Rap Radar

Common returned to the game like a prize-fighter after his second wind with his ninth LP, The Dreamer/ The Believer. Produced entirely by No I.D., he kicks off the opus with Maya Angelou and Nas on the ineffable “The Dreamer” and “Ghetto Dreams”, respectively.  After delivering 14 shots to the dome on “Sweet”, he deals with his own pain (“Lovin’ I Lost”). But it’s not all love and war. Backed by a milky hook, he toasts to the good life on “Celebrate”. This is the stuff Dreamers are made of.

A couple of days ago, J.Cole added platinum producer to his resume. But just because a song is a hit, doesn’t mean it’s actually good. Many would agree, this was The Sideline’s Story’s weakest moment. The Downy soft chorus combined with Paula Abdul’s ’80s staple was just too much to bear. Radio loved it. We didn’t. RIAA wins again.

After Rozay convinced Wale, Meek Mill and Pill to take their talents down to South Beach, it didn’t take long for the Dream Team to create enough Swisher Suite Studios tunes to complete a potent compilation album. The instant chemistry is visible but still, each MC got a chance to showcase their individual skills with Ricky bogarting most of the hooks. We witnessed the resurrection of Mr. Shakur courtesy of Meek Mill (“Tupac Back”) and cruised through the Sunshine State with Wale (“600 Benz”). The dynamic duo are also behind the disc’s two biggest tunes (“Ima Boss” and “That Way”) but it’s a shame that things didn’t work out with Pill cause he blacks out on “Big Bank.” Still Stalley will carry the load as evidenced by the way he slid in uncredited on the closer “Running Rebels”. Another Self Made installment is on deck for this year but we’re still enjoying this one. Ruh!

The instrumental get’s its props, but that’s where it stops! This is name brand booty rap. Basic bitch? How ’bout basic flow? To Hell with you 29 million YouTube views, this Oaktown chick ain’t no MC, son. Miss me with the kiddie rhymes: “Now Google that, groupies follow me like Twitter/ I’m rolling up my catnip and shittin’ in your litter.” Pssh. Shame on a Sony A&R nuh who cosigned this crap. Culture vulture.

If lyricism made a resurgence last year, much of the credit can go to Bad Meets Evil and their EP, Hell: The Sequel. Havoc’s haunting crackle sets the tone with “Welcome 2 Hell”. “Fast Lane” ups the ante with Royce and Em battling for lyrical supremacy. Em keeps it G on “Above The Law”, (“I’m trying to stay on fire, so you know if I hate fuckin’ water sprinklers I don’t love the hoes”) with Royce following suit, (“Baby I’m lawless, you couldn’t burn me if you threw acid on me”). The duo lighten the mood on “Everything” and illuminate spirits with “Lighters”. Come to think about it, Hell might not be such a bad place after all.

Dr. Dre co-signs don’t come everyday. So when Kendrick Lamar released his independent album Section.80, best believe, all eyes were on him. Fortunately, he didn’t disappoint. From a production standpoint, scattered pianos anchor “Fuck Your Ethnicity” while lounging horns permeate “Hol’ Up”.  Elsewhere, “Chapter Six” and “Rigamortis” locks down K-Dot’s unchained melody. “Ronald Regan Era” made being an 80’s baby not so bad. Kendrick said Section .80 was created following a vision from 2Pac, so Afeni’s baby boy would be proud of “Kiesha’s Song” (“She start running like FLo-Jo/ Don’t care if they Joe Blow/ If they got money to blow a blow job is a sure go.”). Make no mistake, this revolutionary MC will be televised. Welcome to Section.80.

Good things come to those that wait. And after two years, J.Cole’s core finally got what they wanted: Cole World: The Sideline Story. The album commences with the cinematic “Dollar And A Dream III” before segueing into “Can’t Get Enough’s” breezy bounce. Jermaine’s underdog tale is palpable on “Sideline Story”, “Cole World”, and “Rise and Shine”. “Lost Ones” and “Breakdown” are equally compelling, but “Nobody’s Perfect” showcases his true majesty. With Missy Elliott on the chorus, Cole’s underachiever anthem is endearing, “Nobody’s perfect, but you’re perfect for me”. His success makes us, very happy.

The biggest misconception surrounding Wale signing with Rick Ross’ MMG Records was that his sophomore album would be infiltrated with the Rozay sound. Could Folarin maintain his identity? Well one listen to Ambition proves it. The first three songs sound like his band UCB is backing him up. Mr. Rich Forever only pops up at the end of “Miami Nights” to scoop him up. Ha! The Bawse and Meek Mill do emerge on the amazing title track but this disc mostly displays ‘Le’s versatility. He can snap on some rugged shit (Toomp’s “Legendary”), two step smooth us out (Ne-Yo guested “White Linen”), spill his guts out (“Sabotage”) and diddy bop dance craze us with Big Sean (“Slight Work”). Fuck perception. This is about perseverance. Wale won.

Jeezy back! Man, it took a long time to get Young’s fourth album but he really came through victorious in the fourth quarter with the fourth highest first week sales of any rap album in 2011. How’d he do that? By keeping that trap music to the forefront and rounding up a gang of guests to help him reach that goal. Hov and 3 Stacks help craft this year’s player’s anthem (“I Do”). A fresh out of jail T.I. rides for his ATL patna on the reflective “F.A.M.E.”. Loso and Fab quench our thirst on “OJ” and 2 Chainz makes time in his busy schedule to spike up the formidable “SupaFreak”. Of course, Jizzle can also hold his own on cuts like the nifty “Nothing”, cater to the females (the lavish “Leave You Alone”) and bare his soul (the Jill Scott-enhanced “Trapped”). Yeah we were “Waiting” forever but thankfully, Da Snowman finally delivered.

After releasing a steady stream of mixtapes, Mac stepped up to the plate last year and delivered his independent debut, Blue Slide Park. With ID Labs handling a majority of the sound bed, Mac proved he wasn’t all party and bullshit. He gives haters the cold shoulder (“Smile Back”, “Of The Soul” ), helps White girls lost (“Diamonds & Gold”), and enjoys the fruits of his labor (“Man In The Hat”). But despite his new found success, Mac doesn’t forget about his Pittsburgh base (“PA Nights”, “My Team” ,”Frick Park Market”). Blue Slide meet blue collar.