Best Ever Albums

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

baystateoftheart — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 17:49:10 GMT

Author: baystateoftheart

Posted: 01/22/2021 22:49

Didn't vote in time on this match, but I'm going to vote anyway.

Black On Both Sides: 4/5
Grey Skies: 3.5/5
My Name Is: 1.5/5
Got Your Money: 3/5

1999 Total: 12/20

Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often: 3.5/5
Rosebudd's Revenge: 3/5
DNA.: 4.5/5
XO Tour Llif3: 3.5/5

2017 Total: 14.5/20

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Skinny — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 11:19:12 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 01/22/2021 16:19

1999 wins, 13-3.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Skinny — Fri, 22 Jan 2021 07:20:04 GMT

Author: Skinny

Posted: 01/22/2021 12:20

I preferred by team, but by a much smaller margin than has been reflected in the scoreline. Obviously happy to be winning, but was expecting the vote to be much closer. A great team regardless, Hayden - I wholeheartedly love everything here, except maybe 'DNA' (which is still a great song, just not a personal Kendrick favourite, even though the last time I saw him live he opened with it and the whole place was electric).

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

RoundTheBend — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 20:28:56 GMT

Author: RoundTheBend

Posted: 01/22/2021 01:28

seriously, had the Lil Uzi Vert single been literally any other 2017 single, probs would've gotten my vote.

Even if the score doesn't reflect it, super close imo.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

travelful — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:39:19 GMT

Author: travelful

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:39

Hayden wrote:

As much as I like it, I wasn't going to pick it on the album roster. (Pride, Fear, Duckworth, DNA, etc. etc.. all great though).

Completely understandable. I don't think it would win your team much favor anyways even if you did.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

19loveless91 — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:34:18 GMT

Author: 19loveless91

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:34

I might give that third vote to 2017, because I prefer those singles by a lot, but I need to give a proper chance to Crooked Lettaz. So like, one more day left, yeah?

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Hayden — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:24:49 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:24

travelful wrote:

I love DAMN., probably more than the average hip-hop head, but DNA is a single that's gotten kinda old for me. With that said I'm glad this was picked over HUMBLE. (kendricks worst track since Section .80). The two singles are actually the only two tracks I skip on DAMN. nowadays now that I think about it.

Not to badtalk Kendrick when he's on my board, but I genuinely dislike Loyalty and XXX. I think they're two of the worst tracks he's made. Nothing against Humble, and I think DNA's fantastic (the second half never fails to impress me), but just throwing my opinion on DAMN out there. As much as I like it, I wasn't going to pick it on the album roster. (Pride, Fear, Duckworth, DNA, etc. etc.. all great though).

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Hayden — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:21:10 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:21

kokkinos wrote:

The result could be expected, even though I went with 2017, but the margin is surprising.

You know what? Your vote means a lot. The write-ups have been great. Thanks kokkinos 😄

Quote:

It's not fair, Hayden!!! This matchup was actually super close!!!

I'll admit, I'm sliiiightly surprised how lopsided the match ended up being, but it is what it is. Black on Both Sides is a powerhouse to be up against.

(I'm not going to act like I was the only vote for me team until about an hour ago 🤣 )

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

travelful — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:19:42 GMT

Author: travelful

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:19

I went 1999 but yeah it wasn't an easy decision. I enjoy everything except My Name Is (even old Eminem annoys me tbh). Despite how excellent the 2017 albums are, they just aren't quite up there with Skinny's picks. Grey Skies was a new discovery for me and I fucking love it.

I love DAMN., probably more than the average hip-hop head, but DNA is a single that's gotten kinda old for me. With that said I'm glad this was picked over HUMBLE. (kendricks worst track since Section .80). The two singles are actually the only two tracks I skip on DAMN. nowadays now that I think about it.

Shoutout to both teams though, great matchup.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

kokkinos — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:06:29 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:06

The result could be expected, even though I went with 2017, but the margin is surprising.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Repo — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 17:03:21 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 01/21/2021 22:03

Hayden wrote:

It's not fair, Hayden!!! This matchup was actually super close!!!

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Hayden — Thu, 21 Jan 2021 16:51:05 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 01/21/2021 21:51

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Repo — Tue, 19 Jan 2021 23:03:49 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 01/20/2021 04:03

yeah. Once again the album's were a wash. All four kick ass. So it came down to the singles once again. And this time it wasn't really a fair fight. Maybe because of our age. First off, we think early Eminem is the best. Those first two albums are mad genius. And then ODB's iconic classic. Shit. No contest.

We do like both of the 2017 hits, but it's just not the same. We like hits. And we like nostalgia.

Team 1999.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Repo — Sat, 16 Jan 2021 23:42:21 GMT

Author: Repo

Posted: 01/17/2021 04:42

This one's so tight I'm going to need a rubber even though she's on the pill.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

travelful — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 15:21:40 GMT

Author: travelful

Posted: 01/12/2021 20:21

kokkinos wrote:

4th: Eminem - My Name Is
Eminem has -unluckily enough- been the artist that introduced me to hip hop and the reason I had once dismissed the whole genre as unlistenable.

🤣 🤣 🤣

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

kokkinos — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 12:10:57 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 01/12/2021 17:10

Man, those singles were huge. This has to be the best matchup of the first round in that regard.
My ranking for the singles:

1st: Ol' Dirty Bastard - Got Your Money (ft. Kelis)
I've always been in love with ODB's eccentric delivery and Kelis simply skyrockets it.
T-2nd: Kendrick Lamar - DNA
Typical Kendrick, not much to say. In most matchups this would easily take the first spot.
T-2nd: Lil Uzi Vert - XO Tour Llif3
If only all mainsteam music were that good...

Those 3 were ridiculously good, all of them have a strong case of being included in my top 5 of the round.

4th: Eminem - My Name Is
Eminem has -unluckily enough- been the artist that introduced me to hip hop and the reason I had once dismissed the whole genre as unlistenable. These days I can appreciate him a bit more (at least his 1999 - 2002 period), but still can't compare to the other 3 singles.

I hate the fact that Eminem is gonna decide the matchup, but everything else is superb and the albums were also very close.
For now it has to be 2017, but if there is some time left after I'm done with the other matchups, this and 1998/2012 are the ones I'll revisit.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

cestuneblague — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 08:21:16 GMT

Author: cestuneblague

Posted: 01/12/2021 13:21

God that ODB video is just iconic. I may remember watching it all the time on that rent-a-video channel that was at the back edge of cable, which I would always watch late at night waiting for the scrambled porn to come on. Takes one back, doesn't it? But no it's a classic, it's got that same awkward, vulgar but surprisingly still dexterous and lyrically clever ODB vibe that contrasts and fits really well with Kelis's elegant swagger on the chorus, definitely perhaps the sexiest bass line of the late 90s.

And dear fucking gawd "My Name Is" reallllyyyy takes me back to '99, I mean during the spring/early summer this song was eve-ree-where. Hate to sound like an old fart (again), but if you weren't around then it's impossible to comprehend how massive this really was. I probably heard it at least 600 times but beyond the "MY NAME IS" bit haven't put it on probably a good sixteen years, it was a nice little blast from the past and almost feels quaint compared to what Eminem was doing both at the time and directly after, usually he was better when he wasn't trying so hard to shock or be taken dead-serious-ly.

"Black on Both Sides"- no more words. Formidable, classic.

"Crooked Lettaz" is a really nice find, kind of unique to the southern scene at the time but still feels very late 90s to the core. Only complaint is that it by symmetrical nature of the tournament is going to be compared to BOBS.

2017 was really good too. Roc really was one of the most consistent rappers of the '10s even if I don't think he truly made a masterpiece (don't @ me, Nezz), but this was another really strong effort throughout if maybe not his most adventerous or daring work in comparison. For some reason I've never listened to Quelle Chris before now, this was an interesting way to take the plunge, this was less consistient but with more interesting highs, again maybe just needed to be already-initiated into his work previously. Singles are a standout.

So yeah in all I kind of find most of the albums of similar quality despite their very different approaches, though "Black on Both Sides" stands high above everything, and the singles are really excellent on both sides but perhaps nostalgia value (I have a feeling '95-96, '99-'00 I'm going to have that bias in each match) makes the 99 team win out. So yeah gonna party like it's the Willenium in here, but really good first fight regardless. Gonna have to work hard in my next matchups, for sure.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

Hayden — Tue, 12 Jan 2021 00:12:04 GMT

Author: Hayden

Posted: 01/12/2021 05:12

kokkinos wrote:

Overall, I don't see a definite winner after listening to all four albums, as 1999 has the first and fourth album, while 2017 the second and third. To be honest, all of them are close (in particular 2nd, 3rd and 4th spot) and I think that both of the 2017 albums would require a few more listens before forming a certain conclusion, but I'd like to move on to the next matchups, so maybe I will go for a re-listen if the there is no verdict after the singles.
So, next one is gonna be the singles.

Nah, you got it about right on the first try.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

kokkinos — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 16:29:17 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 01/11/2021 21:29

So, Roc Marciano - Rosebudd's Revenge. Roc Marciano has to be one of the most overlooked hip hop artists, not only by the mainstream audience, but also by underground standards. His body of work is impressive. Most -if not all- of his albums are above average and this one is no exception - by the way, during the nomination phase I was listening to UN or U Out for my 2004 team and comparing it to this, they are both great but different, his development over time is qute interesting, it's definitely worth cheecking it out. Anyway, this is an album that delivers on pretty much every aspect. The production goes for a wider range of sounds than his previous albums and for the most part they work, maybe a couple of missteps, especially towards the end of the album. The instrumentation is great and provides much needed energy. His rapping might not be that spectacular or charismatic, but it at least has a distinctive style that stops it from being dull. Even though there aren't many guests -only 2 actually-, one of them is Ka ("To our production, much destruction for our appetite With steel fist, if meal missed wasn't for lack of might We been bingin, we purgin dividends with snub nose My bud's rose, my service citizens Cain and Abel, my rappin' plight, wrote on same table they packaged white Ain't wrapped this tight if catching stripe and ain't actin trife"), who steals the show in a typical fashion. The lyrics are multidimensional and probably the best part of the album. On the one hand, they portray vivid images that would feel right at home in a crime movie ("Ten bricks of raw under the floorboard My nigga check the scoreboard I'm official across the board We headin toward the morgue I fled to Ecuador", or "The first chain I ever owned I stole a Herringbone (Herringbone) The end result: I boned a yellow bone Back when I was peddling blow in the red zone I can see me in Venezuela in dress clothes"). On the other hand, they are full of memorabe punchlines ("Look what I did here with a book and pen Might stomp you, leave a Gucci footprint They groom the pimp to Bergdorf Goodman", or "I paid a lump, the table spun I dip my blunt in angel dust The gauge pump, turn your brain to mush The slug'll make your potato bust Imagine what that Draco does Give you a halo, while i'm sniffin' yayo off of J-Lo butt It made a playa face go numb Beefin' with me and mine'll lead to E.Coli You're not bonafide, them hoes I just bone and slide I had a moment, sky open").
To sum it up, I would rank this a tiny bit above Quelle Chris - Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often. Overall, I don't see a definite winner after listening to all four albums, as 1999 has the first and fourth album, while 2017 the second and third. To be honest, all of them are close (in particular 2nd, 3rd and 4th spot) and I think that both of the 2017 albums would require a few more listens before forming a certain conclusion, but I'd like to move on to the next matchups, so maybe I will go for a re-listen if the there is no verdict after the singles.
So, next one is gonna be the singles.

Re: BYHH GW1: Group C - 1999 vs. 2017

kokkinos — Mon, 11 Jan 2021 13:24:03 GMT

Author: kokkinos

Posted: 01/11/2021 18:24

Quelle Chris - Being You Is Great, I Wish I Could Be You More Often is an album that invites you to explore it, coming with a promising title and a promising album cover. The production follows clearly an experimental direction. In songs like Dumb for Brains he goes full experimental, while in songs like Learn to Love Hate he presents us a typical boom bap tune with a twist. There are many great moments, but there were cases where the idea seemed better than its actual execution, for example Calm Before The Storm was anything but calm. In fact, it made me anxious. The biggest problem is that at several points it felt it was dragging without being able to justify its length (for example Buddies, BS Vibes, I'm That Ni#%a, all of them good if not great nonetheless). This leads the album to being significantly longer than it should. Funnily enough, the two shortest track work more than fine considering their duration. The thirty second intro does make a point, as it is a warning sign it's gonna get messy really soon. The other thirty second track, Encore, is equally insane. Another complaint would be that some songs (e.g. Fascinating Grass) sounded a bit empty, like they were underproduced. Not a fan of his rapping. I usually enjoy this laid-back style, but here it wasn't " I know I'm cool and I know I can afford to take it slow, rather "I 'm so tired I need to sleep". I wonder if he would sound better in a more conventional environment. BS Vibes was one of the few instances where I thought he was up to the task, though his best performance has to be the highly energetic The Dreamer in the Den of Wolves. The guests -there were many of them-were enjoyable for the most part, Cavalier being my favorite and Jean Grae a close second. His lyrics are in my opinion the best part of the album. Despite being abstract they manage to convey the message. The forever alone Buddies ("Might go on vacation Just me and my nigga My nigga is me Myself and I Who said I need you? Oh dummy, they lyin’ I’m doin’ just fine My cloud is on nine I take myself out for drinks, myself and I lit Might fuck the same chick"), the introspective Popeye ("So, I had to bite the bullet, the casing, the trigger My nigga said, “Sun never felt so, blah; sleep never felt so, yawn” Cleon could’ve been that dude, no one remembers though Posse moved on? Possibly here (yeah), possibly long gone"), the painfully honest In Case I Lose Myself in the Crowd ("Lightin’ like, velvet – it felt right Too many nights hell-bent – motel life That old scent of unknown It’s somethin’ how my code-switches Somethin’ ‘bout my show scored different, my food thought heavy Fork lifted, cliché, cat-callin’ life a bitch, to address Form-fitted, winter storm, inner core But hear me comin’ at the door, intercom Sinners can’t sing along Pentecost, they make no sense How sweet the cold, even with the hoes it feel complete") and the outright depressive Birthdaze ("Feels like my birthday today, and those are the worst days If it's a race for the end, then why come in first place? I've seen a fork in the road, I chose the third way I'll suckie duckie quack quack, sun shading dark rays") uncover parts of his state of mind. On the other hand, I'm That Ni#%a is an equally impressive yet so humorous showcase of his songwriting skills ("I got the froq and dog with the solid gold bone Got a platinum card collection it look like upper deck We burnin' down so much it's fuckin' up the ozone Copped a bugatti for the driveway I ain't touch it yet Gordon Ramsey came over cooked up a nigga a festival He’s like Q you that nigga I'm like yo get off my testicles Used to dream that one day I'd hook up with TLC (TLC) So I creep with DL freaks who need TLC Olympic pool Michael Phelps wanna train in (train in) I said it's cool bring through a zip of that rainman"). Some highlights include the trippy vocals of Popeye, the fire-breathing horns of The Dreamer in the Den of Wolves and the entrancing The Prestige.
To sum it up, huge potential but some flaws that can't be ignored. I would rank this slightly above Crooked Lettaz - Grey Skies, but definitely below Mos Def - Black on Both Sides.
The last album of this matchup is gonna be Roc Marciano - Rosebudd's Revenge.