The Solution (Roc-A-Fella, 2007) by Beanie Sigel

"Dear self, can I talk to you/I been trying to have this conversation for years but you won't listen/Damn, are you that plain ignorant? your so indignant/Please come off that high chair your sitting in/Before you snatched from it, or strapped to it/Ya body used as a conduit, a thousand volts flow through you/Ya life gone over something foolish/Talking to you is so useless/Ya head harder than them walls you'll be housed in soon/Before ya body's embalmed and you lie in tomb/Open ya ears, eyes and heart, cause that hour's soon/And the hour shall cometh, when Ish Rahzel blows his trumpets/The sky shall crack, the stars will plummet/The sun will rise in the West you'll drown in your own sweat/And when that day shall be, I'll bet I'll see no bravery"

-Beanie Sigel, "Dear Self (Can I Talk to You)"

Unfinished Business (Roc-A-Fella/Jive, 2004) by Jay-Z and R. Kelly

Put simply, this is a bad album.  It clearly seems like it was an attempt to sell records along with their tour (which also flopped).  The fact that this album's material is sometimes referred to as leftover stuff from the Best of Both Worlds sessions from 2002 is bad enough.  Considering that album's best records were mediocre at the very best though, it seems foolish to release stuff from the cutting room floor from those sessions.  However, that logic still didn't stop this release from happening.

Kingdom Come (Roc-A-Fella, 2006) by Jay-Z

Jay-Z's comeback disc after a three-year absence is a bit of a let down.  One of the biggest things for me was that none of his collaborations with Dr. Dre resulted in classic material.  Although that shouldn't come as a surprise (Dre had mediocre results with Nas too), it was still something to get really excited for.  The content in Jay-Z's rhymes also speak to his experiences, but so few listeners have those too and so a lot of the music is not something people can relate to.  However, the album does have some very strong points: "Trouble," "30 Something, "Minority Report," and "Kingdom Come."  Four good songs can't save a set of fourteen though, especially when the artist is capable of making excellent ones.

Streets Is Watching (Roc-A-Fella, 1998) by various

"I was raised to live, Lord I pray you forgive/If not, I just handle it like Jason Kidd/What you're facin' is official (it's official)/Most cases when I'm blazin' won't miss you (won't miss you)/Case and point mad bullshitted issue/I see it to the end, my writing is so personal/My heart bleedin' out my pen, make no mistake about me/It's only one nigga livin', I got a half a cake about me/I got love, to make a nigga die bleedin' is nothin'/You make a motherfucker die breathin' then you sayin' somthing, beeotch"

-Jay-Z, "You're Only a Customer"

Graduation (Roc-A-Fella, 2007) by Kanye West

Kanye West's third album is a great album which commercially and artistically surpassed 50 Cent's Curtis when they were released on the same day in the fall of 2007.  The Steely Dan sample in "Champion" and Daft Punk one in "Stronger" prove that Kanye is a walking encyclopedia of music and his wide range of influences allow him to create music that appeals to a lot of people.  Kanye is a mediocre emcee and lyricist, but he is a true visionary.  His artistic approach to music making has made him one of the premiere producers of his time.  The DJ Premier assisted "Everything I Am" finds Premo putting his scratching skills on display and "Big Brother" finds Ye paying homage to Jay-Z.  "Good Life" is also a very noteworthy song because, in my opinion, it is the only good song that T-Pain has ever done.  Graduation isn't as good as either of Kanye's two previous releases, but, artistically speaking, it's clear that Kanye is still in a class all by himself.

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.

Late Registration (Roc-A-Fella, 2005) by Kanye West

"Yep, I got it from here 'ye damn!/The chain remains, the game is in tact/The name is mine, I'll take blame for that/The pressure's on, but guess who ain't gon' crack? [laughs]/Pardon me, I had to laugh at that/How could you falter when you're the rock of Gibraltar/I had to get of the boat so I could walk on water/This ain't no tall order, this is nothin' to me/Difficult takes a day, impossible takes a week/I do this in my sleep, I sold Kilos of coke, so I'm guessin' I can sell CD's/I'm not a businessman, I'm a business, man/Let me handle my buisness, damn!/Kanyeez you got me, Freeway and Foxy/YG, Teairra Mari, Petey watch me/Bleek could be one hit away his whole career/As long as I'm alive, he's a millionaire/And even if I die, he's in my will somewhere/So he can just kick back and chill somewhere, oh yeah/He don't even have to write rhymes/The Dynasty like my money last three lifetimes/Shirley Bassey was in the rear sayin' exactly/What I was sayin' practically me whole career/The diamond is forever, I been minin' this forever/Now the Louis Vuitton Don's timin' couldn't be better/People lined up to see the Titanic sinkin', instead we rose from the ashes like a phoenix/If you waitin' for the end of the dynasty sign, it'll seem like forever is a mighty long time/I'm young bitches [laughs]/Goodnight!" 

-Jay-Z, "Diamonds from Sierra Leone [Remix]"

Vol.2... Hard Knock Life (Roc-A-Fella, 1998) by Jay-Z

Jay-Z's third LP is the crossover album that didn't sell out. "Hard Knock Life," in my opinion, is one of the best singles in hip hop history.  Not only was the use of the Annie sample brilliant, but it also put a light back of the legendary Mark The 45 King.  "Nigga What, Nigga Who" and "Money Cash Hoes" are two spectacular beats with raps worthy of the instrumentals.  "A Week Ago" is a classic that demonstrates Jay-Z's descriptive writing ability and features Short Dog on the hook.  "Can I Get A..." got some attention.  "Reservoir Dogs" introduced the world to Beanie Sigel.  And "Money Ain't A Thang" was two emcees living large who weren't lying about it.  In conclusion, this is one of the greatest albums from arguably rap's last classic year.

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.  

The Blueprint (Roc-A-Fella, 2001) by Jay-Z

"I know you missin all the - FAAAAAAAME!/But along with celebrity comes bout seventy shots to your frame/Nigga; you a - LAAAAAAAME!/You's the fag model for Karl Kani/Esco ads/Went from, Nasty Nas to Esco's trash/Had a spark when you started but now you're just garbage/Fell from top ten to not mentioned at all/To your bodyguard's "Oochie Wally" verse better than yours/Matter fact you had the worst flow on the whole fuckin' song/But I know - the sun don't shine, then son don't shine/That's why your - LAAAAAAAME! - career come to a end/There's only so long fake thugs can pretend/Nigga; you ain't live it you witnessed it from your folks pad/You scribbled in your notepad and created your life/I showed you your first tec on tour with Large Professor/(Me, that's who!) Then I heard your album bout your tec on the dresser/So yeah I sampled your voice, you was usin it wrong/You made it a hot line, I made it a hot song/And you ain't get a coin nigga you was gettin fucked and I know who I paid God, Serchlite Publishing/Use your - BRAAAAAAAIN!  You said you been in this ten/I've been in it five - smarten up Nas/Four albums in ten years nigga?  I can divide/That's one every let's say two, two of them shits was due/One was - NAHHH, the other was "Illmatic"/That's a one hot album every ten year average/And that's so - LAAAAAAAME!  Nigga switch up your flow/Your shit is garbage, but you try and kick knowledge?/(Get the fuck outta here) You niggas gon' learn to respect the king/Don't be the next contestant on that Summer Jam screen/Because you know who (who) did you know what (what)/with you know who (yeah) but just keep that between me and you for now"

-Jay-Z, "Takeover"

The Dynasty: Roc La Familia (Roc-A-Fella, 2000) by Jay-Z

If I'm not mistaken, this album was originally supposed to be a compilation album in order to continue to showcase Roc-A-Fella's roster beyond just Jay-Z.  However, by making it a Jay-Z release, it probably helped it sell at least an additional million copies.  There are a few standout songs- "The Intro", "This Can't Be Life", "Soon You'll Understand", and "Squeeze 1st".  However, the highlight of the album, in my opinion is the production.  It was the first time I became aware of Just Blaze and Kanye stole the show with just his single contribution, "This Can't Be Life."  As far as the actual sound, in retrospect, it was like a blueprint to The Blueprint as far the beats beginning to dabble in the soulful sound that would help shape one of the best albums in hip-hop history less than a year later.

Vol.3...Life and Times of S. Carter (Roc-A-Fella, 1999) by Jay-Z

This album was a guaranteed multi-platinum seller, and I think that's great because this album was a little bit harder than Vol. 2.  Therefore, Jay-Z was eventually able to get a mainstream audience with pop-appeal (but still good) songs like "Hard Knock Life (Ghetto Anthem)" and "Can I Get A…".  However, once he had them, he he went back to some harder hip-hop on this album with cuts like "So Ghetto" and "Come and Get Me."  Production-wise, Timbaland had already proven himself and then some with Aaliyah and Ginuwine.  Tracks like "Snoopy Track" and "Big Pimpin'" on this album then established he could conquer rap the same way that he did R&B.  It was simply foreshadowing that Vol. 3 was the first number one album of the new millennium because Jay-Z would run rap for the next decade, even with a 3-year break from '03-'06.

808s & Heartbreak (Roc-A-Fella, 2008) by Kanye West

Okay, Kanye West can't sing and auto-tune had been played out since Cher put out "Believe" ten years earlier.  However, Kanye is honest and open to a fault and that is why this album is a true piece of art that has and will continue to hold up.  After I heard Kanye's first verse on the album's second cut, "Welcome to Heartbreak," I was in.  Not surprisingly, the album's best-produced tracks find Kanye getting assistance from his mentor and fellow Chicago musical genius No I.D. ("Heartless", "See You in My Nightmares", and "Coldest Winter").  The only thing that I wish this album had that it doesn't is a studio version of "Pinocchio Story".  This album is kind of weird, but really cool at the same time.  In my opinion, Kanye is the only artist in hip-hop who could pull something like 808s & Heartbreak off.  It is a real rarity, especially in the modern marketplace, where art and commerce can combine successfully.  However, this is an example of something that achieved that feat.

American Gangster (Roc-A-Fella, 2007) by Jay-Z

This album made up for the dent in the armor that was Kingdom Come (but the title-track to that album was awesome).  The American Gangster album is carefully sequenced like a cohesive story, and so the songs follow the tale of an ambitious young man who aspires to find success as a hustler and become an affluent drug kingpin.  However, and not surprisingly, the success does not last.  From Jay-Z's perspective, it sort of picks up where Reasonable Doubt left off, as far as hustling themes.  The album itself plays through well as a result of interludes from the movie that was the album's muse.  And production-wise, Jay-Z's music hadn't sounded that soulful since The Blueprint.  Overall, it's still not Jay's best work though.  However, it is an inspired hip-hop package that removed Jay from the un-relatable  and broad content of Kingdom Come.  American Gangster put him back in a space where listeners could identify with some of the things Jay was talking about and they were forced to believe him because of the vivid details that his words provided.  It was with this album that Jay-Z reclaimed the crown and again became the King of New York hip-hop.

In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 (Roc-A-Fella, 1997) by Jay-Z

Jay-Z's sophomore album is better than  it is given credit for.  The pop sounds of " (Always Be My) Sunshine", "I Know What Girls Like", and "The City is Mine" overshadowed the rest of the project.  To be fair, those three songs are the weakest on this release.  However, considering how Puffy's sound was dominating the charts at the time, the pop tunes on this set was just a way for Jay to bait listeners with the current trend and then really be able to show people what he was doing with the rest of the album.  For instance: Premier delivered a banger with the opening cut, "You Must Love Me" is as emotional and revealing as rap songs get, and "Where I'm From" is lyrically incredible.  {Writer's note: Because of a busy schedule, I was unable to post for multiple days and so I am posting multiple times now to make up for it.  I apologize for any confusion and/or inconvenience.}

The Black Album (Roc-A-Fella, 2003) by Jay-Z

Jay-Z is arguably one of the best emcees in the history of hip-hop.  However, since he returned from his "retirement" in 2006, he has never sounded quite as strong as he did on his "last album" from three years earlier.  Minus two tracks, this album is a masterpiece ("Justify My Thug" isn't bad, it just feels out of place and "Change Clothes" does sound a bit forced).  "99 Problems" is a classic (props to Ice-T as well) and "December 4th" is one of the best songs in Jay-Z's entire catalogue.  The versatile production is not only top notch, but it also illustrates Jay's wide range as an emcee.  The way this album coincided with his legendary sold-out Madison Square Garden show was astonishing.  Now, if only Jay-Z's "My 1st Song" would have been his last.

The Truth (Roc-A-Fella, 2000) by Beanie Sigel

Beanie Sigel is an underrated rapper.  He is a very gifted lyricist with a commanding flow.  And his debut album, The Truth, is an impressive piece of work that got lost in the shuffle of Jay-Z's meteoric rise to superstardom.  The title track is the first time I ever heard a Kanye West beat.  And "Mac and Brad", where Beanie shares the mic with Scarface, is a flawless example of two emcees going back-and-forth on a record.  Other highlights include "Remember Them Days" with Eve, "Everybody Wanna Be a Star", "What Ya Life Like", and "Die."  In a nutshell: if you do not own this album, go buy it now.

Reasonable Doubt (Roc-A-Fella, 1996) by Jay-Z

This is my favorite Jay-Z album.  It is also his wordiest album, but that is not a bad thing.  Because he was not catering to the mainstream at the time, it gave him more creative freedom.  "D'Evils" and "Can I Live" might not get played on the radio, but they hold up way better than anything that is.  And "Brooklyn's Finest", Jay's collaboration with The Notorious B.I.G., is the best duet in the history of hip-hop.  Even though everyone was making hustler-themed albums in the mid-90s, Reasonable Doubt is one of the only ones that has remained relevant over the years.  Jay-Z even performed the album in its entirety at Radio City Music Hall on its 10th anniversary.

The College Dropout (Roc-A-Fella, 2004) by Kanye West

The coolest thing about Kanye's debut is how versatile the production is.  Considering he found his niche with soul samples (i.e. Jay-Z's "This Can't Be Life" and The Blueprint), it is incredible how Mr. West crafts a collection of songs that all sound different.  And for my money, "Jesus Walks" is the best beat of the 00s.  The militant vibe, choir, and auto-tune gospel howls are all astounding.  Then, of course, there is "Through the Wire" where Kanye raps with his jaw wired shut which is positively epic.