Pop Hip-Hop – Fresh Out The Deli

The Heist – Macklemore, Ryan Lewis

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2012 The Heist Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ★½ 33 Hip-Hop Pop Hip-Hop I remember the first time I heard “Thrift Shop” on the radio. I was in the car with someone who didn’t like hip-hop but proclaimed, “This song is so fun!” The second time I heard it (aboutContinue reading “The Heist – Macklemore, Ryan Lewis”

Rolling Papers – Wiz Khalifa

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2011 Rolling Papers Wiz Khalifa ★★½ 56 Hip-Hop Pop Hip-Hop Enjoy the great songs: The smoker vibes, lurking bass tones and ghostly, high-pitched synths on “On My Level.” The laid-back, repetitive guitar and plucky strings on reflective tracks “Hopes & Dreams” and “The Race.” The dark harmonies and contemplativeContinue reading “Rolling Papers – Wiz Khalifa”

Finally Famous – Big Sean

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2011 Finally Famous Big Sean ★★★ 63 Hip-Hop Pop Hip-Hop I think Big Sean’s Finally Famous is one of best sounding projects to emerge from hip-hop blog-era of 2008 to 2013 — which saw the genre frequently embracing and promoting new, young stars but also placed most of themContinue reading “Finally Famous – Big Sean”

Lasers – Lupe Fiasco

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2011 Lasers Lupe Fiasco ★½ 39 Hip-Hop Pop Hip-Hop In one of the worst efforts ever by a record label to elevate a talented artist, 2011’s Lasers — Lupe Fiasco’s third album — pairs one of hip-hops most serious, lyrically gifted and smooth artists of the late 2000s withContinue reading “Lasers – Lupe Fiasco”

Disc-Overy – Tinie Tempah

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2010 Disc-Overy Tinie Tempah ★★ 44 Hip-Hop Pop Hip-Hop I wouldn’t say Tinie Tempah’s debut record Disc-Overy is good, but I wouldn’t say it’s bad either, and like so many other hip-hop records with pop-leaning production of the post-blog era, there’s a fair amount of mindless fun to beContinue reading “Disc-Overy – Tinie Tempah”

B.o.B. Presents: The Adventure of Bobby Ray – B.o.B.

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2010 B.o.B. Presents The Adventures of Bobby Ray B.o.B. ★½ 38 Hip-Hop Pop Hip-Hop Of all of the post blog-era debut albums hat popped up from 2010-12, B.o.B. Presents: The Adventure of Bobby Ray is the most sterilized, generic and pop-radio ready. Simple, repetitive hip-hop drums play behind soft,Continue reading “B.o.B. Presents: The Adventure of Bobby Ray – B.o.B.”

Honestly, Nevermind – Drake ★

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2022 Honestly, Nevermind Drake ★ 24 Pop Pop Hip-Hop What would happen if you took “Passionfruit,” removed the fun character of it and threw it on top of a watered down tropical house beat? What would “One Dance” be like if you removed the memorable upbeat vocals and gaveContinue reading “Honestly, Nevermind – Drake ★”

Dawn AM – The Weeknd ★★

Year Album Artist Stars Score Genre 2022 Dawn AM The Weeknd ★★ 49 Pop Pop Hip-Hop Synthpop If there were still any holdouts hoping that The Weeknd would start inching back towards his darker, more hip-hop roots, Dawn AM should squash any of those lingering thoughts. If 2020’s After Hours was The Weeknd finally admittingContinue reading “Dawn AM – The Weeknd ★★”