Awards for 2000

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Awards for 2000

2000 was the year that Boomin' Words From Portsmouth came to being. We not only came into being, but we averaged one review a week when it came down to it.

There was also a lot of material released from all over the place. Detroit saw some action, as did most of the west coast. We heard from the Black Market camp as well as the Darkroom Familia and Doomsday. In an attempt to put all these artists in perspective, here now is the end of year awards from what we have been able to get our hands on and hear...

This is Bruce Wayne. I know that the awards are a little late but I was hoping that I would pick up a few cds that were released in 2000 last week but things didn't work out. These are my top picks for the year from what I have available so of course everyone's going to have a different opinion. But here we go, I hope you will agree with me on some aspects.

Before I give you my picks I am going to give you a brief overview of 2000 and what did and did not happen. Lets begin with what happened with Esham and Natas. Esham's only release this year was another greatest hits of sort entitled "Bootleg (from the last vault) Vol.1". Before it was released it was supposed to be a collection of unreleased Esham songs but instead turned out to be some of his old material with only 3 new songs. It was an enhanced cd so you also got a brief interview, some concert footage, and some other shit. Overall a good cd, but a disappoint somewhat considering of what is was supposed to be. Mastamind also released his second cd, "Themindzi", and turned out to be one of the year's best. Black Market this year had its ups and downs with 2 releases from X-Raided/Nefarious "Speak Of Da Devil" and "Vengence Is Mine", the dissappointing "EBK4" from Brotha Lynch Hung, and the new Triple Beam album (forgot the name), their newest group PCO, and another greatest hits album. While the X-Raided cds were both decent, EBK4 sucked, the PCO wasn't so hot, I didn't hear the new Triple Beam, and from what I heard in my car, Black Market's greatest hits has a lack of them. Also Brotha Lynch Hung has left them to move on to his own label, Siccmade Muzik, so Black Market at the moment is hurting. Siccmade Muzik also struggled as they couldn't seem to live up to their own release dates as project after project got delayed. They managed to put out a few cds, 4 in all, but hopefully this year they will get on track. Darkroom Familia, in my mind, had the biggest year of anyone, releasing over 10 cds in only one year. That's a lot considering they left Dogday records and are on their own. Every DRF member released a solo cd this year, they come out with 2 movies, released another DRF group cd ,and countless other side projects. I could go on and on but I'll leave it there since those are the major artist at Boomin Words.

Best New Solo
Playboy 7 - "Whore"

A member of the group Doomsday, this is the first solo cd from the group. This has a different sound than that of Doomsday, which is hardcore gangsta rap, this takes a different approach with a laid back sound and the central theme being girls. If you like more laid back shit you can ride to, then this just might be the cd for you.

Honorable Mention
Loki - "Illegitimati"
P-folks - "Smoke Inhailation, Blood, Sweet & Tears"

Best Solo
Crooked - "Violence Solves Everything"

Even though this is Crooked's first solo, he has been on so many cds I don't consider him to be a new solo artist. This has to be the best solo cd from any Darkroom artist ever, and is one the best Darkroom cds ever. Crooked raises the bar with this one, as everything is tight. Classic DRF shit right here.

Honorable Mention
X-Raided - "Vengence Is Mine"
Mastamind- "Themindzi"

Best Group
Darkroom Familia - "Homicide Kingz"

With all the releases from DRF this year it came as no surprise there would be a new DRF cd and it sure did deliver. Not only did it feature the three original members, but also gave us a glimpse of some of the newer members such as J-Loc and Sapo.

Honorable Mention
None

Top 10 Cds Of 2000

10. Esham - "Bootleg (From The Lost Vault) Vol.1"
Not really any new material from Esham ,but more of a collection of his past work, this is still a good cd for new or die hard Esham fans. Add in the fact that there is some bonus features such as an enhanced cd and this is a good collection of songs from Esham, but not his greatest. Overall a good cd, but nothing spectacular.

9. Nefarious/ X-Raided - "Speak Of Da Devil"
The first of two releases from X-Raided in one year, this one takes on a different sound than previous X-Raided cds. Lyrics are sharp, as always, but at times the beats aren't up to par with some beats serioulsy lacking. Vengence Is Mine makes up for this problem fornately.

8. "Blood and Tears" Soundtrack
Many considered this a piece of shit, but I enjoyed this cd. There are some weak songs on this cd, which is given considering its a double, but it has its fair share of quality music. It has a good variety of artist, both DRF and other cali rappers. If it had only been a single cd this could have been a lot higher on the list.

7. P-Folks - "Smoke Inhailation, Blood, Sweet & Tears"
P-Folks gives a good performance on his first release, with some tight lyrics, and beats that only come from Sacromento. At times the cd is a little slow, but with plenty of tracks to choose from, there is more than enough good tracks to satisfy.

6.Loki - "Illegitimati"
After finally being released, Loki brings some heat on this Siccmade release. Loki has some great lyrics and shows what he can do on the mic on this on. Not your typical Sacramento release, as it isn't as in your face with gangs, guns, and violence as his label mates, but still have the Sac. vibe. The only downside is some songs have a little too much singing in the chrous.

5.Playboy 7 - "Whore"
The biggest surprise of the year, Playboy 7 comes out of no where with this refreshing release that deals with something other than your typical gangsta rap cd. Not only does Playboy 7 kick some great rhymes, but his subject matter fits perfeclty with the beats.

4. Mastamind - "Themindzi"
Mastamind comes with a different flavour than that of Natas with his second solo cd. Not as hard as past Natas work, this goes in another direction. Mastamind brings some the tightest lyrics to be heard on years with this release and really rips up some tracks. Some tracks are a little on the soft side, but others more than make up for that.

3. Darkroom Familia - "Homicide Kingz"
Darkroom hasn't released a group cd since Veteranos and picks up right where they left off. A combination of solo and group songs, you get to hear all your favorite and new Darkroom members. The only fault is there is only 12 tracks in all, which doesn't do this group justice with all the members they have.

2. X-Raided - "Vengence Is Mine"
The second release from X-Raided this year, is his best second only to "Unforgiven Vol.1". With some of X-Raided's best lyrics and improved beats over "Speak Of Da Devil" this is the best release from Black Market this year. Add in the fact that Black Market didn't fuck it up by placing PCO or Triple Beam on it but instead X-Raided put his artists on his label and this turns into one of Sacromento's best ever.

1. Crooked - "Violence Solves Everything"
Crooked's first solo is an instant classic. Crooked shows why he is the best member of the DRF crew, with awesome lyrics and tight beats. Crooked has the best lyrics of the Darkroom and proves it on this one. This has a more of a darker theme than other DRF releases. A true DRF classic.

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