Let's Play (Shoreline, 2002) by Raffi

Raffi was a big part of my childhood.  I was given this album as a nostalgic gift when it was released.  And although it obviously didn't have the same effect on me as a teenager as it did as a pre-schooler, it was still a very nice sentiment.  I remember dressing up like Raffi and singing along with him line for line when a pretend mic stand and guitar.  I'm happy to know that Raffi is still making tunes for kids today.  Hopefully, his work makes some little kids fall in love with music now the same way it did for me decades ago.

Guess Who's Back? (Full Clip, 2002) by 50 Cent

"Niggas wanna shine like me (me), rhyme like me (me)/Then walk around with a 9 like me (me)/They don't wanna do it, 3 to 9 like me/And they ain't strong enough to take 9 like me/Aiyoo, you think about shittin' on 50... save it/My songs belong in the Bible with King David/I teach niggas sign language, that ain't def son/[click, click] you heard that? That mean RUN/Ask around, I ain't the one you wanna stun on, pa/Pull through, I'll throw a fucking cocktail at ya' car/From the last shootout, I got a demple on my face/It's nothin', I could go after Mase's fanbase/Shell hit my jaw, I ain't wait for doctor to get it out/Hit my wisdom tooth *huck-too* spit it out/I don't smile a lot, cause ain't nothin' pretty/Got a purple heart for war, and I ain't never left the City/Hos be like "Fitty, you so witty"/On the dick like they heard I ghostwrite for P.Diddy/You got fat while we starve, it's my turn/I done felt how the shells burn, I still won't learn/Won't learn"

-50 Cent, "U Not Like Me"

Quality (Rawkus, 2002) by Talib Kweli

Talib's debut album is fantastic.  Lyrically, he's obviously on point and puts so much content into his verses that it usually takes more than one listen to catch everything.  In terms of production, that is one of the things that makes Quality really stand out.  Unlike lots of conscious rap, this project doesn't have conscious beats too.  I think that's one of the reasons it's such a well-respected and critically-acclaimed release across the board.

Rock City (Game, 2002) by Royce Da 5'9"

Despite Royce's beef with D12 at the time, that fortunately did not overshadow his debut album.  Lyrically, he's one of the best and his beat selection does a good job of showcasing that skill.  "Boom" is a great record and "Rock City," with Slim Shady on the hook, does an excellent job of creating a catchy chorus without compromising quality verses.  "Life" is a deep song which finds its counterbalance in "My Friend" which is an ode to his genitals.  Overall, this album does a wonderful job of presenting Royce as a well-rounded emcee.  It's no surprise he's still successfully making music 10 years later.

The Lost Tapes (Columbia/Ill Will, 2002) by Nas

"Pushin drop-tops, Stacy Lattisaw tapes, the 80's had us all apes/Youngest gorillas up to bat at home plate/That was a uncanny era, guns in my pants/Yeah X-Clan hair, with dreads at the top of my fade/Homicide and feds on the blocks where I played, b-ball/That's when I wondered was I here for the cause, or be-cause/Cause Ray Charles could see the ghetto/Was told to stay strong and I could beat the Devil/Cause yo, I used to play Apollo balcony seats/Watchin niggaz swing razors in the front row, then out in the streets/The car show, 560's, chemical afros/Acuras pumpin Super Lover Cee and Casanova/Live chicks be, asses bustin out of they clothes/Wearin lip gloss, big door knockers pealin they earlobes/So where them years go? Where the old gold beers and cheers go?/But now them shorties here doe, so"

-Nas, "Doo Rags"

Just Tryin' Ta Live (Rap-A-Lot, 2002) by Devin the Dude

This album ranks up there with The Fix, Aquemini and Ridin' Dirty as some of the best music in the history of southern hip hop.  "It's a Shame," with pronounced dark pianos in the beat (production courtesy of Dr. Dre) and a hook from Pooh Bear, is one of the albums early cuts but also one of the greatest in the set.  "R & B" is a very funny song that involves weed, alcohol and a redneck.  Nas and Xzibit make great contributions to "Some of 'Em" and DJ Premier doesn't disappoint behind the boards on "Doobie Ashtray."  Devin is a great writer, rapper, storyteller and singer.  With Just Tryin' Ta Live, he has assembled a great collection of individual songs that also fit together nicely to form a cohesive album.  Not to take anything away from a current artist like Drake who also sings and raps, but Devin did it before him and he did it a little better.

God's Plan (n/a, 2002) by G-Unit

The second set of tracks that 50 flooded the streets with continued his streak of album quality cuts on mix tapes.  50 and the G Unit not only jump on others artist's tracks and outshine the originals, they also bring their own personalities to them which made them rap stars, in addition to credible emcees.  "Catch Me in the Hood" and "You're Not Ready" finds them ripping through Eminem and Beanie Sigel cuts respectively.  Biggie is also featured on the tape.  Some of his vocals are used for "N****s" (Puff also does a drop at the beginning) and "The World is Filled…" track is rhymed over on "The World."  This is a good tape that proved 50 and his crew were ready for superstardom.  

The Best of Both Worlds (Roc-A-Fella/Def Jam/Jive, 2002) by Jay-Z & R.Kelly

This album certainly didn't live up to the hype.  The controversy surrounding R. Kelly at the time didn't help either.  The album still has its strong points though- Jay-Z delivers solid raps and The R brings catchy hooks.  The production suited both of these guys' strengths well too.  The problem is that the songs are very cookie cutter and generic both musically and lyrically.  And for two artists who forever changed their respective genres with their innovative styles and amazing talents, a lot more was expected from this project.  Some of this was redeemed though at Jay-Z's Madison Square Garden show when the two of them came out and performed the title track and "Take You Home With Me" while all of NY sang along.

The Invasion (n/a, 2002) by DJ Green Lantern

The first installment in this legendary mix tape series is famous because it, for all intents and purposes, ended Benzino's career as a rapper.  Eminem's "The Sauce" is a great diss at The Source and his "Nail in the Coffin" is more of a personal, damning record aimed squarely air the magazine's "co-founder."  Obie's "Welcome to Detroit City" is a great take on Cam'ron and Jay's "Welcome to New York City."  And 50's "The Hood", with a beat courtesy of Dr. Dre, and G-Unit's "G'd Up" are also standouts.  Other highlights include DJ Green Lantern's blend of "Lose Yourself" and The Flipmode Squad spitting over the remix to "U Don't Know."

The End of the Universe (Stand Up, 2002) by Lewis Black

Black's 2nd LP [3rd record release overall] is in the same comedic style as most of his work.  He is an cynic with a bleeding heart.  Personally, I really enjoy that perspective because it shows that someone still cares, and yet they are are not foolishly optimistic.  The thing that makes this recording especially interesting is that it was recorded in two parts- one part was before 9/11/01and another part after it.  It isn't very noticeable.  However, it is noteworthy especially because Black is a topical comic.  My favorite bit on the album is the one that's alluded to on the album cover: the end of the universe is in Houston, Texas, where two Starbucks (and therefore everything they represent) are right across the street from each other.

God's Son (Columbia, 2002) by Nas

This album was a worthy follow-up to Stillmatic and proved that Nas really had a second-wind in his career and that his last album wasn't just a flash in the pan.  "Get Down" is classic Nas, and the James Brown samples make the record even stronger.  The simple Eminem produced beat of "The Cross" places emphasis on Nas' rhymes.  "Made You Look" is one of my favorite rap singles ever and "Last Real N***a Alive" is excellent storytelling over a Ron Browz instrumental.  Other highlights are the Alicia Keys-assisted "Warrior Song" and his ode to his recently deceased mother "Dance."  Considering Nas' writing skills, one of my favorite songs is "Book of Rhymes" where he goes through notebooks and raps rhymes, stanzas, and verses that never found their way into a song.  This album is almost ten years old, and it still sounds great.  It makes me even more eager for Life is Good in two days.

Automatic Gunfire (n/a, 2002) by G-Unit

The fourth installment in G-Unit's classic mix-tape run, Automatic Gunfire, brought together the best elements of 50's hunger and his then newly acquired fame.  I really liked how 50 jumped on Rakim's "R.A.K.I.M." beat with "Round Here", and the "I Smell Pussy" record was a big diss toward Murder Inc. with those opening ad-libs.  However, I think the best jabs at Ja Rule are on the interludes where they have "Ja Rule" sing over and on popular songs.  "Doing my Own Thing" finds melody being incorporated into rhyming about living large and "Bitches Ain't Shit" has G-Unit rhyming over classic Dr. Dre.  It's a great mix-tape and has definitely held up over time.

The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse (Roc-A-Fella, 2002) by Jay-Z

This album does have too much filler, and could easily be cut down from a double album to a single one.  And there's "'03 Bonnie and Clyde" where Jay-Z and Beyonce take a Tupac classic [where his girlfriend is a metaphor for a gun] and make it a pop/rap record that, because of such a stretch, comes off as cheesy.  However, I can't fault the album for its approach.  Where the first Blueprint, sonically, focused on the past (i.e. where hip hop came from), this one wants to show where the genre can go.  The remix to "U Don't Know" featuring M.O.P. and "Show You How" are prime examples of refreshing and outstanding sounds, both courtesy of Just Blaze.  Jay-Z also demonstrates how hip hop can gel with other genres of music (i.e. rock- "Guns and Roses" featuring Lenny Kravitz and oldies pop which samples "My Way" by Paul Anka for the chorus).  Lyrically, the album also has some very strong points too.  Most notably, "Meet the Parents" where Jay-Z tells one of his most detailed stories ever and "A Dream" where he converses with the late, great Biggie Smalls.  Considering that this album is widely considered one of Jay-Z's weaker efforts, it is also worth noting that it is superior to most emcees greatest material.  Therefore, in addition to his best albums, Jay-Z is so good that even his "bad" ones can be used as evidence that he is one of the best emcees of all-time.  

8 Mile Soundtrack (Shady, 2002) by various

"Lose Yourself" is a history-making song and one of the most popular records of its time.  The title track is actually one of my favorite Eminem songs and I think 50's "Places to Go" should have been his introductory single instead of "Wanksta".  The other song that I go back to a lot on this album is Gang Starr's "Battle".  A movie about hip-hop in the mid-90s without a DJ Premier beat is blasphemous.  Not surprisingly, the music supervision for this film for material that was actually made in the mid-90s is superb.  And truth be told, as a whole, the soundtrack to 8 Mile can't touch More Music from 8 Mile.  However, 8 Mile and its soundtrack helped establish Eminem as a hip-hop icon at the height of his popularity and continued to showcase his untouchable rap skills as well as his ability to find and develop new talent (50 Cent, Obie Trice).

The Eminem Show (Aftermath, 2002) by Eminem

I really like how much Em's songwriting skills were showcased on this album.  Not to say that The Marshall Mathers LP didn't have its moments (i.e. "Stan", "Kim", "The Way I Am"), but, for the most part, Marshall Mathers was more about punchlines, verses, and delivery than actual complete songs.  Although the production was not quite as solid this go round, Eminem more than made up for it with lyrical content and records such as "White America", "Cleanin' Out My Closet", "Square Dance", and "'Til I Collapse."

Cheap Drunk: An Autobiography (Warner Bros., 2002) by Bill Engvall

I was initially introduced to Blue Collar Comedy via Jeff Foxworthy.  Beyond his famous "you might be a redneck" routine, there was a great storyteller and comedian.  I say the same thing about Bill Engvall.  His routines aren't exactly non-stop laughter, but they are fun laid back routines about middle age and raising a family.  I'm a huge fan of deep/political comedy (i.e. David Cross) too, but I think Engvall serves as a great balance to that intensity.  Some of my favorite bits on this album are the ones about life after two decades of marriage and his story about pair sailing on Vicodin.

50 Cent is the Future (n/a, 2002) by G-Unit

For my first mix-tape entry, I had to start with the best.  I remember hearing "How To Rob" on the In Too Deep Soundtrack a few years earlier.  It was not bad, but I was not blown away.  Then when "Wanksta" took off from the 8 Mile Soundtrack, I thought it was better.  However, I much preferred 50's "Places to Go".  But then I learned that "Wanksta" built a buzz on the mix-tape circuit.  I went to Beat Go On in my hometown to pick up the tape in order to try to give hip-hop's consensus the benefit of the doubt.  However, they didn't have No Mercy, No Fear and so I got 50 Cent is the Future instead.  After hearing the Future cut, "U Should Be Here", it all made sense and I played it along with Guess Who's Back? even more than Fif's Shady/Aftermath debut.  A decade later, with gangsta rap in decline, this mix-tape is a modern day classic that bangs harder than ever.