Rick Ross is an entertainer and Black Market is for the most part an entertaining album.

There's enough variation in energy and production to keep the listener engaged throughout, and several times there are sudden drops into another beat entirely in the middle of a song.

As disappointing as Bleeds is at points, it is still a Roots Manuva album. The man can weave an intricate rhyme like few others, and his message of searching for righteousness and forgiveness is one that resonates.

Gift of Gab remains a fire-spitter but his flow has withered slightly since the immaculately delivered rhymes crafted in the early 2000s, but it's not always noticeable. Musically, there's some jarring moments that hold this back from being one of their best works.

Somewhere beneath all the hype and production he does shine through.

The Documentary 2 & 2.5 prove that he is back, and yes, better than ever. This isn't based on a cursory listen: the evidence is all there. His lyrics are more considered; his flow is varied and on point pretty much throughout; the choice in music is superb; there are concepts that deserve your attention.

His lyrics are more considered; his flow is varied and on point pretty much throughout; the choice in music is superb; there are concepts that deserve your attention. The Game has delivered one of the greatest hip hop double albums in history.

The album succeeds in granting an audio interpretation to something that's showcased more prominently in a cinematic medium.

At the end of the day, I enjoy Cherry Bomb, both for it's misanthropic noise and for its funkier and jazzier sides.

The amount of enjoyment you take out of this is undoubtedly directly proportional to the amount of money you put into Meow the Jewels.

This is a decent mixtape that you'll happily spin for up to a fortnight, I reckon. But it's a hook. It's a sample to get you addicted.

It's surprisingly deep, well produced and definitely worth your time. It is by no means exceptional.

The album's best moments come courtesy of the newer, younger emcees, highlighting the different hunger levels on display.

Petestrumentals 2 is a worthy follow up to "Petstrumentals," and a must-listen for any fan of Pete Rock or instrumental hip-hop.

Ego Death is the perfect summer record. Breezy, smooth, lazy, and meant for warm nights.

Migos don't glorify the trap, they reflect it, and when the hood doesn't need the trap then there won't be "Trap Funk" any more.

After three decades in the music business, it's inspiring to see him deliver an excellent album: overseeing it, driving his guests/writers/producers onto greater things and delivering it in an interesting way is no mean feat. His voice has matured.

Summertime '06 is extremely cohesive, but occasionally tiptoes on being monotonous.

Free Weezy Album is on the whole decidedly mixed. Weezy still has his swagger, and with a little more effort he could add some substance to go along with it.

It's not as consistently good as "The Salvation", or as instantly satisfying as his work with Torae, but with recent months slowing down on the incredible start we've had in 2015 for albums, this is certainly worth checking out.

It is an album that pushes boundaries and yet is always listenable and relatable, even at its most intricate and complex.

A$AP's charisma and finesse mostly compensate for his shortcomings as a lyricist. That, combined with the trippy heaviness of Danger Mouse's production, make "A.L.L.A." an album worth spending time with, even dead sober.

On their self-titled debut, they were having fun. This time, they had fun but with focus.

If you are in the right mindset, Fated is a rewarding listen.

Some areas of this album [are] a little redundant.

Oddisee makes good music that deals with real life issues with wisdom and humility. Oddisee is not only fighting "The Good Fight," he's winning.

1 and 2 and lack the incentive and inspiration even great rappers need to make great albums, but it's an impressive compendium of what Shallah Raekwon is capable of.

The drawbacks to Bush are few and far between though, and even these complaints are more like minor annoyances.