Dec 26, 2014

Just tallied the results and I've finished putting together Section Eighty's top 5 albums of 2014. This list was made 100% by you guys between the nomination and ranking rounds. I'll be updating the list with 2 albums a day for the next 3 days. I'll include two notable songs off each project for those of you who haven't heard the album.

List
HM: ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron
HM: YG - My Krazy Life
5: Big K.R.I.T. - Cadillactica
4: Isaiah Rashad - Cilvia Demo
3: Freddie Gibbs & Madlib - Piñata
2: Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels 2
1: J. Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive

 

Dec 26, 2014

I would never let the forum members vote on the top 10 for the main site. n----s asking where the Shady XV nominations are gonna k--- this site before it's birthed

 

Dec 26, 2014

Notable Songs:

 

Dec 26, 2014

In reality, Piñata might be the best release all year in my opinion. To those who haven't heard it and don't know which one of the 7 albums I'm posting today to check out, check this one.

Great album. Both songs I posted for this album are excellent.

 

Dec 27, 2014

Even if I had only listened to 8 albums this year, I would at the very least feel qualified to speak on those 8 albums b. Maybe my list wouldn't be all the way accurate, but my opinion on those 8 projects would have some basis.

It's been documented both in this thread and others that members on this site feel that listening, and I mean really listening to an album, is not considered a prerequisite to provide an opinion on a project. And that's not even directed at you so don't take that personal. That'll extend all the way to the people who were outraged that Shady XV wasn't nominated for this list.

Again, this is not aimed at you personally so don't take it that way. But whether or not an artist has lyrical depth or complexity, 24 hours isn't enough to soak in a project. I paraphrase Hov's words here, but you can't listen to an album and review it in a day, that's just impossible. Even if you pick up all the words within the first few listens, the nuances and the instrumentation, what the album is about. That takes time to soak. People were asking why 'Be Free' (which to me is one of the best records this year btw) wasn't on the album. The answer is that it doesn't fit. If I asked them why it doesn't fit, they'd be lost for words.

2014 Forest Hills Drive is not a perfect project, but its better than what a lot of people care to admit. There's a stigma attached with J. Cole's music and that's been documented too. This was tweeted by the guy who reviewed this album for USA Today. His review (in which he gave it a 2.5/4) was published 48 hours after this tweet was made:



And lastly, your point about Hopsin. While I don't feel qualified to speak on Hopsin's fan base, I just want to know what sample of Cole's fan base you draw the parallels off of. I've been following the guys career (and fan base) since 2009 and documenting it since 2011. Cole's core fan base consists of people who developed lofty expectations for Cole as an artist after he dropped 2 excellent mixtapes. While they were left disappointed after 2 lacklustre studio albums, they were pleasantly surprised with this one. These are the same people who make threads like "Count J. Cole's L's" and "Official List of J. Cole's Fart and s--- Lines". Same guys who dubbed J. Cole 'J. Snore' and Born Sinner 'Bored Sinner'. I say that to say that they don't take themselves or the artist too seriously. For the most part, they identify with and enjoy good music.

2014 Forest Hills Drive is good music period.

 

Dec 26, 2014

cuz bicken back bein bool is a classic song

"95% of the lyrics are the word n-----" is an argument a white suburban mom would use. You can do better than that.

 

Dec 26, 2014

Notable Songs:

 

Dec 26, 2014

To me that YG album is going to go down as a west coast classic. It's the best showcase of DJ Mustard's production to date and the two of them rejuvenated that classic west coast sound that we all grew up on. He's not Kendrick Lamar lyrically, but he doesn't need to be for the most part. Even the serial name dropper Game was underwhelming lyrically on The Documentary, but that's not why its a classic (its a classic because of 50 Cent's hooks and Dre's production). Kendrick just set up unrealistic expectations for not only west coast rappers, but the entire industry.

The Cole album is a very good project, and half the n----s on this site hated it before Cole even announced he had a 3rd album coming. @Narsh in particular has been going at people's necks for liking an album he hasn't even heard yet



I bet no one on this site can make a good case to argue 2014 Forest Hills Drive is anything less than a 7/10 without going in to some insignificant specific details like 'I came fast like 911 in white neighborhoods.' The only weak points on that entire album are Hello, the credits on the outro and the second verse of Apparently.

All that said, I like the YG joint more.

 

Dec 26, 2014

If YG bores you then you need to bless me with your iPod fam.

 

Dec 27, 2014

In conclusion its clear that 60 n----s from JCN won and the 10,000 people from SL lost