There’s one life/One love/So there can only be one king –Nas “The Message”   Last year, AllHipHop.com held the first annual Kings of Hip-Hop. The purpose of the 4 part series was to select an artist from each region (East, West, South, and Midwest) that made the most lasting impact in 2009. While other factors such as business-savvy and promotional campaigns were considered, above all the quality of the music was the deciding factor for each winner. Without further adieu, let’s kick off matters with the region the originated the art form we all love, the East.   Inaugural 2008 Winner-Nas   As in 2008, it was the veterans who remained at the mainstream forefront of East Coast Hip-Hop. Jay-Z, Nas, and 50 Cent kept their names buzzing throughout the year; sometimes for great reasons (Blueprint 3, Distant Relatives), and other times for issues beyond the music (Nas-Kelis Divorce, 50-Rick Ross beef).   Unlike last year, this region had strong, critically-acclaimed music being offered for those who were wise enough to turn off the radio. Artists like Skyzoo (The Salvation), Marco Polo and Torae (Double Barrel), Wale (Attention Deficit), and The Clipse (Til the Casket Drops) are just some of the acts that showed the East has the talent and music quality to compete with any other region.     Jay-Z After a lukewarm 2008 reception to the single “Jockin’ Jay-Z,” and worry amongst fans about the quality of Blueprint 3, Jay-Z delivered a solid effort with BP3’s September release.   The Roc-Nation lead-off album was one of the most anticipated projects of the year, and its #1 Billboard debut gave Jay his 11th #1 album, shattering the previous solo act record held by Elvis Presley. The album has spawned 5 charting singles, 2 of which in the top 3 (“Empire State of Mind,” “Run This Town”).   Award-wise, Jay cleaned up in 2009 at the American Music Awards (Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Artist, Favorite Rap/Hip-Hop Album), the BET Hip-Hop Music Awards (Lyricist of the Year, Best Live Performer, MVP of the Year, and Hustler of the Year), and was named Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums Artist of the Decade.   Outside the booth, the Brooklyn mogul kept in brand visible through smart marketing such as a taking Oprah to his old Marcy Projects stomping grounds, and performing “Empire State of Mind” with Alicia Keys during the World Series. Additionally, Jay joined Will Smith in backing the $11 million dollar Broadway production on the life of Afro-Beat founder and music legend Fela Kuti.   Despite a trio of vocal detractors (The Game, 50 Cent, Beanie Sigel) throughout the year, Jay-Z chose to ignore the shots outside of a few interview comments.   In 2010, look for him to build the Roc-Nation around new protégé J Cole.   Standout Songs: “What We Talkin’ About,” “Thank You,” “Empire State of Mind”     50 Cent With Before I Self-Destruct being plagued by pushbacks, 50 Cent utilized beefs with Rick Ross and Jay-Z to keep his name afloat throughout 2009.   The Rick Ross battle, ignited by the Miami emcees barbs on “Mafia Music,” spiraled away from traditional diss tracks to cartoon clips, video stalking of DJ Khaled’s mother, and Ross’ son’s mother joining forces with 50.   In June and July, 50 returned to his mixtape stomping grounds with the well-received War Angel, and the 90’s R&B throwback project Forever King.   When the Ross feud’s luster began to wane by summer’s end, 50 turned attention to Jay-Z, prompted by the Brooklynite’s declaration that “no one was afraid of 50 Cent.” Recruiting Beanie Sigel, 50 turned heads by unleashing the former Roc enforcer on his former mentor (“I Go Off”).   The Queens native capped his year with the release of his fourth studio album, Before I Self-Destruct. Due to the combination of numerous pushbacks, a month early leak, and mixed reviews, the project yielded him his lowest opening week sales ever (160,000, #5 on Billboard). For the first time, the perceived flop opened up the G Unit mogul to ridicule in an area he previously dominated.   Still, with a memorable beef and successful extracurricular activities like the Robert Greene assisted book The 50th Law, 50 Cent remained a visible fixture throughout Hip-Hop in 2009.   Standout Songs: “Psycho,” “Death to My Enemies,” “Get the Message”     Joe Budden Internet antics aside, Joe Budden put together a strong ledger of music in 2009.   In January, the Jersey City lyricist’s mouth got him in trouble with another emcee, this time Saigon. The two impressed fans with a gradual but distinct increase in lyrical potency with their series of disses, most notable Budden’s “Pain In His Life” and Saigon’s “Pushing Buddens.” Unfortunately, a truce rendered an anticlimactic cease-fire before a clear winner emerged.   The encounter served Budden well in promoting February’s Padded Room album. Despite questionable production choices, the LP’s earned solid marks for the honest, raw emotion of tracks like “In My Sleep” and “I Couldn’t Help It.”   A few months later, Budden challenged Method Man’s skills under the guise of their placements on Vibe’s Greatest Emcees of All Time list. After a few instigative interviews, Budden’s mouth would have dire consequences when a Wu-Tang entourage member assaulted him during a Raekwon interrogation at a Rock the Bells concert.   That same month, Joe Budden put the focus back on music. He gave his devoted fans another full-length LP in Escape Route, and his integral participation in the critically acclaimed Slaughterhouse debut.   The embarrassing blog soap opera saga with ex Tahiry and assault at the hands of Raekwon can’t be ignored, but these incidents are not enough to overshadow the work Budden put in behind the mic.   For 2010, let’s hope they hope the talk of Internet will be quality of the forthcoming The Great Escape, and not Budden’s latest over the top video blog.   Standout Songs: “Pain In His Life,” “I Couldn’t Help It,” “Escape Route Intro”   […]