Beg for Mercy (G-Unit, 2003) by G-Unit

The fact that this album was released before a second major label set from 50 proves that he has great business savvy.  He knew to introduce the world to his crew before his shadow got too large for any of them to get out from under.  And the album is really good.  The formula is simple: tough talk over great beats and catchy hooks.  Some of the better cuts are actually the singles, the Mr. Porter-produced "Stunt 101" and the Joe-assisted  "Wanna Get To Know You".  Other highlights include "My Buddy" which puts a bad boy spin on the doll commercial and "I Smell Pussy."  At 19 tracks, the album runs a bit long.  However, it does give Banks, Buck and Yayo enough space to introduce themselves.  And Nashville's Young Buck brings it full circle on the Dr. Dre-produced "G'd Up" when he says, "But I'm gonna keep this glock on my waist 'til my dyin' days/It's nuttin' but a G thang, G-Unit and Dr. Dre."

The Documentary (Aftermath, 2005) by Game

The Documentary is one of the best albums of the 00s.  The production is top-notch, and Game single-handedly brought the West Coast back into the hip-hop spotlight after nearly a decade away from it.  Despite the feud with 50, one of the album's best tracks is  Game's collaboration with him on "Hate It or Love It."  Game is guilty of name dropping a a bit excessively throughout the album, however, particularly on the title track, he is very clever with it.  "Runnin'" has a surprisingly strong guest verse from Tony Yayo and Game correctly admits to Eminem killing him on his own shit  with "We Ain't."  Other highlights include "Dreams" and the confessional "Don't Need Your Love."  This album is one of the reasons why I still want G-Unit to get back together.