I’m back home in Wisco for the holidays, and the temps are hovering below zero while the snow continues to relentlessly attack like a rebel army.  Given that I’m stuck inside my house, à la Bon Iver, I thought this would be a perfect time to give a shoutout to the hip hop linguists that kept me entertained in the ‘08.  This may not have been the greatest year for us beatheads, but there were definitely a few jams to be found in the hip hop landfill.  Check it:

1. Wale - The Crazy

Wale has been the ‘next big thing’ for a hot minute now, and his potential shone through again this year on the Seinfeld inspired ‘Mixtape About Nothing’.

2. Kid Cudi - Day ‘N’ Night

Cudi, Kanye’s newest labelmate, comes correct on the definitive stoner anthem for the ‘08.

3. Jake One - The Truth ft. Freeway & Brother Ali

Rocafella meets Rhymesayers in this collabo brokered by Seattle producer Jake One.

4.  The Knux - Cappuccino

Fresh out of N’awlins, The Knux channeled their inner Outkast and constructed one of the finest (and only) odes to everyone’s favorite steamed milk concoction.

5. The Cool Kids - Action Figures

Boom-bap rap was back in a big way courtesy of The Cool Kids - now if I could only find my shell toes…

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And just for good measure: Flight of the Conchords - Hiphopopotamus vs. Rhymenocerous