[Reaper16]

23. Ces Cru – Codename: Ego Stripper


Honestly? Run the Jewels 2 wasn’t the best demonstration of pure rap skill by a hip-hop duo this year. This album by Kansas City’s Ces Cru is (RTJ 2 is the better album however, see below). Godemis & Ubiquitous can rap rings, circles, ovals, hoops, and any ol’ shape around most any rappers anywhere. This album has plenty of that virtuosity, but it also has Ces Cru limiting themselves, working within slower structures, pushing themselves through restraint. It doesn’t result in the best work of their career, but I didn’t find a better album this year in terms of rappers finding new creativity through self-imposed artistic constraints. The few tracks about partying don’t really fit in with the mid-tempo brooders here, but maybe the album needs those lighter moments. What I do know is that this album was on heavy rotation in late summer when I needed a blistering rap fix.