With a great mixture of straight up hip-hop and some other tracks on a more jazzy soulful tip this is a great return to form.
Murs & 9th Wonder- Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition (2004)
Underground MC Murs and beat maker extraordinaire 9th Wonder joined forces for the first time on '3:16', and created what is still by far my favourite album to come from their collaborations. Murs holds down the rapping with his usual excellent blend of funny lines and vivid story telling that has you laughing one moment and almost crying the next. 9th's beats are superb as usual, with plenty of soulful vibes and also some nice funkiness added into the mix.
Non Phixion- The Green CD (2004)
Unfortunately Non Phixion never got around to releasing a proper second LP before they disbanded , but this compilation of unreleased tracks and freestyles is a great substitute. The freestyles on here are great as the raw recordings really suit the hardcore style these guys have. There are some really superb unreleased songs on here too like the awesome 'Scum' with its haunting piano riff that almost gives me goose bumps. Hearing this album makes me sad because I cant help thinking about how much more amazing music we would have if they stayed together.
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