LIVE @ THE BBQ: December 2013

Here we go, again.

If the whopping one post from 2013 wasn't a big enough sign, this has been a very busy year for me. I listened to a fraction of the new music that I normally listen to. I made sure to listen to the most lauded albums, and I also made sure to check out all of the releases from my personal favorites. I don't think I missed out on much, but I must apologize if that diamond in the rough that you fell in love with this year was left off of this list because I never listened to it. And unless you're a hard-core fan of 2 Chainz, you probably won't feel that way.

The best album to come out in 2013, in my opinion, was Yeezus by Kanye West. It has found its way to the top of many industry lists, and I'm not sure it was for the same reason that it's on top of mine. I put the album on top of my list for the year because it's unlike any other rap album before it, and it actually sounds really good. Yes, it is a very important album to the culture, but that's mostly because we made it the most important album by talking about it so much. It is a polarizing album from the most polarizing figure in hip-hop. I couldn't run away from the fact that I love the album, though. I listened to it the day it came out, and had it on repeat for weeks afterward. But Kanye eventually wore me down with his antics, and it made me almost sick to hear his voice. That's when I didn't listen to the album again for a few months. And then, it came time to make this list....

Chance the Rapper put out the most sonically pleasing, catchy, interesting, and downright best mixtapes in the history of hip hop with "Acid Rap." Eminem's second installment of the Marshall Mathers series was surprising and a welcomed to return to the old Slim Shady that we all fell in love with nearly 15 years ago. Jay-Z struck gold, even if he didn't realize it, with "Magna Carta..Holy Grail." Drake followed up a classic with what can only be described as a soulful sequal. Danny Brown dropped an album that somehow lived up to the hype with "Old," and J.Cole continued to build his brand and reputation with "Born Sinner." Ritz blew me away with his talent and consistency with "The Life and Times of Jonny Valiant," Big Sean blew up the streets again with "Hall of Fame," and Wale did not disappoint with "The Gifted." But regardless of all of the amazing albums that came out this year, "Yeezus" just stuck with me. When I put it back on for the first time in probably over 100 days, I fell in love with again. Kanye West is brash. Kanye West is bold. Kanye West is smart. And Kanye West makes damn good music. "Yeezus" is brash, bold, smart--- and very good music.

And now, without further rambling; The 10 Best Hip Hop Albums of 2013: