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Life & Arts

Hip-hop caps off a solid year

The Rap on Hip-Hop

Life & arts contirubutors Eli Jabbe and Dante Eglin discuss pertinent issues in the world of hip-hop culture today.

Dante Eglin: After a three-year hiatus, Jay-Z's return album, Kingdom Come, has been reported to have sold more than 850,000 copies, breaking the sales record for the year. Do you think the masses flocked to record stores in anticipation of greatness or was it simply a case of major name recognition?

Eli Jabbe: Possibly both, leaning more towards the excitement of a new album from the Jiggaman. From much of the reception the album has received, it appears it hasn't fulfilled the high expectations leveraged against it. Any notable artist will be supported by his or her fans, regardless of the product put out.

Eglin: Being recognized as still holding the title of "greatest rapper alive" definitely didn't hurt S Dot's sales. Interestingly enough, many fans are eager to sample his "comeback" work, as if he ever left in the first place. After the 192 guest verses he's been featured on since his "retirement" it's been almost like an unofficial post-Black Album mixtape, especially considering Hov's penchant for dropping verses completely irrelevant to the theme of the song.

Jabbe: You could call it a mixtape; I haven't heard Kingdom Come yet myself, but the reception the album has garnered leads one to believe that the record isn't up to the high standard Hov has set with certified classics along the likes of Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint, and the aforementioned The Black Album. He definitely made his presence known through appearances on tracks with Kanye West, Bun B, and others. Even if the verses were weak, the fans still supported any Jay-Z verse, as they usually were superior to most contemporary artists' attempts.

Eglin: Since Kingdom Come isn't a contender, what albums are going to contend for the coveted album of the year nomination?

Jabbe: It's hard to single one out, but definitely much consideration towards Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor, The Clipse's Hell Hath No Fury, both of Ghostface Killah's albums in Fishscale and More Fish, and the soon-to-be released Hip-Hop is Dead from Nas. And Styles P's Time is Money, if it ever comes out. And of course, the lyrical masterpiece Jibbs featuring Jibbs.

Eglin: Styles will drop before Buddens, that's certified. There are many underground artists that deserve nods, but because of low exposure, you almost have to focus on more mainstream acts. The most known unknowns, The Roots, delivered a masterpiece in Game Theory, while Compton's own The Game made Dr. Dre's presence felt (in absentia) on his sophomore effort Doctor's Advocate. But past the skateboarding and SB Dunks, Food & Liquor was a more-than-credible contender. With direction, content and a determined hunger that cements a classic work, Lupe bounced back from the loss he took on the album leak and constructed a critical success and refreshing new perspective for hip-hop in 2006.

Jabbe: "Why You Hate The Game", with fire production from Justin Blaze and a heater verse from Nas ended Doctor's Advocate on a high note. Lupe's collaboration with Jay-Z on Pressure was one of the supreme lyrical performances on wax this year and Nasir and Jay's first track together, "Black Republican," was outstanding thanks to the excellent production from L.E.S. and outstanding verses from hip-hop's greatest heavyweights.

Eglin: Chain's hung low, Mobb's repped the Gorilla Unit and Harlem sipped on soda and soup while flyin' high, but overall 2006 surprisingly was a solid year for hip-hop. Take that, take that.

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