Lamont's Lists

Well 2024 is a wrap, and I'm so happy to report that the rumors of hip hop's so-called demise were once again greatly exaggerated. For all of you who, just a year ago, were gleefully citing hip hop's declining streams and airplay as evidence of everything from a lack of creativity, to rampant commercialism, to too much mumble rap, and all manner of other "it ain't what it used to be" nonsense, let me be the first to say "STFU".  As I knew it would, the culture has once again proven to be resilient. There was so much great music released in 2024 that it was hard to keep pace with. From ratchet to righteous, boom bap to trap, and party starters to thought starters...the sheer breadth and diversity of the tunes offered something for every eardrum.  Yes, shots were fired and beefed settled, but there were also calls for peace, perseverance and power moves. Above all else, the music compelled us to put on our headphones or hit the dance floor or rap along...

For hip hop, 2023 was a year of looking back. The genre reflected upon 50 years of existence by throwing itself a bunch of excellent parties throughout the year, including a rollicking celebration at Yankee Stadium back in August and a well-curated Grammy tribute in December. It was a well-deserved high-five for a music born out of the roughest of circumstances in the 70s and given very little chance of survival before going on to become a global force by the turn of the century.  But 2023 was also a year of much hand wringing, as we lamented the contemporary state of hip hop. Much was made of the genre's precipitous dip in popularity, given the lack of #1 albums and general slowing of sales momentum throughout the year. Many offered reasons why the genre seemed to be off its game, with opinions ranging from a lack of creativity, to the negative influence of social media, to the resurgence of rock and pop, to the a booming consumption of Latin X and Global music. All somewhat corre...