Do's Hip Hop Coming Up? A Reminder > Atmosphere Album From 2005 & The New Rjd2 & Blueprint Piece Make That Wish Come True.

BEST ALBUM OF THE PAST 12 MONTHS By City Pages Online:

Yeah, yeah, yeah, so we went with the obvious choice. (We were all ready to crown Prince's new best-of, Ultimate, when we found out its release had been delayed.) But there's something to be said for such an easy decision. The fact that we uncontrollably bob our heads whenever we find the duo in the "A"s of our iPod means they're doing something right. From Slug we get frank talk about the world's problems with drugs (people do them every day and once in a while there are serious consequences) and sex (the rapper's reaction to the rape and murder of an Atmosphere fan is caught in a mournful rumination on sex-offender laws that never once exploits the girl.) Ant's soul-soaked production draws more emotion from his partner's words, spiking the anger and amusement with found sound seemingly created just for them. Atmosphere has claimed this honor before, and who will flinch if they do it again? It's no big thing. They're just that good.

"Watch Out"

"Smart Went Crazy"

And The New Collaboration Between Rjd2 & Blueprint:

Rjd2 and Blueprint return with the sophomore follow up to 2003's poignant 8 Million Stories. Both accomplished solo artists, you may know RJ from his two critically accliamed albums Deadringer & Since We Last Spoke or his numerous production credits for artists like Aesop Rock, Cannibal Ox, Massive Attack or Unkle. You may know Blueprint for his solo debut 1988 or work with his group Greenhouse Effect, but when these two join forces they form one of the most cohesive one mc/one producer duos in Hip Hop. Blending the light hearted fun of the Unlimited EP with the emotionally charged storytelling of 8 Million Stories ultimately proves that Things Go Better With RJ And Al. By The Label.

"Hand-Me-Downs"

"Blame It On The Jager"