Let’s do something unconventional and unexpected and represent hip-hop. You often here that rap is like High School or the WWE. So BehindTheRhyme.com is about to make your analogies official! Introducing the very first edition of BehindTheRhyme’s Hip-Hop Polaris!
Our special collaborator on this project is the Homey Mic Jonez! Salute to him for being a supporter of behindtherhyme.com
Most Likely To Succeed: Chance The Rapper
On one hand you would think, man he already succeed but, then you got to remember he made great strides off of one album. I’m sure he’ll get his Freshmen nod now and he went from being on Mac Miller’s tour to doing the same cities on his own tour in less than 6 months. If Chance don’t make it, the game has truly changed for the worse.
Most Likely To Fall Off: DJ Khaled
Shout to Mic Jonez nod for Wayne but here’s why I go Khaled. “We The Best” music is now banking on the revamp of Vado and although I do like Ace Hood as a person and his story, with those 2 being your anchors right now in hip-hop…its just not going to pan out with ten-fold success. Also, the 6 man 8 bar verse tracks with the screaming on them, just don’t see that working anymore moving forward. Now me not being a Wayne fan, I say he fell pretty hard when his core didn’t like the Carter 4 album. Then with the forgettable D5 and I am Not A Human Being 2 getting jeers, it definitely makes a strong case for Wayne’s official demise..but end of day..They are both under the Cash Money Umbrella so, maybe we both right ha!
The New Face of Street Music: Meek Mill
He hands down wins this partially because he wants its badder than anybody else! Meek is using the street format and content to a level where he’s pretty much his own category. With the MMG engine behind him I don’t see any cats taking the street music crown from him for a while.
I can’t say Yo Gotti because Gotti’s BEEN popping in these streets if anything he’s just getting a more mainstream, major label look. He has potential to be “Urban Legend T.I” but I can’t give him New face of street because his track record is too long. His career is a regional debate. Masses just need to catch up.
Most Sensitive Rapper: Wale
First let me say this has NOTHING to do with Complex. This does have everything to do with the Tiara Thomas situation, checking and responding to his mentions, and some of his irrelevant arguments over the year. This mans heart is also the chip on his shoulder. Although I do appreciate how much he cares about his art, I can’t deny the fact that Wale is the guy that will bust a joke for a laugh but, when you fire back he’ll hit you with something like “But I’d beat your a$$ though” or “At least my Grandma still alive”…
Lot of y’all were expecting Drake. Too easy and to be honest the Kendrick issue I think he Addressed during “The Language” and in the 2nd Break of “Tuscan Leather”..I think NWTS was pushed back for those 2 tracks alone.
The Overachiever: Macklemore and Ryan Lewis
This is possibly the greatest independent rap story ever told. With all due respect to Tech N9ne and Strange Music, the world hasn’t seen anything like this. I personally remember being sent the Macklemore video about the Jordan’s about 3 years ago. Add that to he had Thrift Shop in 2008 and literally built a fan base of major label proportion with no financial backing or buzz, you can’t say they haven’t over achieved. They definitely dropped one of the heaviest concept albums in a long time. The subject matter on The Heist is more broad than any other rap album period. His story really gives hope that hip-hop will survive on it’s on terms.
The Underachiever: J. Cole
This is no brainer for me. Born sinner is a classic case of a rapper surviving off of his potential and affiliation. Power Trip, Villuminat and Let Nas Down are all wins, Crooked Smile was his attempt at “Unpretty” with TLC and the rest of this album is “OhhhhhKaaaaaay”. I’m still convinced that people bought this album because of negative press of Yeezus. The rest of June was more about beating Kanye to a Gold Plaque [Who sold more first week] then really praising the material and rhyming on this album. I fear Cole is heading down the same path Jada did. By Kiss The Game Goodbye, I didn’t care how Nice Big thought he was. J. Cole is still living off that “Jay think I’m Dope, I’m on Rocnation” hype…It’s over…Do something great now.
The Hottest Crew: G.O.O.D Music
Let’s talk facts. G.O.OD Music had one of the best faction years in a long time. This ain’t about 1 verse, Good Cyphers or projections. This is Albums, Feature Runs and Depth. Kanye pushed the enveloped, Pusha T is in Best Album Rap debates and Big Sean has killed EVERY feature that has come his way for over 18 months now. Now add Common’s verse on switch, Hall of Fame being easily a Top 20 rap album for the year and I don’t see where the discussion needs to continue.
I know, I know…it should be TDE right? Wrong! The only new music from the camp in 2013 was verses [From Kendrick] and Collard Greens [With Kendrick]. Ab Soul made Chance and Mac’s album, Jay Rocks been working and Q’s album got pushed back. Real Life. its too much weight on that Control Verse…which the more I listen to it…eh…but we’ve spoke on that enough. They cypher was hot….Respect to TDE though. My plea to them is drop these projects and live up to the hype and expectation.
One Hit Away: Yo Gotti
As mentioned earlier Gotti has a chance to be “Urban Legend T.I”. I honestly didn’t see this coming. Although I really did like “CM7″,” Nov 19th” and his album “I Am” he just hasn’t made “That One” yet BUT, he’s definitely the closest. Ross, T.I and Jeezy have left the mainstream gangster lane open now that they have become legit bosses in the game. Gotti’s time is now.
Give It Up Already: Lil Wayne
I just dont have anything nice to say..so I won’t slander. Whether it’s time off or retirement, I’m with, Just do it, it’s time…
Had to tell y’all Mic Jonez pick for this one:
