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So, it's my birthday next week and I thought it would be fun to make a playlist of all the songs that has affected me in some way. These are songs that has been and some of them still are my favorite songs. Some of them aren't even necessarily songs that I liked, but which reminds me of something or someone. I divided the lists in four to represent certain parts of my life. So, here we go. Welcome to my life.

Part One - From birth to age 12
1. Backstreet Boys - Get Down (You're the One for Me)
2. Five - Everybody Get Up
3. Take That - How Deep Is Your Love
4. XL5 - Kaunis peto
5. 2Pac - California Love feat. Dr. Dre
6. Snoop Dogg -Who Am I (What's My Name?)
7. Xzibit - Paparazzi
8. Naughty by Nature - Hip Hop Hooray
9. MC Hammer - U Can't Touch This
10. Marky Mark & The Funky Bunch - Good Vibrations
11. Bomfunk MC's - Freestyler
12. DJ Jazzy Jeff & The Fresh Prince - Parent's Just Don't Understand
13. Dr. Dre - Let Me Ride
14. Nas - The World Is Yours
15. Warren G & Nate Dogg - Regulate
16. Notorious B.I.G. - Juicy
17. Bon Jovi - Livin' On A Prayer
18. Fintelligens - Kaikki tietää

Part Two - Between ages 13-15

1. Avain - Markus
2. Helpus - Sillalla
3. Beastie Boys - Paul Revere
4. Run-D.M.C. - It's Like That
5. Eric B. & Rakim - Eric B. Is President
6. Ice Cube - It Was A Good Day
7. Slick Rick - La-Di-Da-Di
8. Master P - I Miss My Homies feat. Pimp C, Silkk tha Shocker, Sons Of Funk, Mo B. Dick & O'Dell
9. D12 - Good Die Young
10. The Pharcyde - Passing Me By
11. Scarface - I Seen a Man Die
12. Jay-Z - Dead Presidents II
13. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - Tha Crossroads
14. Linkin Park - One Step Closer
15. Westside Connection - Bow Down
16. Jamiroquai - Virtual Insanity
17. The Chemical Brothers - Hey Boy Hey Girl
18. Jari Sillanpää - Kaduilla tuulee

Part Three: Between ages 16-18

1. The Sugarhill Gang - Rapper's Delight
2. Michael Jackson - Thriller
3. Kanye West - Diamonds From Sierra Leone
4. Egotrippi - Nämä ajat eivät ole meitä varten
5. Dizzee Rascal - Jus' a Rascal
6. Jurassic 5 - What's Golden
7. Usher - Yeah! feat. Lil Jon & Ludacris
8. Coldplay - Talk
9. Sam Cooke - A Change Is Gonna Come
10. Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
11. Marvin Gaye - I Heard It Through The Grapevine
12. James Brown - Get Up Offa That Thing
13. Smokey Robinson & The Miracles - The Tracks Of My Tears
14. Robin Thicke - When I Get U Alone
15. Jamie Cullum - Singin' In The Rain
16. Bell X1 - Eve, The Apple Of My Eye
17. The Kooks - Ooh La
18. The Thrills - Don't Steal Our Sun

Part 4 - From 19 to Present Day

1. Radiohead - high and dry
2. Panic at the Disco - Build God, Then We'll Talk
3. Muse - Uprising
4. Billy Talent - Red Flag
5. The Killers - When You Were Young
6. Snow Patrol - Chasing Cars
7. Secondhand Serenade - Why
8. Keane - Somewhere Only We Know
9. Cobra Starship - Damn You Look And I'm Drunk (S.C.A.N.D.A.L.O.U.S.)
10. 3OH!3 - Starstrukk
11. Ronnie Day - Call My Name
12. Mika - Lollipop
13. Loost Koos - Kotka päälle feat. Edu Kehäfaija
14. Redrama - Music
15. T.I. - Live Your Life feat. Rihanna
16. Lupe Fiasco - Paris, Tokyo
17. Asa - Varkaan laulu
18.Flo-Rida - Low feat. T-Pain
19. N*E*R*D - Spaz

So, that's it. My musical history in a nutshell. It was fun sharing it with you :)

1.How did you get into 31? Jurassic 5
I knew something about their music before that, but it wasn't until Power in Numbers came out, that I really started to listen to them. What's Golden was first track of theirs that fell in love with, and it's still one of my favorites.

2.What's the first song you ever heard by 22? Pharrell
Well, Can I Have It Like That ft. Gwen Stefani, but of course I started with N*E*R*D

3.What's your favorite lyrics by 29? The Killers
"You sit there in your heartache, waiting on some beautiful boy to
To save you from your old ways. You play forgiveness
Watch it now, here he comes
He doesnt look a thing like Jesus, but he talks like a gentleman
Like you imagined, When you were young"
From When You Were Young

4.What's your favorite album by 49? Michael Jackson
Thriller

5.How many albums by 13 do you own? Dr. Dre
Two; 2001 and The Chronic

6.What is your favorite song by 50? The All-American Rejects
Gives You Hell

7.Is there a song by 5 that makes you sad? 2Pac
There are songs like that, but the first one that comes to mind is definitely Brenda's Got A Baby

8.What is your favorite song by 15? Snoop Dogg
That's easy. Who Am I (What's My Name)?

9.What is your favorite song by 4?Nas
The World Is Yours

10.Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? Jamie Cullum
Yes! Many! For example I Get A Kick Out Of You, What A Difference A Day Made and These Are The Days

11.What is your favorite album by 40? Snow Patrol
Eyes Open

12.What's your favorite song by 10? Talib Kweli
Beautiful Struggle

13.What's a good memory you have involving 33? Dizzee Rascal
Even though Bonkers isn't my favorite Dizzee song, it brings up the memory of last summer when it came out. Me and my friends listened to it a LOT and it reminds me of them <3

14.What's your favorite song by 37? Jamiroquai
Aaah, one classic song; Virtual Insanity

15.Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? OutKast
With the energy that Hey Ya! has, it should make everyone in the world happy.

16.How many times have you seen 24 live? The White Tie Affair
I've never seen them live.

17.What's the first song you ever heard by 23? N*E*R*D
I think it was Provider

18.What's your favorite album by 1? Xzibit
Do I have to choose?? Let's say... Restless

19.Who is your favorite member of 11? The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Let's give it to lead vocals, Ronnie Winter

20.Have you ever seen 14 live? Jay-Z
Nope :(

21.What is good memory involving 45? Avain
Between ages 12-15, I barely listened to anything else than Avain. His music has plenty to do with me growing up.

22.What is your favorite song by 16? Lupe Fiasco
Kick, Push

23.What is the first song you heard by 47? Jedi Mind Tricks
Could've been Animal Rap, but I'm not sure.

24.What is your favorite album by 21? Robin Thicke
The Evolution of Robin Thicke

25.What is your favorite song by 18? Run-D.M.C.
It's Like That which also has the coolest music video ever!

26.What is the first song you heard by 38? Big Daddy Kane
Raw

27.What's your favorite lyric by 3? Kanye West
"Through the fire, to the limit, to the wall
For a chance to be with you, I'd gladly risk it all
Through the fire, through whatever come what may
For a chance at loving you, I'd take it all away
Right down through the wire, even through the fire"
From Through the Wire

28.What's your favorite song by 2? Beastie Boys
This is actually easier to pick than you'd think. Because if I had to choose my favorite song of all time, just one song, it would be: Paul Revere

29.What's the first song you heard by 32? Loost Koos
Pojast miehex

30.How many times have you seen 17 live? Coldplay
Never seen them live :(

31.Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? All Time Low
Well... Poppin' (Champagne) is a fun song!

32.What is your favorite album by 12? Panic at the Disco
A Fever You Can't Sweat Out

33.What is the worst song by 46? Ritarikunta
Don't know. Can't say. Nope.

34.What's the first song you ever heard by 34? A Tribe Called Quest
And I'm seriously supposed to remember? Uhm... I'd guess it could have been Can I Kick It?

35.What's your favorite album by 42? Eric B. & Rakim
Paid In Full

36.How many times have you seen 39 live? Common
Never seen him live.

37.What is your favorite album by 36? Gnarls Barkley
St. Elsewhere

38.What was the first song you heard by 28? Ronnie Day
Ever and After

39.What is your favorite album by 7? Secondhand Serenade
A Twist In My Story

40.How did you get into 8? T.I.
I heard U Don't Know Me on MTV and after that it was clear I loved T.I.

41.What's the first song you heard by 9? 3OH!3
Don't Trust Me

42.What's your favorite lyric by 20? Proof
The whole lyrics of Kurt Cobain and here's just a part of it:
"But now on I'm all alone
Just Proof, no shine, no friends, just fans
No wonder my hands, tight where the Internet ends
I take back most of the flack
The stress smokes, press me close to the crack
Like my pops, the ghost of my past"

43.What's your favorite album by 25? Cobra Starship
Hot Mess

44.How many albums by 26 do you own? Family Force 5
One, Dance Or Die

45.What's your favorite song by 27? Gym Class Heroes
Papercuts

46.How did you get into 30? Wu-Tang Clan
I stole their cd from my sister. Sorry, sys :)

47.What's your song by 35? Asa
Varkaan laulu

48.What's your favorite album by 41? Egotrippi
Vielä koittaa uusi aika

49.How many albums by 48 do you own? Naughty by Nature
Two; Naughty By Nature and 19 Naughty III

50.How did you get into 43? The Fray
Last.fm recommended it to me :)

#: 6gig
A: Anberlin
B: Brand New
C: Circa Survive
D: Dear and the Headlights
E: Emery
F: Further Seems Forever
G: George Throgood
H: Hopesfall
I: Incubus
J: Jack's Mannequin
K: The Killing Moon
L: Lydia
M: Madina Lake
N: New Found Glory
O: The Offspring
P: person L
Q: Queen
R: The Receiving End of Sirens
S: Sparks The Rescue
T: Third Eye Blind
U: Underoath
V: Valencia
W: A Wilhelm Scream
X: Xzibit
Y: Yellowcard
Z: Zolof the Rock & Roll Destroyer

After these English alphabets I've put some of my favorite bands.

When you have read through this journal, you're supposed to write at least one (but max. 4) band after every letter. You can put bands that you don't listen to anymore but you once listened to a lot, or bands that you've just started diggin' and of course; your all time favorites.

A: Asa, Arctic Monkeys
B: Beastie Boys, Big Daddy Kane, Billy Talent, Bloc Party
C: Coldplay, The Chemical Brothers, Cobra Starship, The Cab
D: Dr. Dre, The D.O.C., Dizzee Rascal, Doug E. Fresh
E: Eric B. & Rakim, Egotrippi, EPMD, Eazy-E
F: Fintelligens, The Fray, Family Force 5, Franz Ferdinand
G: GZA, Gnarls Barkley, Gym Class Heroes
H: Hannibal & Soppa, Hieroglyphics, Heikki Kuula
I: Immortal Technique, Ice Cube, Innerpartysystem
J: Jay-Z, Jamiroquai, Jamie Cullum, James Brown
K: Kanye West, The Killers, Keane, Kool G Rap & DJ Polo
L: Lupe Fiasco, Loost Koos
M: Mika, Muse, Michael Jackson, Mobb Deep
N: N*E*R*D, Naughty by Nature, Nas, Norah Jones
O: OutKast
P: Panic at the Disco, Proof, Petter, Pharrell
Q: -
R: Run-D.M.C., Radiohead, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Ray Charles
S: Secondhand Serenade, Snoop Dogg, Snow Patrol, Slick Rick
T: Talib Kweli, T.I., A Tribe Called Quest
U: Usher
V: -
W: Wu-Tang Clan, The White Tie Affair, Wale
X: Xzibit
Y: -
Z: -

Step 1: Put your MP3 player or whatever on random.
Step 2: Post the first line from the first 30 songs that play, no matter how embarrassing.
Step 3: Bold out the songs when someone guesses both artist and track correctly.
Step 4: Looking them up on Google or any other search engine is CHEATING!
Step 5: If you like the game post your own!

1. Say my name, and his in the same breath,
I Dare you to say they taste the same

2. Hey don't miss out on what your passin
You're missin the hoota of the funky Buddha

3. Try me Try me
Darlin tell me I need you

4. You can feel the pounding wrapped around your chest
Nothing's too excessive when you've got nothing left

5. High Fidelity
Well my name, Zaakir, I’m versatile
And plus I never eat the cow if ain’t Hala'l

6. You're telling me I should forget you, but why
You're talking like I never knew you, but that's a lie

7. Goodbye humans, goodbye earth
I've left this place and all its worth

8. See I reckon you're about an 8 or a 9,
Maybe even 9 and a half in four beers time

9. Girl you don't know what you are to me
You are my baby doll

10. I know all we're doing is travelling without moving, hey hey
I know all we're doing is travelling without moving, can't stop no

11. I'm 'a hit you from the back
I'm not comming to your party

12. Open Your Eyes
All this feels strange and untrue
And I won't waste a minute without you

13. My love's like an arm chair
It's inclined to recline and sweep you off of your feet

14. Get Your Walk On
I can drink a whole Hennessey fifth
Some call that a problem but I call it a gift

15. Oh when it all, it all falls down
I'm telling you ohh, it all falls down

16. Stacks on deck, Patrone on ice
And we can pop bottles all night

17. Resistance
Is our secret safe tonight
And are we out of sight

18. Never understood how she could,
Mean so little to so many

19. You'll find it hiding in shadows
You'll find it hiding in cupboards

20. Brooklyn, Bronx, Queens and Staten
From the Battery to the top of Manhattan

21. Bedshaped
Many's the time I ran with you down
The rainy roads of our old town

22. Three little birds, sat on my window
And they told me I don't need to worry

23. Something inside the cards I know is right
Don't want to live somebody elses life

24. The lips that slip are the lips that press
And the lips that leak seem to know you best

25. Low
You see the world in black and white no colour or light
You think you'll never get it right but you know you might

26. Into the Airwaves
From an empty room on the first floor
As the cars pass by the liqour store

27. Share with me the blankets that you're wrapped in
Because it's cold outside, it's cold out side

28. The Only Difference Between Martyrdom and Suicide Is Press Coverage
Sit tight, I'm gonna need you to keep time,
come on just snap snap snap your fingers for me

29. You drew a picture of my morning
But you couldn't make my day, Hey!

30. Somebody Told Me
Breaking my back just to know your name
Seventeen tracks and I've had it with this game

Beastie Boys
Billy Talent
Bloc Party
The Cab
Coldplay
Corinne Bailey Rae
Cypress Hill
Fall Out Boy
Family Force 5
The Frames
Innerpartysystem
Jack's Mannequin
James Brown
Jamiroquai
Jurassic 5
Kanye West
Keane
The Killers
Muse
Naughty by Nature
N*E*R*D
Panic at the Disco
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus
Secondhand Serenade
Snow Patrol
The Streets
T.I.
Xzibit
3OH!3

1979-1985:
10. Too $hort - Don't Stop Rappin'
9. Kurtis Blow - Kurtis Blow
8. Sugarhill Gang - Sugarhill Gang
7. Whodini - Whodini
6. Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five - The Message
5. Run-D.M.C. - King of Rock
4. The Treacherous Three - the treacherous three
3. Whodini - Escape
2. LL Cool J - Radio
1. Run-D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C.

1986:
10. Just-Ice - Back to the Old School
9. Schoolly D - Schoolly D
8. 2 Live Crew - 2 Live Crew Is What We Are
7. Too $hort - Born to Mack
6. Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew - Oh, My God!
5. Stetsasonic - On Fire
4. Whodini - Back in Black
3. Kool Moe Dee - Kool Moe Dee
2. Beastie Boys - Licensed to Ill
1. Run-D.M.C. - Raising Hell

1987:
10. Just-Ice - Kool & Deadly
9. MC Shan - Down By Law
8. Spoonie Gee - The Godfather Of Rap
7. N.W.A - N.W.A. & The Posse
6. Ice-T - Rhyme Pays
5. Public Enemy - Yo! Bum Rush the Show
4. Kool Moe Dee - How Ya Like Me Now
3. LL Cool J - Bigger and Deffer
2. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
1. Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full

(NOTE: Since hip-hop is getting better year by year, from now I will also find some use of a "honorable mentions" list which names all left out albums that could make a top 10 spot)

1988:
10. Run-D.M.C. - Tougher Than Leather
9. Ultramagnetic MC's - Critical Beatdown
8. Eazy-E - Eazy-Duz-It
7. Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary
6. Eric B. & Rakim - Follow the Leader
5. Slick Rick - The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick
4. EPMD - Strictly Business
3. Big Daddy Kane - Long Live the Kane
2. Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
1. N.W.A - Straight Outta Compton

Honorable mentions: Goin' Off, Straight Out the Jungle, In Control, Vol. 1, In Full Gear, The World's Greatest Entertainer, Life is... Too Short, Act A Fool, He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper, Power, It Takes Two

1989:
10. Low Profile - We're In This Together
9. LL Cool J - Walking With A Panther
8. Kool Moe Dee - Knowledge Is King
7. Geto Boys - Grip It! On That Other Level
6. Ice-T - The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say
5. Boogie Down Productions - Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop
4. The D.O.C. - No One Can Do It Better
3. EPMD - Unfinished Business
2. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Road to the Riches
1. Big Daddy Kane - It's a Big Daddy Thing

Honorable mentions: Done by the Forces of Nature, Big Tyme, 3 Feet High & Rising, Paul's Boutique, The Biz Never Sleeps, Nice & Smooth, No More Mr. Nice Guy

1990:
10. Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth - Funky Technician
9. X-Clan - To the East, Backwards
8. Above the Law - Livin' Like Hustlers
7. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Wanted: Dead or Alive
6. Masta Ace - Take a Look Around
5. EPMD - Business as Usual
4. LL Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out
3. Public Enemy - Fear of a Black Planet
2. Brand Nubian - One for All
1. Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted

Honorable mentions: It's a Compton Thang, Holy Intellect, Let The Rhythm Hit 'Em, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm, Edutainment, Short Dog's in the House, Sex Packets, At Your Own Risk, Taste of Chocolate, Hispanic Causing Panic, The Geto Boys

1991:
10. Del tha Funkee Homosapien - I Wish My Brother George Was Here
9. Ice-T - O.G. Original Gangster
8. Scarface - Mr. Scarface Is Back
7. DJ Quik - Quik Is the Name
6. Gang Starr - Step In The Arena
5. Main Source - Breaking Atoms
4. Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill
3. N.W.A - Niggaz4Life
2. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
1. Ice Cube - Death Certificate

Honorable mentions: Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black, Naughty By Nature, Bitch Betta Have My Money, A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing, Straight Checkn' Em, We Can't Be Stopped, Organized Konfusion, Ain't A Damn Thing Changed, Prince of Darkness, 2Pacalypse Now, The Ruler's Back

1992:
10. Showbiz & A.G. - Runaway Slave
9. Redman - Whut? Thee Album
8. Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca and the Soul Brother
7. Compton's Most Wanted - Music to Driveby
6. Brand Nubian - In God We Trust
5. EPMD - Business Never Personal
4. Ice Cube - The Predator
3. Gang Starr - Daily Operation
2. Dr. Dre - The Chronic
1. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Live and Let Die

Honorable mentions: Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde, Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop, Dead Serious, Guerillas In Tha Mist, Way 2 Fonky, Spice 1, Shorty the Pimp, Too Hard To Swallow, Don't Sweat The Technique, Reel To Reel, Psycho Active, Return of the Funky Man

1993:
10. Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
9. 2Pac - Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.
8. Onyx - Bacdafucup
7. KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap
6. Masta Ace Inc. - Slaughtahouse
5. Big Daddy Kane - Looks Like A Job For...
4. A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
3. Black Moon - Enta Da Stage
2. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
1. Snoop Dogg - Doggystyle

Honorable mentions: No Pressure, The World Is Yours, Tha Triflin' Album, No Need For Alarm, 21 & Over, Here Comes The Lord, 93 'til Infinity, Black Mafia Life, Lethal Injection, Buhloone Mindstate

1994:
10. Redman - Dare Iz A Darkside
9. Brotha Lynch Hung - Season of da Siccness
8. Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction Agenda
7. Method Man - Tical
6. MC Eiht - We Come Strapped
5. Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die
4. Scarface - The Diary
3. Jeru the Damaja - The Sun Rises in the East
2. Gang Starr - Hard To Earn
1. Nas - Illmatic

Honorable mentions: Daddy's Home, To the Death, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Regulate... G Funk Era, The Main Ingredient, Thug Life: Volume 1, Resurrection, The Most beautifullest Thing in This World, Behind Bars, Word...Life, Shock of the Hour

1995:
10. AZ - Doe Or Die
9. Big L - Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous
8. Group Home - Livin' Proof
7. DJ Quik - Safe & Sound
6. Smif-N-Wessun - Dah Shinin'
5. KRS-One - KRS-One
4. 2Pac - Me Against the World
3. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
2. GZA/Genius - Liquid Swords
1. Mobb Deep - The Infamous

Honorable mentions: Neva Again, 4, 5, 6, Operation Stackola, Mack 10, Curb Servin', Return To The 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version, Soul Food, Dogg Food, Sittin' on Chrome, E. 1999 Eternal, Real Brothas

1996:
10. Jeru the Damaja - Wrath Of The Math
9. Fugees - The Score
8. Westside Connection - Bow Down
7. Mobb Deep - Hell on Earth
6. M.O.P. - Firing Squad
5. OutKast - ATLiens
4. Ghostface Killah - Ironman
3. 2Pac - All Eyez on Me
2. Xzibit - At the Speed of Life
1. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

Honorable mentions: Nocturnal, Illadelph Halflife, The Coming, Ridin' Dirty, Stakes Is High, Death Threatz, Muddy Waters, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory, Tha Doggfather, It Was Written, The Awakening, Autobiography of Mistachuck, Da Storm, Soul on Ice

1997:
10. Scarface - The Untouchable
9. Busta Rhymes - When Disaster Strikes
8. O.C. - Jewelz
7. Mack 10 - Based on a True Story
6. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony - The Art of War
5. EPMD - Back In Business
4. Jay-Z - In My Lifetime, Vol. 1
3. Notorious B.I.G. - Life After Death
2. Wu-Tang Clan - Wu-Tang Forever
1. Rakim - The 18th Letter

Honorable mentions: The War Report, I Got Next, For the People, The Art of War, The Villain in Black

1998:
10. DMX - It's Dark And Hell Is Hot
9. Brand Nubian - Foundation
8. Black Star - Blackstar
7. WC - The Shadiest One
6. Big Daddy Kane - Veteranz Day
5. Big Punisher - Capital Punishment
4. Xzibit - 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz
3. M.O.P. - First Family 4 Life
2. OutKast - Aquemini
1. Gang Starr - Moment Of Truth

Honorable mentions: Roots of Evil, Retaliation, Revenge & Get Back, Heavy Mental, Shut 'Em Down, Ruthless for Life, War & Peace Vol. 1 (The War Disc), Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life, IV

1999:
10. Kurupt - Tha Streetz Iz A Mutha
9. Pharoahe Monch - Internal Affairs
8. Method Man & Redman - Blackout!
7. Nas - I Am...
6. GZA/Genius - Beneath The Surface
5. EPMD - Out Of Business
4. Slick Rick - The Art of Storytelling
3. Mos Def - Black On Both Sides
2. Dr. Dre - 2001
1. Eminem - The Slim Shady LP

Honorable mentions: No Mercy, No Remorse, Immobilarity, Amplified, The Master, Section 8, ...And Then There Was X, Still i Rise

2000:
10. Cypress Hill - Skull & Bones
9. Wu-Tang Clan - The W
8. Big L - The Big Picture
7. DJ Quik - Balance & Options
6. Xzibit - Restless
5. OutKast - Stankonia
4. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele
3. Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP
2.Common - Like Water for Chocolate
1. M.O.P. - Warriorz

Honorable mentions: Tha Eastsidaz, Both Sides of the Brain, Mind Over Matter, From the Darkness Into the Light, 2000 B.C., NIA

2001:
10. DMX - The Great Depression
9. Cypress Hill - Stoned Raiders
8. Dilated Peoples - Expansion Team
7. Grand Puba - Understand This
6. Kurupt - Space Boogie: Smoke Oddessey
5. KRS-One - The Sneak Attack
4. Wu-Tang Clan - Iron Flag
3. Nas - Stillmatic
2. Jay-Z - The Blueprint
1. Masta Ace - Disposable Arts

Honorable mentions: Priesthood, Word of Mouf, Genesis, Revolutionary Vol. 1, The Realness, Digital Bullet

2002:
10. Eminem - The Eminem Show
9. Blackalicious - Blazing Arrow
8. Cormega - The True Meaning
7. Xzibit - Man Vs. Machine
6. Royce da 5'9" - Rock City
5. Kool G Rap - The Giancana Story
4. GZA/Genius - Legend of the Liquid Sword
3. Talib Kweli - Quality
2. Nas - God's Son
1. Scarface - The Fix

Honorable mentions: Revolverlution, Power in Numbers, The Lost Tapes, Better Dayz, Aziatic, Paid Tha Cost To Be Da Bo$$, Spiritual Minded, Under Tha Influence, Trinity (Past, Present And Future), Ghetto Heisman, The Chosen Few

2003:
10. Westside Connection - Terrorist Threats
9. Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol. 2
8. OutKast - Spearboxxx/The Love Below
7. KRS-One - Kristyles
6. Craig G - This Is Now
5. DMX - Grand Champ
4. Black Moon - Total Eclipse
3. Jay-Z - The Black Album
2. Canibus - Rip The Jacker
1. Gang Starr - The Ownerz

Honorable mentions: Joe Budden, Black August, Shadows Of The Sun, Godzilla, The Listening

2004:
10. KRS-One - Keep Right
9. De La Soul - The Grind Date
8. Cypress Hill - Till Death Do Us Part
7. The Roots - The Tipping Point
6. Ghostface Killah - The Pretty Toney Album
5. Masta Killa - No Said Date
4. Murs - Murs 3:16: The 9th Edition
3. Nas - Street's Disciple
2. Royce da 5'9" - Death Is Certain
1. Masta Ace - A Long Hot Summer

Honorable mentions: Tical 0: The Prequel, The Hard Way, The Beautiful Struggle, Weapons of Mass Destruction, Fire in the Hole

2005:

I have listened to only four or five albums from this year so a list is pretty much impossible to make. If you feel like submitting your own "top albums from 2005", then send me an inbox message and I'll put it here with your name credited.

2006:
10. Method Man - 4:21... The Day After
9. Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
8. The Game - [album artist=The Game]The Doctor's Advocate
7. The Roots - Game Theory
6. Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang
5. Xzibit - Full Circle
4. Ice Cube - Laugh Now, Cry Later
3. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
2. Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor
1. Nas - Hip Hop Is Dead

Honorable mentions: Tha Blue Carpet Treatment, Release Therapy, Year Of The Dog...Again, 20/20, The Format

2007:
...

Here's a list of bands I've seen live, and more importantly, bands whose performances I can (almost) clearly remember. For example, I saw lots of bands I won't list here in the Tuska Open Air metal festival, and they won't be included 'cause either a) I can't recall if they were any good, b) I left in the middle of the show or c) I was shitface drunk, so I have no image whatsoever about what happened during the gig.

Oh, and I use a 5/5 star rating system.

2008:
- Amon Amarth (Tuska Open Air) - ☆☆☆
- Killswitch Engage (Tuska Open Air) - ☆☆
- Stam1na (Tuska Open Air) - ☆☆☆
- Dimmu Borgir (Tuska Open Air) - ☆
- Nile (Tuska Open Air) - ☆☆
- Slayer (Tuska Open Air) - ☆

- Snoop Dogg, with - ☆☆☆☆
- Kurupt and Daz Dillinger

- Nas (Rock the Bells Tour) - ☆☆☆☆
- De La Soul (Rock the Bells Tour) - ☆☆
- The Pharcyde (Rock the Bells Tour) - ☆☆
- EPMD (Rock the Bells Tour) - ☆☆☆
- MC Supernatural (Rock the Bells Tour) - ☆☆☆

2009:
- Ice Cube, with - ☆☆☆☆☆
- WC and DJ Crazy Toones
- Redrama - ☆☆

---

Top3 pefrormances:
1. Ice Cube, with WC and DJ Crazy Toones - ☆☆☆☆☆
- Cube has been my favourite rapper ever since I was around 12 years old, so I had high expectations going into this gig - and Mr. Jackson was better than I had even dreamed of. With his long-time friend and Westside Connection member WC (aka Dub-C), he put on a show to remember, playing all his fan favourite songs and many more, including some surprising, less-known raps. What made this gig even better were Dub-C's own songs, including "Pay Ya Dues", which he performed to perfection and got the whole crowd going despite the fact that most of the people in Nosturi (the venue) probably had never even heard that song.

All in all it was a perfect show, and we heard everything from "Check Yo Self" to "Click, Clack - Get Back", from "I Got My Locs On" to "It Takes A Nation", from "Hello" to "Gangsta Nation" and everything in between, and, of course, Ice Cube's greatest song: "It Was A Good Day". Plus, there were two encores, and the last one blew the roof out of the building: it was the classic, N.W.A.'s "Straight Outta Compton", which was a perfect way to put the show to an end. Amazing.


2. Snoop Dogg, with Kurupt and Daz Dillinger - ☆☆☆☆
- I have a love/hate relationship when it comes to Snoop Dogg. He's put out one or two fantastic albums, but he's also released some amazingly shitty ones, too. His first solo album, Doggystyle, is a classic, and I like his '06 and '08 albums too - everything in between, though, is stuff that didn't really need to be published. Be that as it may, I still wanted to go see him live in August of 2008, and I got the ticket as a birthday present from my pops.

After some decent performances to get the crowd warm, it was time for Snoop D-O-Double-G to step onto the stage - or was it? He was nearly an hour late, and the smoke rising from the backstage area got me thinking that someone might've found a stash of that good ol' chronic... we were asking when will Snoop arrive from the security guards, and one of 'em replied; "What? Who's Snoop Dogg?", with a smirk on his face.

Finally, after all the waiting, Snoop finally came on stage with his nephew Daz Dillinger, and Kurupt - known together as Tha Dogg Pound - and kicked off the show with a song from Snoop's Doggystyle album: "Murder Was The Case". That got the crowd going, and the trio of Snoop, Daz and Kurupt were great on stage with the live band on the background. We even heard some of Daz's and Kurupt's songs during the show that lasted about one-and-a-half-hours, as well as Snoop's classic joints, including "Gin And Juice", "Tha Shiznit" and some of his collaborations with Dr. Dre ("Nuthin' But A G Thang", "Deep Cover"", ...), 2Pac ("2 of Amerika'z Most Wanted") and Xzibit ("Bitch Please").

At one point, the all-too-familiar bass kicks blew the roof out of the building, as "Drop It Like It's Hot" began, and I gotta tell ya, it was money in the bank. It ain't even that good a song on CD, but it was magnificent live, and clearly the best joint of the night if we don't count the last one: my all-time Snoop Dogg favourite, "Who Am I? (What's My Name?)". I was already afraid we wouldn't get to hear that when Snoop seemed to wrap it up and leave, but in the end I got to sing the chorus with the rest of the crowd, and it was beautiful.

Snoop was his laid back self, chilled with bling all around his neck and with a flashy diamond microphone in his hand, and he gave a show worth all the money you had to pay to get there.


3. Nas (Rock the Bells Tour) - ☆☆☆☆
- If Ice Cube has been my all-time favourite since I was a kid, Nas has been right up there with him for the past year or so. I started listening to Nas in early-2008, and I fell in love immediately - his style, his lyrics, his flow... it's just simply amazing. So to hear that the Rock The Bells Tour was on it's way to Finland in November of '08, it didn't take long for me to order a ticket to go see him.

The thing about Nas is that he's not the greatest performer all of time. Yes, he's one of the best rappers ever, but as he's said himself, he's kind of a shy, maybe a bit introvert person - that explains why he ain't the most energetic guy on the stage. But never mind his personality, he did put on a show with DJ Green Lantern behind the turntables.

Being a huge fan, it was awesome to hear the whole Illmatic album being played by Nas. Of course, he didn't do the songs as a whole, but spit a verse or two - and that was enough. He kicked off the show with "N.I.G.G.E.R. (The Slave & The Master)"" from the new album, and it felt kinda funny to sing the chorus with a bunch of white guys in the crowd. Ah well, we also heard the likes of "Hero", which is his latest hit single, "Street Dreams", the 2006 hit "Hip Hop Is Dead", my long-time favourite "Got Urself A Gun", "Black President" in celebration of Barack Obama's election as United States President and, naturally, "If I Ruled The World", which is a fantastic live song. Nasir wrapped up the show with one of his greatest songs, "One Mic", and I think it was a great way to send us all home - after hearing a classic.

I enjoyed the show, I really did. Sure, he could have been more energetic on stage (he pretty much just stood there, walked around and spit his rhymes), but as a fan I didn't really mind. Wasn't as good as Cube's gig, and wasn't as energetic as Snoop was, but still came close to being on top.

(I'll be updating this regularly)

1. How did you get into 29? Kaiser Chiefs
When I got my big brother's old laptop, it had Kaiser Chiefs' first album in the music folder, and I decided to take a look at it - and I'm glad I did.

2. What was the first song you ever heard by 22? Notorious B.I.G.
It has to be "Juicy". I mean, come on, it's the song from Biggie.

3. What’s your favourite lyric by 33? EPMD
I dunno, nothing really stands out. Though I love the new "Jane" song from the We Mean Business -album.

4. What is your favourite album by 46? Children of Bodom
Hatecrew Deathroll, no doubt about it.

5. How many albums by 13 do you own? Dilated Peoples
None, I'm afraid.

6. What is your favourite song by 50? Murs
"Everything" and "H-U-S-T-L-E" are both fantastic, as well as "Lookin' Fly".

7. Is there a song by 39 that makes you sad? Saliva
Well... yeah. "Twister", cause it's so fucking terrible.

8. What is your favourite album by 15? Dr. Dre
Ugh, this ain't a nice question. I can't really pick between The Chronic and 2001, so I'll say both. It depends on the day which one of those sounds better.

9. What is your favourite song by 4? Pixies
"Where Is My Mind???" is amazing.

10. Is there a song by 6 that makes you happy? Ghostface Killah
"Kilo", featuring Raekwon, always gets me in a good mood cause it's such a good song. Ghost and Raekwon are amazing together.

11. What is your favourite album by 40? Jimi Hendrix
Well, The Best Of -album, cause it has all the greatest songs in one package.

12. What is your favourite song by 10? Immortal Technique
"Golpe De Estado" is fantastic. It has that revolutionary feel to it, and it gets you all pumped up, even though I have no idea (except for a few lyrics) what Immortal Tech and the other guys are saying in it because I don't understand spanish. :P

13. What is a good memory you have involving 30? 2Pac
I remember one time when we were travelling all around Finland with my family, like four or five years ago, and I used to always listen "The Streetz R Deathrow" when we were driving to the next location. The trip kinda sucked, but I did enjoy listening to some 'Pac whenever possible.

14. What is your favourite song by 38? Damian Marley
"Welcome To Jamrock".

15. Is there a song by 19 that makes you happy? Frank Black
"Johnny Barleycorn" came to my mind as soon as I finished reading the question, so I guess it has to be it.

16. How many times have you seen 25 live? A Tribe Called Quest
Never, and I'm disappointed they didn't come to Finland during the Rock The Bells -tour in 2008. Would've been awesome to see 'em perform together.

17. What is the first song you ever heard by 23? Wu-Tang Clan
I don't know for sure, but I'm guessing, surprise surprise, "C.R.E.A.M.".

18. What is your favourite album by 11? Kasabian
The first, self-titled album. Has a lotta good and groovy songs, and both of my favourites from the band: "Club Foot" and "U Boat".

19. Who is your favourite member of 1? Arctic Monkeys
Alex Turner, naturally. If I wasn't straight, I'd be gay for him. <3

20. Have you ever seen 14 live? Red Hot Chili Peppers
Nope. Hope they'll visit Finland the next time they go on tour.

21. What is a good memory involving 27? Rise Against
Playing "Re-Education (Through Labour)" in Guitar Hero, drunk. It was fun as hell.

22. What is your favourite song by 16? The Clash
"London Calling". Do I even need to explain why?

23. What is the first song you ever heard by 49? MGMT
"Kids", naturally. And I think it was when I played FIFA '09 (which has an awesome soundtrack, by the way).

24. What is your favourite album by 18? Pnau
The self-titled one, released in 2007, which is actually the only album I've heard from them.

25. What is your favourite song by 21? The Verve
"The Drugs Don't Work". I can't describe how amazingly emotional the song is.

26. What is the song you don't like by 26? The Fratellis
"Cuntry Boys And City Girls" is pretty damn annoying.

27. What is your favourite album by 3? Atmosphere
I'll give you the obvious answer: Godlovesugly (even though I did consider You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having as their best album like a month ago).

28. What is your favourite song by 2? Muse
"Bliss" is perfect. It has that strange, glossy and discreet feel to it, and I love it.

29. What was the first song you ever heard by 32? Method Man & Redman
"Big Dogs" from the movie How High.

30. What is your favourite song by 8? Manic Street Preachers
Currently I like "Me And Stephen Hawking" the most.

31. How many times have you seen 17 live? Oasis
Not once, and I actually wouldn't even pay to see them live (which ain't even possible right now cause they broke up, but still) because from what I've seen, they seem to be a horrible live band.

32. Is there a song by 44 that makes you happy? Mobb Deep
"Put 'Em In Their Place", for the simple fact that it's so damn good.

33. What is you favourite album by 12? Nas
Illmatic, no doubt about it. It Was Written and Stillmatic ain't far behind, though.

34. What is the worst song by 45? Ludacris
Can't really pick one single song out of the all the shit he's put out during his career. Sure, he has a lot of fabulous songs and a few good albums too, but he has that Snoop Dogg effect: too many albums put out in too little time equals loads of crap.

35. What is your favourite album by 34? Lupe Fiasco
Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor. I don't like his second album. Not one bit.

36. What do you not like by 48? Killswitch Engage
Well... most of their songs, nowadays. I've lost all interest in them in the course of the last three or four months, or something like that.

37. How many times have you seen 42 live?The Libertines
Nevah, and I'll never have the chance. Boo-hoo.

38. What is your favourite song by 36? Kanye West
"Gold Digger" has a great beat, great lyrics and Kanye's flow is in top form. What's not to like about this song?

39. What was the first song you ever heard by 28? The Smiths
A friend of mine sent me "How Soon Is Now?", and that's where it all began.

40. What is your favourite album by 7? Raekwon
About a month ago I would've immediately said Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..., but now that I've really took the time to listen to both Immobilarity and The Lex Diamond Story (and of course the new sequel to OB4CL), I can't pick a favourite. Each and every one of Rae's albums are good, and I think Immobilatiry and The Lex Diamond Story are horribly underrated - nobody talks about 'em when people mention Raekwon, all they talk about is Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...

41. Is there a song by 41 that makes you happy? Q-Tip
"Won't Trade". It always gets me going.

42. What is your favourite album by 31? Kingston Wall
Ehh... I don't know. I really don't know. All three albums are good in their own way, so I can't make a pick.

43. What is your favourite song by 24? Rage Against the Machine
"Bulls On Parade".

44. What is a good memory you have involving 47? Lily Allen
Nothing comes to mind, really.

45. What is your favourite song by 35? Xzibit
Both "Paparazzi" and "LAX" are awesome.

46. Is there a song by 9 that makes you happy? The Game
Yeah, "Why You Hate The Game" because... I know this sounds stupid, but whenever I listen to it, I get the feeling that I'm in the middle of town and the sun is shining, and everything's going well.

47. What is your favourite album by 5? Ice Cube
I'd wanna answer The Predator so people would think I'm (olds)c(h)ool, but I really love his 2008 album, Raw Footage. Rarely a rapper from the 80s and the 90s makes his best album in the new millenium, but I think that's the case with Cube.

48. Who is your favourite member of 37? Franz Ferdinand
I don't really have a favourite member, they combine well together and that's what's important.

49. What is the first song you ever heard by 43? Redman
"Time 4 Sum Aksion", which is still my favourite from Redman.

50. How many albums do you own by 20? T.I.
None. Sorry.