Top 10 Best Rap/Hip-Hop Albums of 2006

of 10

AZ - The Format (Quiet Money)

Nothing on The Format betrays the fact that Anthony "AZ" Cruz has been around long enough to be considered a graybeard rapper; his hunger is maiden. AZ, the other senior citizen of rap from BK, showcases a multi-faceted approach to wordsmithing throughout The Format.

of 10

The Coup - Pick a Bigger Weapon (Epitaph)

The Coup - Pick A Bigger Weapon cover — Epitaph

We're reminded of The Coup's staunch refusal to settle for the status quo throughout Pick a Bigger Weapon. Bigger Weapon is loaded with enough politically-fused cannonballs to inject an eargasm in even the harshest Coup critic.

of 10

Jay-Z - Kingdom Come (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam)

Jay-Z - Kingdom Come cover — Roc-a-Fella

Just when you thought there was nothing left for him to prove, the self-proclaimed God MC came calling with his 11th studio album. 680,000 people responded the first week. Mixed entirely by Dr. Dre, Kingdom Come finds Hov musing over money, maturation, and MySpace.

of 10

Rhymefest - Blue Collar (J )

Perhaps Rhymefest's biggest challenge in 2006 was being recognized for anything other than "the guy who co-wrote and won a Grammy for "Jesus Walks" with Kanye West." Eschewing thug fantasy and opting for a killer combination of wit and grit, 'Fest eventually stepped out of Ye's shadow and proved himself as one of the Midwest's future greats with Blue Collar.

of 10

T.I. - King (Atlantic)

If you have the audacity to name your album KING, then you better drag along some balls to back up your claim. Thankfully, T.I. delivers the goods, giving each track a regal touch and handing us two of the year's best tracks: the Neptunes-blessed "Good Life" and the DJ Toomp-laced "What You Know."

of 10

The Game - Doctor's Advocate (Geffen)

The Game - Doctor's Advocate cover — Geffen

Left to work on his second album without any help from erstwhile mentors Dr. Dre and 50 Cent (with Dre taking his cash cow's side in the beef), The Game invokes the biggest production that money can buy. Doctor's Advocate depicts Game as a rising star who's caught between opposing cannons and an inflated sense of loyalty.

of 10

Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury (ZLG)

Pusha T, Malice and honorary Clipse member Pharrell serve up a percolating, lilting plate of fantasy, brutal reality, and remorse. Hell Hath No Fury is brisk but bold and affords little margin for error with 12 songs that document the Clipse being remorseful, wistful, and "trill."

of 10

Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor (Atlantic)

Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor cover — Atlantic

Whether he's spitting over a rock-influenced sonic or dishing social insight on a soul palette, MC Kool Nerd always has his Steve Urkel-esque eyeglasses tightly-fixated on the big picture. Meet Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor, the year's best debut by one of rap's future greats.

Individual Lists:

Ketchums (Speech Is My Hammer)

Lupe Fiasco - Food & Liquor
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
Snoop Dogg - Tha Blue Carpet Treatment
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
The Roots - Game Theory
The Game - Doctor's Advocate
Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang
Ludacris - Release Therapy
Obie Trice - Release Therapy
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come

Rodney Dugue (Fly, Black Scholar)

Ghostface - Fishscale
Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
T.I. - KING
The Game - Doctor's Advocate
Rhymefest - Blue Collar
Lil Wayne - Tha Carter II
The Roots - Game Theory
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
Hi-Tek - Hi-Teknology 2: The Chip

Eskay (Nahright.com)

Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
Lupe Fiasco - Food And Liquor
Boot Camp - The Last Stand
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
AZ - The Format
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter II
Ghostface Killah & Trife da God - Put It on the Line
Young Dro - Best Thang Smokin'
Obie Trice - Second Round's on Me

Renato Pagnani: (Until The Train Stops)

Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
Sway - This Is My Demo
Ghostface - Fishscale
Louis Logic & J.J. Brown - Misery Loves Comedy
T.I. - King
The Roots - Game Theory
Spank Rock - YoYoYoYoYo
Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor
Subtle - For Hero: For Fool
J Dilla - Donuts

of 10

The Roots - Game Theory (Def Jam)

Themes about confusion, loss (spawned by Katrina and Jay Dee's demise), corporate woes, double standards and war are recurrent on Game Theory. It's their best longplayer since Things Fall Apart.

Individual Lists:

Big R (Sumish.com):

The Roots -Game Theory
Ghostface - Fishscale
Kenn Starr - Starr Status
Trek Life - Price I've Paid
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
Lupe Fiasco - Food and Liquor
Cunninlynguists - A Piece of Strange
J Dilla - Donuts
Panacea - Ink is My Drink
Aloe Blacc - Shine Through

Rafi Kam (OhWord.com)

The Roots - Game Theory
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
K-Def - Willie Boo Boo: The Fool
AZ - The Format
E-40 - My Ghetto Report Card
The Game - Doctor's Advocate
Jay-Z - Kingdom Come
Dilla - Donuts
Juggaknots - Use Your Confusion

Rizoh (The Rap Up)

The Roots - Game Theory
Ghostface Killah - Fishscale
Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor
The Coup - Pick a Bigger Weapon
K-Os - Atlantis: Hymns for Disco
Cunnynlinguists - A Piece of Strange
Sway - This Is My Demo
Rhymefest - Blue Collar
Louis Logic & JJ Brown - Misery Loves Comedy
The Game - Doctor's Advocate

Ian (Notes from a Different Kitchen)

The Game - Doctor's Advocate
Tha Dogg Pound - Cali Iz Active
Ghostface & Mick Boogie - The Broiled Salmon
DJ Green Lantern - Alive on Arrival
Rhymefest - Blue Collar
Birdman & Lil Wayne - Like Father, Like Son
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
T.I. - King
Matthew Africa & DJ Eleven - Dirty Raps: The Best of Too $hort
Jibbs - Jibbs featuring Jibbs

of 10

Ghostface Killah - Fishscale (Def Jam)

Ghostface Killah - Fishscale cover — Def Jam

Ghostface Killah, the only rapper that can turn swine references into a hood anthem, puts the Wu on his back and returns hip-hop to its essence with Fishscale. And you wonder why everyone loves Tony Starks?