What a rich and luscious piece of art. Jazz at it’s finest is something else entirely.

FAV TRACKS: SO WHAT, FREDDIE FREELOADER, BLUE IN GREEN, ALL BLUES, FLAMENCO SKETCHES

LEAST FAV TRACK: N/A

While her style is very reminiscent of her contemporary inspirations, this album is a great time and shows potential growth.

FAV TRACKS: BET ON ME, COME TOGETHER, SNATCH, ON DEMAND, YOU’RE MINE, MINDGAMES, SLIDEEE, CHASING, 1 OF 1

LEAST FAV TRACK: MY MISTAKES

Westside Gunn’s artistic footwork is in decent form but has a lot left to be desired.

FAV TRACKS: NO VACANCY, GEORGE BONDO, 327, $500 OUNCES, SHAWN VS. FLAIR, LE DJOLIBA

LEAST FAV TRACK: PARTY WIT POP SMOKE

Although the content is worthy of attention on a few songs here, the production for the most part falls short and is a disservice to Lupe.

FAV TRACKS: TILL I GET THERE, OUT OF MY HEAD, THE SHOW GOES ON, COMING UP, ALL BLACK EVERYTHING

LEAST FAV TRACK: I DON’T WANNA CARE RIGHT NOW

Lupe’s sophomore album goes into depth about the concept street culture and conditions that plague black musicians and citizens.

FAV TRACKS: GO GO GADGET FLOW, THE COOLEST, SUPERSTAR, PARIS, TOKYO, HI-DEFINITION, GOLD WATCH, HIP-HOP SAVED MY LIFE, INTRUDER ALERT, STREETS ON FIRE, LITTLE WEAPON, GOTTA EAT, DUMB IT DOWN, HELLO/GOODBYE, PUT YOU ON GAME, GO BABY

LEAST FAV TRACK: THE DIE

Lupe Fiasco delivers an all around generational debut with a quality that only a handful of legends can replicate.

FAV TRACKS: REAL, JUST MIGHT BE OK, KICK, PUSH, I GOTCHA, THE INSTRUMENTAL, HE SAY SHE SAY, SUNSHINE, DAYDREAMIN’, THE COOL, HURT ME SOUL, PRESSURE, AMERICAN TERRORIST, THE EMPEROR’S SOUNDTRACK, KICK, PUSH II

LEAST FAV TRACK: N/A

Concept is absolutely beautiful and brilliant, performances impressive, production incredible and replay ability through the roof. Don’t sleep on this.

FAV TRACKS: SLEEP, MAKE MY, ONE TIME, KOOL ON, THE OTHERSIDE, STOMP, LIGHTHOUSE, I REMEMBER, TIP THE SCALE

LEAST FAV TRACK: N/A

The Roots flexing their natural talent as musicians never ceases to amaze.

FAV TRACKS: ROCK YOU, SACRIFICE, ROLLING WITH HEAT, THOUGHT @ WORK, THE SEED (2.0), BREAK YOU OFF, WATER, QUILLS, PUSSY GALORE, COMPLEXITY, RHYMES AND AMMO, THIRSTY!

LEAST FAV TRACK: SOMETHING IN THE WAY OF THINGS (IN TOWN)

Peggy didn’t even make us wait for Friday for this banger of a project with boisterous lyrics, flow and production. Possible AOTY contender.

FAV TRACKS: BABYGIRL, BURNING HAMMER, $, POP THIS HEAT, MEET THE DEALERS, THE GHOST OF EMMETT TILL, ¥, GYBB, TSAR BOMBA, MASK ON, LIGHTS, NEW ERA, WAR OVER LAND, BRIDGES ON FIRE, NO STRIPPERS IN HEAVEN, CHAT

LEAST FAV TRACK: HEAD

I need a Drake from this.

FAV TRACKS: N/A

LEAST FAV TRACK: PRINCESS

Deflated production, vocals, delivery and lyrics.

FAV TRACKS: N/A

LEAST FAV TRACK: I’M SPENT

Seemingly Drake would’ve brought some of that old hunger and energy but as expected he thawed out a long time ago, as well as old, tired and repetitive disses.

FAV TRACKS: MAKE THEM CRY, DUST

LEAST FAV TRACK: MAKE THEM REMEMBER

AZ doesn’t disappoint with this one.

FAV TRACKS: NO NEED FOR LACTOSE, UNIQUENESS, SO HIGH, STILL JACKIE, SURPRISE, FRESH WATER, WINNERS WIN, I WAS ONCE THERE TOO

LEAST FAV TRACK: GIMME THE WORLD

AZ still brings the correct amount of engagement although the production is occasionally spotty all throughout the album.

FAV TRACKS: JUST 4 U, THE WHEEL, NEVER ENOUGH, DIFFERENT, BLOW THAT S#%T, BULLETPROOF, WHAT’S GOOD

LEAST FAV TRACK: FOUND MY NICHE

Blu & Exile paint an abstract painting that covers positive, beautiful themes accompanied by killer performances and left field samples.

FAV TRACKS: MY WORLD IS…, THE NARROW PATH, SO(UL) AMAZIN’, JUICE N’ DRANKS, IN REMEMBRANCE OF ME, BLU COLLAR WORKERS, DANCING IN THE RAIN, FIRST THINGS FIRST, SHOW ME THE GOOD LIFE, SIMPLY AMAZIN’, COLD HEARTED, THE WORLD IS… (BELOW THE HEAVENS), YOU ARE NOW IN THE CLOUDS WITH (THE KOOCHIE MONSTAS), I AM…

LEAST FAV ... read more

The abstract rhymes displayed by Aesop Rock are performed to immerse yourself into the gritty subjects that revolve around the underground New York scene of the 1990’s.

FAV TRACKS: DRYSPELL, SAME SPACE, SICK FRIEND, 1,000 DEATHS, BLUE IN THE FACE

LEAST FAV TRACK: ODESSA

The overall chemistry between Peggy and Danny is beyond amazing and production absolutely slaps.

FAV TRACKS: LEAN BEEF PATTY, STEPPA PIG, SCARING THE HOES, GARBAGE PAIL KIDS, FENTANYL TESTER, BURFICT!, SHUT YO BITCH ASS UP/MUDDY WATERS, ORANGE JUICE JONES, KINGDOM HEARTS KEY, GOD LOVES YOU, JACK HARLOW COMBO MEAL, HEAVEN ON EARTH

LEAST FAV TRACK: RUN THE JEWELS

Although Canibus is capable of spitting slick creative rhymes about his personal subjects, the production is somewhat spotty although the project.

FAV TRACKS: PATRIOTS, GET RETARDED, NIGGONOMETRY, SECOND ROUND K.O., WHAT’S GOING ON, HOW WE ROLL, CHANNEL ZERO, LET’S RIDE

LEAST FAV TRACK: RIP ROCK

Incredibly sharp debut from one of the most underrated ever.

FAV TRACKS: UNCUT RAW, GIMMIE YOUR’S, NO HAPPY JACKIE, RATHER UNIQUE, SUGAR HILL, MO MONEY MO MURDER (HOMICIDE), DOE OR DIE, WE CAN’T WIN, YOUR WORLD DON’T STOP

LEAST FAV TRACK: I FEEL FOR YOU

Not the most ambitious project by Snoop from this decade but the production choices results in a few jams.

FAV TRACKS: STEP, LIED 2 U, STOP COUNTING MY POCCETS, DOGG WHATUP DOE, LEAVE THAT DOGG ALONE, 17 RULES, NO TICCET NEEDED, QTSAMYAH.

LEAST FAV TRACK: BREAD UNDER THE BREAD