HipHopDX's Scores

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For 889 reviews, this publication has graded:
  • 64% higher than the average critic
  • 4% same as the average critic
  • 32% lower than the average critic
On average, this publication grades 0.4 points higher than other critics. (0-100 point scale)
Average Music review score: 73
Highest review score: 100 Undun
Lowest review score: 20 Neon Icon
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 723 out of 889
  2. Mixed: 164 out of 889
  3. Negative: 2 out of 889
889 music reviews
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    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    My Life II...The Journey Continues (Act 1)
    My Life II… The Journey Continues (Part 1) is one of Mary's most memorable albums.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Camp
    While the album doesn't necessarily reinvent the wheel, those with mainstream sensibilities that like metaphor-heavy rhymes with a strong dose of social commentary will be pleasantly surprised.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Talk That Talk
    It's another solid collection, complete with radio hits, club bangers, and introspective ballads on her favorite subjects: love and sex.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Radioactive
    The self-proclaimed "White trash heartthrob" kicks off his show with a display of lyricism and content that aligns very closely with Yelawolf has always been about - sincerity, family, community and of course Chevrolet Caprice Classics.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Ambition
    With a tight-knit collection of features and palpable confidence exuded in his lyrics, Ambition is Wale's most cohesive and likewise enthralling project thus far in his brisk career.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Blue Slide Park
    Blue Slide Park doesn't do anything to damage Mac's current status in the game, but it also doesn't do much to raise it.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Violence Begets Violence
    Violence Begets Violence may not draw too many new fans in, but it will serve to satisfy longtime supporters.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Take Care
    While Take Care could be much better in some theoretical ways, it isn't bad in any objective way either.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Fear of God II: Let Us Pray [EP]
    It's isn't exactly a new album or even an entirely new mixtape, but taken at face value, Fear of God II is a solid collection of tracks.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    How Do You Do
    He succeeds in creating a soul revival with a refreshing modern day twist done so right.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Abandoned Lullaby
    Unquestionably, this is one of the most complete works of music made this year, and absolutely speaks volumes about what cohesiveness and attention to detail can do for a project.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Wonder Years
    This is a Hip Hop album, complete with the wondrous elements consistent with a broader musical appreciation. And it just might be 9th Wonder's best yet.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Honkey Kong
    By translating the reverence toward his idols into his own talents instead of living in the past, Apathy continues to earn his keep in a genre that he feels is losing its way.
    • 88 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    Charity Starts at Home
    With its substantial subject matter, solid production and tightly-woven sequencing, Charity Starts At Home does exactly what a solo debut should: showcases the artist's skill set and personality all at once.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cats & Dogs
    Cats & Dogs is a moody, well-produced album that, at times, is brimming with meaning-something not entirely common these days.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Cole World: The Sideline Story
    J. Cole's debut album has flaws just as others' rookie seasons did, but Cole World: Sideline Story definitely proves that he deserves a prominent spot on the team.
    • 62 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Game Tested Streets Approved
    There is more to Black Rob than "Whoa," but there is nothing that quite lives up to it on Game Tested, Streets Approved.
    • 60 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Tha Carter IV
    On what is Lil Wayne's ninth studio album, there's very little of the spontaneity you would expect from someone whose calling card is non-written, unrehearsed, free-associative rhymes.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The R.E.D. Album
    Despite its delay, it's by no means a swan song, contractually and musically. R.E.D. is a lot of many things, only adding to the anticipation already for Game's final offering to Interscope.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Ferrari Boyz
    There are no surprises here, no growth shown, but the one thing worth crediting to Gucci and Waka is their consistency – the audience will know what to expect, and as long as that is all that they expect, their expectations will be fulfilled.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Success Is Certain
    Success Is Certain should certainly be viewed as successful if Royce Da 5'9's goal was to rap his ass off over knocking production from legends to create an album worthy of quite a few rewinds and replays.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Watch the Throne
    Today's Hip Hop scene has a rotating cast of notable stars, yet Watch The Throne simply wouldn't have felt the same had it been two different rappers converging for something this monumental.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Here I Am
    Here I Am is a solid effort by Destiny's other child.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Follow Me Home
    For now, Follow Me Home is a lowrider journey to California, with many ups and some downs included.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Section.80
    This 23-year-old may have been searching for answers, but that journey allowed him to find one of this year's most outstanding albums with Section.80.
    • 61 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    We The Best Forever
    At this point listeners are either down with his movement or they aren't, and while We The Best Forever is a solid piece, it's not different enough from his previous work to change any minds about him.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The Kickback
    While convincingly spry, Cali Swag District are unable to outlive the resonance of success that they attained with "Teach Me How To Dougie" as this one-sided affair of party tunes and fairly expendable production rarely impresses.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    King of Hearts
    More sexual than sensual, King Of Hearts fulfills the bare minimum of love, lust and heartbreak, all the while showcasing Young Goldie's affinity for the female body.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    BlackenedWhite
    Ultimately, Blackenedwhite is conflicted, but quality music.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Together/Apart
    Together/Apart is musical therapy for those who find themselves caught under the pressures of life.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    When Fish Ride Bicycles
    Despite losing the laser-like focus of their earlier mixtapes, When Fish Ride Bicycles is a fun, well-made album that brings several welcome additions to their catalogue
    • 61 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    OX 2010: A Street Odyssey
    Man Bites Dog Records assembled a talented array of under-the-radar producers (sans Ayatollah) that crafted a cohesive sound for Vast Aire's unapologetic lyrical griminess. Nostalgic or otherwise, it works for right now.
    • 70 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Planet Pit
    Despite the house and dance beats and Marc Anthony features, Pitbull is still a rapper, and a decent one at that. He has definite personality on the mic, a trained and well-executed flow and delivery, and an ear for a good club banger.
    • 80 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Random Axe
    Despite its free-wheeling feel, efficient sequencing and a lack of filler show that it's not as random as its title implies.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Weekend at Burnie's
    Longtime fans will enjoy and support the album justly, but it will be understandably missed or ignored by many.
    • 69 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Finally Famous
    The final product is a solid debut that shows enough of Sean's skill and personality to keep listeners stay tuned, with the room for growth for higher expectations next time around.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    4
    4 doesn't necessarily stand so well by itself, but as part of the Beyoncé experience, there are enough vehicles here to keep her moving.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Culture Shock
    From a technical standpoint, they're still rough around the edges; a weakness that can be improved over time. More importantly, their hearts seem to be in the right place, which can't be said for many of Animal Farm's peers.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Adventures in Counter Culture
    While underground Hip Hop peers such as Cage and Zion I have struggled in their efforts to expand genres, one of Ohio's best widens his scope with a fiery intensity and a welcomed sound.
    • 63 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Maybach Music Group Presents: Self Made, Vol. 1
    The headliners don't seem like they're really trying, so even when the other acts are, they're still smothered by their leaders' apathy.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Are You Gonna Eat That?
    Hail Mary Mallon gives us one of the better independent albums released of the year. The artists' ability to have fun, while weaving a complex and serious narrative is the thing that only seasoned lyricists could pull off.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hell: The Sequel EP
    Eminem and Royce Da 5'9" are perfectly capable of standing on their own, but it's clear that even after all these years, they inspire something special in each other.
    • 81 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    All 6's and 7's
    All 6's and 7's doesn't disappoint as a well-balanced offering.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    PL3DGE
    The album at times teeters on the point of greatness.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Disc-Overy
    Looking to make a convincing splash across the pond, Tempah offers up a hearty sample of talent and charisma with the aptly-titled debut album Disc-Overy.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Rome
    As much credit as the pair deserve for creating a modern approximation of Ennio Morricone, Rome is more likely to lead to watching one of Sergio Leone's classics than replaying the album itself.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Goblin
    Tyler, the Creator still achieves an engrossing dystopian vision of Hip Hop that refuses to compromise to what fans and industry critics demand of him.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Gunz n' Butta
    Gunz N Butta has all the makings of a classic Dipset banger, but like many of Cam'ron's albums, suffers from a lack of both direction and editing.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    The Book of David
    The Book of David isn't Quik's finest effort; an album reportedly done in quick fashion, doesn't truly live up to Quik standards. However, it still holds its own in the current field.
    • 83 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Hot Sauce Committee, Pt. 2
    The Beasties feel permanently young again having crafted an album that is just as consistent, unhinged and enjoyable as Check Your Head.
    • 76 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Golden Era
    In sum, Golden Era is an extremely tight, solid package, clocking in at less than 40 minutes through ten tracks.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    The Fall
    While it is impressive how much Albarn squeezes out of a piece of equipment that most would assume isn't up for the task, this is ultimately a tour-bus album--several songs are even named after the cities in which they were likely conceived.
    • 78 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Some Cold Rock Stuf
    Some Cold Rock Stuf continues with a gracious mixture of up-tempo and moody cuts, though some are more favorable over others.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Family Sign
    The Family Sign is a heavy, moody album. There's not nearly as much humor here as with Atmosphere's previous two releases, but that doesn't make it any less of a quality addition to the group's catalogue.
    • 72 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Capo
    It maintains a musical energy intense enough to fuel a good party, yet throws in just enough of a dash of introspect to remind listeners that behind Jim Jones' exotic cars, empty bottles left behind at VIP tables, penchant for the drug business, and platoon of fly females, the man still has a heart.
    • 82 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The One... Cohesive
    The group's unpredicatability and totally unique style is grassroots Hip Hop at its best.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Doggumentary
    Doggumentary isn't a frustrating listen because of shortcomings, as many of them that there are; it's frustrating because there are some real glimpses of late-career genius on it that Snoop continues to neglect.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Rolling Papers
    Hardcore Taylor Gang fans will be happy to add this to their collection, but if you're expecting another round of Kush x OJ, this album will probably disappoint you.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Bad Time Zoo
    Moreover, this work shows his place in Doomtree, but provides him a greater unique identity against his sister and brothers. Bad Time Zoo definitely raises the question of where the cages and bars are in 2011.
    • 77 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    W.A.R. (We Are Renegades)
    Full of political and social commentary, Pharoahe's W.A.R.-time performance will leave fans hoping he continues his trend of cutting the wait time between albums in half.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Give the Drummer Some
    Give the Drummer Some finally officially opens the door for Barker to enter to world of Hip Hop he's always said he wanted to walk through.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang
    While Shaolin vs. Wu-Tang at face value might not be the most agreeable title for Raekwon's album, a closer look would prove it's actually perfect.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Lasers
    Only traces of Lupe Fiasco's greatness are present on Lasers, and even then he sounds less focused.
    • 87 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Gas Mask
    There aren't any lackluster songs, and even though the lyrics and the rhymes are digestible on the first listen, they get better with more listens.
    • 89 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    The Greatest Story Never Told
    Whether you've been patiently waiting for five years or just recently got into Saigon's music, The Greatest Story Never Told delivers a stimulating message that is as cautionary as it is entertaining.
    • 71 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Gutter Rainbows
    Gutter Rainbows is a fairly easy spin, and can go into the listener's steady rotation in a pinch. That being said, this feels a bit like a subdued version of Eardrum.
    • 94 Metascore
    • 90 Critic Score
    My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
    From nine-minute douchebag manifestos, to enlisting an A-list Grammy ensemble to piece-mealing his album out to the masses every Friday, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy defies logic and it ignores convention.
    • 67 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Loud
    While each track on Loud is an audio Polaroid of past work, there's little evolution. It's evident Rihanna is working her way to the top, but she's been doing that for three albums now.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    No Boys Allowed
    No Boys Allowed doesn't match its polished predecessor success a whole project. The songwriting feels more in line with her R&B/Pop peers than anything else.
    • 58 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Best Night of My Life
    With tracks like "15 Minutes" to slow things down for those romantic moments, and an upbeat song such as "All Said And Done" to keep things moving along at a decent pace, Jamie Foxx's LP is a pleasant addition to the current R&B landscape.
    • 84 Metascore
    • 80 Critic Score
    Apollo Kids
    When it's all said and done, Ghostface Killah treats Apollo Kids like a seasoned veteran would treat a game on the hardwood; he picks his spots, lets his teammates have their moments, and takes over when necessary. In that respect, Apollo Kids is another project we can tally up in Ghost's win column.
    • 52 Metascore
    • 30 Critic Score
    5.0
    Much like Brass Knuckles before it, 5.0 might just be another forgettable release from the St. Lunatic.
    • 68 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    Pink Friday
    Pink Friday was one of the most highly-anticipated albums of 2010, largely due to curiosity. The reality is that it could have never lived up to the hype it prematurely received. Still, there's room for growth, and Nicki Minaj has both the skills and the following to keep moving up.
    • 64 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    H.F.M. 2 (The Hunger for More 2)
    The execution isn't as good the second time around, but Banks has reestablished his sound, and made clear that he is still a major force to be reckoned with in the Rap game.
    • 73 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Libra Scale
    Libra Scale lacks the sparkle found in Ne-Yo's previous work. Much like "Champagne Life," there is still plenty to celebrate. Toast it up.
    • 79 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Pilot Talk II
    While similar in feel to it's predecessor, Pilot Talk, this follow-up is much less commercial in approach. The backdrop, though sometimes redundant, is more intimate, substituting any real peaks of audio genius for a solid, cohesive chilled-out-smoke-and-float ambiance.
    • 47 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The Beginning
    Simply put, this album suffers from Beyonce syndrome--it does nothing to further the group's catalogue. Last time around, the Black Eyed Peas were exploring new territory, and the results were contagious. Now, it seems as though the group, particularly will.i.am, is stuck on auto-pilot.
    • 55 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Only 1 Flo, Pt. 1
    In a business where artists come and go with quickness, Flo has managed to remain relevant. Only One Flo will only strengthen Flo's relevance, but it will never be mistaken for a solid piece of art.
    • 53 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    The DeAndre Way
    Though The DeAndre's Way only has 10 tracks, it feels as if it has four or five too many.
    • 59 Metascore
    • 70 Critic Score
    No Mercy
    No Mercy takes T.I.'s recent experiences and frustrations, and effectively bottles them up into a potent and complete work.
    • 57 Metascore
    • 60 Critic Score
    Reggie
    Redman Presents...Reggie isn't near Mr. Noble's best work, but fans would be remised to turn their nose to the project. When he is in his element, he spits harder, and flows better than any of his peers.
    • 75 Metascore
    • 50 Critic Score
    Last Train to Paris
    Overall, it feels like Last Train to Paris will be an album more tailored to the Pop scene, rather than the Hip Hop audience.
    • 54 Metascore
    • 40 Critic Score
    Michael
    Jackson's progressiveness and laser-aimed focus on perfection was always the foundation of everything he ever did and resonated through every song he ever made....Given the patch-work necessary to piece Michael together posthumously, it's impossible to imagine that this is a collection of songs Michael intended to deliver.
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