by David Stuckey
posted December 20, 2004
The best albums of 2004 belonged to the continuous evolution of Hip-Hop. From Lil John’s hard beating production wizardry to the party anthem of the year Lean Back, Hip-Hop music dominated this year’s best-recorded music. Mixed in this year’s eclectic crop is home-style country and pop but Hip-Hop has taken over American culture and this year’s best (and Grammy nominations) is a reminder of that. Here they are, the best albums of 2004.
10. Fantasia – Free Yourself
Music critics (and some music lovers) pre-judge American Idol winners without listening objectively to their music. That is truly a shame because third Idol winner, Fantasia Barrino, made a solid R&B album by mixing her unique sultry voice with production giants Missy Elliott, Jazze Pha and Jermaine Dupri.
9. Nas – Street Disciple
The Queens bred rapper delivers on this double album, which debates everything from American politics to his new marriage to singer Kelis. If you are looking for range in a rapper look no further.
8. Velvet Revolver - Contraband
Rock music just ain’t what it use to be but don’t tell that to the members of Velvet Revolver. They’re dark, rigid, dangerous and brilliant. To assemble the band they followed the same plan as Audioslave (mixing seasoned musicians together for a super band). The mix? Scott Weiland (Stone Temple Pilots) and the band members from Guns and Roses! Not bad if they can keep Scott clean.
7. The Roots – The Tipping Point
If you don’t like Hip-Hop music and want to keep it that way don’t pick up this album! You won’t see many of their videos on MTV or hear their songs drilled into your head from radio over-kill but The Roots know how to make original Hip-Hop. Armed with a live band and countless soulful melodies, front man Black Thought brings it home with his cunning voice and god given lyrics.
6. Talib Kwali – The Beautiful Struggle
The Beautiful Struggle is a beautiful album. Appearances from Kanye West, Mary J. Blige, Common and John Legend takes this album to new heights. Probably the most respected “conscious” rapper in Hip-Hop, Kwali doesn’t let you down by discussing the world’s diverse societies with poetic brilliance and intelligence.
5. Tim McGraw – Live Like You Were Dying
Tim McGraw has two things in common with Hip-Hop rising star Kanye West. They both dropped out of college and neither one of them will drop off the charts for a long time. Live Like You Were Dying is the album that will take McGraw out of Nashville and into a Garth Brooks type realm of celebrity.
4. Destiny’s Child – Destiny Fulfilled
Beyonce and the Pips can make hits plain and simple. From the first track Lose My Breath to the last ballad, this “comeback” album is probably the best music the trio has made together or individually. Fans and music lovers might want to fulfill their CD collections with this DC album because rumor is it will be the last!
3. Jamie Cullum - Twentysomething
Jamie who? Twenty what? The British jazz singer is probably one of the most talented musicians to hit America in a long time. You remember jazz don’t you, the music that was killed off by Rock and Roll. Cullum’s album is so good he may be the one man that can bring an entire music genre back to the mainstream.
2. Kanye West – College Dropout
He might not have an Oxford education but Kanye West is a prodigy when it comes to music. He has produced for Jay-Z, Alicia Keys, Janet Jackson and that is just the beginning of his A-list. The Grammy nominations were outstanding for West who received (the highest amount) ten nominations. Hey, the man put Jesus on the radio, isn’t that enough?
1. Usher - Confessions
Mr. Entertainment sold like a trillion records in one week and has collected so many awards in 2004 that he might have to build a separate room to hold them all. The Chattanooga native infused soul, Hip-Hop and pure R&B to make one of the classic albums of the early decade. The only question for Usher is: How to top 2004 and Confessions?
2004 Honorable Mention – Lil Jon and the Eastside Boys, Crunk Juice
Brandy, Afrodisiac
Jill Scott, Beautifully Human
Green Day, American Idiot
David Stuckey critiques albums on content, lyrics, originality and production.
Davestuckey3@yahoo.com
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