Cannibal Ox's Vast Aire releases his latest solo album.

Manu Chao produced the third album for the Mali rap group. The band name stands for the original members of the band (Sam, Ousco, Dronsky, and former member Mouzy).

The debut release from Rick Ross' new label features Meek Mill, Pill, Teedra Moses, and Wale.

The second album for the rap quartet from Portland, Oregon, features Talib Kweli, DJ Rob Swift, Abstract Rude, and No Shield as guests.

This is the final album in his Pledge Allegiance to the Grind series of releases.

The London rapper makes his debut of hip-hop and pop jams.

The soul singer continues his 1960's-inspired music with a fourth album, blending vintage R&B sounds and smooth soul-pop.

XL Recordings signed the founding member of the hip-hop group Odd Future Wolf Gang Kill Them All for a one-album deal to release his second solo effort.

This fourth studio album from the hip-hop artist is his first offering after a four-year silence. Of Volcanic Sunlight, Williams said, "On this album, I wanted to put words that didn't get in the way of the music. Before, I always let the words dominate." It was produced by Renaud Letang.

The Brooklyn-based hip-hop legends return with their eighth studio album.

Zach Hill's side project, a Sacramento hip-hop group, self-releases a mixtape.

Electronic producer Scott Heren's seventh album focuses on female vocals and infuses dreamlike psychedelia into the electronic symphony.

The 10-track digital album was produced by The Alchemist and features guest appearances by Prodigy, Fiend, Smoke DZA, and Freddie Gibbs.

The Oakland, California-born rapper's latest album is the conclusion of a trilogy that included 2009's Funk Man and Automatic Statik.

Known primarily as a rapper, Ben Drew releases his soul singer concept album, exploring different sounds and an alter ego.

The eighth studio album for the rapper/producer from Compton features guest appearances by Bizzy Bone, BlakKazz K.K., Bun B, Dwele, Ice Cube, Kurupt, Jon B., Gift Reynolds, Gary Shider, and Suga Free.

Cam'ron collaborates with Vado on this album, which has been three years in the making and features production by AraabMuzik.

The Minnesotan hip-hop group is back with a new album released through Rhymesayers.

The latest solo album for the Soul Position rapper is his second on the Rhymesayers label.

The first solo album for the DJ who gained fame for his work with Madlib and J Dilla includes an additional mystery disc of music.

Jim Jones is back with his fifth studio album and reunites with his Dipset cohorts, Cam'Ron and Juelz Santana. Other guests include Raekwon and Snoop Dogg.

The Houston-born rapper's debut release was produced by Ross Robinson.

The legendary rapper's release is his self-proclaimed sequel to his 1993 debut, Doggystyle, and features a slew of guest artists, from Kanye West to Willie Nelson.

The debut from the Pittsburgh rapper features the biggest-selling hip-hop single of 2010, Black and Yellow--a track that became the unofficial anthem for the Steelers in Super Bowl XLV.

The rapper's new album falls somewhere between an official release and a mixtape--his first album following a stint in prison.

The New York-based rapper known for his complex rhyming ability and lyrical social commentary releases his third studio album on Duck Down Records.

The Chicago rapper returns with his third album of slick, electronic beats and rhythms, featuring appearances by Skylar Gray and Trey Songz.

The Wu-Tang member’s latest release is long overdue – the fifth solo album from this hip hop legend clearly demonstrates his unique lyrical style.

Remixed by Jamie XX, R&B and hip hop samples are added to Gil Scott-Heron's 2010 album I'm New Here, creating this latest release.

The mixtape was released as a free download on Frank Ocean's Tumblr.

The long-awaited debut album by the Brooklyn-based rapper is produced by Just Blaze and features guest appearances from Q-Tip, Jay-Z and other notable artists.

The second solo album for the Minnesota-raised rapper was produced by Lazerbeak.

Brooklyn-based rapper returns with his fourth album of raw emotion and dark, heavy beats.

This is the debut full-length album for British rapper/producer Obaro Ejimiwe.

The latest solo album for the Brooklyn rapper was originally set to be a self-released digital-only album (Duck Down signed on to release the physical version). It features production from Ski Beatz, S1, Marco Polo, M-Phazes, 88-Keys, Shuko, 6th Sense, E. Jones, Nick Speed, KYRYSIS!, Blaq Toven, Oh No, and Maurice Brown.

Tony Cook was discovered by James Brown and became his drummer in 1976. This collection of unreleased and rare releases from his side projects was recorded between 1982-1986.

The fourth album for the Alabama rap duo features production by the A-Team, Block Beataz, Clams Casino, DJ Burn One, and Str8 Dope.

The Wu-Tang member branches out with his own brand of street flow on his solo album of soul-heavy funk sounds and old-school hip-hop.

The rapper and producer's fifth album is Diddy's attempt at fashioning an alter ego and creating a conceptual album. The release features collaborations with Felix da Housecat, the Neptunes, and The-Dream.

Written while serving his nearly year-long stint in federal prison, the Atlanta rapper’s seventh studio album features contributions from Kanye West, Drake and others stars.

The album following The E.N.D., The Beginning is the sixth studio album from the hip-hop, dance-pop quartet.

The third studio album from the Florida native continues on the rapper's path to creating club-ready jams and features T-Pain on several tracks.

Titled after his birth-given name, Soulja Boy's third album is filled with catchy hooks and speaker-busting beats, keeping him one of the most ringtone-ready recording artists in the rap game.

Breaking traditional mainstream hip-hop guidelines, Kanye West's latest release features epic raps and long instrumental variations for his most innovative album to date.

Ne-Yo's latest effort takes on the influence of themes and character archetypes found in sci-fi fantasies and comic books and structures them around a musical plot to create a daring concept album.

The eight-track companion released as an EP is part of the deluxe reissue of Ke$ha's debut album, Animal, and includes remixes and outtakes.

After making an explosive debut appearing on other artist's songs, rapper Nicki Minaj finally releases her debut of electro-infused, bold, and hook-heavy hip-hop.

The New Orleans rapper returns with his second album in 2010 which features guest appearances by Snoop Dogg, Mos Def, Devin the Dude, Jay Electronica, Mikey Rocks, Big K.R.I.T., Smoke DZA, Trademark Da Skydiver, and Young Roddy.

The sequel to the rapper's 2004 release "The Hunger for More" features such guests as 50 Cent, Styles P, Raekwon, Tony Yayo, Kanye West, Swizz Beatz, Ryan Leslie, and Fabolous.

Nelly returns with his sixth album, which is titled 5.0 in acknowledgement of his love of the Ford Mustang; it features collaborations with the Neptunes, Jermaine Dupri, Akon, and several others.

Gregg Gillis releases his latest album of mash-up tracks as a free download.

Bringing back his blend of Motown and neo-soul to pop music, Cee-Lo returns with his third solo album featuring his viral hit, "F*** You".

Quincy Jones returns to rerecord songs he has either written or produced with a variety of guest singers, including Amy Winehouse, Akon, Snoop Dogg, T-Pain, Ludacris, Jamie Foxx, Jennifer Hudson, Mary J. Blige, Talib Kweli, John Legend, Tevin Campbell, Robin Thicke, LL Cool J, Usher, Tyrese, BeBe Winans, and Barry White.

The rapper from Cleveland returns with the sequel to his debut album, featuring guest rappers Snoop Dogg and Cage.

N.E.R.D.'s fourth album takes a new direction by adding psychedelic rock influences to their mad-scientist mix of hip-hop, along with the addition of a new female vocalist to the original Virginia trio.

This is the debut album for the Detroit rap group that includes Apollo Brown, Journalist 103, and DJ Soko.

The latest album for the Bay area hip-hop artist features guest appearances by Lateet, Sam Sparro, Joyo Velarde, Trackademicks, Clyde Carson, The Gift, and Francis and the Lights.

The blues guitarist's latest solo album features Carlos Santana and B.B. King as guests.

This is the Harlem, New York-born rapper's first official mixtape.

With Southern sounds, spacey themes, and smooth rhymes, the rapper returns from incarceration with his latest release of hip-hop hits.

The rapper who worked with Gucci Mane on a few mixtapes releases his first official album.

The latest album for the Canadian rapper was nominated for a Polaris Music Prize.

The third studio release for the rapper features guest appearances by Bun B, Swizz Beatz, Ray J, Nicki Minaj, Pharrell, Wyclef Jean, and Estelle.

The DJ-turned-producer, who has worked with everyone from Lily Allen to Amy Winehouse, returns with his third studio album under his new moniker, with impressive dance-floor, disco-pop jams.

As one of the most well-known West Coast MCs, Ice Cube's ninth studio album heralds his love of California and his hometown of Compton.

The second full-length album for the California-born singer E. Nathaniel Dawkins goes for retro R&B and soul style.

The Berkeley, California, rapper adds ambient sounds to his hip-hop rhymes on his latest release.

The California producer/artist releases a seven-track EP four months after Cosmogramma, his third full-length album.

Backed by The Roots, John Legend delivers his fourth studio album of soul-conscious classics and original material.

The live album contains recordings from the rapper's New York City show on September 24, 2009.

The Detroit producer introduces some funk and rock music with a backing band on his fourth full-length solo album.

This is the posthumous album for the rapper from Columbus, Ohio, who passed away from lung cancer in 2008.

The third and final album from Bun B's Trill trilogy features such guests as Drake, Gucci Mane, Twista, Trey Songz, T-Pain, and Young Jeezy.

With a follow-up to his 2007 I'll Sleep When You're Dead still in the works, El-P releases an album of instrumental tracks.

This eight-track EP follows on the heels of his 2009 independent mixtapes, The Miseducation of Freddie Gibbs and midwestganstaboxframecadillacmuzik.

Fat Joe's latest album features Busta Rhymes, Clipse, Cam'ron, Lil Wayne, Rico Love, TA, Too Short, Trey Songz, and Young Jeezy as guests.

Losing none of the momentum put in motion by his 2009 effort, Deeper Than Rap, Rick Ross keeps a very good thing going on Teflon Don, arguably his best album to date. You want rap-style luxury? Then Deeper is the better fit, but Teflon plays up the chilled and soulful elements of its predecessor, meaning Ross has graduated to a level where words like “organic” and “poignant” come into play. The former is best represented by “Mayback Music III” and it’s swirling, ‘70s-flavored dreamscape created by the J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League production team. Ross allows guests T.I. and Jadakiss to go first on the cut, then grabs his cigar for an uplifting story of ghetto triumph that goes from pushing to pleasing the folks (“Parents never had a good job/Now it’s black American Express cards"). When it comes to “poignant,” the evidence is dotted throughout the album with the rapper reflecting on where he’s been, and he often questions his own lust for fame. He chants the title to the opening “I’m Not a Star” as if it was a remindful mantra, but it’s his new love of contrasts that’s really interesting, following Kanye’s swaggering on “Live Fast, Die Young” with “Seems to me we gettin’ money for the wrong things/Look around, Maseratis for the whole team/Look at Haiti, children dyin’ round the clock/I’d send a hundred grand but that’s a decent watch”. The familiar party and thugging tunes work too with “B.M.F. (Blowin' Money Fast),” “No. 1,” and the mixtape favorite “MC Hammer” -- now with added Gucci Mane verse -- all coming correct. Add all the Illuminati references in the Jay-Z team-up (“Free Mason”), a decent smoking song (“Super High”), and a track where Cee-Lo’s performance just might make you misty (“Tears of Joy”), and it’s obvious Ross’ albums are no longer just vessels for his singles. ~ David Jeffries

Ski Beatz produced most of the New Orleans-born rapper's first solo album with Def Jam.

OutKast's Big Boi goes solo with an album featuring guest appearances from such artists as Jamie Foxx, Janelle Monae, B.o.B., Gucci Mane, Too Short, and George Clinton.

The legendary Philadelphia posse returns with its first release since playing with Late Night With Jimmy Fallon's house band. Staying true to its roots with acoustic jazz grooves and elements of rock and soul, The Roots continue its reign as one of hip-hop's most innovative acts.

Eminem continues his forward momentum with confrontational, angst-ridden rap that digs deep into the psyche on his new album.

Showcasing his depth as a rapper, singer, and songwriter, Drake's debut album secures his place among hip-hop's elite with emotionally charged lyrics and dynamically produced beats.

The African-themed album brings Nas and reggae singer Damien Marley (the youngest son of Bob Marley) together. It features guest appearances by K'naan, Lil Wayne, Joss Stone, Dennis Brown, and Damien's brother Steven Marley, who also produced the release.

Talib Kweli and Hi-Tek reunite for their second album together in ten years. It features guest appearnces by such artists as Mos Def, Bun B, Estelle, Bilal, Jay Electronica, and J Cole.

The fourth full-length studio album for the rapper from Rhode Island features songs co-written with such artists as Tim Fite, Death Cab For Cutie’s Chris Walla, Califone’s Tim Rutili, Grandaddy’s Jason Lytle, and Sparklehorse’s Mark Linkous.