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Best of....

The year has wrapped up and that means we are in the season of "Best of" lists. ?uestlove of The Roots named Invincible #3 in his list of top ten favorite female emcees.

Thanks to the magazines and blogs who included Invincible's debut ShapeShifters LP in their best of 2008 lists:

Metro Times: ShapeShifters was recognized on three MT critics "best of" lists.

San Fransisco Bay Guardian: ShapeShifters is #7 "best indie hip hop album of 2008."

The Smoking Section: ShapeShifters amongst the Most Slept on Albums of the Year. "It’s some shameful shit when a pure Hip-Hop record comes down the pipeline and all anyone can talk about is what the artist looks like rather than what their music is about. Anyone who focused on Invincible as a female and not as an emcee, obviously snoozed through an hour of intricate lyricism served raw over head-banger beats."

EYE Weekly: ShapeShifters amongst "Our Favorite Albums of 2008" list: "Invincible convincingly made the case that she deserves more attention, inventively welding her community activism to her music. Tackling gentrification, the war on terror and cultural intolerance may sound a tad didactic to some, but her unquestionable rhyme skills —anchored by inimitable gritty Midwestern production from the aforementioned Black Milk, among others — rendered her urgent and hard-hitting missives undeniable."

Coke Machine Glow: ShapeShifters is #5 album of the year. "Invincible doesn’t make moralist judgments so much as invest her rich rhyming in trying to quickly sketch the relative connections out from the core issue as far as the track time will allow her, like the spiderweb of cracks that appears when rock hits glass. Her agenda focuses her words but does not override her artistry; integrity is what makes Invincible invincible."

The Underground Come Up: ShapeShifters is #4 best album of the year. "Invincible is a true lyricist and activist, who has a real message that is evident in every one of her rhymes. Making a buzz in the underground and through the lyricist lounge since back in the 90s, its a real pleasure to see her finally get her well-deserved shine."

Vapors Magazine: ShapeShifters is #40 best album of the year.

Rober Awards: ShapeShifters amongst top 50 albums of the year.

Backwords: ShapeShifters is the #1 hip hop album of the year. "Arguably the most slept on LP of 2008."

The Echo Chamber Blog: ShapeShifters is #5 best album of 2008. "Ever since I heard this girl kick rhymes on Eddie Ill & DL, I’ve been a huge fan. I’m really in awe as to how Invincible put together such an incredible debut LP: her rhymes are always on point, and her production selection couldn’t have been much better. I’m anticipating a strong sophomore LP within the next couple years."

Forest Gospel: ShapeShifters "is definitely the best hip hop album I have heard this year and worth a listen for anyone looking for substantial content in their hip hop rather than the standard bells, whistles and fluff."

why is el guante so angry?: "An emcee with good politics, good production and a good flow? It ain’t really that much to ask, but it’s delivered so seldomly. Invincible’s got it."

ahhh, fuck it: ShapeShifters is #13 best album of 2008.

Evil Ed the Enthusiast: ShapeShifters amongst best 12"s of the year and best LPs of the year.

and icarus dared: ShapeShifters is #4 best album of 2008.

I Am Not My Hair: ShapeShifters is #5 best album of the year. "This release is essential."

FLUCTUAT.NET: Invincible amongst top 10 female artists of the year.

The New Decay: ShapeShifters is #10 best album of the year.

TRGGR Radio Blog: ShapeShifters amongst top 25 albums of the year.

Hi Stakes: ShapeShifters #6 Best Album You Might Have Missed in 2008. "All I got to say: ridiculous... Invincible is a ridiculously-talented young emcee from Detroit with a ridiculously-hot, ridiculously-successful first album on the independent label Emergence. Talib Kweli has described her as one 'of the most talented emcees I've ever heard black or white, male or female...' Nuff' said. "

How's The Pie?: ShapeShifters amongst top 50 albums of the year.

London, On: Burgeoning Metropolis: ShapeShifters is #5 best album of year.

Hed Rush: ShapeShifters is #9 best album of the year. "Detroit is really on a come up these days. The scene is spawning some of the best rapper and producers doing it these days. Invincible is one of them, and is a somewhat unconventional rhyming hero: a Jewish female MC. You don’t see many of those everyday. But Invincible is skilled enough to be thought of as a dope MC, period. Though she made her name in the underground as a battle MC, she’s most adept on ShapeShifters creating thematic rhymes, such as commentary on the Israeli/Palestinians state of affairs (“People Not Places”), the beneath-the-surface racism that exists In liberal Ann Arbor (“Deuce/Ypsi”), and the slow and sad gentrification of urban Detroit (“The Locusts”). She even puts a little spin on the Patty Hearst kidnapping on “Ransom Note.” I hope to hear a lot more of Invincible in the future."

Carry Like Mariah: Invincible's Sledgehammer is the #6 best hip hop video of 2008.

The Lost Albatross: Invincible's "People Not Places (feat. Abeer)" is #5 best song of 2008

Permanent Hiatus: ShapeShifters amongst best overlooked rap albums of the year.

Subtract the Whack: Invincible's "Locusts (feat. Finale)" amongst "songs heard in 2008 that I will undoubtably force on my children."

StatiK's Hip Hop Album Reviews: ShapeShifters makes StatiK's favorite album of the year honorable mention list.

Kenny Fresh for Local Cut: Portland's Music Journal: ShapeShifters is best album of 2008.

Purchase Invincible's ShapeShifters LP.