Who’s more iller than HOV? riddle me that, most of y’all know where I’m lyrically at…

I thought I would do a post about the best single to come out in 2009 – Jay-Z’s Empire State of Mind. It goes without saying that I’ve been a fan of Jay-Z since before rap was invented, but what many of you may not know is that I was also a big fan of all the bands he sampled years before he sampled them. That’s just how amazing I am.

And Jay-Z is pretty amazing too. I mean, you have to admire the guy. Not only is he one of the top 10 greatest rappers of all time (I’ll post a list someday), but he also managed to pull Beyoncé, despite looking not unlike Miguel Cotto after his 12 round shellacking at the hands of Manny Pacquiao:

Good work, Jigga.

Anyway, in my quest to be fully comprehensive in my dissection and analysis of HOV’s epic peaen to The Big Apple, I decided to track down and post every previous and subsequent rendering of the song’s constituent parts. Dedication or what? First up is the original song, from which the banging sample cometh:

The Moments – Love on a Two-Way Street

Smooth.

Next up is the group who first sampled the track for the purposes of rappity raps, Asamov, who I believe are now known as The ABs (not to be confused with The DBs or the Bee Gees):

Asamov – Supa Dynamite (feat. Mr. Lif)

Must be a trifle galling to see someone else score a mega hit with an idea you came up with a good year and a half beforehand, what?

Speaking of which, here is the song itself:

Jay-Z – Empire State Of Mind (feat. Alicia Keys)

I’ve yet to speak to anyone who identified that it was Alicia Keys singing the hook in this song without reading the credits first. Studio magic, baby.

And finally, the somewhat-pointless-but-still-enjoyable reprise that appears on Alicia Keys’ own album. It was probably in the contract:

Alicia Keys – Empire State Of Mind Pt. 2 (Broken Down)

I was also going to post Nas’ NY State Of Mind but I couldn’t be arsed.

For what it’s worth, I love New York. It may not look like it does in Taxi Driver or The Warriors anymore, but it’s still a shit hot place to visit. WISH I WAS THERE RIGHT NOW.

I am really important. Here are my best albums of the past decade.

Probably the first time I have ever had a proper think about this. My list is going to be totally crummy, immature and completely vulnerable. I have shied away from putting them in to any sort of order of favouritism, because it’s completely impossible. I’m pretty sure this is a list of albums that I know all the words to and could listen to at any moment at any time, and feel totally okay about it.

Futureheads – Futureheads – 2004 (679 Recordings)

I remember hearing this and thinking, “what the HELL was that?!”
I have never looked back since, to be honest. The Hounds of Love cover is intricate and beautiful. It simoultaneously makes me want to shout out loud and lie flat on my face.

The Strokes – Is This It? – 2001, RCA Records

Dead good. Pleased me in 2001, pleases me now. What more is there to say? I know you’ve all heard it.

Ryan Adams and the Cardinals – Cold Roses

I don’t know if this is a contentious choice or not, because I don’t tend to consort with other RA fans. I definitely prefer the Cardinals stuff over the JUST RYAN stuff. I dunno why. Apart from Rock n Roll. I know THAT’S a contentious choice. That was going to go in here, but I just prefer this one. Cold Roses (the actual song) live is spine-tingling, as is this whole record.

Saves The Day – Stay What You Are – 2001, Vagrant Records

Okay, I am a total emo, and this album panders to my emo (non)sensibilities. You should hear me sing along to it, I am a total pro.
Props to Through Being Cool – that would have made the cut, but it was released in NINETY NINE, which, in the research for this piece, I realised was the greatest year ever.

Brand New – Your Favorite Weapon – 2001, Triple Crown / Iodine Recordings

This album makes me swoon from beginning to end. That is genuinely all you need to know about this.

Taking Back Sunday – Tell All Your Friends – 2002, Victory Records

This album really satisfies my brain. That’s about all I have to say about it. It’s perfect. Listen to it after you listen to that Brand New one. OOOOH!!

Idlewild – 100 Broken Windows – 2000, Food Records

Remember when Idlewild were good?

New Found Glory – New Found Glory – 2000, Drive-Thru / MCA Records

Put this on earlier, nearly wept. So, so good.
“The needle on my record player has been wearing thin / this record has been playing since the day you’ve been with him“

Les Savy Fav – Let’s Stay Friends – 2007, Frenchkiss Records

Inches is cool, but holy CRAP this is unreal. Getting a bit lazy with my justifications now, but I am tired. And have you noticed how Les Savy Fav’s initials are ‘LSF’ and the initials of this album are also ‘LSF’? You got it.

Pete Yorn – musicforthemorningafter – 2001, Columia Records

I always think that, maybe, not many people would have heard of Pete Yorn. Apparently not the case. Apparently he is PRETTY POPULAR. Still, never meet many people who are familiar with the wonders of this album. Soothing, upbeat, sad, happy, catchy, weird. DEAD GOOD.

I could totally do this about 4 more times with 4 more different sets of top ten albums of the decade.