Music

Top 5 Hip Hop Releases: September

by Chayne Japal

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: September

Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album Pt. 1*

It seemed as if Lupe Fiasco forgot he was making music on his last album, Lasers. He had the same thought-provoking (controversial, at times) subject matter that brought him attention in the first place but lost his way with poor beat choice and the decision to have Skylar Grey featured on his record which ended up having a preachy, condescending tone overall. On his most recent record, self-awareness reigns supreme as he says “I know you saying, ‘Lupe rappin’  bout the same shit’ / Well, that’s cause ain’t shit changed, bitch” on “ITAL,” one of the tracks that displays Lupe at his best on Food & Liquor II. He’s come to terms that he’s a preacher and he clarifies that it’s not his fault, it’s America’s. This increases the listenability of the album ten-fold because there’s an explanation and a better understanding of what he’s trying to do here. He’s trying to change the world because he doesn’t appreciate the way things are and he’ll throw his everything towards making a change. With its tighter themes, better production, and engaging narratives this record can help him do that. (Atlantic) * – Great album, stupid title.

G.O.O.D. Music – Cruel Summer

After pushing it back through the entire summer, Kanye West and his crew released a compilation called Cruel Summer. A few of these songs are legitimately over-played singles from this past season, songs of the summer, if you will, which has the compilation serving as somewhat of a time capsule for summer ’12. On top of that, new tracks featuring past summer kings like Ma$e, R. Kelly, Raekwon, Jadakiss, and Jay-Z adjacent to West’s contemporary roster continue the nostalgic theme established by the hits. So, the record’s title doesn’t allude to the current moments of summer, it’s about reflecting on them. It’s a brilliant concept; reflections last longer than moments. (G.O.O.D./Def Jam)

Blu & Exile – Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them
	Blu & Exile’s first album together, Below The Heavens, is secretly one of the best hip hop albums ever. It likely won’t be bested by the rapper-producer duo but the talent and chemistry these guys display when they get together is undeniable. (Independent)

Donnis – Break Hundreds & Hearts

Danny Brown is not the only good rapper on Fool’s Gold but he certainly demands a lot of attention. Donnis’ subject matter can be as raw as Brown’s but luckily, Donnis operates in a completely different sphere from his labelmate. Donnis is all about fusing electronic, booty, and crunk to create crass stripper anthems. This is a great idea. If he keeps it up, eventually, one of these tracks will hit the charts. (Fool’s Gold)

Fashawn & Murs – This Generation

Considering the symbiotic nature of the rap game, the recent influx of collaboration projects makes complete sense. It makes even more sense when a pair of respected West Coast MCs like veteran Murs and young genius Fashawn get together. These are two artists that take their music very seriously and they don’t need competition to bring the best out of themselves, they always deliver that. The reason this project works is because they actually take the pressure off of eachother. On stand out track “The Other Side,” they revel in the opportunity to share that they weren’t always the straight-laced erudite types they’re considered now but rather troublesome youth, just like normal people. There is a light atmosphere to the record that isn’t very common through most of Fashawn’s and Murs’ catalogue so it’s refreshing to see hard working guys like this have a bit of fun here. (Duck Down)

Out in October:  The debut album from Kendrick freaking Lamar, Vancouver-Toronto duo Rich Kidd & SonReal’s collab project, and an important LP by yet another R&B revivalist, Miguel.