Man that last decade flew by, what do you call it? The Naughties, The Zero years the Millienuies? I have no clue and the phrase "whatever" couldve best described this depressing decades of 9-11, War, Katrina, Loss of classic artist like Michael Jackson, Rick James, Barry White, Isaac Hayes, and capped by the collapse of the economy! It also had the rise of the MP3 format, file sharing, The internet, Myspace, Facebook, Youtube and the downsizing of the whole idea of the CD's and the album on life support! The past decade looks a lot like the 50's a lot of good strong singles but the whole idea of a great album was virtually non-existent! Enjoy the list of what happened and lets see what happens in the two thousand and teens!
#1: JAY-Z THE BLUE PRINT (2001)
Sad but true this dropped unintentionally on September 11th and became an instant classic, proving that Hova was out to crush the whole decade as the top dog in the rap biz. A breakout not just for him but put Kanye West on the map being the producer of about 80% of the tracks here, the other 20% Just Blaze. The Diss Record
The Takeover, Izzo, Song Cry and Eminem duo with Renegades. One of the few albums of any format in the decade that you could play non stop without hitting the fast forward button.
---
#2: USHER - CONFESSIONS (2004)
Lets face it this is his THRILLER and he might try but hes never going to match this magnum opus, The title song and the killer BURN the breakup song that became everybodys prom song, how ironic. Yeah with Lil Jon and Ludacris is fun, Caught up is great and of course Alicia Keys ballad My Boo makes this just even sicker!
--
#3: BEYONCE' - CRAZY IN LOVE (2003)
She was already a star and this was like Diana Ross Leaving the Supremes to prove that she could be a solo superstar and she proved it hands down. The Title Track, Baby Boy (with Sean Paul), Me, Myself and I (Scott Strotchs breakout) she could get down with hot funky, soul hip-hop or sing a sexy ballad. You could say this Texas born GRITS girl is the Tina Turner of her generation.
#4: KANYE WEST' - COLLEGE DROPOUT (2004)
Yeah he did become an asshole later but this was his debut effort when he was hungry and a whole lot more humble and before his T-Pain audio tune copycat thing, and he fit that gap between the street thug hip-hop and the college style back packers that no one knew how to fill before. He proved he could EMCEE and not just a producer for higher. It could be serious and yet ironic and funny like All Falls Down. Definitely a keeper that you want see in the dollar bin.
----
#5: ALICIA KEYS - SONGS IN A-MINOR (2001)
Shes put some really good consistent albums this decade making up for the loss of Lauryn Hill and D'Angelo failing to showup, her debut is still my favorite of course her instant classic Fallin, and good followup A Womans Worth.. But I also dig b-sides like Troubles and the Prince remake How Come You Dont Call Me? This chick reminds me of Roberta Flack, Patrice Rushen with some Aretha and Donna Hathaway mixed in. Shes just Great!
---
The Rest Of the Lineup!
#6: GET RICH OR DIE TRYING - 50 CENT(2003)
#7: COMMON - BE (2006)
#8: JILL SCOTT - WHO IS JILL SCOTT (2000)
#9: HUSTLE AND FLOW SOUNDTRACK (2005)
#10: SPEAKER BOXXX/LOVE BELOW - OUTKAST(2003)
#11: URBAN LEGEND - TI (2004)
#12: CHRONIC 2001 - DR DRE(2000)
#13: THE BREAKTHROUGH - MARY J BLIGE(2005)
#14: TP2 - R. Kelly(2000)
#15: BLUE PRINT 3 - JAY-Z(2009)
#16: T.I - PAPER TRAIL(2008)
#17: MARSHALL MATHERS LP - ENIMEM(2000)
#18: THE WAY IT IS - KEYSHIA COLE(2005)
#19: AALIYAH - AALIYAH(2001)
#20: EVOLUTION - ROBIN THICKE(2006)
#21: ROCK STEADY - NO DOUBT(2001)
#22: IN MY MIND - HEATHER HEADLEY(2006)
#23: GOODIES - CIARA(2004)
#24: BLACK SUMMERS NIGHT - MAXWELL(2009)
#25: SO ADDICTIVE - MISSY(2001)
TOP 50 SINGLES OF THE DECADE
#1: Be Without You - Mary J Blige (2005)
(Her best song of the decade and top 5 in her career. When Mary Sings She means it)
#2: Dirt Off Your Shoulder - Jay Z (2003)
(I wish we could hear a whole Album of Jay On Timbaland Beats, its just magic)
#3: In My Mind - Heather Headley(2006)
(The most underrated vocalist of her generation power house lungs this one builds up and explodes to a climax of ectasy)
#4: Buy You A Drank - T-Pain(2007)
(I for one experienced Teddy Pender Hass Down burn out by the middle of 2008 with the overuse of the audio tune fad but you cant front on this gem it kicks ass.)
#5: Flashing Lights - Kanye West(2007)
(A great song and a weird video with Rita G with Ye in the trunk. This is an infectious jam)
#6: Umbrella - Rihanna(2007)
(Her Signature Song that Made her a International Superstar ya cant deny it)
#7: Fantasy - Ludacris(2000)
(Luda has always been limited in his subject but when he talks about what he knows HOES. he kills it)
#8: Burn - Usher(2006)
(Such a lovely song if you didnt listen to the words you wouldnt know it was about breaking up)
#9: Bad Habits - Maxwell(2009)
(After nearly 8 years out the game, Mr Max comes back with a masterpiece of melody and live horns)
#10: The Way You Move - Outkast(2003)
(This Earth Wind And Fire inspired classic had booties moving on the dancefloor all through the 03 and 04 year)
Also on The List....
#11: Crazy In Love - Beyonce' w/ Jay-Z(2003)
#12: We Belong Together - Mariah Carey(2005)
#13: Lose Yourself - Enimem(2002)
#14: All Falls Down - Kanye West(2004)
#15: Try Again - Aaliyah(2000)
#16: 21 Questions - 50 Cent w/ Nate Dogg(2003)
#17: Cry Me A River - Justin Timberlake(2002)
#18: Empire State Of Mind - Jay-Z w/ Alicia Keys(2009)
#19: Whatever You Like - T.I(2008)
#20: Get Low - Lil Jon and Yin Yang(2002)
#21: Just Dance - Lady Gaga(2008)
#22: Hate it or Love It - The Game and 50 Cent(2005)
#23: Please - Toni Braxton(2005)
#24: Lollipop - Lil Wayne(2008)
#25: He Loves Me - Jill Scott(2000)
#26: Aw Naw (Up And Done It) - Nappy Roots(2002)
#27: Hot In Herre - Nelly(2002)
#28: Raise Up - Petey Pablo(2001)
#29: One Two Step - Ciara(2004)
#30: I Know You (Crazy) - Gnarls Barkley(2006)
#31: Sober - Pink(2008)
#32: This 1 Thing - Amerie(2005)
#33: Diary (Your Secrets) - Alicia Keys(2003)
#34: Touch It (Remix) - Busta, Mary Blige, Lloyd Banks(2006)
#35: Love - Keyshia Cole(2005)
#36: Lost Without You - Robin Thicke(2006)
#37: Feelin On Your Booty - R. Kelly(2000)
#38: Next Episode - Dr Dre, Snoop and Nate Dogg(2000)
#40: Supa Star - Lupe Fiasco(2007)
#41: Oops Oh My - Tweet(2002)
#42: Magic Stick - 50 Cent w/ Lil Kim(2003)
#43: Cupids Chokehold - Gym Class Heroes(2006)
#44: Fabulous - Jahiem(2002)
#45: Turn The Lights Off - Tweet(2005)
#46: Tell Me - Bobby Valentino w/ Lil Wayne(2005)
#47: More Than A Woman - Aaliyah(2001)
#48: The Prototype - Outkast(2003)
#49: U Got It bad - Usher(2001)
#50: Freaky Girl (remix) - Gucci Mane w/ Ludacris(2007)
--
AWARDS!!!
Artist Of The Decade - Jay-Z (he opened it and closed it consistently like no other)
Producer of The Decade - Timbaland (he produced about 10 of the 50 songs on this list)
Best Comeback - Cee-Lo From Goodie Mob in the 90's for the Gnarls Barkley project
Most Overrated - Lil Wayne. Kicks clever ryhmes on mixtapes but doesnt have consistent albums
Best Rap Verse - Ludacris An Insane cameo on Ciara's "OH" From the Goodie Album
