It's been a jet setting 48 hours. By that, I mean airport delays, wi-fi-less waiting, and hung over naps on 747s. Hence, SOHH Left Coast getting the last year-end (w)rap in the whole blogosphere.
Album of '07 that sounded better in '06: Federation, It's Whateva
The timing was perfect for Federation to drop It's Whateva...last year. Press copies were circulating, it was all over the internuts and singles like "My Rims" and "18 Dummy" were rocking clubs in 2006, especially as E-40's name and the quotated "hyphy" rang from coast to coast. But nah, Warner Bros. decided to wait in hopes of clearing the Corey Hart sample of the infinitely danceable "Stunna Glasses At Night." It didn't clear and It's Whateva fell on unfortunately deaf ears in '07.
Album of the Year: DJ Warrior, Bishop Lamont & Black Milk, Caltroit
Yeah, yeah, it's a mixtape...but as 2008 is hot on our heals, is there even a difference anymore? This download-only piece proved that more than just Cali and Dr. Dre is waiting for Bishop to break big. And like the two runners up, Caltroit managed to bridge the underground with the gangster with the lyrical miracles...all over some thrilling production.
(runners up: Blu, Below the Heavens * Evidence, The Weatherman)
Song of the Year: Hot Dollar, "I Love the Streets"
The LA-based MC's shouldabeen summer smash didn't have much of a commercial impact, but it was best representation of hip-hop's rediscovered love of sampling crazy white people music. Cam'ron flipped Journey and Weezy hit the Beatles, but Dollar's interpretation of the Beach Boys was perfectly California and thoroughly for the skreets.
(runners up: Fixxers, "Can U Werk Wit Dat" * Bishop Lamont, "Feel On It")
