Laugh Now, Cry Later (Lench Mob, 2006) by Ice Cube

Cube's seventh album was a great comeback after a 6 year hiatus from the mic.  Although the album is guilty of some filler, the highlights make the album totally worth it.  "The N***a Trap" is classic Ice Cube social commentary and "Why We Thugs" is a great single that still manages to keep a message intact.  Production-wise, the album is solid and Lil Jon proves with his three contributions that he's capable of more than just southern crunk.

Raw Footage (Lench Mob, 2008) by Ice Cube

Raw Footage saw Cube get political like he was in the early part of his solo career.  "Gangsta Rap Made Me Do It" is an excellent defense of hardcore hip hop.  "Why Me" is an insightful song told from the perspective of someone who has been shot and "Hood Mentality" questions people who limit their own potential because of their surroundings and situations.  Keith David also appears on the album for a few vocal interludes.  As far as production, beats come in from all over:  Emile from New York, DJ Crazy Toones from California and Maestro from Atlanta.  Guests include WC, Game, Young Jeezy and Cube's son Doughboy.  They're all good, but none outperform Cube on the mic.  Ice Cube is one of the best emcees of all-time and this album is one of his best releases in recent years.

Bow Down (Lench Mob, 1996) by Westside Connection

When Death Row was on the decline, and Bad Boy was on the verge of taking over music, all was not lost on the Left Coast.  Bow Down, the debut album from west coast supergroup Westside Connection, gave listeners a much needed alternative to the pop-friendly sounds of Puff Daddy and the family.  It was the best Cube had sounded since The Predator, and Mack 10 and W.C., of course, delivered with their standard West Coast swagger and attitudes.  Regardless of how the beef started, Westside Connection got Cypress Hill good with "King of the Hill."  The music is obviously banging, but the "World Domination" introduction and "The Pledge" interlude sum up the whole mentality of the album perfectly.  "Bitch, you know the side.  World motherfucking wide!"