6 (or more) "Honorable Mentions" that should have made my "Top 10 Hot Joints of 2003" List

1. Black Eyed Peas :: Elephant
   BEP are a wonderful hip-hop group that finally broken the mold and secured themselves a top ten pop hit "Where's The Love." Unfortunately, urban radio refused to support the group thinking they sold out because they hooked up with Justin Timberlake on the track. It's a damn shame that most of the urban programmers at local black radio stations are so narrow-minded.

2. Jaylib :: Champion Sound
   This project from producer-rappers Madlib and Jay Dee was thisclose to making it on the list. It's not a bad CD at all, in fact, I think this collection was the best thing to come out of Los Angeles this year.

3. The Souljahz :: The Fault Is History
   I don't listen to gospel music. I really don't care for it because it can get downright sanctimonious and boring. That is, until I heard The Souljahz's second CD The Fault Is History. The spiritual trio are indeed the Fugees of gospel. With a little more work on the lyrical and production end, this group has a great chance to explode onto the R&B/pop market.

4. R. Kelly :: Chocolate Factory
   Chocolate Factory is the guilty pleasure of 2003. If he didn't have child-pornography charges hanging over his head, the R. would probably be the toast of American popular music right about now. His workaholic pace this year on the production end (blessing tracks for B2K, Isley Brothers, Nick Cannon and others) was mind-boggling.

5. Smokie Noriful :: I Need You Know
   
6. Meshell Ndegeocello :: Comfort Woman
   
7. Jay-Z :: The Black Album
   
8. Freeway :: Philadelphia Freedom
   
9. Madlib :: Shades Of Blue
   

The Top 10 Bangers & Ballads of 2003

1. "Hey Ya" — OutKast
2. "You Don't Know My Name" — Alicia Keys
3. "Find A Way" — Dwele
4. "Touch" — Seal
5. "My Crew" — Jean Grae
6. "The Yo-Yo" — Little Brother
7. "Say" — Kem
8. "21 Questions" — 50 Cent
9. "I Need You Know" — Smokie Norful
10. "No Letting Go" — Wayne Wonder

6 (or more) "Honorable Mentions" of songs that should have made my "Top 10 Bangers & Ballads of 2003" List

1. "Flipside" — Freeway (Featuring Peedi Crack)
2. "Far Away" — Kindred The Family Soul
3. "It's All Real" — Pitch Black
4. "The Red" — Jaylib
5. "Seenit You" — Anthony Hamilton
6. "Rain On Me" — Ashanti
7. "More And More" — Joe