the chorus is 100% political, and I think half of Andre's verse is semi-political too. At least social commentary.

question, haven't really looked at the singles lists ppl have been posting too attentively, but will anyone include "In Da Club" on theirs? This was my high school jam. I remember my friends and I listened to it on a drive to the LA art museum probably 50 times in a row. It's part nostalgic but it has perhaps Dr. Dre's most dynamic beat. I'll have to think about this.

Right now I think for singles it's becoming more of a personal thing. There's a lot of great songs I like, but now it has to have the pc to really consider it.

Yeah same for me. The whole of Get Rich Or Die Tryin took over that year.

Vampire Weekend- Vampire Weekend (2008)

Any backlash to this band has been entirely related to overpraise. "Nothing special" I think is overrated as a criticism, as I find it to be a positive attribute. This is like a prototype composite of recognizable influences (and yes one of which is Afropop) which have been so internalized and unconsciously nitpicked, that it has an effortless way of carrying itself. With such a crisp production at the helm and clean guitar lines with spacious rhythms, the record reminds us that to sound so easy is actually really really difficult. These guys aren't on a mission to be fresh and decor their lyrics and image which speak of suburban white kids with almost but not quite-upper class parents who wear pastel polos and Loscalzoan shorts. This may be normal mundane stuff to all of us similar internet seekers, but at least it's honest coming from them. If this was playing at a party, I would be like "Ah sweet, Vampire Weekend is playing", and it would all just feel good, man.

Loscalzoan shorts

essential house album right here:

Alan Braxe - The Upper Cuts [streaming]

if you like Daft Punk and you haven't heard this, what is your problem

in loooooooooooooove with youuuuuu

Oh, people can actually understand the lyrics to B.O.B.

Cure for cancer, cure for AIDS

Make a

the beat is too awesome. its not a good showcase of 50 as a lyricist (he's better than what people think, or at least has good ghost-writers), but its probably the best showcase of 50's charisma and really the only song of his that is truly great overall. not only is it on my list for this, but it would have been on my singles list for Rap Treefingers if we had done that one.


in terms of Aftermath/Shady nostalgia, "In Da Club", "Forgot About Dre" and "My Name Is..." are my top three. i think there is something extremely memorable about being introduced to an artist for the first time. but even beyond nostalgia, "In Da Club" and "Forgot About Dre" would still be in my top 5 for that group (with "Till I Collapse" being number 1). "Still D.R.E." is another classic. in fact, i'll go ahead and say it: 2001 > The Chronic.

as far as 00s Outkast:

1. Ms. Jackson
2. International Player's Anthem
3. B.O.B.
4. Hey Ya
5. The Way You Move
6. So Fresh, So Clean

i don't think any artist of the 00s had 6 singles this strong.

Mos Def fans, don't forget:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wkThHiRt0mI[/youtube]

I think Chronic and 2001 are a classic case of consistency vs higher highs. I'd probably go with the higher highs of 2001 too, but it's mighty close.

Wanksta and this will be on my list:

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BuMBmK5uksg[/youtube]

Hey Wanta, are white-label mashup singles that RYM lists as "bootleg/unauthorized" allowed on our single lists? Because this has been floating on and off my singles list for the last couple revisions.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ShPPbT3svAw[/youtube]