Macklin's Top 10 albums To Draw To

Here is a meme & great excuse to talk about music I like, started by Post your own via his frame here: [link]

It was hard to whittle it down to 10 albums. I listen to music I can nod my head to and/or sing along with. Less thinking = mo’better drawing. These are my go to joints when not listening to audiobooks or podcasts.

1.Bone Thugs n Harmony - East 1999
Hooked on them since 1994. Not really singing, but dig the machine gun lyrics + harmony. Original. Standout Joint: Down 71 / [link]

2.Qwel - If It Ain't Been in the Pawn Shop, Then it Can't Play the Blues
Probably my favorite rapper when all said and done. A real writer; his songs are like great book chapters. Shakespeare poetry rap. Lots of replay value on this album. Emotion + insight + lyrics + intelligence means it's never far from my earbuds. Standout Joint: Good Friday / [link]

3.Blu - HerFavoriteColo(u)r
Another poet. He just writes and edits and makes his shit better. This album is short and sweet, makes it easy to replay. I watched "Closer" because of this album. Standout Joint: Since / [link]

4.Science Fiction - Walls Don't Exist
I got this album and played it so much I made myself stop as to no tire of it. Science Fiction is Nigerian born Wale Oyejide. I think it's best in is entirety and not chopped as singles. Its a soundtrack with no movie. I wish he still made music instead of practicing law. Standout Joint: Je Reve De Vous, Et Je Me Reveille En Pleurs (I Dream Of You And Me I WakeUp In Tears) / [link]

5. Madvillain - Madvillainy
MF Doom + Madlib produced my favorite album from both of them. They both seem to be different branches from the same tree and bear awesome fruit. Doom's wit mixes well with Madlib's beat chopping and sample choices. Dope Beats + Dope Rhymes. Standout Joint: Rhinestone Cowboy / [link]

6.Scaramanga - Seven Eyes, Seven Horns
Late 90s Underground Hip Hop at its finest. Scaramanga Shallah is also Sir Menelik, a known associate of Kool Keith. He has an intricate, unorthodox flow, that rhymes words mid-sentence. He paints awesome scenes with adjectives + nouns. Original. I can't figure how writes songs. Standout Joints: Mind I C Mine (bought the album off the 2nd verse), Seven Eyes, Seven Horns / [link] / [link]

7.Skyzoo - The Salvation
Skyzoo's first official album, it showcases even more of his great new era lyrics. This album puts me in the mind of a young, hungry Jay-Z. I like this album because it takes a few listens between the lines to catch his subtext-heavy form of storytelling. His verses are like hip hop, Russian matryoshka dolls. Great for replay value. Skyzoo is a great writer and has a talent for crafting good songs. He has only gotten better since The Salvation. Standout Joint: Dear Whoever / [link]

8.Benny Sings - Benny At Home
Don't remember how I cam across Dutch artist, Benny Sings, but I'm glad I did. This album is just feel good music through and through. It has awesome melodies, which Benny matches with great writing and singing. This album comes in handy during a late night session over a desk or at the computer; reminds you that its always sunny someplace and life is grand. Standout Joint: Over My Head / [link]

9.The Flaming Lips - The Dark Side of the Moon / Embryonic
I listened to both of these albums like a double album since they came out on the same year. I can put them on and not have to skip any tracks. I picture the music being for a heist film. I find I can write to these albums without distraction. Extra points for that. Standout Joints: Speak to Me / Breathe / [link]

10.Sarah Vaughan - Its a Man's World
I love old jazz songs. They remind me of my grandmother. These songs also remind me of stories or scenes from stories. Sarah Vaughan's voice is so lush and full it seems hard for the instruments to keep up. Great for late night or rainy day work. Standout Joint: Alfie / [link]