Quarantine Hits: Notable Hip Hop Albums of 2020
It’s October, and we are alive! 2020 year was not the end of the world, after all. If there is anything to learn from it, that would be the entertainment industry’s resilience. This year has seen some of the best hip-hop album released in the midst of the mayhem, the pandemic, and economic difficulties. Here is our scoop.
Seven Times Down Eight Times Up: Elzhi
Elzhi has reminded Hip Hop fans why he’s one of the most talented lyricists on the new album Seven Times Down Eight Times Up, produced by JR Swiftz. The Slum Village MC has exhibited his wit and hypnotizing flow since his first album in 2016. The LP is a standout amongst other Hip-Hop albums of 2020. It easily Elzhi’s best work since The Preface.
With more than 20 years in the hip hop industry, Detroit’s 42-year old lyrical master Elzhi is now a legit veteran. He signed up Slum Village soon after J Dilla exited, and the work he has done with Slum Village since 2002 is largely remarkable.
Seven Times Down Eight Times Up begins with Elzhi’s dash of greatness. Producer JR Swiftz gets it right on the creation side of things. Sonically this is one of the most harmonious sounds of 2020. Detroit comedian, Foolish, gives analysis all through the album, adding to the fun.
Slime n B: Yung Thug
Yung Thug and Chris Brown have delivered another synergistic mixtape. It’s called Slime and B. There are appearances from Gunna, E-40, Future, and others.
Young Thug teamed up with Travis Scott and Migos to deliver the smashing hit “Give No Fxk.” The rapper also made contributions to Travis Scott’s “OUT WEST.” They did a video for the song this year and it featured a major appearance from Quincy Jones
Yung Thug’s regularly imitated, never-copied mumble rap is now the defining edge of new-age rap. Every up and coming rapper sings like Thug, and Eminem and 50 are pissed.
Thug’s music has a history of extreme commercial underperformance, so the rapper has a second hobby. He lives for gaming experiences like on this site. Thug has admitted several times that he spends a lot on poker and dice. So, if he is not rapping or beefing with the Future, he is probably winning or losing in a casino.
Blu and Exile: Miles
8 years ago, Blu and Exile dropped Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them, and then they disappeared. Presently they are back with two collections, Miles: From an Interlude Called Life (Miles for short), Blu and Exile third full-length cooperation. The title references jazz artist Miles Davis, who gets various mentions all through the album.
It’s unmistakable that Blu and Exile know and value their melodic history – this album is a review of their experiences and an investigation of Blu’s background. Miles may not be comparable to Below The Heaven. However, it’s certainly better than Give Me My Flowers While I Can Still Smell Them.
At 95 minutes, this album is long, but it’s mostly captivating from the beginning to the end. Miles’ top tracks include “When The Gods Meet,” “Valid and Livin’,” “To The Fall, But Not Forgotten,” “Miles Davis,” “Spread Sunshine,” and “The End.”
There are exciting vocal variations from guest artists, including Aloe Blacc, Miguel, Ishe, Dag Savage, Cashus King, Jacinto Rhines, Jimetta Rose, Iman Omari, Gappy Ranks, and others. However, Blu delivers with intelligent and meaningful lyrics, helped by Exile’s exquisite instrumentals.
R.A: All My Heroes Are Dead
The Rugged Man is one of the #1 characters in the Hip Hop game: he is absolutely credible and says what he thinks, regardless of what others think about his conclusions.
RA one of the #1 emcees too. Hardly any emcees can go bar-on-bar with R.A. The Rugged Man. His specialized aptitude, extraordinary flow, breath control, and bar-building abilities are the best in class.
R.A. has reliably demonstrated an unsurpassable lyrical prowess. Any individual who saw him performing live realizes he can move a crowd as well.
All My Heroes Are Dead is quite long. With 22 tracks, it is 1 hour and 16 minutes. However, there’s much more content than filler. For those new to R.A. The Rugged Man, the collection may appear to be somewhat cuckoo.
A few tunes are close to home or enthusiastic about family and parenthood and such, others have some political inclinations, some are about Hip Hop (history), and many have the tell-tale R.A. vulgarity.
