Finding general consensus in a Hip Hop review is a difficult task to accomplish, especially when a rating is attached. The results can be polarizing, and our dedicated readership certainly let us know in the comments section when they feel like we dropped the ball. This is certainly true when we give an artist and album a higher rating than what their own opinion is.
In 2014, we only had four albums where our opinions diverged widely, but when it did happen it was divisive. Of course, all of the albums involved had two things in common: they were done by female artists not considered “Hip Hop” enough or by “trap” artists not considered deft lyricists. In both cases, the comment section let us know. As such, we highlight four albums that got high marks from HipHopDX but not from our readership.
2 Chainz – Freebase
DX Rating – 4.0
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DX User Rating – 2.6
Freebase was raucous and fun. It featured a hilarious opening skit about a guy done with freebasing cocaine, but nothing else. And that “smoky-white-devil” weaved itself into and out of the narrative with Chainz getting more personal than ever. The first time he saw a crack pipe was in his parents kitchen? Selling weight to your own family? All of that was scattered in between the hilarious non-sequiturs and straight up jokes had on the mixtape. The beats were well executed machinations as well, and in a very, very serious year, it provided some comedy relief. Relief none-too-appreciated by our own readers.
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Never-the-less, we thought it was worthy of strong consideration. And it was ceremoniously lambasted in the comment section. 2 Lamez had some harsh words for HipHopDX in general with, “HAHAHA this why people never take DX reviews serious 4 outta 5 for this trash . Tell me this do dx still stand by giving Yeezus 4.5 outta 5 cause you don’t even have the reviewers name on it someone is ashamed or fucked up badly.” And the others were just as negative sans a few. Either way,Freebase was an anomaly we liked a lot. And even though you didn’t, that’s what relationships are about, right?
Rich Gang – Tha Tour Pt. 1
DX Rating – 4.0
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DX User Rating – 2.95
Rich Gang’sTha. Tour Pt. 1 came out of absolutely nowhere to be one of the best mixtapes of the year — in our mind. The chemistry between Young Thug and Rich Homie Quan was completely undeniable, especially on standouts like “Lifestyle,” “Givenchy” and “730.” Quan got all melodious on us on a few of his own like “Milk Marie” and “Everything I Got.” And Birdman, thankfully, mostly stayed out of everyone’s way and let everyone be great.
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This was Young Thug’s second mixtape of the year. The first, Black Portland, was almost universally denounced by our readers as well. Still, Tha Tour Pt. 1 might not have just been a great mixtape but a look in the future of Cash Money. So, it seems, Young Thug may be around for quite a bit longer whether anyone likes it or not.
Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste
DX Rating – 4.0
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DX User Rating – 3.0
Who would have foresaw 2014’s most controversial figure coming in the form of Azealia Banks? More known as a one-hit wonder years back with “212,” the Harlem-native managed various Twitter beefs and parting ways with her labels. Incidentally, she became the voice of a discussion regarding cultural appropriation that has divided Hip-Hop enough to cause a civil war. While the rest of the world disregarded her, Banks released one of the most sonically refreshing albums of 2014 through Broke With Expensive Taste; proving she had the music to back-up that sassy mouth of hers.
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For an album spending years in limbo and production several years old, Banks’ independently launched debut bucked many trends. Even her vocal ability stood out beyond the Chicago bass and house mashed into the electronic melodies she used to great affect. Missing was her penchant to make things hot for various rappers in her social circle as well as, apparently, any major label she’ll eventually land on. What comes next for the Harlem harlequin is anyone’s guess, but she’ll always have a place in our hearts despite her lack of real estate in yours.
Nicki Minaj – The Pinkprint
DX Rating – 4.0
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DX User Rating – 3.01
YMCMB’s first-lady Nicki Minaj spent 2014 relatively ingrained within the consciousness of pop culture. Doning a more natural aesthetic, she dropped “Lookin Ass Nigga” in February and followed up around April with the Lil Herb assisted “Chiraq.” Many thought “Mixtape Nicki” was making her grand return. Then Onika released The Pinkprint’s first single, the emotional and vulnerable “Pills and Potions” as the summer kicked off. The single underwhelmingly came-and-went but nothing could prepare the world for the viral “Anaconda” cover art. Once the actual Sir -Mix-A-Lot sampled single and accompanying video were released, anticipation for Minaj’s third studio album were at an all time high despite a slight delay. Lets also not forget the highest profile feature of the year through Beyonce’s “Flawless” remix.
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Once The Pinkprint was let out unto the world, DX writer Marcus Dowling called it “a true foray into the mind and life of Nicki Minaj, tightly woven and intricately laid.” For once, the Trinidadian – Queens transplant managed to balance both mainstream pop and Hip Hop roots well enough to create a cohesive body of work. Those same attributes were seen as a problem for most DX commentators who felt Minaj didn’t dive farther enough into the days of Beam Me Up Scotty. Regardless, The Pinkprint was honest, spaztic, gritty, fun and entertaining most importantly.
Andre Grant is an NYC native turned L.A. transplant that has contributed to a few different properties on the web and is now the Features Editor for HipHopDX. He’s also trying to live it to the limit and love it a lot. Follow him on Twitter @drejones.
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Ural Garrett is an Los Angeles-based journalist and HipHopDX’s Senior Features Writer. When not covering music, video games, films and the community at large, he’s in the kitchen baking like Anita. Follow him on Twitter @Uralg.
