The Top 25 Albums of 2015

What's up folks!  Glad you decided to hang with me one more week.  It's that time again, the best hip-hop all around for the year 2015.  This has been a very damn good year for quality hip-hop, as stellar projects and career benchmarks have been released this year, and I'm about to go into the 25 best albums, plus some honorable mentions.  This wasn't an impossible list to compile, but nonetheless this is a list of the impactful hip-hop this year, so let the debates begin yet again, and let's get to it.

25. Various Artists- Talib Kweli & 9th Wonder Present Indie 500

Earlier this year, Talib Kweli, 9th Wonder, and Pharoahe Monch got together to launch the company Indie 500 to serve as an avenue for young up-and-coming artists to deliver their craft to the masses.  Kweli and 9th later got up together to present the company's first project, a compilation filled with what you expect from a project with these two guys' signature attached: insatiable beats, fantastic concepts, and far above average lyricism.  None of the three disappointed in the slightest.  With excellent appearances by Rapsody, Problem, Pharoahe Monch, and others, this was a great shining mark in this year's indie movement.

24. Rapper Big Pooh & Apollo Brown- Words Paint Pictures

The homie Rapper Pooh has had a busy year this year.  He collaborated with super-producer Nottz (see later), and made appearances on the Mello Music Group compilation (again see later).  The first project he put out was with quickly blowing Detroit producer Apollo Brown and this was a very dope release.  Apollo's soulful, thumping production mixed with Pooh's witty lyricism made for results we hope we can see again with the two of them.

23. Statik Selektah- Lucky 7

Boston's perennial DJ/Producer has knocked out seven show-stealing albums, working with everyone from Joey Bada$$ to M.O.P. to the late great Sean Price.  With this being reportedly being his last album, he goes out on a very high note.  Proving himself to be one of hip-hop's most in-demand and hardest working producers, he's handling his business on the airwaves, thus making him a very important figure in the game.  He's built enough stripes to allow all these many emcees to shine, from vets like Talib Kweli, Royce Da 5'9, and Bun B to up-and-coming new jacks like Your Old Droog, Dave East, and Mick Jenkins.  Indeed, 7 became his best number.

22. Gangrene- You Disgust Me

One thing we've come to expect from The Alchemist and Oh No is to expect slightly psychedelic, slightly inebriated hip-hop that feels so good to absorb.  On this their seventh project, they continue to be one of hip-hop's most consistent duos.  They continue to show their chemistry, and while they lyrically keep showing signs of improvement, it ultimately comes down to the ridiculous production on the album and their tag team like continuity.  They won't be underrated too much longer.

21. Rapper Big Pooh & Nottz- Home Sweet Home

Earlier, we had Pooh on the list for his highly slept on collab with Apollo Brown, and this was the second release for him.  This one knocked even harder than the previously mentioned with veteran producer Nottz which provided a searing soundscape for his relatable, down home content.  Take your pick, he knocked every track out the park on this one and hasn't sounded this rejuvenated since his '05 debut Sleepers.

20. Earl Sweatshirt- I Don't Like Shit, I Don't Go Outside

This album can be considered as one of the darkest albums in all of 2015, but can definitely be considered as Earl's best. Excelling off his stunning debut, Doris, this depressing, yet highly introspective, album can be seen as his coming of age album.  Dealing with depression and the death of his grandmother, this is a sobering look at a young man starting to uniquely find his identity, while serving us more of his multi-faceted persona and artistic growth.

19. Apollo Brown- Grandeur

Underground Detroit producer Apollo Brown officially presented himself on more of a mainstream level with this very dope debut.  Collaborating with O.C., Guilty Simpson, The Left, Ras Kass, and Rapper Big Pooh on past acclaimed projects, this time the spotlight was put on him as a producer and boy did he deliver.  With fantastic showings by the likes of Chino XL, Planet Asia, Finale, and many other guests, this is not even the tip of the iceberg with what we will continue to see from this praised producer.

18. Czarface- Every Hero Needs A Villain

Why the hell this album isn't mentioned more in year-end best lists, I'll never know.  This sophomore effort from the trio of 7L, Esoteric, and Inspectah Deck not only improvements upon some of the very few missteps and flaws of their debut, but they delivered one hell of an album this year.  With 7L's unapologetic boom-gap production and the ever growing chemistry between Esoteric and Deck, this album was a sledgehammer, inflicting damage upon anyone who listened.  

17. Wale- The Album About Nothing

It's time someone said this: it's about time we got this album from Wale.  It's been a minute since we've heard a totally cohesive album from the D.C. native, but he comes through in the clutch.  This album, inspired by one of his favorite comedians Jerry Seinfeld, is a very relatable, down to earth album that has Wale providing social commentary and past negative experiences to have Seinfeld be his conscious and storyteller makes this album intriguing enough to hear Wale's story.  Gone are the excesses, and welcomed is the guy we could actually identify with.

16. Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment- Surf

Chi-town's residential philanthropist Chance The Rapper gained mainstream accessibility two years ago with his highly touted mixtape Acid Rap.  We knew a new star had been born, but this project is a little left field of Acid Rap.  He introduces us to jazz band called The Social Experiment and the results are nothing less than amazing.  Musically, this mixes funk, jazz, and other genres to put together an experience the likes of which will challenge conventional listeners.  If you were expecting an Acid Rap follow-up, this isn't for you.  However, if genuine musicianship and feel-good elements are what you're looking for, this may have been your ticket for the year.

15. Logic- The Incredible True Story

Maryland's Logic dropped one of the most heralded debuts in recent memory from the Def Jam label last year when he delivered Under Pressure.  Very personal and autobiographical, the mood was a tad bit somber with certain points of the album.  It wasn't without detractors.  Many compared this to Kendrick's beyond wonderful major label debut, good kid, M.A.A.D. City, and in many ways that's a valid argument.  This follow-up is a lighter-hearted version of Under Pressure, and in comparison is more like a Drake/Kanye-esque album, complete with production that sounds like it could've belonged on Late Registration, and stylings that are very reminiscent of Aubrey Graham, only with more double-time rapid-fire delivery.  Regardless, this is musically a step up from his debut, and this should put him another step closer to the widespread acclaim he deserves.

14. Drake- If You're Reading This, It's Too Late

Let the heat begin.  I know this will catch me some temporary hell, but hear this out.  While many have scoffed over his LL-esque sensitive songs to or about the ladies over the years, anyone that denies his tremendous talent for making hit songs is nothing short of a hater.  Drake has put out his most cohesive album since his mixtape days, and that's saying something considering how much lots of people still rock his previous albums of Thank Me Later, Take Care, and Nothing Was The Same.  If he does have LL comparisons, this may be his version of Mama Said Knock You Out.  This was a mixtape he needed to do, and mission accomplished.  When looking back at this year, with this mixtape, and the overwhelming smash of "Hotline Bling" and the Grammy nominated "Back To Back" (A first for a diss record), who has had a hotter year than Drake on a grand scale?  Bottom line: this album delivered.

13. Ghostface Killah- Adrian Younge Presents Twelve Reasons To Die II

Ghostface has proven himself to be the most prolific member of the iconic Wu-Tang Clan.  This year he laced us with not one, but two bangers, and each presenting us with vintage Ghost.  This one is the follow-up to the first edition of this series, which was damn near magnificent.  Although this one isn't quite the exceptional piece the first one was, this version is still a great, great project with that outstanding Adrien Younge scoring that fits with Ghost's criminal story-telling abilities.  With help from his Wu brethren, as well as the likes of Vince Staples and Chino XL, this made for overall another excellent audible movie.  So what about his other project?

12. Ghostface Killah & BADBADNOTGOOD- Sour Soul

This project had Ghost collaborating with jazz hip-hop instrumental band BADBADNOTGOOD to create one of Ghost's best albums in recent years.  Although short in length, there's really not a misstep on this album.  Even more so than Younge for Twelve Reasons To Die II, BBNG provided almost a flawless backdrop for classic Ghost rhymes, and this fits up there with any of his better albums over this past decade.  

11. A$AP Rocky- At. Long. Last A$AP

Harlem's Rakim Myers brought us a sophomore album that truthfully should've been his first album.  His debut album was fairly good, but lacking an overall cohesive focus.  As for this album, this project far and away outdoes his prior effort.  Unfortunately it came at an somber price.  During the recording process of this album, Rocky lost his friend and inspirational leader of the A$AP Mob, A$AP Yams.  While this greatly disheartened this emcee, he tuned it inward to make a very acclaimed project.  Using production from Danger Mouse (Gorillaz, MF DOOM, Gnarls Barkley), Emile, and even Mr. West himself, this album is more varied and at times ethereal, but Rocky does his job well of reaching a broader audience and does so by improving greatly, not dumbing down.

10. Vince Staples- Summertime '06

If there was a full length debut that could be considered the best around, this will likely be it.  Although controversial in his viewpoint of the nineties in hip-hop, no one can deny how hard his double album debut went.  This was a fairly dark album exploring the streets of Cali while also touching on subjects such as drug addiction and police corruption.  With the impeccable production of No I.D. leading the charge the entire album, Staples became a big time prospect in the game an a hell of a follow-up to his EP, the equally impressive Hell Can Wait.  Behold the next west coast phenom.

9. Joey Bada$$- B4. Da. $$

Speaking of hellacious full-length debuts, this was damn sure another one.  After dropping fantastic mix tapes, the Pro Era representative finally delivered his debut, and this could've easily belonged in the nineties, as most of his other projects could as well.  This album brings a focus and an overall completion to this project that officially puts Joey as a leader of the new school.  With production assistance from Premo, Statik Selektah, and even J Dilla on the jazzy "Like Me", this is almost virtually an unstoppable album.  The best is yet to come from this young mic assassin.

8. Jay Rock- 90059

TDE had another stellar year.  First there was the landmark of To Pimp A Butterfly (see later), then it was TDE's elder spokesperson, Jay Rock.  This follow-up to Follow Me Home showed an improved lyrical structure, as well as excellent tracks to do the company proud.  This was a top to bottom play through and was capped off by one of the best posse cuts all year, if not the best period in the TDE featured "Vice City".

7. Joe Budden- All Love Lost

Joe Budden is a very polarizing emcee.  Very few people think he's not a dumb-nice emcee, but his on camera persona and his string of Twitter/on wax beefs tend to make him a hated guy of sorts.  With this album, he strives to let people inside of his somber, and at times very depressing, world.  This album is very heavy, centering on woman problems, suicidal tendencies, his addictions, and his son, but this also presented us with in all likelihood the best album of his career.  Almost seen as this generation's Me Against The World or even another version of his fellow Slaughterhouse member Royce Da 5'9's Death Is Certain, it's murky, sobering, melancholy, and outstanding body of work.  Most artists put out some of their best work when dealing with sadness and depression in their lives.  This is without question one of them.

6. Lupe Fiasco- Tetsuo & Youth

Talk about a polarizing emcee.  Look no further than Lupe Fiasco.  We were nothing less than enamored by his first two phenomenal releases, Food & Liquor and The Cool.  His knack for intelligent, conscious rhymes made him an instant hero for underground heads and backpackers alike.  Then he folded to the pressures of the majors, releasing the obviously radio-accessible Lasers, then followed up with Food & Liquor II: The Great American Rap Album, which were likewise met with lukewarm reception.  Something was wrong.  He wasn't in tune with the artist he knew he could be and the artist he needed to be.  Tetsuo & Youth ended all of that.  Definitely the best album he's put out since The Cool, Fiasco went back to what got him to the dance, and if you don't put "Mural" as his lyrical flagship, what the hell are you on??

5. Skyzoo- Music For My Friends

Brooklyn's own Skyzoo is known for dropping fantastic, fluid hip-hop, and with this new one, not only did he continue that practice, he took it up a notch.  This generally good-themed album about childhood innocence and growing pains made for one of the year's most musically and lyrically pleasing feasts.  Easily up there with the likes of his collar album with !llmind, Live From The Tape Deck, The Salvation, A Dream Deferred, and his sick album with Torae, Barrel Brothers, this album will keep you continuing the push the repeat button frequently and often.

4. Dr. Dre- Compton

The good doctor made a triumphant return with this this, his final album.  Based off the record-breaking NWA biopic Straight Outta Compton, this album was supposed to be the much anticipated Detox, but according to Dre, Detox wasn't even worth putting out.  We're glad he put this one out though, as this showed us once again why he's hip-hop's Quincy Jones in terms of legacy.  While not quite the benchmarks The Chronic and 2001 were, this is regardless a monumental release for Dre and he's going out like the icon he is, with an album as pleasing as his legacy.

3. The Game- The Documentary 2/2.5

Not very often do we sequels that live up to the original.  In hip-hop, that almost never happens, give or take Raekwon's Cuban Linx II, Nas' Stillmatic, and Dre's 2001.  However, Jayceon Taylor did so, and did so in spades with The Documentary 2.  His first Documentary was one of the most stunning debuts in recent memory and it established a new west coast star.  Now ten years after that debut, he brings us a project that has him stepping up lyrically and showing us a fire we haven't seen in years, and without question the best produced album of the year as a whole.  More than that, his companion piece Documentary 2.5 is every bit an extension of Documentary 2, if not even better.  This was hands down The Game's most impressive in ten years, and musically this is a monster.

2. Scarface- Deeply Rooted

Goodness gracious!  This was the return of ırad Jordan we all needed.  Going back to his roots of the hard, yet spiritual and conscious, Mr. Face delivered us an album that can be placed as one of his finest moments ever in his career.  Not since his undisputed benchmark The Fix have we heard Scarface this focused, this hungry, and this in tuned with himself and the game around him.  This was a return of the southern icon that has influenced generations of emcees from all over the map, not just the South.  If we never get another album from Brad, rest assured he went out on the highest note he could go out on.

1. Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp A Butterfly

I could go on and on about why this is not just the album of the year, but the album of the past decade and one of the best we've ever heard, but I won't.  There's a whole article I wrote about this album.  This album is special.  Special in a way hip-hop hasn't seen in a long ass time.  This album isn't for the conventional listener, strictly for the mature, deeper listener.  Let's forget about how the concept itself is nothing short of genius.  Let's forget that he lyrically is likely the new king of this game right now.  This album is highly comparable to Marvin Gaye's What's Going On mixed with Public Enemy's It Takes A Nation Of Millions...  When I said it was this generation's version of Illmatic, it was met with very critical responses, but in terms of raw honesty, artistic merit, vision, and the want for cultural and global change, this is that album.  There's no mistaking good kid, M.A.A.D. City was one of the finest debuts ever heard, this is without question one of the best follow-ups.  That rare album that is inspired to provoke change while taking an introspective look to see how fully capable and qualified you are to either take part or initiate it.  Nominated for several Grammies, bringing forth the #BlackLivesMatter war cry, "Alright", and helping us explore every possible emotion the Black man and woman can identify with, this is an album we will be talking about for many years to come and is truly a once in a generation piece.  Gone are the 808s, boom-gap, and easily digestible production, and in are the modes of live instrumentation and stripped down jazz fusion and occasional funk to give the album a more historical musical appeal.  Again, this is what grown folks hip-hop is all about, maybe even grown folk music period.  All hail King Kendrick!

Honorable Mentions:

Slum Village- Yes!

The best SV album since Dilla was living.  Dilla would be smiling proudly.

L'Orange & Jeremiah Jae- The Night Took Us In Like Family

Fantastic release that showcases Jeremiah's constantly improving lyrical abilities and L'Orange's incredible production abilities to give this an old 1930s NYC feel.

Sean Price- Songs In The Key Of Price (mixtape)

The world was shocked and saddened when we lost Sean P the day after Dre dropped his Compton album.  He did however leave behind a mixtape that reminds us why he's one of the best to do it.  Rest in Power P!

Oddisee- The Good Fight

One of the most overall relatable albums about trying to make it in the music business, Oddisee delivered one of the year's most prized possessions and made this listening experience very very enjoyable.

Georgia Anne Maldrow- A Thoughtiverse Unmarred

The first hip-hop album from this Cali poet/songstress, this is a beautiful yet occasionally jarring look at the Black human consciousness and it delivered with incredible precision.

Pusha T- King Push: Darkest Before Dawn (The Prelude)

Seen as the prelude to his bigger album King Push, Pusha T dropped a very dope preview of what to expect from King Push.  If this is any indication of it, expect that album to be a hard-hitter.

Quelle Chris- Innocent Country

Unorthodox and at times eccentric, Quelle Chris dropped a pretty decent album and definitely had people questioning their faith with the slightly controversial "I Asked God"

Mello Music Group- Persona

Hip-Hop's new version of Rawkus Records delivered a compilation album that continues to elevate their artists and hit with some of the best production you'll hear all year.

Kirk Knight- Late Knight Action

This Pro Era emcee/producer hit us out of nowhere with this surprisingly incredible debut.  We see why he's one of Pro Era's best kept secrets.

Action Bronson- Mr. Wonderful

The much anticipated major label debut of Action Bronson delivered with his brand of quirky, yet dope, rhymes, and an appeal that you can't help but root for.  As long as he keeps Ghostface's name out his mouth of course.

Raury- All I Know

Often compared to Andre 3000, this young ATLien shined during a BET Hip-Hop cypher, and showed how very talented and artistic he really is.  His future looks very good.

Dizzy Wright- The Growing Process

This Funk Volume representative dropped a dope project that shows why he's considered a very underrated talent.  The cousin of Krayzie Bone will keep dropping  good material, with his breakout coming sooner than he or we for that matter, think.

Mick Jenkins- Wave(s)

Sooner or later, y'all are gonna stop sleeping on this Chicago native.  He definitely got next out the Chi!

Mac Miller- GO:OD AM

Mac Miller's most complete and most confident album to date.  Bar none.

Cannibal Ox- Year Of The Ronin

If you don't know who these guys are, or don't know why this album is significant, youtube them.  Although not the groundbreaking album The Cold Vein was in the late nineties, this was still a very dope return.

Tech N9ne- Special Effects

The indie veteran dropped yet another excellent album filled with insane triple time rhymes and the ability to show why he's among the most respected ever

Dr. Yen Lo- Days With Dr. Yen Lo

Ka and Preservation together make for some of the more murky moments in the underground.  You get the feeling that you're in NYC in thirty-degree weather at night watching out for fiends and stick up kids.  

Big K.R.I.T.- It's Better This Way

Back on his mixtape hustle, K.R.I.T. presented us with the same type of soulful hip-hop that made us look at him as one of the leaders of this new substantial school to begin with.  

Jadakiss- T5DOA

It's been six years since we've had a whole full length album from Kiss, and it was worth the wait, as he not only maintained his late nineties/early millennium appeal, but is also able to keep up with the times of today as well for a very decent project.

Your Old Droog- The Nicest

This Nas- soundalike dropped a fairly mean EP on us earlier this year and continued to show why he's becoming one of the most talked about newcomers in the game right now

Nola The Ninja- Fuck The Hype (EP)

Something tells me this dude out the D won't be getting slept on too much longer.  Very impressive debut.

Add-2- Prey For The Poor

Down with 9th Wonder and the rest of the Soul Council, this was a fresh debut and something that will remind people of how good hip-hop can be when it just about the basics: great beats, great rhyming, no gimmicks.

Chances are, these choices will cause tremendous debates and some heat, but guess what, this is MY list.  Which means, MY opinion.  This has been overall an amazing year of quality, substantial hip-hop, even more so than last year.  Here's to hoping we repeat this same success next tear with releases from Nas, AZ, Run The Jewels, T.I., Rapsody, and Kanye, among many, many others.  Until next time, take it easy, and if I don't write anything before the new year arrives, Happy Holidays!

The Rise & Fall Of The Femcee

What's up folks!  Thanks again for riding with your dude one more time.  It's coming close to the end of the year so I hope you all have made your New Years resolutions, if that's your thing (do those still even exist anymore?)  Anyways, I appreciate the love (and even the occasional hate), as I've had lists and topics of conversation that have garnered water cooler discussions.  This is guaranteed to be another one.

There's a glaring problem in hip-hop today, and that's the lack of women in mainstream hip-hop.  Many have come out and stated this problem, especially over the past decade.  There was once a time where females were really handling their business in the game, selling gold and platinum units and gaining at least some respect within the industry, which is really known for misogyny and discrimation against females historically.  Going back to the beginnings of hip-hop, we were Blessed with the Sequnce Girls, which co-starred current Grammy winning singer/songwriter Angie Stone.  As the first, and only, female act signed to Sugar Hill Records, they are overlooked somewhat as being considered pioneers for women in hip-hop.  We were then presented with a young lady known as Sha-Rock, a Bronx native who became a part of the seminal early eighties group Funky 4 Plus One, who was known for their cut "It's The Joint".  While these ladies officially put females on, it was a young ten year old named Roxanne Shante, who was known for her battling abilities in the legendary Queensbridge PJs (known for emcees like Nas, Mobb Deep, Tragedy Khadafi, Cormega, Nature, Capone from C-N-N, and others).  By the age of fourteen, she had a deal with Cold Chillin' Records, and was hailed later in her career as "The Mother Of The Bridge".  Her groundbreaking "Roxanne Wars" established her as a star, and she officially set a new bar for the ladies.  Before long, we get acts such as UK native-turned NY B-girl Monie Love and future legends Queen Latifah, MC Lyte, and Salt-N-Pepa.  It was during the mid/late eighties that we saw the first big explosion of females in rap, with these acts along with Yo-Yo showing that the ladies got something to prove as well.  Knowing the uphill battle women have in the game, getting equal respect was something that was arduous but necessary.

The nineties delivered even more femcees, only more diverse.  While the late eighties/early nineties delivered the aforementioned ladies, plus acts like JJ Fad and Oaktown 3-5-7, the mid to late nineties delivered acts such as Bahamadia, Jean Grae, Infamous Syndicate, and the young lady that would end up becoming a cultural phenom, Lil' Kim.  While most of the other ladies wanted to promote woman empowerment through respect and lyrical abilities, laced with substantial value in lots of cases, Kim went another route.  She promoted sex, and lots of sex.  Clearly seen as Biggie's prodeje, Kim wanted to be a new type of voice for women in hip-hop with her very sexually empowering lyrics and a style that made young ladies at that time have their own version of Biggie.  Many scoffed at this approach, as some detractors were claiming this was something they did not want to see, as they wanted to be respected for positivity.  Kim's view was that, in her own feminist way, men can exploit their acts sexually and there's little to no opposition, however when a woman does it, it becomes an outcry, and her style and image were to embrace their sexuality and to not be ashamed of it.  The only problem with that was that now, clones started to show.  It became less about conscious and positive women uplifting and more about sexual prowess to prove a point.  We ended up seeing copy-and-pasted females like Foxy Brown, Trina, Jackie-O, and Khia who all were about perpetuating, at this point, stereotypical images of sex, money, and their own form of ratchetness.  Keep in mind that artists like Queen Latifah went gold with her Black Reign album, Da Brat became the first female rapper to hit platinum with her SICK debut, Funkdafied, and Salt-N-Pepa officially established themselves as the best-selling female hip-hop act of all-time with their eight times platinum selling Very Necessary, thus showing that females were taking care of things just as the guys were without having to undermine themselves sexually to do it.

We hit a new level of lyricism and artistic ability with a Virginia-bred, plus-sized at the time young singer/rapper/producer/songwriter named Missy "Misdemeanor" Elliot, who was part of an R&B group named Sista before breaking out on her own.  Completely changing the atmosphere for women in the game, she delivered hit after hit after hit, working with everyone from Busta Rhymes, Ciara, Ginuwine, and the late Aaliyah and becoming a star the likes of which hip-hop didn't see before, and truthfully haven't seen since.  We also got exposed to a very special and talented beyond measure Jersey native named Lauryn Hill.  We first were exposed to her as part of the groundbreaking group, the Fugees, who's sophomore album, The Score, is considered one of hip-hop's greatest masterpieces and among the highest-selling albums of all-time in hip-hop.  When it was time to split, the anticipation for her debut was reaching epic levels.  Her debut, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, finally hit in '98, and with twelve million units sold worldwide, she became the biggest female hip-hop star in the world.  The artistic nature of her was and still is truly something that could be considered once in a generation.  Let us not forget the 'L' in TLC, the late Lisa "Left Eye" Lopes.  Her brand of defiant, feminist, and rebellious hip-hop helped make TLC the biggest act in the world during the mid to late nineties.

While others such as Flipmode's first lady Rah Digga, Ruff Ryders' pitbull-in-a-skit Eve, Charli Baltimore, Murder Inc's Vita, No Limit's Mia X, and Terror Squad's Remy Ma started to come aboard and make some noise of their own, eventually the female emcee movement quieted down.  For years, there wasn't even a slight ripple within the game from the ladies, not enough to warrant a ton of attention.  With several leaving the game for whatever reason, it became an all boys club again.  That's until a Trinidad-born, New York-bred young lady named Onika Miraj came on board making waves within the mixtape circuit, and eventually became Nicki Minaj.  We finally had a new force representing the females strongly, and she's actually nice.  She became Young Money's first lady, and before we knew it, a new star femcee star was born, with her albums hitting platinum and double platinum units.  However, comparisons to Lil' Kim became quite apparent, both in terms of style and image.  Sadly, she's the only one running the game for the ladies on a mainstream level.  We were introduced to a young Australian named Iggy Azaelia, but with so much heat and controversy surrounding the authenticity of her craft, it's possible we may never see another Iggy album, in spite of the fact that her debut album, The New Classic, has done gold and platinum units virtually all over the world.

The question is now, where's the next crop of superstar female emcees?  Perhaps a better question is, "Why the lack?"  With all these names aforementioned and even more than those such as Nonchalant, Lady Of Rage (don't front, you know "Afro Puffs" is an under appreciated anthem), Nikki D, and the late MC Trouble, why aren't there just as many now?  If we do see a female hit, it would be some novelty act like Kreashawn or Lil' Debbie, that are more about wanting to say "I'm a rapper" rather than actually wanting to make a big difference, and it shows based upon the generic, almost insulting music they make.  While very talented feminine lyricists such as Snow Tha Product, Dreezy, Eternia, Dynasty, and especially the next to blow NC's own Rapsody gives me some hope, unless we get more of these types of ladies and more variety on a mainstream level, Nicky will be the only female emcee worth noting and the only one holding the ladies down on a weighted scale.  I'm completely for the rise again of the females in the game, not so much those that are deliberate Lil' Kim clones, but those that give the people various types of styles, images, and appeals.  They're out there, and this game needs you.  Salt-N-Pepa recently stated in an interview with Huffpost Live that the baton of women in hip-hop has been "dropped", and this is a sad but true statement.  The support is out there, but let your foremothers of the Queen Latifahs and the Salt-N-Pepas and the MC Lytes be your examples of success, being role models, and authenticity, not just Kim.  Kim made her name for the type of audience she wanted at that time, stop being her.  Stop being Nicky.  Be you.  Ladies, the game needs a healthy balance of females in the game to help compliment the men holding it down and for your own legacies to start getting established again.

That's all for now cats and dogs, but before I go, here's one for the road.  This is the first single from Rah Digga's debut, the gold-selling Dirty Harriet, the NUTS track, "Tight".  Hold it down folks.

The 25 Most Slept On Major Label Albums...By Mainstream Artists

What's going on kiddies, lovers, and haters.  Hope everyone enjoyed their weekend and that everyone is getting ready for their holiday season.  This week, I have yet another list for the masses.  This list involves some of the best albums from major artists on major labels or major distribution.  These particular albums, albeit incredible releases, failed to meet commercial and financial success, whether it was from lack of marketing or the like.  We all know that some of our greatest albums never saw gold and platinum plaques, and this is the entire point of this list.  Keep in mind, most of the artists on this list are the previously mentioned gold and platinum achievers, but there usually is that one highly acclaimed album that they never got the commercial accolades that they should've garnered in terms of sales and appraisal.  This was NOT an easy list to compile, as there are far many than these twenty-five, and even the honorable mentions that appear after the main list.  If your favorite album isn't on here, or on the honorable mentions, don't cry about it, it's just a subjective list.  We have a lot of people that tend to be in their feelings concerning certain lists and what should or shouldn't have made these lists.  It's not that serious people, get over yourselves.  With that, let's get started.

25. Devin- The Dude

Your favorite high homeboy, and mine, Devin The Dude dropped his debut in '98 on the Rap-A-Lot banner, and served as his flagship release.  Mixing comedic rhymes with funky, bluesy production came together excellently on this debut, thus starting a critically acclaimed, yet commercially underwhelming career.  On top of that, how can you deny the doubling over humor of one of his signature cuts, "Boo Boo'n" ?

24. Boogie Down Productions- Sex & Violence

The final BDP album, before KRS officially became a solo artist after the death of partner Scott La Rock, was as much of a beast as prior releases by By All Means Necessary, Ghetto Music, and Edutainment (we all know Criminal Minded was on another planet).  After notable beefs with X-Clan, Das EFX, and the rushing of P.M. Dawn on stage, this put KRS in a negative light, thus affecting sales of this otherwise very dope project.

23. UGK- Super Tight

This album from Port Arthur, TX's finest was the follow-up to their dope debut, Too Hard To Swallow.  What made this album different from the debut was more use of bluesy samples, whereas their debut was almost hot-buttered funk and soul.  The album spawned two breakout singles: "Front, Back, Side To Side", and the southern anthem "Pocket Full Of Stones".  While theiur next album marked their offical breakout album and is still considered a bonafide classic in Ridin' Dirty, this was a banger that put UGK one step closer to the national recognition they eventually gained, and rightfully so.  Long live the Pimp!

22. Group Home- Livin' Proof

Two NYC troublesome cats named Lil' Dap and Malachi The Nutcracker teamed with the almighty Premo to make a damn formidable album.  While not the most lyrical album ever heard, especially on the part a lot of times from Malachi, this was a sonic tour de force from Premo, as this is considered one of his best produced albums that's not Gangstarr.  Their singles "Livin' Proof", "Up Against The Wall", and "Suspended In Time" were menacing tracks that showed potential in the duo, but more so the incredible production prowess of Charles Martin.

21. Dilated Peoples- Expansion Team

The Cali trio of Evidence, Rakaa Iriscience, and DJ Babu were highly regarded underground faves, however they finally snagged a major label deal with Capitol Records in 2000 and dropped their not bad major label debut, The Platform.  It was their next effort, however, that made people open their eyes to how dope they were.  A more mean-mugged De La Soul of sorts, the Peoples brought forth an album that they haven't been able to top critically.  This was top to bottom a sincere banger, damn near flawless.  With beatsmiths like Premo, Da Beatminerz, Quest-Love, and longtime associate The Alchemist, these guys ripped it, and it was among the best sounding albums of 2001, if not the best period that year.

20. Black Moon- War Zone

We were waiting for six years for a new Black Moon album, but with issues from their earlier label, Nervous Records, we had no idea when the next BM album would drop.  When they dropped their sophomore album, YO!!!!  While it's missing the earlier Timberland boot- mashing sound from '93 with their debut, Enta Da Stage (see later), this still was a damn formidable follow-up with powerhouse tracks provided by residential in-house sonic gods Da Beatminerz.  Tracks like the Busta Rhymes-assisted "Onslaught", "Throw Ya Hands", and the SICK title track, we also saw a more grown-up, focused Buckshot, but as lyrical as ever.  This packed a punch!

19. Logic- Under Pressure

The DMV's residential mic hitman, Logic, garnered buzz with his Young Sinatra mixtape series and was finally signed to Def Jam in 2013.  A lot was put on him to deliver a solid project, and man did he.  Seen as one of the most impressive debuts in recent Def Jam memory, this Maryland dweller went introspective from the word 'go'.  While some put their noses up at him for mimicking Kendrick's good kid, M.A.A.D. City concept, he still delivered a very solid project with very engaging production from S-1, Jake One, and his own crew.  Topics ranged from his struggles to make it in hip-hop to hood life to his addiction to cigarettes in what is the album's undisputed highlight.  Overall, this was as impressive of a debut as we've seen in a while from a Def Jam artist.  BTW, don't you dare sleep on his latest album, The Incredible True Story.

18. Big K.R.I.T.- Live From The Underground

Mississippi's own Big K.R.I.T. was seen as the return of the "soulful south" by way of his highly acclaimed mixtapes such as K.R.I.T. Was Here and King Remembered In Time.  He signed with Def Jam in 2012 and the anticipation was pretty elevated.  This was a goldmine of a debut, although sales didn't reflect it.  Seen as a full-length version of his mixtapes, this album stands among the best debuts to emerge from the South in years and was filled with soul and blues, especially with appearances from Anthony Hamilton, Bun B, and even the late great blues icon B.B. King.  This is the perfect album for those who miss that old UGK/Goodie Mob/Eightball & MJG sound, and had this been released in the mid to late nineties, he would've already been a household name.  As for his follow-up album Cadillactica, stay tuned.

17. Eightball & MJG- In Our Lifetime Vol. 1

Those Memphis legends came in '99 with what many say was unquestionably one of their best albums.  After the regionally regarded success of their prior albums On The Outside Looking In, Comin' Up Hard, and especially On Top Of The World, this would put them on a national level, and this began that journey to mainstream notoriety.  Their collab with Outkast "Throw Your Hands Up" and the moody "Daylight" served as great tracks for an overall excellent, yet sorley slept-on, album.  Not to mention it was their last album under the famed Suave House umbrella.

16. Inspectah Deck- Uncontrolled Susbstance

While most from the almighty Wu enjoyed lots of success such as Meth, Rae, Ghost, and the late Ol' Dirty, Deck was among the most slept and least appreciated, in spite of being arguably the most lyrical.  Originally supposed to be released before Ghost's debut, Deck volunteered to play the back for a bit.  Unfortunately, most of his material mysteriously succumbed to a flood.  Having to redo virtually his whole album, Deck came out with a very impressive debut.  Deck's swords were as sharp as ever over sincere production from RZA, True Master, Large Pro, and more to capture a classic Deck/Wu sound and the results were fantastic.  Don't believe me? Peep tracks like "Word On The Street", "Loving U", and "Show & Prove".  

15. Cool Breeze- East Point's Greatest Hit

Straight from the revered Dungeon Family came the cat that shined on Goodie Mob's "Dirty South" from their exceptional Soul Food album.  Heads were ready for an album from Cool Breeze, and when he dropped one of hip-hop's craziest posse records "Watch For The Hook" featuring Outkast, Witchdoctor, and Goodie Mob, the streets were all the way ready.  When he finally dropped his debut, East Point's Greatest Hit, the reviews are overall very good, in fact dope.  His follow-up single "Cre-A-Tine (I Got People)" brought the gutta back to Freddie Calhoun's sound.  We all know the Dungeon Family was one of the illest collectives ever assembled, and this cat proved to be one of their anchors.

14. Gangstarr- Hard To Earn

Man!  How many of y'all miss "one of the best yet" in Gangstarr?  I know I do, and this album truly solidified their contendership for best duo in hip-hop.  Gone from this effort was their melodic approach in favor of harder, gutter sounds.  We all know the monster that "Mass Appeal" was, and the sheer boom-bap of the epic Nice & Smooth collab "DWYCK", but trust and believe it only got better from there.  Other menacing tracks like "Tons O' Gunz" and "Speak Ya Clout" exemplified the fire that Gangstarr brought forth in this epic release.  The most consistent duo to emerge during this time period, Gangstarr's legacy will always be among the best ever.  Word to Guru!

13. Xzibit- 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz

One of the most talented, and passionate, emcees to emerge from the West is Xzibit, and this showed with his promising debut, At The Speed Of Life.  However, it was his sophomore album, 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz, that he realized the mistakes of his debut, and capitalized on them to craft a stellar sophomore effort.  Aside from taking part in one of hip-hop's most brilliant videos for "What U See Is What U Get", tracks like "Focus", "Handle Your Business" and "Nobody Sound Like Me" were sure shot bangers that were in constant repeat in peoples decks.  This album was head and shoulders hotter than his debut, and even when he got up with Dr. Dre for his next two albums, this album still holds up compared to anything he had done.  Sorely slept and underappreciated, X to the Z has a top to bottom wildcard for best album in his discography for with this one.

12. Big K.R.I.T.- Cadillactica

Earlier, we featured K.R.I.T. for having a very standout debut full-length album with Live From The Underground.  Two years later, he delivered his sophomore album, Cadillactica, and as if it was possible to outdo its predecessor, he did it.  More musical this time around, thanks to more varied production by Jim Jonsin, Terrace Martin, and DJ Dahi, K.R.I.T. continued his knack for relatability mixed with accessibility.  Plus lyrically, he stepped up his confidence substantially and proved any doubters he may have had totally wrong.  It's not often you see a sophomore album be better than the debut, but this is unquestionably one of those times.

11. Jeru The Damaja- The Sun Rises In The East

In '93, a rasta mon from Brooklyn knocked us on our ass with his debut, The Sun Rises In The East.  Jeru was a part of the Gangstarr Foundation (Freddie Foxxx, NYGz, Group Home, Big Shug) and from the first time we heard him on Gangstarr's "I'm The Man" from their dope Daily Operation album.  We then heard him on "Speak Ya Clout" from the aforementioned Hard To Earn album.  When he finally did drop his debut, heads were ready, but we were far from ready for the soon-to-be-classic cut "Come Clean".  The fact that Premo made a beat out of Chinese Water Torture was beyond comprehension.  He then followed that with the rugged "D. Original", and we knew this was gonna be one to remember.  Seen as a pivotal album in the NY resurgance that had been taken away by Deathrow and Dr. Dre, this is still considered among the best debuts in within the past couple decades.

10. Black Moon- Enta Da Stage

Three hoody-wearing, Timberland-draped cats from Brooklyn presented the game with a staggering amount of venom and street rage that ended up becoming part of the defining sound of NYC.  Black Moon's intense debut, Enta Da Stage, introduced us to the emcee known at the time as Buckshot Shorty, as well as his cohort 5 FT and DJ Evil Dee from the awesome production team Da Beatminerz, and showed us who the original wylin out kids were during these times.  On top of presenting us with fellow BCC members Smif-N-Wessun as well as a young Havoc of Mobb Deep.  Dark and agressive, this marked a new era in NYC hip-hop.

9. Big Boi- Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son Of Chico Dusty

When Outkast was together, Antwan Patton was seen as the funkier half of the duo.  This was more than evident on their history-making Speakerboxx/The Love Below album with his Grammy-nominated single "The Way You Move".  The time had come for Big Boi to finally present us with a debut solo album and DAMN were the results pleasurable.  Simply put, this was how Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik would've sounded in 2010.  This had tons of funk, soul, and stuff to make you...shake it like a Polaroid picture if you will!  He proved his lyrical game was still among the best around as well, but this was truly a complete album for the former Outkast emcee.  While his later works haven't measured up, this still stands as a triumph for not just Big Boi as a solo artist, but for the soulful South as well.

8. Capone-N-Noreaga- The War Report

Where were you the first time you heard Mobb Deep's timeless sophomore album, The Infamous?  Chances are you had that same feeling when you heard CNN's unbelievable debut album, The War Report.  Dark, brooding, murky, and apocalyptic, this was a debut that introduced the world to war zones known as Queensbridge and Lefrak City.  Vivid imagery from a young Noreaga (now N.O.R.E.) and their one time mentor Tragedy Khadafi set the tone for one of the most treasured hip-hop albums that never got the commercial acclaim it deserved.  Rivaling such gritty bloodbaths like Hell On Earth, the aforementioned Infamous, and Enta Da Stage, this was insanity mixed with viciousness and survival.  While these two did an admiral job with their follow-up album The Reunion, this one was just a knockout, and seen as one of the hardest NYC albums of the entire decade.

7. Camp Lo- Uptown Saturday Night

Sonny Cheeba and Geechi Suade were two young jacks out of the BX, and they had an original style about them that seemed very nostalgic and became one of hip-hop's most talked about rookies.  Their debut, Uptown Saturday Night, felt like you were in an episode of Good Times or in a Blaxploitation flick.  This was a fun album and one that was original in style.  Extremely underrated, the cats got up with Ski Beatz to construct a much needed breath of fresh air in the mean mugging, hard nosed mantra of NY hip-hop at this time.  Compared to an up north Outkast, it's a shame they didn't quite measure up to those standards, but nevertheless this debut should be a hell of a lot more talked about then they are, and definitely so should this album.

6. Prince Paul- A Prince Among Thieves

When it comes to Prince Paul, only one word comes to mind: extraordinaire.  The mastermind behind De La Soul's early material as well as 3rd Bass' influential Cactus Album presented hip-hop's first audio "opera" with this very clever release.  A conceptual album to the fullest, this album followed the story of Tariq who wanted to earn money to make a demo but turns to a life of crime and corruption in order to do so.  Original and creative, Prince Paul took hip-hop to a level it had never been for its time.  With solid production throughout, this one was something that should've been a complete game changer for hip-hop as a whole.

5. M.O.P.- Warriorz

What can I say?  This was supposed to be the album that officially put the Mashed Out Posse in a bigger worldwide circle.  The album spawned one of the most riotous stick up anthems of all-time in "Ante Up", and delivered monsters like "Cold As Ice", "Home Sweet Home", and the title track.  Danz and Fame have never had a problem establishing cult followings with prior albums such as Firing Squad and First Family 4 Life, but with the overwhelming success of "Ante Up", one would've thought gold and platinum was surely knocking on their door.  In any case, this was a milestone album in their careers.  Although they've dropped other dope albums since, none has matched the intensity and possible crossover appeal like this did, much less without trading in their signature sound or softening any blows for the radio.  Here's to the Firing Squad for that uncompromising hip-hop for over two decades.  Salute!

4. De La Soul- Buhloone Mindstate

One of the greatest groups in all of hip-hop had an epic album that barely went into peoples walkmen and discmen during this time.  Seen as the last album Prince Paul produced with them, De La Soul presented an album that blended the unapologetic hip-hop of their light-years-ahead-of-their-time masterpiece De La Soul Is Dead and the humor and charm of their highly influential benchmark debut, 3 Feet High & Rising.  This should very easily be considered among the upper class of their discography with cuts like "Ego Trippin Pt. 2", "Breakadawn", and "Patti Dooke".  While that's no diss to other albums of theirs like The Grind Date, AOI: Bionix, and especially Stakes Is High, this one was just masterful and deserves more respect than it receives.  Peace to baby girl Shorty No Mas!

3. dead prez- let's get free

Unbelievable is the first word that comes to my mind when describing this masterwork by m-1 and stic.man.  From the first time we heard them on the amazing Soul In The Hole soundtrack with "Score", to their next wonderful cut on the Slam soundtrack, "Sellin' D.O.P.E.", we were heavily awaiting the debut, then "Hip-Hop" dropped.  BRUH!!!!!  The SICK bassline, mixed with their revolution-inspired lyrics, made this an instant smash.  Finally, their debut dropped and what a debut it was.  One of the most insane debuts of any era, dead prez stuck to a theme that conjured up Public Enemy, X-Clan, and N.W.A. within the first few tracks.  Highly melodic, and at times Goth-like, production and pro-Black imagery was stuck like glue all over this album.  Sadly, this album's numbers didn't reflect the greatly influential music this album spawned.  Many view this as a modern day classic that is needed in today's times as well.  This album gave them a massive cult following, we just wish the rest of the world caught up.

2. Brand Nubian- One For All

There's no way possible we can mention landmark debuts and not mention Brand Nubian's One For All.  The quintessential pro-Black, five percenter soundtrack is filled with afro-centric views, mixed with occasional sexual accomplishments and witty humor to propel BN into official hip-hop stardom.  Released during a time when acts like Ice-T and N.W.A. were tearing up charts with their brands of violence and misogyny, DJ Alamo, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and Grand Puba made tracks you could learn from, as well as groove to substantially.  It doesn't get more fresh than "Slow Down".  This was, and is, an album for the ages and deserves its rightful place in hip-hop history.  

1. The Roots- Illadelph Halflife

It had to belong to the legendary Roots crew.  The greatest hip-hop band ever heard, Black Thought, Quest-Love and the gang were already making noise in the underground with their debut, Organix.  We then were hit with their ever impressive sophomore effort, Do You Want More, which spawned their vintage cuts "Proceed" and "Distortion To Static".  However, we went to another musical platform on this third release, that doesn't get as highly talked about as other efforts like Things Fall Apart, The Tipping Point, and Phrenology.  This was, by far, their most musically and spiritually elevated album during this time, and elevated Black Thought into one of the most prolific emcees in the entire game.  Jazzy, yet occasionally dark, this album was a maturation, both musically and lyrically, from the prior two albums and dared to look at gangsta releases like Hell On Earth, The Firm, and Dogg Food in the face to tell them, "We can do just as good as y'all can and make people think and feel like responsible human beings that love hip-hop".  This, for many years, was their magnum opus and is still highly garnered as one of their best if not their best ever.  You can hear some of the influence in some of today's material like Kendrick's mind-blowing epic, To Pimp A Butterfly.  Shouts to The Roots for putting out some of the most daring and mature albums ever put on wax, and this one in particular was a gold mine.

Honorable Mentions

AZ-Aziatic

Not since Doe Or Die had AZ sounded this hungry over beats this sublime

Organized Konfusion- Stress: The Extinction Agenda

Bold, original, and damn sure lyrical, these two Queens residents brought freshness to the game and created a track called "Stray Bullet" that remains one of the most innovative ever.

M.O.P.- First Family 4 Life

This had smash written all over it, and if the searing production wasn't enough, the guest list of Jay-Z, Treach, Heather B, and Gangstarr should've let people know that this was an album that wasn't gonna be messed with

Ras Kass- Soul On Ice

Lyrical masterpiece.  Enough said.

Gravediggaz- The Pick, The Sickle, and The Shovel

How do you follow up a cult classic like 6 Feet Deep?  Putting out an album almost every bit as exceptional as their debut, and it got accomplished.

Onyx- All We Got Iz Us

Another album that was better than the debut.  Tackling suicide and drug addiction, this was far more brutal and darker, but it's highly argued that this is their grand level of albums.

O.C.- Jewelz

Already garnering heavy buzz off his incredible debut, Word...Life, he went a step further with his follow-up, and while it's obvious he wanted more of a mainstream sound, it still had a sincerity with it that makes it just as dope as his debut.

MC Ren- The Villain In Black

Handled by Above The Law's Cold 187um, this album from Ren was a definite sleeper and had some of damn good hits.  Although not as socially conscious as Shock Of The Hour, this was still something to peep.

The Pharcyde- Labcabincalifornia

Their debut, Bizarre Ryde II The Pharcyde, is considered an eccentric landmark, but their sophomore effort was in all cases better.  Not only did we hear several cuts from the late icon himself J Dilla, but lyircally everyone stepped it up all across the board.  More personal this time around, this album showed maturity and we're glad for it.

Heltah Skeltah- Nocturnal

This debut from Rock and the late Sean Price (then known as Ruck) was one of the mid-nineties most banged out releases and is still considered one of Duck Down's hardest albums

P.A.- Straight No Chase

This relatively unknown act out the Dungeon Family collective had a severely slept-on album that fit right in to the era of Outkast and Goodie Mob.  Really.  Seriously.  They were dope!

Big L- Lifestylez Uv Tha Poor & Dangerous

In the immortal words of Premo, "Big L, rest in peace!"  This debut from the late, great Lamont Coleman showed the potential of one of the wittiest, lyrical wordsmiths out during that time.  The word is he was supposed to be signed to the Roc shortly before his shooting.  Damn, what could've been.

Clipse- Hell Hath No Fury

Darker and more bleak than their near platinum debut, Lord Willin', the Thorton brothers delivered, what most have called, the most coke-laced album heard during that time.  

Q-Tip- The Renaissance

In all actuality, this should've been in the top ten.  This is as close to a whole Tribe album as you could get musically.  With Grammy wins and rave reviews across the board, this album from Kamaal was nothing less than exquisite.

OGC- Da Storm

Following in the steps of their older brothers Heltah Skeltah, Top Dog, Starang, and Louieville Sluggah delivered an album that was vintage Boot Camp, with even better production than on Nocturnal.

Tha Alkaholiks- Likwidation

How I miss those cats!  There was never an album they didn't have fun with, and this was arguably their best effort, although none of their stuff made it to even gold status.

CRU- Da Dirty 30

Greatly overlooked trio that delivered an album thirty tracks deep with entertaining and intriguing cuts over sustainable production.  Sadly, they didn't make it past the first album.

Blackalicious- Blazing Arrow

Artistic and for the mature-minded was this duo from Cali.  Their major label debut was much of what we expected from them, and it still can contend with some of the best of the early millennium from the west.

Jurassic 5- Quality Control

Rhythmic and funky, J5 were a group that had the B-boy aura deep in their veins, and could musically hang with damn near anyone in their circle.  Just plain raw talent, and excellent production from Cut Chemist.

Nature- For All Seasons

QB alum, Nature, had to co-sign of Nas early on to deliver this painfully slept-on banger.  With work from Trackmasters, L.E.S., and Kurt Gowdy, this was a player from beginning to end.  How do you front on "The Ultimate High"?

Cam'ron- S.D.E.

Arguably the best album from his entire discography, Cameron Giles delivered a slightly darker and more personal album than his gold-selling debut Confessions Of Fire.  

Little Brother- The Minstrel Show

Phonte, 9th, and Pooh dropped an amazing album with their major label debut.  One of the single best albums dropped in '05, this trio should've been the next best thing to Tribe had they not broken up.  This album especially was the album that could've taken them there.

Bun B- Trill O.G.

The final installment in the Trill series ended with his best work post-UGK and the passing of partner in crime Pimp C.  We were even blessed with a Premo beat, and he RIPPED it!

Styles P- Time Is Money

While not as acclaimed as his fantastic debut, A Gangster & A Gentleman, Pinero delivered a very decent follow-up and one that should stop being ignored and overlooked.

KRS-One- Return Of The Boom Bap

In a word: MASTERWORK!

KRS-One- KRS-One

While not quite at the same level as his classic prior album was, this follow-up to it was still an asskicker and had many officially praising Kris Parker as the embodiment of that era's state of hip-hop

Showbiz & A.G.- Runaway Slave

This was, and still is, a hip-hop treasure.  We saw the lyrical stature that A.G. could bring and showed how superb Show's beat work could be.  Can I get a soul clap?!

Rakim- The Master

We were doing back flips when he finally got a Rakim solo album with The 18th Letter.  While not the game-changer we thought it would be, it still was an impressive album that got tons of love.  His follow-up, some say, was even better.  I can't completely argue with that one.

Folks, as you can see there are lots of overlooked and unerappreciated gems from major artists we know and love.  These albums were to show that although they didn't achieve major label gold or platinum success, these were still works of art and deserve to be mentioned as one of their best, if not their very best.  The debates, discussions, and occasional arguments continue.  I'm out for this week.  One love!