We here at MTV News are a pretty diverse bunch, so the views expressed by some in our more official-type year-end lists (like James Montgomery's Top 25 Albums and Best Songs, and the Mixtape Monday Awards) are not necessarily shared by the rest of the newsroom. So we're giving everyone else a chance to chime in with their own lists and explain (or defend) their choices. You’ll find the staff faves of 2008 all together here.
By Nick Neofitidis, Field Producer
It's that time of the year, when you, our audience, get to butcher us over our top-10 lists on everything from movies to albums — so I lay myself at the mercy of the kids. Please be gentle.
10. Michael Jackson, Thriller 25 — OK, I may be cheating here just a bit, but there is no way a human being in this world with functioning ears doesn't hear some old-school Mike and just want to start busting a move. (I just moon-walked thinking about it.)
9. Radiohead, In Rainbows — Can't say that I am a huge Radiohead fan, but what these guys did to shake up the industry by offering up the album for download at whatever price you wanted is pretty damn genius.
8. Kanye West, 808's & Heartbreak — Rappers singing? Wait a gosh darn minute! Oh, wow — this isn't half bad! Love those glasses. Man, why Kanye always got such an ego? Did he just break that dude's camera? Still need a month to get used to this. Kanye makes me tired.
More of Nick's list, and he defends his number one album choice... after the jump!
7. Young Jeezy, The Recession — Jeezy basically can walk around for the next four years screaming, "I told you so!" I swear I even saw Republicans at the convention humming, "My President is Black, my lambo is blue..." Now that's a crazy world, Jeezy!
6. Lykke Li, Youth Novels — I will admit I got on this album late, then I saw her perform at the 2008 Woodie Awards. Crush on Lykke = #6 album on my list. Lykke, call me! PLEASE?!
5. Gnarls Barkley, The Odd Couple — Cee-Lo and Danger Mouse, yet again, just killed it. This album is an instant pick-me-up. Try it next time someone shoulder-bumps you on the subway. It will add years to your life.
4. Common, Universal Mind Control — The man is hip-hop to the bone. There's no Common album I couldn't just play from beginning to end, and this one is no different. Pay close attention, young hip-hoppers — the man is a lyricist in the purest form.
3. T.I., Paper Trail — You think a guy who might be spending the next couple of years writing lyrics on toilet paper wouldn't be able to focus. Then I heard "Swagger Like Us," "Whatever You Like" & "Live Your Life." My man is beyond focused; he's in the damn zone!
2. Weezer, Weezer — Weezer provided a much-needed shock to the genre of rock in 2008 — 10 tracks that can be played in any order at anytime and make you feel just awesome. Plus, the album cover is sweet!
1. Lil Wayne, Tha Carter III— It would be tough to argue that this wasn't the soundtrack to my summer. From "Lollipop" to "A Milli," "Get Money" to "Mr. Carter" to "Mrs. Officer," I mean, the hits don't stop coming. Not only did Weezy live up to the hype — he murdered it.
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