Hip-Hop
Readers Poll Results 2005
Kanye West
Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella)
"It's refreshing to hear hip-hop without all the gangsta posturing." Erwin Rodriguez, Calgary AB
"Unlike College Dropout, it's a cohesive album, instead of a mere collage of singles, filler and skits. Like the best hip-hop, Kanye's egomania and zeal to overreach are very much assets in this album." Yuuta Sasaki, Toronto ON
"The man has to be one of the cockiest artists around but the music speaks for itself and it says brilliant.'" Serge Gallant, Halifax NS
"It's simply too good not to vote for." Adam Warner, Frederiction NB
"Fantastic sophomore release. Amazing production by Jon Brion." Kaley Evans, Saltcoats SK
"Better then the first, can't wait to hear Graduation" Dave Mercer, Waterloo ON
"He's clever and stylish. Kind of one of those can't do anything wrong' situations except he can back it up so he won't fuck it up. Take that Bea Arthur!" Craig Mitchell, Halifax NS
"Kanye and Jon Brion have created a masterpiece." Judy MacInnes, Vancouver BC
"I think this is the best West yet. Gold Digger' is the new national anthem." Rudy Benedik, Vernon BC
"George Bush hates black people." Sean Orr, Vancouver BC
"Why is he so good? I hate him for this and for being so damn cocky. But seriously it didn't get better for me, ass shaking-wise." Brandon Gaukel, Chilliwack BC
"He followed up his hard-to-follow debut with a solid, soul-flavoured hip-hop treat!" Russ Lavoie, Calgary AB
"I had pretty much written him off as a giant egotistical douche bag, when he dropped this, the best hip-hop album of the year. The beats are amazing, the guests are inspired (the guy from Maroon 5 who would've thunk it?), and, at least on one track (We Major') Kanye sounds like he is redefining the entire rap genre, with music that sounds like no other hip-hop song I've ever heard." Caley Middleton, Kelowna BC
Danger Doom
The Mouse and the Mask (Epitaph)
"The Mouse and the Mask really should've only appealed to fans of Adult Swim. That it didn't shows that MF Doom is one of the best rappers in the world, and that Danger Mouse is one of the best producers." Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
"Great production and verses." Victoria On, Vancouver BC
"One of this year's greatest albums by far! A unique blend of Metal Fingers Doom and the now legendary Danger Mouse outrageous!" Justin Cantin, Ottawa ON
"One of the best hip-hop albums ever." Tyson Bodnarchuk, Montreal QC
"Tight beats and Doom's rhymes are golden as usual. A few awkward slip-ups, but all-in-all a very entertaining hip-hop album." Landon Halloran, Ladysmith BC
"Possibly the most ingenious concept album ever; Aqua Teen Hunger Force has never been so hilarious or essential." Chris Morin, Saskatoon SK
"This is retarded and by retarded I mean amazing. Who the fuck samples cartoons on a rap album? This album is way ahead of its time that's for sure and this year I don't think anyone could touch these guys." Cody Kuchirka, Saskatoon SK
"Cartoons and hip-hop have a long, unsavoury history: MC Hammer as the Hammerman, Snoop's debut cover art, Will Smith. But guess who's back again, to save the day from the oppressors? MF Doom, Danger Mouse and the Aqua Teen Hunger Force make me giggly without once having to get jiggy. I do anyway." Jonathan Paiero, Prince George BC
"Quite possibly the best MF Doom has ever sounded, with his drawl, humour and incredible imagery and originality all coming across beautifully. Danger Mouse's production seems to have found its perfect accomplice in Doom and it seems his beats have finally found a man worthy of them. Lastly, the Adult Swim crew have proven themselves once again, bringing one to gut-busting with their ridiculous antics throughout the album. If you only grab one hip-hop vinyl this year, make it Danger Doom and you won't be disappointed." Andre Lariviere, Ottawa ON
"I love albums that push the limits. In this case, mixing comedy, satire, infectious beats and laidback rhyming." Chris Perlman, Waterloo ON
"Such a heavy statement, but MF Doom continues to not disappoint. The amalgamation of Adult Swim and Danger Mouse and MF Doom is clever, funny and original. Lord knows that Epitaph isn't putting out garbage as far as hip-hop is concerned either." Kirk Trew, Saskatoon SK
"I enjoyed this album from the start; it brings me joy and excitement. The beats and the rhymes are blending well together. MF Doom is so tight and Danger Mouse does his thing as always, like the Gorillaz album." Simon St-Pierre, Montreal QC
"Everything both these guys touch turns to gold, so it was destiny. This is the fun album Doom has made, for a guy who always seemed to care about everything and nothing at the same time." Joel Rempel, Winnipeg MB
"I bought this album and put it on for the subway ride home. I must have looked like I was on real good drugs because I could not stop bobbing my head and grinning goofily. This is a Saturday morning album to be accompanied by the most sugary cereal you can find." Neil Hinchley, Toronto ON
"Combining the best MC, the hottest producer, and sound clips from some of the funniest cartoons around (most notably Aqua Teen Hunger Force), The Mouse and the Mask is 40 minutes of hilarious rhymes and dope beats." Adam Medley, Oshawa ON
"While the concept of an album based around the Cartoon Network's line of irreverent cartoons is a sketchy one, and deserving of all scepticism, MF Doom's usual penchant for pop culture name dropping and lyrical absurdism, joined by DJ Danger Mouse's playful and infectious beat dropping seems oddly appropriate. And like Buckley's cough syrup, it works wondrously (although there's no bad aftertaste)." Graig Kent, Toronto ON
3. Common
Be (Geffen)
"Uplifting, conscious, and ass-shaking. Beautifully produced." Alex Vipond, Toronto ON
"Gets back to the basics of what makes him a respected MC." Rahul Gupta, Scarborough ON
"Common and Kanye gave us a disc that can stand as a real album. A rare thing in today's cookie-cutter hip-hop market." Kevin Putrus, Belleville ON
"I am in agreement with Exclaim! on this one. Common's album was the only flawless hip-hop album that I heard this year." Ryan Slade, Waterloo ON
"Common - Badu + Kanye = a hip-hop classic." Kortnee Borden, Toronto ON
"I have to agree with your panel on this one." Michael Elves, Winnipeg MB
"Great lyrics, awesome beats Commom is classic here." Andrew Kin, Sault Ste. Marie ON
4. Blackalicious
The Craft (Anti)
"With so many variations and ways to go in this genre it's amazing that this group can manage to be so fresh, so alive and real. They really make you wonder if they're tapping into your mind or something. Music is a tough business, and even harder in this genre, but these guys have got it hooked." Omar Brooks, Toronto ON
"I've always been a fan of the Blackalicious sound. This album isn't as good as Nia but, it's still better then any other hip-hop album I've grabbed this year." Luke Walmsley, Vancouver BC
"Thoughtful and clean compared to all the quick 'n' dirty stuff polluting the air this year." Bobby Hiltz, Chester NS
5. Roots Manuva
Awfully Deep(Big Dada)
"Addictive beats and an endlessly creative flow." Trell Huether, Toronto ON
"This dude is amazing." Ilse Kramer, Sackville NS
"A solid album that stands apart from his American counterparts." John Coates, Toronto ON
"Title says it all. One of the reasons why I'm generally uninterested in North American hip-hop is that it plays it safe and rarely stretches itself lyrically or sonically. Not here. A mature work all around and deep use of dub and ska. A classic." Chris Grimshaw, Kingston ON
Readers Poll Results 2005
Kanye WestLate Registration (Roc-A-Fella)
"It's refreshing to hear hip-hop without all the gangsta posturing." Erwin Rodriguez, Calgary AB
"Unlike College Dropout, it's a cohesive album, instead of a mere collage of singles, filler and skits. Like the best hip-hop, Kanye's egomania and zeal to overreach are very much assets in this album." Yuuta Sasaki, Toronto ON
"The man has to be one of the cockiest artists around but the music speaks for itself and it says brilliant.'" Serge Gallant, Halifax NS
"It's simply too good not to vote for." Adam Warner, Frederiction NB
"Fantastic sophomore release. Amazing production by Jon Brion." Kaley Evans, Saltcoats SK
"Better then the first, can't wait to hear Graduation" Dave Mercer, Waterloo ON
"He's clever and stylish. Kind of one of those can't do anything wrong' situations except he can back it up so he won't fuck it up. Take that Bea Arthur!" Craig Mitchell, Halifax NS
"Kanye and Jon Brion have created a masterpiece." Judy MacInnes, Vancouver BC
"I think this is the best West yet. Gold Digger' is the new national anthem." Rudy Benedik, Vernon BC
"George Bush hates black people." Sean Orr, Vancouver BC
"Why is he so good? I hate him for this and for being so damn cocky. But seriously it didn't get better for me, ass shaking-wise." Brandon Gaukel, Chilliwack BC
"He followed up his hard-to-follow debut with a solid, soul-flavoured hip-hop treat!" Russ Lavoie, Calgary AB
"I had pretty much written him off as a giant egotistical douche bag, when he dropped this, the best hip-hop album of the year. The beats are amazing, the guests are inspired (the guy from Maroon 5 who would've thunk it?), and, at least on one track (We Major') Kanye sounds like he is redefining the entire rap genre, with music that sounds like no other hip-hop song I've ever heard." Caley Middleton, Kelowna BC
Danger Doom
The Mouse and the Mask (Epitaph)
"The Mouse and the Mask really should've only appealed to fans of Adult Swim. That it didn't shows that MF Doom is one of the best rappers in the world, and that Danger Mouse is one of the best producers." Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
"Great production and verses." Victoria On, Vancouver BC
"One of this year's greatest albums by far! A unique blend of Metal Fingers Doom and the now legendary Danger Mouse outrageous!" Justin Cantin, Ottawa ON
"One of the best hip-hop albums ever." Tyson Bodnarchuk, Montreal QC
"Tight beats and Doom's rhymes are golden as usual. A few awkward slip-ups, but all-in-all a very entertaining hip-hop album." Landon Halloran, Ladysmith BC
"Possibly the most ingenious concept album ever; Aqua Teen Hunger Force has never been so hilarious or essential." Chris Morin, Saskatoon SK
"This is retarded and by retarded I mean amazing. Who the fuck samples cartoons on a rap album? This album is way ahead of its time that's for sure and this year I don't think anyone could touch these guys." Cody Kuchirka, Saskatoon SK
"Cartoons and hip-hop have a long, unsavoury history: MC Hammer as the Hammerman, Snoop's debut cover art, Will Smith. But guess who's back again, to save the day from the oppressors? MF Doom, Danger Mouse and the Aqua Teen Hunger Force make me giggly without once having to get jiggy. I do anyway." Jonathan Paiero, Prince George BC
"Quite possibly the best MF Doom has ever sounded, with his drawl, humour and incredible imagery and originality all coming across beautifully. Danger Mouse's production seems to have found its perfect accomplice in Doom and it seems his beats have finally found a man worthy of them. Lastly, the Adult Swim crew have proven themselves once again, bringing one to gut-busting with their ridiculous antics throughout the album. If you only grab one hip-hop vinyl this year, make it Danger Doom and you won't be disappointed." Andre Lariviere, Ottawa ON
"I love albums that push the limits. In this case, mixing comedy, satire, infectious beats and laidback rhyming." Chris Perlman, Waterloo ON
"Such a heavy statement, but MF Doom continues to not disappoint. The amalgamation of Adult Swim and Danger Mouse and MF Doom is clever, funny and original. Lord knows that Epitaph isn't putting out garbage as far as hip-hop is concerned either." Kirk Trew, Saskatoon SK
"I enjoyed this album from the start; it brings me joy and excitement. The beats and the rhymes are blending well together. MF Doom is so tight and Danger Mouse does his thing as always, like the Gorillaz album." Simon St-Pierre, Montreal QC
"Everything both these guys touch turns to gold, so it was destiny. This is the fun album Doom has made, for a guy who always seemed to care about everything and nothing at the same time." Joel Rempel, Winnipeg MB
"I bought this album and put it on for the subway ride home. I must have looked like I was on real good drugs because I could not stop bobbing my head and grinning goofily. This is a Saturday morning album to be accompanied by the most sugary cereal you can find." Neil Hinchley, Toronto ON
"Combining the best MC, the hottest producer, and sound clips from some of the funniest cartoons around (most notably Aqua Teen Hunger Force), The Mouse and the Mask is 40 minutes of hilarious rhymes and dope beats." Adam Medley, Oshawa ON
"While the concept of an album based around the Cartoon Network's line of irreverent cartoons is a sketchy one, and deserving of all scepticism, MF Doom's usual penchant for pop culture name dropping and lyrical absurdism, joined by DJ Danger Mouse's playful and infectious beat dropping seems oddly appropriate. And like Buckley's cough syrup, it works wondrously (although there's no bad aftertaste)." Graig Kent, Toronto ON
3. Common
Be (Geffen)
"Uplifting, conscious, and ass-shaking. Beautifully produced." Alex Vipond, Toronto ON
"Gets back to the basics of what makes him a respected MC." Rahul Gupta, Scarborough ON
"Common and Kanye gave us a disc that can stand as a real album. A rare thing in today's cookie-cutter hip-hop market." Kevin Putrus, Belleville ON
"I am in agreement with Exclaim! on this one. Common's album was the only flawless hip-hop album that I heard this year." Ryan Slade, Waterloo ON
"Common - Badu + Kanye = a hip-hop classic." Kortnee Borden, Toronto ON
"I have to agree with your panel on this one." Michael Elves, Winnipeg MB
"Great lyrics, awesome beats Commom is classic here." Andrew Kin, Sault Ste. Marie ON
4. Blackalicious
The Craft (Anti)
"With so many variations and ways to go in this genre it's amazing that this group can manage to be so fresh, so alive and real. They really make you wonder if they're tapping into your mind or something. Music is a tough business, and even harder in this genre, but these guys have got it hooked." Omar Brooks, Toronto ON
"I've always been a fan of the Blackalicious sound. This album isn't as good as Nia but, it's still better then any other hip-hop album I've grabbed this year." Luke Walmsley, Vancouver BC
"Thoughtful and clean compared to all the quick 'n' dirty stuff polluting the air this year." Bobby Hiltz, Chester NS
5. Roots Manuva
Awfully Deep(Big Dada)
"Addictive beats and an endlessly creative flow." Trell Huether, Toronto ON
"This dude is amazing." Ilse Kramer, Sackville NS
"A solid album that stands apart from his American counterparts." John Coates, Toronto ON
"Title says it all. One of the reasons why I'm generally uninterested in North American hip-hop is that it plays it safe and rarely stretches itself lyrically or sonically. Not here. A mature work all around and deep use of dub and ska. A classic." Chris Grimshaw, Kingston ON