Author Topic: HipHopSite.com - "Best And Worst Of 2001"  (Read 429 times)

Murrow

HipHopSite.com - "Best And Worst Of 2001"
« on: January 23, 2002, 06:38:07 AM »
Here are some excerps:

10 Best Albums Of The Year - Major Labels

1. Jay-Z- "The Blueprint" - Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam
2. Dilated Peoples - "Expansion Team" - Capitol
3. Nas - "Stillmatic" - Ill Will/Columbia
4. Jay-Z - "The Dynasty" - Roc-A-Fella
5. Beatnuts - "Take It Or Squeeze It" - Loud
6. Busta Rhymes - "Genesis"  - J Records
7. De La Soul- "AOI2: Bionix"  - Tommy Boy
8. Dungeon Family - "Even In Darkness" - Arista
9. D12 – "Devil’s Night" Shady Records / Interscope
10. Ghostface - "Bulletproof Wallets" - Epic

Honorable Mention: Jay-Z "Unplugged", Kurupt – “Space Boogie”, Snoop Dogg & The Eastsidaz “Duces and Trays”, Sticky Fingaz “Autobiography Of Kirk Jones”, DMX “The Great Depression”, Wu-Tang Clan – “The Flag”, Redman “Malpractice”, Fat Joe “J.O.S.E.”, AZ “9 Lives”,

Top 25 Commercial Singles Of 2001

This is the list of the top 25 commercial singles. What this means, is that this list represents the best of the biggest songs of 2001, which received major video and radio play. Some artists received ties.

Jay-Z - “H To The Izzo” b/w Jay-Z - “Girls, Girls, Girls” - Roc-A-Fella / Def Jam

Eve f/ Gwen Stefani - “Let Me Blow Your Mind” - Interscope

Nas – “Stillmatic” (unofficial) - White Label

Jadakiss- “We Gonna Make It” - Interscope

Bubba Sparxx- “Ugly” - Interscope

Dilated Peoples- “Worst Comes To Worst” - Capitol

Busta Rhymes- “Break Yo Neck” b/w  “As I Come Back” - J. Records

Dr. Dre / Knoc’Turnal – “Bad Intentions” - Interscope

Wu-Tang Clan- “Pinky Ring” - Loud

P. Diddy & The Family “Bad Boy For Life” b/w Remix (feat. M.O.P. & Busta Rhymes) - Bad Boy

Snoop Dogg – “Lay Low” (feat. Nate Dogg, Master P, Eastsidaz) - No Limit

Erick Sermon- “Music” - Interscope

D-12- “Purple Pills” / “Fight Music” - Shady Records / Interscope

Beatnuts feat. Greg Nice- “No Escapin This” - Loud

Redman- “Lets Get Dirty” - Def Jam

Gorillaz feat. Del- “Clint Eastwood” - Virgin

Ludacris – “Southern Hospitality” - Def Jam

Dungeon Family- “Trans DF Express” - LaFace

De La Soul feat. Devin- “Baby Phat” - Tommy Boy

Mobb Deep feat. Noyd- “Burn” - Loud

Petey Pablo – “Raise Up” - Jive

DMX- “Who We Be” - Def Jam

Trick Daddy – “I’m A Thug” - Slip N Slide

The Liks – “Best U Can” - Loud

Kool G. Rap- “My Life” - Rawkus

10 Best Producers Of 2001 (And Why)

These producers were picked on a basis of consistency in either singles or full-length albums in 2001. DJ Premier is one of our favorites, but didn't make the list because he did like four beats this year. Hopefully that's because he's working on a new Gang Starr album.

1. The Neptunes – Best Beat: Busta Rhymes “As I Come Back”
Chad Hugo and Pharell Williams had their hands in everyone’s pockets in 2001. As jiggy and cock-swaggering as their beats are, you can’t deny the melodic sounds of The Neptunes. Just when it seems their sound is going to get played, they hit us with something completely new, such as Busta Rhymes “As I Come Back” or Mystikal’s “Bumpin’ Me Against The Wall”. Not to mention creating catchy tracks for P. Diddy, The Liks, Ice Cube, Lord Tariq & Peter Gunz, Philly’s Most Wanted, Ludacris, Daft Punk, and tons more, these guys even made Britney Spears sound good. Look for production for Air in 2002, plus the long-awaited solo album.

2. Dr. Dre – Best Beat: Eve – “Let Me Blow Your Mind”
Doc Holiday stepped out from the shadows in 2001, producing a number of hits for several different artists, with his biggest hit being Eve’s “Let Me Blow Your Mind”, not to mention three wonderful tracks for Busta Rhymes, Mary J. Blige’s “Family Affair”, and co-production on “Bad Intentions” with Knoc-Turnal, and “On The Boulevard” with Snoop. Dre was only second to Neptunes because he didn’t have a full-length this year, and more evidence of co-conspirators keeps emerging. Can we get a Rakim album?

 3. Automator – Best Beat: Gorillaz – “Rock The House”
While he transcended traditional hip-hop production by working with several rock artists in 2001, Automator still gave us two incredible albums with overlying hip-hop influence. Gorillaz was a collaborative project with Blur’s Damon Alburn (which ironically blew up in the states thanks to Del’s appearance on “Clint Eastwood”), and Lovage’s “Music To Make Love To Your Old Lady By”, a collaborative joint with vocalists from Faith No More and Elysian Fields. While certainly more rock than hip-hop, Automator’s a trained producer in that ol’ boom bap, and laced both of these projects with wonderful beats. Look for the Automator mixtape “Wanna By A Monkey” in 2002.

4. Timbaland – Best Beat: Bubba Sparxxx – “Ugly”
After earning his crown with “Big Pimpin’” in 2000, Timbaland amazed us yet again with several incredible beats in 2001, such as Missy’s “Get Your Freak On”, Nelly Furtado "Turn Out The Lights", Bubba Sparxxx “Ugly”, Petey Pablo’s “Raise Up” (don’t front), plus several more scattered throughout the albums of these and other artists. While his sound is formulaic and commercial as it gets, damn he’s good.

5. Alchemist – Beat Beat: Jadakiss – “We Gonna Make It”
Despite the controversy with Ras Kass, Al is the quintessential rap producer, considering that unlike many of today’s big names, he strays away from the flashy, slickly produced beats, and delivers some of the best straight up hip-hop beats in the biz. Not to mention the man had two breakthrough hit singles at the same time, ruling both the underground streets of L.A. (Dilated Peoples “Worst Comes To Worst”) and the thugged out streets of New York (Jadakiss “We Gonna Make It”). Once again, Al was all over the map in 2001, producing winners for Mobb Deep, Swollen Members, Ghostface Killah, Snoop Dogg & The Eastsidaz, Smut Peddlers, and tons more.

6. Hi-Tek – Beat Beat: Common – “Tekzilla”
Hot of the heels of winning the hearts of backpackers and coffee shop chicks with Reflection Eternal in 2000, Hi-Tek solidified his name in the game with a nice little solo album, which helped land Jonell a deal with Def Jam on the strength of the fan favorite “Round & Round”. Tek joined up with tons of other artists in 2001, landing several beats on indy 12” singles from Mad Skillz, Phife Dawg, Common, and others, plus even lacing Snoop Dogg & The Eastsidaz with a nice little track or two.

7. J-Zone – Best Beat: “Q & A”
J-Zone solidified his spot as an emcee and producer in 2001 with his definitive album, “Pimps Don’t Pay Taxes”; his most straight forward and well-produced project yet. Strong production and middle-finger rhymes made this a fan favorite, and apparently some industry cats have taken notice as well. Look for Zone to be producing beats for some of your other favorite artists in 2002.

8. El-P – Best Beat: “The F Word”
El-Producto stepped out after a somewhat quiet streak in 2000, producing a magnum opus debut album for Cannibal Ox, a vast journey into the iron galaxy of New York City, with Tina Yothers ugly beats that somehow turned beautiful once the patterns were realized. Look for plenty more Definitive Jux releases in 2002, including the long-awaited solo album, “Fantastic Damage”.      

9. Madlib – Best Beat: Yesterday’s New Quintet “Elle’s Theme"
Madlib was another producer who shined in 2001, not only producing a number of crate-dug beats on 12” singles for his crew, including a full-length for Declaime. His crowning achievement in 2001 was Yesterday’s New Quintet, a jazz album produced like a hip-hop album (or vise versa), constructed entirely by Madlib. Look for him to shine even brighter in 2002 with the Lootpack’s new album, plus a dope LMNO remake of EPMD’s “Knick Knack Paddy Wack”.

10. RJD2 – Best Beat: “June”
You may have not heard of RJD2 yet, but by this time next year, you’ll know his name. In one 12” single, “June”, RJ delivered an incredible instrumental track, sprinkled with two verses from Copywrite about parental neglect, with RJ’s beat beautifully defining the misery of Copywrite’s rhymes. Not to mention a few other instrumental tracks that have popped up on various projects, plus an incredible Copywrite banger on “Eastern Conference Allstars 2”, RJ is THE hip-hop producer to watch in 2002.

Honorable Mentions: DJ Premier, DJ Mighty Mi, Jay Dee, Pete Rock, Will.I.Am, Just Blaze, Rick Rock, Earthtone 3, Edan, Kutmaster Kurt, Celph Titled, Beatnuts, DJ Spinna, Fredwreck, Megahertz, 3582, Thes-One, M-Boogie, Scott Stortch, Eminem, Mel-Man






« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by 1034398800 »
 

Murrow

Re: HipHopSite.com - "Best And Worst Of 2001"
« Reply #1 on: January 23, 2002, 06:40:00 AM »
Albums That Never Saw The Light Of Day In 2001
Ali Vegas – “Generation Gap” - Columbia
Ali Vegas was dropped from Columbia. Landspeed? Fat Beats? Someone pick this kid up! We seriously wouldn't mind hearing a conceptual album of him doing his best Rich Little on our favorite rappers.

Slum Village – “Trinity” – JCor
With J.Cor folding, the future of Slum Village remains uncertain once again. These guys have had more bad deals than a used car lot.

King T – “Thy Kingdom Come” – Interscope
Rumors say Ruthless bought rights to the 1998 Aftermath project, but who knows? A completed (and dope) album of Dr. Dre produced tracks is just sitting in the vaults, collecting dust.

Kool G. Rap, Last Emperor, Cocoa Brovas, Soundbombing 3, Mad Skillz
With Rawkus shutting its doors, will MCA show their newly acquired artists love?

Truth Hurts LP, Rakim “Oh My God”, Hittman "Hitt's Big Score"
What is up with Dr. Dre signing artists and never putting their albums out?!?! Maybe Eve, Last Emperor, or King T, know the answer.

Ras Kass – “Van Gogh” - Priority
We’ve been waiting 3 years for this. Alchemist’s double-dealings and mass internet MP3 trades aborted this one while it was still in the womb. Now being rerecorded and slated for spring.

Devin The Dude Sophomore LP – Rap-A-Lot
XXL reviewed it, boasting beats from Dr. Dre and Premier on the same album. What’s the hold up?

L.A. Symphony Sophomore LP – Squint
The advance is still sitting in our office, but money problems have kept this one in the vault.

Method Man – Tical 0 - Def Jam
Def Jam paid for ads for this one, hoping to tie it in with the release of the Redman album. Instead we got a lazy “How High” soundtrack.

Black Thought
“Masterpiece Theatre” – We all liked the DJ Krush produced “Hardware”, but it was a poor choice for a single. Rumor has it the LP was put on hold for a new Roots album instead.

Other albums soon to be released in an alternate universe:
Dr. Dre & Timbaland/Erick Sermon - "Chairman Of The Boards" , Canibus, Kurupt, Ras Kass, and Killah Priest - "4 Horsemen",  N.W.A.- "Not These Niggaz Again" ,  3rd Bass - "Untitled" , Jack Johnson (Mos Def’s Rock side-project) , Snoop, Nate Dogg & Warren - "213 Reunion", Large Professor's official solo debut, Likwit Crew LP , El-P & Automator collaborative LP , Saukrates – Def Jam debut LP

68 Reasons To Live Another Year
We have listed these in an order from “most likely to come out” to “most likely to get pushed to 2003”. Release dates change all the time, and we guarantee you that at least 10 of these releases will not come out. Place your bets with your friends now.
1. Aesop Rock – Day Light EP – Def Jux
2. 3582 (Fat Jon & J. Rawls) – “The Living Soul” - Hum Drums
3. Automator – “Wanna Buy A Monkey” Mix CD
4. Def Jux Presents 2 Compilation – Def Jux
5. Cormega – Sophomore LP – Landspeed
6. Masterminds - “Stone Soup” – Third Earth
7. X-Ecutioners – “Built From Scratch” – Loud
8. High & Mighty - “Air Force One” EP – Eastern Conference
9. Royce The 5’9 – “Rock City” - Game / Columbia
10. Subcontents – “Notes From The Cliff” – 75 Ark
11. LL Cool J – “Ten” – Def Jam
12. Cee-Lo "Cee-Lo Green and His Perfect Imperfections" – LaFace
13. Knoc’Turnal – “Knoc’s Landing” – Elektra
14. Count Bass D – “Dwight Spitz” - Day By Day
15. Edan – “Primitive Plus” – Humble Magnificent
16. Non-Phixion – “The Future Is Now” – Landspeed
17. Kool G. Rap – “The Giancanna Story” – Rawkus / MCA
18. R.A. The Rugged Man “The Lost Classics & More” – Eastern Conference
19. RJD2 / Blueprint collaborative project – Rhyme Sayers
20. RJD2 – “Dead Ringer” – Def Jux
21. Ras Kass – “Van Gogh” – Priority
22. Q-Tip – “Kamal The Abstract” – LaFace
23. Ol’ Dirty Bastard – “The Trails And Tribulations of Russell Jones” – D3
24. Yard Massive LP – Threshold
25. Planet Asia “Life As It Is” – Interscope
26. M.F. Grimm “The Downfall of Iblis-A Ghetto Opera” – Day By Day Ent.
27. People Under The Stairs LP – Om Records
28. Copywrite “High Exalted” – Eastern Conference
29. Mystic Journeymen – “Magic” – Outhouse
30. Blackalicious – “Blazing Arrows”
31. Rock of Heltah Skeltah – “Rock Man Uncensored” – Lethal Dose
32. Cam’Ron – “Blow” – Roc-A-Fella
34. Mr. Lif LP – Def Jux
35. Zion I – “Deep Water Slang” – Ground Control
36. Jazzy Jeff – Beat Generation – BBE
37. Cage “Death For All Ages” – Eastern Conference
38. Truth Hurts “Truth Hurts” LP - Aftermath
39. Devin The Dude LP – Rap-A-Lot
40. Lootpack – Sophomore LP – Stones Throw
41. The Roots – “Phrenology” – MCA
42. Eminem “The Eminem LP” (tentative title) – Aftermath / Interscope
43. N.O.R.E. – “Grimey: God’s Favorite” – Def Jam
45. Motion Man LP – Threshold
46. Defari – “Odds and Evens” - Open Bar
47. Tame One “Do Me” – Eastern Conference
48. Jay-Z & R. Kelly – “The Best Of Both Worlds”
49. Biz Markie LP – Superappin’ / Groove Attack
50. Big Daddy Kane LP – Landspeed
51. Xzibit – “Man Vs. Machine” – Loud
52. Phife Dawg – “The Keys To Phife” - Groove Attack
53. Phil The Agony – “Philharmonics” - Goodvibe
54. Hieroglyphics – “Full Circle” – Hieroglyphics Imperium
55. Jurassic 5 LP - Interscope
56. Jay-Z – “The Blueprint 2” – Roc-A-Fella
57. Rakim – “Oh My God” – Aftermath
58. El-P – “Fantastic Damage” – Def Jux
59. Golden State Project (Xzibit, Ras Kass, Saafir) – Open Bar
60. King Tee – “Thy Kingdom Come” - Ruthless
61. The Intoxicated Demons (Beatnuts w/ Al’ Tariq) – LP – Landspeed
62. Slum Village – “Trinity”- Interscope (?)
63. Aceyalone / Elusive LP
64. Afu-Ra Sophomore LP
65. De La Soul - "AOI: Part 3" - (not on Tommy Boy)
66. Inspectah Deck – Unsung Hero – Loud
67. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth LP
68. Dr. Dre – “Detox” – Aftermath



« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by 1034398800 »
 

Nosak

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Re: HipHopSite.com - "Best And Worst Of 2001"
« Reply #2 on: January 23, 2002, 10:20:51 AM »
the dynasty , c'mon now
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by 1034398800 »
snoop dogg - "i don't fuck with the pocus everybody
knows this , i fuck with the chronic cause the chronic
gives me dopeness"                                   

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bodyrott

Re: HipHopSite.com - "Best And Worst Of 2001"
« Reply #3 on: January 23, 2002, 12:33:37 PM »
That album is quite good however should'nt be that high up.
Stillmatic is my #1, Blueprint is good however It aint got the replay value that stillmatic provides.
« Last Edit: December 31, 1969, 04:00:00 PM by 1034398800 »