Feb 24, 2025

2. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx Pt. II (2009) [February 24th, 2025]

Another relisten for today. This album is f---ing GREAT. Not as good as the original, but it's still d--- good. My biggest issue with OB4CL2 is that it doesn't feel as cohesive at the first. But then again, the first is one of the best albums ever, so its very hard to beat. "Canal Street" was my favorite last time around, but this time I have to give shoutouts to "Cold Outside", "Black Mozart", "Catalina" and especially "Penitentiary". Aside from this record I haven't listened to any non-Ghostface Killah Wu Tang solos that have come out after Wu Tang Forever, so I might check out some of those. I guess now I just have to wait for OB4CL3 which will come out......eventually.

 

Mar 5, 2025

28. Pusha T - DAYTONA (2018) [March 5th, 2025]

I think that Daytona is legitimately a perfect album. Great beats, Pusha's lyrics are on point as usual. All killer no filler.

 

Mar 1, 2025

13. Jay-Z - The Blueprint (2001) [March 1st, 2025]

It just gets better every listen dear god.

 

Apr 18, 2025

Yes I do. Me and @albumdrill hold weekly potlucks where we eat mac and yeez with a side of mayonnaise

 

Mar 4, 2025

24. Vince Staples - Big Fish Theory (2017) [March 4th, 2025]

This album had songs on both DiggleDogg and Jimmy Jazz's mixtapes so I figured it was time to check it out. I remember how hyped this album was on hht before Elon bought it. I liked it a lot. I expected like JPEGMAFIA-esque production, but it was more Club and Garage based than I expected. Great record, I should really check out more of Vince's stuff. He's absolutely killed almost every feature I've heard from him (His verse on Earl's "Hive" is still amazing) but I'm totally blind when it comes to his work aside from BFT.

 

Mar 3, 2025

23. KIDS SEE GHOSTS - KIDS SEE GHOSTS (2018) [March 3rd, 2025]

Relistened right after finishing "ye". Still pretty good, definitely holds up.

 

Mar 3, 2025

18. Lil Jon & the East Side Boyz - Kings of Crunk (2002) [March 3rd, 2025]

Haven't relistened to this album since i picked it for AOTW Club actually. I still think its great for the gym, "BME Click" still rules.

 

Mar 1, 2025

14. Nas- Stillmatic (2001) [March 1st, 2025]

Great record. Not as good as Blueprint though. Even though it's not on the album the Stillmatic Freestyle is f---ing nuts

 

Feb 24, 2025

1. Scarface - The World Is Yours (1993) [February 24th, 2025]

Starting off with a relisten. Pretty good record. I prefer the albums that come right before and right after it, but it's still a great showing from Mr. Scarface. "Now I Feel Ya" is the big stand out though. Although, "I Need A Favor" is f---ing dogshit. Waste of space on this generally pretty good album.

 

Jun 23, 2025

304. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die (1994) [June 23rd, 2025]

Talk about a great debut album. Ready to Die is Biggie's best record, and it's one of the best records ever, period.

"Intro" is a great tone setter for the record, and there are very few moments in music that are as memorable as Biggie being born while Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" plays in the background. "Things Done Changed" has one of my favorite beats ever, and Biggie's verses sound downright desolate with his focus on how the world around him has grown darker over time. "Gimme the Loot" and "Warning" are some of the best storytelling tracks ever, and Biggie's use of voices is so f---ing impressive man. The title tracks is great as well, and one of my favorite Biggie songs, "One More Chance" comes right after. In a lot of ways, I'd say that Biggie created the blueprint for the coolness that would make fellow New York emcees Jay-Z and 50 Cent so popular

I gotta give "Me and My b----" a special shout out because of this of course...

When I met you I admit my first thoughts was to trick
You look so good huh, I s--- on your daddy's d-ck

"Big Poppa" is one of the slickest tracks ever too man, that beat is niceeeeeeee. "Respect" has one of the hardest beats on the entire record, and "Suicidal Thoughts" is such a brave ending for an album like this. Ready to Die shines because of how it depicts a full (albeit fictionalized) portrait of Biggie's life. From his birth to his suicide, Biggie lived a life of crime, sex, and respect throughout this album, and it's pulled off perfectly.

 

Jun 21, 2025

302. Eminem - Encore (2004) [June 21st, 2025]

Encore sucks. We all agree on that right? Sure, it's better than Revival, but it's still not great

There are plenty of core reasons for why Encore was once considered the worst record in Em's discography. After 3 classic albums, Eminem decided to drop one of his most confusing projects ever. By now, the excuses are well known by this point: leaks, drugs, beefs, etc. But honestly, none of those reasons really defend this record that well.

"Evil Deeds" has an amazing beat and a good hook, but the verses s---. "Never Enough" is fine, and the vocal effect on "Yellow Brick Road" ruins the track for me. "Like Toy Soldiers" is great, "Mosh" probably singlehandedly ruined John Kerry's chance at the presidency, and "Puke" is meh. I actually warmed up to the stretch between "My 1st Single" and "a--- Like That" this time around, but I think it still hinders the record too much. If Encore was entirely a troll record, I would probably praise it as an Andy Kaufman-esque masterpiece, but the fact that this section is sandwiched between a mostly poor first third, and a good last third, makes it come off even worse. "Mockingbird" and "Encore" are pretty cool, but "Crazy in Love" f---ing SUCKSSSSSSSSSSS.

At least to me, the biggest issue present in Encore is the lack of a singular style. That might seem like an odd issue, but let me explain. There are essentially three different types of songs on Encore:
1. Serious TES-2003 mixtape era style tracks ("Like Toy Soldiers", "Spend Some Time", "Mockingbird")
2. Troll songs ("a--- Like That", "Just Lose It", "Big Weenie")
3. Songs that try to be serious but s--- ("Evil Deeds", "Puke", "Crazy In Love")

In all honesty, if Encore was made up solely off of serious songs, or entirely of troll songs, I would actually enjoy this record quite a bit, but the attempt at mixing these three types of songs into a project comes off terribly. The fact that this record caps off the incredible run Em had up to this point with such a s-----y outcome makes me dislike it even more. Similar to how Revival is basically the s-----y counterpart to 4:44, Encore feels like a neutered counterpart to another Jay-Z classic, The Black Album. Both are "retirement" records that follow up an absolutely incredible run from a top 3 rapper, but sadly, Encore missed the mark by a long shot. I do want to reiterate that there are some pretty dope, and funny tracks on this album, but the mix ultimately ruins the experience. The beats are dope tho!!!

 

Jun 11, 2025

286. Kendrick Lamar - To p---- a Butterfly (2015) [June 11th, 2025]

To p---- a Butterfly has racked up quite the reputation in the decade since its release. Its the #1 rated album on RateYourMusic for God's sake, and while I don't really agree with that placement, I can't deny that it's an incredible project.

To start, TPAB works great as a sonic evolution of the Kendrick we saw on good kid, m.A.A.d. city. On GKMC, Kendrick was hungry, and channeled his past experiences into his lyrics. On TPAB however, Kendrick is fully living in the present, and is keenly aware of the problems that arise from his fame. Fame, discrimination, self hatred/love, and many other topics are present thoughout TPAB, and they're all weaved together incredibly.

"Wesley's Theory" is an incredible album opener, with incredible producton, great bass playing from Thundercat, George Clinton's funky vocals at the end, and Kendrick absolutely tears the track up with his decision to rap through the character of Uncle Sam. "For Free" is a pretty funny interlude, and "King Kunta" is a f---ing b-----r holy s---, that guitar solo at the end is epic. "These Walls" is partly a soulful sex jam, and partly a tale of revenge against Kendrick's enemy and it excels at both. The instrumental part near the end of the track is amazing as well.

"u" has to be one of the most vivid depictions of self loathing that has ever been put to song, and it is truly harrowing. "Alright" is a great protest song, and the "For Sale" interlude is a very groovy introduction to the Lucy character. "How Much a Dollar Cost" is a masterpiece in storytelling, and "The Blacker the Berry" is a fired up attack on white America, and its stellar. The album version of "i" is very fun as well, and "Mortal Man" has to be one of the most important tracks of the past 10 years. Kendrick really managed to weave a nearly two decade-old Pac interview into his project's grand vision, and he pulled it off beautifully.

So yeah, To p---- a Butterfly is great, to nobody's surprise. Over time I have been pretty shocked at the fact that this record has a very mixed reception on this forum, but I still love it personally. i still think it's Kendrick's best.

 

May 2, 2025

219. The Beach Boys - Pet Sounds (1966) [May 2nd, 2025]

Finishing today with another album that is very near and dear to my heart. I think that in a lot of ways, Pet Sounds is the definitive "growing up" album. This whole album just encompasses all the good and sad things about entering adulthood. I should preface this log by saying that despite taking a few music theory classes, I remember absolutely nothing, so that's going to be missing from my review

"Wouldn't It Be Nice" starts the record off with one of the most beautiful love songs that has ever been made. And for the first half record, I'd say that I'm felt with lots of bittersweet joy from these tracks. A song like "That's Not Me" which is basically about a man moving a way because of a "dream", hits very close to home for me. Love is a very common theme on this record, whether it be the sweet romance depicted on "Don't Talk (Put Your Head On My Shoulder)" or the desperation shown by the narrator in "I'm Waiting For The Day". I think that the instrumental track "Let's Go Away For A While" ends Side A on a very blissful, and emotional note, and it's one of my favorite tracks on here (I know "Sloop John B" is the lack track okay, I just think that LGAFAW works better as the midpoint of the record).

Side B begins with the absolutely beautiful "God Only Knows", and the next couple of tracks are great as well. The love songs definitely begin to become less prevalent during this section, as we also get thinly-veiled LSD references on "I Know There's An Answer" and the absolutely heartbreaking "I Just Wasn't Made For These Times". Then, we have the closer, "Caroline, No". This might be one of my favorite closers of all time. The choice to end this record with a melancholic song about a breakup, honestly makes the whole record just feel sad. The record perfectly represents the experience of growing up, and the disillusionment that comes with it. A definitive 10, and a must listen.