MOVIE REVIEW: Straight Outta Compton (2015)

Being a big biopic fan, and an even bigger hip hop fan, Straight Outta Compton ranked among my most anticipated films of the 2015. Despite my passion for rap both historic and contemporary though, I was not 100% familiar with NWA's story. I knew a few things, but this was also a chance for me to learn about the group, their backgrounds and relationships.

Overall, I thoroughly enjoyed this movie, though it most definitely had its fair share of highs and lows. The opening scene was a standout, in which we are introduced to Eazy-E in the midst of some kind of undercover dispute with a few heavily armed individuals. We get an intense chase scene as the police find the house and literally tear it to the ground as Eazy tries to escape. The film then goes about introducing the rest of NWA and we get an instant sense of the racial and political tension surrounding Compton at that time. After the group become fully formed and we meet the manager, Jerry Heller, it is not long before the film takes us to the making of the group's most famous album "Straight Outta Compton" and the subsequent tour that changed the face of hip hop forever.

The second half of the film deals more with the breakdown of the group and mounting pressure between the members and managers. I feel like this is where the film runs into problems. First of all, much of the dialogue that was entertaining in the first half becomes stale and slightly obsolete as the film develops. I feel like as the group matured and the relationships started to show signs of strain, we should have got some more complex scripting. Instead it is all played rather safe, and the intimate interactions between Eazy, Dre, Cube and Jerry Heller seem quite predictable and lacking in inspiration. However the film maintains some very compelling plot points, whilst omitting other key ones (to the disappointment of many hardcore NWA fans). The scene in which we get to see the group reacting to Cube's "No Vaseline" diss is hilarious and one of the standouts in the whole movie. It was equally cool seeing Dre leaving the group to pursue his own ventures with Suge Knight, although I wasn't convinced by the portrayal of Suge by R Marcus. Taylor.

The emotional scenes in the film were also executed reasonably well. Obviously a prominent thread was racial discrimination, which although I knew a lot about already was still shocking to see played out in such a brash manner. One of the scenes depicts a real moment in which the group were warned not to play "Fuck The Police" in concert by the FBI. But in a true act of rebellion they do it anyway and quickly feel the inevitable consequences when they are taken away in police vans. It underlined the genuine threat to free speech that was almost tangible then, but is still definitely present today. Dre hearing that his brother had been killed was probably the saddest moment in the film for me, and definitely had me shedding a few tears. And of course, the death of Eazy-E to AIDS at the backend of the film was also heartbreaking to watch. To see the genuine agony of someone hearing the news that they were going to die at the peak of their powers was profoundly distressing and upsetting.

My main issue with the film was the omission of several key events in NWA's long and busy history that I felt might have been left out intentionally in order to paint Dre and Cube (especially Dre) as better people than perhaps they were back in those days. I thought Eazy was portrayed most accurately, but was demonised slightly for how he handled the band's contracts with Heller. The omission of Eazy's beef with Dre was unforgivable considering it lasted years and would have made for a really interesting dynamic in the latter half of the film. I would have also liked to have seen MC Ren and DJ Yella given more screen time, but I'll let them off considering how much they had to fit into 147 minutes. Apart from that, the film had me gripped for most of the lengthy running time. The performances from the key members were all excellent and of course, the music and live performances of some of my favourite hip hop songs were all thrilling to hear and watch in a cinema setting. For the most part, the film succeeds admirably in giving an exciting overview of the beginning, middle and end of NWA, and all of the people on the periphery of the group back in the day.

All I can say is THANK GOD we didn't get another train-wreck like "Notorious". What we got was a very solid biopic with great acting, compelling action sequences, an insight into racism and hood life in America at that time and of course, some of the best music ever put to tape. What I most liked about it was its accessibility to both newcomers to NWA and long-standing fans of the group. I can even see non-hip hop fans getting something out of this film. A must see for sure!

Acting: 85
Narrative: 70
Visuals: 75
Music: 90

Overall: 80/100

Thoughts On Cecil The Lion

Let's talk about Cecil the lion...

Unless you've been living under a rock, chances are you've heard about the killing of Zimbabwe's "most famous lion" last month, perpetrated by Walter Palmer, an American dentist who reportedly payed $55,000 for the hunt. Let me preface by saying I am a huge animal lover. I have grown up with pets my entire life and have just graduated from an environmental science degree where a large part of the course focussed on animal conservation. When I initially heard about this case, my skin crawled. I have been lucky enough to have visited Africa and go on safari back in 2010, and seeing these magnificent animals roam around in the wild all around me was easily one of the most spiritually rewarding experiences of my life thus far. I remember the moment our group was having lunch in one of the lodges and we got word that a lion had been spotted near the gates. We jumped straight in the truck and went to look for it. About 5 minutes later I glanced over my shoulder and out of the window and  saw this majestic lioness on the precipice of a rise about 50 meters from the van. It was a beautiful sight that has stayed with me and has most definitely left its mark on me and my view of the animal kingdom. So naturally when I first heard that about Cecil being killed, two thoughts naturally came to me. The first was the obvious reaction, "that's disgusting, who could do such a thing?", and secondly "What is so special about THIS lion? Surely this happens all the time." Obviously these two thoughts are conflicting, but on deeper reflection, the first is a purely emotional response whereas the second is an entirely rational and more considered reaction. After seeing how the story has developed, my question is still yet to be answered. It baffles me just how much this story has been blown out of proportion by the news media and also the mass public who have so willingly lapped it up. I have a couple of major issues with the framing of this story which I will briefly discuss below.

1. The sensationalist portrayal of Cecil

This one is of course no surprise. We live in the 21st century, a time where nearly EVERYTHING in the news is designed to either scare, excite or confuse the public. Sensationalism is far from exclusive to this story, but this has taken it to a whole new level in my eyes. First of all the labelling of Cecil as "famous" by the west. I'm sure Cecil never asked for this title, nor wanted it. In fact, a large part of the framing of why we should care about this animal was placed in the fact that he was well known and beloved. But how many in the west knew or cared for Cecil before the shooting? He was certainly well loved in Zimbabwe, and by the Oxford University department tracking and studying him. But aside from that, my guess is there weren't too many who cared deeply for him outside of his home country. But after a week or so of forcing this story on us day after day, every man and his dog suddenly became his biggest fan and a bonafide "expert" on the case, despite not being there and before any legal proceedings or statements had been issued. Why aren't the 96 other lions that are poached each year being given the same treatment? Or how about the 100,000 African elephants that have been killed in the last 3 years for their ivory? The answer is simple - the media needs to make it relatable and marketable. Statistics aren't relatable, a singular "famous" animal with a cute name is. It sells newspapers. This can be extrapolated far beyond this story. It is indicative of any problem in society today. The problem with this is, even though it gets people talking and debating in depth about the incident, the overall result is not usually a significant change in the status quo but simply people looking to point the finger at one person - in this case Walter Palmer. As much as I believe the dentist should be held accountable for any illegal activity he engaged in (if there was any), I think it achieves absolutely nothing to victimise him to the point of being named "the most hated man in America". Yet it is crystal clear that this is the media's agenda. It is time for us all to wake up and educate ourselves on the issue of big game hunting, determine whether there is a problem, and then tackle it from its roots. We can not hope to do this if we are continually seduced and divided by the media.

2. The hypocrisy of the case

I know, I know, I'm hardly discussing anything here that hasn't been brought up thousands of times before. But it needs to be reinforced. I really don't understand how any meat-eating westerner can be outraged by the killing of Cecil. And before you say "hunting for food is different than hunting for pleasure", I want you to consider whether there is actually much difference between the two. Hunting and eating animals as a source of food, it could easily be argued, is completely unnecessary in this day and age, especially for affluent westerners. It is an indulgence and a choice. So in fact, I would argue that hunting for food IS hunting for pleasure. The facts and science on this issue are as clear as day. Vegetarians and vegans can obtain EVERY vital nutrient they need from plant-based sources. They are also responsible for a drastically lower carbon footprint than meat-eaters, with 75% of total nitrogen and carbon emissions in agriculture coming from the rearing of livestock. It also requires a lot more land than arable farming as feed must be grown in addtion simply to feed farm animals. And then there's the ethical debate. A single lion can be shot and killed instantly and cause universal outrage, but caged chickens and pigs can have their legs broken and be forced to continue feeding to make them as fat as possible, all the while being kept in pens and cages barely big enough to accommodate them. Yes I know we all eat free range nowadays, but nonetheless, the meat industry can never be 100% ethical. It will probably shock anyone reading this to hear that I'm not actually vegetarian or vegan (although I am seriously considering it), but the fact is I am only really blaming meat-eaters who were outraged by Cecil's killing. If you can justify eating meat to yourself, then that is your personal choice and one should not be condemned for it. All I would like is for people to see things fairly and rationally, realising that every sentient life is worth something, whether it is a cow or a lion.

Those are my two main issues with the case of Cecil the lion. I am not condoning what Walter Palmer did, and it still upsets me to think about how this beautiful animal met his end. I am simply trying to see this incident in the context of the time in which we live. There is so much pain and death in the world that needs to be talked about and tackled by intelligent people growing up in this limitless time of opportunity. Don't waste your precious time succumbing to the media's constant brainwashing. Instead try to consider everything holistically and live a life where you can influence people by spreading the truth. Only then can we go about making a better world.

UPDATE

From now on this blog is not only for music related articles, but everything I'm interested in. The main topics will be music and golf, my 2 biggest passions, but also expect posts on anything from politics and philosophy to pop culture. Before I would post on separate blogs, but its much easier to put everything in one place. Peace!

TRACK REVIEW: Kendrick Lamar - The Blacker the Berry

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In Rotation: January 2015

Okay, I know I missed last month, but I’m back with a vengeance to write about what I’ve been digging my teeth into most frequently this month. But before you read this, check out my last entry, where I break down my top 20 albums of 2014, all of which I highly recommend you check out. Anyway, onwards with this months 3 picks…

       1. Viet Cong – Viet Cong

Starting the list with a new release from post-punk outfit Viet Cong. This album was my first exposure to these guys, and what an introduction it has been. This album is everything you could want from a post-punk album without any of the filler. At only 36 minutes, you can stick this album on at any time of day and for a short while get lost in its immersive atmosphere and pulsating energy. I have a sort of love-hate relationship with post-punk. As fascinated as I am by it, it can often get tedious for me and rarely has much replay value. However, this album has been in heavy rotation recently and a nice breath of fresh air in the genre for me.

      2. Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury

Next we have a classic hip hop album from hailed duo Clipse, made up of Pusha T and Malice. This is flawlessly produced by The Neptunes and the beats perfectly back up the delivery from both of these top class MC’s. The content is what you’d expect from Clipse; drugs, drugs and well, more drugs. But who cares? This is hip hop, and if you’re getting caught up in moral detail then you’re going to miss a hell of a lot of great albums. The deliveries on every song are sharp and aggressive, yet composed and intricate at the same time. The lyrics are grandiose and bragadocious, and that’s what makes this album for me. Put this on when you want to fire yourself up or just vibe out to some great beats and two of the best MC’s of the 2000’s.

    

          3. Aphex Twin – Computer Controlled Acoustic Instruments pt2

Finally we have another new release. This time an EP from legendary electronic musician Aphex Twin (AKA Richard D. James). Last year Richard made a splash with his new full-length album Syro The album made my top 20 of the year, but I was still left wanting a little bit more from Aphex Twin, considering the plethora of classics he’s come out with in the last 25 years. This EP only came out in the last few days, but I’ve hardly been able to turn it off. Here we have Richard creating sonic portraits purely of the acoustic variety. The beats and grooves are so infectious and catchy, yet he still manages to throw curve balls at you with the occasional unorthodox beat or melody. I love the drums on here, which sound very African inspired, adding to the addictiveness of these tracks. Throw this on wherever and whenever and feel yourself being drawn into Aphex Twin’s weird world once again.

Thanks for reading! I promise to continue this series without skipping any more months in the future. Stay tuned for more content in the meantime!

My Top 20 Albums of 2014

20. Tobacco - Ultima II Massage 

Sneaking into my top 20 albums of the year was the latest full-length from electronic producer Tobacco, a.k.a. Thomas Fec. With some of the weirdest beats and sounds of the year, this album was engaging from start to finish. Usually, an album like this would have turned me off. Not because I dislike this type of production, but simply because there is only so much of the same type of track over and over that I can take. However, on this project the tracks seem distinct and interesting enough to provide a hard-hitting artistic statement. It sure is unorthodox, but we all need an album like this from time to time

19. Gajah - Hands of Gold Are Always Cold

Contrary to popular opinion, I think 2014 was a great year for hip hop. The first hip hop album to make the top 20 is perhaps unexpected. Gajah is not a well known MC, but I'm glad I discovered his music. Crafting beats and lyrics in a similar style to his close friend and peer Uncommon Nasa, Gajah seems perfectly comfortable moving into some dark and mysterious territories. The beats here are dense and tangible, rapped over by Gajah in a pronounced and deliberate style. This may be what put a lot of people off this album, but its part of what made it great in my eyes. The Grands, featuring Uncommon Nasa, is one of my favourites on the record. Everything about both of the rappers deliveries is chilling and unsettling. This is an album that literally gives you no time to rest and you come out of it feeling slightly more on the ball. Overall, this will not be everybody's cup of tea but is definitely worth a listen for the hardcore hip hop fan. 

18. Rome Fortune – Beautiful Pimp II

2014 was another year of hip hop for me (as this list will prove). But the great thing about the last few years in the genre is its ever-expanding diversity. A great example of that is Rome Fortune’s mixtape ‘Beautiful Pimp II’. This is definitely an artist to watch in the future as I think he has a lot more to offer, but this sure is a great start! This album is very easy to vibe out to, with a very relaxed atmosphere throughout which immediately puts you into a good mood. His flow is soothing but also has a kick to it and the lyrics, although occasionally repetitive, keep my attention throughout. All in all this was a great album and another sign that upcoming artists are not conforming to hip hop conventions or stereotypes.

17. Timber Timbre - Hot Dreams

Canadian band Timber Timbre have interested me for a few years now since their breakthrough 2011 album Creep On Creepin' On. With Hot Dreams, the band continue on in a similar fashion with another very solid release. This album is very infectious from the moment it begins, with Timber Timbre producing slightly fleshed out production in comparison to their earlier work. The band obviously have a knack for very vivid song writing and it has never been more striking than on this project. Every song is so visceral and three-dimensional. There a few bands right now with a lead singer that excites me this much and on this I felt as if the song writing really complemented his vocal delivery on almost every track. This is the second Timber Timbre album to make my top 20 in the last 4 years and I'm looking forward to seeing what they do in the future.

16. Aphex Twin – Syro

This was an album that hugely divided opinion this year and I can see why. Aphex Twin is one of those artists that has his fair share of die-hard fans and any deviation from his original formula is going to spark hard discussion and disagreement. With his first studio effort in 13 years, Richard D. James put together a collection of songs that is indisputably Aphex Twin. It is however a big departure from his last album, Drukqs, which wasn’t a fan favourite. I liked this album a lot. James sucked me in once again with a set of very consistent songs, which I was entranced by time after time. The only reason this slipped down my list as the year progressed was its slight staleness on repeated listens compared to some of his early/mid 90’s work.

15. J. Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive

I’ve always found J. Cole to be an MC that’s quite hard to define. This has its positives and negatives. The young rapper’s 2013 effort Born Sinner left me cold and for the most part, bored. I wanted more from J. Cole, and this year I got it in the form of 2014 Forest Hills Drive. This was just one of those albums which I had a lot of fun listening to time after time. The accessible beats, the relatable themes and abundance of singing all screamed “I am one of the new breed of rappers, screw the stereotype.” For the most part here Cole is successful. The songs are catchy and clearly very personal *cough Wet Dreamz cough*. What I like about J. Cole is that he is not copying anyone, but is openly influenced by many of his peers. He is a bit of Drake, Kendrick, Kanye and others, all wrapped into one. But instead of coming off as annoyingly unoriginal, he is very likeable and I think still a fresh face in the new era of hip hop.

14. Liars – Mess

Liars are not afraid of trying new things in their music and have consistently changed things up with each album they’ve released. When Mess on a Mission dropped early in 2014, I got hyped for this album. The song was unpredictable, frantic and bursting at the seams with passion. The album failed to disappoint. Mess is actually a very moody album and I found it kind of dark at times. This is an electronic album that requires your full attention and even then, you will miss things. After being lukewarm with it after 2 or 3 listens, I sat with it for almost the whole year, returning to it again and again. The album got better and better and I can now safely say I love it. At times I would even go as far to say it is mind-blowing, but for the most part it is simply an experience. I can’t wait to see what future surprises this band have in store for us.

13. Ratking – So It Goes

I was introduced to this east coast hip-hop group by my friend and immediately checked it out. These guys haven’t been around long, and with this album they fully established themselves on the scene with this fine album. If you’re looking for some high octane, glitchy hip hop with some great sampling then this is your album. Throughout there are undertones of the east coast, which seems rooted in Ratking’s sound. It is hardly clichéd though. They mix So It Goes up with some slower tracks, like So Sick Stories, with an unexpected guest feature from King Krule, who adds a tone of moodiness to the production. Canal is another highlight and certainly one of my favourite songs of the year. Overall this was a pleasant surprise and a breakthrough for these young guys. I hope they continue on to bigger and better things but this was a very good debut.

12. FKA Twigs – LP1

Another artist I discovered this year was FKA Twigs, a young female musician hailing from England. This album was such a breath of fresh air in the world of art pop and R&B and a brand new face on the scene. I think this woman is going to going to do big things in the future and this debut, simply titled LP1 has spawned that career. This album is beautiful and fluid. It is graceful yet also harsh. Lights On has an unapologetic and brutal set of lyrics, claiming “When I trust you we can do it with the lights on”. I don’t think you need me to go into the meaning of that. The album flows into glitchy, electronic bliss, yet retains its soul for the duration. There were definitely a few tracks that turned me off, but more than enough tracks that blew me away for it to be placed so highly on my year end list. Check it out!

11. Schoolboy Q – Oxymoron

I think the most underrated member of TDE has always been Schoolboy Q. His 2012 project, Habits and Contradictions showed the world that he wasn’t taking a back seat to Kendrick and Ab Soul, rather that he wanted to be better than them. I’m not sure about that, but Oxymoron was at least in my eyes far better than Ab Soul’s hugely disappointing These Days, so he’s getting there. This album wonderfully juxtaposes the harsh realities of drug dealing with the bright lights of rap fame and raising a daughter. You can hear struggle on this album, but also a sense of rising from that struggle and becoming a man against all odds. This album is nasty, grimy and celebratory all at the same time. It has tracks that pummel you, tracks that make you think and tracks that make you want to dance. In my eyes that is variety. Oxymoron is by no means Good Kid, M.A.A.D City, but a damn good effort from Schoolboy.

10. BADBADNOTGOOD – III

BBNG were once again a bit of a dark horse in 2014, releasing one of the best jazz albums I’ve heard in years. These guys are used to giving lavish jazz covers of famous hip hop and pop songs, but this album marked a departure from that and into writing their own material. This is a highly versatile album, meaning you can do whatever you like with it, listen to it whenever and wherever you like and it always lifts your mood. The smoky, ethereal melodies give the album a constant sense of movement. These guys seem incapable of putting a foot wrong as this stage and this is now the third album in a row I have loved by them. I can’t wait to see what they do in 2015 in collaboration with Ghostface Killah. I expect fireworks.

9. Open Mike Eagle – Dark Comedy

As a member of the Hellfyre Club, Open Mike Eagle knows what to give his fans. This was one of those albums where I knew what to expect and got exactly what I wanted. Apart from Milo, I can’t think of any other MC that has the level of wit and intelligence that Mike has. On Dark Comedy, Mike is on top form, spitting bars loaded with wit, melancholy and a sense of impending doom. There is never a point at which you feel Mike is straining or unnecessarily saying things. He is consistently delivering both lyrically and musically, with some of the most experimental hip hop production I heard in 2014. If you don’t like traditional hip hop, check out this album and indeed all of Hellfyre club who are unashamedly offering an alternative angle on the genre.

8. Sun Kil Moon – Bengi

What can I say about Benji? This album is arguably going to go down as a singer-songwriter classic in years to come. I was not aware of Sun Kil Moon before this release, but from the first song onwards I was hooked to this album. Being interested in acoustic folk music in general, I was becoming increasingly frustrated by the lack of great new albums being released in the genre. Finding this album reignited the spark in me that I first felt when I heard Bob Dylan for the first time. All the focus on Benji is on the lyrics. Some may say many of the songs on here are overly sentimental or a bit too basic. But that’s what I love about it! Mark seems so close to these songs and as a result you kind of feel close to him whilst listening to them. Topics on this cover family, sex and mass murder amongst other things. There is nothing here that is fake or over dramatised, just Mark with a guitar, singing about things that he wants to get off his chest. So despite its slow, dark tone, this is also an album of emotional catharsis for Mark, and that is why it is so profound.

7. Uncommon Nasa – New York Telephone

Uncommon Nasa is an MC who has slipped under my radar in previous years, but with New York Telephone he came crashing into my musical world with a real bang. Nasa’s style is unorthodox to say the least. His flow is off kilter and his delivery is very rough around the edges. This may put some people off, but its what kept me hooked. Many of the songs on this album are uneasy and paranoid sounding. They sound like they have been inspired by the underbelly of urban life and do not sugar coat what its like to live in the city. The album is glued together with skits of people talking about New York on the telephone. Its an interesting concept and provides cohesion to a very schizophrenic set of tracks. This is a great album and I truly believe Nasa has proved himself as one of the best in the game right now.

6. Clipping – CLPPNG

With 2013’s Midcity, Clipping cemented themselves as a group to watch in hip hop circles. That album was not without its flaws but still managed to be one of my favourites of 2013. CLPPNG is similar in the fact that it has massive highs and a few low moments. Tonight for instance is easily one of the worst songs they’ve ever put out. But what I can’t fault is the attitude of an album like this. It pummels you with abrasive noise hop production and lyrics that are relentless and fiercely delivered by frontman Daveed Diggs. Taking Off, Inside Out and Story 2 are all top 20 tracks of the year and never fail to get me pumped up. The production on CLPPNG is not better than Midcity, but rather more refined, giving it an accessibility factor that its predecessor lacked somewhat. It is not the rough edged sound of Death Grips, but does almost the same job in grabbing and holding my attention. This is an amazing album and one I will continue to listen to for many years.

5. D’Angelo & The Vanguard – Black Messiah

My best friend has always told me that I need to check out D’Angelo, but I never took his advice. That was until the release of his first album in 14 years, Black Messiah. This album was released just a few weeks ago and thus I feel like it is still sinking in. This is not a one-listen album. It is an album that requires a great deal of attentiveness and patience, but if you have that it’s something truly magical. D’Angelo’s voice is difficult to define. It is by no means ordinary and hence, quite unsettling to a first time listener like myself. I grew to like the vocals with repeated listens, but I still don’t love his voice. What really left me stunned was the instrumentation. The music is very dense and layered, with so much going on at once. You quickly become lost in this jivy R&B world that D’Angelo has concocted. Black Messiah is almost as good as Voodoo to me, but not quite. Nevertheless this is still a stunning album and a great end of year surprise.

4. Swans – To Be Kind

In 2012, Swans released The Seer and instantly became my favourite rock band of the 21^st century. To Be Kind feels to me like a very purposeful continuation of The Seer, demonstrated by the fact the band was performing some of these songs when I went to see them in early 2013. For me, this album is not quite as good as its predecessor, but it’s a damn close call. This album is unmistakeably Swans. Everything about it from the minimalistic album cover to the helpless screaming on many of the tracks is just typical Swans, nothing more, nothing less. To Be Kind is the definition of a real album. Micheal Gira is really exploring the human condition here in his own dark, twisted way. Some of the songs feel cavernous and desperate, like they are being sung from the bottom of a deep dark well. Others are exploding with raw energy. Gira drives out some unbelievable riffs on here that leave me literally breathless. I still think the true genius of the band is best conveyed in the live setting, but this is still one of the best albums I heard in 2014.

3. Perfume Genius – Too Bright

At number 3 we have a truly stunning album from Perfume Genius. This guy has been making this kind of music for a while now, but for me Too Bright is his finest work to date. Like FKA Twigs, Perfume genius brings something very unique to his genre. His voice is one of the most grandiose and elegant I have heard from a popular artist and he backs it up with some of the most beautiful production I heard in 2014. The song writing on this album was also very solid and the album never felt like it dragged either. Queen became this album’s hit, and for good reason as it was easily one of my favourite tracks of the year. I can’t wait to see what direction this guy goes in next.

2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Piñata

I have never been a huge fan of gangster rap in the past. Neither have I particularly warmed to what I had heard of Freddie Gibbs. Really the only thing that got me interested in this album was Madlib, who produced one of the best hip hop albums of all time, Madvillainy. Needless to say I was pleasantly surprised by this album. I’ll even go as far to say it blew me away. Freddie sounds so natural over Madlib’s production on this, like these beats were meant for him and him only. As good as Gibbs spits on Piñata, he is carried by Madlib. The guy is a genius. These instrumentals felt vintage, soulful but also completely timeless. There is no escaping the fact that this is a gangster rap album, it is in its DNA, but it doesn’t matter. The quality of both the lyrics and the beats make it thoroughly addictive to listen to time after time. I have to give props to Freddie too for laying down some of the best hip hop lyrics of the year, but as a combination these two really delivered the whole package this year.

1. Run The Jewels – Run The Jewels 2

For the third consecutive year Killer Mike and El-P have come through with a dope project. However this year they stepped it up to a whole new level. Run The Jewels 2 is flawless to me. I can’t explain why these guys work so well together, something about the sound of them trading off each other is intoxicating and jaw dropping. Killer Mike is constantly in your face, persistently spitting bars in his trademark braggadocios manner. El-P is more sly and clever with his wordplay, providing a subtle contrast to Mike’s style. Everything about this album for me is better than the first Run The Jewels. As good as it was it felt unfinished. This is the complete package. The production is stepped up a gear and much more varied than the first album. We have everything from the bass driven beat of a song like Oh My Darling Don’t Cry (my song of the year) to the grimy southern flavoured production of a song like Lie, Cheat, Steal. The lyrical content balances composure and intelligence with over the top bragging, which both Mike and El-P do really well. There are moments of introspection here but nothing is dwelled on or needlessly drawn out. It is an album of brilliance and diversity. It is an album of anger and celebration. It is my album of 2014 and one of the best albums I have heard this decade.