Tuesday 16 December 2008

2008 Run Down

So that's it, 2008 is almost over and what a year it's been for Hip Hop and R&B! I know alot of DJ's are doing this but i always love to look back and think about what was hot and what wasn't. Be sure to download Podcast #40, I'm squeezing in over 30 hot tracks from this year into an hour non stop in the mix! Here's my Hip Hop/ R&B 2008 Low Down.

Albums of The Year:


Lil Wayne had one of the most talked about album's of this year (apart from Kanye). He delivered in full flow with appearances from Jigga, Babyface, Kanye West and more. I loved this album, i still do love this album! Tracks that stood out for me include Lollipop, A Milli, Mr Carter and Comfortable which was my favourite.

Lupe Fiasco delivered 'The Cool' on January 21st. Lupe has such an individual style which i just love, his flow is sick, the production of his tracks are always tight too. Killer tracks included Superstar, The Coolest, Go-Go Gadget Flow, Gotta Eat, Hip Hop Saved My Life, Hi-Definition and Dumb It Down - wow there was alot of heat on that album!

The UK's very own Sway dropped his highly anticipated album 'The Signature LP' this album didn't dissapoint. Stand out tracks include F Ur X, Fit For A King, Silver & Gold, Saturday Night Hustle and Say It Twice.

Another hot rapper from the UK delivered a serious album this year, Kano dropped 140 Grime Street. Im usually not one for grime but man, this album was amazing! Featuring productions from Wiley, Skepta, Mikey J and of course DaVinChe. Stand out tracks: Hustler, Hunting We Will Go, I Like It, Anywhere We Go and Don't Come Around Here.

Saved the most talked about album till last. Never have i heard so much talk over one artist, talk more about this further down this blog entry but back to the album. Ok so it wasn't rapping but it was Kanye - that was enough to win me over! Stand out tracks include Love Lockdown, Heartless, Amazing, Robocop, Paranoid and Coldest Winter.

Performance of The Year:


Despite the controversy of having a Hip Hop artist performing at Glastonbury this year Jay-Z showed the haters what Hip Hop is all about! He killed it hands down!


Most controversial topic of 2008:

People were doubting Kanye's album - 808's & Heartbreak. Personally i was waiting for something different, something fresh to come out of Hip Hop and this was it, just what i needed. Should Kanye really be singing? Should he really be so different with his fashion compared to other artists? HELL YES! WHY NOT? I think its really important to keep things different and individual and Kanye certainly did that with the album.

Best songs of 2008:

Hip Hop wise for me it had to be Jay-Z, T.I, Lil Wayne and Kanye West - 'Swagga Like Us' its weird, i can't remember any other track this year that's made such an impact on me, when i drop this in a club i can guarantee the crowd will go crazy - it's just one of those tracks.

Another Hip Hop choice HAS to be Lil Wayne's - A Milli, crazy beat, crazy flow - nuff said!

Another track from Weezy which has taken over my life and i have to say is my number 1 track on this year full stop is 'Comfortable' featuring Babyface and produced by Kanye, yeah it wasn't a single but still!

R&B wise I'm saying Estelle's 'American Boy'' i still love it and i still play it out. She really did it for the UK this year!



Artist of the Year:

Dizzee really did his thing this year. He had a number 1 single with 'Dance Wiv Me' which blew up everywhere in the Summer not to mention he had a sell out tour in Australia and the UK. His DJ, Semtex has been giving us the updates on his blog so check it out if you missed it! Big up Dizzee, no doubt there is more success in 09 waiting for him.

Artists to look out for in 09:

This dude Kid Cudi is set to make some serious moves next year, you already know him of course from the massive 'Day N Night' check out 'Super Boo' i played it on Podcast #39 - it's massive.Also this man Wale, check out the W.A.L.E.D.A.N.C.E if you haven't already, i also played a new track 'Nike Boots' on Podcast #39 too!

Overall 2008 was kinda big for music, here's to 09 for being even better!

2 comments:

DJ Shock said...

Coh what a run down of 08 man!! however i think you forgot about the whole 'untitled/n***er' problem with nas... that was definitely the most controversy ive seen in the hiphop game for a while!

DJ WM said...

You know what i just thought the same, might just add it! cheers broooo.