Whereas I could easily do a run-down description and evaluation of these records, I’ve instead decided to quickly explain what these albums meant to me, since there are my top 10 albums of the decade, they may not necessarily be the 10 best albums of the decade. Keep in mind, while I’m a highly motivated hip-hop listener, I do not claim to have heard everything that was released during the past decade. Moving on.

1- 50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin

50’s debut album fulfilled the promise made by Young Jeezy’s first album. Get Rich of Die Tryin was, in fact, Thug Motivation 101 (even for an 18 year old white kid). Flat out, this album pumped me up. 50 had a really cool story, I even purchased the enhanced version that included the DVD with his interviews which I found really interesting. Not only an album of the decade but a hip-hop classic.

2- Jay-Z – The Blueprint

I am only mildly ashamed to admit that only after hearing The Blueprint were my eyes and ears opened to the greatness of Shawn Carter. I suppose it was the soulful soundscape laid by Kanye West that helped me to focus on the lyricism, but after fully digesting this album-and then re-consuming and re-digesting, I went back and explored the rest of Jay’s catalog, much to my delight.

3- Kanye West – College Dropout

A few of the corny skits aside, this album is awesome. I remember buying into the (deserved) hype of Kanye the MC after hearing a few leaked songs previous to the album’s release. The buzz tripled after Kanye’s highly publicized car accident which led to his renegade release of the “Through the Wire” music video. Rumor had it that Roc-a-fella Records was dragging it’s feet on putting Kanye’s album out, so he forced their hand by deciding to fund and release the video and song himself. Good move, Kanye.

4- Eminem – Marshal Mathers LP

The Marshall Mathers LP really picked up where The Slim Shady LP left off. Extremely well produced and creative album from an artist who grew up less than a mile from where I was raised. Needless to say I felt a pretty personal connection to Eminem. At this point in hip-hop, there simply was not an artist (on the mainstream level) as technically gifted, creative, or plain crazy as Eminem.

5- Jay-Z – Black Album

Jay’s misstep on Blueprint 2 led to heightened expectations for The Black Album. Released in conjunction with the Fade to Black DVD, Jay-Z delivered a carefully crafted and cool album. Seeing him creating the record in the studio with inspiration and help from Kanye, Pharrell and Timbaland really enriched the songs for me.

6- Mos Def – Black on Both Sides

Mos Def was one of my favorite artists beginning late last decade in what we hip-hop nerds now refer to as the “Rawkus Era.” I was a fan to the point where a Mos Def quote accompanies my senior yearbook photo. Mos really put his all into Black on Both Sides. Good thing, because he hasn’t approached a record at this level since. Mos painted the pictured of a well-rounded and talented MC, both technically and artistically. Extra props for making a great record without much high-powered help on the production side.

7- Non-Phixion – The Future is Now

Some folks reading this have potentially never heard of this group nor this album. Non-Phixion is comprised of a 250lb. conspiacy-theorizing Jew from Brooklyn who you would not want to run into in a dark alley, a red head who works at a youth rec center and a heavily sedated/drugged Latino who’s lyrical content is only decipherable for 50% of his verses. However, if you are a fan of incredible production (DJ Premeire, Pete Rock, Necro) bizarre/offensive lyrics and ridiculous rhyme patterns, this album is all you.

8- Nas – The Lost Tapes

Nas is in my top 3 MCs of all-time, that said, in the last 10 years he hasn’t released an official album worthy of this list. What he did do is release a collection of unreleased songs I can look at as nothing less than an album. I find it quite telling about Nas’ career that a group of songs he initially deemed unworthy of release were amongst my favorites, and this project arguably his most complete since It Was Written.

9- Typical Cats – Typical Cats

“Oh, this is his token underground record to show us that he knows what time it is.”  Yes.  It is.  And it’s also worthy of this list.  If you haven’t heard it, check it out.  Good, honest music from an asian poet, a black poet and a white Christian from Chicago.  Cuts by DJ Natural.

10- Dr. Dre – Chronic 2001

Classic Dre. Classic West Coast. The emergence of Hitman and Knoc-turn’al (where the hell did they go?). Some great Eminem and Snoop appearances. Too many good songs on this record. An easy choice for house parties.  I can’t believe I almost forgot about it!

Honorable mention:

Scarface – The Fix

Lupe Fiasco – Food & Liquor

Kanye West – Late Registration

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