Top 10 Albums Of 2009 Finally

NUMBER ONE: Jamie T- Kings & Queens



Jamie T returned with an album better than his (excellent) debut in 09. And like the Wimbledon boy's first disc it took a few listens to get into.

But once it clicked there was much to discover in the raps, shouts, screams and hollers. With nods to the Beastie Boys, Billy Bragg, The Strokes and The Clash the musical mish mash worked on just about every song. From the UK hip hop of Castro Dies' to the forlorn folk song Emily's Heart.

With layers and layers and layers of stunning production and lyrics that mean nothing and everything at once Kings And Queens is near perfect.

And then in no particular order...

Raekwon- Only Built for Cuban Linx 2
Mos Def- The Ecstatic
Lily Allen- It's Not me, It's You
La Roux- La Roux
Speech Debelle- Speech Therapy
Bat For Lashes- Two Suns
Major Lazer- Guns Don't Kill People Lazers Do
Dirty Projectors- Bitte Orca
The Maccabees- Wall Of Arms

New Wu?

Rap Radar has the exclusive of the vid for Raekwon ft Method Man and Ghostface- New Wu. Is it a dig at controlling Wu-Tang head honcho RZA? I dunno but I like the tune- which is presumably from Only Built For Cuban Linx II although you never know with these guys.

I once interviewed Method Man and he did some card tricks on me before the cameras started recording. Then GZA and Inspectah Deck turned up and I had to get them to pick their favourite music videos for an MTV Base show. It was a cool afternoon.

Three Rap Tracks

Three hip hop tracks for your bank holiday weekend. A straight club tune featuring our own Estelle from Busta's new album. Asher Roth and the legend that is Cee Lo Green The Soul Machine from new boy Asher's debut disc- which is due this month. I just love the title and cover (above).

Finally a straight banger from Raekwon and Ghostface which i've had about 6 months. No idea what album/ project its from but it's best listened to in a car with tinted windows and a sub in the boot. Spliff in hand. Maybe a gun in the other. I'm joking, but seriously....

RAEKWON/ GHOSTFACE- NECRO

BUSTA RHYMES ft ESTELLE- WORLD GO ROUND (Nah Right)

ASHER ROTH ft CEE LO GREEN- BE BY MYSELF(Prefix)