January flew by mighty quickly didn't it? Of course, the year is too young to see any major trends but there have been a few things to take note of. First and foremost, the George W. Bush Going Away Party was a phenomenal success. I'd be lying if I said I was gonna miss that dude and I hope that he didn't let the door knob hit him where the good Lord split him on his way out of the White House. Immediately after the going away party, we saw the livest house party ever when Barack and Michelle set it off on the White House lawn. The good times were short lived because in case you haven't noticed the economy is effed the eff up. Barry O. is going to have to make gold out of poop and if he can't do it, you know the jackasses at Faux are going to have a field day. I know, I know - you may not have noticed because this is hip hop and in hip hop we like to teach 'em how to stunt, pop champagne, and do all of that big willy stuff that Hip Hop is known and loved for. Hip Hop don't care 'bout no Recession - Hip Hop's President is black (so's the Maybach) and it's Lambo is blue...believe that. For the rest of you who aren't hip hop you probably wish you were 'cause chances are high that you're one of the 7 percent of Americans who's unemployed. Jobs are getting cut left and right - Microsoft is laying off people, people! You'd think with all of the people using computers to steal sample music that Microsoft would be aiight...unless you're using a boosted Mac. It's Deeper Than Rap though.

Yo, Hip Hop...that reminds me, this year actually got off to messed up start if your name was Oscar Grant or Adolph "Chris" Grimes or Robbie Tolan or any number of young black men who got merked/almost merked by the pigs police but their story didn't get any national burn. Hip Hop! In case you forgot, the lives of young black men don't matter. It's a beautiful atrocity, I tell ya.

While we're on the subject of senselessness, I must address the issue of beef. Now, I love a good steak just like any other red, white, and blue blooded American but I know that you have to have everything in moderation. Hip hop needs to have a salad or two or it's gonna be backed up until the next black president is sworn in...and you know when you're backed up, you can't drop hot sh!t. Eat a salad, Hip Hop. It's mildly amusing, but at the end of the day no one really cares about a Joe Budden/Saigon tofu beef fest (Padded Room - February 24, 2009; Greatest Story Never Told - Nevuary 32, 0000). Definitely no one really cares about a tofu beef between Curtis Jackson and William Roberts (seriously, Officer Roberts...you're mad because 50 gave you a funny look? :-" !) But I'll keep posting the nonsense because I'm so Hip Hop like that. Read the banner, neyukas. Oh yeah, Vybz and Mavado, y'all keep clashing since Jamaica clearly needs senseless violence to result from the pledging of allegiance to The Alliance or Portmore Empire.

Crap...how could I forget the Twitter beefs! You had Amanda Diva catching feelings because of the commenters at Nah Right and she subsequently took Eskay to task for not policing his internet soldiers. :-" Then you had the Wale and DJ Semtex Twitter beef that forced Wale into submission. Back story on this one - while Semtex is interviewing Wale, Wale tweets that he hates being interviewed because he's won 35 Grammys, 17 Lifetime Achievement Awards and has 52 Uranium plaques and all these interviews are getting just a bit redundant...Semtex immediately spots Wale's tweet and calls him out on it. Yeah, that's right, Wale punked out, threw in the towel and quit Twitter......for three days. Sucka MCs, boy I tell ya.

And last and probably least, we had Dukie Hamilton (congrats on crossing AKA...Spring '09 FTW) getting sonned by Rhymefest (and Serius Jones). And that's all I have to say about that.

Kanye lost even more of his damn mind.
Notorious was lukewarm at best. Biggie Smalls is still the illest though.

I think I've covered everything, Hip Hop. Let me know what I missed. Without further ado, I present the Best of January '09.

Top Rap Album Of January 2009
Kenzo Digital - City Of God's Son

In the words of Kenzo Digital, this project is properly called a "beat cinematic." When I first saw the trailer, I knew it was going to be something special and I was not disappointed. If you haven't heard this, you need to do yourself a favor and go get it right now. Hit up his website and read up on this ill concept. I can't wait for part 2.

Beneath The Surface - Underground LP Of The Month
Crew54 x The Jake - New:Magic:E.P. - The Aggressive Soul Remixes

The homeys out of the ATX linked up with The Jake to make some beautiful music. It's so nice in the South...we have so many styles, forgive us.

Top Mixtape/Unofficial Album Of The Month
Mick Boogie & Terry Urban - Unbelieveable: The Notorious Edition

Honorable Mention goes to Trackstar the DJ's Growth & Patience: The Best Of Royce Vol. 1 Mixtape, DJ 31 Degreez El Dorado Black Project Mixtape, DJ Mike Nice's Brooklyn Bullshit Mixtape, and the homey Soulbrotha & DJ Fusion's Music For Agony Mixtape.

R&B Album Of The Month
Ryan Leslie - Ryan Leslie

This actually drops in February, but you know how it is. Cop it when it hits the shelves.

Dancehall/Reggae Album Of The Month
N/A (I know tons of singles dropped, but school me on an album if it's out there)

Hip Hop Song Of The Month
Rukus - "Dear Tatiana"

2. Jadakiss - "Can't Stop Me"
3. Jay Electronica & Che Grand - "Hagler"
4. Lil Wayne f/Pharrell - "Yes"
5. Q-Tip f/Busta Rhymes, Raekwon & Lil Wayne - "Renaissance Rap (Remix)"

Biggest Dancehall/Reggae Tune Of The Month
Vybz Kartel - "Don't Run (Last Man Standing)"

Hip Hop/R&B Collaboration Of The Month
Jamie Foxx f/Busta Rhymes, Lil Wayne & T-Pain - "Blame It (Remix)"

Video Of The Month


Guilty Pleasure Of The Month

They got a legit video for this now...don't deny the stank!

Fat Albert In The Hood - "Who's The Baby Daddy"

Fat Albert In The Hood is the shiznit and this is my favorite episode of the five that have dropped thus far. Goat mouf gyals beware.

Absolute Worst Song Of The Month
Lil Wayne - "Around The Way Girl"

Freestyle Battle Of The Month
Serius Jones vs. Dukie Hamilton


Set The People Back Move The People Forward
President Barack H. Obama - We aren't looking back...time to get the country back on track and fix all the messes that exist out there. Let's go!

Keep your eyes open for Hueston Independent Spit District later on this year and as always the search for Only Built 4 Cuban Linx 2, Detox, and the Ark Of The Covenant continues.

Pour Out A Little Liquor
Oscar Grant
Adolph "Chris" Grimes
...and anyone that YOU lost...hold your head up and Rest In Peace to the fallen.

Labels: Month In Review - 2009