Curtain Call: The Hits (Aftermath, 2005) by Eminem

Three of the four new tracks here are nothing spectacular at all.  "When I'm Gone" plays like an inferior sequel to "Mockingbird."  "Shake That", even with strong contributions from Nate Dogg, comes off as too silly and playful.  And "Fack" is just weird.  The one highlight of new material is the previously unreleased live version of "Stan" that Eminem performed with Elton John at The Grammys in 2001.  It was a legendary performance, moment in Eminem's career and event in hip hop history.  I'm glad it was finally released on record.  The only thing a recorded version of the performance doesn't capture is Mr. Mathers throwing his middle fingers in the air at the end.

The End of the Universe (Stand Up, 2002) by Lewis Black

Black's 2nd LP [3rd record release overall] is in the same comedic style as most of his work.  He is an cynic with a bleeding heart.  Personally, I really enjoy that perspective because it shows that someone still cares, and yet they are are not foolishly optimistic.  The thing that makes this recording especially interesting is that it was recorded in two parts- one part was before 9/11/01and another part after it.  It isn't very noticeable.  However, it is noteworthy especially because Black is a topical comic.  My favorite bit on the album is the one that's alluded to on the album cover: the end of the universe is in Houston, Texas, where two Starbucks (and therefore everything they represent) are right across the street from each other.

Yeeeah Baby (Loud, 2000) by Big Pun

This album, while not quite as strong as its predecessor, shows an emcee's emcee doing what he does best.  Big Pun again showcases that his lyrics and flow are pretty much unmatched.  "Watch Those" is a perfect example of that.  Pun also puts his Latin heritage in the spotlight with a flute charanga sample on "100%."  A very interesting cut on the album, "N***a Shit", finds him rapping about African-American stereotypes and "New York Giants" with M.O.P. is an excellent collaboration.  Tragically, Big Pun passed away two months before this album's release.  The album's lead single, "It's So Hard," isn't anything new, but the video is an amazing tribute to a man that the world lost too soon.

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.

Unpredictable (No Limit, 1997) by Mystikal

Other than Snoop Dogg and Mac, Mystikal is the only emcee out of the No Limit camp whose records had technical merit and didn't just move units as a result of the seemingly invincible No Limit movement that Master P ushered in during the late 90s.  The opening cut, 'Born 2 Be a Soldier," gives Mystikal a proper introduction to the No Limit army and then Mystikal drops a solid collection of songs with few guest emcees. Even if one of the album's highlights is "Here We Go" with B-Legit, E-40 and Master P, there is no denying Mystikal's talent on solo cuts such as "Unpredictable" and a song he recorded about his deceased older sister called "Shine."

The B. Coming (Dame Dash Music Group, 2005) by Beanie Sigel

"I sit alone in my 4 cornered room staring at hammers/Ready to go bananas/2 vests on me, 2 techs, extra clips on me/I know my mind ain't playing tricks on me/I ain't skitz homie, ain't no body drop a nick on me/It's like they tryna plot a set on me/ I hear this voice in the back of my mind like Mack tighten up your circle/Before they hurt you/Read they body language/85% communication non-verbal, 85% swear they know you/10% you know they story, man the other 5... time'll show you, just know you/Then pull they strings, you the puppet master/Fuck them other bastards/Man watch who you puffing after/Play your cards, go against all odds/Shoot for the moon, if you miss, you still amongst those stars"

-Beanie Sigel, "Feel It in the Air"

Warriorz (Loud, 2000) by M.O.P.

This album is rowdy, and it clearly delivers the high every rapping and stellar production that M.O.P. followers have come to expect.  DJ Premier's board work is excellent as usual.  He even samples Jimi Hendrix's "Burning of the Midnight Lamp" on "Follow Instructions."  "Ante Up" was a great single, but I think album's strongest points are the Fizzy Womack-produced cuts, "Calm Down" and "Cold as Ice" which sample Nona Hendryx and Foreigner respectively.