Top 10 Albums of 2010

On the first #musicmonday of 2011, I want to share my favourite albums of 2010. Usually I rely on iTunes’ play count to get my favourite tracks and albums of the year. You will realise the list is dominated by hip hop. I listen to that a lot.

1. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West

2. B.o.B Presents: The Adventures of Bobby Ray - B.o.B

Bobby Ray’s debut is my number 2 for 2010. The compositions are great, so are the samples. B.o.B displays his singing, composition & rapping skills on the album. I was banging this album non-stop in 2010 and some of the tracks still appear in my playlists.

3. Recovery - Eminem

It is no coincidence this album was the top selling hip hop album of 2010. Eminem goes hard on this one. 

4. Thank Me Later - Drake

Most anticipated album of the year if you ask me. I brushed it aside initially but when I finally got to listening to it, I was totally hooked. 

5. Love King - The-Dream

Hands down, my favourite R&B album of the year! The-Dream is a genius. He delivers for me a classic album; better than his previous albums.

6. Doo-Wops & Hooligans - Bruno Mars 

Bruno Mars. Bruno Mars. Bruno Mars. Doo-Wops & Hooligans is a great album especially for a debut. 

7. Teflon Don - Rick Ross

Although I think Deeper Than Rap is better than Teflon Don, it is a pretty good album. Rozay doesn’t disappoint on this album.

8. Distant Relatives - Nas & Damian Marley

Best collaborative album of 2010. It is good blend of hip hop and reggae. I hope the duo delivers another album. 

9. Rockstarr - Taio Cruz

Technically, this is a 2009 album but it was the 2010 US release that caught my attention. This is my favourite pop album of 2010. I love every track on it. Dynamite is my banger!

10. Raymond v. Raymond - Usher

I like every song on this one. I was greedy for more, I had to find the tracks which didn’t make the album. Slippin didn’t make the album but it has a message for every man out there.

Now I recognise that there are some albums I probably missed. Nicki Minaj’s Pink Friday is not on my list because I didn’t give it a listen and I think it still wouldn’t have made the list. 

Mike Posner’s 31 Minutes to Takeoff is one album I missed. It was released right after I lost my mac so I didn’t get to give it a good listen. The singles were good so I reckon, the album was too. 

I also feel The Roots’ How I Got Over should be in the list somewhere…. but which album do I drop from the list. Consider is part of the list then.

Let the music start!

Love King In Stores Today!

Today is 06.29.10. The day Terius Nash aka The-Dream’s third album drops. The-Dream is a very good and talented song-writer, producer and singer. His debut Love Hate was ok. Love vs. Money was better and now Love King is even better. 

I am calling ‘Love King’ an R&B classic. I think it has what it needs to be called one. The songs on the album are just too good. The lyrics, I can’t even begin to phantom where and how he came about with them.

If I am asked my favourite song on the album, I won’t be able to say. I love every track on there. Love King is available on iTunes and other online music stores. You can buy it here. You will be treated to some nice songs like; February Love, Yamaha, Florida University, F.I.L.A and Make Up Bag

I am known to download leaked music. Yes and I am a supporter of bittorrent too. For me, I think that’s the best way of promoting an album. Singles don’t move me. I get the bootleg off the internet and if it sounds good, then it’s worth my money. I don’t like CDs. They are obsolete to me and not green enough. It is cool to have the cover and posters which come with a CD but it’s even cooler to have an iTunes LP or a digital booklet. So as proof to all who ask whether I really buy the CDs, here is a screenshot for you aka proof of purchase :)

Beats by Dr Dre Studio + Logitech Z-5500

I love music. It defines me. It keeps me company. It heals me. It makes me happy. I love music!

There are two things I really want right now; Beats by Dr Dre Studio/Solo HD and a Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Speaker System. Heaven knows what I will do for these $750 goodies. I have been daydreaming about them all morning. 

I have been wanting Beats by Dr Dre for some time but seeing football players rock it at the world cup makes me want it more. I am just picturing myself on a trotro with my Studio or Solo HD plugged in. I won’t even feel the traffic. Haters gonna be mad. I am being childish again. I know, I know! I work or study best when I am listening to music on high volume. O Beats by Dr Dre Studio, how I truly desire you! Beats by Dr Dre Solo HD goes for $230 and Beats by Dr Dre Studio for a whooping $350. It is expensive but I have no doubts the experience will be worth it. I just put it on my wishlist.

My faithful Harman Kardon Soundsticks II has served me well for the past four years and I don’t want it to die on me. I need a replacement for it. The candidate is the Logitech Z-5500 Digital 5.1 Speaker System. I ordered one in 2007 but didn’t have money to pay for the other charges (VAT, etc) the shop was asking for. The Z-5500 produces a 505-watt surround-sound power, has a nice control panel and the satellite speakers are wall mountable. At $400, it is going to hit my pocket deep but I hope to get it someday soon.

Till then, I dream on :)

Mixtape Madness

Last week was wow! I had been listening to Tyga and Chris Brown’s Fan of a Fan mixtape and then Rick Ross dropped The Albert Anastasia EP and T.I. also dropped Fuck A Mixtape. The weekend was off the hook with these mixtapes even though I was in bed most of the time ‘cos I got nasty ol’ malaria again.

The Albert Anastasia EP is the prequel to Rick Ross’ summer release; Teflon Don. The 13 track EP qualifies as an album. If these are the rejected tracks off Teflon Don, then it’s going to be a hot one. Rick Ross continues to identify himself with gangsters on this one too. He also calls himself MC Hammer on the track MC Hammer. His new manager Diddy does the Intro and there are other crazy tracks like Nasty, Sweet Life with John Legend and All I Need with Birdman and Trey Songz. He even got Kool G Rap on the track Knife Fight. Download The Albert Anastasia EP now. Oh yea Rick Ross joined twitter over the weekend. Check him out @rickyrozay :)

Fuck A Mixtape

This is Tip’s first project since he got out of jail. Hosted by DJ Drama and DJ MLK, this mixtape is on point. It features Killer Mike, Lil’ Wayne, Young Jeezy, MacBoney, Rashad, Lil Duval, Kevin Heart and Jamie Fox. T.I. even put his first single of his August 17th album King Uncaged titled Got Your Back featuring Keri Hilson on it. I like the mixtape. Yeah with Lil Wayne is on fire and so is that joint with Killer Mike; Ready Set Go. Got Your Back is already killing it on the radio in the USA. Download Fuck A Mixtape here :)

Fan Of A Fan

Cash Money’s Tyga teams up with Chris Brown for the DJ Rockstar and DJ Ill Will hosted mixtape; Fan Of A Fan. I bet you’ll love every track on this one. I have been banging it hard since it dropped two weeks ago. Seriously, this should have been an album. It’s better than a lot of albums I have heard this year. Chris Breezy keeps his composure and merks every track there. Tyga also does his think and Kevin MacCall does his thing on the mixtape too. I posted my favorite off the mixtape Ain’t Thinkin’ Bout You featuring Bow Wow here and it has recieved 298 plays and a couple of reblogs. Number 1, Deuces and No Bullshit are all off the hook! I can really relate to this one. It’s therapeutic. Download Fan of a Fan now!!!

I think these three mixtapes should have been albums. I would gladly buy all of them! Don’t take my word, just download and form your opinion on it.

What I’m Listening To

It’s been a while since I did a music post. For the past weeks, I have been listening to some really cool albums and I would be damned if I don’t share it with you dear reader. If you don’t know, I love music. Music is me. Sad thing however is I can’t sing. My voice is that awful. In high school, my mates would stop singing at mass and take a mean look at me and beg me to stop singing. In uni, I got the same reaction too. One day I will release an album and send all those who said I can’t sign autographed copies.

Let’s delve right in. As usual, my favourites on the albums are the ones with the asteriks.

1. Raymond v. Raymond - Usher

Usher’s 7th studio album Raymond v. Raymond is worth the wait. I happened to have some of the tracks that didn’t make the final cut and I am that sure Usher could have pulled a double cd. This is a pretty good album. I 

*Guilty *Foolin’ Around *Okay *Hey Daddy (Daddy’s Home)

*Slippin’ *Take That ➲ didn’t make the final cut

2. My World 2 - Justin Bieber

Yes oooo! I have been listening to Justin B. He’s not bad. I think the problem most people have with him is his personality and how he has been spamming our twitter trends. For his age, he is that good. Sometimes I listen to his songs and say it would sound better if he were older. Nontheless, I like ‘My World 2’. Even if you don’t like Justin Bieber, give the album a listen and draw your conclusion.

*Never Let Me Go *Overboard *Stuck in the Moment

3. New Amerykah Part Two (Return Of The Ankh) - Erykah Badu

I know y’all know she got an album out because of her controversial Window Seat video. Look past the video and you will see a good Erykah Badu album.

*WIndow Seat *Jump in the Air

4. Still Standing - Monica

Monica tells the whole world with her album title that she hasn’t gone anywhere and she still stands. This is an OK album. 

5. Shut Up N Listen - Shanell aka SNL

Aside Wayne and maybe Drake, Shanell is my favourite artiste on the Young Money Label. She is really underrated and I am sure very soon, we will all see her worth. I like her previous mixtape; A Taste Of Shanell aka SNL but I think this one is better. The title says it all. Just shut up and listen to my girl Shanell aka SNL

*Tell Me [rmx] Feat. Jae Millz *Me N My Feat. Eve *Choose You [rmx] Feat. Ryan Leslie *It’s The Beat

6. Victory - DJ Khaled

This album is nowhere close to We The Best but it’s worth giving it a listen. 

*All I Do Is Win *Bringing Real Rap Back *On My Way *Ball *Put Your Hands Up

I am impatiently waiting for a couple of albums too. 

Teflon Don

Rick Ross’ Teflon Don is still my most anticipated 2010 album. Deeper Than Rap was so good and I am hoping the Boss will deliver a much better one this year. Ricky has dropped two tracks off it already; Mafia Music 2 with Chrisette Michelle and So High which features label mate Ne-Yo. Teflon Don is slated for June 29th. I am surely copping this one.

B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray

The sensation right now!!! No it isn’t Nicki Minaj and Drake is so 2009. It’s Grand Hustle’s very own B.o.B aka Bobby Ray. This kid is killing it. He has got the radio locked right now and I am betting on his album B.o.B Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray which drops April 27th. If you haven’t heard any of B.o.B’s singles then I bet you just got back from Uranus. Don’t Let Me Fall is my favourite B.o.B track right now. He is a real musician. He can sing, rap, play guitar, and produce. Yep, he produced Don’t Let Me Fall, Lovelier than you along with 5 other songs on the album. Check out Lovelier Than You, Airplanes and the banging single Nothin’ On Me and don’t forget B.o.B Presents The Adventures Of Bobby Ray drops on April 2

This is my ‘Mon Lecture’ playlist for today. Enjoy!

1. Wavin’ Flag Feat. Will.I.Am & David Guetta - K’naan

2. Super High Feat. Ne-Yo - Rick Ross

3. Don’t Let Me Fall - B.o.B

4. Bullshittin - Big Sean

5. Airplanes - B.o.B

6. Tell Me [rmx] Feat. Jae Millz - Shanell aka SNL

7. Lovelier Than You - B.o.B

8. Till It All Falls Down - Jadakiss

9. Shutterbug - Big Boi

10.Winner Feat. J. Timberlake & T.I. - JAmie Foxx

11.I’m Ill [rmx] Feat. The L.O.X - Red Café

12.Do This Shit Again Feat. Yo Gotti, Rick Ross & Schife - Gucci Mane

13.Familiar Faces - Rhymefest

14.Hello Good Morning [rmx] Feat. T.I. & Rick Ross - Diddy/Dirty Money

15.Over - Drake

16. F.I.L.A (Falling In Love Again) Feat. T.I. - The-Dream

iTunes Moment: Ego Trippin’

There comes a time when there’s no good album out there to listen to. When this happens, you go through your library for a good old abulm to listen to or you just allow iTunes Genius or Shuffle to do the magic for you.

Today, iTunes Genius Mixes did it for me. It pointed me to a song off one of my favourite 2008 albums and I just had to jump on the album. My Hip-Hop/Rap Mix pointed to Waste Of Time - Snoop Dogg Feat. Raphael Saadiq. OMG! I gotta get on Ego Trippin, I said to myself. That’s what I need. That’s what I have to listen to.

Ego Trippin’ is a 2008 album by west coast rapper Snoop Dogg. Ego Trippin’ sounds a lot different from his other albums Doggystyle, No Limit Top Dogg, Da Last Meal, Rhythm and Gangsta [The Masterpiece] etc. This one is softer. Back in 2008, I used to bump this album all day. I remember bumping it from Accra to Kumasi and back.

My Fave tracks on this one are:

* Why Did You Leave Me Feat. Chily Chil

* Can’t Say Goodbye Feat. Charlie Wilson

* Waste Of Time Feat. Raphael Saadiq

* One Chance (Make It Good)

* Those Gurlz

* Been Around Tha World

* Deez Hollywood Nights

* Neva Have 2 Worry

* Gangsta Like Me

* Life Of Da Party Feat. Too Short & Mistah F.A.B.

Almost every track on it :)