I does it with the flow and started talking all this water shit, it's like I started drowningWith different tales and themes, Mick connects everything back to the most abundant and important source on Earth - water. His soulful river of truth seems to splash on any listener and cause provoking, enlightened thoughts. Every beat feels like waves patting against the morning shore, but fits the theme of each song perfectly. Tracks like "Shipwrecked" start off soothing with ocean synths then suddenly transform into aggressive instrumentals filled with hi-hats and booming bass
His soothing, yet aggressive voice coupled with creative wordplay and sheer lyricism, Mick demonstrates why he's one the best in terms of lyrical ability and cohesiveness in 2014. Yes, Mick, Water is more important than the gold. SIP!  -  TheWaters10. Travi$ Scott - Days Before Rodeo
While many of the year’s best releases taught us about the artist(s) behind the project or the state of American race relations, Travi$ schooled us in the virtues of sound. The churning chants behind "Skyfall" provide a steady momentum of adrenaline before Young Thug bursts forth with characteristic energy. The beat on "Quintana Pt. 2" abruptly jolts forward to make way for the best verse on the album, one that goes uncredited to T.I. And the crowning achievement, fitting because it is Travi$ and nobody else, is the temptation anthem "Drugs You Should Try" - urging you to act on your basest desires while sounding like the impending regret that so often comes from such decisions
In a genre shifting toward prioritizing sounds over syllabic superiority, Travi$ Scott’s Days Before Rodeo serves as an exciting preview for his debut full-length Rodeo. What’s most exciting is that, given his history, it’ll be a mastering of a sound we’ve yet to even hear.  -  nietzsche9. PRhyme - PRhyme
Premier provides a slick backdrop, with his trademark sound sampling solely from Adrian Younge's material. Not only is the production a nod to the 90's, but it's also sprinkled with semi-modern vibes. In other words - it transcends time. Royce hits the booth with a sober mind and is arguably more focused and polished as an emcee than ever before. His raps are intricate and effortlessly display a plethora of phenomenal flows while dropping plenty of gems along the way
It's worth noting this is the first feature heavy album Royce has crafted, and it's very rare for him to collaborate with people outside of his clique. The features that join the ride all have solid contributions and compliment the tracks they appear on.  Royce even got a hand of Jay Electronica, something only a few have dared before him. There's no doubt this will be cherished for quite some time, as Royce said - "consider it a gift to hip hop".  -  ScopeY8. YG - My Krazy LifeNot getting nominated for a Grammy is like a slap in the faceBompton’s YG had one of the best records of the year. Whether it’s his infectious flow, or DJ Mustard’s dirty beats, this LP is the quintessential West Coast sound. Featuring fellow L.A MC’s ScHoolboy Q, Jay Rock & Kendrick Lamar, "I Just Wanna Party” & “Really Be (Smokin & Drinkin)” are stand out tracks. We get bangers like “My Nigga”, but we’re also blessed with a storyline that culminates to the beautiful “Sorry Momma”.
The picture YG paints makes us want to "bick back and be bool" at Roscoes on a beautiful Cali day. So make sure to tell your friends when they watch the Grammys: the cousin of good kid m.A.A.d city lives up to the hype.  -  Tyrant7. Isaiah Rashad - Cilvia Demo
Cilvia Demo is more than just a strong freshman album, it is a testament of the new Golden Age of Hip-Hop we've been blessed with. Through vivid story-telling and aptly balanced nostalgia and melancholia, Isaiah paints pictures of innocent childhood and angst teens; working his way up to a confused and hectic entry into adulthood
He offers us  a prime example of cohesive structure, seamlessly flowing over the grandiosely mood encompassing instrumentals. Each feature and beat selection works in tandem to build the frame on which Isaiah splashes his life and soul onto. Hip Hop's best kept secret is out - Isaiah is in the front row of the New School’s best lyricists.  -  LewAshby6.  Logic - Under Pressure
Under Pressure has Logic putting every aspect of his craft on display. He makes a clear break with the past Young Sinatra mixtapes and shows his intent to have a serious interaction with fans. Logic brings some old lines from his lesser known songs back to life, and even pays homage to other rappers' album concepts. He also gets more personal, revealing details like his nicotine addiction
With NO I.D executively producing this album, and the in-house producer 6ix on most of the beats, everything was done to make a perfect sound for this piece of art. Whether hip hop heads or music lovers in general listen to this album for the intricate lines or for the sound, one thing’s sure, they’re in for a treat.  -  Adelin5. Big K.R.I.T. - CadillacticaCadillactica is the perfect follow-up to K.R.I.T.'s previous works. What we end up with is the jazzy Southerner we are all familiar with mixed with even better lyrics, vocal presence and 808's
For about a year Young Krizzle has been describing Cadillactica as a complete planet he created and it's nothing short of that. There aren't many flaws to find in an album which subtitles "Kreation" and "Mt. Olympus"" as its intro and reprise, respectively - that is, if there are any at all.  The irony is Life From the Underground made some people think he would be better off creating mixtapes. Whether intentional or not Cadillactica is a response to that, and proves KRIT doesn't plan on leaving the Major Leagues any time soon.   -  Dyazz4. J.Cole - 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Regarded as one of the elite artists of his generation, J. Cole has yet to release an acclaimed album that matches the success of his earlier mixtapes. With the surprise release of his third LP, Cole aims to change that as he goes back to his roots in 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Beginning with a young Cole in the Ville, we see him grow through his teenage year to eventually move to New York. After realising his potential and making it to Hollywood, he gets trapped in the glamour and starts to doubt himself. After this epiphany in the latter third of the album, we hear some of Cole's most introspective words to date
While standout tracks include “03' Adolesence”, “Fire Squad”, “Love Yourz” and "A Tale of 2 Citiez", the album hasn't received the critical acclaim he would have hoped for. Good thing for Cole he doesn't care for what the critics have to say - the fans have certainly enjoyed it, and as Hov once said, "men lie, women lie, numbers don't".  -  zk1233. ScHoolboy Q - Oxymoron
EverytHing ScHoolboy Q does just oozes of cHarisma, and tHis creates a dope album experience from front to back. WHile THe paradoxical nature of his fatHer-daugHter relationship puts tHe trapping aspect into perspective, Q has plenty in tHe clip with bangers like  "Gangsta" and "Man Of THe Year". He's not a one trick pony tHougH, Q provides personal/introspective lyrics on tHe likes of "Studio" & "Prescription".
THis album made gun rap cool again. His influence was so strong even grannies across tHe globe was rocking bucket Hats and enjoying some strong kusH. THe success ScHoolboy acHieved witH tHis pusHed Him to tHe forefront of Hip Hop as our current go-to party gangsta. THis bumps in tHe wHip for sure, word to Feefo.  -  ScopeY2. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib- Piñata
There's always less to say with the best albums. It's crack-rap done in the best ways possible. Flawless soulful beats throughout accompanies vivid narratives from a more than capable MC. Is it Madlib's best work? It's up there. Is it Freddie Gibbs' best work? Yes. Gibbs' flow over the violins on ’‘Shitsville’‘ is nothing but superb, and is one of a ton of impressive moments from Gibbs on the LP. The flaws are rare so with tracks like ’‘Thuggin’‘ ,’‘Uno’‘ ,’‘Shitsville’‘, ’‘Shame’‘ & ’‘High’‘ this album is definitely worth investing your time and money in.  -  AlvvaysSavvy1. Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2
El-P provides a rattling, gritty sound that packs a heavy punch on every song. Killer Mike launches a war against all the fuckbois of the world, so if you identify yourself as one, it's best to go into hiding. Sucking dicks, running backwards into dicks and generally being dicks are all common occurrences on the LP. We aren't mad at it though - it's stated so eloquently it's like the Queen of England was saying it. Not to mention, "Jeopardy" the intro track of the year could make the most peaceful person want to beat the shit out of their neighbour, for no reason at all. And they don't feature just anyone, every addition thrown into the mix are unique as well in their own right offering their own flair. We have a rare appearance from Zack de la Rocha, a raunchy verse from Gangsta Boo, and something very mysterious from the talented boots, plus more
In the midst of all the violent antics there are political undertones and social commentary. On "Early" Mike speaks with the same urgency that makes Run The Jewels 2 such a powerful experience.  He knows what it’s like not to have asylum, and he knows that we’re not in a post-race America
It's intense, it's aggressive, it's dynamic, it's loud and we are still in awe over its crazy beauty - necks were broken during the listening sessions. One things for sure, magic like this doesn't happen every day, so if you're yet to enter the world of RTJ - you're probably listening to cats meowing. Oh wait... -   ScopeY, nietzsche, & Tyrant