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Jordan SargentAbout Jordan SargentJordan Sargent is a student studying Journalism at the University of Missouri-Columbia. He is a Senior Staff Writer at The Maneater, the school’s student newspaper, and briefly wrote for Stylus Magazine. Features
The Best Mixtapes of 2008The year's best mixtapes are full of the energy of crunk, unapologetic weirdness, a castle built of cartoon references, and raps about Bill O'Reilly. [12 December 2008] Reviews
Mungolian Jetset: We Gave It All Away… Now We’re Taking It BackNorwegian duo's debut album plus remix collection is a remarkably singular entry into the Scandinavian dance canon. [13 October 2009] 
UGK: UGK 4 LifeSouthern rap's most respected elders seal their legacy with a final album worthy of their stature. [11 August 2009] 
Cam’ron: Crime PaysCam'ron's sixth album finds the rapper supported by flimsy production that saps him of his vitality. [12 June 2009] 
Ciara: Fantasy RideCiara's third album leaked last year and was then retooled for its official release. It should've been left alone. [8 June 2009] 
Ryan Leslie: Ryan LeslieRyan Leslie, producer of Cassie's "Me & U", unveils his brilliant Stateside debut, proving he's no one-beat wonder [12 March 2009] 
E-40: The Ball Street JournalLegendary Bay Area rapper's eleventh album is 50% great and 50% an ill-fated attempt at pop. Sigh. [12 February 2009] 
Telepathe: Chrome’s on It EPNew York-based female duo hands out nice enough floor plans, lets its remixers build houses. [5 February 2009] 
G-Side: Starshipz and RocketzTwo Alabama rappers, backed by the genius Block Beataz production team, release one of the best rap albums of 2008, a work that is distinctly modern but respectfully reverent. [9 January 2009] 
Akon: FreedomOft-maligned hitmaker's third album doesn't do much to convince the haters that he's not the hack that they think. [9 December 2008] 
Young Jeezy: The RecessionWith all apologies to Nas, if there’s any rapper suited to make an overarching concept album about living in 2008, it’s the self-made hit king from Atlanta. [18 September 2008] 
J.R. Writer: Politics & BullshitLifelong Diplomat J.R. Writer delivers a nearly promising album that is more mixtape than anything. [8 September 2008] 
The Game: LAXOn his third album, rap's estranged headcase follows his first post-G-Unit album with one of 2008's most consistent rap full-lengths. [4 September 2008] 
2 Pistols: Death Before DishonorFlorida rapper, 2 Pistols, releases a debut album barely worth the words in this blurb. [9 July 2008] 
Bun B: II TrillThe second solo album by legendary Houston rapper Bun B sees the South's best rappers quietly repaying him for his work making in-roads, while he sounds just as at home as ever. [24 June 2008] 
Rick Ross: TrillaRick Ross is, quietly, one of the most important emcees in rap. His second album succeeds on the back of great beats and guests, while he deftly manages not to ruin it all. [30 May 2008] 
The Cool Kids: The Bake Sale EPYoung'n rappers the Cool Kids love the '80s, so they dress the part, beepers and gold ropes included, and offer an impressive mix of carefree rhymes, silvery flow, and rumbling beats. [23 May 2008] 
Styles P: Super Gangster (Extraordinary Gentleman)Veteran rapper Styles P issues an album of dichotomies: classy, imperial beats belied by gritty and depressive lyrics. [26 March 2008] 
Joe Budden: Mood Muzik 3: The AlbumThe prelude to Joe Budden’s second album proves he can still rap, but if its melodrama seems silly to you, it’s not your fault. [27 February 2008] 
Gucci Mane: Back to the TraphouseIf Clipse are the lyricists, T.I. the pop star, and Jeezy the ad-libber, then Gucci falls somewhere in the middle of the three. [7 February 2008] |
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