TOP 10 ALBUMS OF 2010

With about two weeks left in the year 2010 you can expect to see a lot of top 10 lists floating around the internet. Mixtapes, albums, songs, verses or whatever you can come up with. I planned on covering mixtapes first, but with the news of my favorite rapper, Lupe Fiasco, is dropping a tape on Christmas, I figured I'd wait and give him his shot to take one of the spots. With that being said I moved top albums as my top priority since MOST of the good albums that were supposed to drop this year have come out already. I always have trouble creating lists because I have so many favorites, so I asked my boy Ced (@dinkawatkins) and my homegirl Janae (@cheeseundpeas), to create lists of their own to kind of "combine" with mine to make one strong list. It took me a while but I finally have a result. Let me know if you agree, disagree, or whatever your opinions may be...positive or negative. With all of that said, here's yoDJaintnoDJ's top 10 HIP HOP albums of 2010....

10) Lloyd Banks- The Hunger For More 2

After a slight fall from grace, Banks bounces back with a more than solid album. 50's best henchman has always been known to provide some solid bars on everything he touches...this album was no different. 

Favorite songs: Start It Up, So Forgetful.

9) Big Boi- Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty

Andre 3000's partner slides in at number 9 with his debut solo effort. While I believe 3 Stacks is a top 5 rapper alive, I always felt that Big Boi was always slept on. With this album he proved that he can EASILY stand on his own two.

Favorite Songs: You Ain't No DJ (Inspired the name of this blog), Daddy Fat Sax

8) Little Brother- Leftback

To me Little Brother is a top 3-5 duo of all time, and my list wouldn't be right without an appearance from their final album. Big Pooh and Phonte can rap with anybody. Sad thing is that they're from our own state of NC, and a lot of heads don't even know about them. I'm definitely gonna miss hearing them on tracks with one another.

Favorite Songs: Curtain Call, Tigallo For Dolo.

7) Curren$y- Pilot Talk 2

Curren$y has been doing this and doing it well for a looonngg time, I'm just glad to see son finally get a little bit of shine. With two albums put out in this year alone you can't deny that the man is doing his thing. Just.Enjoy.This.Shit. Jets fool.

Favorite Songs: Airborne Aquarium, Real Estates

6) Bun B- Trill OG

As a vet in the game, Bun rarely...never mind...NEVER disappoints. Trill OG is no different. A lot of joints on this CD that you can't listen to just once, gotta let them ride two or three times. Southern music at it's finest.

Favorite Songs: Just Like That, Let Em Know.

5) Rick Ross- Teflon Don

Breaking into the first slot in the top 5 is Officer Ricky. While I'm not the biggest Rozay fan, I can't deny the fact that the man makes good music. There's not too many rappers in the game with a better ear for music than Ross.

Favorite Songs: Free Mason, Live Fast Die Young.

4) Drake- Thank Me Later

Rihanna's side bitch comes in at number 4. After a TV show and a couple mixtapes, Drake blew up in 2009 with the release of So Far Gone. Thank Me Later is a very versatile album...one second Aubrey will hit you with the ill punch lines, then the next second he'll be singing for the ladies. Can't knock really knock talent.

Favorite Songs: The Resistance, Light Up.

3) Kid CuDi- Man On The Moon II

I give Cudi a looootttt of shit for not being a traditional rapper, but you simply can't deny good music. I kept every song off this one, good album from start to finish. I anticipated a sophomore slump from Cudder, but I couldn't have been more wrong. Cudi's another credit to Ye's ability to find talent.

Favorite Songs: The Mood, The End.

2) Eminem- Recovery

After two sub par albums, Eminem bounces back with a new look on life with the same skills from the old days. A lot of people gave Em heat for cleaning up his lyrics and changing his subject matter. What the fuck is wrong with cleaning up a drug habit and making music with better messages? I applaud Em for completely switching it up and STILL being better than 90% of the rappers out.

Favorite Songs: Space Bound, Seduction.

1) Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Did you really think anyone else would be at the top of this list? Kanye West drops another crazy album on us just in time for the new year. Kanye has always been a little "weird" or "different", but as usual it worked for him on this album. Same reliable Yeezy as far as lyrics and wordplay though, with a slightly different type of production than he's had on past albums. Kanye West is truly a genius.

Favorite Songs: Blame Game, So Appalled.

HONORABLE MENTION:

Reflection Eternal- Revolutions per Minute

Ski Beats- 24 Hour Karate School

There you have it, my top 10 albums of the year. Based of lyricism, production, and a little bit off of commercial success. I thank everyone who input into my list, hope you enjoyed it. Hit me up and please tell me any and all criticism...whether it's good or bad I'm trying to hear all opinions. Look forward to my top 10 mixtapes list around the 27th and all posts in between.