The Score (Columbia, 1996) by Fugees

It is impossible to not like this album.  As cliche as it sounds, this album has something for everyone.  It has singing, rapping, and outstanding production.  "Killing Me Softly" blew up all over obviously (and rightfully so), but as a result of that song, lots of people got the album.  But the album was not a one-trick pony. "Fu-Gee-La", "Ready or Not", "How Many Mics", and "The Score" are all classics.  I think it's great that Dave Chapelle was able to reunite the Fugees for his Block Party movie, and now I'm just waiting on another album.

The Carnival (Columbia, 1997) by Wyclef Jean

Wyclef Jean is super-talented.  It is unfortunate that his work on Canibus' debut soiled his reputation as badly as it did.  The Carnival is an awesome album.  Not only does it have all the members of The Fugees on it, but it also has The Neville Brothers on a track.  I'll admit that "We Trying to Stay Alive" is a bit tacky due to the obvious sample.  But he more than makes up for that slight misstep with "Gone 'Til November" and "To All the Girls" (shout out to Bob Dylan for his cameo appearance in the music video for the former as well).