So here we are again. I was opposed to doing this at first because honestly, only a handful of mother fuckers care and the others will just use this as a reference to post on their own page. Regardless, I’m doing it as a journal of shit I’ve really enjoyed through the years.
I’ll keep this short and get to what this is about. I stated via my Twitter , that for me, 2015 was a year of the beatmakers. Being a head since the early 90’s I’ve been lucky enough to see this culture evolve. Not always good, but the underground is definitely thriving. And 2015 has been huge for instrumental projects. If you follow my personal IG page, you will see that I have been pretty much stuck on them all year long.
But there have been ups and downs, great albums but also some terrible losses. We lost two underground emcees this year. Rest easy Pumpkinhead and Sean P. Losing you two this year will make me never forget 2015. Thank you again for your words and memories.
So let’s get to this. To clarify as in previous years, this is not a top or ranking list. This is just a gathering of shit I’ve enjoyed this year. And just because it’s not on this list doesn’t mean it wasn’t dope. Doesn’t mean I didn’t support it. This simply just a fucking list. And special thank you to one of my favorite people ever @HipHop_Essentials for reminding me of some of these albums. You are appreciated *Tupac voice*.
Hashfinger – Kites
This has been an instrumental album I’ve been fangirling over all year. Pretty much obsessed with him and his work. Support here.
Spit Gemz – Godly Features
Raw gritty NY underground. One of my favorite emcees still to this day, he dropped this amazing project. Support here.
Blabbermouf – BackWitDaBoomAndBlabberastikRhymes
Hailing from the Netherlands, Blabbermouf takes us back to them 90 Boom Bap days. Support here.
Brock Berrigan – Diamond in the Rough
Another Instrumental album that will be in heavy rotation this year. Even though I also really dug the his other release this year but this one stole my heart. Support here.
UGeorge – The Many Faces of UGeorge
This album took me by surprise. Respect the vets. UGeorge still got it. Support here.
Tek & Figub – The Everyday Headnod
As the title describes … Peep and support here.
Dimepeace – Maybe It’s Us
Just off the cover alone makes me love this album. But what fills your ears is just as amazing. Support here.
The Four Owls – Natural Order
Consisting of all seasoned UK emcee/producers this album opened many eyes to overseas culture. Support here.
Union Blak – Street English
Effiscienz dropped jewels this year this being one. Support here.
Mr. Green – Live From the Streets
I don’t need to go into this one. I’m sure plenty are familiar. Still an amazing project. Support here.
Dr. Yen Lo – Days With Dr. Yen Lo
When Ka and Preservation came together for Dr. Yen Lo greatness occurred. I’m not picking favorites but if I had to this one would be way up there this year. Support here.
Jazz Spastiks & Rebels to the Grain – Unkut Fresh
Early this year when JS & Rebels released Tapes I nearly lost my shit. This is definitely in regular rotation. Support here.
Don Miguel – Waiting for Carmine
NYC producer Don Miguel brings us a solid album. I really enjoyed this one the more I listened. Support here.
Oldy Clap & DJ Skandal – Dust Dealers
Production by Oldy Clap & Cuts from DJ Skandal. Amazing work. Support here.
Dexter – Palmen & Beats
Anyone who truly knows me,knows I’m obsessed with Dexter’s work. This album didn’t disappoint me at all. Support here.
June Marx – Love & War
Again, people who know me also know June Marx is one of my favorite emcee/producers. This one was my favorite of his releases this year. Support here.
Ghostface Killah & Badbadnotgood – Sour Soul
I’m sure most have already peeped this so no need to get into it. Simply one ill fucking album in rotation. Support here.
Juju Rogers – From the Life of Good-For-Nothing
This album is definitely one of my favorite releases this year. Jakarta Records has made a couple of appearances on this list. Really looking forward to what Juju has in store in coming years. Support here.
Res One – Delph Efficacy
I feel like I might be saying everyone could be my favorite at this point. So I’m simply going to say I enjoyed the shit out of this album. Support here.
Starvin B & Fel Sweetenberg – Soul Museum
When I heard that Effiscienz was bringing us this collab I almost pissed myself. Then when I heard it I seriously fangirled. Effiscienz consistently is bringing us heat and this album didn’t disappoint. Support here.
Kognitif – Soul Food
Kognitif by ways of France bringing us a solid album. Simply amazing. Support here.
Pigeondust – Moon, Wisdom & Slackness
Cold Busted is constantly bringing us some of the illest beatmakers. This album will stay in regular rotation. Support here.
Jazz Jousters – The Vault – Best of the Jazz Jousters
An amazing compilation of instrumentals that you’ll find visiting over and over. Well, I don’t know about you, but I sure the fuck do. Support here.
FloFilz – Speakthru
Another Jakarta Records release that will not disappoint. Ill instrumentals along with dope features. Support here.
Fulgeance & DJ Scientist – The Soviet Tape Vol. 1
Heavy instrumental collab by ways of the UK. Support here.
Peebs the Prophet – Ills of the Earth EP
With production from Phoniks and Blunt One. This is one early 2015 album you don’t want to sleep on. Support here.
Marcus D – The Lone Wolf EP
Amazing project from one of my favorite producers. Support here.
Paranom – 777 EP
Paranom is lyrically one of the illest emcess today. Support here.
The Mouse Outfit – Step Steadier
UK producer The Mouse Outfit along with dope features easily in rotation this year. Support here.
Jakk Wonders – Sample Til Infinity
By ways of South Africa Jakk Wonders provides us with easily one of my favorite instrumental albums this year. Support here.
Sleep Sinatra – Shamaniq
Sleep Sinatra is highly overlooked. This is easily stays in rotation in my collection. Support here.
Anitek – Luna
New Jersey’s Anitek is one of my favorite beatmakers. Peep his projects and support here.
People Under the Stairs – The Gettin’ Off the Stage EP
This recent EP makes the list easily with production alone. Definitely worth peepin’. Support here.
Kenn Starr – Square One
This underground vet gave us this amazing album early in 2015. Support here.
Klaus Layer – Restless Adventures
Always creating heat, Klaus Layer didn’t disappoint with this release this year. Support here.
Loopwhole Beats – Newyorkism
NY beatmaker originally brought us this vinyl only release. Now on digital format and pre-orders for Newyorkism II releasing soon. Don’t sleep. Support here.
Starvin B – The Foreigner
Another release from this NYC emcee. Produced by Sauce Jacqson don’t sleep on this. Support here.
Foul Mouth – Soul Louis
Ill heavy soul sampled instrumental album. Support here.
Elements of Music (EOM) – Sunrain
EOM has remained one of the dopest producers. This year he blessed us with Sunrain. Support here.
DJ Soko – Domino Effect
Detroit DJ by ways of Brooklyn. The more I listened the more I appreciate this overlooked member of The Left. Support here.
Gas-Lab – Soulful & Jazzy Beats
I can’t even front. I fucking love Argentinean producer Gas-Lab. Just peep and fall in love yourself. Support here.
Czarface – Every Hero Needs a Villain
Do I even need to write about this? Do you even need a link. Just know it’s on the list.
Kubrick – Stig of the Dump
Ill emcee and production by Jehst this highly slept on album. Support here.
Gensu Dean – Algorhythms
I’m running out of shit to say, so I’m going to just say I really liked this album. Support here.
So it’s still early. So I may add to this as new shit is released. I just figured I’d throw this shit up and maybe, even if it’s just a few of y’all, hopefully reach some and help heads discover and/or rediscover some of the shit I enjoyed in 2015.
Here’s to 2016.
Peace,
Live Elements
Live Elements 