AOTY 2013 Revisited - Magna Carta Holy Grail - Jay-Z

It's July 4th 2013. Jay-Z's brand new album is platinum via a distribution deal with Samsung. Magna Carta Holy Grail did not release until the 8th. How's that for some numbers?

Almost three years later it's safe to say this was a little bit of a flop. 2013 might not have been the best year for rap but picking the best album of the year is often difficult given our (ENTIRE) criteria. It's safe to say this was a very pop, radio heavy album. If Jay is your favorite rapper you'll understand. Jay-Z is at a level it doesn't matter what he releases it WILL go platinum. He's just at that stage of his career. When you're that good you only compare your music to your music. This is near the bottom of the Jay-Z discography stack which says a lot about how good his is. I'm not saying this was complete and utter garbage because otherwise it could not have trumped Nothing Was the Same, Long Live A$AP, Born Sinner and more that released in 2013. It also helps when you have super producers like Timberland, Pharell, No ID and Swizz Beats in your back pocket. Funny enough it was the production of WondaGurl & Travis Scott that produced my favorite jam on there Crowns.

As I said earlier the singles were surperb and good enough to get the nod. After much debate in the studio with Queen, Niles, Issah, and others there was no denying this was the album of 2013. Features from Frank Ocean, Rick Ross, Justin Timberlake, and Mrs. Carter herself put this one out of reach that year. Great album at the time, but really lacking in replay value. Perhaps this is opinionated but really think to yourself, when was the last time you listened to F*ckWithMeYouKnowIGotIt on your own time? Read the original review here.

#AOTY 2013 Number One Magna Carta Holy Grail by Jay-Z

What you've all been waiting for.

Magna Carta Holy Grail was a dime. The production was particularly amazing. It helps when your name is Sean Carter and you have the likes of Timbaland, Swizz Beats, Kanye West, & Pharell in your back pocket. Believe it or not Mike Will, Jahlil Beats, and Rick Rubin were also involved with the production of this album as well. All of that basically equals the #AOTY and probably a trip to the grammys.

Lots of reviews had mixed feelings about this album. Some even saw it as Jay-Z's attempt to transition to pop. Although that may be a bit extreme I did get a little bored with the album midway through. Don't get it twisted, there are ZERO skips on this record. On the editor's picks this album finished third. As a result of the show's panel, we see MCHG here at number one.

MCHG provided humongous radio hits like Holy Grail featuring Justin Timberlake and F*ckwithmeyouknowigotit with the boss, Rick Ross (that was interesting to type). Oceans with Frank Ocean, Tom Ford and Part II (On The Run) with Mrs. Knowles-Carter herself (Beyonce) were also nice cuts on this album.

It's been a busy year for Hov, he's had his hand in just about everything. This includes selling his portion of ownership of the Nets and starting a sports agency signing athletes like Skylar Diggins, Kevin Durant, Victor Cruz, and Robinson Cano (and that $240 million deal for Cano). Between that and constant publicity behind a marriage anniversary trip to Cuba that even gave the president some grief 
(on top of his 99 problems) and the fact that he has the most important two year old in pop culture. He still found the time to drop an art short film for his single Picasso Baby as seen below.


Busy indeed but he has WTM's #AOTY and the platinum selling album that is Magna Carta Holy Grail. Congrats Jigga Man, You've worked hard and earned it. MCHG earns 4.4 on the Ramsey Rating Scale. It's been fun. I always enjoy writing this review no matter how stressful it becomes. I'm interested to see what music comes out in the next 12 months and what makes our list. Best believe, WTM is going to continue and grow to become something bigger and I'm excited to see what twists I have up my sleeve to make this review different from previous years. See you.

Your Editor,

#AOTY 2013 Number Two Nothing Was the Same by Drake

2013 has gone pretty well from Drake if he could keep away from the Instagram memes and Kendrick verses, Nothing will ever be the same I guess.

Aside from disses back in forth with the Hottest MC in the industry Drake had an awesome 2013. Touring all year and dropping a solid album. Everyone that complained about Take Care got the album they really wanted this time around. Nothing was the Same was an easy listen. It had great production and a variety of sounds throughout the piece.

Singles Started from the Bottom, Hold on We're Going Home and All Me with 2 Chainz & Big Sean are both major radio hits and increased anticipation for this album. Don't get me wrong, Drake still had his traditional R&B feel in points on this album with tracks like Come Thru & From Time featuring the upcoming (and beautiful I might add) Jhene Aiko (shoutouts to Gambino for that). The best track on this platinum album is hands down Pound Cake featuring Jay-Z (who we'll see more of later on) (spoiler). Pound Cake uses a classic Wu Tang Clan C.R.E.A.M. sample and was mixed perfectly with the beat. Although they rap about their money it was the clever use of words that got my attention. Speaking of Wu Tang, Wu Tang Forever was another good cut on this album. It's safe to say we know where the influence has come from.

NWTS was the number one album on the editor's (my) review but fell short in the eyes of the panel by ONE VOTE. This album was impeccable. On top of the music being insane, it went platinum. With no more needed to be said, Drake got 4.5 of 5 Stars on the Ramsey Rating scale. Since the ultimate decision wasn't mine Drake is the #AOTY runner up for the second time to the same artist in 2011. Stay Tuned for number one!!!!

#AOTY 2013 Number Three Long Live A$AP by A$AP Rocky

Remember this album? It's been all the way since January when A$AP Rocky released it, and even longer when it leaked in December 2012.

Long live A$AP was the album I compared every work next too while making the list. There weren't many skips on this one. Prettyboy Flacko did his thing and helped put A$AP Mob on the commercial map. Although he's from Harlem the album had a Southern/Midwestern feel to it but NYC is still evident in his flows.

Let's get to it. It all starts with the Grammy nominated lead single F*ckin Problems featuring 2 Chainz, Drake, and Kendrick Lamar. This cut is arguably Song of the Year and is still in most major radio rotations. Other singles on this album include Fashion Killa, Goldie, and Wild for the Night with his high school classmate Skrillex. I also liked the self titled track Long. Live A$AP and PMW (All I Really Need). Opinionated, but the best track (and most played on the radio show) on this album is 1Train featuring Kendrick Lamar, Joey Bada$$, Yelawolf, Danny Brown, Action Bronson, & Big K.R.I.T. Its a traditional cypher beat, not overwhelming with electro sounds and heavy drums but just a boom bap track where the rappers got to show their own skill. Over and over people are still debating who had the best verse. The X-Factor track on this album that kept me listening was Ghetto Symphony with fellow Mob member A$AP Ferg and Gunplay who surprised me with a good feature.Long. Live. A$AP. was dope through and through and very difficult to leave at a number three spot on the countdown. Ramsey's Rating Scale Rates this with 4.5 of 5 stars.

#AOTY 2013 Number Four The Marshall Mathers LP 2 by Eminem

 Another emcee returning to the microphone was the Rap God himself, Eminem. I must admit at first I really wasn't feeling this project. I even fell asleep the first time through prematurely deeming this album Nap-Time music joining a host of artists that include Toni Braxton and Jill Scott (don't murder me I just don't feel their music like the rest of you all, doesn't take away from their talent though). Anyways, the second, third, and eighth listen had me hooked. The LP didn't make my personal list for previously mentioned reasons but the panel couldn't refuse the album. My bias opinion still doesn't take away from the judging categories by lyricism, uniqueness, production, popularity, and album sales. With that said, The Marshall Mathers LP 2 was one of three hip-hop albums that went platinum in 2013 (The number one and two albums on the list were the other two respectively). In an age where record sales are declining going platinum is more than impressive, especially when he hasn't dropped a solo album in almost two years.

The singles on this record were solid. Lots of listeners couldn't wait for this record to release. The Monster with Rihanna and Survival featuring Liz Rodrigues were nice radio friendly cuts. Over all the years he still keeps the same angry but conversational flow crossed with a catchy hook. Bezerk and Rap God were good but not great songs.Many people also enjoyed his song with Kendrick Lamar, Love Game. Both had solid verses that kept in context with the song title and story. What I respected most about this album was the features. Unlike many artists this year, he didn't overdue the amount of tracks with featured artists; he showcased his own skills.

People say the sequel is never better than the original. In this case I agree but it was still the third best album this year. Marshall Mathers II got 4 out of 5 stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale.

#AOTY 2013 Number Five: Born Sinner by J. Cole

Without a shadow of a doubt Born Sinner was my favorite album of the year 2013. Hurts my soul it only got enough votes to be Number Five on WTM's list.

J. Cole's sophomore LP was in high anticipation. He pushed it back two times and was bold enough to drop it the same day as Yesu Christo and Mac Miller. Power Trip feat. Miguel was arguably the song of the year. Forbidden Fruit with Kendrick Lamar was cool. Many people expected a verse from his featured guest but a sample from A Tribe Called Quest's classic Electric Relaxtion made the song worthwile. I also anticipated Crooked Smile featuring TLC as a single. Long before the album dropped, he spit the first verse at a show the same way he did for Chaining Day.

Another song that stood out to me was Let Nas Down. During a listening party before the drop date he broke down the meaning behind this cut. He went on about how the label wanted a single for the radio and "He was striking out for months." He finally got the green light when he dropped Work Out for Sideline Story. Unfortunately for him, his idol didn't approve as the track abandoning lyricism. Nas then responds by hopping on the remix, Made Nas Proud. Nuff Said.

This album was one of few that could be played start to finish. Cole kicked it off upbeat with Villuminati. He gave you real substance with LAnd of the Snakes and even a strong verse on his Mo Money (Interlude). Born Sinner was overall better than solid; the world is ready for a new story now. No more mulatto, out for Hov spot, I went to college, chip on his shoulder rap. You made it Cole, and the world is watching and ready. Cole World No Snuggie (shugs*). Born Sinner got 4.3 out of 5 Stars on the Ramsey Rating Scale.