Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood (Def Jam, 1998) by DMX

DMX is the most intense rapper to emerge on the scene since Tupac Shakur.  And his sophomore LP is my favorite album of the six that he has released.  The raw emotions which are on display here have never been matched.  Over the course of the album, X, among other things, talks to the devil ("The Omen"), talks to God ("Ready to Meet Him"), addresses personal adversity ("Slippin"), and holds his own alongside Jay-Z and The Lox ("Blackout").  Released in December 1998, it was a fitting conclusion to the year- one of the biggest years that hip-hop has ever had.

The Big Bang (Aftermath, 2006) by Busta Rhymes

A noteworthy mistake which occurs with this release is that the album's first single, "Touch It", is produced by Swizz Beatz instead of Dr. Dre.  Nothing against Mr. Dean ( "Money, Cash, Hoes" is one of the best beats ever), but Busta's signing to Aftermath warrants a more pronounced collaboration between himself and the good doctor.  Other than that promotional misstep, this is a fantastic fifty-eight minutes of music.  And "Been Through the Storm", which features Stevie Wonder, is especially outstanding.

Werewolves and Lollipops (Sub Pop, 2007) by Patton Oswalt

Patton Oswalt is a former English major, which should come as no surprise, considering this masterfully written  stand-up comedy set.  From referencing This Mortal Coil to admitting that his “geekiness is getting in the way of (his) nerdiness,” Patton never undervalues the audience and that allows him to transition smoothly over a wide variety of topics.  Much like George Carlin before him, Oswalt challenges listeners just as much as he entertains them.

AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (Priority, 1990) by Ice Cube

Death Certificate is a classic too, but this album inspires me in ways that go further than music.  The Bomb Squad’s frantic production style provides Cube the perfect platform to rail against racial discord.  As a person of color, the material speaks volumes to me.  The closing lyrics of the title track say it best: “I said it before and I’ll still taunt it/Every motherfucker with a color is most wanted."