A Hip Hop Snob's Guide to the Best Music of 2018

For about 10 years (roughly 2006-2016) beatmakers were galaxies ahead of MCs as far as being able to produce quality, innovative material that demonstrated artistic maturity. It appears MCs are finally beginning to close that gab.  Some of that is thanks to new talented MCs appearing on the scene (Griselda, Mach Hommy, the continued genius of Roc Marciano, to name a few); while the rest of the credit can be given to known quantities who seem to have figured out how to do what seemed to be elusive within Hip Hop; staying current as an "older" MC without acting like you're in your 20's.

As a music lover, I feel absolutely spoiled by 2018. Below are a variety of categories that capture albums released in 2018 that I HIGHLY RECOMMEND you familiarize yourself with (if you're not already familiar).

Raps and Beats (Mostly in order of release date)
Spencer for Hire - Vic Spencer
Weather or Not - Evidence
In Celebration of Us - Skyzoo
Bulletproof Luh - Mach Hommy
Jericho Jackson - Jericho Jackson (Krysis and Elzhi)
Rosebud's Revenge 2: The Bitter Dose - Roc Marciano
The Black Tape - Conway
FlyGod is Good...All the Time (EP) - Westside Gun and Mr. Green
Czarface Meets Metal Face - Czarface and MF Doom
Consumers Park - Chuck Strangers
Daytona - Pusha T
Streams of Thought Vol. 1 (EP) - Black Thought
Nasir - Nas
Supreme Blientele - Westside Gunn
Frozen Angels - Meyhem Lauren and DJ Muggs
Daffi - Jeremiah Jae
Orpheus vs. The Sirens - Hermit and the Recluse (Ka and Animoss)
Paraffin (feat. Billy Woods and Elucid) - Armand Hammer
Behold a Dark Horse - Roc Marciano
Walking on Water - Elcamino
Chinese Algebra - Mach Hommy and Tha God Fahim
Kaos - Roc Marciano and DJ Muggs
Hitler Wears Hermes 6 - Westside Gunn
Notorious Dump Legends - Mach Hommy and Tha God Fahim
Streams of Thought 2 - Black Thought
Tana Talk 3 - Benny the Butcher

Beats, Hold the Raps (Mostly in order of release date)
Beat at the Table - Koreatown Oddity
Gladwemet (EP) - Knxwledge
GT.2 - Knxwledge
Stargate Music - Ras G
Happysad - Kiefer
Low - Jansport J
Believe - Ghost McGrady
Rooster - Koreatown Oddity
Holy Ghost - Budgie
Yuletide Bangerz - Jonwayne


Beats Lead, Raps Follow (Producer lead albums with MCs)
Lunch Meat (EP) - Alchemist
Soul Assassins: Dia Del Asesinato - DJ Muggs
Dntaskmefrshit - Knxwledge
Thug Ballads - J. Rocc
Share My Bed - J. Rocc
Fetti - Alchemist/Curren$y/Freddie Gibbs
Bread - Alchemist


On Some Other Ish (Mostly in order of release date)
Adrian Younge Presents Voices of Gemma - Adrian Younge
Piano and a Microphone 1983 - Prince
Both Directions at Once: The Lost Album - John Coltrane
And Yet It's All Love - Fatima

Awards after the jump.

2018 Mixtape Awards

That time of year has arrived again. A REMINDER TO ALL THOSE INCLUDED AND NOT INCLUDED ON THE LIST: Some of you make a living off this whole DJ thing of ours; some of you are trying to make a living off this; while others are content to just be bedroom enthusiasts.  Whoever you are, you are extraordinarily talented if your mix has been posted on this blog (regardless if it made the list).  I am a music snob.  I take music, hip hop culture, and the artform of deejaying very seriously.  I don't post bullshit (for the most part), and I don't give out compliments loosely.  If I've said your mix is dope, it's because I think your mix is dope.  And if I think your mix is dope, it's because it is.  This blog only survives if all of you keep mixing.  The blog dies when your mixes dry up, so keep mixing motherf%ckers!  We are all getting older, gaining responsibilities, and losing free-time with each day.  I get it.  Believe me, I do. However, keep creating.  Even if it's only for a few minutes a day, keep creating. Keep diggin'; keep searching for inspiration; keep working at your craft. Lastly, thank you to all of you who continue to inspire me and give me new ideas on where to take my craft.

Top Mixes of 2018 (in no particular order)

#WakandaForeverEver - Mixed by J. Period 

Fear of a Brown Planet - Mixed by DJ Eclipse

Keep On Moving - Mixed by Omega:NYC

Sleeping Enemies - Mixed by DJ Bacon 

Nasir Originals - Mixed by DJ BIG Texas

Abcntmnded Radio 04 - Mixed by Abcntmnded  

rare bEa$TIE BOy$ Part 2 - Mixed by DJ Bacon

Hatian Space Program - Mixed by Pipomixes

Doggystyle 25th Anniversary Mixtape - Mixed by DJ Matman

A Clan Called Wu: Enter the Marauders - Mixed by DJ Filthy Rick

Flaunt Edward Live on NTS Radio - Mixed by Flaunt Edwards (aka J. Rocc)
Jurassic 5 vs. Major Force - Mixed by DeathHop
Thee Notorious Mini Mix 3 - Mixed by Thee MikeB 
9 Minutes of the 90s (Megamix) - Mixed by Mr. Switch and Jimi Needles 
We Got it From Here... (Slowed and Throwed) - Mixed by DJ Surrup 
Dusty Donuts #10 (Anthology Mix) - Mixed by Marc Hype 
Dedicated to You, But You Weren't Listening - Mixed by Herby Hammock 

Most Technically Sound Mix Award
Dedicated to You, But You Weren't Listening - Mixed by Herby Hammock

Playback Award 
We Got it From Here... (Slowed and Throwed) - Mixed by DJ Surrup 

Track Selection Award
Abcntmnded Radio 04 - Mixed by Abcntmnded

Next Level Award
#WakandaForeverEver - Mixed by J. Period 

Best Mixes of 2018 That You Won't Likely Hear Until 2019 (if you're lucky) Award
Stay Fresh - J. Rocc
Sorry Ms. Jackson - Pipomixes
TR808 - Omega: NYC 

Mix That Would Have Never Made The List 10 Years Ago Award (Expanding Horizons)
Flaunt Edward Live on NTS Radio - Mixed by Flaunt Edwards (aka J. Rocc)

Please Find Your Way Back to the Turntables Award
DJ Sheep
DJ MoeBedda
DJ Kikkoman

DJ Spinna Dust & Grooves Mix and Interview

An outstanding mix and about as thorough of a digging INTERVIEW you will read.  Highly Recommended.

Budgie Boiler Room London DJ Set

You're not going to get all sorts of intricate blends or juggles with this set, but it's as smooth of psych-synth set you'll hear.

SCM Founder & CEO House Shoes Interview:

House Shoes discusses being informed of Dilla's passing, moving out to L.A., his friendship with Dilla, and Dilla spending so much time making beats that he'd have to bandage his fingers.

DJ Spinna's KPFK Sound Waves 500th Episode Mix

Highly Recommended.

DJ Spinna plays an all format mix for KPFK's Sound Wave Radio's 500th Episode

The Beat Junkies (Mr. Choc, Babu, Rhettmatic) Live in Bogota, Colombia

The Beat Junkies have gotten even nicer with their routines since opening BJIOS.

Magic )12/5/18) - HouseShoes

If you're not knowing about House Shoes' Magic, you're probably missing out on a lot of good music.

Back to rap life.
Joints from Jonwayne, KendrickLamar(JakeMillnerFlip),Earl Sweatshirt,Crimeapple, Alchemist/Conway, VicSpencer,ChrisCrack,Bango/KingGordy/GuiltySimpson,MachHommy/Fahim,EsteeNack/AlDivino,RocMarciano,
BlackThought,TriangleOffense,Wowflower,BigTwin/Havoc/Knx,Gabriel,Noveliss/MegaRan,ChrisKeys, DevonJMorrison/Mndsgn,DagSavage/Blu/Coss,Won87/LordJuco,SB,PSA,DJMuggs,Khruangbin,14KT,NaiPalm,
HouseShoes,CurtisMayfleid and more.
Enjoy.
Next week will be the last show of the year.
Starting off 2019 w my 2018 favorites.
Stay tuned.
Uncle.

Knxwledge and J. Rocc Interviewed While Record Shopping in Japan

You'll have to translate the article with your browser, but most of you should find it worth the trouble.  You can read the article HERE.

Boiler Room NYC: DJ Scratch (All Vinyl Set)

No introduction, or promotion needed.

Cut Chemist Performs "Impeach the President" Mix Live at Boombox L.A. (12/1/18)

Part of a 45 minute mix of songs that sample the Honey Drippers' Impeach the President 45. Dedicated to the 45th President on the 45th anniversary of it's release.