Bigger & Blacker (Dreamworks, 1999) by Chris Rock

The late 90s was an interesting time in America.  The Clinton/Lewinsky scandal.  The shootings at Columbine High School in Colorado.  The increasing popularity of the Internet in society and business.  And Rock's Bigger & Blacker touches on a lot of it.  My favorite routine in this album is his cynical take on insurance and how things will only be done to a point in medicine so that big business will continue to flourish.  "No Sex in the Champagne Room" was a funny video and skit/monologue, but I think the best ones on the album are O.D.B.'s "Words of Wisdom."  The best of them being: "If a brick couldn't sit on walls no more, what would you ask it?"

Born Suspect (DreamWorks, 1991) by Chris Rock

Chris Rock's first album, released a few years prior to his breakthrough LP Roll With the New, is an album that shows a lot of potential.  The jokes aren't quite as polished, but signs of the intelligent comedian that would soon emerge are certainly there.  On race: "Being white is like always having five dollars in your pocket and being black is like always being 50 cents short."  On minimum wage: "That's just a way of saying, 'I'd pay you less if I could.'  And with taxes, that's like kicking Tuesday and Wednesday in the ass."

The Predator (Priority, 1992) by Ice Cube

On the heels of two hip-hop masterpieces, Cube released his third solo album in three years.  The biggest difference between this and his first two solo releases is that the anger is less calculated.  AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted was articulate aggression and Death Certificate was a concept album, however, The Predator is more all-out rage.  it speaks more to Cube's personality on Straight Outta Compton than the maturity he presented on his later work.  Given the Rodney King verdict though, Cube's emotions are justified and passionately presented.  Ironically, "It Was a Good Day", one of the least political records in Cube's career, was the album's biggest hit.  A few years ago in Rolling Stone Chris Rock described Ice Cube as the best rapper from 1990-1994 without peer.  I could not agree more.  Cube is one of the greatest emcees that ever picked up a microphone.

Never Scared (DreamWorks, 2005) by Chris Rock

Roll With the New is his most iconic set.  Bigger and Blacker is his most famous.  However, Never Scared is my favorite.  I saw him Rock perform this set live near Traverse City, MI years ago and I loved it.  It was the first time that I was old enough to be in touch enough with current events to be able to have educated opinions about the topical subject matter.  My favorite routines from this set are the ones about hip-hop, affirmative action, and wealth.  Rock is a funny comedian who writes very smart and insightful material.  In my opinion, Chris Rock is one of the best stand up comedians of all-time.