A Journey Into Sound: 9/3/10

Throughout the summer of 2010, Hip-Hop has had its ups and downs. Full of club bangers and sub-par lyricism, Hip-Hop has attracted a larger crowd but has lost a few true hipsters in the process.

Starting the summer off, Lil’ Wayne’s label of protégé’s received Gold status for their album, We Are Young Money. It includes the likes of Drizzy “Jimmy” Graham, and the crazy chick with a different hairstyle every video that can never seem to stop yelling. While Lil’ Wayne, (along with a few other rappers), is taking an iron vacation, Ludacris seems to have taken his spot in terms of features, jumping on songs with Taio Cruz to break hearts and to talk about puppy love with Justin Bieber. Battle of the Sexes, Luda’s 7th studio album, has received positive reviews. The main topic of the album is found in the title (just take off an “e” and an “s”).

After the smoke died down from Luda, big bad Jimmy stepped in the room, pleasing fans with his debut album Thank Me Later. Selling almost 500,000 in its first week, it was a big major label debut album – rare in an age where people have the download button at their fingertips. The album has sold over one million copies since. Keep up the good work Drizzy.
However, just as Ludacris’ success died down, so did Drakes’ when Eminem’s Recovery hit stores. Selling 750,000 its first week, Recovery came in at number one on the Billboards Top 200, dethroning Drake, and giving Eminem his 6th consecutive number one album. While no one has topped Eminem in sales this year, there has still been good music put out in studio album and mixtape form. The Roots’, How I Got Over, is definitely worth a listen. Big Boi’s also been in the game for a while now, but after his split from his fellow group member, Andre 3000, he decided to release a solo album, entitled Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty. Although he received positive reviews for his lyricism, his album sales were not outstanding.

If you know who Wiz Khalifa is, it’s a given that you also know Curren$y. His major label debut, Pilot Talk, has notable tracks that suit his lifestyle. Under shipped, or whatever the case may be, his album did not sell what it should have although the material on the album is still great quality. Officer Ricky also released his fourth studio album, Teflon Don. Though contradictory to his past life, if you’re looking for “base in your trunk and ride-around music”, this is the car album hands down. Some notable releases in the mixtape world are: Brake Lights by Game (formerly The Game), Mr. Zone 6 by Gucci Mane (not lyrical but something to vibe to), K.I.D.S. by Mac Miller (Rostrum Records signee, an even more laid back Wiz Khalifa), The Albert Anastasia EP by Rick Ross (ehh it’s Ricky, gotta love it even if you hate it), and More About Nothing by Wale (audio pictures – enough said). With that update on Summer Hip-Hop happenings, have a nice trip and a safe journey.