30. The Knux - Remind Me In 3 Days…
I didn’t hear about the hip-hop group The Knux until 2008, but I was glad someone reminded me to check out their album entitled “Remind Me In 3 Days…”. I was instantly overtaken with a new sound, something that I hadn’t heard before. Just because you make creative music, doesn’t necessarily mean that it is good music - a concept that many people fail to recognize in the music industry nowadays.
The duo called “The Knux” were able to make an album that featured creative sounds, creative concepts, and still make it a (more than) noteworthy piece of music to check out in 2008. You really owe yourself to check up on their music if you haven’t already. Standout tracks include: “Bang! Bang!,” “Cappuccino (Remix),” and “F!re (Put It In The Air).” I highly recommend that you buy this album to add to your collection in 2008 - even if you are the slightest bit interested in their music.
PURCHASE: The Knux - Remind Me in 3 Days
29. EPMD - We Mean Business
Nine years since the duo (Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith) dropped “Out Of Business” they made a return to the world of hip-hop with the release of “We Mean Business.” The album has the same old-school feel to it, though they opted to leave the infamous DJ Scratch out of the lineup. Veteran guests like Raekwon, Redman, Mobb Deep, and KRS-One make the listener appreciate the quality music.
The album is really a must-listen for any fan of EPMD and definitely worth checking out if you appreciate good hip-hop music. My favorite tracks from this album include: “Listen Up” - which is arguably the biggest “banger” on the album, featuring Teddy Riley. I also especially enjoyed “Run It” featuring KRS-1.
Though DJ Scratch was missing from this project, due to various issues with the group - the album is still a very noteworthy piece of 2008. It is filled with a grand total of thirteen tracks, but there was absolutely zero “filler” (i.e. interludes / skits) - which is common on most albums. Old school fans and hip-hop heads alike should mos.def. check into this project.
PURCHASE: EPMD - We Mean Business
28. Murs - Murs For President
When I heard that MURS was going to be running for president I got excited. Murs has had a long history of making quality music. On this project Murs rhymes the truth and makes what I refer to as genuine music. This alubm “Murs For President” has something to offer for everybody - from the “feel good” anthem (laced by super-producer “will.i.am”) called “Lookin Fly.”
“It seems like nobody’s tryin man / there’s Kids dyin in Sudan and nobody cares / at least I’m tryin man” - says the artist Nick Carter. The album brings up major issues that many people can relate to and other concerns of the worldly focused artist Murs.
Murs opted to sign with a major label in order to get more promotion and in order to get more people exposed to his music. He didn’t care whether the deal made him lose profits, he had the goal to push his music on as many listeners as the promotion would allow.
This album makes for a quality listen from beginning to end. Though some instrumentals failed to keep my interest, Murs’ wordplay and rhymes always made things interesting. Standout tracks include: “Time Is Now” featuring Snoop Dogg, “Can It Be,” and “Lookin Fly.” I definitely cast my vote for Murs in 2008, I hope you all go out and pick up this project. Murs was truly one of the artists that kept true hip-hop alive in 2008.
PURCHASE: Murs - Murs For President
