Number 8: M.O.P. -- Foundation

The eighth best album of the year is:

M.O.P. - Foundation

As urban legend has it, the Brownsville duo of Lil Fame and Billy Danze, formally known as M.O.P. (Mash Out Posse for those of you who are new to this hip-hop thing), are the creators of what is rumored to be the most stolen album of all time; 1996's Firing Squad. So, it should be no surprise that thirteen years later Foundation only moved 2,100 copies its first week. Nine years later, the stick up kids don't even have to go down to the the record store to pull a jack move, they can just roll out of bed and hit the internets instead. I'd be lying to you if I told you Ihadn't done the same thing.

If you are looking for a progressive album that is going to shed some new light on hip-hop for you, this is not it. That is, unless, you are only familiar with radio rap of the last five years, then by all means, buckle your fucking seatbelts. However, regardless of how (un)familiar you are with M.O.P. and/or hip hop, this is one of the few albums and groups that can still lead you to believe that somebody can/will get smoked for saying the wrong thing or looking the wrong way. Which, like it or not, is something that has been missing from the game lately. And if there is anybody out there that can bring the streets back to the music, it's M.O.P. (see: "Ante Up"). Foundation is hands down the gulliest album of the year, which is what helps sneak it into the last third of our countdown, because despite being west coast, love that (to quote Pharoahe Monch) New York City gritty committee type shit.

Download (I will actually post tracks later today):

"Ridin Through" Featuring Redman -- Listen to Red's anecdote at the end of the track. It's fucking amazing.

"Ante Up" off of 2000's Warriorz. Posted for those of you who have never heard of M.O.P. Get your kevlar up, son.