2009 Disappointments

My most anticipated albums of the year are my biggest disappointments of the year it seems...

Unknown Prophets "Le System D" - This is a basically straight forward UP's themed material (which I dig) with pop-rock hooks/choruses catered to mainstream crowds. Not sure what the hell they were thinking. I can barely give this 3 stars with a straight face. These guys can't sing. That's why they never have...until now. The rapping is tight, but it's basically ruined by the forcefully generic choruses/hooks.

E&A - completely wack. Probably even more disappoint than the one above, but I was expecting for Eyedea to disappoint, so, meh...

Felt 3 - Lifeless

Fuckin' Minnesota hip-hop. At least Brother Ali did not let me down...

Eyedea= :sleep:

Damn that sucks for you... that UP record sounds pretty horrid... I am sure have some duds...

first being Big Scoob - Monsterifik...weak sauce

Well, the UP's one stung, but I don't care about the others quite as much...

Also, Zion I dropped a sleeper this year.

The new Braille & S1 was pretty weak IMO as well. I didn't know Braille was such a god freak. Full songs about abstinence are not cool.

Also, that Street Sweeper Social Club CD....really wore thin quickly. Too bad Tom Morello hasn't updated his chord progression since the 90s.

Chali 2NA. Not bad, not great.

KRS-One & Buckshot, meh...

Oh, and The Crest (which nobody cares about) dropped a very disappointing album I was hoping to be stellar. Much like the UP's formula...

The Blue Print 3.....

My disappointments of the year are "A Different Mirror" by Toki Wright and "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def. Waste of money.

Survival Skills is probably the most disappointing. When your favorite artist releases a new album, you hope to be floored, and this didn't do it for me.

Justice wrote:

The Blue Print 3.....

Co-Sign, that and Busta's album "Back On My BS" are the biggest disappointments IMO.

Flyte Tyme wrote:

My disappointments of the year are "A Different Mirror" by Toki Wright and "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def. Waste of money.

You're the only person i know who had expectations high enough to be disappointed in Toki Wright.

Brother Ali co-signed it...usually anything he touches is golden.

Flyte Tyme wrote:

My disappointments of the year are "A Different Mirror" by Toki Wright and "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def. Waste of money.

The Toki Wright was actually quite a bit better than I thought it'd be. I still wouldn't buy it though. Did you think it would really be that dope? He's Brother Ali's hype man.

The Mos Def is still good IMO, but I also don't listen to it much, so I see your point...

Alan wrote:

The new Braille & S1 was pretty weak IMO as well. I didn't know Braille was such a god freak. Full songs about abstinence are not cool.

LMFAO

Flyte Tyme wrote:

Brother Ali co-signed it...usually anything he touches is golden.

Eh, that's not true at all really. Example? (As far as other artists he's put on I mean)

Alan wrote:

The Toki Wright was actually quite a bit better than I thought it'd be. I still wouldn't buy it though. Did you think it would really be that dope? He's Brother Ali's hype man.

The Mos Def is still good IMO, but I also don't listen to it much, so I see your point...

Co-sign this one word for word...

"Oh, and The Crest (which nobody cares about) dropped a very disappointing album I was hoping to be stellar. Much like the UP's formula..."

They put a new one out? I wasn't too fond of "Skeptic", so I'm glad I didn't look for this one... lol

Alan wrote:

Flyte Tyme wrote:

Brother Ali co-signed it...usually anything he touches is golden.

Eh, that's not true at all really. Example? (As far as other artists he's put on I mean)

I was referring mostly to Brother Ali's albums and how he has yet to drop a dud. Even the Brother Ali & BK-One "Off The Record" is dope. His guest appearances are usually on point as well.

Flyte Tyme wrote:

Alan wrote:

Flyte Tyme wrote:

Brother Ali co-signed it...usually anything he touches is golden.

Eh, that's not true at all really. Example? (As far as other artists he's put on I mean)

I was referring mostly to Brother Ali's albums and how he has yet to drop a dud. Even the Brother Ali & BK-One "Off The Record" is dope. His guest appearances are usually on point as well.

He has only had Slug as a guest on his own albums, but I agree he's tight on the BK-One record. As well as quite a few other guest spots.

He did put on Knonam from the get-go, who I think is dope as hell. But other than him, Toki Wright's been it I believe.

Shaun wrote:

"Oh, and The Crest (which nobody cares about) dropped a very disappointing album I was hoping to be stellar. Much like the UP's formula..."

They put a new one out? I wasn't too fond of "Skeptic", so I'm glad I didn't look for this one... lol

You would not dig it at all I'm sure. What's up with this hip-hop artists going soft rock?

Alan wrote:

Flyte Tyme wrote:

Alan wrote:

Flyte Tyme wrote:

Brother Ali co-signed it...usually anything he touches is golden.

Eh, that's not true at all really. Example? (As far as other artists he's put on I mean)

I was referring mostly to Brother Ali's albums and how he has yet to drop a dud. Even the Brother Ali & BK-One "Off The Record" is dope. His guest appearances are usually on point as well.

He has only had Slug as a guest on his own albums, but I agree he's tight on the BK-One record. As well as quite a few other guest spots.

He did put on Knonam from the get-go, who I think is dope as hell. But other than him, Toki Wright's been it I believe.

I meant his guest appearances on other artists' albums.

And I dig Knonam. His album still gets plenty of spins from me. Toki on the other hand, won't get any spins from me for a minute.

Kopasetick wrote:

Alan wrote:

The new Braille & S1 was pretty weak IMO as well. I didn't know Braille was such a god freak. Full songs about abstinence are not cool.

LMFAO

Yeah, It's almost a humorous song too. It just makes you want to say "that ain't hip-hop!". But in general he just preaches on this album way too much. Can't say I ever knew him to be a Christian before...or really cared. I can't stand that self-righteous holier than thou junk on record. Really clouds the rest of the elements, let alone S1's beats.

disappointments

KRS/Buck - slight disappointment

BP3

Decalogue

tbh, Street Hop was disappointing to me, i rate it 4 but i was expecting more, some of the beats severely lacked

Born and Raised - another slight disappointment, even though i give it 4 stars with that production lineup you expect greatness

Blackout 2 - another slight disappointment

i would say "the Last Kiss" was disappointing but i didnt really have expectations for that anyway

im hoping Clipse isnt, but i heard it may be

Slang Editorial wrote:

im hoping Clipse isnt, but i heard it may be

Outside of that track with Cam, most of what I heard was radio friendly shit. I'll still check for it because I know the Neptunes did some beats, but my expectations are at a 3 right now...

On another note, I was surprised by how good Royce, UGK, and K-Rino were.

Yes...because this would be the thread for that...

lol

Flyte Tyme wrote:

My disappointments of the year are "A Different Mirror" by Toki Wright and "The Ecstatic" by Mos Def. Waste of money.

That Mos Def album is dope! It's my 3rd favorite album this year. I still spin it quite often. I have it at 4.5 stars....

Raekwon-Only Built For Cuban Linx 2...was a disappointment IMO...it had its moments but overall was weak....to hear a 41 or 42 year old dude still talking about bagging rocks in his crib and then hitting the block is WACK to me...lol


this new Rakim hasn't really hit me yet..I agree with those that have said there is too much singing on it and for a voice like Rakim he needs that boom bap sound


The Last Kiss, BP3 and Survival Skills are all legit efforts IMO...but the two above need work

Survival Skills

Blueprint 3

Haystak-Came A Long Way

Thug Pound

E&A-By The Throat

Cage-Depart From Me

Esoteric-Saving Seamus Ryan (in line with songs about abstinence, dude has a song about his dog he euthanized as THE INTRO and then refers back to it about 20 times on the album)

D.Powell wrote:

Raekwon-Only Built For Cuban Linx 2...was a disappointment IMO...it had its moments but overall was weak....to hear a 41 or 42 year old dude still talking about bagging rocks in his crib and then hitting the block is WACK to me...lol


this new Rakim hasn't really hit me yet..I agree with those that have said there is too much singing on it and for a voice like Rakim he needs that boom bap sound


The Last Kiss, BP3 and Survival Skills are all legit efforts IMO...but the two above need work

Oh shit...I forgot Rae was that old. lol

and G Rap is the same age and still talkin about it and your not complaining

what you dont understand is that Rae is telling stories, hes not telling a reflection of his current life, smh

A lot of albums were disappointing to me. Brother Ali... I still can't hear what everyone else does. And I am a fan.

Raekwon, Blackout 2, Stoupe, JMT (or was that 08?), B Real, Cage, Blackroc, Doom....

Slang Editorial wrote:

and G Rap is the same age and still talkin about it and your not complaining

what you dont understand is that Rae is telling stories, hes not telling a reflection of his current life, smh

Hmmm....good point. I'll admit to overlooking that aspect.

Edit: Speaking of G Rap, I just found this on Rae's wiki page. Probably old news for y'all, but this is my first time hearing of it...

"According to The Next 48 Hours w/ Raekwon web series, Raekwon stated that a project is in the works between him and Kool G Rap, the two fathers of Mafioso Rap."

"Raekwon, Blackout 2, Stoupe, JMT (or was that 08?), B Real, Cage, Blackroc, Doom...."

Blackroc wasn't any good?

Shaun wrote:

"Raekwon, Blackout 2, Stoupe, JMT (or was that 08?), B Real, Cage, Blackroc, Doom...."

Blackroc wasn't any good?

It was good. It was just a little bit underwhelming...

Cormega- Born & Raised has to top my list, its not bad but this not that good either on the production side and song concept side its lacking imo.

I find it ironic and funny that Rakim being Powell's GOAT and he do not like the new Rakim but Ra is not even in my top 40 but yet I really dig this new album. I actually like the fact he did not use the typical boom bap beats he came different.

KRob86 wrote:

Cormega- Born & Raised has to top my list, its not bad but this not that good either on the production side and song concept side its lacking imo.

I find it ironic and funny that Rakim being Powell's GOAT and he do not like the new Rakim but Ra is not even in my top 40 but yet I really dig this new album. I actually like the fact he did not use the typical boom bap beats he came different.

Oh yeah Kev, Rakim is still my GOAT man...he probably always will be based on those earlier works and where they stand with me....but with this new one I've got it right now at 3 stars...I've only spun it about 5 times though so it could still change for me..I just feel like Rakim's voice and lyrical style was made for those boom bap beats...he just sounds better spitting over those to me...but I do give him credit for showing some maturity with this latest effort...

Slang Editorial wrote:

and G Rap is the same age and still talkin about it and your not complaining

what you dont understand is that Rae is telling stories, hes not telling a reflection of his current life, smh

I do understand that Slang but I think what fucked this project up for Rae is that he waited too long to release Only Built For Cuban Linx 2...this should've been out in 1997....when it would've still been looked at as a sequel...2009 is waaaay too long IMO

as for the project itself, the beats to me were decent but not incredible by any means and again his lyrical content needs to expand man...stories or no stories...I mean Jay-Z sold just as much crack as Rae did and probably more..lol but he's expanded his shit quite a bit from the block "Reasonable Doubt" crack tales...I think this is why alot of heads don't like nor understand his growth as a man and an artist

Rae is still stuck in his 1995 form...he hasn't expanded to me at all man..again this is MY OPINION!

Slang Editorial wrote:

and G Rap is the same age and still talkin about it and your not complaining

what you dont understand is that Rae is telling stories, hes not telling a reflection of his current life, smh

I think a lot of that has to do with the fact that Kool G Rap is just flat out better than Rae, and he has earned far more respect. It's not really a valid argument, but it's the truth. Also, people aren't praising recent works of Kool G Rap like they are OB4CL2. I could understand your argument more if the scenarios were similar, but they aren't.

D.Powell wrote:

Slang Editorial wrote:

and G Rap is the same age and still talkin about it and your not complaining

what you dont understand is that Rae is telling stories, hes not telling a reflection of his current life, smh

I do understand that Slang but I think what fucked this project up for Rae is that he waited too long to release Only Built For Cuban Linx 2...this should've been out in 1997....when it would've still been looked at as a sequel...2009 is waaaay too long IMO

as for the project itself, the beats to me were decent but not incredible by any means and again his lyrical content needs to expand man...stories or no stories...I mean Jay-Z sold just as much crack as Rae did and probably more..lol but he's expanded his shit quite a bit from the block "Reasonable Doubt" crack tales...I think this is why alot of heads don't like nor understand his growth as a man and an artist

i agree with your first statement that he definitely waited too long, BUT how is he abut to name an album OBFCL2 and NOT talk about crack tales? Thats what the first one was based on and he had to do the same, and hes even said this, and hes also said that he wants to tackle other subjects in future projects, but he just cant do that when he names the album OBFCL2, you know

But Slang I think that was honestly his biggest set-up for failure was naming this album pt2. If it was named anything else more folks would be yelling classic I think. He does need to step his subject matter game up imo even though I really enjoyed the album.

Pounds... aren't Unknown Prophets psuedo christian artists? I didn't really get that bad of a vibe from the new Braille - no where near IV in quality, but a solid album.

I would say the Masta Ace and Edo G. album was a disappointment. Some songs hit me and some didn't. Not as cohesive as I thought initially. Laziness plagued the album. It's like they just got together and did the album for the sake of a collabo without any thorough thought process. Also, that Chester French song didn't do it for me. I like Chester French, but that song did not mesh well.

I never thought of J.Harris as a hater...but sir, that was completely off-base.

"I never thought of J.Harris as a hater...but sir, that was completely off-base. "

Uh... I'm pretty sure if we did word association, 'hater' would be most prominent with J. Harris... lol

Killah Priest - Elizabeth... biggest dissapointment this year.

I think Cage, E&A, Esoteric, and Twista were my biggest disappointments this year, but Killah Priest definitely deserves a mention.

D.Powell wrote:

Oh yeah Kev, Rakim is still my GOAT man...he probably always will be based on those earlier works and where they stand with me....but with this new one I've got it right now at 3 stars...I've only spun it about 5 times though so it could still change for me..I just feel like Rakim's voice and lyrical style was made for those boom bap beats...he just sounds better spitting over those to me...but I do give him credit for showing some maturity with this latest effort...

I disagree entirely man. I thought Rakim's joint was dope. It wasn't Paid In Full or Follow The Leader but he's got some true bangers on it. Dedicated and Holy Are You are two of the dopest songs of the year IMO. I also love Documentary Of A Gangster, Walk These Streets, Satisfaction Guaranteed, and How To Emcee. I liked the fact that he came with some deep subject matter and diversity on this joint. There's a few skip tracks, but overall it's a dope album. It's around 4-4.25 IMO.

I was kind of disappointed in Kurupt/Quik "Blaqkout". It's not wack and the beats are nice for the most part but something didn't work for me with this album.

Oh wow. I see the hater shit has come back to me. I can't give a fuckin opinion without someone bitchin.