The Coming (Elektra, 1996) by Busta Rhymes

Along with Michael Jackson, Sting and Ice Cube, Busta Rhymes is one of the best artists to go solo and really come into their own after leaving a group.  "Woo Hah!! Got You All in Check" is better than Sugarhill Gang's "8th Wonder." "It's a Party" is an overlooked gem and Busta holds his own alongside Redman and Q-Tip on "Ill Vibe" and "Flipmode Squad Meets Def Squad" respectively.  Production-wise, DJ Scratch and Easy Mo Bee provide music that unleash the dragon accordingly. 

Supa Dupa Fly (Elektra, 1997) by Missy Elliot

Missy Elliot not only looked different than her contemporaries, she sounded different too.  The spacey vibes and free associations of Missy raps made her a standout.  At a time when women were using sex to sell, Missy challenged that by just being herself.  But she can't take all the credit for this masterpiece of an album, this album certified Timbaland as a genius.  His sounds stutter, he has crazy arrangements and crafted a sound that has never been duplicated (but often imitated).  The sound that Timbaland introduced to the world to on Aaliyah's One in a Million are perfected here.  In my opinion, this is one of the best produced hip hop albums ever, right up there with Dr. Dre's The Chronic.

When Disaster Strikes (Elektra, 1997) by Busta Rhymes

This whole album is incredible and the videos for "Dangerous" and "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See" are both masterpieces.  My fondest memory about this album is that I remember being a pre-teen when the album came out and because of the "Parental Advisory" sticker my mom wouldn't let me buy it.  However, I had a cousin who had the album and one time she came over to babysit me and younger sister.  She just happen to have that CD on her and so I took it up to my room and taped "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Could See" on a tape (not a CD, a tape).  I listened to the tape so much that I broke the cassette.  It is one of the first rap songs that I learned by heart.  And to this day, Busta Rhymes is still one of my favorite emcees.

    

Extinction Level Event : The Final World Front (Elektra, 1998) by Busta Rhymes

Busta Rhymes is one of the best emcees ever and this album was released at the height of his popularity.  His rapid-fire flow was, and still is, one of a kind.  Because unlike other fast rappers, he is still understandable and the energy in his delivery is magnificent.  E.L.E.'s lead single, "Gimme Some More", clocks in at only a little over 2 and a half minutes but it is one of my favorite Busta songs.  The other great thing about this album, taken as a whole, is that is a little more upbeat production-wise and serves as a great soundtrack to the end of one millennium and the beginning of another.  The apocalyptic theme is still there, but the tracks and image of the project isn't quite as doom and gloom as Busta's first two solo releases.  Oh, and the music video for the Janet Jackson-assisted "What's It Gonna Be?!" was awesome too.