Hudlin Entertainment

Best Music of 2013

1. John Legend – Love In The Future

John Legend in concert

Great album, great video, great concert, great guy. 

2. Janelle Monae – The Electric Lady

I’m a fan, but like David Bowie, Prince and Public Enemy, she needs to find out how to make commercial music and still be true to her mission.  It can be done. 

3. Daft Punk – Random Access Memories

Thanks for giving Nile Rodgers the opportunity to wow us yet again.  And thanks for fly cinematic songs like this: 

4. Jaheim – Age Ain’t A Factor



Just a great piece of R&B.  Soulful as hell.

5. Beyonce




So new an entry I haven’t had time to listen to the full album or watch all the videos…but as a marketing event, as a manifestation of having the power to keep a massive event secret in this fully exposed era, as the inheritor of Michael Jackson’s throne in the pop world…attention must be paid.

6. Kendrick Lamar


All you need is one artist of this caliber to keep the game alive.

7. Herbie Hancock, Wayne Shorter and Marcus Miller at Disney Hall



This was the most grown up, intellectual, challenging music I’ve ever heard in person.  But definitely worth it.  Thanks for Steve McKeever for the hook up.

8. Kanye West – Yeezus




A misunderstood album, but a great album nonetheless.  It’s hard to understand BOUND 2 unless you’ve heard all the songs before it…it’s  concept album, and the impact of that track after the bold industrial noise is incredible.  BTW, it’s the best sounding album of the year.  Great engineering.

9. Pharrell



Blurred Lines, Get Lucky and the two amazing songs on the Despicable Me 2 soundtrack, and the brilliance of the world’s first 24 hour video…it’s his year and he earned it.

10. Earth Wind and Fire at the Hollywood Bowl



So glad I took my kids to this show.   They wrote the songs that make the whole world sing, and dance with your neighbor.

Honorable Mention: Robin Thicke – Blurred Lines



Remember when we couldn’t get enough of this song?  Before we never wanted to hear it again?

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