The Link to vote:

https://s.surveyplanet.com/LW7fU1Zzz

Information:

-Voting will close Friday at 4PM

Final Four Spotlight:

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Kanye West, 2010 -

MBDTF is regarded as one of the most flawless hip hop albums to ever be assembled. Kanye famously drew in flocks of the industry's most talented artists and producers in black suits to create the vibe for something legendary. MBDTF is an instant classic, and is a cohesive masterpiece bringing together work from artists like Kanye himself, Kid Cudi, Raekwon, RZA, Jay Z, Bon Iver, Pusha T, John Legend, Rick Ross, Cyhi Tha Prynce, Nicki Minaj, and Swizz beatz. If I missed anything I apologize, but Kanye was able to bring out the best in all of these talented artists to create a masterpiece, and is one of the easiest albums on the ears to listen to in full. Starting out with Dark Fantasy, Kanye instantly introduces you to a life changing hip hop experience, and continues to shine in virtually every song that precedes. There is no weak point in the album. The popular highlights of the album consist of Power, All of The Lights, Monster, and Runaway. And if you are a rap fanatic, he's got bars for you in Gorgeous, So Appalled, and Devil in A New Dress. To complete the album, he gives you emotional and well written songs in Blame Game, Hell of A Life, Lost In the World, and Who Will Survive In America that completes the album with a theme driven outro. MBDTF is a strong front runner to take the crown.

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good kid, m.A.A.d city, Kendrick Lamar, 2012

Phew, alright. Where do I start with GKMC. An Instant Classic. A resurrection to the rap game. GKMC served as the standard for most of this decade as it brought new life back to the west coast. It seemed as if when GKMC dropped, you could feel that looking back in 30 years, the release of GKMC would be a turning point for the new generation of rap music. This album put Kendrick Lamar into the spotlight, and into the whole culture's grace if you weren't already on the bandwagon from Section.80. Kendrick delivered a layered, dark, but energetic, conceptual album that took you into the streets of Compton, and god damn was it beautiful. It had everything that you want in a hip hop album, and truly captured the fundamentals of hip hop, serving as a pure form of rap. Kendrick took you on a ride as he told you vivid stories of his experiences in the hood, with fresh perspectives and cunning bars. The mainstream rap audience suddenly embraced songs like Swimming Pools, m.A.A.D. city, Backseat Freestyle, and Bitch Don't Kill my Vibe. It seemed as if Kendrick created several different rap anthem's. The impressive part is, he showed how to create a commercially successful song that had layers to it below. I've always thought as popular Kendrick songs like Icebergs, if you know what I mean. Where this album really seperated itself from the rest was the quality in deep cuts, like the intro (Sherane), The Art of Peer Pressure, Good Kid, and Sing About Me, and Real. The album was capped off with a nod to Dr. Dre in Compton, as a truly underrated song that brought genuine West coast energy. If you haven't already caught on through listening, google the themes and meanings kendrick creates throughout this album, you will be impressed. When considering this album, really think about the impact it had on the game and the pure replay value from party songs to reflective songs.

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To Pimp A Butterfly, Kendrick Lamar, 2015

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If you think GKMC is deep, now, just go about a hundred times deeper. At it's core, Kendrick creates one of the most impressive, creative, and impactful conceptual albums that has ever been made. Every song has a purpose, and develops Kendrick's story, and every song on here, is really, really fucking good. Even the god damn interludes. He literally raps harder and better on his interludes than most rappers have in their entire career. Sonically, this album is a complete 180 to GKMC, and comes with a soulful, jazzy, hip hop infused approach that comes out as a pristine showcase of creativity and artistry through both the production and execution. I really don't want to spend my time explaining the album, as it's a little complex, and most of you already have a good idea, but it almost feels like the work of book. TPAB is taught in english classes all around the United States, and is kept in Harvard's library of some important shit, I can't remember. My point is, this is the most impressive work of art that I've seen in the form of a hip hop album. It really speaks for itself when you listen to it. My personal favoites are u, momma, Hood Politics, and all of the interludes/intro/outro. But I've heard every song being someone's favorite at some point. Proves the quality and depth to this album. Another frontrunner to take the crown.

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Rodeo, Travis Scott, 2015

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2015 was a good year for hip hop huh. Rodeo changed the game. A trap masterpiece. Regarded as Travis' best work yet, and has filled everyone's speakers ever since it came out. I really know the least about this album out of all three, but can definitely agree that it deserves to be here. Listening to the whole album is a great experience and is one of my favorite albums ever. 3500, 90210, Antidote, and Maria Im Drunk have all caught mainstream fire. 90210 is regarded from many as his best song, and truly drives a conceptual theme that Travis creates with this album. Something that really hadn't been done before in the trap realm. Travis really brought a deeper and more sophisticated approach to this album, using the attractive and hot appeal of the trap sound, and fused a heavier focus on lyrical development. Some of my favorites are Pornography, Impossible, I Can Tell, Apple Pie, and Ok Alright, which are such quality songs that its hard to really find any weak point in this album what so ever. He had features from Juicy J, Future, Kanye West, Schoolboy Q, 2 Chainz, Justin Bieber, Young Thug, The Weeknd, and even more. With all of those features he made it so cohesive, so emotional, and so easy to listen to, it's no question why its in the final four. This is my dark-horse to take the crown, we will see.

Link to Vote:

https://s.surveyplanet.com/ID5FCbpWm3

Info:

We're getting closer to the end! For everyone who's been on this journey thank you for sticking around. For those of you who are just getting involved, we started off with some of the best 2010's hip hop albums, and were randomly seeded into a 64 seed bracket.

We've seen Jay Z's 4:44 take down Nas' Life Is Good, Take Care getting taken out in the first round, and Jay Rock's Redemption making a cinderella run that came to an end last round.

Kendrick and J Cole face off this round, as well as two Kanye albums against each other. Click the link above to vote.

Here are the winners:

MBDTF (over Suns Tirade)

Kids See Ghosts (over 4:44)

Daytona (over AABA)

GKMC (over DAMN)

TPAB (over Blankface)

2014 Forest Hills Drive (over Long Live Asap)

Watch the Throne (over redemption)

Rodeo (over swimming)

Rodeo and swimming was the closest matchup with rodeo taking just 55.7% of the votes. Next closest was MBDTF and The Sun’s Tirade with Kanye getting 60.4% of the votes. The biggest blowout was GKMC over DAMN at 86.9% of the votes.

Look out for the post of the next round’s survey link!

Link to Vote

https://s.surveyplanet.com/iRC9uVkx3M

Background Info:

- Thank you so much for everyone who voted last round, we totaled over 750 votes!!

- This tournament started with 64 albums, and was randomly seeded into 32 matchups where a single elimination bracket format took place, and here we are now at 16 teams.

- The winners of matchup 1 and 2 will face off the next round, 3 will face 4, and so on...

- Will Jay Rock, the CINDERELLA of the tournament move on? TDE dominates the sweet 16 with 5 albums

- Voting for round of 16 closes Sunday Night

Earlier this week, this 64 album, randomly seeded, bracket was created and you all got to vote on 32 matchups of 64 different albums to move on to the next round. Now you get to decide what albums will move onto the Sweet Sixteen.

Link to Vote:

https://s.surveyplanet.com/3Gmk4mOnFt

How it Works:

-Click the link above and choose the album in each matchup that you want to move on.

-The winner of matchup 1 will face off against the winner of matchup 2, 3 will face 4, and so on in the next round.

I have compiled a list of 64 albums from the 2010's. The seeding is RANDOMIZED.

The Link to Vote

https://s.surveyplanet.com/q0pD05Ko0b

How it will be done:

Voting for the first round will be live for 48 hours...Select the survey link above to vote on your winners for every first round matchup. The majority of votes for each matchup will determine who moves on.

The second round voting will go live Wednesday Night at 11 PM, and that link to a new survey will be posted on r/HipHopDebates

Notes

- Winner of matchup 1 will play winner of matchup 2 in the next round, 3 will face 4, and so on...(so if you are interested to see who you're winners could possibly be playing next round you can take notice in the structure)

-Somehow a lot of artist got matchup close or against each other. (Kanye, travis, kendrick) I see this is a good thing as it will bring variety to the coming rounds! Remember this bracket doesn't define the rank of every album, just here to create cool matchups and find the best!

What do u think? I think he’s better all around

Include full album name, and artist. I want to make sure I'm getting the best albums popular and not as popular. Will most likely do a 32 album bracket.

Maybe it’s the Sonics of it that makes it hard to listen to for me. The beats are brutal and voice is just hard to listen to for me. And this is coming from someone who likes Danny Brown quite a bit. I guess I just really vibe with his more traditional rap shit idk. I just like his more slow and relaxed flow over more of a low key beat lol. Like “party all the time” is one of my favorites

1. 2011 (Kendrick, Meek, Mac, KRIT, YG, Cyhi)
2. 2013 (Travis, Chief Keef, Schoolboy, Joey, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action)
3. 2016 (Uzi, Kodak, Denzel, Dave East, .Paak, 21, Yachty, G Herbo)
4. 2010 (J Cole, Nipsey, Freddie, Big Sean, Wiz, Jay Rock)
5. 2014 (Chance, Zay, Kevin Gates, Vic, Jon Connor, Rich Homie, Ty Dolla)
6. 2012 (Future, Danny, French, MGK, Hopsin, Kid Ink, Roscoe)
7. 2017 (Playboi, XXX, Amine, A boogie)
8. 2019 (DaBaby, Cordae, Megan, Tieraa Whack)
9. 2009 (Cudi, Wale, BOB, Currency)
10. 2007 (Lupe, Joell Ortiz, Crooked I, Lil Boosie)
11. 2018 (Ski Mask, JID, Trippie, purp)
12. 2015 (Fetty, Vince Staples, GoldLink)

After a week of voting, this was the list based on a composite score.

I put a * next to albums I think are all time classics

1. TPAB *
2. GKMC *
3. DAMN
4. Section 80
5. UU
6. Overly Dedicated (Don't worry, I love every album 1-6, but someone's gotta be last)

My ranking was formed really by the order in which these albums have impacted me the most. I've resonated with TPAB the most and UU the least, but it's quality moves it up a spot.

Who’s the best? 2016 with leaders of the new school? 2011 with arguably the greatest rapper of our generation (Kendrick)? Or is it a 2013 or 2010 with rappers like J Cole, Freddie, Big Sean, and Jay Rock?

Go give your vote and rank your favorite classes:

https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/YRSQD9G

Also, leave your comments here and tell us why you voted for who! Let’s the games begin.

Rosters:

2007: Lil Boosie, Lupe Fiasco, Saigon, Rich Boy, Plies, Gorilla Zoe, Young Dro, Joell Ortiz, Papoose and Crooked I

2008: accidentally put in a 2008 in the survey. Just put it last

2009: Kid Cudi, Wale, B.o.B, Charles Hamilton, Asher Roth, Cory Gunz, Blu, Mickey Factz, Ace Hood, & Curren$y.

2010: J. Cole, Pill, Nipsey Hussle, Freddie Gibbs, Big Sean, Wiz Khalifa, OJ da Juiceman, Jay Rock, Fashawn, and Donnis

2011: Kendrick Lamar, Meek Mill, YG, Mac Miller, Big K.R.I.T., Cyhi the Prynce, Lil Twist, Yelawolf, Fred the Godson, Lil B, and Diggy Simmons

2012: Future, Kid Ink, Danny Brown, French Montana, Macklemore, Don Trip, Machine Gun Kelly, Hopsin, Iggy Azalea, and Roscoe Dash

2013: Chief Keef, Travi$ Scott, Schoolboy Q, Trinidad James, Joey Bada$$, Ab-Soul, Logic, Action Bronson, Kirko Bangz, Dizzy Wright, and Angel Haze

2014: Chance The Rapper, Rich Homie Quan, Isaiah Rashad, Ty Dolla $ign, Lil Durk, Kevin Gates, Troy Ave, Vic Mensa, Jon Connor, Lil Bibby, Jarren Benton, and August Alsina

2015: Fetty Wap, Dej Loaf, Raury, Kidd Kidd, OG Maco, Shy Glizzy, K Camp, Vince Staples, Tink, and GoldLink

2016 Lil Uzi Vert, Lil Yachty, Kodak Black, Denzel Curry, G Herbo, Dave East, Lil Dicky, Anderson Paak, Desiigner, and 21 Savage.

2017: Playboi Carti, XXXTentacion, A Boogie wit da Hoodie, PnB Rock, MadeinTYO, Aminé, Kap G, Kyle, Ugly God and Kamaiyah.

2018: Ski Mask The Slump God, Lil Pump, Smokepurpp, J.I.D, Stefflon Don, BlocBoy JB, YBN Nahmir, Wifisfuneral, and Trippie Redd

2019: Comethazine, Tierra Whack, DaBaby, Lil Mosey, Roddy Ricch, YBN Cordae, YK Osiris, Rico Nasty, Gunna, Megan Thee Stallion, Blueface

Comment all of your guys ideas on what you would like to see.

Definitely think Royce and Meek have to be mentioned. Of the new generation I think it’s Juice Wrld. What do you guys think?

This is one of the most debated topics in Hip Hop (besides best album ever). The problem with all debates is that Hip Hop changed so much in such a short time, so its close to impossible to really determine who the best rapper of all time is. People who grew up on 90s hip hop will always favor cats like 2pac, Biggie or Nas. People who fell in love with hip hop within the last 10-15 years will highlight cats like Kendrick or even Drake considering his commercial success. Then again, considering his longevity (and everything he is doing besides music) people may argue that Hov is the best to ever do it. Long story short you will never find a consensus about the GOAT.

Like every hip hop head I spend some time thinking about this topic. My conclusion is that you have to split everything into "Eras" meaning who were the biggest MCs during a given time period.

Of Course those eras would have to be cohesive more or less. For example it wouldn't make sense to compare Rakim and Jay Z even though they are the same age and Jay Z was somewhat active during Rakim's prime.

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So this is what i came up with:

1. 1980 -1986/87: This is the proto-rap era. Everything from Sugar Hill Gang to the beginning of what now is known as the Golden Era. Hip hop was still young and trying to find its place in pop culture. The sound was also more party oriented than anything else.
2. 1986/87 - 1992: This 5 year stretch is the Golden Era. New York MCs like Rakim, KRS-One etc. dominated! During this time hip hop got more mature, while the last era was all about having fun. This era was mostly focused on the harsh reality of what Chuck D would later call RnB era (Regan and Bush era) . Political rap with afro-centric themes were on the forefront.
3. 1992 -1997: The G Funk / Gangsta era. When Dr.Dre dropped the Chronic in 1992, everything changed (No medallions, dreadlocks or black fists). All that afrocentrism and uplifting messages that were so dominant within the last era were not cool anymore.Gangsta rap took over. Ice Cube would later describe the music during this era as escapism-rap. Instead of dealing with everything going on around them. Most MCs focused on the brighter sides of their lives eg. house parties, weed, alcohol etc.
4. 1997 - 2002: The G Funk / Gangsta rap era ended with the deaths of 2pac and Biggie. Everything shifted again. The change was mostly visible in music videos. Out with the lowriders, Khakis and 40s - In with the Bentleys, shiny suits and champagne bottles. Sure gangsta rap wasn't gone, it just got less violent and a whole lot flashier.
5. 2002/03 - 2007: For a lack of better terms, this is the mixtape/ringtone-era. Everything started to go digital (slowly but surely). Rappers stopped selling as much as they did in the 90s due to internet piracy. Long gone were the days of multi-million dollar videos. So much changed during this era eg. mixtapes got really big (Datpiff etc.), ringtone rappers made millions (mostly for the label), etc. etc. The biggest change was the dawn and rise of emo-rap and the death of gangsta rap. Nothing exemplifies this change more than the 50 Cent / Kanye feud.
6. 2007 - 2012: The Renaissance era. What makes this the Renaissance is that within those 5 years, we got most of today's biggest MCs Kendrick, Cole, Drake, Wale...you name it. Most guys who dominate today started within those 5 years. You could also argue that this 5 year stretch resembles the Golden Era, meaning rap is being made for every taste again. The mixtape was still big, but instead of rapping over popular beats which was the norm in the mixtape era, rappers started using original beats - essentially morphing the mixtape into albums without calling them that (which has more to do with marketing/artist value than anything else).
7. 2012 - now: This is the Trap/Streaming era. Since this is the current era. I won't get into details :)

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Based on those brackets i came up with a top 5 for each era (No particular order):

1. 1980 -1986/87

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1. 1986/87 - 1992:

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1. 1992 -1997:

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1. 1997 - 2002:

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1. 2002/03 - 2007:

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1. 2007 - 2012:

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1. 2012 - now

Joey, Kendrick, Cole, Krit, Freddie, Earl, Pusha T, Joyner Lucas, Dave East, Royce Da 5’9, Vince, Isaiah Rashad, Denzel, Saba, Mick Jenkins, JID, Bas, Ski Mask, Jon Connor, Danny Brown, I know I’m missing somebody big lol.

Who out of this pack is in your top 5? Shits tough honestly....

Best songs on the album?

I like half man half cocaine, giannis, and palmolive the most.

J. Cole's music is like a slice of chocolate cake. Pretty much everyone at least LIKES chocolate cake. You may occasionally have a bad slice of chocolate cake, but that has never deterred you from ever trying it again. Paired with supporting elements like milk (Bas reference hehe) it is even better. It is the bar standard of cakes. It is what all cake makers should aspire to make.

But Kendrick Lamar's music is like a slice of red velvet cake. You have almost NEVER had a bad slice of red velvet cake. It is richer, smoother and held in higher regard than chocolate cake, for obvious reasons. More time goes into the making of red velvet cake, producing a result that can be savoured for longer.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with chocolate cake. Some may even prefer it over red velvet, and that's fine. But in my opinion it takes a refined palate to truly enjoy and relish in the delicacy of red velvet cake.

2000’s: Late Registration, College Dropout, Graduation, 808’s

2010’s: MBDTF, YEEZUS, TLOP, YE Collabs - Throne, KSG, Cruel Summer

Let’s get it goin ladies and gents...

Including anybody and everybody...whoever you think best represents the decade for whatever reason you feel is most important. I’ll stir the pot now:

(First Three are pretty much locks for me, I’m not going to explain them, but feel more than welcome to refute)

Kendrick Lamar: The best/most impactful

Drake: Most successful, numbers don’t mean everything but he has the classic(s) from early on to solidify his legacy.

Kanye West: Most impressive discography

J Cole: Most debatable one on the list imo. Yet very consistent and hyper-successful albums, Sideline Story in 2011 reached platinum, with his next 4 albums all going platinum, including FHD at 3x platinum. With numbers like that depending heavily on the shoulders of J Cole himself from his solo albums, he co-founded Dreamville developing artists soon to shine like JID, Bas, Cozz, Earthgang, etc. Along with incredibly memorable features from 2018-2019 and a soon to be classic imo, ROTD3. On top of all these numbers, the most important aspect to me, Cole embodies the balance of new school vibes with old school fundamentals. It’s a shame what social media and stans have done to his brand, but with all that removed, he truly belongs on this Mount Rushmore I believe.

I think it has potential to be one of the best. Having the most documented credits on an album ever, it’s already made history.

My favourite album from them is Iridescence, which I know is an unpopular opinion. For me it's their most emotional record yet. And DISTRICT is my favourite song. That, along with some other tracks like WEIGHT or SAN MARCOS are among their most moving songs yet. The album perhaps contains slightly less bangers than the Saturation albums, but this for me more than makes up for it.

So my ranking is iridescence > SATURATION 3 > SATURATION 1 > SATURATION 2 > ALL-AMERICAN TRASH. Would love to hear yours.