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Best of 2009: Ill Vibes Top 30 Projects of 2009

2009 has been an amazing year with a lot of surprise acts on the one hand with Drake, Kid Cudi and Wale emerging while a lot of veterans decided to come back to the game in The Clipse and Raekwon. Ill Vibes presents its list of the Top 30 projects of 2009. This entails everything from albums, EPs, mixtapes, and whatever else artists are calling their projects these days. I’m probably sure we missed some projects here and there but blame our minds not our hearts! Check out the complete list after the jump! Let us know your thoughts!

1. Drake – So Far Gone

Yes, I know this is the trendy pick of the year, but we had to go with it. I mean this project had everything from R&B (Sooner Than Later), Houston-Style rapping (Uptown), eclectic indie sounds (A Little Bit / Night off), and new-age hip hop (Unstoppable) as well. Drake’s lyricism is impressive and his ability to create unique tracks is equally amazing. His project “Thank Me Later” that is scheduled to drop March 2010 will certainly make some heads turn and reach our list next year, but let’s see if he will have to let go of his crown.

2. Phoenix – Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix

I know, you think we are crazy for putting this up there. Listen to the project and you will understand why. Phoenix’s “Wolfgang Amadeus Phoenix” captivated me from the minute I heard it. Ever since then Cadillac has thrown their song “1901″ in their commercials and HBO’s Entourage even decided to play their song “Liztomania” during their season finale. This group offers a fresh air of quality alternative music with clever lyrics. These French cats make some damn good music.

3. Kid Cudi – Man on the Moon

Really though, who didn’t hear the song “Day and Nite” this year? Anybody (all the hands go up). That’s what I thought…Kid Cudi is an artist that is very different from a lot acts in the game but his music is still very accessible to the public. His album is very dark yet enlightens the mind and the soul. I was very impressed with his debut album and can’t wait for his next album “Cudder” in 2010. Glad Ill Vibes had a dope chance to get some nice footage of one of his sets at the 9:30 club.

4. Passion Pit – Manners

Synths! Synths! Synths! Passion Pit is electronica at its finest, enough said. Their music is crazy and different it just demands your attention. Listen to the eerie singing in “Sleepyhead” and the amazing instrumentation at the beginning of “The Reeling.” I was sold.

5. Clipse – Til the Casket Drops

This next group on the list has been in the game for awhile and we at Ill Vibes are very proud that we had the great opportunity to interview them. Check out the interview if you have not had the chance yet. This album is amazing! It felt so good to hear The Neptunes back in the lab with this duo on songs like “Life Change”, “I’m Good”, “Counseling”, “Popular Demand”, etc. Whew too many hits on this album. Oh yeah and they even mixed it up by working with Khalil on “Kinda Like a Big Deal” with Kanye West. Dope stuff right here.

6. Wale – Attention Deficit

His name is WALE don’t say WAH-LEE! This man caused a storm in the DMV area getting his name spread all across the nation and raising in the ranks of hottest MCs in the game. His debut album was impressive as he definitely mixed up his sound with radio-friendly tracks like “Chillin” and more deep tracks like “Shades.” It was great to see this guy make his strides and stay the same humble MC. It was a pleasure to have Ill Vibes meet Wale during on of his performances at Love.

7. Theophilus London – This Charming Mixtape

Theophilus London! I don’t know what stands out to you more…his name or the music! They are both DOPE! I’m telling you this old-school-The Smiths inspired MC truly brings some new to every single track he gets on. I was a huge of the London movement since he used to be called Thelonius Kapps! He has made some heavy noise in the industry and his last project “This Charming Mixtape” was full of great tracks like “The Drug”, “Crazy Cousins”, and “Hum Drum Town.” If you slept on this project….get it!!! So glad we got to interview this man 2 years ago check out the interview here.

8. The Dream – Love v. Money

Everybody’s favorite falsetto in the game killed it with “Love v. Money.” The Dream’s production and lyrics were on point with subtle tracks like “Fancy” to more upbeat songs like “Love v. Money” he showed that his first album was no fluke. Fabolous and Drake even sampled his voice on Fancy for another hit in “Throw It In the Bag.” A good year for The Dream.

9. J. Cole – The Warm Up

The future right here…the sky is truly the limits for this MC. He has so much to say on every damn track. I found out about J Cole over 2 years ago and was taken by his sincerity in his lyrics. This guy can go OFF, I mean he had the best verse on Jay’s song “A Star is Born.” Let me repeat that he was better than Jay on his own ish. The Warm-up was such a beast project with my favorite song being “My World Is Empy.”

10. Raekwon – Only For Cuban Linx Pt. 2

The comeback of a legend came with this project. This album had to be on the list as the Ill Vibes rep. JB-Kang told me to NOT make the list if The Chef didn’t make the countdown. Kwon came back and revived that oldschool Wu feel. Truly some dope stuff right here.

11. Ryan Leslie – Ryan Leslie

FINALLY he dropped an album! After years of producing in the background and leaking random tracks. Ryan Leslie is a beast artist and knows how to make some smooth love songs. I’m so glad he backed out of Cassie’s shadow to make this album. His songs “Quicksand” and “Gibberish” were my favorite cuts.

12. Diz Gibran – Soon You’ll Understand

Hip hop still lives….this project really wowed me. All I have to say to people is listen to “Impossible” and “Morning Light.” Enough said, I’m sorry Diz Gibran is an MC to the fullest, like on some Rakim shit. He speaks the truth on all of this tracks, straight wisdom.

13. Jay-Z – Blueprint 3

Hova’s back! Once it dropped instantly the peanut gallery hated, but slowly they started loving the songs from “D.O.A.” to “Run This Town” to the anthem “New York.” However, my favorite tracks are definitely “Already Home” and “On To The Next One.” Jay-z came back and although we expected more you can’t be mad at this cd.

14. XV – Everybody’s Nobody

XV! VIZZY! 2010 will be his year. He doesn’t have a record deal yet but that will be taken care of, I know it. This artist works harder than anybody in the game period…I’m sorry. He has gone through an amazing progression from producing, dropping 40 songs in 40 days, connecting with artists for collabs, and making trips from Kansas City to NY. I found out about XV when he dropped “Battle Of Squaria” and he became one of my favorite artists INSTANTLY. He has a very vibrant sound with his homie Seven on the production and makes clever songs with such ease. Glad we got to interview him 2 years ago and I wish we can soon in the future as well.

15. Mike Posner – A Matter of Time

Mike Posner is such a fun artist to listen to with his unconventional-like singing voice. This project emerged on the scene and people when crazy with it. His song “Cooler Than Me” was listened to all across College Campuses and under the guidance of Daniel Weisman eventually lead him to get a record deal with J Records. I can’t wait for his album to drop in 2010.

16. Brandun Deshay – Volume: Two! For The Show

An artist heavily slept on, but Ill Vibes has to rep for this Chicago MC. His rhyming flow is always calm and subtle but his wordplay and message are strong. Check out this project that dropped earlier this year in March. Can’t wait for more from him.

17. Outasight – From There to Here: An Album Prequel

This should be no surprise. We have supported Outasight for a long time now and he has a total package. He can sing and he can spit. Outasight is truly unpredictable as his sound is very alternative from other artists which offers him no boundaries musically. He makes some dope music and is on the right path signing to Warner Records this year!!!!

18. Donnis – Diary of an Atlanta Brave

Atlanta has another rapper to support. However, Donnis is different from the other MCs because although he has the trunk rattling beats he has a lot to say with his music. This project was amazing with some heavy production across it. Donnis even has an eclectic sound as well as he has connected frequently with DJ Benzi. Let’s what 2010 will hold for this MC.

19. B.O.B. – B.O.B. vs. Bobby Ray

This is another fun artist to listen to. Hopefully he has shrugged off the obvious Andre 3000 comparisons by now, because underneath all of that B.O.B. has a lot to offer that is different from a lot of the MCs in the game. He knows how to produce and he knows how to sing as well so his music is never a constant one-dimensional sound, it varies for your musical pleasure. Glad I got to see him live this year, he was so hype!

20. Nero – Alive & Vibrant

This MC is too young to be rapping the way he does. This project thoroughly impressed me as the wordplay and slick delivery of this artist is crazy! Go back in the archives and check this project out. He is only going to get better and better.

21. Wiz Khalifa – Flight School

Yeaaaaaaaaaah Bittttch! Taylor Gaaaaaaaaaaaaaang!!! Damn man, who doesn’t like Wiz Khalifa? His music is addicting and he has such a fun sound to as well. Although he dropped several projects this year this one stood out to me. From top to bottom it is a straight listen through. We had the great chance to interview Wiz Khalifa as well. Support his album “Deal Or No Deal.”

22. Shawn Chrystopher – A City With No Seasons

An artist that is silently respected. I don’t feel like people talk enough about him. His songs “Heartbreaker” and “Beautiful at Night” had me going crazy! You can just hear the confidence in his voice when he spits line after line. 2010 will have BIG THINGS for this guy. I’m calling it. Trust me.

23. Miike Snow – Miike Snow

Good ole Miike Snow. An amazing singing style and great production. The instrumentation is truly what brought me to this artist. My favorite songs on his album were “Black & Blue” and “Cult Logic.” This is a gem for my eclectic heads.

24. Marky – Nothing is 43ver

Universal Records / SRC / Studio 43′s artist Marky probably one of the deepest project of 2009. I’m glad Ill Vibes got to be a part of this project, Washington DC’s Marky really let his soul out on these tracks. My favorite tracks were “When Amazing Happens”, “Why They Love Me” and “City On My Back.” Catch up and get the project here if you have not heard it. You could hear his emotion on all of the tracks as he has gone through some trials and tribulations being in the fickle rap game. Nevertheless, he is one his way to making some big noise in 2010 with the release of his project “Markyland.” I have heard some of the tracks on this mixtape and TRUST ME it is a PROBLEM. Follow this MC on twitter to say up on it @Markyland

25. Grizzly Bear – Veckatimest

Very unconventional pick I know, but I was very moved by their single “Two Weeks.” It was an oldschool feel and strong singing that just got me all caught up into Grizzly Bear’s music. Their album “Veckatimest” had several more free-flowing songs that are just beautiful.

26. Quest – Broken Headphones

A Miami artist that should not be associated with the hype club-hopping sound from his region. This is a true hip hop head, there is no artist out there like Quest right now. He rhymes so quickly that people tend to slip and not catch up on his vivid wordplay. “Broken Headphones” was such as epic project for his MC and I can’t wait for more in 2010.

27. Phil Ade – Starting on JV

Phil Ade! 368! Wattup Dre? Phil Ade burst onto the scene this year and came with a bang. I first saw him perform by opening up for Wale at the 9:30 club and it was off from there. He jumped onto the Sneaker Pimps tour and he has started a movement in the DMV area. Dopeness. I’ve already heard some music of his next project “Letterman” and it is CRAZY!!!!! Watch out for Phil in 2010.

28. David Guetta – One Love

Back to Europe, this French DJ came with some dopeness. Nobody can deny how hype “Sexy B*tch” is with Akon. Another cut that cause a ruckus was “Memories” with Kid Cudi. Guetta has been in the game for years but he caught my attention with this project.

29. Calvin Harris – Ready For the Weekend

This project truly gets you ready for the weekend. Harris has really changed up his sound from prior years and went a little commercial, but I’m not mad at him because it caught my attention. The breakdown on his songs are ridiculous, my favorite has to be the one on “I’m Not Alone”

30. Major Lazer – Guns Don’t Kill People….Lazers Do

This group was a pleasant surprise for me. Diplo and Switch have the production on LOCK for this group. Their tracks “Hold The Line” “Pon De Floor” and “Keep It Going Louder” are GUARANTEED to get a club hype. I’m still bumping their CD in the ride. Oh yeah, and everybody has remixed their tracks!!!