Number 10en
Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030

Del, Kid Koala and Dan the Automator. Hard to explain. Even harder to stop listening to. Just an album you have to hear for yourself.

Number 9ine
Lyricist Lounge Vol. 2

Rawkus continues to feel what is going on in the underground as they put together yet another knockout compilation of unreleased material.

Number 8ight:
Tony Touch - The Piece Maker

Somehow overlooked in the Latin hip-hop community in past years, Tony Touch blazes on this album featuring guest artists that would make any hip-hop junkie drool.

Number 7even:
Blackalicious - Nia

The Gift of Gab's long-awaited full-length after the promising EP, delivers on every track with beats ranging from organic to old-school feels and Nia interludes in between.

Number 6ix:
Del the Funky Homosapien - Both Sides of the Brain

The most prolific member of Hieroglyphics returns with another chapter from the Del library. Like the previous releases, it's unlike anything else he's put out before and definitely warrants a listen.

Number 5ive:
Dilated Peoples - The Platform

On the east coast, the Dilated Peoples have found what has always made the NYC underground scene so impressive. Minimal beats. Simple samples. Incredible rhymes. Enough said.

Number 4our:
Jurassic 5 - Quality Control

Perhaps the saviors of the west coast rap scene as the rest continue to make updated variations of "Nuthin' But a G' Thang," nowhere else can you find this much talent collected in one group, while being collective enough on one train of thought to pass the line quicker than you can blink.

Number 3hree:
Common (Sense) - Like Water for Chocolate

The king of Windy City hip-hop returns with an impressive collection of tracks ranging from club-ready beats to memoirs on neglected members of our recent history.

Number 2wo:
Outkast - Stankonia

Outkast has always been at the cutting edge of hip-hop, but with Stankonia they turned it on its head with their techno-jungle-rock beats and always fresh rhymes.

Number 1ne:
Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek - Reflection Eternal

The second half of Black Star has arrived with a solo project that makes a strong statement that there is no weaker half of the duo. Filled with inventive beats and inciteful rhymes, the album is a must-have.