10 for 10's! 10 Albums That Defined The Sound of the 2010's For Me...

         Hear we go, it feels very good to be back! The sound of the click and the clack of the keys under my suddenly useful finger tips. (It's been a quiet holiday when it comes to work) The simple manipulation of these 40 some odd keys, completely connecting my physical body with the inner-workings of my brain; the essence of me, the story teller. In short, this is therapeutic. Thanks for tuning in and validating the purpose I put into this effort. As far as the blog from the past, I'd gotten busy with work, life and other less noble distractions, but I'm resolved to create and share in 2020. That said, please reach out if you have any ideas that you, myself or others would be interested in reading about, I'm very much open to topics or challenges!

        Enough preamble, the decade has just drawn to a close and as such we are conditioned to look back, reflect and attempt to make sense of what was. I'm going to focus this blog on the music of the 2010's, what moved me, stayed with me, and served to time stamp a soundtrack to the experience and memories of the 10's. This is one of my favourite things about music, the trail of bread crumbs it allows us to recollect as we meander through memory lane.
         
        This is by no means an objective retelling of the music industry, who collected Grammy's, and/or soared to the top of the charts. While some of those things may validate my selections, they served no importance in my selections. However, what did hold weight was a personal attempt at the following critical reflective thoughts:
1.What was my first impression of what I was listening too? Did I immediately know this album
would stick in my head? (we'll call this the sticky score)
2.How many repeated listens did I give the album? (we'll call this an album's replay score)
3.How much has the album struck a lasting impression on my soul over time? (soul score)
4.Do I find myself returning to the album time after time - what is the timeless nature of the album? (timeless score)

What can I say, I'm a teacher, I like rubrics, marks/scores and quantifying things!

10. Vince Staples - Summertime '06 (2015) - I'm a child of the 80's but I grew up in the 90's and one of the music genres that has had the largest impact on me was hip hop. Growing up playing basketball, hip hop was an integral part of that culture and the two fed into one another. You will see how that influence has had a lasting impact throughout this list. That said, most of the hip hop I still listen to comes from what I would call that 90's "golden era" of hip hop. Tribe, Wu, early Jay Z, Nas, Snoop, etc. I've increasingly distanced myself from the generation in recent years, perhaps a commentary on the quality of the music, but more likely, a commentary on how I've changed as well. There have been some notable exceptions to this however. When I first listened to Vince Staples brash lyricism on Summertime '06 I was immediately blown away.  Vince wasn't a new age rapper, you know the type - cultivated in a studio where the success was as much determined by the production and media portrayal as it was about anything the rapper was saying. Staples took me back to the era of hip hop I fell in love with. The themes of making something from nothing, of overcoming tremendous adversity and short comings with a confidence that wasn't a front, but was a necessity. It had the raw portrayals of the streets that used to transport me as a teenager, while my perspective has expanded since that time. I appreciate the raw, gritty visuals that Staples has taken the time to cultivate on this record. It might not find it's way onto many critics top tens, but it's on mine!
Highlights: Lift Me Up, Norf Norf, Summertime, Surf
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 8.5   Soul Score 8.5   Timeless Score 8.5   Total Score: 34.5

9. Frank Ocean - Blonde (2016) - Frank Ocean was one of the decades most mysterious and intriguing artists, with the success of his mixtape, Nostalgia Ultra, Ocean served notice that we would be one of the voices of the decade with his identity exploring and cryptic soul searching lyrics. He followed it up with another terrific offering, Channel Orange, another album I considered for this short list. A tremendous songwriter, Ocean is at his best on Blonde, exploring sexuality, independence and other abstract concepts over a number of layered soundscapes. Released in 2016, this albums scores high in replay value as I am still enjoying new plays on words and the multitude of different layers both the lyrics, themes and sonics have to offer.
Highlights: Nikes, Solo, Nights, White Ferrari, Pink + White
Sticky Score 8.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9   Timeless Score 8.5   Total Score: 35

8. Mumford and Sons - Sigh No More (2010) - I can remember the first time I heard about Mumford and Sons. I was supply teaching at Riverview High School and a band of students played, The Cave in front of the school at an assembly. I was moved by the song and I could tell from the audience I wasn't the only one. I inquired about who they were covering, and soon I was listening to the album on repeat. When I made the switch to vinyl records in about 2015, Sigh No More was one of the first records that I bought. Despite loving hip hop through my childhood, I always had a varied taste in music and have always looked to take my love for music in many different directions, this represented a new direction for me, and I think a new direction for the music industry as a whole. The mainstream 'rock music' has faded away, it's now a myriad of different sub genres, where the focus is on authenticity and connecting the listener and the artist within this sense of "emotional realness". Mumford and Sons was one of the first modern folk rock bands to do this for me. I'm often inspired by the lyrics and the emotions the songs invoke in me. They've produced a number of records since this, but the others don't have that same emotional appeal to me as this one!
Highlights: Awake My Soul, Little Lion Man, The Cave, Sigh No More 
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 8.5    Soul Score 9    Timeless Score 8.5    Total Score: 35

7. Lana Del Rey - Born To Die (2012) - This is one of those unexpected albums that crept up on me, in an era with Taylor Swift, Katy Perry, etc I wanted to dismiss Lana Del Rey as another pop puff piece of music artistry. I quickly realized she was quite different than many of her contemporaries, not just in her lyrical content but also in the mood and tone of her work. The work was too genuine to carry the air of pop polish I was expecting to be put off by. I just kept listening to song after song in which she seemed to be searching for love, belonging, and affirmation. This album encapsulated what it felt like to be in your late 20's and not feeling like you had it figured out. It was a collection of ideas about how the world worked that still seemed to be a work in progress. Yet at the same time there is a young passion and romantic longing to have it all or a willingness to risk it all. It vacillates between the highs of ambition in Off to the Races, and National Anthem, to the self doubt and longing in Video Games and Summertime Sadness. While the themes and lyrical content is unpolished the sweeping soundscapes are anything but, the production on this record is really well done and allows Lana to explore a wide range of emotion. The album and LDR herself are definitely cool, but you get the sense that she's not so sure just yet. 
Highlights: Born To Die, Radio, Video Games, Blue Jeans
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 8.5    Timeless Score 8.5   Total Score: 35.5

6. Leonard Cohen -You Want It Darker (2016) - Another example of an album that I wasn't expecting to be blown away by. Growing up I had a friend Sean Buchanan who perhaps mentioned some Leonard Cohen poetry, I knew of Hallelujah, but when I unwrapped this present at Christmas of 2016 I probably wore a weak look of "thanks?". My sister sensing my undeserved suggestion of disappointment, quickly began to justify her purchase with the critical reviews and accolades the album had received, as well as how it's tone fit with the melancholy sounds she had grown accustom to hearing me enjoy (Ryan Adams, Elliot Smith) I lightened up and said  thanks I'll give it a listen. It wasn't long before I was calling her up and saying, "you know what, that Cohen album is amazing!" The album is essentially about heartbreak and the stories we tell ourselves while we grieve. It plays like a thoughtful soul unraveling, showing that while we may have more strategies for dealing with the heartache as we get older, it doesn't really ever get any easier. And while all of this sounds pretty depressing their is a triumphant quality to the sense of self awareness and accountability in the lyrics. Rest in peace to this truly talented artist. Thanks again to my sister for having the courage to get me an album that would challenge my prevailing sense of what I knew to be "good".
Highlights: Treaty, You Want It Darker, It Seemed The Better Way, Traveling Light
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 8.5    Soul Score 9.5   Timeless Score 8.5    Total Score: 35.5

5. The Lumineers - Cleopatra (2016) - Building on my increasing enjoyment of folk rock music that started at the turn of the decade with Mumford and Sons, I eventually found my way to The Lumineers and Cleopatra has been a staple vinyl for me ever since. The music has a sing song quality that makes it enjoyable with friends and family, but there's also a quiet sincerity in the lyrics that make them great for a quiet evening of contemplation, or welcomed company on a lengthy drive. The lyrics are soul evoking, which is critical to making my playlists, "does it speak to ME?", you bet. The Lumineers have been one of the most versatile listens and while some of the upcoming records I've selected have their appropriate audiences, I've yet to encounter more than a handful of folks who don't enjoy this record on some level. The initial highlights of the record may diminish with repeated listens but I find as the singles may hold true to the law of diminishing returns, the album itself defies it as other songs, once overlooked, press their way into your conscious. 
Highlights: Ophelia, Cleopatra, Sleep On The Floor, In The Light, Long Way From Home, Sick In the Head
Sticky Score 9   Replay Score 9   Soul Score 9.5    Timeless Score 8.5    Total Score: 36

4. Kendrick Lamar (2017) - Damn - As I've mentioned earlier, I am admittedly a long time hip hop head. I'm quick to reject the new jacks with an arrogance that I know better. I know the good hip hop and it isn't being made today. The biggest challenge to this fixed mindset of mine has been Kendrick Lamar. I get as excited for new Kendrick Lamar releases as I did for a trip to Future Shop to pick up an Outkast record (Stankonia) as a youngster. Kendrick has long been the best rapper alive, in my opinion, holding the title for the duration of the decade. One of my favourite things about Lamar, aside from his uncanny wit, razor sharp lyrics and visual depictions are his attempts to create coherent themes throughout his record releases. In the download era where most artists (rappers especially) are concerned with making a collection of top 10 singles and compiling them together with some filler for  a record, the singles have often come first and the notion of the album is secondary. This has never been the case with Kendrick, while he has the singles and standout tracks, the secondary tracks are just as important to completing the concept of what the album is attempting to say. I really respect that. Damn really hits the sweet spot, between accessible tracks with commercial success and multi layered complex nuanced songs that challenge your intellect and prevailing perspectives of the world. The beat for Humble is still one of the best of the decade!
Highlights: DNA, Humble, Element, Loyalty
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9   Timeless Score 9     Total Score: 36.5

3. Kanye West - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010) - While Kanye West has certainly become a controversial figure both in and out of music scene over the course of the decade, one thing that is far less controversial is the merit of his first offering of the decade. While his music has moved towards more raw emotion, without the attention to how it will be received or whether he will stand behind those emotions in the near future. On MBDTF, everything is polished, calculated, intentional and the result is likely the best music offering of West's career. I can remember hanging out with my roommate Struan when this album first came out, we played this on repeat and debated whether Nicki Minaj had the best verse on Monster (she did!) The songs were so self assured and the beats backed up everything that West was saying in his lyrics. Songs like Gorgeous and Power give the album a confidence and grab the attention of the listener, All of the Lights, and Monster quickly pay off the listener's attention and allow the listener to settle for a couple of the slower burns like Runaway and Blame Game. As we see there is a lot more emotion between the grandiose bravado that sets the stage at the beginning of the album. Perhaps a glimpse into the emotional instability behind West's personal posturing at the time himself. Whatever the case, this album catapulted West into superstar status beyond anything we could have expected when listening to an offering like College Drop Out or even Late Registration. 
Highlights: Power, Monster, Blame Game, All of the Lights, Runaway
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9    Timeless Score 9.5     Total Score: 37

2. Arcade Fire - The Suburbs (2010) - I've long enjoyed Arcade Fire, I enjoyed both Neon Bible and Funeral immensely in the early aughts. When the Suburbs came out I purchased the album and it became my commuter soundtrack for nearly half a year of travel to my internship at Riverview High in 2010. I love how the album starts out, the early songs are very easy to sing along to, culminating in the full throat renditions of Rococo at stop lights alone in my vehicle. Finished my schooling, I entered into a phase of "professionalism" and the songs like Ready To Start and Modern Man were ones I quickly identified with. With such a short commute, early on, I often just listened to the first 5 or 6 songs on the album, over and over. However, over time I soon became familiar with the songs throughout the rest of the album. We Used to Wait, Wasted Hours also carried themes of restlessness and unfulfilled ambitions that I had just started to grapple with, many years later I'm still grappling with some of the larger themes I've unpacked from this album. This album gives me a sense of growing up and our longing to meet expectations, whilst remaining true to the essence of ourselves. The soundscapes are often deceptive in relation to the heavier existential questions that the lyrics convey, I enjoy this juxtaposition and the philosophical nature of the work itself.
Highlights: Rococo, Modern Man, Deep Blue, We Used To Wait
Sticky Score 9.5   Replay Score 9    Soul Score 9    Timeless Score 10     Total Score: 37.5


1. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid, Madd City (2012) - This album blew me away, I had heard Lamar's mixtape Section.80 and had high hopes for this young and up and coming rapper. I was down on rap at the time and didn't see much worth getting excited about. It was a world of Wiz Khalifa and Big Sean type rappers who sounded the same on nearly every song. Even worse was the "trap music" I was being forced to mine through in the hopes of finding something worth putting on a playlist it seemed.Then "Bam!" Good Kid, Madd City came out and it was like hip hop was saved! As I said above, I had hopes for Kendrick but he smashed and surpassed all of my expectations with his studio debut. I couldn't get enough of songs like Backseat Freestyle,The Art of Peer Pressure,Bitch Don't Kill My Vibe. Those songs were immediately accessible and shone a light into a world that I knew little of and wanted to know more. Is was like his lyrics painted a picture of his childhood and he took us hand in hand through the nature versus nurture dilemma. How could anyone withstand the pressures on Compton, California? But it wasn't enough to just spell it out for us, Kendrick resists that simplicity, he always gives us songs that spark our intellect and make us think. I found this to be the case throughout what on the surface seems like a simple gangster narrative, songs like Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, and Money Trees took me repeated listens to unpack. Kendrick Lamar's skill is that he can affect the listener on so many levels, if you're just looking for a listen, he'll give you that but if you're looking for a little deeper experience, it's all there too!
Highlights: The Art of Peer Pressure, Backseat Freestyle, Sing About Me, I'm Dying of Thirst, Money Trees
Sticky Score 10  Replay Score 9.5   Soul Score 9.5   Timeless Score 9.5    Total Score: 38.5

Honourable Mentions: How To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar, Acid Rap - Chance the Rapper, Take Care - Drake, Run the Jewels - Run the Jewels

You can see the rest of the albums I evaluated and scored them below.

Thanks again for reading!

I've got an NBA blog coming up soon, and I'm excited to share what I'll be watching for in the new year!

Scoring System

Album	Sticky Score	Replay Score	Soul Score	Timeless Score	Total (40)
17. 1989 – Ryan Adams (Taylor Swift)	8	8.5	8.5	8	33
5. Cleopatra – The Lumineers	9	9	9.5	8.5	36
1. Good Kid Madd City – Kendrick Lamar	10	9.5	9.5	9.5	38.5
4. Damn – Kendrick Lamar	9.5	9	9	9	36.5
11. How To Pimp A Butterfly – Kendrick Lamar	8.5	8.5	9	8.5	34.5
9. Frank Ocean - Blond	8.5	9	9	8.5	35
21. Frank Ocean – Channel Orange	8.5	7.5	8	8	32
8. Sigh No More - Mumford and Sons	9	8.5	9	8.5	35
15. Nothing Was the Same – Drake	9	8.5	8	8	33.5
13. Take Care - Drake	8.5	9	8.5	8.5	34
18. Daytona – Pusha T	9	8	8	8	33
12. Acid Rap – Chance the Rapper	9	8.5	8.5	8.5	34.5
7. Born To Die – Lana Del Rey	9.5	9	8	8.5	35
3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy – Kanye West	9.5	9	9	9.5	37
2. The Suburbs – Arcade Fire	9.5	9	9	10	37.5
16. Random Access Memories – Daft Punk	8.5	8.5	8.5	8	33.5
6. You Want It Darker –Leonard Cohen	9	8.5	9.5	8.5	35.5
10. Summertime ’06 - Vince Stapes	9	9	8.5	8	35
14. Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels	9	9	8	8	34
20. Watch the Throne – Jay Z and Kanye West	8	8.5	8	8	32.5
19. Big Boi – Sir Luscious Left foot Son of Chico Dusty	8.5	8.5	8	8	33

NBA Bullets +10 Most Important Playoff Performers + New Hip Hop 2.0 For Real This Time.

Just when it looked like the 2nd round of the playoffs had a great deal of entertainment capital ready to spend, Pop! The bubble burst! Steph Curry, who saw his stock shoot up like Apple in the new millennium, returned to his regular season form, shooting a paltry 36 percent (26-71) in the final 4 games against the Spurs. Going out with more of a whimper, than a defiant tour de force he seemed so capable of merely just a week prior. The reeling Thunder folded under the strength, size and general man power of the Grizz. The significantly undermanned Chicago Bulls ran out of enthusiasm, and the playoffs no longer accepted mere sweat equity as a form of currency, they succumbed to the Miami Heat in short order following their gut-wrenching, heart on their sleeves steal of a win in the opener. And my beloved Knicks shot themselves right out of playoffs, one miserable, highly contested, isolation pull up jumper at a time. Of course, Steph'll be back, Durant and the Thunder will be back, Rose and the Bulls will be back, even the Knicks, gulp, will be back, I hope. It's just I get excited about the prospect of great match ups, intense 7 game rivalries, and I thought we may have had something memorable brewing in Round 2, but alas, it was not to be.

We'll explore the playoffs 10 most important performers thus far and going forward, but first here are the latest installment of bullets.

• The Spurs are to the playoffs, as cheeseburgers are to my diet. An enduring staple.

• Memphis were undoubtedly Oklahoma City's betters. The fact they went into hostile territory and ended Durant & Co. on the road speaks to their maturity and development as a unit.

• Casual fans might not like the Grizzlies/Spurs match up, citing something superficial like it's lack of a true superstar or major media market. Overlooking, the fact that the Spurs and Grizz are undeniably the best TEAMS remaining out West. Contrary to the what the 30 second highlight packages might you believe, basketball continues to be a team sport and despite the importance of a superstar (a theory I subscribe too in large part), it still takes a team to reach the top.  

• In fact, 2013 has shown us the importance of a multi-faceted team dynamic, as we've seen more SUPERSTARS (Westbrook, Kobe, Rose, even Rondo) go down than I can remember in recent years off the top of my head. Like the Thunder found out if you build your team around a small SUPERSTAR core of players if you lose one, you're done. I still subscribe to the theory that ultimately you want to have a superstar and that the team with the best player often wins, but this years injuries have shown the counter point to this argument. Teams like Memphis (People made a fuss when they gave up Gay), Indiana (Already without former All-Star Danny Granger) and to a lesser extent San Antonio (They often play with one of their big 3 banged up, though I admit losing Tim or Parker probably dooms them), could sustain losing one of their major pieces, but if the Heat lost Wade, Bosh or Lebron it's curtains no?

• My 'Big'  takeaway (see what I did there...you will...) from Game 1 Spurs v. Grizz was the play up front,  the perception is that the Grizz have an advantage with their size up front, I think this 'advantage' has been a bit overstated, IMO when Duncan logs similar minutes to Gasol he is potentially the better big man on an any-given-night basis, and Splitter's continued development  may not have him on Z-Bo's level of dominance in the post, but he's a reliable passer, solid defensively and outplayed Z-Bo in game 1.

• Shout out to Bill Self and his recruiting squad over at Kansas, look forward to seeing Wiggins in the Kansas White and Blue.

• Forget the presupposition I made at the end of last blog; Mark Jackson could not out-coach Gregg Popovich, the Spurs adjustments to Golden States perimeter play were the driving point behind their advancement to the next round. Lesson, as always, never question Pop.

• As much as I lament watching my Knicks go out to the Pacers in 6, as a basketball fan I think the Pacers present a better challenge to the Heat, as I've detailed in blogs dating back to the start of the year. As Mark Twain once suggested, the best swordsman need not fear the 2nd best swordsman, but instead the unorthodox swordsman. I'm suggesting the Pacers represent a truly different foe than the Knicks, who would have been happy to get up and down the floor, trying and beat the Heat at their own game. In this case the Pacers are both unorthodox and 2nd best and because of this the Heat need to worry. Just not too much.

• Prayers to those suffering in Oklahoma as a result of the deadly Tornado disasters that touched down. Shout out to Kevin Durant for donating a million dollars to the relief effort. A million dollars.

• The Hornets are back....in Charlotte. Don't screw it up like last time. Wait, they're still the Bobcats, damn they're already screwed!

• 'Knicks Nation' posted chatter on Facebook about a hypothetical trade, sending Amare and Felton to the Clips for CP3. I'm in Knicks Nation and clearly it is not on planet earth, can't see Clips making a deal like that. Further support, they relieved Vinny Del Negro of his coaching duties today, so they're not totally incompetent over there.

• In related pink slip talk, the Raptors relieved Brian Colangelo of his duties as GM, somehow the smooth talking Colangelo held onto his role as President, which means he'll still get a paycheck, which was clearly where his head was at if he was pushing for Rudy Gay extension as reported. Don't build to make the playoffs, build to win the playoffs. 

• I am happy to report that Tracy McGrady is finally enjoying some playoff success, it's not as personal as he may have liked, but he's closer to a ring than ever before.

The 10 Most Important 2013 Playoff Performers.  (In ascending order)

Russell Westbrook/ Derrick Rose/ Kobe Bryant - Sometimes a players greatness, their perceived importance, can only be truly understood by their absence, damn, the playoffs are not better for this.

LeBron James - No list of important performers can be completed without at least a mention of the King. However, it's my assertion that while he is of great importance to the Heat, his consistency is now legendary.  Lebron's 'just fair' days are still better than many an all-stars averages. Now that he's seemingly limited any weaknesses (shot selection, turnovers, FT shooting %, lack of post game, and perceived clutch time impotency), he's virtually a lock to give his team a chance to win. As long as the LBJ arrives at the arena, whether or not he plays well, is no longer a question. James is important in the same way oxygen is; and you hardly worry about it.

J.R. Smith/ Carmelo Anthony - Making the list for all the wrong reasons; this duo makes the list as it was their inept shooting and decision making (i.e. shot selection) that was most important in keeping the Knicks from moving past the Pacers. No team had more riding on the shoulders of it's star than New York and Carmelo, except, maybe the Thunder and Durant (Westbrook out, not the plan) who performed quite well by and large, but that isn't important because it didn't matter. If Smith and Anthony had                                                                              played better, it would have mattered.

George Hill/ Mike Conley - Both Conley and Hill had had their moments to this point, Conley was excellent in his match-up with CP3 in round 1, and Hill really made the Knicks pay for doubling off him in the late stages of round two. Going forward, both Hill and Conley represent the on-floor general for their younger, less experienced squad in the Conference finals. Their ability to get their respective teams into their coaches gameplan, as well as execute said plan, will be one of the more underrated aspects of the Conference Championships.

Gregg Popovich - Beyond Duncan and Parker, I'd be hard pressed to find another individual  more crucial to the success of the San Antonio Spurs in 2013.(Since 1996, really. In which case, Ginobili gets in and Robert Horry gets an apology.) Pop continues to excel at making both in-game and in-series adjustments, if he can continue to outwit his coaching counterparts (Is this a question?), that gives Spurs fans another blue chip reason to believe.

05. Z-Bo/Manu/Chris Bosh - I see these guys as the vital periphery figures on their teams, at some point each of these guys each will be called upon to put the team on their back an steal a victory. Each is more than capable of taking over the game and fueling their team to victory. With Gasol as the primary big, Z-Bo often gets the other teams 2nd best big, he needs to be dominant in this role and be a force on the block. Ginobili will need to turn back the clock and tap into his instant offense off the bench, something that has carried the Spurs for critical stretches in the past. Love Ginobili. And lastly, Chris Bosh might be the most important person that no one is talking about. Much of the perceived weakness of the Heat lies in it's lack of size on the boards and in the paint. Bosh will be called upon to contribute in these facets of the game, and he'll see heavy doses of West/Hibbert, and Duncan/Splitter or Gasol/Randolph. Good luck and have fun.

Tim Duncan & Tony Parker - Here we go again, it goes without saying that nearly 20 years later, as Duncan goes, so too, go the Spurs. Duncan has been an unrivaled measure of playoff consistency through the years, and his elixir of life has yet to fail him. 2013 has been no different as his annual playoff increase in minutes has translated into increased production. His long time partner in crime, Tony Parker, joins him for what, at this point has to be, "One Last Ride: reVisted II". No doubt the Spurs are a marvel of an organization, they've retooled their perimeter shooting and (perimeter) defenders  multiple times throughout the 'Big 3's' run, their incredible regular season record(s) year in and year out are a testament to that. But it's money time, TP and TD time, all of the supporting actors have helped them get this far, and they'll continue to do their part but it's now up to the franchise guys to get these guys back to the promised land.   

Roy Hibbert/Paul George - I couldn't decide which Pacer was more important to their overall success. Conventional wisdom would suggest it's Paul George; he was their lone all-star, their leading scorer, oh, and ya,  he'll be checking the best player in the world. On the other hand, the Pacers whole defensive scheme of running shooters off the 3 point line and funneling them in towards Hibbert is entirely dependent on Hibbert being the most dominant player on the court at the defensive end. It's for this reason that I felt Hibbert was of greater importance than George during the series with the Knicks. What's more, Hibbert will be counted on even more on the offensive end as you can bet the Pacers will try and pound the ball inside on the smaller Heat, one of the Heat's consensus limitations. Unfortunately for the Pacers, they'll need both of these guys to be playing at, or finding new (entirely possible), peaks merely to match the expected output of the defending world champs. If both found new peaks, as I said possible - not probable, would it be Twin Peaks? And if it was Twin Peaks, wouldn't it have the same level of success.

Marc Gasol - Gasol is the guy that makes the Grizz go at both ends of the court. When their offense stalls in the half court, which it does, the Grizz often run their offense through Gasol in the high post allowing him to make the vital decisions with the clock running down. Nobody seems to miss Rudy Gay. And that's not even Gasol's better half of the court, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year quarterbacks one of the leagues staunchest defensive half courts, holding opponents to under 94 ppg. Limiting the once mighty, recently castrated, Thunder offense to under a hundred points in all 5 series match-ups. Gasol has thoroughly outplayed his match-up thus far, whether it's been Jordan, Griffin, Ibaka or Perkins - Gasol has dominated. If this trend continues against the L's BEST PF OF ALL TIME and 'that other guy from Brazil', Gasol's going to get his chance to bully the Heat. Is it possible that Marc Gasol is emerging as possibly the most unlikely finals MVP of all time?

Dwayne Wade - While LeBron is undeniably the MVP of the Miami Heat, it might be the play of Wade, or rather his ability to play, that becomes most important to the Miami Heat. Wade has been two very different players at various times throughout the regular season, and on into the post season. I don't fully expect this trend to change, however if the Heat are going to win it may take some type of super human gumption from Wade, reminiscent of a Willis Reed or Isaiah Thomas scenario. I can envision Wade sucking it up, rising to the occasion and that becoming what these playoffs are ultimately known for. (Also, possibly one of the few remaining ways to elevate his legacy.) That's big picture. Small picture; the King can't do it alone, and Bosh is going to have his hands full up front from here on out, Dwayne Wade is the best 2 guard left in the playoffs, by a lot, if he shines like it - the Heat cruise. If he struggles, mostly a health related concern, it'll be a struggle to the finish for the Heat. For this reason Wade is, and has been, the most important player in the 2013 Playoffs.

And my long OVERDUE HIP HOP 2.0! The Best of April/May. Enjoy.
LR NR
n/a 20. Watching Movies - Mac Miller -Something or Nothing? I can't decide. Probably nothing.

n/a 19. Unfuckwittable - Kid Cudi - My late bloomer from the 'Indicud' album.

n/a 18. $100 Bill - Jay-Z pretty much mails in this soundtrack brag track; but reppin' the excessive "roaring '20s", Hov can do that in his sleep. Yawn. 

n/a 17. Rising - Harry Fraud Ft. Tech Nine - Tech Nine does his thing on this opening track of producer Harry Fraud's latest EP.

n/a 16. Rocket Ships - Talib Kweli Feat. Busta Rhymes - Kweli and Busta handle the bars and RZA handles the beats in a 90's reunion.

n/a 15. Kenny Lofton - J. Cole - Cole builds his hype with this track off Truly Yours 2.

n/a 14. Back to Black - Andre 3000 & Beyonce - Hardly a rap track, this remake of the Amy Whinehouse masterpiece was hardly necessary as it's hard to touch the original, that said it's still enjoyable listen.

10  13. Brothers - Kid Cudi Feat. Asap Rocky & King Chip - Shout out Thomas and Dan!

n/a 12. Think Of Me - Childish Gambino - Love Gambino's flow on this one, for a Funkmaster Flex mixtape master, sure was a shitty recording.

n/a 11. Face The World - Nipsey Hussle - Real and uplifting track from Nipsey, 9th wonder on the production.

n/a 10.Favourite Song - Chance the Rapper Ft. Childish Gambino - Undeniably catchy.

n/a 09.  Through My Head - B.O.B. - The latest single from Bobby Ray, the newest, from his newest, Underground Luxury. There's a video out there as well.

n/a 08. Wit Me - T.I. Feat. Lil Wayne - Tip's flow is on point, and this might be the best I've heard from Wayne in awhile, which isn't really saying much. There's a video on youtube but it wouldn't embed here.

n/a 07. Cole Summer - J. Cole - I know he says, "It's not a preview...", but I kinda hope it is. Born Sinner drops June 25th.

12   06. Girls Love Beyonce - Drake Feat.  James Flauntleroy - Drake holds onto a spot on the chart, but it's been awhile, expect something soon.

n/a 05. Lupe Fiasco - Animal Pharm -Who does metaphors better than Lupe? Orwellian at that.

05.  04. Solo Dolo Pt. II - Kid Cudi Feat. Kendrick Lamar  - More classic 'Man on the Moon' music from the Lonely Stoner, and this time he's not alone.

07. 03. Get Away - De La Soul - This De La Soul offering over the RZA is hauntingly brilliant.

03  02. Open Letter - Jay-Z Feat.Timbaland - I'm sure you've heard this by now, possibly here more than a month ago. Here's the remix with Common, "Open Letter Pt. II"

01.  01. Immortal - Kid Cudi - Goes without saying I'm a fan of Cudi's latest effort.

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NBA Playoff Update + The Biggest Winners and Losers of the Playoffs So Far + Hip Hop 2.0

After a seemingly predictable and ho hum start to the first round... Surprise! the NBA playoffs came to life - queue the intrigue and excitement. Points of interest in bullets.

• Biggest surprise, Russell Westbrook goes down with meniscus tear and is lost for the playoffs. Tito, er, Reggie Jackson will fill in, but this is starting to look more like the Durant 5. 

• Hard work outplays talent, when talent doesn't work hard- yada yada yada, Bulls beat Nets and continue to over-achieve based on the guys they're running out there. Inspired basketball.

• Steph Curry transcended everyone's notions of his ceiling. He's gotten white hot for whole quarters at a time. (Usually, the 3rd) 

• The Knicks devolved into a mess of half court isolations and off court distractions, narrowly slipping by the undermanned and aging Celtics in 6. Unfortunately, they haven't left their stagnant isolation heavy offense in Boston. Move the ball fellas.

• The Spurs thoroughly outplayed the Lakers in their 4 game sweep, winning 13 of the 16 quarters of play.  The Heat matched San Antonio's quarter dominance in their sweep of the Bucks. I mention this because it shows that neither team is prone to lengthy droughts on offense or prolonged runs by the opposition. It shows consistency over the course of a game, and series. Oh yea, the Spurs 3 quarter losses were by a combined 3 points. 

• Mike Conley Jr. can start going by Mike Conley Sr., he's earned it... Some people (me) suggested if Conley matched or kept the match up close with Chris Paul, the Grizzlies could get by the Clips. He did, the Grizz prevailed. Personally, I think he outplayed the oft-lauded Paul.  

• Speaking of the Zeppelin that is the  Los Angeles Clippers: let's consider contributory playoff dismissal variables. Vinny Del Negro Doing Vinny Del Negro Things + Blake Griffin Being Hurt and Looking Sad + Too Many Players, Not Enough Minutes + A Neutralized CP3 = Debacle. 2 years in a row now, we've seen an implosion of sorts from within the Clips ranks. Clips problems aside, Memphis was very good; to win 4 straight against a team as talented as the Clippers certainly deserves  a dap.

• New York Knicks Fashion Sense: Cart.... Horse.

• Denver suffered from what detractors had pointed to as their 'achilles' all season - lack of an alpha scorer in the games most important moments. In juxtaposition, Steph Curry filled the role in spades for the Warriors. 

• Obligatory joke about I forgot the forgettable series between Indiana and Atlanta. Sincere remark where I say that in all honesty, it really was a terrible series. All games with 10+ point spreads. Paul George is good. That's it. Nothing to see here, Move along.

• Every generation must have a team that defines insanity, continually having the same look and feel with the same results, yet they endure - always losing in the first round of the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks have been this team for some time.

• David Lee's muscle memory looked pretty good the other night, eh Derrick. Ah geez.

• Duncan wins games with his head, Curry his hands and Joakim Noah his heart, guts, nuts and just about anything else that is humanly possible to summon into his being when he is out there on the basketball court, an inspiring motor hardly says it.

• Tom Thibodeau > P.J Carlisemo & Just about every other NBA coach. (Save an arguable handful.) Outmatched at nearly every position. Thibodeau motivated the hurt, the sick, and the dismissed. I'm getting dramatic, but, it was dramatic. 

• Denver still makes me shake my head a little, whatever happened George? 

As you may have recognized, most of the previous bullet points were rather outdated as I began writing this blog at some point last week. Here are some more recently updated, updates:

• Manu Ginobili has no conscious, at all. After all it is, "what he does", for clarification watch Gregg Popovich's in his press conference following Game 1. Go to the 3:00min mark for the sound bite.

• Acknowledging adjustments: Unlike the regular season, the playoffs are more specifically a game of adjustments, over the course of a 7 game series in which 2 sides are trading blows and the advantage is continually shifting. A team's chances hinge on a coaches ability to adapt and adjust his team's schemes and game-plan. Golden State's small ball since the loss of Lee has been the adjustment of the playoffs, Thibbs is continually making adjustments to give his undermanned Bulls a fighting chance, the Heat have increased Norris Cole's role as they've needed him to limit Nate Robinson's quickness and penetration, The Thunder need to find a way to increase the tempo, slowing it down in the half court favours the size of the Grizz. This is the time of year when coaches earn their pay. Could Mark Jackson out coach Greg Popovich? Wouldn't that be a bigger upset than Warriors over Spurs? 

• I donno how to fix the Knicks, but I'd start by increasing the number of pick and rolls Felton runs and I'd try to get Hibbert away from the basket and involved in as many of those pick and rolls as possible. Knick attackers have got to get their shots over Hibbert and on the rim, Chandler needs to gobble those up, he's not been a story on the offensive glass and he needs to be if Hibbert is contesting the Knicks drives like he has been. I'd try and have Melo catching the ball with a defender coming at him, as opposed to 5 defenders standing there, with him coming at them. Strangely, standing around and taking contested shots doesn't seem to be getting it done at the moment.

• The Great Wall of Hibbert has been erected in NBA paints stretching from Indiana all the way to the Eastern Seaboard. He's single-handedly controlled the paint in this series, on both end of the floor. If Hibbert continues to be the most impactful player on the court, you can bet you'll see the Pacers in the next round.

• Will the real Serge Ibaka please stand up?! Ibaka has followed up his season long ascension, with what has been a playoff long regression. The Thunder's scenario called upon Ibaka to increase his impact, instead the returns have been diminished. Until the regular season version of Ibaka shows himself the Thunder are going to be hard pressed to advance. Leaving the Thunder's brass with an extended off season to consider whether the Ibaka over Harden gamble was the right decision. Of course it doesn't help that they could use a Harden-like skill set more than ever right about now.

• Could will.i.am be any more annoying. No.

• Dwayne Wade is not quite right, and subsequently the Miami Heat are not quite right. Good enough to get out of the East maybe, but they'll need Wade before it's all said and done. 

• Did I not say Derrick Rose would be one of the most talked about storylines of the playoffs, this what-if doesn't seem to be going away anytime soon.

• I could not have been more wrong about the Golden State Warriors v. San Antonio Spurs series, which I figured to be cake walk for the veteran Spurs. The Warriors ability to go small and put pressure on perimeter defenders continues to be a talking point in what has been the most exciting series of the playoffs.

• LeBron human? I'm just saying it's been nearly a month since LeBron has reminded me he's from another planet, he's due for something celestial. That said he is averaging nearly as many points in the 4th quarter, as he is in the other quarters quarters combined.

• Oklahoma needs to find a new identity and find it quick. Their lighting quick attacking style isn't the same since Westbrook went down, and the thought of playing BIG with Perkins and Ibaka doesn't seem like the answer either; the Grizz's own identity lies in it's superior BIG line-ups.

• Jimmy Butler has proved to be incredibly durable and versatile in the small sample size thus far since the epic 3 OT game that knocked both Deng and Hinrich out of the Bulls rotation. In the 6 games since, Butler has played the full 48 minutes in 4 contests, 45 in another and he rested plenty in Miami's Game 2 blowout victory. Butler's emergence has to be seen as one the silver linings for the 2013 Bulls, but how much longer can the Bulls demand this kind of durability from the young swingman.

• Despite all of the Knicks woes, it seems Shumpert is finally back to form.

Of course I jinxed my man, and he has since been seen resting his knees alongside Coach Woodson. Turns out there has been some inflammation and bruising in his knee since his return from ACL surgery. Derrick Rose apologists rejoice.

My Top 5 WINNERS and LOSERS of the NBA PLAYOFFS thus far:

Loser #5 - NBA Fans - There's been a dark injury cloud looming for much of the 2013 campaign and it's lingered into the postseason, with Kobe, DRose, and now Westbrook out. I would have liked to see Kobe get a chance to finish what he started, after keeping the Lakers season afloat by sheer will for much of the season. I think I speak for every basketball fan on the planet when I say, I miss watching Derrick Rose revolutionize the point guard position. And I'm genuinely disappointed I can't see a rematch of last year's highly competitive championship series. Not to say the Thunder can't make it, but a Thunder team without Westbrook and Harden, that's not what I had in mind. That's 3 of the NBA's top 10 players, and arguably it's two most athletic guards. Not to mention Deng, Hinrich, Lee, Amare, Granger, and now it seems Wade too, has been banged up. A lot of what-ifs.

Winner #5 - Paul George - Paul George has unquestionably been the Pacer's best player throughout the 2013 season. Without much fan fare George has catapulted himself into the discussion of the playoffs elite performers thus far. A tenacious wing defender with above average length and athleticism, George has taken on an increased load on the offensive end, while remaining the staunch defender the Pacers have counted on him to be. His ability to contain Carmelo on the defensive end and his increased production on the offensive end both as a scorer and creator has the Pacers playing their best basketball of the year, poised to knock off the Knicks and advance to the Eastern Conference Championship.

Loser #4 - JR Smith - I'm one of Smith's biggest supporters but the last two weeks have been abysmal for the recently crowned 6th man. But what have you done for me lately. Following his ill intended elbow/bicep thrust at the melon of Jason Terry, JR Smith has gone ice cold in a most telling display of karma? Though perhaps, we shouldn't be surprised, often Smith's shots are of a high degree of difficulty, almost assuring slumps and streaks at a semi regular occurrence. If you check Smith's game log for the season I'm sure there have other poor shooting skids, but this one just happens to be under the microscope of the playoffs. . Smith's absence as Carmelo's wingman has been a telling storyline from round 2. It seemed Smith had turned the corner in 2013, yet his playoffs have been marred by poor judgement and poor performance. Being a free agent in the coming off season, Smith would like nothing more than to remind everyone why he was the leagues most electric weapon off the bench this season, but unless he turns things around quick the playoffs have only served to decrease his value in my opinion, and that bums me out.

Winner(s) #4 -  Jarrett Jack/Harrison Barnes - On the flip side another pending free agent, Jarrett Jack, has seized his opportunity, shining bright in the absence of the "injured' David Lee. Jack has been a vital part of the small ball, 3 guard attack employed by the Warriors. Jack's mid range pull up game has been deadly and he continues to show a knack for taking, and more importantly making, big shots in the 4th quarter. Despite some mistakes with the ball and some questionable shot selection, I'd say that Jack has done well in selling himself as a reliable scoring combo guard in the era of small ball, stretch 4 lineups that I think we're heading towards. Barnes deserves mention as well, the UNC product has blossomed in the role of 'undersized 4', stretching the defensive helping bigs away from the hoop, and punishing small guards (Parker) who match up with him in the post as well.

More Upcoming Free Agents - Let's consider a couple other winning and losing free agents based on their performances thus far in the post season.

Winners #3 - Nate Robinson - Nate has yet again (thought he was good in Boston) proven himself to be a viable scoring option with loads of energy. Is it possible Robinson has gone from overrated to underrated? He'll invariably become overrated again, very soon, I could see someone spending on Nate as a change of pace scoring option off the bench like Smith, Barea, Crawford. While he may not be in their class he has certainly increased his value this post season. Matt Barnes - As bat-shit crazy as Matt Barnes appeared throughout the Clippers series with the Grizzlies, he seemingly always backed up his chatter with quality play. While Vinny Del Negro frantically shuffled line ups in and out, one of the constants was Matt Barnes. Barnes will be a sought after free agent; he plays with the physicality necessary for a small 4, and the athleticism to match up with some of the leagues elite perimeter players. David West - I don't know how much David West can improve his stock at this point, a long time vet, he pretty much is what he is. That said, he is undeniably a winner. West brings a no-nonsense leadership mentality, I think he could greatly help a young team on the cusp, this playoffs have proven it.

Losers #3 - Josh Smith - Did Josh Smith do enough in the post season to be considered a max contract player? I don't think so. With his athleticism and skill set he should be a max guy but he shoots a poor percentage and makes poor decisions with the ball. Said someone in 2007. 6 years later the red flags are the same. Kevin Martin - Martin was the big chip headed to Oklahoma City in the Harden trade, in the regular season he filled his role (scoring lift off the bench)  impeccably well. So much so that some teams may have been tempted to offer some cash Martin's way as a number 2 scoring option. However, since Westbrook has gone down it has been glaring just how much Martin is not Harden. Martin has not filled the role of number 2 scoring option with enough consistency or success for me to think that he's improved his value, instead he's validated himself as a 3rd or 4th banana in my opinion. Lamar Odom - Aside from Vinny Del Negro, is anyone else interested in paying for Lamar's aging line drive jumper? Lamar was brutal and he's a long way removed from his glory years in Los Angeles.

Winner #2 - Mark Jackson & Steph Curry - Steph Curry may not be the BEST player in the playoffs thus far (Durant), but he's certainly raised his level of play the most. Lifting the Warriors with him.  Curry has created for both himself and his teammates as his ascension has really been something to watch. Since becoming the alpha dog, the team has seemingly taken on Curry's personality. A big part of that has been coach Mark Jackson's adjustments to his line up in the wake of David Lee going down. The Warriors are playing a small, fast exciting brand of basketball, headed by their 3 guard attack of Curry, Thompson, and Jack. Bogut has been solid in the middle and Barnes has been the perfect compliment at the 4. Many were quick to dismiss the Warriors when Lee, their lone All Star, went down. Instead the 6th seeded Warriors upset the favoured Nuggets and are now giving the vaunted Spurs all they can handle. Maybe necessity was the mother of invention in this case, regardless Jackson ability to transition his squad's identity so quickly under the circumstances has been impressive.

Loser #2 - Los Angeles Clippers - Shit was all good just a week ago, and then it shit the fan. Big time. Just May 1st, the Clippers seemed poised to roll past the Grizz again in round 1, with the loss of Westbrook for the Thunder, the Clippers road was seemingly clear. Perhaps they looked past the Grizz, perhaps Vinny Del Negro decided to start coaching, either way shit happened and instead of marching into Oklahoma City poised to take their place amongst the NBA's elite, the Clippers are left wondering if VDN should be back, if CP3 will be back. A lot can change in a week in L.A.

My Biggest Loser of the playoffs so far, Dwight Howard and the Los Angeles Lakers. - Way passed misunderstood, Dwight cannot help making himself come off as a loser in the post season. This time selfishly sabotaging his Laker teammates, seemingly begging for two technical fouls and a quick dismissal. An appropriate ending to a season that was mired in a series of ill fated Howard dramatics since day one. He won't lose in the financial sense, but he'll certainly suffer from a personal legacy standpoint.  A career as a Los Angeles Laker could have solidified him as one of the greats down the line, he may have blown that opportunity this year. The once proud and mighty Los Angeles Lakers have experienced a humbling of sorts throughout the 2012-13 season, their steady and well publicized fall from grace reached it's culmination with their embarrassing dismissal from the playoffs at the hands of the San Antonio Spurs. To worsen matters the team's obvious lack of chemistry and limited numbered of tangible successes, notably in the playoffs, can't provide encouragement to the Lakers going forward. With a so much invested in a roster that has already proven in cannot win, the Lakers are easily the most disappointing team of the 2012-13 season. A bull in a china shop the whole while, hardly carrying themselves with anywhere near, the class and effort that the Celtics did.

My Biggest Winner of the playoffs so far is again, NBA Fans. Yeah, I did that. Contradictory as it may seem, while we may have missed out on some interesting hypotheticals, there has still been plenty to celebrate. Following a slow start, the first few weeks have provided some very interesting match ups, most notably the Spurs v.Warriors series. (We've already seen 3 periods of overtime play through the first 4 games.) The back court match up of Green/ Ginobili/ Parker v. Curry/ Thompson/ Jack has been top notch, old and stubborn v. young and impatient. Memphis v. Oklahoma City has been highly competitive as well. We've been given the chance to see how truly great Durant can be on his own, despite this not being what we meant by Westbrook sacrificing his looks. The West is now truly wide open and the Heat may not be a sure thing as long as Wade isn't 100 percent. We've seen efficient and impressive team efforts (Heat, Pacers), other gutsy, yet equally impressive team efforts (Bulls), some remarkable individual performances (Curry, Robinson), intense rivals (Bulls/Heat), and late dramatics. (Ginobili, Durant)  

Hip Hop 2.0 - On The Way.
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