#20 Food & Liquor - Lupe Fiasco (2006)
Lupe's debut was more anticipated than any in recent memory, he was supposed to be hip-hop's savior, the guy that finally crossed technical ability with widespread appeal. He never really lived up to the hype, but he came damn close here. He's witty, clever and hungry on this album and he's clearly aware of the hype that was surrounding him. Excruciatingly bland hooks kept this album from being as successful as it could have been.
#19 Below the Heavens - Blu and Exile (2007)
Blu and Exile are a perfect example of two artists that know how to bring out the best in each other. Exile's beats serve as a perfect backdrop to Blu's intensely personal rhymes and Blu's delivery in no way is overbearing, which allows Exile's beats to shine. As such, it's an album that functions well for both easy listening and holds up just as well to the more scrutinizing ear.
#18 The Listening - Little Brother (2003)
9th Wonder in his prime was one of the best producers in hip-hop. He can chop soul samples with the best of them and has a great ear for drums. The production really makes this album, but Phonte and Big Pooh aren't slouches either. They're not going to revolutionize the rap game by any means, but they both bring wit and fun to the table, which is more than you can say for a lot of MCs.
#17 Disposable Arts - Masta Ace (2001)
This was Masta Ace's comeback album after a fairly long hiatus and it's absolutely dripping with frustration for the direction hip-hop had gone since his last release. This is a double edged sword. Ace sounds more inspired on this record than in any of his previous efforts, but at the same time, he tends to harp on that one topic too much, and it takes away from the concept this album was supposed to have. Regardless of how well he adhered to his concept, Ace's rhymes were on point cover to cover and the beats are serviceable.
#16 Phrenology - The Roots (2002)
This album catches a little flack for trying to pander too hard to a broader fan base because of the stark variety in the sound of a lot of the tracks. I can't really argue with that; it's an album lacking cohesion, for sure. Instead of looking at it as pandering to the masses, I prefer to look at it as The Roots simply showing off their diversity. Black Thought gets plenty of opportunity to shine, but really it's the band's album. They got to show off their skills in a way that they hadn't in any of the Root's previous releases and the result is a mish-mash of rock, hip-hop and neo-soul.
#15 Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt 2 - Raekwon (2009)
Is it as good as the original? No, but sequels rarely are, and that doesn't stop it from being Raekwon's second best album by a wide margin. It picks up right where Rae and Papa Wu left off in the original. If someone were to tell me that this is the best Wu album since the first Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, I wouldn't put up much of an argument. It's truly a great throwback to their mid-90s glory years. Could've used more Ghost, though. Although, really, what album couldn't use more Ghost?
#14 Late Registration - Kanye West (2005)
Kanye did exactly what needs to be done in a sophomore followup to a successful debut; take what worked and build upon it. The production is more grandiose, the features are bigger, the themes are similar. Really, the only thing that holds it from surpassing it's predecessor (foreshadowing!?!?!) is Kanye's ego. He's not nearly as likable and relateable as he was on his debut.
#13 Stillmatic - Nas (2001)
For whatever reason, Jay-Z felt in necessary to call out Nas on The Blueprint. By doing so, he put the spotlight back onto Nas, who's career was all but over. Nas responded by releasing Stillmatic. The Jay-Z diss tracks are what made this album notable to the general populace, but getting past Ether this is actually a great return to form for Nas. He finally got past trying to clone Illmatic (despite what the title would lead you to believe) and reinvented his sound for the new millenium. The production is lacking at times, but lyrically it's one of Nas' best.
#12 Donuts - J. Dilla (2006)
By 2006, it was widely known that J. Dilla was severely ill. Almost all of Donuts was recorded from a hospital bed and it was released just 3 days before his death. It's gone on to be considered the preeminant instrumental hip-hop album. Dilla's use of vocal samples here is what really makes this album stand out among other instrumentals. It's an album that I like a little more every time I hear it. The first listen feels erratic and messy, but the tenth you come to appreciate the variety and Dilla's ability to leave an impact with such short tracks.
#11 Masters of the Universe - Binary Star (2000)
Everything I said about One Be Lo's solo album, S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M. still applies here. The difference is now there are two MC's. That's what makes this album great, the way Be Lo and Senim Silla play off of each other; their styles are so comparable and their voices are so similar that at times it is hard to tell which of them is rapping. They're perfectly symbiotic with one another in a way that you won't find in any other group.
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