|
Jay-z |
| American Gangster |
| Jay-Z’s American Gangster is exactly what hip-hop fans were looking for and needed. Hova’s 10th solo album borrows the theme and plot from American Gangster, the movie, and blends it with Jay’s swag and own personal experiences. |
|
| |
|
|
Keyshia Cole |
| Just Like You |
| Even though Keyshia's album, "Just Like You" may not be a good listen for people who are content in a relationship, it is definitely a must have in every girl's album collection for the times that you need something, "Just Like Therapy"! |
|
| |
|
|
Twista |
| Adrenaline Rush 2007 |
| It may have taken him a decade to please his listeners with an album reminiscent of 1997's Adrenaline Rush, but Mr. Tung Twista finally recaptured the street style his original fans liked him for.
|
|
| |
|
|
Kanye West |
| Graduation |
| Graduation is a solid album, but is lacking the politically and culturally conscious raps that separates him from other mainstream rappers. |
|
| |
|
|
50 Cent |
| Curtis |
| If anyone still questions if hip hop is dead or not, Curtis just 187'd it. |
|
| |
|
|
Swizz Beatz |
| One Man Band Man |
| Swizz Beatz is definitely an anomaly in hip-hop today. Since blasting his way into rap’s collective minds over a decade, he’s since remained a heavy player in the game, yet despite his recent run of chart-topping club smashes is not as favored as some of his rival contemporaries today. |
|
| |
|
|
Talib Kweli |
| Ear Drum |
| Few emcees have been more celebrated in the past decade than Talib Kweli. The Brooklyn rapper rose relatively quickly from his underground fame at Rawkus to becoming fairly well recognized among the mainstream dwellers. |
|
| |
|
|
UGK |
| Underground Kingz |
| “Houston, we DEFINITELY have a problem!” Texan rap fans may have cause for concern right about now. Why you ask? |
|
| |
|
|
Common |
| Finding Forever |
Common's reputation as a socially conscious rapper has always seemed a little undeserved. His strengths lie in honest observation and clever wordplay, not political correctness. Given his incessant consistency, sheer ingenuity, unfathomable depth and sharp lyricism, you have to mention Common’s name when you’re having the discussion of who’s the greatest emcee of all time.
|
|
| |
|
|
T.I |
| T.I vs. T.I.P |
| Though the music is great I’m disappointed that he did not have any production from DJ Toomp or Pharrell Williams. Through this album T.I is explaining to his fans and critics that he is another product of his environment, but even though his environment has changed he has not. |
|
| |
|
|
Rihanna |
| Good Girl Gone Bad |
| Rihanna has instantly "upgraded" her "good girl" persona and stepped into the stilettos of a woman on her third album "Good Girl Gone Bad, " which is on shelves now. The lyricism is mature and the transition from young girl to a woman is present and stands out beyond her first two albums. |
|
| |
|
|
Chrisette Michele |
| I Am |
| Who could resist a soul like Chrisette Michele? The 24-year-old, Long Island representative delivers a jazzy, soulful collection on her debut album, "I Am." released on the Def Jam label. |
|
| |
|
|
U.S.D.A |
| Young Jeezy presents U.S.D.A.: Cold Summer |
| Less than six months after Young Jeezy released The Inspiration: Thug Motivation 102 he returned as part of the crew U.S.D.A. (United Streets Dopeboys of America) featuring longtime friends Blood Raw and Slick Pulla. On their fulllength debut, there's a natural chemistry that makes the tired topics sound a lot more alive than they should. It's always suspect when a multi-platinum rapper subjects his fans to his friend's lyrics. And even worse the first single, "White Girl," which manages to reference selling cocaine and Christina Aguilera, unfortunately hits radio during the Imus-gate. |
|
| |
|
|
Ne-Yo |
| Because of You |
| Ne-Yo returns with an ode to his adoring fans with his sophomore project entitled "Because of You". Because Ne-Yo is such a formidable presence in a slumping genre and solidifying his hit-making ability by penning Rihanna’s 'Unfaithful' and Beyoncé’s 'Irreplacable', all eyes are on Ne-Yo for his sophomore effort. In terms of pure singing ability, Ne-Yo remains solid on the entire record; however, he won’t amaze you much either. It is indisputable that when it comes to singing, Ne-Yo ranks near the top of current R&B artists. His voice is crisp and smooth; unfortunately, he doesn’t really push himself to give a performance that would have him pushing the limits of his singing ability. |
|
| |
|
|
Bone Thugs N Harmony |
| Strength and Loyalty |
| Back in 1996, Bone Thugs N Harmony rewrote the book on rap when their now classic LP “East 1999 Eternal” dropped on Ruthless/Relatively Records. With a lineup that included Krayzie, Layzie, Bizzy, Wish, and sometimes Flesh they were able to infuse straight-forward hardcore rhymes spit at a rapid-fire pace, that was unique to them and ground breaking at the time, with their one of a kind skill at harmonizing and bringing a true musical element to their Midwest brand of hip-hop. |
|
| |
|
