10. Nipsey Hussle - Crenshaw
The first $100 project? or free download? #NewRules and all that. Anyway, Nip hasn't made too much noise since Jan and then this came around and he made quite a solid project, arguably the best from the west in 2013.
9. Meek Mill - Dream Chasers 3
Can't lie, after DC2 and THAT intro on the 'Dreams and Nightmares' album I was expecting a earth shattering project, sadly it wasn't quite that but was a good project from Meek but he still delivered the anger that we listen to a Meek/MMG project for.
8. Cam'Ron - Ghetto Heaven
The DipSet general returned after a hiatus to give us quite an ample project much like how he last left us. well used features and humorous skits, I think we can all agree we'd like to see Cam with another project in 2014.
7. Trae - I Am King
I've been a fan of Trae for as long as I can remember and when he signed with T.I. I was quite dubious, but I think 2013 was potentially the best year that Trae has had in his career. This mixtape made sure of it, great features and going back to that 2004 classic H-Town sound we know and loved Trae really hit form again with this project.
6. Slim Thug - Boss Life
The second entry in my top 10 from a Houston native, again much like Trae, Slim Thug went back to the H-Town sound and threw out some great tracks. After finally burying the hatchet with Z-Ro, made some fantastic collaborations and the sound transferred onto this project, with all the key players making an appearance has set things up for maybe a southern takeover in 2014?
5. Pusha T - Wrath Of Cain
Let's be honest, this project got looked over, came out the first week in Jan. featured the hits 'Blocka' and 'Millions' yet we still have people saying that King Push wasn't doing anything and stalling over his album? he gave out this for free as he didn't like the songs for his album. If he didn't like this I think we should all be scared of what he is going to do next.
4. J. Cole - Truly Yours 2
Cole had this year, quite simply and when this snuck onto the internet late at night at it caused waves. Hearing a collaboration with Jeezy which was long over due on the inspiring 'Kenny Lofton' was a treat in itself. At only 6 songs, TY2 was Cole's was on answering critics and setting records straight with 'Cole Summer' he addressed any silence and get us all geared up for what became a Cole Summer.
3. Troy Ave - New York City
If I was to pick a project that came out at the right time it would be this one, NYC came out within a week of Kendrick Lamar's 'Control' verse where the west coaster claimed to the king of NY. This got a lot of people talking, but Troy Ave came out and answered with a very strong project, this was the project that got people excited about new talent from New York again, after a potential knock out punch had been delivered.
2. 360 - Beginning of Forever
Another NY native to add to the list, The Queens native won this award from me last year and to come second again this year shows the strength of the artist and the positive career ahead of him. 360 is becoming a big deal, the song 'Nighlife' is slowly doing the rounds to nothing but praise and the addition of the now classic 'Own Thing' is a solid backbone to a pretty much flawless project. He has one sold out show at the legendary S.O.B.S, I sense that it will be first of many.
1. Fabolous - Soul Tape 3
The Brooklyn native kept us waiting over the year, the release of a few singles and freestyles had us expecting, then as 12.25pmEST on christmas day Loso released the third instalment of this wonderful trilogy. The classic Fab punch lines and quotables are prevalent throughout and then 'Cuffing Season' happens, I expect this song alone has exposed a lot and opened a lot of eyes worldwide. Every line could be a quote at one time or another. As far as I'm concerned Fab has always been in my top 5 DOA list and this project seals his place on this list.
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