Ayo, It's Halftime: Top 10 Hip Hop Albums of 2010 (So Far) - In Haiku Form!

Back in elementary school, my English professor taught our class about haikus. Describing the well-known 5-7-5 syllable structure, she explained that this was actually a simplification of the original Japanese standard of haiku form. But in the end, she basically said "fuck it" and told us to come up with whatever 5-7-5 nonsense we could conjure up. I guess she assumed we'd never revisit haiku writing later on in life. Wrong again, teach'! Why is this list in haiku form? Why not? It's partially inspired by Chris Weingarten's 1,000 Times Yes album reviews - restrained by the limitations of 140 characters or less, for better or for worse. Maybe it's got something to do with that saké I had two nights ago (regrettably, not in a Suzuki in Osaka Bay). Yeah, maybe that's it. Apparently this trend is already in full-swing, so while I'm (always) open to positive comments, complaints can be directed to these guys.

One quick note before I get into the list: In the previous decade, semitically(?)-induced compulsiveness urged me to keep albums separated from mixtapes. The notion of a grey area was unacceptable. When Danger Mouse dropped The Grey Album, I had to make a tough decision and toss it into the 'mixtapes' pile. Those days are long gone. In the digital age where Drake can put out a 'mixtape' that's better than most peoples' albums - and, ironically, better than his own album - it's difficult to differentiate between the two. These days, mixtapes are rarely even, um, mixed - let alone on tape cassettes. What do you call a full-length Bandcamp upload? I've learned to stop worrying and love the malbums (mixtapes/albums). I don't differentiate between mixtapes and albums anymore, and this list reflects that new life decision I've made. Okay, here we go...

10.
Jadakiss - The Champ Is Here 3 (w/DJ Green Lantern & DJ Drama)

The streets were starving
The Last Kiss was pop and wack
Champ Is Here? Straight crack

Download:
The Champ Is Here 3

9.
Dom Kennedy - From the Westside, With Love

Drake of the west coast?
Could be, minus the self-pity
Spits hungrier too

Download:
From the Westside, With Love

8.
Freeway & Jake One - The Stimulus Package

No Just Blaze? No prob!
Jake One, beast on the boards and
Great collab partner

Purchase:
The Stimulus Package

7.
Raekwon - Cocainism Vol. 2 (w/Brinks Boyz)

Cuban Linx for free
Purple Tape 3 on budget
Kiss the chef again

Download:
Cocainism Vol. 2

6.
Yelawolf - Trunk Muzik (w/DJ Burn One)

Reps Alabama
Spits like Cleveland and Chi-Town
South rises again

Download:
Trunk Muzik

5.
Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx - The eXXecution

Polo drops heat rocks
Ruste spits with flames to match
Straight up gritty rap

Purchase:
The eXXecution

4.
Nas & Damian Marley - Distant Relatives

"Get Up, Stand Up" raps
Tracks seem disjointed at times
Message reigns supreme

Purchase:
Distant Relatives