#5: Raekwon Only Built 4 Cuban Linx II
The Complex Co-Sign: It's been years in the making, but in 2009 we finally saw the release of OB4CL2. Sure, it didn't match its classic predecessor, but when are sequels ever as good as the original? Ditch the unrealistic expectations and you have one of rap music's highest points this year.
Listen:
"Gihad" f/ Ghostface Killah
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $7.99]
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#4: Animal Collective Merriweather Post Pavillion
The Complex Co-Sign: Released at the very top of the year, Animal Collective's eighth studio album still holds up after 12 months of new music. We've been into the band's trippy sound for a few albums now, but we dig how they channeled their bizarre sensibilities into something a little more accessible this time around. The music community has been sweating this album all year, so it feels like backlash should have set in by now. Nah, son. MPP is as dope as everyone says it is.
Listen:
"My Girls"
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $9.99]
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#3: Drake So Far Gone
The Complex Co-Sign: Ubiquitous radio presence. A multi-million dollar record deal. Two Grammy nominations. These are just a few of Drake's 2009 achievements, and all of them stem from the success of So Far Gone, released in February. It's still hard for some to comprehend how this Toronto kid became a household name in less than a year, but the truth is, his mixtape is just that good. When re-released as a seven song EP in September, it still did impressive numbers despite the availability of the full version as a free download. Not a bad setup for Thank Me Later.
Listen:
"Best I Ever Had"
[CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE MIXTAPE FOR FREE]
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#2: The-Dream Love Vs. Money
The Complex Co-Sign: Fuck the Grammys—Dream's brilliant sophomore album is a futuristic pop masterpiece that deserves its shine. Everyone tries, but no one is writing songs quite like the Radio Killa, whose pithy lyrics are disarmingly funny and instantly relatable to anyone who's ever felt lust, love, and heartbreak. With his trusty production partner Tricky (and young-gunner LOS Da Mystro) expertly crafting searing slow jams and epic electro beats, Love Vs. Money is an eye-opening glimpse at the potential of modern R&B when an artist really loves what they're doing.
Listen:
"Love vs Money Part II"
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $7.99]
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#1: Kid Cudi Man On The Moon: The End Of Day
The Complex Co-Sign: Hip-hop's lonely stoner threw the "debut rap album" blueprint out the window with his bold opening statement, a somber trip into the mind of Scott Mescudi. With producers Emile, Plain Pat, and Ratatat driving most of the music, Man On The Moon shows a remarkably fully-formed sound—dark, melodic, spacious—a feat that most unfocused artists strive for their entire career. Mixing the easy thump of hip-hop with the relentlessly introspective sensibility of indie rock, Cudi pushed the boundaries of both worlds, perfectly capturing 2009's unapologetically creative spirit.
Listen:
"Pursuit of Happiness" f/ MGMT & Ratatat
[CLICK HERE TO BUY THE MP3 ALBUM FOR $5.00]
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RELATED:
• Complex's Top 100 Albums of the Decade
• Complex's Top 100 Songs of the Decade
jfish10 December 28th, 2009 at 11:53 AM
ummm.... WALE?! Attention Deficit was a great album and put DC on the map for Hip-Hop
spectacular yes! December 28th, 2009 at 12:04 PM
That Wale album was horrible. DC can do better! A few other things I might have put on this list but its preetty solid
TheRealSpydaman December 29th, 2009 at 04:05 AM
smh.... cornball dat thinks da soulja boy mixtape should b top 25, really son? n lames dat sed slaughterhouse waz wack, open ur ears, that album had some of the illest lines put together on an album in a while. Joe buddens padded room and escape route waz ill, royces street hop waz ill, joell ortiz road kill ixtape is ill, crooked i's mr pigface weapon waist waz ill, plus da mixtapes they did as a whole, were ill. But since u retards dont no wat real hip hop is, u think slaughter its wack. so cheney, pull wayne n soulja boys dick from ur ass and try to get away from bullshit that they call "hip hop," cuz wat they offer is music that is suppose to make teenage girls and lil kids scream, not real hip hop
Julie December 29th, 2009 at 02:32 AM
agreed
suckitmarshall December 28th, 2009 at 12:37 PM
Great list, but not sure about the order. That Passion Pit LP coulda been #26 in my opinion. That said, the Wale album was ass like that, so good looks on snubbing that arrogant dickface.
spectacular yes! December 28th, 2009 at 01:08 PM
Passion Pit album is dope! You know what album should have been #26...Miike Snow! They should stick to Britney Spears records and stop making faux-indie rock
Capo December 28th, 2009 at 12:57 PM
Whale's album fucking sucked, and his constant " I was under-shipped" excuse painted him out to be bitch made. Under-ship deez.
Vigor December 28th, 2009 at 01:11 PM
When the album is barely stocked in the biggest city in the country (NYC/Manhattan), I fully believe the undershipped 'excuse.' Album was solid and heralded by many, many publications, sites and blogs. Y'all just shallowly hate on dude cuz he's got an obnoxious personality. The music speaks for itself. Aside from 'Chillin' album is dope as hell.
clocksuckaz December 28th, 2009 at 02:56 PM
i dont see any alchemist. im sure he exists.
Roderick a.k.a. K-ROC December 29th, 2009 at 04:49 PM
Thats a good point cuz Alchemist produced that CD 100%. Those niggas needed assistance. ALC all day
Ty December 28th, 2009 at 02:59 PM
WHERES APATHY?
yallayalla December 28th, 2009 at 03:02 PM
good to see phoenix at the list
Voltron aka Speech is my hammer, bang the world into shape and let it fall! December 28th, 2009 at 03:03 PM
You fucking inbreds. The Ecstatic is one of the greatest albums of the decade. Its not even on this list. Die. Die now... kinda sorta.
JR3 December 28th, 2009 at 03:13 PM
Nicki Minaj is wack!!!! Remy, Eve, or Digga would serve her, she looks great but lyrically is pure garbage. I thought Em's flow was dope on his album but as a whole the album was underwhelming. And don't even get me started on Cudi, I thought his album was wack as hell. My top five albums of the year hip hop wise are Raekwon OBCL2 Clipse Till the Casket Drops Ross Deeper than Rap Jay-z BP3 Fabolous Loso's Way
ithinkiloveher December 28th, 2009 at 03:14 PM
where's Soulja Boy's 'My Way of Life Vol. 1' mixtape? that was some of the hottest shit out this year. list is pretty great though. all the essentials are there and i'm really not mad at the order.
Genius December 28th, 2009 at 03:23 PM
I'm surprised Pac Div's "Church League Champions" didnt at least get an honorable mention. & you guys are wayy off on the top album. def an underwhelming list.