THREAD: AOTY 2000-09

I have been challenged by @beauty_hip_hop to make a thread on my albums of the year between 2000-09

Lmk what you think of my choices and if you enjoyed the thread like and rt

2000- VooDoo

A masterpiece from D’angelo, one of very few artists I believe to have 2 perfect albums! This is his neo-soul Magnum Opus. Taking the best parts of classic R&B, he managed to make a timeless classic that would still be ahead of the curve if released today.

10/10

Honourable mentions:
Kid A- Radiohead
Skankonia- OutKast
MMLP- Eminem
Supreme Clientele- Ghostface Killah

20001-The Blueprint

Probably my favourite Jay-Z album! Coming with the swagger of a veteran, witty braggadocio and brilliant bars, he made a truly special album here. That and the emphatic production which introduced the world to Kanye West, makes this a true staple of HH

10/10

Honourable Mentions:
Gorillaz (Self Titled)
Is This It- The Strokes
White Blood Cells- The White Stripes
Discovery- Daft Punk

2002-TES

Imo, Em’s at his best when he’s got something to rap about rather than when he’s off on murder fantasies. We get the former in abundance here. Mixed in is the wit and brilliant word play we know to expect the best part for me is how heartfelt most of this album is

9/10

Honourable mentions:
Sea Change- Beck
Original Pirate Material- The Streets
By the Way- Red Hot Chilli Peppers
Blood Money- Tom Waits

2003- Boy in Da Corner

What I consider to be the first grime classic. Exploding out of the popular UK garage scene, 18-year-old Dizzee’s flow is insane and the production equally crazy. Hungry to make it out of his struggle, few go harder than Dizzee does on this record.

9/10

Honourable Mentions
Get Rich or Die Tryin’- 50 Cent
The Black Album- Jay-Z
Speakerboxxx/The Love Below
Room On Fire- The Strokes

2004- A Grand Don’t Come For Free

A perfect project in my eyes. The original NGAB, it fills you with the hopelessness of the average British youth through witty & heartfelt writing. A masterclass in storytelling that will be equally popular with the Indie and HH scene

10/10

Honourable Mentions
The College Dropout- Kanye West
Funeral- Arcade Fire
Hot Fuss- The Killers
Madvillainy- Madlib x MF DOOM

2005-Late Registration

Possibly my favourite Ye album. With LR Ye improves his lyricism, diving into his own personal struggles and the plight of a black man making it out the hood. He also hones his production, this being the quintessential soul sample based HH album imo

10/10

Honourable Mentions
Be- Common
Demon Days- Gorillaz
Feels- Animal Collective
Illinois- Sufjan Stevens

2006- Whatever You Say I Am, That’s What I’m Not

Arctic Monkeys debut is a sprawling and energetic garage rock staple. Leaving you with only a couple seconds to breathe, you are forced to sit up and listen. There may be a formula to it but who cares when it works this well

9/10

Honourable Mentions
Hell Hath No Fury- Clipse
Food & Liquor- Lupe Fiasco
Back to Black- Amy Winehouse
Black Holes & Revelations- Muse

2007-In Rainbows

Ashamed to say this was my late introduction o possibly my favourite band OAT. A beautiful, painful and deeply human album from Radiohead, Yorke’s familiar haunting vocals create a great atmosphere. Weird Fishes is my favourite track OAT! A must listen

10/10

Honourable Mentions:
Sound of Silver- LCD Soundsystem
Myths of the Near Future- Klaxons
Maths + English- Dizzee Rascal
Neon Bible- Arcade Fire

2008- Tha Carter III

Exactly what you could ever want from Lil Wayne. Banger After Banger, funny bar after funny bar, this album does not let up. Too many highlights to name, If released today it’d be still in the AOTY contest. Saying that some tracks haven’t aged well

9/10

Honourable Mentions
The Seldom Seen Kid- Elbow
808s & Heartbreak- Kanye West
Dig Out Your Soul- Oasis
Modern Guilt- Beck

2009- xx

Just a fantastic and relaxing debut record from one of my favourite bands. It’s a serene and therapeutic blend of pop, R&B and electronic and these elements combine to make something really special. Perfect in the background or to dive into

9/10

Honourable Mentions
Only Built for Cuban Linx Pt. II- Raekwon
Lungs- Florence and the Machine
It’s not me, It’s You- Lily Allen
The Blueprint 3

Thread over: hope you enjoyed! I nominate @XannyByBillie @fredthedangero1 @daillegalalien @I_luV_yAl