Top 5 Hip-Hop Albums for 2006

Top 5 Hip-Hop Albums for 2006:

(1) Kingdom Come - Jay-Z - Jay came back despite the retirement, and lived up to the hype around this release. The production all around is on point, bottom line. The lyrics are classic Hov, and just when you think he may be running out of things to rap about he hits you with songs like "Beach Chair" / "Lost Ones" and "30 Something" broadening the at times clich-ish topics that frequent this genre of music. He also sends appropriate subliminal and at times blatent shots at emcees who have attacked him since his retirement. He appeals to every listeneer, and even picks up a few more along the way. He also shows that you can make a classic album without having so many features and having your album look like a who's who in hip-hop callaboration wise. The King is back!

(2) The Big Bang Theory - Busta Rhymes - Busta brought so much style, flavor, and energy back to the game with this LP it ain't even funny. This is probably the best Busta release to date, and he did it in a very hard way. Typically albums chalk full of features do not succeed as much because with so many artists contributing you never know how the end result will pan out. With production from Swizz Beatz, Dr. Dre, Don Cannon, The Neptunes & will.i.am, and lyrical skills from Floetry, DMX, Papoose, T.I., Flipmode Squad, & Q-Tip (to name a few, trust me there are more) he smashes the competition. From start to finish it is on fire, he even has a song with Rick James. RICK JAMES?!? Yes, and it's fire as well. The production for every track matches his energy, and Busta even brought the hip-hop posse cut back to the game with the "Touch It" remix. The move to Aftermath was well worth it.

(3) Second Rounds On Me - Obie Trice - I guess being shot multiple times and surviving doesn't nessasirly mean you will sell millions of records? Because Obie didn't kill SoundScan, but he did manage to murder every track on his album lyrically. From the Akon feature, to the at times boring production of Eminem, Obie struts his stuff and crafts another classic. This is only his second album, and he is setting the bar very very high for himself. I love this album, go get it, or download it!

(4) Release Therapy - Ludacris - Borrowing a formula that Busta used for his LP, Luda gets production from the top notch producers, and guest spots from some of the best emcees and more popular lyricists of today for this album. And like Busta, it worked wonders. The 3 singles he released thus far are only hitting the surface of what this album has to offer ("Money Maker" / "Grew Up A Screw Up" and "Runaway Love"). There are probably 4 other tracks on the album that are possible singles. Luda does not always get the credit he deserves, but this year I am giving it to him because this is a excellent album.

(5) The Blue Carpet Treatment - Snoop Dogg - Snoop holds the west DOWN. Like a BEAST! Some of the tracks off of this LP have me remembering old Snoop, just the hunger, and the style and swagger he shows on this proves age adds flavor. The production again compliments his style, and the first single was a perfect choise because it just works. THAT'S THAT SHIT!! Everyone is saying that I bet at the club when this comes on, just like they were when he performed at the BET Hip-Hop Awards. I love everything about this album honestly. Although I do wish "Imagine" with Dr. Dre and D'Angelo was on the LP, that might have made this album jump to number 4.

Honorable Mention: Hell Hath No Fury - The Clipse, Doctor's Advocate - The Game, Port of Miami - Rick Ross, King - T.I.

Biggest Let Downs: Eminem Presents The Re-Up - VA, Hip Hop Is Dead - Nas, Rotten Apple - Lloyd Banks

Biggest Surprises: Tru3 Magic - Mos Def, Laugh Now Cry Later - Ice Cube

(if I think of more I will update this to include those)