Rapture & Verse #29: The 2013 Concluder

The wrap-up for the year's beats and rhymes...

Was it Jay-Z’s or Kanye’s? Did Eminem have dibs over Drake? Was your money on 2 Chainz or Macklemore? Was New York back, or left behind? Or was it UK over US, hands down?

Who exactly did 2013 belong to?

Rapture & Verse sure as hell doesn’t know. Despite contenting ourselves with a successful forecast of Action Bronson putting in work (the odds were favourable, but hey, a win’s a win), we were done scratching our heads raw.

So instead, we outsourced the poser to a crack team of inside scoopers (and Rapture & Verse regulars) and told ‘em to tell us who were the kings of the calendar year. Want a mishmash mixed with a hotchpotch and a touch of completely modest self-promotion? Have it your way, baby.

(BTW, the answer is pretty much “none of the above”.)

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The Last Skeptik (pictured) (@TheLastSkeptik)                                                            

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion, was…

Highly emotional…



Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…

The Last Skeptik – ‘Thanks For Trying’.

Hip-hop’s best video in 2013 was… 
The Last Skeptik – ‘Pick Your Battles’.

The best online hip-hop column is…

Rapture & Verse, baby!

The Last Skeptik – ‘Pick Your Battles’

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Stig Of The Dump (@StigOfTheDumpUK)                                                         

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion, was…
Exciting, addictive, disappointing, annoying, innovative, stagnant, incredible, boring, anti-establishment, a tool for corporate gain, full of forward-thinking artists, full of money- and fame-hungry bottom feeders, a joy to be part of, a burden in my life, how I paid my rent, why I was always late paying my rent, something I couldn’t live without, something I couldn’t get away from, the reason I travelled the world, the reason I wanted to stay in and watch films and documentaries, the reason I lost respect for old friends, the reason I gained new friends, the be all and end all of my life, and an abusive spouse who I am completely besotted with.

Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…
Run The Jewels – ‘Run The Jewels’.

Hip-hop’s best video in 2013 was…
Tyler, The Creator – ‘IFHY’.

Tyler, The Creator – ‘IFHY’

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Chemo aka Telemachus (@chemouk)                                                            

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion, was…
Not quite as good as 2012 in my humble opinion. Lots of people got quite hysterical about a particular Kendrick Lamar verse where he said he thought he was better than some other rappers. Wow, what a shock.

Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…
Ka – ‘The Night’s Gambit’. Intelligent, grown-man hip-hop, suitable for late-night bus trips and chilly Novembers, chopping oak in the shed.

Hip-hop’s best video in 2013 was… 
Blue Daisy presents Dahlia Black – ‘F*ck a Rap Song’. This director is really tops. I tried to replicate the technique used in this video myself, but I just ended up with bits of crayon everywhere.

The best online hip-hop column is…
This one. Matt Oliver, he’s the f*cking guy.

Blue Daisy presents Dahlia Black – ‘F*ck A Rap Song’

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Beans, ex-Anti-Pop Consortium (@mrballbeam)                                               

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion, was…
Some good, some bad, and a LOT of the same.

Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…
Run The Jewels – ‘Run The Jewels’ or Death Grips – ‘Government Plates’.

Death Grips – ‘Government Plates’

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Paul White (@paulwhitemusic)                                                                    

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion, was…
Interesting to see the new forms it’s taking. Also a year that made me realise sampling isn’t always the way!

Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…
Danny Brown – ‘OLD’.

Hip-hop’s best video in 2013 was… 
Step Brothers – ‘Step Masters’.

The best monthly online hip-hop column is…
Rapture & Verse, obviously!

Step Brothers – ‘Step Masters’

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Akira The Don (@akirathedon)

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion, was…
Finally ingrained in everything, everywhere. A universal force for transcendence, mankind’s greatest achievement, the singularity defined in 5D sound.

Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…
T.O.P. – ‘Doom Dada’.

Hip-hop’s best video in 2013 was… 
G-Dragon – ‘Coup d’etat’.

The best monthly online hip-hop column is…
RIGHT HERE BUBBA! SPLASH!

G-Dragon – ‘Coup d’etat’

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Apex Zero (@ApexZero00)                                                                           

Hip-hop in 2013, in my opinion was…
Better than it has been for a long time, especially in the UK. There’s been a rebirth or revival or renaissance – whatever you wanna call it – of intelligent, thought-provoking tracks with banging beats. The level is higher than it’s been for a long time.

Hip-hop’s best release in 2013 was…
Caxton Press’ double-A-side vinyl ‘This Ain’t Living’/‘Hunger’. I’ve heard some tracks off the new album and it’s gonna be fire.

Hip-hop’s best video in 2013 was…
The Global Faction video for my track, ‘Absolute Zero’. They brought some next energy out of us in the shoot and the edit is deadly. If I can’t say that, then A.M.S’s video for RE3CO’s track ‘These R The Times’.

Apex Zero – 'Absolute Zero'  

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Words: Matt Oliver, and guests

This is but a selection of replies Rapture & Verse received on the subject of what hip-hop was in 2013 – look for more input in January’s column.

Find previous R&V columns here

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