Tag Archives: Stepbrothers

Evidence’s Weather Or Not Is Your Best Rap Album Of 2018

Last night (December 30), the tournament to decide 2018’s Best Rap Album came to a close. Evidence’s Weather Or Not bested Royce 5’9’s Book Of Ryan, 63% to 37%. Thus, the veteran Los Angeles, California MC/producer takes home the top honors in the second annual month-long voter-decided competition.

Notably, Ev’s third solo LP is the earliest release of 2018 that made the tourney’, which included Ambrosia For Heads‘ Top 15 albums of 2018 in addition to a Wild Card with write-in options (the winner of that was Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz’ Mona Lisa).

Big K.R.I.T.’s 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time Is Your Best Rap Album Of 2017. K.R.I.T. Speaks

While Evidence has already cemented an incredible 20-year-career across his role in Dilated Peoples, Stepbrothers, and an impressive solo catalog, W.O.N. reached a new plateau. In early 2017, the artist born Michael Perretta released the Alchemist-produced “Throw It All Away.” The somber video single saw Ev’ contemplating his life, discussing his relationship with money, and evaluating his career. That reflective mood would ultimately set the table for what built over the next nine months.

In the closing days of ’17, Ev’ dropped the Nottz-produced “Jim Dean” video single. A month later, the Rhymesayers Entertainment full-length release followed. The album addresses the cancer battle that Evidence’s partner Wendy was facing, who is also the mother to his son, Enzo. The highly-personal “By My Side Too” saw Ev’ pledging to be a great father, honoring his companion, and revealing why he may have seemed preoccupied to those not in the know. Sadly, Ev confirmed the passing of his partner several months after the album. Fans familiar with 2007’s The Weatherman can recall an all-too-similar heartfelt dedication to his late mother, “I Still Love You.”

Evidence’s New Video Is An Introspective Look Into One Of The Year’s Best Albums

However, at a full listen, Weather Or Not shows that Evidence refuses to be defined by loss or challenge. Instead, he celebrates the triumphs as an artist capable of claiming to be a fixture in the ’90s Underground Hip-Hop movement who still advances the culture without compromise. Moreover, Ev—who has worked with Kanye West, Everlast, B-Real, and plenty of others, asserts that he has been able to make a good living in Hip-Hop. Although the Rhymesayer may not get proper recognition for his arts, he embraces his place in the game, and raps, produces, and creates on the highest level of competition.

Twenty years after Dilated’s first 12″ singles, Evidence challenges his peers to do better. “Same vinyl crates, but I’m comin’ up with new flips / On my classics, like Karate Kid and Blue Chips / I don’t want to see my friends be broke or be bitter / I don’t want to see my heroes slangin’ verses on they Twitter / Everyone’s an imitation / Spitters copy G Rap, the rest are on some Drake sh*t,” he declares on the DJ Premier-produced “10,000 Hours.” The Rap survivor is unafraid to say what so many folks may be thinking. He shows his mind-state in Rap on “Love Is A Funny Thing.” “They say love is a funny thing / But what’s funny is the company that money brings / Every year my circle’s getting smaller / Not Ben Baller but never had a thin wallet / I got dollars in different forms of currency / I got problems, but ain’t nothing that worry me / And I ain’t saying that I’m worry-free, I’m just saying nothing’s fucking with me currently / Sh*t, I’m my own worst enemy / I make bread just to spend it like it’s 10 of me / It’s Evidence and people call me by my government / Call me for weed, but don’t call me for that other sh*t.

Evidence’s Latest Video Is A Trippy Journey Through His Brilliant Mind

Evidence involves a cast of guests, without losing the cohesive feel of a personal solo album. Longtime affiliates like Defari and Dilated band-mates DJ Babu and Rakaa are present. While 20 years ago, a Styles P and Evidence collaboration may have seemed like a far-reaching idea, the two lyricists sound great together, especially with Rapsody also in the mix. Ev’ also trades deft bars with Jonwayne, and lights the biggest stage to date for low-profile hardcore Hip-Hop sensation Mach-Hommy. Musically, the LP contains some of the most evocative Alchemist production in a truly incredible year for the other Stepbrother. Preemo and Nottz make their moments count, as Hip-Hop Heads can forever trust. Al’s homie Budgie as well as Twiz The Beatpro shine as well. Fresh off of producing a whole project for Defari in ’17, Evidence shows his versatility with three tracks of his own. Much of the album has come to video, including some incredible treatments by Jason Goldwatch and Ev’s own direction.

A show-piece within Weather Or Not is the Slug collaboration, “Powder Cocaine.” The song may be the intersection of the introspective and the more kick-back moments. “I be fine like powder cocaine / And that’s a hell of a drug, and that’s a hell of a saying / They need elephant trunks to get it off of the plate / I wanna better myself, they wanna dwell in the pain / I wanna better my health, no umbrella for rain / And that’s a hell of a bug, I wanna live in my dreams / Got an ocean in mind, they wanna settle for streams / I wanna settle for more / I wanna get knocked down so I could settle the score / Better than before as if that was possible / To shake the demons of my mother in the hospital,” raps Ev over one of Alchemist’s greatest beats of all time. The excerpt tackles the state of the art, self-improvement, and some of the most personal things the artist can reveal. Slug matches the energy with lines like: “I want knowledge of self and also everything else / But the gravity helps, yeah, reality’s real / When I finally fell, I told my family ‘Well, when a battery dies it goes to battery hell’ / Bent, intent, inflict a dent in the cement / Magnificent, brag like Sisyphus / Boast like the host with the most up-votes / I bought a spot in coach but got the bump-up hopes.” The song is catharsis from two peers who have helped shoulder a Hip-Hop movement, and still fight to pressing this incredible music to vinyl and CD.

Evidence & Krondon Show That L.A.’s Underground Vets Now Do It Big (Video)

Weather Or Not forecast a cloudy year in music, politics, society, and the personal lives of so many. However, the director of photography artfully put things in focus. This album played all year long with honesty, vulnerability, and the unwavering foundation of dope beats and rhymes.

Last night (December 30), the tournament to decide 2018’s Best Rap Album came to a close. Evidence’s Weather Or Not bested Royce 5’9’s Book Of Ryan, 63% to 37%. Thus, the veteran Los Angeles, California MC/producer takes home the top honors in the second annual month-long voter-decided competition.

Notably, Ev’s third solo LP is the earliest release of 2018 that made the tourney’, which included Ambrosia For Heads‘ Top 15 albums of 2018 in addition to a Wild Card with write-in options (the winner of that was Apollo Brown & Joell Ortiz’ Mona Lisa).

Big K.R.I.T.’s 4eva Is A Mighty Long Time Is Your Best Rap Album Of 2017. K.R.I.T. Speaks

While Evidence has already cemented an incredible 20-year-career across his role in Dilated Peoples, Stepbrothers, and an impressive solo catalog, W.O.N. reached a new plateau. In early 2017, the artist born Michael Perretta released the Alchemist-produced “Throw It All Away.” The somber video single saw Ev’ contemplating his life, discussing his relationship with money, and evaluating his career. That reflective mood would ultimately set the table for what built over the next nine months.

In the closing days of ’17, Ev’ dropped the Nottz-produced “Jim Dean” video single. A month later, the Rhymesayers Entertainment full-length release followed. The album addresses the cancer battle that Evidence’s partner Wendy was facing, who is also the mother to his son, Enzo. The highly-personal “By My Side Too” saw Ev’ pledging to be a great father, honoring his companion, and revealing why he may have seemed preoccupied to those not in the know. Sadly, Ev confirmed the passing of his partner several months after the album. Fans familiar with 2007’s The Weatherman can recall an all-too-similar heartfelt dedication to his late mother, “I Still Love You.”

Evidence’s New Video Is An Introspective Look Into One Of The Year’s Best Albums

However, at a full listen, Weather Or Not shows that Evidence refuses to be defined by loss or challenge. Instead, he celebrates the triumphs as an artist capable of claiming to be a fixture in the ’90s Underground Hip-Hop movement who still advances the culture without compromise. Moreover, Ev—who has worked with Kanye West, Everlast, B-Real, and plenty of others, asserts that he has been able to make a good living in Hip-Hop. Although the Rhymesayer may not get proper recognition for his arts, he embraces his place in the game, and raps, produces, and creates on the highest level of competition.

Twenty years after Dilated’s first 12″ singles, Evidence challenges his peers to do better. “Same vinyl crates, but I’m comin’ up with new flips / On my classics, like Karate Kid and Blue Chips / I don’t want to see my friends be broke or be bitter / I don’t want to see my heroes slangin’ verses on they Twitter / Everyone’s an imitation / Spitters copy G Rap, the rest are on some Drake sh*t,” he declares on the DJ Premier-produced “10,000 Hours.” The Rap survivor is unafraid to say what so many folks may be thinking. He shows his mind-state in Rap on “Love Is A Funny Thing.” “They say love is a funny thing / But what’s funny is the company that money brings / Every year my circle’s getting smaller / Not Ben Baller but never had a thin wallet / I got dollars in different forms of currency / I got problems, but ain’t nothing that worry me / And I ain’t saying that I’m worry-free, I’m just saying nothing’s fucking with me currently / Sh*t, I’m my own worst enemy / I make bread just to spend it like it’s 10 of me / It’s Evidence and people call me by my government / Call me for weed, but don’t call me for that other sh*t.

Evidence’s Latest Video Is A Trippy Journey Through His Brilliant Mind

Evidence involves a cast of guests, without losing the cohesive feel of a personal solo album. Longtime affiliates like Defari and Dilated band-mates DJ Babu and Rakaa are present. While 20 years ago, a Styles P and Evidence collaboration may have seemed like a far-reaching idea, the two lyricists sound great together, especially with Rapsody also in the mix. Ev’ also trades deft bars with Jonwayne, and lights the biggest stage to date for low-profile hardcore Hip-Hop sensation Mach-Hommy. Musically, the LP contains some of the most evocative Alchemist production in a truly incredible year for the other Stepbrother. Preemo and Nottz make their moments count, as Hip-Hop Heads can forever trust. Al’s homie Budgie as well as Twiz The Beatpro shine as well. Fresh off of producing a whole project for Defari in ’17, Evidence shows his versatility with three tracks of his own. Much of the album has come to video, including some incredible treatments by Jason Goldwatch and Ev’s own direction.

A show-piece within Weather Or Not is the Slug collaboration, “Powder Cocaine.” The song may be the intersection of the introspective and the more kick-back moments. “I be fine like powder cocaine / And that’s a hell of a drug, and that’s a hell of a saying / They need elephant trunks to get it off of the plate / I wanna better myself, they wanna dwell in the pain / I wanna better my health, no umbrella for rain / And that’s a hell of a bug, I wanna live in my dreams / Got an ocean in mind, they wanna settle for streams / I wanna settle for more / I wanna get knocked down so I could settle the score / Better than before as if that was possible / To shake the demons of my mother in the hospital,” raps Ev over one of Alchemist’s greatest beats of all time. The excerpt tackles the state of the art, self-improvement, and some of the most personal things the artist can reveal. Slug matches the energy with lines like: “I want knowledge of self and also everything else / But the gravity helps, yeah, reality’s real / When I finally fell, I told my family ‘Well, when a battery dies it goes to battery hell’ / Bent, intent, inflict a dent in the cement / Magnificent, brag like Sisyphus / Boast like the host with the most up-votes / I bought a spot in coach but got the bump-up hopes.” The song is catharsis from two peers who have helped shoulder a Hip-Hop movement, and still fight to pressing this incredible music to vinyl and CD.

Evidence & Krondon Show That L.A.’s Underground Vets Now Do It Big (Video)

Weather Or Not forecast a cloudy year in music, politics, society, and the personal lives of so many. However, the director of photography artfully put things in focus. This album played all year long with honesty, vulnerability, and the unwavering foundation of dope beats and rhymes.

Source: AmbrosiaForHeads.com

Click Here to Discuss in the Forums

Spread the love
             
 
   

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 14): J. Cole vs. Evidence

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of 2018 list a living breathing conversation, that would ultimately lead to you, the readers, choosing which album is the best of the year. Throughout December, we will pit albums against one another, battle style, and your votes will determine the winners.

We’ve chosen 15 albums that we think represented the best Hip-Hop of 2018. Inevitably, we left off some LPs that you believe should be included, so, we held a wildcard round (with a write-in option) where readers picked the album they feel most deserved a spot on the list.

The bracket-style competition among the final 16 albums has begun. Each weekday, albums will face off against one another. In each case, voting will close after 24 hours. We will go from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8 to the Final 4 to the Championship Finals, with one album emerging as the victor. The second and last Final 4 matchup is between Evidence’s Weather Or Not and J. Cole’s KOD. Only one can reach the championship round. Make sure your opinion is heard and gets counted (click on your album’s artwork in the box below, then click “vote”).


J. ColeK.O.D.

(defeated Mac Miller’s Swimming, 55.5% to 45.5%)
(defeated Phonte’s No News Is Good News, 50.1% to 49.9%)

Jermaine Cole has been displaying his self-exploration in plain sight for nearly 10 years now. Each album formulated by the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer has essentially been a verbal diary, meticulously detailing his pilgrimage through both the music industry and his understandings of existence. K.O.D., Cole’s fifth LP, finds him at his most enlightened, concerned, and transparent chapter to date. It bears a title serving as a triple entendre (Kids On Drugs, King Overdosed, Kill Our Demons) is cloaked in the severe dangers of addiction, ego, and greed. King Cole meets kiLL edward (an embodiment of his former stepfather) to sort through the effects of drug and alcohol dependency (“The Cut Off”), infidelity (“Kevin’s Heart”), the selfish pursuit of wealth (“ATM” & “Motiv8”), the inability to assess insecurities and ultimately face those personal demons (“FRIENDS”). What makes Cole’s decisive cautionary tale that is K.O.D. so powerful though, is that he seemingly comes to terms with his own self-inflicted shortcomings while simultaneously cautioning his peers and fans about the destruction of theirs. Without self-awareness, administered advice falls on deaf ears, and for an artist that has already hung their hat on unapologetic authenticity so intently, Cole finds even more strength in his sentiments throughout K.O.D. because of how mindful he is about the repercussions of his own tendencies. K.O.D. is both therapeutic and instructive in a time when honest leadership from a respected veteran was absolutely critical. Cole knew this, and K.O.D. is his grand contribution to the overall well-being of the music industry. Without vanity, Cole has demanded that all parties listen closely and choose wisely. – Michael Blair

Released: April 20, 2018
Label: Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope
Guest: kiLL edward
Producers: self, Ibrahim Hamad, BLVK, Mark Pelli, Ron Gilmore, T-Minus

 

EvidenceWeather Or Not

(defeated Pusha-T’s DAYTONA, 67% to 34%)
(defeated Black Milk’s Fever, 80% to 20%)

In a year when many of the year’s splashiest releases were defined by brevity, Evidence delivered a robust, 16-track composition in Weather Or Not. The fourth solo LP from the Los Angeles, California MC marries the gracious with the glib, with themes of perseverance, accomplishment, sadness, integrity and mortality. With guest spots from Styles P, Rapsody and Khrysis on one song (“Love Is A Funny Thing”); heat from Alchemist, who hopped on “Sell Me This Pen” alongside Mach-Hommy; to fellow Dilated Peoples Rakaa and DJ Babu; and one of the year’s best guest verses, courtesy of Jonwayne on “To Make a Long Story Longer,” the album is stellar. Its brightest moments, though, shine through with Evidence performing solo. As he spits on the LP’s opener, “I’m at my best when I’m back into the factory,” he’s both boastful and merciful. On the title track, he’s cheekily self-referential and on the DJ Premier-laced “10,000 Hours,” in prideful stride. “Throw It All Away” may embody Weather Or Not‘s DNA most acutely: “Out the gate a bit late, but the champ is back / I need a third hand to wear my rings and hold plaques.” He saved the true poignancy for the album’s closer, however. On “By My Side Too,” he celebrates his late life partner—as she was battling Stage III breast cancer—as well as his son, who was born during the recording process for Weather Or Not. As he told Ambrosia For Heads earlier this year, “The reward of being an open book is way more tremendous. There’s a bigger purpose to it.” – Bonita

Released: January 26, 2018
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Guests: Rakaa, Alchemist, Slug, Defari, Rapsody, Styles P, Krondon, Jonwayne, Mach Hommy, Khrysis, Catero
Producers: self, Alchemist, DJ Premier, Nottz, Budgie, Twiz The Beat Pro, Samiyam

So which is better?

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2018 List:

Black MilkFever
Black ThoughtStreams Of Thought, Vol. 2
Buddy – Harlan & Alondra
EvidenceWeather Or Not
J. ColeK.O.D
Jay RockRedemption
Mac Miller – Swimming
Masta Ace & Marco Polo – A Breukelen Story
Nipsey HussleVictory Lap
Phonte – No News Is Good News
Pusha-T – DAYTONA
Royce 5’9 – Book Of Ryan
Saba – CARE FOR ME
Travis Scott ASTROWORLD
Westside GunnSupreme Blientele

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of 2018 list a living breathing conversation, that would ultimately lead to you, the readers, choosing which album is the best of the year. Throughout December, we will pit albums against one another, battle style, and your votes will determine the winners.

We’ve chosen 15 albums that we think represented the best Hip-Hop of 2018. Inevitably, we left off some LPs that you believe should be included, so, we held a wildcard round (with a write-in option) where readers picked the album they feel most deserved a spot on the list.

The bracket-style competition among the final 16 albums has begun. Each weekday, albums will face off against one another. In each case, voting will close after 24 hours. We will go from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8 to the Final 4 to the Championship Finals, with one album emerging as the victor. The second and last Final 4 matchup is between Evidence’s Weather Or Not and J. Cole’s KOD. Only one can reach the championship round. Make sure your opinion is heard and gets counted (click on your album’s artwork in the box below, then click “vote”).


J. ColeK.O.D.

(defeated Mac Miller’s Swimming, 55.5% to 45.5%)
(defeated Phonte’s No News Is Good News, 50.1% to 49.9%)

Jermaine Cole has been displaying his self-exploration in plain sight for nearly 10 years now. Each album formulated by the Fayetteville, North Carolina MC/producer has essentially been a verbal diary, meticulously detailing his pilgrimage through both the music industry and his understandings of existence. K.O.D., Cole’s fifth LP, finds him at his most enlightened, concerned, and transparent chapter to date. It bears a title serving as a triple entendre (Kids On Drugs, King Overdosed, Kill Our Demons) is cloaked in the severe dangers of addiction, ego, and greed. King Cole meets kiLL edward (an embodiment of his former stepfather) to sort through the effects of drug and alcohol dependency (“The Cut Off”), infidelity (“Kevin’s Heart”), the selfish pursuit of wealth (“ATM” & “Motiv8”), the inability to assess insecurities and ultimately face those personal demons (“FRIENDS”). What makes Cole’s decisive cautionary tale that is K.O.D. so powerful though, is that he seemingly comes to terms with his own self-inflicted shortcomings while simultaneously cautioning his peers and fans about the destruction of theirs. Without self-awareness, administered advice falls on deaf ears, and for an artist that has already hung their hat on unapologetic authenticity so intently, Cole finds even more strength in his sentiments throughout K.O.D. because of how mindful he is about the repercussions of his own tendencies. K.O.D. is both therapeutic and instructive in a time when honest leadership from a respected veteran was absolutely critical. Cole knew this, and K.O.D. is his grand contribution to the overall well-being of the music industry. Without vanity, Cole has demanded that all parties listen closely and choose wisely. – Michael Blair

Released: April 20, 2018
Label: Dreamville/Roc Nation/Interscope
Guest: kiLL edward
Producers: self, Ibrahim Hamad, BLVK, Mark Pelli, Ron Gilmore, T-Minus

 

EvidenceWeather Or Not

(defeated Pusha-T’s DAYTONA, 67% to 34%)
(defeated Black Milk’s Fever, 80% to 20%)

In a year when many of the year’s splashiest releases were defined by brevity, Evidence delivered a robust, 16-track composition in Weather Or Not. The fourth solo LP from the Los Angeles, California MC marries the gracious with the glib, with themes of perseverance, accomplishment, sadness, integrity and mortality. With guest spots from Styles P, Rapsody and Khrysis on one song (“Love Is A Funny Thing”); heat from Alchemist, who hopped on “Sell Me This Pen” alongside Mach-Hommy; to fellow Dilated Peoples Rakaa and DJ Babu; and one of the year’s best guest verses, courtesy of Jonwayne on “To Make a Long Story Longer,” the album is stellar. Its brightest moments, though, shine through with Evidence performing solo. As he spits on the LP’s opener, “I’m at my best when I’m back into the factory,” he’s both boastful and merciful. On the title track, he’s cheekily self-referential and on the DJ Premier-laced “10,000 Hours,” in prideful stride. “Throw It All Away” may embody Weather Or Not‘s DNA most acutely: “Out the gate a bit late, but the champ is back / I need a third hand to wear my rings and hold plaques.” He saved the true poignancy for the album’s closer, however. On “By My Side Too,” he celebrates his late life partner—as she was battling Stage III breast cancer—as well as his son, who was born during the recording process for Weather Or Not. As he told Ambrosia For Heads earlier this year, “The reward of being an open book is way more tremendous. There’s a bigger purpose to it.” – Bonita

Released: January 26, 2018
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Guests: Rakaa, Alchemist, Slug, Defari, Rapsody, Styles P, Krondon, Jonwayne, Mach Hommy, Khrysis, Catero
Producers: self, Alchemist, DJ Premier, Nottz, Budgie, Twiz The Beat Pro, Samiyam

So which is better?

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2018 List:

Black MilkFever
Black ThoughtStreams Of Thought, Vol. 2
Buddy – Harlan & Alondra
EvidenceWeather Or Not
J. ColeK.O.D
Jay RockRedemption
Mac Miller – Swimming
Masta Ace & Marco Polo – A Breukelen Story
Nipsey HussleVictory Lap
Phonte – No News Is Good News
Pusha-T – DAYTONA
Royce 5’9 – Book Of Ryan
Saba – CARE FOR ME
Travis Scott ASTROWORLD
Westside GunnSupreme Blientele

Source: AmbrosiaForHeads.com

Click Here to Discuss in the Forums

Spread the love
             
 
   

Who Had The Best Rap Album Of 2018 (Battle 10): Pusha-T vs. Evidence

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of 2018 list a living breathing conversation, that would ultimately lead to you, the readers, choosing which album is the best of the year. Throughout December, we will pit albums against one another, battle style, and your votes will determine the winners.

We’ve chosen 15 albums that we think represented the best Hip-Hop of 2018. Inevitably, we left off some LPs that you believe should be included, so, we held a wildcard round (with a write-in option) where readers picked the album they feel most deserved a spot on the list.

The bracket-style competition among the final 16 albums has begun. Each weekday, albums will face off against one another. In each case, voting will close after 24 hours. We will go from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8 to the Final 4 to the Championship Finals, with one album emerging as the victor. The second Round 2 match-up is between Pusha-T’s DAYTONA and Evidence’s Weather Or Not. Only one of these highly-respected albums can reach the Final 4. Make sure your opinion is heard and gets counted (click on your album’s artwork in the box below, then click “vote”).

 


Pusha-T – DAYTONA

(defeated Westside Gunn’s Supreme Blientele, 59% to 41%)

Amidst a career filled with flare, 2018 saw Pusha-T release his magnum opus, DAYTONA. As unapologetic as it is air-tight, the seven-track album plays out as brief, yet sharp, glimpse into Pusha’s life at the top. With its title partly inspired by a Swiss watch, this G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam affair is about the luxury of time. In the last decade, Push’ transformed from one half of The Clipse dealing with label woes to an artist who drives playlists and headlines at once. All of the beats bleed with equal parts Soul and Miami Vice montage neon, thanks to Kanye West’s sample and drum-heavy production. Meanwhile, no feature feels amiss; Rick Ross, singer 070 Shake and ‘Ye make their appearances without overstaying their welcome. Though a kingpin removed from the grindin’, Push’s cocaine raps somehow seem as fresh as ever. True to the $85,000 cover-photograph from Whitney Houston’s bathroom, the MC seems his best when he’s sinister, relentless, and vengeful. Opener “If You Know You Know” shows Pusha dropping double entendres about how far back his concrete roots go. The Rick Ross-assisted “Hard Piano” sees the two rappers going toe-to-toe over a piano loop and dramatic hook. Closer “Infrared” tries to grab Drake by the jugular before both artists continued their offensives off-album. Daytona sits as his King Push’s most consistent, confident and concise project to date. Yugh. – Kevin Cortez

Released: May 25, 2018
Label: GOOD Music, Def Jam
Guests: Rick Ross, 070 Shake, Kanye West
Producers: Kanye West, Pi’erre Bourne, Andrew Dawson, Mike Dean

 

EvidenceWeather Or Not

(defeated Black Milk’s Fever, 80% to 20%)

In a year when many of the year’s splashiest releases were defined by brevity, Evidence delivered a robust, 16-track composition in Weather Or Not. The fourth solo LP from the Los Angeles, California MC marries the gracious with the glib, with themes of perseverance, accomplishment, sadness, integrity and mortality. With guest spots from Styles P, Rapsody and Khrysis on one song (“Love Is A Funny Thing”); heat from Alchemist, who hopped on “Sell Me This Pen” alongside Mach-Hommy; to fellow Dilated Peoples Rakaa and DJ Babu; and one of the year’s best guest verses, courtesy of Jonwayne on “To Make a Long Story Longer,” the album is stellar. Its brightest moments, though, shine through with Evidence performing solo. As he spits on the LP’s opener, “I’m at my best when I’m back into the factory,” he’s both boastful and merciful. On the title track, he’s cheekily self-referential and on the DJ Premier-laced “10,000 Hours,” in prideful stride. “Throw It All Away” may embody Weather Or Not‘s DNA most acutely: “Out the gate a bit late, but the champ is back / I need a third hand to wear my rings and hold plaques.” He saved the true poignancy for the album’s closer, however. On “By My Side Too,” he celebrates his late life partner—as she was battling Stage III breast cancer—as well as his son, who was born during the recording process for Weather Or Not. As he told Ambrosia For Heads earlier this year, “The reward of being an open book is way more tremendous. There’s a bigger purpose to it.” – Bonita

Released: January 26, 2018
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Guests: Rakaa, Alchemist, Slug, Defari, Rapsody, Styles P, Krondon, Jonwayne, Mach Hommy, Khrysis, Catero
Producers: self, Alchemist, DJ Premier, Nottz, Budgie, Twiz The Beat Pro, Samiyam

So which is better?

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2018 List:

Black MilkFever
Black ThoughtStreams Of Thought, Vol. 2
Buddy – Harlan & Alondra
EvidenceWeather Or Not
J. ColeK.O.D
Jay RockRedemption
Mac Miller – Swimming
Masta Ace & Marco Polo – A Breukelen Story
Nipsey HussleVictory Lap
Phonte – No News Is Good News
Pusha-T – DAYTONA
Royce 5’9 – Book Of Ryan
Saba – CARE FOR ME
Travis Scott ASTROWORLD
Westside GunnSupreme Blientele

We have our opinions on the best releases of 2018, but rather than simply tell you our pick for #1, we thought it would be more interesting to hear what you, the readers, believe is the Best Rap Album of 2018. With that in mind, we decided to make our Best Rap Albums Of 2018 list a living breathing conversation, that would ultimately lead to you, the readers, choosing which album is the best of the year. Throughout December, we will pit albums against one another, battle style, and your votes will determine the winners.

We’ve chosen 15 albums that we think represented the best Hip-Hop of 2018. Inevitably, we left off some LPs that you believe should be included, so, we held a wildcard round (with a write-in option) where readers picked the album they feel most deserved a spot on the list.

The bracket-style competition among the final 16 albums has begun. Each weekday, albums will face off against one another. In each case, voting will close after 24 hours. We will go from the Sweet 16 to the Elite 8 to the Final 4 to the Championship Finals, with one album emerging as the victor. The second Round 2 match-up is between Pusha-T’s DAYTONA and Evidence’s Weather Or Not. Only one of these highly-respected albums can reach the Final 4. Make sure your opinion is heard and gets counted (click on your album’s artwork in the box below, then click “vote”).

 


Pusha-T – DAYTONA

(defeated Westside Gunn’s Supreme Blientele, 59% to 41%)

Amidst a career filled with flare, 2018 saw Pusha-T release his magnum opus, DAYTONA. As unapologetic as it is air-tight, the seven-track album plays out as brief, yet sharp, glimpse into Pusha’s life at the top. With its title partly inspired by a Swiss watch, this G.O.O.D. Music/Def Jam affair is about the luxury of time. In the last decade, Push’ transformed from one half of The Clipse dealing with label woes to an artist who drives playlists and headlines at once. All of the beats bleed with equal parts Soul and Miami Vice montage neon, thanks to Kanye West’s sample and drum-heavy production. Meanwhile, no feature feels amiss; Rick Ross, singer 070 Shake and ‘Ye make their appearances without overstaying their welcome. Though a kingpin removed from the grindin’, Push’s cocaine raps somehow seem as fresh as ever. True to the $85,000 cover-photograph from Whitney Houston’s bathroom, the MC seems his best when he’s sinister, relentless, and vengeful. Opener “If You Know You Know” shows Pusha dropping double entendres about how far back his concrete roots go. The Rick Ross-assisted “Hard Piano” sees the two rappers going toe-to-toe over a piano loop and dramatic hook. Closer “Infrared” tries to grab Drake by the jugular before both artists continued their offensives off-album. Daytona sits as his King Push’s most consistent, confident and concise project to date. Yugh. – Kevin Cortez

Released: May 25, 2018
Label: GOOD Music, Def Jam
Guests: Rick Ross, 070 Shake, Kanye West
Producers: Kanye West, Pi’erre Bourne, Andrew Dawson, Mike Dean

 

EvidenceWeather Or Not

(defeated Black Milk’s Fever, 80% to 20%)

In a year when many of the year’s splashiest releases were defined by brevity, Evidence delivered a robust, 16-track composition in Weather Or Not. The fourth solo LP from the Los Angeles, California MC marries the gracious with the glib, with themes of perseverance, accomplishment, sadness, integrity and mortality. With guest spots from Styles P, Rapsody and Khrysis on one song (“Love Is A Funny Thing”); heat from Alchemist, who hopped on “Sell Me This Pen” alongside Mach-Hommy; to fellow Dilated Peoples Rakaa and DJ Babu; and one of the year’s best guest verses, courtesy of Jonwayne on “To Make a Long Story Longer,” the album is stellar. Its brightest moments, though, shine through with Evidence performing solo. As he spits on the LP’s opener, “I’m at my best when I’m back into the factory,” he’s both boastful and merciful. On the title track, he’s cheekily self-referential and on the DJ Premier-laced “10,000 Hours,” in prideful stride. “Throw It All Away” may embody Weather Or Not‘s DNA most acutely: “Out the gate a bit late, but the champ is back / I need a third hand to wear my rings and hold plaques.” He saved the true poignancy for the album’s closer, however. On “By My Side Too,” he celebrates his late life partner—as she was battling Stage III breast cancer—as well as his son, who was born during the recording process for Weather Or Not. As he told Ambrosia For Heads earlier this year, “The reward of being an open book is way more tremendous. There’s a bigger purpose to it.” – Bonita

Released: January 26, 2018
Label: Rhymesayers Entertainment
Guests: Rakaa, Alchemist, Slug, Defari, Rapsody, Styles P, Krondon, Jonwayne, Mach Hommy, Khrysis, Catero
Producers: self, Alchemist, DJ Premier, Nottz, Budgie, Twiz The Beat Pro, Samiyam

So which is better?

Ambrosia For Heads’ Top 15 Hip-Hop Albums Of 2018 List:

Black MilkFever
Black ThoughtStreams Of Thought, Vol. 2
Buddy – Harlan & Alondra
EvidenceWeather Or Not
J. ColeK.O.D
Jay RockRedemption
Mac Miller – Swimming
Masta Ace & Marco Polo – A Breukelen Story
Nipsey HussleVictory Lap
Phonte – No News Is Good News
Pusha-T – DAYTONA
Royce 5’9 – Book Of Ryan
Saba – CARE FOR ME
Travis Scott ASTROWORLD
Westside GunnSupreme Blientele

Source: AmbrosiaForHeads.com

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