Top Albums of 2010: Hip Hop & R&B

Every year I sit down to compile a list of the best albums of the year. I usually try to write a list of the top five or ten albums, but usually end up getting over my head and even writing on albums that were not released in that year. For instance, last year I released the top ten albums of 2009 and the top ten albums that I discovered in 2009. Some of the albums were the same, and I ended up writing for days on why these albums were so important to me. This year I have decided to go a different route yet again.

This year, while deciding the route I wanted to take, I figured I would write a list of my top five and that’s it. But as soon as I started thinking about all of the great music that came out this year, I knew I had to reconsider. So I decided to break it up into categories. So this year I am writing my top five albums in the following categories:

• Electronic
• Pop
• Country
• Rock & Roll
• Hip Hop & R&B

For each of these I will list them in reverse chronological order and I will discuss each album in detail. So sit back, relax, and let me take you on a tour of what I consider the best music, the best albums of 2010.

Hip-Hop & Rap

When I was younger I used to listen to hip-hop all the time. Perhaps it was because I wanted to rebel against my folks, and I thought it was cool to hear profanity in the lyrics. I still remember the first cuss word I said and when I said it my mom was right there. Zest soap does not taste very good, just saying!

I had to throw this category on here though because there were same pretty awesome albums this year released in this category. It was actually hard breaking this down to the top five because there were a ton of awesome albums dropped. Just how country music is turning to pop, hip-hop and R&B are turning to electronic dance music. It’s a major shift in music, but these guys were on my list!

5. Mike Posner – 31 Minutes to Takeoff

Don’t ask me who this guy is, I have no idea. He hardly ever plays in the United States and I have never heard his name anywhere. But his disc is unreal. He is a mixture of Usher meets Ne-Yo, with a sexy voice that would seduce any woman in the room.

The lyrics are horrible… but they work. That’s what I don’t get, these guys rap about being rich and having all these cars and jewels. Where did they get the money? I have never heard of them! But that’s all right, they produce good music. This album is a journey of R&B with a hint of EDM, bit still a great album and I highly suggest just putting it on repeat for a few days and letting Posner take you away.

4. Taio Cruz – Rokstarr

Again, where did this kid come from? This album, like I was saying, is more dance than anything else. Songs like Dynamite just make me want to dance. But just like I don’t fight, I don’t dance either. I don’t want to show anyone up on the dance floor, of course.

This album is packed with talent, and reminds me of some of Usher’s early stuff. Listening to this disc makes me want to pour a glass of Grey Goose and tip my hat to the ladies and gentlemen surrounding me. The music takes over, and literally makes me want to just relax and sip a drink with my friends. Great tunes from the first track to the last. Blow it up like it’s dynamite!

3. Jason Derulo – Ridin’ Solo

I might not be riding solo, but Jason can ride all he wants. This album kills, from the first track to the last. I love his voice and the tunes behind him match perfectly. Every track is epic, with a steady progression from the first note on. The lyrics are pretty solid too, and for a guy that no one has heard of, his work is impressive.

His track In My Head might be the single best track of the year. The first beat gets me dancing, and then the lyrics take over. I remember nights when this first came out driving home, rolling the windows down, and just blaring this. Now if you want to hear me sing, feed me a few beers and play a track like this. I will belt it out all night long. I see you all over me. In my head!

2. B.o.B – Adventures of Bobby Ray

Where did this guy come from? And what a creative name. B.o.B came out of nowhere and produced the best 17 tracks of the year… almost. The album is packed with guest stars as well, and has a ton of profanity.  Some of the guys appearing on this album include TI (fresh out of prison), Bruno Mars (who has a great album too), and Lupe Fiasco and they rap some sick rhymes.

The album is literally filled with greatness. Its not hardcore rap, really, but it does have a sense of dirty south. He is from Atlanta, you know, so it makes sense. His track Nothin’ On You featuring Bruno Mars is an instant summer classic and it takes me to the beach with a cool drink in my hand. The album is great, that’s all there is too it.

1. Eminem – Recovery

All right, Eminem is fresh out of rehab, and he is back with a new disc titled Recovery. Holy crap, this is hands down the single best album of the year. No question about it, this album kills everything else released this year. I might even put this in the top 10 albums of the decade. This dude is sick, and always has been. I was not a huge fan of his comedy that he came out with, but thanks to the dual personality with Eminem and Marshall Mathers, he managed to pull himself out of that.

This new disc is literally packed with anger. Every single song the dude sounds so pissed off its almost scary. Yes, he cusses a lot, and it seems that the only word he knows starts with an F, but its okay; it’s Eminem. He has some tracks where he features some of the best in the business, and they all make sense. I literally put this disc on and just let all anger pass. He has been through a lot, and you can hear it in his voice. He just sounds mad and that lends to some incredible tines.