2008 to Date Wrap Up

Before we head into the big holiday rush, which will see the release of many blockbuster albums like Dr. Dre's Detox, Jay-Z's Blueprint 3 and Kanye's Love Lockdown, let's take a look at what 2008 had to offer. Some albums delivered, some disappointed and some came outta nowhere get surprised the hell outta us. And on top of that, there were some sick new tracks and mixtapes which rivaled studio albums. So lets take a quick look at what rocked 2008 to date.




EMC - The Show

This album sorta came outta nowhere for me. Never was a Masta Ace fan, but he, Punchline, Wordsworth and Strick delivered one of the chillest albums I've heard in a while. Songs like Traffic brought a really nice summer feeling (though the album came out in early Spring), while hard hitting tracks like "What it Stand For" and "The Show" delivered some nice gritty rap.
Definitely check it out if you are an Ace fan or into chicago style rap. It's also one of the best done concept album in a while, with the skits flowing perfectly with it's songs.

Songs to Download

- Traffic
- What It Stand For
- Who We Be
- Grudge
- Winds of Change



Nas - The Nigger Tape

This mixtape was something special. It really rivaled actual studio albums. It had some really nice tracks on it like the DJ Khalil produced Esco, Let's Go (What It Is). Hero shocked everyone, with it's banging beat, something Nas didn't usually do. Some previews of what was to come like the tracks Black President and The Slave and The Master were nice. Other highlights on the album included the controversial Be A Nigger Too and Cops Keep Firing. Plus, another nice touch on the album was The Nas Timeline, which, if you were a big Nas fan, was just sick to hear.

Songs to Download

- Esco Let's Go
- Cops Keep Firing
- Be A Nigger Too


G-Unit- Terminate on Sight

Honestly, this album was a let down. After the lackluster releases from the G-Unit camp in recent years from Yayo, 50, Buck and Banks, I was expecting a big comeback. It just didn't happen though. One of the biggest problems was the fact that Yayo pretty much took Buck's place on the album, and, you know how I feel about Yayo. With that all said and done, the album DID have some nice tracks on it which felt like they belonged in the Beg For Mercy days.

Songs to Download

- Casualties of War
- Straight Outta Southside
- Rider Pt 2
- Let It Go


Bun B - II Trill

Once again Bun-B brings the whole Houston squad in for his sequel to the 2005 album Trill. To be honest I slept on II Trill when it first came out. But I gave it a listen and ever since then the album has been in my rotation. There are a lot of bangers on this album so it safe to say there is top notch production on this one. Just like Bun's last album he is holding down UGK and his partner Pimp C. Bun speaks on what he's been going through since Pimp's death and there are a couple songs dedicated to him. Bun proved that UGK is forever on II Trill, its a defininate pick up for all UGK and southern rap fans.

Songs to Download
- Damn I'm Cold (ft Lil Wayne)
- You're Everything (ft David Banner, Rick Ross, 8 Ball & MJG)
- Pop It 4 Pimp (ft Juvenile & Webbie)
- If I Die II Nite (ft Young Buck & Lyfe Jennings)
- Another Soldier (Mddl Fngz & Cobe)



The Roots - Rising Down

The Philly group pleased fans with this album, which held up pretty well to the high standards of the Roots. I'm not much of a fan of them, but they did put out some heat. It was cool to finally see Saigon on a album track.

Songs to Download

-Criminal
-75 Bars
-Rising Down

Nas- Untitled

The highly anticipated album from the legendary Queens rapper delivered, depending on what you wanted. The album featured lyricism at it's finest, with Nas riding the smooth production perfectly. Most of the songs were very political and mellow, with some hard hitting tracks like Hero and Black President spread out in between. The album is definitely worth a listen, cus in tracks like You Can't Stop Us Now and Sly Fox, Nas really has something to say.

Songs to Download:

- You Can't Stop Us Now
- America
- Testify
- Sly Fox
- Hero
- Fried Chicken


Lil Wayne - The Carter III

Oh man was this album huge. The hype, the sales, got damn. Was it all deserved though? That is entirely up to you. Myself, not being a huge Wayne fan, I still thought the album was a good listen. Some of the songs were really creative, like Mr. Carter. Other songs were just unexpectedly genius, like the song that took over the summer, A Millie. Pretty much EVERY rapper jumped on that song. I just wish Wayne could get off the drugs and fix his damn voice. Also, I have no idea why he left Gossip and Im Me off the album (though they're on the bonus CD).

Songs to Download

- Mr. Carter
- Dr. Carter
- A Millie
- Im Me
- Gossip


Chamillionaire - Mixtape Messiah 4

Wow! This mixtape was straight fire from beginning to end. Once again Chamillionaire shows just how innovative he is compared to these other rappers. Dude is way too talented! Almost every hook he does is fire and he drops very solid verses. It's a shame he is not given the recongnition he deserves yet. MM4 was well worth the wait and after his very slept on Ultimate Victory I must say I can't wait for his next album.

Songs to Download:
- Roll Call Reloaded
- The Real Thang
- Gotta Be Playa (ft Famous)
- Answer Machine 3
- On The Grind Homie
- Middle Finger Up

Guilty Simpson - Ode to the Ghetto

This dude is one of the few rappers keeping it real and releasing that good, gritty street rap. And this album delivers it in spades. Featuring some real smooth sample based production, this album is a real treat in the to hear in the sea of generic bullshit rap of today. Definitely check this album out. Shout out to Black Milk hahaha.

Songs to Download:
- Run
- Foot Work
- Get Bitches
- The Future (ft MED)
Young Jeezy - The Recession

Jeezy just came out with his latest album, and if you're a Jeezy fan, it delivered in spades. Full of loud and hard hitting production, the album is what you expect from Jeezy. Though the album didn't quite reach the greatness of Thug Motivation, it came damn close. And Put On was an anthem. Definitely check it out.

Songs To Download

- Put On
- Crazy World
- Hustla's Ambition


The Game - L.A.X.

This CD was what I was hoping for. For one, even though Game is a West Coast rapper, I'm really glad he ended up going with East Coast production. It's just more gritty and more serious. I'm not even gonna bother to explain why this album is good, just let the tracks speak for themselves. There are quite a few gems on this CD I see myself listening to for years to come. Game's impersonation of Nas on "Let Us Live" alone makes this album worth checking out.

Songs to Download

- Let Us Live
- State of Emergency
- My Life
- BulletProof Diaries
- Angel
- Camera Phone
- LAX Files
Tip, son you did it again! Another banging album has your name printed on it! I've been a T.I. fan since he dropped Trap Muzik and with every album he drops he get better and better. Every single prior to the release of Paper Trail was hot! Tip speaks on what has been going on in his life for the past year now. He even explains to us why he bought those guns and his beef with Shawty Lo (who?). This album is WAY more mainstream then his other albums but all his street tracks on this album are good. It's a definite pick up for anyone looking for a more mainstream album

Songs To Download:
- I'm Illy
- Ready For Whatever
- Dead And Gone
- Live Your Life
- On Top Of The World
- Whatever You Like

Other titles worth checking out include

LL Cool J - Exit 13
Tech N9ne - Killer
GZA - Pro Tools
Snoop Dogg - Ego Trippin


Written by Docta Joe and Red Drama