Word is the word. What's the word - word up. The longest running word in hip-hop history. Word. Word to the mother. Word to Big Bird. Word is bond.

I make these Top Ten Lists every year for a local rag in Peg city. It's only right I share it with all of you and expect a list of your own in return. For the love of music... and that's my word. Last year LCD Soundsystem, Radiohead, Bad Brains and Jay-Z's "American Gangster" topped my list. In 2006 it was J Dilla's "Donuts" alongside Amy Winehouse and "Game Theory" by The Roots. In 2005 it was an easy decision with Common's "Be" album as well as Damian Marley, Sharon Jones and M.I.A's "Arular" album. And time keeps tickin'. Word Up.

TOP TEN LIST 2008:

01 Q-TIP "THE RENAISSANCE"
This decision may be biased. If it wasn't for Q-Tip I wouldn't be rapping today. So this guy can fart on a record and I'll still put it to the top of my list. He is a survivor, and finally he's back looking good and keeping the Tribe vibe alive. I enjoy this entire album.

02 SANTIGOLD "SANTIGOLD"
Santigold is the eye-opener artist of the year. The word-of-mouth artist of the year. And probably the most exciting. Her flow and vocal delivery is ear catching and diverse. I heard 3 seconds of "Shove It" and immediately wanted to know who that artist was. With the right production, she'll be that good for a long time.

03 MARVIN GAYE "HERE, MY DEAR REMIXED"
I'm not a fan of remix projects that tamper with original genius. But this is clever. It doesn't degrade the music, it enhances it. Kick drums and percussion all in the right places. Keys and synths used properly... and no silly house remixes. The smartest part of this project is taking Marvin's excessive backing vocals and using them upfront. All his vocal tracks are so good it doesn't matter where you place them.

04 TV ON THE RADIO "DEAR SCIENCE"
This is my 'getting better with age' pick. This is TVOTR's third album - but easily their best. I keep coming back to it and experiencing something different. "Shout Me Out" is one of the smartest records of the year.

05 ERYKAH BADU "NEW AMERYKAH, PT1"
Making contact with a favourite artist can really alter the way you continue to support them. I met Badu 2 years ago in Texas... I even kissed her cheek after our chat. I should have never washed my lips. She is so endearing, intriguing and mysterious. I asked her 3 questions. She asked me at least seven or eight. I'm a fan because she's an artist... a pure artist. I know she whipped this album together, and it's still SO good.

06 OCOTE SOUL SOUNDS "THE ALCHEMIST MANIFESTO"
Music lovers - please find this album and buy it. It's smooth and groovy. It's worldly and intricate. It's the kind of album you want to play when you don't know what you want to play. I love it.

07 ONE DAY AS A LION "ONE DAY AS A LION"
I've waited a long time to hear what Zach de la Rocha was going to do after his Rage years. This EP is the one record I had with me on every tour we did this summer and fall. It's simplicity and anger grabbed me. This EP sounds like one long song, but it all makes sense and it's necessary and effective.

08 MOKA ONLY "CARROTS AND EGGS"
Moka is some what of a scientist to me. I'm a man of stamina (it's probably my stubborn nature), but this guy can put out track after track - album after album. And I tend to like all of them. This madman has recently graduated from the school of J Dilla with his production and lyrical approach, but he still managed to make it Moka.

09 GUILTY SIMPSON "ODE TO THE GHETTO"
Speaking of the school of J Dilla (which is very important to me) this album keeps the dirty dirty beats alive. Guilty (with the help of Black Milk's production) is the only emcee that can keep Dilla's vision alive. Thick nasty beats: hear "The Real Me", "Pigs" and "Footwork". I miss J Dilla - but Guilty Simpson will do just fine.

10 KANYE WEST "808s AND HEARTBREAK"
This is turning out to be my guilty pleasure of the year... although it shouldn't be a guilty pleasure at all. My peers are hating on this record hard, but I have a soft spot for Kanye. Maybe I secretly admire his 'I don't give a shit' approach. Either way you can't deny this dude had the worst year of his life by losing his mother and fiance in a matter of months. Anyone that can turn that around and express it artistically gets my vote. "Heartless", "Paranoid" and "Bad News" are great.

Feel free to drop your Top 10 or Top 5 - it's all good

(until the next b l o g)
Odario
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