(Pictured above, clockwise: Kelela, Skyzoo, Lorrine Chia, ForteBowie, Lucki Eck$, and Adrian Marcel)
25 Dope Records From 2013 That You Probably Missed Out On:
We can all agree that 2013 was a beautiful year for music. Whether it was our favorite mainstream artist(s) surprising us with albums that we didn’t even know we were waiting for–or some of our indie favorites delivering amazing mixtapes and maybe even a breakout record or two, we saw it all. Unfortunately, with the overwhelmingly high traffic of (free) music in the Internet Age, and in the midst of breakout records like Chance The Rapper’s Acid Rap and Action Bronson’s much talked-about Blue Chips 2, it’s easy for tons of other great artists to get lost in the mix. However, have no fear – The good folks at Sicker Than Your Avg are here to shed some light on some of the dopest records that you may have missed in 2013. This includes records that you may have vaguely heard about, but ended up never really getting around to listening to. For whatever reasons, these records managed to cruise under the radar. Some of you may already be well-acquainted with all of these records, and in that case, congratulations *cue confetti*! Now for the rest of you, continue reading to check out the list (we have DOWNLOAD LINKS), and prepare to e x p a n d your playlists.
*List is in no particular order.*
1. Skyzoo & Antman Wonder – Ode to Reasonable Doubt 
Brooklyn heavyweight Skyzoo pays homage to the album Jay-Z considers his very greatest. Just like Elzhi did with his Illmatic tribute, Elmatic, Skyzoo does more than just re-make a classic – he completely re-invents and reinterprets it. Oh…and the production here is f l a w l e s s. This is a must have for any Hip-Hop fan. No excuse.
2. Lorine Chia – Naked Truths 
Coming in like a sharp gust of fresh air from “The City of Wind” Lorine Chia’s debut free album, Naked Truths is a gem. Chia is a young artist with a strong sense of style that leaves her standing out from the pack. Her music seamlessly flows from being soulful and jazzy to dancehall influenced with hiphop being thrown in the mix–keeping listeners on their toes. Two standout tracks are Lorine’s hard-hitting, chest bumping “Bout It” and her excellent cover of Nina Simone’s iconic “Strange Fruit”. Look at our girl Toyosi’s video review of the album below.
3. Vince Staples – Stolen Youth 
Rising MC, Vince Staples, links up with Larry Fisherman (Mac Miller’s producer-alter-ego) for his latest effort, Stolen Youth. Hailing from Long Beach, California, Staples carries the elusive skill of delivering dope lines without seeming to ever really try. Mr. Fisherman gets an “A” for his production, and Mr. Staples gets an “A” for his vivid, meaningful, struggle-filled rhymes.
4. Elbee Thrie (of Phony PPl) – 53,000 
Surely, many of you have heard of the Hip-Hop collective, Phony PPL. However, the name “Elbee Thrie” likely does not ring a bell. His solo effort, 53000, will definitely do something to change that. This is one of the most catchy, fun-filled Hip-Hop you will hear in a while. His relatable topics and his infectious, outside-the-box production, will have you grinning from ear to ear and nodding your head at the same time.
5. Tinashe – Black Water 
Some people are just blessed. Not only is Tinashe quite attractive…she also has a beautiful voice, and has been blessed with beautiful production to match. The very first track, “Black Water” will have you completely hooked on this mixtape. Whether or not R&B is your favorite genre, you will find it very difficult to ignore the pure beauty of this EP.
6. Fortebowie – Vice Haus: Deluxe 
Atlanta upstart and triple-threat (producer/singer/rapper) ForteBowie is another one to keep your eyes on in 2014. Coming from Atlanta, an area where there seems to be a never-ending cycle of new, short-lived styles and movements may make it hard for a new artist to stand out in an impactful way; but with Vice Haus: Deluxe young Forte let’s you know he’s here to do just that. Don’t get it twisted though, ForteBowie is an unapologetic ATLien. Garnering Peaches’ (from Outkast’s Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik) stamp of approval, Vice Haus: Deluxe weaves in sounds of Atlanta–new and old. A standout track on Vice Haus: Deluxe is “Gang Affiliated”, a thuggish love song of sorts featuring Chicago’s reigning queen of Drill music, Katie Got Bands. Ultimately, Vice Haus: Deluxe makes for a delightful, simmering musical gumbo of various sounds.
7. Adrian Marcel – 7 Days of Weak 
The good folks here at SickerThanYourAvg love Raphael Saadiq, so naturally, we expect a lot from his prodigy. Adrian Marcel does not disappoint. This tape is extremely dope – R&B with a little edge to it. The production is beautiful too.
8. Cocaine 80s – Flower of Life 
At this point, wonderful music is basically expected from music’s most-known, unknown mysterious collective–Cocaine 80s. Cocaine 80s most recent release–Flower Of Life falls right into step with fans’ high expectations. Simply put, the Flower of Life EP is composed of: beautiful songwriting, beautiful production, and James Fauntleroy’s beautiful voice. What more could you ask for?
9. Obie Iyoha – The Low Key 
We came across this young, Nigerian-American, Ann-Arbor MC about a year ago and have been impressed ever since. His debut, The Low Key is one of the most relatable mixtapes 2013 has to offer. In addition to his relatable subject matter, his smooth flow and beat selection make The Low Key a highly enjoyable listen.
10. Tiny Hearts – Stay EP 
Even in today’s internet age, in which “different” is the in-thing, you’ll be hard-pressed to find an EP as unique as this one. This Detroit collective blends genres, breaks rules, steps out of the box, etc. The production on this EP can best be described as “dream-like”. If you’re looking for something new to vibe to, this is perfect.
11. MdotForMayor – Models Suck 
LA based video director and producer, Mdotformayor curates a free compilation album called Models Suck. Entirely produced by Mdotformayor himself, Models Suck serves as one big West Coast underground affair featuring everyone from Mibbs and Like of Pac Div to Thurz. Despite of an occasional misstep or two, Models Suck makes for a nice, breezy listen.
12. Kitty Cash – Love The Free 
Brooklyn based DJ, Kitty Cash collects some of the dopest underground “alternative R&B” singers for her Love The Free mixtape. Peppered with her signature coy meows, you’ll be delighted to hear a great mix of music–featuring everyone from Phony PPL to Vic Mensa, The GTW and Kelela. Listen to Love The Free and you might just discover a new favorite artist while enjoying the good vibes.
13. MoRuf – Shades Of Moo 
We don’t do favorites…but this was probably our favorite mixtape of 2013. This Nigerian-American MC from New Jersey has blessed us with a jewel. This is pure Soul-Hop at it’s finest. His lyrics and flow are meaningful and smooth, respectively. The beats…beautiful. This is a free gem.
14. Lucki Eck$ – Alternative Trap 
At 17-years-old, Chicago-bred MC is the youngest on our list. Despite of his young age, Lucki displays a certain type of ease on the mic that’s far from novice in nature. With Lucki’s debut mixtape Alternative Trap, listeners can hear the young MC carefully putting a stamp on his own sound within the burgeoning Chicago music scene. As indicated by the mixtape’s title look to Alternative Trap for mellow songs focused on cold, hard hustle contrasted with carefully selected spacey beats–along with clever wordplay. Alternative Trap cements Lucki as another rising Chicago act to keep your eyes on in 2014.
15. Add-2 x Khrysis – Between Heaven & Hell
If any member Jamla Records (9th Wonder’s soul-filled record label) is putting out a record, nothing less than greatness is expected. Between Heaven and Hell is pure, classic Hip-Hop. The type that, unfortunately, doesn’t tend to get attention from your local radio station. Add-2 is a brilliant MC…one of the best on this list. Very few producers today deliver beats that knock as hard as Khrysis’ beats.
16. Jesse Boykins III – P.O.P (Purpose Or People)
Romantic Movement front man Jesse Boykins’ latest release P.O.P. (Purpose Or People) displays the singer mainly delivering stirring covers of various songs, spanning over different genres–while also sprinkling in some remixes and new original music. With Boykins’ sensual vocals, he manages to inject a yearning type of soulfulness into his music that is equally moody as it is calming. P.O.P. has the same effect as a tall glass of cold water on a hot summers day creating for music that is an experience.
17. KR – I$0lyf3 2
At 18-years-old, this young L.A. MC has skills beyond his years. His beat selection is wonderful, and his flow and lyricism are sharp. Don’t sleep on this young man.
18. Nickelus F. & Ohbliv – Yellow Gold 2
Many know Nickelus F. from his past work with Drake. Hip-Hop fans should pay more attention to his solo work – his flow is amazing. His wit meshes perfectly with Ohbliv’s grimy/soulful boom-bap production.
19. The Foreign Exchange – Love In Flying Colors
The Foreign Exchange is not afraid to sounds old-school. What makes it great is that, despite their retro feel, their music is fresh and can be thoroughly enjoyed by our generation (especially if you have ever been referred to as an “Old Soul”). This is soulful, jazzy, danceable, and relaxing all at the same time.
Buy the album on iTunes HERE.
20. After The Smoke – Microwaves 
With a group name like “After The Smoke” and a mixtape title like Microwaves, one generally doesn’t know what to expect when approaching this project. Well, with Microwaves the Florida-based duo (made up of producer Speek and songwriter/lyricist Whuzi) deliver stream of conscious type rhymes and airy vocals, over laid-back, funk tinged tracks that morph into woozy techno influenced beats. All of this makes for one refreshingly unusual mixtape.
21. Tree – Sunday School 2: When Church Lets Out 
Hip-Hop talent abounds in Chicago. Tree is one MC from the Windy City that you may not have heard of…yet. His gravelly, impassioned delivery, along with his unique production style (which he refers to as “SoulTrap”) make this mixtape one of the more unique releases of 2013. Watch out.
22. Rikki Blu – XXXII 
Hailing from Dallas, Texas (and residing in Tennessee) Rikki Blu may be one of the nicest young up-and-coming rappers hailing from south of the Mason-Dixon line. Rikki makes a stake for that claim with XXXIII, his latest release–produced entirely by 20-year-old Memphis, Tennessee producer Cody Jordan. Along with coming off as extremely genuine, Rikki is a passionate rapper delivering lines with such conviction that you can’t help but feel whatever he says. On XXXIII Rikki Blu gives listeners honest introspective glimpses on his life’s struggles, over Cody’s diverse beats. A standout track is the raucous “Jordan” featuring friend and recent TDE signee, Isaiah Rashad along with Michael Da Vinci. The bass booming track was described by a fan as sounding like, “a real n*gga convention” and it sounds like just that; with each rapper talking their sh*t.
23. Prodigy & Alchemist – Albert Einstein 
This Queensbridge veteran just never dies. Prodigy links up with the unofficial third member of Mobb Deep to show us, yet again, why he’s one of the greats. Alchemist, of course, never fails us in the production department. If you’re a Hip-Hop head, you’ll enjoy this. Buy the album on iTunes HERE.
24. Kelela – Cut 4 Me
In an era of music comprised of singers with breathy, barely there vocals Kelela Mizanekristos is a welcomed change. Kelela’s debut mixtape, Cut 4 Me takes you on a fantasy adventure. Backed by the sound of throbbing drums and energetic 80s pop and dance influenced production–Kelea’s enchanting voice holds a fiery passion that seems to be on the decline. Kelela doesn’t quite fit into the box of any particular genre and we like it that way.
25. Kool John – Peace, Love, Shmoplife 
Almost exactly a year ago, HBK crew member and Richmond, California native Kool John released his debut official mixtape, Peace, Love & Shmoplife. Kool John’s simple rhymes are effective through the assistance of bouncing production from frequent collaborators like: Iamsu, P-Lo and Kuya Beats–making for catchy, care-free, party music. Lighten up and have fun rocking to this one.
Honorable Mentions:
Sicker Than Your Average 