Rap Radar

Kendrick Lamar’s story was untold until the release of good kid, m.A.A.d city. Opening with a prayer, his tale unravels with a series of events. From getting double crossed by a local hood rat (“Sherane a.k.a. Master Splinters Daughter”) to nearly arrested (“The Art Of Peer Pressure”) Kendrick geniusly chronicles life growing up in California (“Compton”). Still the meat and potatoes of good kid, m.A.A.d city lies within the album’s sub-plots. There’s alcoholism (“Swimming Pools”), hustler ambition (“Money Trees”) and community (“good kid”, “m.a.a.d city”). Kendrick turned his ghetto story into a compelling narrative that couldn’t be ignored. The good kid won, ya bish.

Previously: #10 Slaughterhouse welcome to:Our House l #9 MMG Self Made 2 l #8 2 Chainz Based On A T.R.U. Story l #7 Meek Mill Dreams & Nightmares l #6 G.O.O.D. Music Cruel Summer l #5 Big Boi Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors l  #4 Rick Ross God Forgives, I Don’t l #3 T.I. Trouble Man: Heavy Is The Head l #2 Nas Life Is Good 

From time to time, young rappers think it’s cool to use a fashion trend as the main focal point in their music. And this year, the 21-year-old NC upstart decided to hop on the bandwagon and dropped off his ode to his bodily ink and those hats with the straps. If the annoying loop and the dense hook aren’t bad enough, it’s the simple raps that top it all: “I’m international/Y’all niggas vaginal/I pass through, fresh to death/You’ve now entered swag school”. What a no hit wonder.

Previously: #5 2 Chainz x Kanye West “Birthday Song” l #4 Ca$h Out “Cashin Out” l #3 LL Cool J “Ratchet” l #2 Nicki Minaj “Stupid Hoe“

For those brave enough to make it through Roman Reloaded all the way, Nicki took her alter-ego to hideous levels on its final stretch. Although the visual is pleasant on the eyes, make sure you turn the volume down. With a wacky bubble-popping sound and grating chorus plaguing throughout, Roman Zolanski filled this end of 2011-released diss record with lines that’ll even make Kimberly chuckle (” Hey yo, baby bop, fuck you and your EP/Who’s gassin’ this hoe? BP?” ). Uh, who gassed you, ma?

Prior to 2012, life wasn’t always so good for Nasir. After the lackluster work on his previous release, Nas shocked the world with his formidable tenth album. As if one is needed, Esco re-introduces himself on the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League-assisted “No Introduction”. Nas can’t pick good beats? On this go-round, the quality behind the boards took a giant leap forward. Nas’ go-to producer Salaam Remi provides the foundation behind the boards on the well-narrated tale of his borough (“Queens Story“), the farewell bid to the ex-wife (“Bye Baby”) and the street buzzer (“Nasty”). No ID tries his hand on the reminiscing track (“Back When”), his parental misstep guide (“Daughters”) and the hard-driven “Loco-Motive” with Large Pro. To “Reach Out” on this joyous ride, Mary J. Blige lends her soulful voice on the DJ Hot Day-inspired track and Rozay vigorously empties his clip on the menacing “Accident Murderers”. From obsessions (“World’s An Addiction”) to lustful fantasies (“Cherry Wine”), and the struggles one goes through (“You Wouldn’t Understand”), Nas eloquently tells his stories and receives redemption in the end. If his life is truly as good as this album, he’s winning.

Despite his run-ins with the law and underwhelming No Mercy, T.I. found redemption with last year’s release, Trouble Man. Marvin Gaye ushers in “The Introduction” but “Go Get It” proves T.I. needs no helping hands. Lyrically, Tip steps his rap game up. He’s confident (“G Season”), reckless (“Trap Back Jumpin” ) and even a bit arrogant (“The Way I Ride”). But trap muzik isn’t the only thing Cliff’s serving. His R.Kelly collaboration “Can You Learn” is on the easy on the ears. He allows Andre 3000 to bear his soul on “Sorry” and pacifies his crossover core with Cee-Lo  (“Hello”) and Pink (“Guns And Roses”). This time around, the Trouble Man did good.

Ca$h Out rode around last spring with two girls named “Nina” and “Keisha” on his breakout single, “Cashin Out”. From its quirky beat, meaningless lyrics and cheesy chorus, the song was tailored made for radio fluff. Although the track earned Ca$h Out a gold plaque, it wasn’t enough for the honeys to stay. “Nina” and “Keisha” haven’t been heard from since.

The MMG general is the epitome of a hustler. After dropping an acclaimed mixtape at the top of the year, Rick Ross kept the grind going into the summer before finally delivering his fifth album, God Forgives, I Don’t. William’s rags-to-riches story rings off with the riveting”Pirates” and grows more sinister on the Cool & Dre-produced “Ashamed”. The J.U.S.T.I.C.E League returns to spearhead “Maybach Music IV” while the soulful bed provided by Cardiak brought Miami’s street life to “Amsterdam”. Rozay remained in his comfort zone to serve his fellow bosses (“Hold Me Back”, “911″, “So Sophisticated”), but he also catered to the ladies with Usher and Omarion (“Touch N’ You”, “Ice Cold”). “Diced Pineapples” was succulent and sweet with Wale’s poetic thoughts and Drake’s sultry hook. Lest we forget, Rick commissions the game’s top veterans with 5 star verses from the likes of Andre 3000 (“Sixteen”) and Jay-Z (“3 Kings”). But don’t get it twisted, the man himself proves he deserves the lead role on the cinematic “10 Jesus Pieces”. Amen.

Birthday’s come once a year, but 2 Chainz’s hit “Birthday Song” won’t go away. Outside of the gentleman’s club, the track is a grating listen. Chainz opens his verse with the flat line “She got a big booty, so I call her ‘Big Booty’”. Matters are made worse with the ridiculous chorus, “When I die, bury me inside the Gucci store/When I die, bury me inside the Louie store.” Kanye eventually shows up to the party, but fails to leave a lasting impression. Waking up early on your born day just isn’t what it used to be.

Off the heels of Sir Lucious Left Foot, one half of OutKast released another solo album, Vicious Lies & Dangerous Rumors. However, on this go-round, Antwan took a different approach musically by bridging the gap with his signature sound and other genres of music. Indie pop group Phantogram joins him on the hard-knocking “Objectum Sexuality”. Meanwhile the Swedish electro band Little Dragon provides the soothing tempo grooves on “Descending” and “Thom Pettie” with Dungeon Family member Killer Mike. Still General Patton stays true to the hometown on anthemic “In The A” with his fellow ATLiens T.I. and Ludacris. Longtime collaborator Sleepy Brown tiptoes his vocals over a Jodeci-sample on “The Thickets” while Big’s delivery between the “Lines” with A$AP Rocky is equally stellar. Lies and rumors never sounded so sweet.