Posted by Rob Critical
The people at Team Jaded put together a shop video for our friends over at DWNTWN. Check the video out and afterwards go cop some gear at the shop or through their website.
LINK: DWNTWN Skate Supply »
LOCATION: 644 Hyde St, San Francisco, CA 94109 »
[via DWNTWN]
Posted by Rob Critical
Favorite Hip Hop Projects Of 2009
What I’m hoping is that Just A Few Words... can be turned into a series of essays (or really just random rants) provided by the Critical Brothers. So, I’d like to kick of the new year with this one.
It is the third day of the new year. Here at HA Critical’s site, we want to keep it skate as much as possible. However, I am a huge fan of Hip Hop which is why I wanted to write a best of… list before the topic becomes played out to discuss. A lot of good Hip Hop was released for 2009. So, I decided to list my ten of my favorite projects in no particular order. I also say ‘projects’ because some are albums and some are mixtapes. I want to mention though, those considered to be mixtapes, I am appreciative that they were released with a “No DJ” version.
Any rate, I would have loved to dissect and critique why they are my favorite, but I’m sure it could get wordy. Besides, each one had common theme: raw raps and dope productions that I enjoyed listening to. If the album or mixtape was offered free to download, I provided a link.
Wrote a article about. Like to read it? Here it goes:
Jay-Z – The Blueprint 3
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Empire State Of Mind” and “Hate”
Fashawn – Boy Meets World
STAND OUT TRACK: “The Score”
Clipse – Till The Casket Drops
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Popular Demand (Popeyes)” and “Showing Out”
Vimby & UPONTHINGZ Present: The New Classics
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Def 82″ and “Sydney”
L.A.U.S.D. – Curly Tops & Nautica Jackets
STAND OUT TRACK: “I Can’t Wait”
Freddie Gibbs – Midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Midwest Malcom” and “One Mo’ Time”
Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… Pt. II
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Pyrex Visions”, “New Wu” and “10 Bricks”
U-N-I – A Love Supreme
STAND OUT TRACK: “My Life”
Drake – So Far Gone
STAND OUT TRACK: “Sooner Than Later”
Curren$y – This Ain’t No Mixtape
STAND OUT TRACKS: “Elevators”, “16 Switches Spitter” and “Galaxy”
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Since there was so much good music out last year, it was really difficult to just solidify a group of ten favorites. So, there were a few other projects that I thought were dope as well. Here goes my honorable mentions:
Diz Gibran – Soon You’ll Understand
Souls Of Mischief – Montezuma’s Revenge
Slaughterhouse – Slaughterhouse
B-Real – Smoke N’ Mirrors
J. Cole – The Warm Up
J Dilla – Jay Stay Paid
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I might talk a lot about Hip Hop, however, my taste to tend to go into other genres from time to time. Lastly, here are some other albums that I did enjoy outside of Hip Hop:
Alicia Keys – The Element of Freedom
Discovery – LP
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I don’t mean to end it with a pessimistic notion, however, I already have a feeling that some one is going to read this and say, “Really? Those are you’re favorite albums of 2009?” Then I would go, “Yes, these are my favorite.” But, what I really wanted to mention was that if you disagree with this, I highly suggest creating your own. If you do agree with this, I hope this will inspire you also to still create your own list.
Posted by Rob Critical
Finally had time to hop on a computer to let all of you know, HAPPY NEW YEAR! 2010 is gonna be a great year. Thank you to everyone who has been down with us! And as always, we are going to continue to give you that Critical heat!
So Critical…