What Were Rap's Best And Worst Events Of 2010?

Some rappers happen to be thoughtful, intelligent people. Every Monday that isn't a national holiday, Rocks Off will have some of them here discussing issues relevant to their culture.

Photo illustration by John Seaborn Gray

Not Invited: Diddy, because he micromanages.

This Week's Prompt: The end of the year is rolling towards us pretty quickly, so let's go ahead and start getting into all of that Best Of... stuff. This week's question is simple: What were the two best things to happen to rap this year, and what was the one worst thing to happen?

There are no parameters for this one. It can be Houston-related if you like, but it doesn't have to be. Whatever you're feeling. And here we go...

Lil Flip: Bun B getting five mikes [from The Source for Trill OG] was good [and] Drake bringing singing/rap back [to] the game. The worst thing is people act like they forget Boosie.

Hollywood FLOSS: 1.) Internet & blogs being a source for unheard good music/ information source helping the underdog good music spread. 2.) Tie between Eminem making a great comeback and my album House of Dreams dropped on iTunes.

Worst thing was the BET awards embracing Antoine Dobson. They get the "C'mon, son" face.

Yves, The Niceguys: 1. Four stars were born (The Niceguys). 2. That rap survived another year. I don't think there is a more attacked genre. The worst two are trendy smoking and... I don't know. I really don't pay enough attention*.

Chuckway: The best thing to happen is Behind Tint Vol. 2 and Redd Alert dropping. The worst thing is all the homies we lost on the road to success.

Renzo: One of best things that happened for the underground Houston scene was that Purple Bastard and Ensane started the Turnin' Headz event. It brought artists out the woodwork that had the love for hip-hop but didn't have the venue. It sparked everything that's currently going on with me right now as an artist.

The other good thing that happened for the rap world is that Trae the Truth brought the "Fuck 97.9" parade to XXL.

A bad thing that happened was T.I. And DMX keep goin' to jail every day before they drop albums.

*This is a funny, ironic response, seeing as how we only asked for one worst thing.