New decade begins and a few new faces emerge in 2000. After the ‘90s brought us Nas, Jay-Z, Biggie, 2Pac, Outkast, Wu-Tang and so on, what will the ‘00s bring us? Let’s find out.
Best Songs
20. “X” – Xzibit
Perhaps his biggest commercial single, X made a huge splash in 2000 with the full backing of Dr. Dre, who gained executive producer credit’s for Xzibit’s Restless. The beat on this one is tremendous and Xzibit brings the heat to match the production.
19. “Southern Hospitality” – Ludacris
Truthfully, I hated “What’s Your Fantasy?” when it first came out. I really don’t like it still. I know that it’s one of Luda’s biggest songs and it’s the song that started his career, but it does nothing for me. This track, on the other hand, with the Neptunes on the beat, is an absolute banger. Luda made his debut in 2000 and remains one of the biggest stars in hip-hop today.
18. “The Ultimate High” – Nature feat. Nas
I always preferred Cormega over Nature as the fourth member of The Firm, but Nature was no slouch. The beat on this is terrific and Nature and Nas both shine over the flutes. Nature’s debut album was decent, but what the hell ever happened to his career? Apparently he dropped his third solo album in 2008. Who knew?
17. “Platinum Plus” – Big L feat. Big Daddy Kane
Two years after his murder, Big L’s second album dropped in 2000. Lots of great tracks on this, including his classic “Ebonics” which first dropped in 1998 or 1999 (hence not making it on any of the “Best of” lists since I couldn’t hammer down the actual release date.) L brings it as per usual on this one and Kane drops punchline after punchline to create a dream collaboration.
16. “Eternalists” – Reflection Eternal
One of my favorite Hi-Tek beats. The whole album is fantastic (more on that later), but this song has always stuck out to me. This song reminds me of the Native Tongues sound, just with a more modern twist to it. Talib of course brings it as you can’t help but nod your head as Kweli flows effortlessly over Hi-Tek’s production.
15. “Big Bang” – Aesop Rock
Say hello to one of the dopest new MCs of the decade. Aesop is on a whole other level when it comes to lyricism. Dude is complex. He has some of my favorite metaphors of all time. Admittedly he’s over my head at times too. The beat on this is one of my favorites from 2000 and Aesop IS hip-hop. This is one of his best songs ever.
14. “Change The Game” – Jay-Z feat. Beanie Sigel & Memphis Bleek
I love this song. I just do. I don’t give a damn what anyone else says about it. Beans is a beast and of course Bleek’s “Who the fruck want what?” is a great opening line (and no, that’s not a typo for the f-bomb). Hov’s final verse is the best, “Grammy Award winner/Ballin’ repeatedly, highlights on SportsCenter/Please repeat after me, there’s only 1 rule/I will not lose.”
13. “The 6th Sense” – Common
Common over DJ Premier? Oh hell yeah! The results are what you would expect: Greatness. Bilal provides the hook as Common rips into a Premo track. Common spits, “In front of 2-inch glass and Arabs I order fries/Inspiration when I write, I see my daughter’s eyes/I’m the truth/Across the table from corporate lies/Immortalized by the realness I bring to it/If Revolution had a movie, I’d be theme music/My music you either fight, fuck or dream to it…” Dude has always been a great lyricist.
12. “Quality Control” – Jurassic 5
A true throwback to the old school, Jurassic 5 delivered another great track with the lead single off their debut full-length album. I love the beat on this with J5’s perfectly in sync hook. Chali 2na brings my favorite verse. One of the best voices in hip-hop and he’s always brought it lyrically. “You baby MCs drink Pedialyte/While underground doesn’t like you, the media might/But we be the elite, we’ll change that/As we bridge gaps/In this lyrical grudge match/Brothers we slug back.” Fantastic video for this song as well.
11. “Bad Boyz” – Shyne feat. Barrington Levy
The Biggie sound alike, I didn’t want anything to do with Shyne when I first heard about him as I figured it was a cheap marketing trick by Diddy trying to sell records based on the legacy of the Notorious B.I.G. Then I saw the video for this song and actually listened and decided it was worth giving Shyne a chance. This is a hard hitting track, not the commercial fluff that Diddy was bringing at the time. Barrington Levy was the perfect choice to accompany Shyne on this song, as was his appearance on Shyne’s other standout “Bonnie & Shyne.”
10. “What Your Life Like?” – Beanie Sigel
This is a very in-depth, graphic depiction of what life in prison is like. Beanie doesn’t spare any details and this song should make everyone want to stay far, far away from jail. The production on this is cinematic and dark and compliments Beans’ vocals perfectly. It sounded like a movie theme song, so I just checked and it is. It’s a sample of the theme from Hard Rain. So there you go.
9. “You Don’t Know Me” – Black Rob
This shit always reminded me of the music for a boxing movie or something. Not surprising that Black Rob throws in the “You can’t win” reference from Rocky IV. Joe Hooker on the hook and on production as B.R. brings an uptempo banger. Could’ve gone with “Whoa!” for this list, as that of course is Black Rob’s biggest single and was the biggest phrase of the year, but it didn’t have the legs to hold up over time. It’s still a pretty dope song, but this was my favorite Black Rob song when it came out and it remains so to this day.
8. “Y’all Don’t Wanna” – Capone-N-Noreaga
An absolute, 100% banger. This shit is the definition of “thugged out” as N.O.R.E. would say. Nokio brings a hard hitting beat and Capone and Noreaga both rip it apart. “My life is nothing like a sitcom/You see I sip Dom/I rock Jordans/And can’t stand Pippens.” It’s not lyrical genius, but the way Nore spits it, it just sounds dope.
7. “The Way I Am” – Eminem
I’ve gone back and forth on whether to use this song or “Stan” 100 times. I came close to choosing “Stan” based on the concept alone, but decided to go with “The Way I Am” instead. The Marshall Mathers LP gave us a real look into Em’s life and this song was the perfect example. Eminem vaulted to the height of his popularity at a time of boy bands and teeny boppers and was thrust into the mix of the TRL favorites, as well as gaining rotation on rock stations and still maintaining his position as one of the best new MCs in the game. Not sure any hip-hop artist has ever stirred up the controversy or commotion the way Em did. And all the while he played it perfectly which is depicted in this track.
6. “Hip-Hop” – dead prez
One of the dopest beats ever. Completely raw and stripped down and it’s perfect. Interesting title as dead prez don’t make the normal ode to hip-hop music. Instead they discuss the state of the music industry and expose rappers that chose fame over creativity. “Would you rather have a Lexus or justice?/A dream or some substance?/A Beamer, a necklace or freedom?” Casual fans will know the beat as the theme song for Chappelle’s Show, but this song is so much more than that.
5. “Oh No” – Mos Def, Pharoahe Monch & Nate Dogg
Tremendous collaboration off the Lyricist Lounge II album. Nate Dogg (R.I.P.) is perfect on the hook and I love that Mos starts his verse with Destiny’s Child “Say my name/Say my name.” Dope usage of that shit right there. Pharoahe’s verse is on a whole other level. He absolutely murders this song. I have to stop and listen to his verse every time this song comes on because it’s microphone mastery.
4. “Apollo Kids” – Ghostface Killah feat. Raekwon
Okay, so I still don’t know what the hook means (“This rap is like ziti/Facing me/Real TV”), but the song is incredibly dope, so it doesn’t really matter. Hassan brings a murderous beat and Ghost and Rae tear it apart. Seriously, if this track doesn’t get you amped up, you don’t have a pulse. The best song off of one of the Wu’s finest solo albums.
3. “Keep It Thoro” – Prodigy
If I had to pick my favorite beat of 2000, this may win outright. It’s tough, but Alchemist came correct on this one. Prodigy’s solo album was largely disappointing, but this song was top of the line. If P put out an album’s worth of “Keep It Thoro” caliber songs, he’d have a classic on his hands. “I break bread, ribs, hundred dollar bills…” Great opening line. “Bang this, cause I guarantee that you bought it/Heavy airplay, all day with no chorus.” Great closing line.
2. “Cold As Ice” – M.O.P.
Here’s how much I love this song, “Ante Up” came out the same year and I still picked “Cold As Ice” from M.O.P.’s Warriorz. “Ante Up” is a fucking classic. It’s one of the best hip-hop songs ever. It’s just flat out nasty. I love it. I could listen to it every day and never get sick of it. And yet, I chose “Cold As Ice.” That’s how much I love this song. The sped-up Foreigner sample is brilliant, the beat is an absolute banger and Lil’ Fame and Billy Danze bring great line after great line, all while sounding like they’re ready to hit someone with a brick. “Pardon me/How the fuck you gonna start with me?/I’m a heavyweight in this game, you just spar with me.”
1. “B.O.B.” – Outkast
One of the most original hip-hop songs you’ll ever hear. 10 years from now, this song will still sound ahead of its time. Outkast have always pushed the envelope and recreated themselves, so this could’ve been expected, I guess, but I’m not so sure anyone saw this genius creation coming. Andre 3000 rhymes over a beat that’s going at 100 miles per hour. The track grabs you from the second the first drum kicks and never lets go. This is some futuristic funk shit that is beyond description. Outkast has made dozens of classic songs, but none as good as this.
Best Albums
10. Like Water For Chocolate – Common
Production from DJ Premier, Dilla and the Soulquarians, as well as guest spots from Mos Def, The Roots, Bilal, Slum Village, D’Angelo and Cee-Lo created a winning sound for Common as he finally gained some commercial exposure. Considering “The Light” is what brought him radio rotation, that’s quite alright with me. Common’s career has skyrocketed from where he was in 2000, but he’s still as sharp lyrically as he was when he was an underground favorite.
9. The Truth – Beanie Sigel
I’m a big Beans fan. I love the rawness and authenticity he brings to his songs. The album featured great production from Just Blaze, Rockwilder, Buckwild and an unknown producer by the name of Kanye West. Kanye’s production on the title track got the album rolling on the right foot, and standouts like “Stop, Chill,” “Mac & Brad” (featuring Scarface), “What Ya Life Like” and “Die” followed. Solid debut from the Broad Street Bully.
8. Restless – Xzibit
There’s a lot to love on this album. But it resonates even more for me as it was played often by my flat mate when I studied overseas. He loved the tracks “D.N.A.” and “Alkaholik.” The production team on this album is star studded with beats from Rockwilder, Battlecat, Dr. Dre, Nottz, Erick Sermon & DJ Quik. The standouts are “Front 2 Back,” “U Know,” “X,” “Don’t Approach Me,” “Get Your Walk On,” and the ode to his son “Sorry I’m Away So Much.”
7. Train of Thought – Reflection Eternal
This is the essence of a hip-hop album. Outstanding production from Hi-Tek and the lyricism to match from Talib Kweli. “Move Somethin” starts the album off with a bang, followed by great track after great track. “The Blast” got some much deserved attention for the album, while Mos Def (“This Means You”), Xzibit and Rah Digga (“Down For The Count”) and Kool G. Rap (“Ghetto Afterlife”) all make valuable contributions on the album. The album touches on love, race, politics, and the state of hip-hop as Kweli delivers tons of messages to go hand-in-hand with his punchlines.
6. Nia – Blackalicious
I picked this album up on a whim at a local CD store and couldn’t be happier that I found it. In fact some of the best kept secrets (Ugly Duckling, Pigeon John, etc.) have been discovered for me at the mom and pop stores. This album is fantastic. Gift of Gab may be the most underrated MC in the game as he can command a beat in any style or speed. The entire album is great, but my favorites are “The Fabulous Ones,” “Do This My Way,” “Deception,” “Shallow Days,” “You Didn’t Know That Though,” “Making Progress,” and “Sleep.” Discovering this album also allowed me to go back and find “Alphabet Aerobics,” from their A2G EP, which is one of my favorite songs and one of the greatest MC performances in the history of hip-hop.
5. Stankonia – Outkast
After hearing “B.O.B.” I knew that Outkast was about to bring something new to the table. This is a fantastic offering, however, it was the follow-up to the classic Aquemini, so I think it fell a little short of my expectation. That’s not to say it’s a bad album, because it’s still very good. Of course “Ms. Jackson” went on to be Outkast’s biggest single up to that point (later to be surpassed by “Hey Ya”) which is still quoted today. The song went on to win a Grammy and really launched Outkast into the mainstream. The album features standouts such as “Gasoline Dreams,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” “Xplosion,” “Humble Mumble,” and “Red Velvet.” At 24 tracks long, there is some filler on the album (mostly the 6 interludes), but the good far outweighs the bad.
4. The Dynasty: Roc La Familia – Jay-Z
This album dropped the same day as Stankonia, so I had a tough choice of what to listen to first. I remember popping this in the car and then switching to Stankonia on the way to a Halloween party. Not sure how that’s relevant, but I decided to share it. This album seemed to get better and better the more I listened to it and was one of my go-to discs during my time abroad. I remember really loving “Streets Is Talking” and “Stick 2 The Script” blasting from my headphones as I would board the bus to go to school. Just listened to the album again yesterday and it’s really solid. The first five songs are all fantastic, including the intro, and the subject matter on this ranges from Jay’s legal drama (“Guilty Until Proven Innocent” featuring R. Kelly), dealing with the loss of loved ones on the Kanye produced “This Can’t Be Life” which includes a showstealing verse from Scarface, and a song about runaway dads on “Where Have You Been,” which finds Beanie Sigel getting choked up during his opening verse.
3. Warriorz – M.O.P.
M.O.P. is one of my favorite groups of all time and this is my favorite album of theirs, just edging out Firing Squad. The album has so much energy and is as raw as can be. With production from DJ Premier, DR Period, Laze E Laze and Nottz, as well as production credits for Lil’ Fame, the album is full of great beats that match M.O.P.’s intensity. I already described my love of “Ante Up” and “Cold As Ice,” but it also features great songs like the title track, “G-Building,” “Nig-Gotiate,” “Follow Instructions,” “Calm Down,” “Power,” and “Home Sweet Home.” If I were to make a top 10 list of my favorite M.O.P. songs, “Ante Up,” “Cold As Ice,” and “Calm Down” would all make the list, and all three of those songs deserved to be on the Best Songs of 2000 list if I didn’t pick one song per album.
2. Supreme Clientele – Ghostface Killah
In my opinion, this is the last of the “classic” Wu albums. I know some have deemed Only Built For Cuban Linx II as a classic, but I disagree. This is what a Wu album should sound like, as Ghost gets contributions from RZA, Raekwon, Method Man, GZA, Masta Killa, U-God and Cappadonna to create a cohesive Wu banger. “Nutmeg,” “One,” “Apollo Kids,” “Buck 50,” “Mighty Healthy,” “Child’s Play,” and “Wu Banga 101” are as good as they come and then there’s the outstanding “Cherchez LaGhost,” which is an absolute club banger, without any of the fluff of a commercial single. This album got 2000 started on the right foot, as it dropped in January and remains in my rotation to this day.
1. Marshall Mathers LP – Eminem
Most consider this to be Em’s greatest album (I am not among them), and it’s understandable. Em grabbed us all by the throat with “Kill You” and never lets go. The shock value rhymes of The Slim Shady LP continued on songs like “Kill You,” and “I’m Back,” but it was Em’s more introspective and personal songs that set this album apart. “The Way I Am” and “Marshall Mathers” discuss his meteoric rise to fame, his disputes with XXL magazine and the Insane Clown Posse, as well as his reaction the media backlash his music received. “Stan” is one of the most original ideas you’ll find and I remember hearing it the first time and then hitting repeat to listen again. It was absolutely gripping and was put together masterfully. “Kim” was a little too over the top, as the prequel to “’97 Bonnie & Clyde,” “Drug Ballad,” sounded like a leftover from The Slim Shady LP and the D-12 assisted “Under The Influence” didn’t do much for me, but otherwise the album doesn’t miss.
So that’ll do it for 2000. Want to give special recognition to Jurassic 5’s Quality Control, Capone-N-Noreaga’s The Reunion, Big L’s The Big Picture and Haiku d’Etat’s self-titled debut album. All of these were excellent releases, but I had to go with the albums that have meant the most to me over time. But the others definitely deserve props for delivering terrific albums in 2000.
And while I know it took me a lot longer to get this list out, I’m going to do my best to get 2001 to you all in a timely fashion. Life happens and it prevents me from getting time to really put my thoughts on paper, well, more like my laptop, but you get the point.
‘Til next time….
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