10 Best Hip-Hop Albums From The First Half Of 2019
2. Boogie - Everythings For Sale
Compton Rapper Boogie's debut album on Eminem's Shady Records begins with a gunshot and police commotion. The noise smooths out into a beautiful piano instrumental, with our introduction to Boogie, rapping "Ain't no point in using weapons, I'm at war with my reflection." This war with oneself is central to Boogie as a person, and his ability to convey this internal struggle through skits, his lyrics, and often melancholy instrumentals make this album a coming-out party for him.
Problems with his significant other, learning how to be a father, and attempting to find himself as an artist are all themes that define this project, as Boogie attempts to make sure the casket depicted in the album's cover art doesn't carry him in it.
If you have time for only one song from this album, make it "Skydive II".
Over sparse acoustic guitar, Boogie feels himself running out of time while also wasting that time mired in nostalgia. He laments how the situation with his partner has gone sour, and feels helpless towards changing it. 6lack comes in on a similar note, rapping "Another 24 gone wishing I had 25."