Damn It Feels Good To Be A Gangsta

Mostly went with the major releases, as there wasn't too much of note from the UG (not like anyone sells anymore anyway-it's all about Koch). Also, I was actually starting to agree with Nas on the HHID tip until the 4th quarter cavalry sorted me out. I appreciated that shit:


1. Clipse-HHNF
2. GFK-Fishscale
3. The Roots-Game Theory
4. Nas-HHID
5. Game-Dr's Advocate
6. Lupe-Food and Liquor
7. Jay-Z-Kingdom Come (for old time's sake)
8. Snoop-Blue Carpet Treatment (surprisingly good)
9. Diddy-Press Play (made it OK to dance again)
10. T.I.


Honourable mentions to Jay Dilla (God bless the dead), Rick Ross (sick beats and comic value), Weezy (his '05 album's surprisingly good and his mixtapes rocked), More Fish, Hi-Tek, Busta, Kidz in the Hall, Amy Winehouse, Murs and 9th Wonder..buncha people.

Just been looking at random best of lists my mate made. Included his best of 2000 and I've concluded my best of '06 is better..maybe hip-hop isn't on life support, and with the likes of KanYe, Rae, Common, GhostDoom, Game (not sold enough for a two year hiatus), Lupe, Dre, 50, Ja (I've a soft spot-no "Yayo bring the condoms"-for emo thug rap), T.I. etc to look forward to, '07's looking rosy to me.

Granted there'll be more shitty snap and jigaboo rap, and I'll prob'ly guiltily enjoy some of it, but as long as I don't turn on the radio (or the idiotbox) and avoid small children, I'll be able to keep it out of my life, while I bump H.E.R.

P.S., some necessary listening for B-Boys and Girls. '79 to '06: A hip-hop Odyssey. 800 tracks over 48 minutes; nice