Well, here we are! Our Top 10 albums from 2018. I literally listened to hundreds of projects this year so giving you a top ten was no easy task considering not only the number of albums but also the quality. And these lists are always prone to spark debate and conversation, but that’s part of the fun, isn’t it? I simply wanted to shine a light on my favorite joints this year and in part give my definitive salute as a fan to these artists and their body of work. Here we go…Enjoy!!
2018 Hip Hop Dependency Artist Of The Year: Recognize Ali
It’s been five years since we actually did and end of the year segment where we lauded particular artists and albums for their efforts. 2018 has felt like the right time and place to bring that back our Artist Of The Year accolade. Recognize Ali embodies the dope movement we saw this past year. He put out five albums, all of which are dope, none of which are identical. They are distinctive in sound and all offer something great to hip-hop fans of all walks. He was also probably featured more times than anyone else this year on projects from others. In short, his immense talent matched an unrelenting work ethic that was matched by few others this year.
It is when talent and work ethic reach such high levels that we feel compelled to do something special to share that unique gift with our audience. So please listen to the man’s music…pass the word along to others and read this interview he so graciously granted us. It’s a great read! We’ve also included a few of our favorite Recognize Ali cutz for your listening pleasure at the end. Enjoy!
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Single You Out: Eff Yoo x The Kurse – Saturn’s Rings (ft. Recognize Ali)
Eff Yoo and producer The Kurse release the single, Saturn’s Rings for their recently dropped album, Spicaso Deluxe, which is out now! Everything is great about this track. The haunting production, the bars from both Eff Yoo and Recognize Ali both ring bells, and then you get the scratches from DJ TMB which takes the track to next level in my opinion.
If you love this joint, you really should obligate yourself to check out the album.
Recognize Ali – Inauguration (Video)
No artist has created more dopeness in 2018 than this man right here. Recognize Ali has bodied song after song and album after album. The Inauguration is off his latest album I Self Lord And Master, and is just one of many dope cuts from the album, and an impeccable discography to date. Jakk Wonders on the super tight production.
Make sure yo show appreciation for great art by purchasing the album!
Recognize Ali – Until That Day (Video)
Who is having a better year than Recognize Ali when it comes to the music? You would be hard pressed to find someone who has released as many dope records and been featured on as many dope cuts. The work ethic the Ali demonstrates is top notch among his peers. So watch and listen to that man work and drop life philosophy on his latest video from the project, The Outlawed.
Single You Out: Grime Lords – Shyne (ft. Milano Constatine x Recognize Ali)
I was just asking about this project the other day and it appears that the Grime Lords are dropping Wimbledon Dons, on October 10th so we are just a few days away from this goodness. Everything I have heard from Born Unique and Pete Twist has been absolute fire and the track Shyne, featuring Milano Constatine and Recognize Ali is exactly that…fiya! The cut has some tough bars, which you undoubtedly expect with this line up and Twist can certainly lace the bangers. Make no mistake about it, when this project drops, it’s going to drop heavy!
Single You Out: Recognize Ali – Holy War (ft. Vinnie Paz)
Recognize Ali links up with Vinnie Paz to exchange sixteens over a banger from B-Sun. I really enjoy the guitar sample used by B-Sun on this track, and DJ TMB really adds some excellent scratching to the joint. And let’s face it, Ali has become one of the preeminent names in hip-hop, while Paz just shows he’s only getting better with his now legendary grind. Excellent hip-hop.
New project, Recognition, is coming…when…I know not.
Single You Out: DJ Rybe – The Pain (ft. Recognize Ali x Adrian Adonis)
DJ Rybe cooks up a slow burner in the kitchen and has Recognize Ali and Adrian Adonis add some solid sixteens to the concoction. Pretty dope if you ask me. Rybe’s last project, Channel Zero was really dope. Maybe he’s got some new dope on the horizon.
Single You Out: DBA – Million Dollar Slang Shit (ft. Recognize Ali x Born Unique)
Baltimore producer, DBA, puts together a beat that proves to be a stalker. It’s a little ominous, perhaps a little unsettling. It’s like listening to a horror movie score and not know what’s coming around the corner. Except in this case it’s the raw lyrics from Recognize Ali and Born Unique, which sound really good on a track together.
This cut will be surfacing on DBA’s project, Official Crate Music, which is do out a little later this year.
Enjoy!
Single You Out: Eclyse – Poisonous Poets (ft. Daniel Son x Recognize Ali)
Not super up on Eclyse, but I am definitely familiar with Daniel Son and Recognize Ali. I actually had to delay posting this because Daniel Son was popping up on all kinds of singles. Dude is working hard.
All in all, pretty dope track with Lost Beatz on production and cutz by DJ TMB.
Hip Hop Dependency 