Top 10 Stories of 2009

Top 10 Stories of 2009

2009 is almost a wrap, but it wouldn’t be proper to let it pass without paying homage to the stories that made us ask “Did that really just happen?” Whether it was C.Breezy putting hands on Riri, a runaway balloon watch or Oprah spotted at Marcy projects, much of what was current could be figured out in 140 characters or less on Twitter, the social media site that changed the journalism game in ’09 — but even a Tinkerbellesque trending topic couldn’t keep Michael Jackson alive. We lost a lot of special people this year – but they’ll be remembered. Now lets take a moment to reflect on 2009:

Chrihannagate

2009 turned Chris Brown and Rihanna into this generation’s poster children for domestic violence when the aftermath of Clive Davis’ pre-Grammy party resulted in an entirely different kind of bash. Chrihanna dominated tabloid covers and the talk show circuit, and kept people talking about herpes, illicit text messages and baby blue bowties.

Vick Back in the NFL

If you thought his year in the pen marked the end of Michael Vick’s NFL career, well you thought wrong. After serving his time, PETA’s least favorite quarterback headed back to the field to suit up for the Philadelphia Eagles. Guess his dog days are over.

Kanye’s Big Ego

Armed with a bodacious bi-sexual and a bottle of Hennessy, Kanye invoked international ire after crashing the VMA stage as America’s sweetheart Taylor Swift tried to claim her prize. Amber Rose may be forgotten by 2010 however “Imma let you finish but …” might just rank as the most famous last words of the decade.

Long Live The King

Many doubted Michael Jackson could recover from huge debt, accusations of child molestation and just plain old eccentricity, but death restored his fortune and legacy perhaps more than any comeback concerts ever could. 2009 saw some of America’s best talents (Farrah Fawcett, Steve McNair, Patrick Swayze, DJ AM) take their last breaths, but only one was the King of Pop.

All Hail Hov

Jay-Z aligned his Blueprint3 release with an unprecedented branding plan (who didn’t see those HP and Rhapsody commercials?). The result? BP3 became S Dot’s eleventh #1 album, knocking Elvis from his throne. Oh and did I mention he brought Oprah to Marcy projects and keeps President Obama on speed dial? Forget about running “this town,” Hov runs the globe.

Bernie Madoff

If the recession wasn’t bad enough, thousands of Americans were royally ripped off by Bernie Madoff, whose Ponzi scheme literally made off with billions of dollars from investors, proving thievery definitely isn’t just a black thing. Wall Street caught a bailout but Madoff will never make bond, after being sentenced to 150 years behind bars in 2009.

Cheetah Woods

Golf’s great black hope set the tabloids afire after his wife’s Nordic fury sent the Cablinasian in a Cadillac into an Ambien-fueled one-car collision. The fallout from the accident placed Tiger at the epicenter of a 14-sidepiece pussy pileup, sidelining the golf great and costing him endorsements.

Balloon Goon

One of the strangest hoaxes in American history happened this year, when a Colorado man named Richard Heene succumbed to a thirst for fame so great he’d ask his son Falcon to con an entire nation by faking his disappearance in a runaway balloon. P.S. I’d like my hour of CNN watching back please!

Twitter Takes Off

Diddy and Solange helped drive the charge to make Twitter the most popular social media site on the block. It didn’t take long before Chris Brown, Bow Wow and Soulja Boy were proving 140-characters is more than enough to make an ass of yourself.

Jailhouse Rap

With Remy Ma, Da Brat and Prodigy already behind bars, lyricists in lockup are not a new phenomenon, but rappers went to jail in droves this year. T.I., Max B, Boosie, Gucci Mane, Lil Wayne and C-Murder were among the MC’s either sentenced or sent packing, while Shyne was freed only to be deported to Belize.

Posted by:

Janee Bolden

Best Albums of 2009

Best Albums of 2009

Anybody who says hip-hop is dead wasn’t paying attention in 2009. Yeah, most of these artists will never make it to 106 and Park, but you know what, who cares? Hip-hop has always been at its best when it’s been outside the confines of mainstream standards. That’s not to say that the artists in our top ten list don’t have mass appeal, it’s just that these MCs are making quality music that even hip-hop purists would be proud of. And while we aren’t ready to say that rap music is experiencing a revival, if this year is any indicator, 2010 is going to be another strong one for hip-hop.

10. Finale — A Pipe Dream and a Promise

With a flow reminiscent of Rakim, this Detroit native’s album, A Pipe Dream and Promise, is a must for any fan fiending for a rap record with lyrics that are just as hard as the kick drums. What else would you expect from Rock City?

9. Wale — Attention Deficit

With his debut Attention Deficit, Wale silenced critics who said that his brand of intricate word slanging wouldn’t connect with mainstream audiences. With guest appearances from everyone from Bun B to Lady Gaga, this DC native proved that musicians from the nation’s capital can make more than just Go Go music.

8. Toki Wright — A Different Mirror

After years of releasing mixtapes, this Twin Cities native hit the scene hard with his Rhymesayers release A Different Mirror. Blending street consciousness and Afrocentricty, Wright will leave you dancing, crying and screaming revolution all on one track.

7. Jasiri X

Until now, Jasiri X has been the king of the viral video. That was until he dropped his solo album American History X. This hard hitting album consists of the most popular tracks from his popular This Week with Jasiri X series, including the inspirational “Baller and Rappers”.

6. Jay Z — The Blueprint 3

Say what you want about Hov, but Jigga can still rap. And Blueprint 3 might not be a classic album, but years from now, when you hear “Empire State of Mind,” you’re going to remember the autumn of 2009.

5. Masta Ace and Ed OG — Arts and Entertainment

What happens when two of hip-hop’s most legendary MCs collaborate? You get one of the most entertaining rap albums in recent memory. Who needs club records when your flow is timeless.

4. Drake — So Far Gone

Few MCs have ever had more buzz than Drake. The ghostwriter turned pop star proved that he’s got what it takes with his EP release So Far Gone. Let’s just hope he can keep it up before the masses get bored.

3. Clipse — Till The Casket Drops

With production from the games biggest names, including DJ Khalil and Pharrell, this VA duo came back from their extended hiatus with a vengeance. No one makes crack dealing sound so entertaining.

2. Raekwon — Only Built for Cuban Links PT II

15 years after he dropped his classic album, Raekwon returns to the scene with one of 2009′s most critically acclaimed records. From beginning to end, this classic album will remind you why you fell in love with the Wu-tang clan in the first place.

1. Slaughterhouse — Slaughterhouse

Who cares if this album didn’t go platinum? There has never been a more talented coterie of MCs on one record. Let’s just hope that Royce, Crooked I, Joe Budden and Joel Ortiz have the attention span to come back with another one.

Posted by:

Biko Baker

The Official Blueprint 3 Review-Jay Z

Let me start this review by saying that I am a Jay Z stan (ie uber fan like the kid from that old Eminem song). Despite his misogyny, materialism and machismo, I actually think he is one hell of a MC. I also think that despite what some critics say, he has grown tremendously over the years and is a much deeper rapper than he is given credit for.

With that being said, I have to say that I am not the biggest fan of Blueprint 3.

More after the jump.

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Posted by:

Biko Baker