Che Lingo: Top 10 Albums

To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar 

The sheer experimentation and expression, the nods at Jazz, hip hop, funk and trap are all very necessary and very well constructed to create an original piece that I know K.dot himself had a hand in formulating. This album oozes originality and in my opinion is one of the best hip hop albums to live in my lifetime so far. 

Malibu - Anderson Paak 

The consistent pace and breadth of this album never fails. All the learning/re-learning I do when I listen is paramount to why I love Anderson’s art. He expressed so much on this in such a nuanced way over such expert levels of soul, funk and jazz I can’t fin a comparison anywhere, one of a kind. 

Acid Rap - Chance The Rapper 

Acid rap was a showcasing of one of the most unique forms of hiphop. The energy, the screaming adlibs, the poetic childlike story telling. The honesty the emotive ups and downs and the nasal, raspy instrument that IS chances voice were NOT lost on me in the slightest. 

The Warm Up - J Cole 

An ode to true DIY hiphop through and through. JC was an enigma in the most recognisable form and still is. Relatable and honest and simple. Like a good home cooked meal that you never get tired of eating. 

Overly Dedicated - Kendrick Lamar 

Without question a record that helped me understand myself as an artist and a person in a more current day. Never fitting in with the “road life” but still being from a place where crime and street politics and my rap goals all coincided with girls and games and every day struggles; I needed this album to exist to be who I am artistically and personally. 

508-507-2209 - Joyner Lucas

More recent but potent and inspiring because of how thoughtfully it was composed lyrically and musically. Joyner’s ability to story tell rivals kendricks and j coles for me. None of that is overshadowed by his ability to piece together a precise and intricate flow with break neck speeds and technically ability either. Reminds me a lot of what I love about grime but on hip hop. 

Mick Jenkins - The Water[s]

Deeper and darker sides of myself were highlighted listening to this project. Another rapper I see myself in. “jazz” and “comfortable” and “THC” are some of the bench marks of my rap inspirations at that time and now.  

Meek Mill - Dreamchasers

Other than how raw and real the tape itself is, it contains the song Tony Story (track 18) which inspired me to write my track “Letter To A Dealer” which is on my 2018 EP “CHARISMA”

Solange - A Seat At The Table

This record was the epitome of Black Girl Magic looked like to me. Both sonically and visually. I appreciate how Solange approaches music so gently and this album feels so timeless to me. I have it on Vinyl. 

Goldlink - At What Cost 

This project and was the first one I listened to after hearing some of the God Complex songs on Soundcloud (I think). He was the first truly alternative rapper I ever listened to coming up and has defo inspired me to be more myself in how lyrically I approach tracks then and now.

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