Best of 2008…[Updated]

I’ve been sayin’ it all year, but 2008 has been an awesome year for music. In particular Hip Hop. While, this is obviously, a great thing, it’s not so great when you try and compile a “Best of…” list. In fact, it’s taking me more than a minute and more than I bargained for in doing so.

Anyways, this is what I (and the crew) have come up with. It’s not a definitive list, but more of a compilation of the greatest albums/tracks that have dropped over the past 12 months. Of course, everyone has their opinion and we’re not saying these are the ONLY dope tracks that have surfaced – this is just what we’ve come up.

Your participation is of course welcome and actually, encouraged. Tell us what YOU think of the list, did we miss a massively important album/track? Did we overlook something or did we give credit where you feel it wasn’t really deserved? Holla.

Let’s get this started…

Album of the Year

Erykah Badu - New Amerkah: Part One: 4th World War

It was a real, real hard decision. But I had to go with Erykah Badu’s New Amerkah: Part One: 4th World War. Badu pushed every limit and raised probably every bar on this record. She went to a place only she could. Alien-funk, Animistic-Hip Hop and (psycho)delic-Soul. Tracks like “The Healer”, “Soldier” and “Telephone” (all of which nearly nagged track of the year too!) were played pretty much all year either in my stereo, mp3 player or phone. Badu is too dope for words and is probably one of my favourite artists around today. She’s [always been, but is even more so today] refreshing, exciting, experimental, limitless and a true musician. Her live set is beyond incredible too. I respect this lady so, so much and for these reasons and a billion more New Amereykah: Part One: 4th World War is PinBoard’s Album of the Year.

Honourable Mentions [in NO particular order]:

KanYe West – 808’s & Heartbreaks

Lupe Fiasco – The Cool

Common – UMC

Marsha Ambrosius – Yours Truly [Mixtape]

Raphael Saadiq – The Way I See It

Q-Tip – The Renaissance

Gnarls Barkley – The Odd Couple

The Foreign Exchange – Leave It All Behind

Illa J – Yancey Boys

Immortal Technique – The 3rd World

88 Keys – Death of Adam

Nas – Untitled

Jean Grae – Jeanius

Santogold – Santogold

Ludacris–Theatre of the Mind

Stacey Epps – The Awakening

Brittany Bosco – Spectrum EP

The Roots – Rising Down

Buff1 – There’s Only One

Flying Lotus – Los Angeles

Black Milk – Tronic

Melo-X – Mustafa’s Renaissance

Wale – Mixtape About Nothing

Wiley – See Clear Now

Kano – 140 Grime St.

Estelle – Shine

Portishead – Third

F.A.M.E – Hard Work

Jazmine Sullivan – Fearless

 

Track Of the Year

 

 

Gnarls Barkley – “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul Now”

 

Delivering one of the illest and most underrated albums of 08, Gnarls Barkley’s “Who’s Gonna Save My Soul Now” hit me like a ton of bricks when I first heard it. It’s soulful yet hurtful tone, insightful yet disturbing lyrics and incredible production all have the making of a track that can summarize an amazing year in music. In my opinion, it’s their best work to date.  No one else could have created such a piece of art. Not to mention, it’s incredible video (which you can’t watch because Warner Music are fools). Gnarls Barkley are easily one of the most exciting bands to emerge over the past few years. For these reasons, they deserved the Track of  the Year award.

 

Honourable Mentions [In NO particular order]:

 

Erykah Badu – Soldier/The Healer

Lupe Fiasco – Hip Hop Saved My Life

Jay Electronica – Exhibition A

Q-Tip – Getting’ Up/Move

Flying Lotus – Roberta Flack

The Foreign Exchange – Daykeeper

Buff1 – Dream Streets

Raphael Saadiq – Big Easy

KanYe West – Love LockDown/Amazing

Madlib – The Ox

Janell Monae – Many Moons

Colours (KanYe, Andre 3000, Fonzworth Bently) – Everybody

Roots Manuva – Let the Spirit

Santogold – Creator

Lil’ Wayne – A Millie

Ra-Re Valverde – May B I’m the 1

Jose James – The Dreamer

Kano – Anywhere We Go

Grace Jones – Corporate Cannibal

Noisses– Bond, James Bond

NERD – Spazz

Estelle – Come Over

Wiley – Wearing My Rolex/Can’t Stop Thinking

Dizzee – Dance Wiv Me

T.I – SLU

Adele – Chasing Pavements

Common – Universal Mind Control

Alicia Keys – No One

Jennifer Hudson – Spotlight

Busta Rhymes – Arab Money

KiD Cudi – Day N Night

The Cool Kids – Black Mags

Jazmine Sullivan – Need U Bad

Mickey Factz – Incredible

Illa J – All Good

Jean Grae – My Story

Benga – 26 Basslines

 

Obviously we couldn’t name every single track we loved this year, so please, add yours in the comment section!

 

Artist of the Year

 

 

KanYe West

 

Could anyone else really be awarded this title? Ok, I know many of you will say Lil’ Wayne deserves it and yea, I can see why you would say that; Tha Carter III sold a million copies in it’s first week and Wheezy proved himself correct [even though I'm yet to be convinced]. BUT, KanYe West has had everyone talking. Hip Hop heads, the mainstream, the media and pretty much everyone else. After droppin’ Graduation KanYe became the biggest Hip Hop artist around the world. The “Glow in the Dark” tour was revolutionary and toured the globe - taking the conventions of Hip Hop shows in his hands and ripping it to shreds. He then dropped “Love LockDown” [strong contender for Track of the Year btw!]. Everyone was confused. People loved it, hated it and many were scared of it. Ye’ was singing on a record whether you liked it or not. Shortly after he announced 808′s & Heartbreak and the real conversation began to. Slowly, leaks started to surface to mix reviews. Is this homie singing on entire record?Even the album’s damn art work got people talking! KanYe West managed to make his album release an event. Remember when people talked about an album’s release date? That kinda went away during the late 90′s early 00′s. He made  his release date important again. Moreover, he made the art of music important again. He pushed and experimented in an age of stagnant music, dismal record sales and a failing worldwide economy. For these reasons, KanYe West is PinBoard’s Artist of the Year.

 

Gig of the Year

 

Stevie Wonder Live at The O2

The crew and I have been to over 50 gigs this year. We’ve pretty much seen everyone who’s come to London. The Roots, Jean Grae, Talib Kweli, Erykah Badu, Lupe Fiasco, Nas, Jay-Z, N*E*R*D, Mos Def to name but a few. But hands down, without a second thought the highlight of my year was seeing Mr. Stevie Wonder live at the 02 [Front. Row!]. The man is not only a legend, but one of my musical idols. I could literally gush about how important his music is (to the world, and to me) and how Songs in the Key of Life is one of the most important albums in black music, but I won’t. I’ll just say: seeing this legend in person is something I never thought I’d experience and he did not disappoint one bit. A 2 hour set, without a single break, singing classics such as “Superstition”, “Sir Duke”, “Part Time Lover”, “Living for the City” and my personal favourite Wonder track “As” was blissful. Most people I know, know that I’ve always wanted to say that I’ve seen Michael Jackson, Prince and Stevie Wonder live – and now I can. That list is checked off. Stick a folk in me, I’m done baby! For this reason, Stevie Wonder HAS TO BE awarded Gig of the Year.

Best ‘Fu*k You’ to the Majors (sponsored by Pal-Wheezy)

Kano – 140 Grime St.

Kano did London proud with this album. Infact, Kano did every independent artist proud with this album. Nah, screw that: Kano did every grime artist proud! Dizzee Rascal hit number 1 for 4 weeks with his “Dance Wiv Me” which was not only a first for an indie rap/grime artist, but also a massive achievement and is by all means, amazing. But Kano produced a solid grime album, which was not only true to itself but also polished (but not so much that it began to sound like something else entirely). He killed it with this album. Kano pulled of what others haven’t been able to. He managed to inject a good dose of quality into the production of his album, but yet still kept hold of that “i’m in my bedroom producing this shit fool” feel to it. Those outside the UK who don’t know much about this guy, make sure you cop (legally!!) this album and get to know. Kano continues to be one of the best MC’s in the UK AND after two major label albums – he produced his best work. Independently. Hence, recieving PinBoard’s award for Biggest ‘Fu*k You’ to the Majors. Bad man.

Best Hip Hop Music Moment of the Year

Jay-Z Headlining Glastonbury 2008

My sister from another mother says: “Jay-Z at Glastonbury will go down in music history. Straight up. (And i was there muthafuckas!). Not even dizzee paxman debacle could pip that.” I couldn’t agree more. It seems like a lifetime ago that Hova took the stage at one of the biggest rock festivals in the world and told them about themselves. All that stupidness with that dude from that band was beyond dumb and while the mainstream press and rock heads were all thinking “what’s he doing, is he mental” – we all know Jiggawas gonna do what needed to be done. But NO one…NO ONE…could have anticipated or come up withhow he opened that set. Jay-Z with a guitar in his hand singing (yes, singing!) “Wonderwall” haha you takin’ the piss! It was a moment that will never be forgotten. It was the moment that pretty much told the world Hip Hop wasn’t a faze, wasn’t a fashion statement, wasn’t about bling and wasn’t something for a bunch of kids who are disillusioned and lost but that it was in fact, a real, credible and true art form that demands respect. For that, I (and many, many others) am very thankful. Hova, continues to be the greatest.

Best Moment of the Year

Barack Obama Becoming President of the United States of America

Nuff said really. I’m not American, but I 100% understand that the man who lives in that big white building will affect my world and everyone elses. For this reason, seeing Obama elected as President was not only one of the best moments of 2008, but also the most historic and inspiring. Truly, an amazing moment for so many reasons. I will never forget staying up till  5.30am to hear the results and his winning speech. I just hope people don’t expect one man to change the world over night or even begin to correct the wrongs of George W. Bush. Most definitely the Best Moment of the Year.

Dopest Week of the Year

New York City 2008 [picture taken by me!]

Before I start, lemme just say: Hi Haters! *Ahem*.

Without a shadow of doubt, the 7 days the crew and I spent in the Big Apple was the best 7 days I think I’ve ever experienced. We did New York City proud. Food, shopping, sights, gigs, Hip Hop, food, shopping, food, food, shopping and some more Hip Hop. We did it all. I know everyone has their “nah, my New York trip was the best” – trust me when I say, we smashed it. Jean Grae, The Knux, Charles Hamilton, Q-Tip and Rich Medina. Too. MUCH! Lemme just say quickly – to the crew – ya’ll made NYC what it was. Without you guys, it wouldn’t have worked. Straight. Up. By faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar THE Dopest Week of the Year!

Wow. That’s not even half of it. Seriously.  I have about 10 other categories that I could go into, but who has the time right now? You need to see my “Best Of 2008″ word document. The albums list is around 65 deep, tracks go into the 100′s and gigs goes on for…a minute! 2008 has been a great year and I hope we summed it up pretty tightly.

But before my house becomes even more  populated with family members, let me just say – a big, massive, crazy, mammoth, titanic, enormous THANK YOU to every single one of you that reaches PinBoard on a regular.

Straight up, PinBoard was never meant to be what it is today. It was never intended to be a site that thousands of people frequent daily, it started as something I wanted to do during my hours of unemployment but since then has grown into something quite remarkable. THANK YOU to all of you who visit, comment, participate and send me stuff. It really does amaze me. It’s never taken for granted and is always appreciated.

While I’m here, thank you to all the PR’s, management teams, record labels, artists, promoters and A&R’s that continue to send me music, press releases, invites, gig tickets, album previews and interview spots. Without you guys, PinBoard wouldn’t be able to do what we do. It’s crazy to think that so many of you are based in a whole different country, yet still appreciated and understand what it is we’re trying to do here. THANK YOU for your continued support.

And last but in no means least, a big, big THANK YOU to all the artists who we’ve had the pleasure to interview over the past year: The Cool Kids, Mickey Factz, ESSO, J*DaVey, Robin Thicke, Outasight, Ra Re Valverde, Raphael Saadiq & Theophilus London. You guys rock!

…Just wait to see the interviews we have lined up next year!

2008. It’s been a solid year. 2009 is gonna be MASSIVE.

Oh. One more thing. My man Fantasticunt (who has delivered some dope ass interviews for PinBoard over the past few months) has just dropped his “Your Mum’s Mastertape 2008″ mixtape. If you’ve been following his work, you know he don’t fu*k about, if you haven’t – you’re dumb. But don’t worry you now got a chance to catch up. Either way, go download that NOW. 

Now. Please add your two pence! Say what you think. Tell us your favourite albums/tracks, your artist of the year and/or favourite gig of 2008. Conversate, debate, argue (nah, don’t really!) and get involved!

Peace, Love & Best Of…

Speeakz & Crew