theGrindStoned's Top Ten Tapes of '09

also i figure this was appropriate theme music

Ok, this one has been in the works for a little while. All year I listen to enormous amounts of tracks and tapes by an array of various artists/ groups. All the while I am considering which ones deserve to be called the best. Then out of that "best" group there is an even finer categorization of the 'Best of the Year'. This is the list that you have all been waiting for and here on New Years Eve it has arrived...

This is theGrindStoned's Top Ten Tapes of '09, as follows in no perticular order:

1.) Freddie Gibbs, The Labels Tryin' To Kill Me

2.) Curren$y & Wiz Khalifa, How Fly

3.) Kidz in the Hall, The Professional Leisure Tour

4.) CunninLynguists, Strange Journey Vol. 2

5.) Lil Wayne, No Ceilings

6.) Slaughterhouse, Slaughterhouse

7.) Willie the Kid, The Fly

8.) Curren$y, This Ain't No Mixtape

9.) The Cool Kids, Gone Fishin

10.) B.o.B., B.o.B. vs. Bobby Ray

Happy New Years.

Samson

Common Sense by Thomas Paine...

People trying to state that Freddie Gibbs and Pill are talented yet have limited reach because they take a lot from other rappers is a cop out. This couldn't be further from the truth. Rappers such as Pill and Gibbs are paying homage to the greats, there is no doubt in my mind that they've already flexed their vocal muscles on proven hit beats and used similar rhyme patterns to achieve an impressive product. It's not fair to judge them this early in their careers to a full extent, because they have only just begun to hone their skills and every track/ album they put out is going to be inherently that much better. What's happening is that these rappers are getting boxed in by people quick to make assumptions. The fact that they rap over so many greats, past beats should be a hint at the fact that they are already able to keep up with the greats on their own tracks. On Pill's most recent mixtape he has a tribute to both Biggie and Pac. Gibbs is already featured on a established artists album (CunninLynguists, Strange Jouney Vol. II). Give them time and they will out swagg any artists on the current scene without a doubt. Just remember it's necessary to learn to fly before you soar with the eagles, but these two are already flying with the best.

Ya Dig?

Samson.

Free Mixtape Downloads

zSHARE - Freddie Gibbs midwestgangstaboxframecadillacmuzik .zip

zSHARE - Pill 4075 The Refill.zip

Save the Game...

CunninLynguists new album Strange Journey Volume Two dropped yesterday, and it is incredible to say the least. The majority of the tracks have catchy inventive beats combined with impressive lyrics inter-weaved throughout. There's also some sick guest appearances on this album including Freddie Gibbs, Sean Price, and E- 40. My favorite tracks would have to be The W.W.K.Y.A. Tour (Substantial Feat. Efamm) (Remix), and Imperial (Feat. Freddie Gibbs). I was real stoked to hear Imperial with Freddie Gibbs, because Gangsta Gibbs is on his game right now coming out with tons of sick songs in a time when talented gangsta rappers are far and few between.

Stay Fresh.

Samson

CunninLynguists update...

Unfortunately I was misinformed about the release date of Strange Journey Vol. 2. I was searchin all over for the Album and could not find it, did however find a post I missed by CunninLynguist member Kno on Twitter, "Strange Journey Volume Two master has been turned in, artwork submitted. We signed a new distribution deal, release date + more next week.". Sorry for any confusion, and I will make sure to keep everyone updated on the release of this album.

Samson.

Anticipation

Tomorrow an album I've been waiting to be released is finally going to come out. Strange Journey Vol. 2, by CunninLynguists, a "duo" from Kentucky. The main members are Kno and Deacon, there have been other members that come and go but these two members are the founders and current members of the group. I found CunninLynguists when their first album was released (Will Rap for Food, 2001), intrigued by the song 'Mic Like a Memory' I started following this group. Will Rap for Food was re-released in 2005. Collaborations by CunninLynguists include many members of Atlanta's own Dungeon Family. The beat for 'Mic Like a Memory' was ingeniously made by group member Kno by sampling the song 'If You Don't Believe' by Deniece Williams.

Enjoy...

Samson.