As we look back on another year full of ups and downs, gains and losses, #winning and #fails, we’re reminded that the new year is here. And with that comes more “Best of…” lists and countdowns than you could list or countdown. What would a blog be without a list? More specifically, what would a music blog be without one?!
In keeping with our mission to deliver the best of the under-represented, unrecognized, underrated, and unappreciated, we’ve decided to take a somewhat different approach. We’ve compiled a list of the dopest projects that you probably didn’t hear (but really should) in 2012.
DISCLAIMER: This year was a pretty awesome year for music, so this list isn’t comprehensive and could probably be a lot longer…but we could only pick 12 projects. Also, though some of these projects are better than others, this list is in no particular order.
1. Haitus Kaiyote – “Tawk Tomahawk”
With a band name like that and an equally odd album title, I wasn’t expecting to be blown away as much as I was when I first heard this album. It only took hearing the first 4 songs before I was searching for the purchase (yes, I still pay for music) or download button.
Standout Tracks: “Modius Streak”, “Nakamarra”, and “Malika”
Listen to the album here.
2. Action Bronson x Alchemist – Rare Chandeliers
I can’t say that this is an unlikely or unexpected collaboration. I can say that it’s an extremely well executed one though. Bronson’s deliver and wordplay fit quite comfortably over Alchemist’s signature production.
Standout Tracks: “Randy the Musical”, “Eggs on the Third Floor”, and “Mike Vick”
Listen to the album here.
3. OC x Apollo Brown – Trophies
This is vintage hip hop meets 2012. Dope collaboration between legendary emcee OC and legendary Detroit producer Apollo Brown.
Standout Tracks: “Anotha One”, “We The People”, and “Fantastic”
Listen to the album here.
4. Chris Turner – “LOVElife is a Challenge”
Chris Turner is dope. Period. As a rep of the Romantic Movement collective (which also includes Mara Hruby and Jesse Boykins III), Turner blesses the fans with the collection of “LOVE”. As the song goes, it’s what the world needs now.
Standout Tracks: “Let Go”, “Outta My Mind”, and “Sticky Green”
Listen to the album here.
5. Oddisee – People Hear What They See
Artist, producer, and D.C. native, Oddisee, has been on the scene for a while. And not on the scene in the sense of just being seen, but actually being a productive contributor to the coolness of the scene.
Standout Tracks: “Let It Go”, “American Greed”, and “You Know Who You Are”
Listen to the album here.
6. Domo Genesis x Alchemist – No Idols
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m not a huge fan of OFWKTA. Not that they don’t have talent, because they do. As individual artists, most of them shine. But as a collective they’re not the easiest to digest. With that said, I was a little reluctant to even listen to this project. I was quickly made a believer. Domo is for real. And when you add Alchemist to the equation, you get that work!
Standout Tracks: “No Idols”, “All Alone”, and “Elimination Chamber”
Listen to the album here.
7. S3 (Miles Bonny x Brenk Sinatra) – Supa Soul Shit
Yet, another artist-producer collaboration done right. KC-native (and flugelhorn extraordinaire) Miles Bonny joined forces with Vienna producer, Brenk Sinatra to form Supa Soul Shit aka S3. Took me listening to it twice all the way through before I was completely convinced that this definitely needed to be shared with the masses.
Standout Tracks: “Get This Money” and “Sprinkle”
Listen to the album here.
8. Guilty Simpson x Apollo Brown – Dice Game
This project is the flower that grows from the concrete. And this just isn’t regular concrete. This is Detroit’s grimiest, yet finest concrete – the combination of Guilty Simpson’s gritty hood flow and Apollo Brown’s street anthem-like production. Two of Motor City’s monsters came together and gave us a masterpiece.
Standout Tracks: “Let’s Play”, “Truth Be Told”, and “Lose You”
Listen to the album here.
9. CharlieRED – Religion EP
Content. Concept. Context. All awesome. Singer/songwriter Rocki Evens connected with producer Cobaine Ivory and they became CharlieRED. The result of this collaboration is the Religion EP.
Standout Tracks: “Could Be”, “Norah Jones”, and “Religion”
Listen to the album here.
10. Rapsody – The Idea of Beautiful
Rapsody is…(insert just about any adjective used to describe something amazing). As a soldier of 9th Wonder’s Jamla Army, she takes to the battlefield ready for combat. And this album is her victory flag.
Standout Tracks: “Non Fiction”, “Destiny”, and “Come Home”
Listen to the album here.
11. Elijah Blake – Bijoux 22
Singer/songwriter Elijah Blake wrote and sang some real dope songs on this recent release, Bijoux 22.
Standout Tracks: “Birdz”, “Beloved”, and “Everything”
Listen to the album here.
12. Robert Glasper – Black Radio Recovered: The Remix EP
This was an awesome amendment to an already awesome project. But I won’t complain. The Remix EP reintroduced, or shall I say re-cut, several gems from the Black Radio album. He took diamonds and made them all blingier (it’s a word O_o).
Listen to the album here.
Albums That Deserve To Be Mentioned:
* Gangrene (Oh No x Alchemist) – Vodka and Ayahuasca
* Benny Sings – The Best of Benny Sings
* Actual Proof – Black Boy Radio
* Kids These Days – Traphouse Rock
* The xx – Coexist
* Pac Div – GMD
What would you add to the list? Let us know in the comment section.
thisaintthat.wordpress.com 