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 2007: The Year in Review
by Chris Carter
TheHipHopIcon.com
officially launched midway through 2007, but that doesn't keep us
from having an opinion. 2007 was a roller coaster of a year for all
of us in the Hip Hop culture. Pimp C came home, Jay-Z gave us a REAL
comeback album and, politically, Barrack Obama officially launched a
bid for the office of US President. On the flip side, 2007 also gave
us a silly album sales beef between Kanye and 50, T.I. got locked up
and how many of you saw Cam'ron's 60 Minutes embarrassment? Not to
mention, the failing US economy...
With all of that said,
after long debate, here are our picks for 2007.
ICONS OF
HIP HOP
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ICON OF THE
YEAR:
Sean "Diddy"
Combs
Bragging
rights: Sean John saw record numbers with the
release of Unforgivable Platinum Cologne and
Unforgivable Woman Perfume. Diddy also officially
took over marketing of Ciroc Vodka, shot a commercial
for CNBC, oh yeah, he also produced six tracks on
Jay-Z's latest classic "American Gangster." It's easy to
forget the man is still putting out some damn good music
.
Runner
up: Shawn "Jay-Z" Carter |
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MC OF THE
YEAR:
Jay-Z
Bragging
rights: After last year's sub par comeback release
"Kingdom Come," many critics (and fans) had written off
Hova. This year's late entry for album of the year
"American Gangster" silenced all doubt. Mr. Carter
proved that Hip Hop lives with his 70's-inspired, New
York underworld classic.
Runners up:
Lil Wayne, Common |
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ALBUM OF THE
YEAR:
Common -
Finding Forever
Bragging
rights: Common continued his stellar winning streak
with an album that effortlessly blended back-pack
mentality, inner struggle, pride and marketability.
Kanye provided some great productions, but the albums
x-factor came in when Common stepped outside the box
with DJ Premier beats and Mad Skillz samples.
Runners up:
Clipse "Hell Hath No Fury," Kanye West
"Graduation" |
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HIP HOP
ANTHEM:
Kanye West -
"Can't Tell Me Nothing"
Bragging
rights: After realizing the all too common Hip Hop
error of crafting singles that are overly current, Kanye
set his sights on making a timeless stadium anthem.
"Can't Tell Me Nothing" is the kind of song that manages
to be catchy and relatable. This year it was
inescapable.
Runner up:
50 Cent "I Get Money"
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THE BEST
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 |
 |
 |
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HIP HOP GROUP:
CLIPSE
Some
people slept on them. We didn't. |
SLEPT ON:
LUDACRIS
People weren't ready for the more mature Luda. |
PRODUCER:
TIMBALAND
One of few cats we didn't mind hearing 20x a day. |
BEST VIDEO:
"INT. PLAYA'S
ANTHEM"
Classic, nuff said. |
THE WORST
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 |
 |
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WTF HAPPENED:
CAM'RON
Look
kids, a falling star. Watch this clip. |
PHOTO:
WEEZY & BABY
Hmm,
guess this photo isn't going away anytime soon. |
RAPPER:
MIMS
15
minutes of fame has never felt so long. |
ARREST:
T.I.P.
We
are all rooting for him, but this is not a good
look. |
THE REST
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Guilty Pleasure:
BET'S Hell
Date |
 |
Media
Target:
Michael Vick/OJ
Simpson |
 |
Biggest
Embarrassment:
Miss New York |
 |
Gadget:
The iPhone |
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Best
Comeback:
Wyclef Jean |
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Worst
Comeback:
Ja Rule |
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Worst
False Rumor:
Jay-Z's love
child |
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Worst True
Rumor:
Diddy's Love
Child |
Lyric of 2007:
"Blame Reagan for makin
me into a monster, Blame Oliver North and Iran Contra. I ran
contraband that they sponsored. Before this rhyming stuff,
we was in concert"
- Jay-Z
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