Top 5 Hip Hop Releases: May

by Chayne Japal

May 31, 2012

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Each month, tons of new music from many taste-spanning genres is released into a fast-consuming, unforgiving market; it can be tough to get a handle on what’s new before it’s on to the next. In an attempt to highlight the standout releases, at the end of each month, AUX staff re-cap the month in Punk, Metal, Indie/Pop/Rock, Hip Hop, Electronic, and Pop with the top five releases in each. Consider it your cheat sheet for year-end lists.

Top 5 Hip-Hop Releases:
May


El-P – Cancer 4 Cure

5 years after his last album, El-P returns with his most accessible record to date. The accessibility is more about the market’s climate than it is El-P’s music. He was a “blog rapper” before the term even existed. As independently releasing music to build buzz becomes the most efficient, revered way for artists to get (and keep) their careers going, El sits as one of the innovators of that approach. With his steadfast patience, instead of going to the game, El has let the game come to him. 

Key track: El-P reemploys his classic apocalyptic themes on “Drones Over Bklyn.”

Killer Mike – R.A.P. Music

It must be the “curse of the south” that leaves Killer Mike sitting as the perennially over-looked awesome rapper. This release has to stop that streak. Mike somehow wrestled a premium batch of beats from El-P while he was working on his own album. At first, it’s a bit baffling that El gave these tunes up but hearing what Mike does on these tracks explains it. Over the years, Killer Mike and El-P have been martyrs for good hip hop as they release projects filled with intelligent music without conforming to any popular standards in pursuit of a hit. So, it only makes sense that these guys gave their unbridled best to each other on this project. That’s the only way they do it. 

Key track: Killer Mike goes at a former president and his entire administration on “Reagan”.

Meek Mill – Dreamchasers 2

Meek Mill is the most passionate rapper in the game right now. He’s maintained a hunger for success that permeates through his flows. This mixtape is in lead-up to his debut album to be released this August. If the kid remains in this form, he should get what he wants. The only question is: where will he go from there? 

Key track: Meek Mill spits over a flip of Enya’s “Boadicea”. The contrast between his fiery flow and the smooth track make an unlikely but perfect pairing.

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Ab-Soul – Control System

To say that Top Dawg Entertainment is on a roll would be an understatement. The independent label has garnered interest through its potent 4-man roster that has been supplying the streets with release after brilliant release for the past couple years. Dr. Dre and Jimmy Iovine have recently put some stock into the startup and everything is set to blast off. Judging by Dre’s previous track record this could either go horribly wrong or it can be great for all parties but before all the insanity ramps up Ab-Soul delivers one more pre-Interscope album, Control System. He offers more of his ironically charged ignorant wisdom all over another collection of mind-bogglingly great beats. The hope is that this level of creativity doesn’t drop as expectations get higher for this outfit. 

Key track: Ab-Soul does his best dead prez impersonation on “Terrorist Threats” which features Danny Brown.

Jadakiss – Consignment

It’s clear that Jada still has some fight left in him. He still has his unmistakable raspy flow and grimy lyrics that brought him some success as The LOX amiably split ways in favour of solo projects but the key to this mixtape’s relevance are its guest appearances. It is a bit bizarre to commend an artist for bringing in rappers to fill out his tracks but in this case it’s too smart not to respect. Jada’s name just doesn’t garner the same type of attention as name like French Montana, Wale, Waka Flocka Flame, 2 Chainz, A$AP Rocky, Gucci Mane, Meek Mill and Future do. Plus, Jadakiss holds his own on every track which should only assist in his claim that he’s “top 5, dead or alive”. 

Key track: Jadakiss fills out A$AP and Swizz’s Araabmuzik produced “Street Knock” right before the song takes over the summer.

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Surprises, disappointments and tracks/albums to watch for next month

Surprise of the month: El-P’s back-to-back attack

In one fell swoop El-P has not only changed the course of his career but he might have also changed the course of the genre. The two aforementioned releases that he’s created are a pair of bold statements that will surely end up broadening El-P’s audience which will in turn raise his influence on his peers. Having already paid his dues and earning tons of deserved respect along the way, El-P’s just canonized himself with these undeniable pair of albums.

Disappointments: B.o.B.’s Strange Clouds

Bobby Ray released yet another aight album. He’s beginning to master the whole positive hip pop thing that he’s been going for on his albums and it makes for some pretty easy listening. The problem here isn’t necessarily the music; it’s about what could be considered as a waste of potential. Judging by the subject matter in his songs, B.o.B. is a thinker. He has great ideas for songs. He’s also shown, via his mixtapes mostly, that he knows how to handle a pen. Plus, he plays guitar and piano, not like how Lil Wayne “plays guitar” but he actually plays guitar. With that being said, here’s the question: Why in the hell is he making this cheesy ass music? It’s clear he could do better with the talent that he has but not only that, he should know better. Or not.

Out next month: Sophomore efforts from Maybach Music Group and Waka Flocka Flame. Plus, the long awaited debut EP from Azealia Banks.

Tags: Music, News, Azealia Banks, danny brown, El-P, Jadakiss, killer mike, Meek Mill, Waka Flocka Flame

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