With his major label debut, Kendrick Lamar has done something that few new MC's are capable of, and that is, live up to the hype. [Dec 2012/Jan 2013, p.87]

When it's a;l said and done, Summertime '06 will be remembered as one of--if not solely--2015's best. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.87]

What makes Run The Jewels and Run The Jewels so enticing is that they only rap about what they know, and they do it well. [Sep 2013, p.98]

Surf's arbitrary, spontaneous nature is one of the chief reason's it's such a well put together album. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.89]

The visuals that come along with the music and skits create a Cirque du Soleil-meets-Hip-Hop atmosphere as Tech N9ne and his star-studded cast propel you through ups and downs throughout the album all while staying on track with fire, water, earth theme. [Sep 2013, p.99]

El-P's production hand never disappoints and is possibly one of the project's strongest selling points. [#252, p.91]

In passing, Yeezus may seem like a blind attempt at genre-blending, margin challenging mash-ups, but once experienced, proves to be more of the encompassing, thought provoking, and at times gut-wrenching art Kanye West has consistently fed the culture with.

Direct, honest and powerful, Patch The Sky can only win you over, slowly but surely.

Overall a thoroughly introspective record featuring classic Southern yet modern hip-hop sound tagged with a relatable yet unique coming-of-age story. [Apr/May 2014, p.81]

Compton gives every indication that Dr. Dre is as potent now as he was in the 20th century's final decade. [#267, p.91]

Nas once again reminds us that as long as he's got one mic, lifee--and hip-hop--are beyond good. [#254, p.87]

On MNIMN Push T delivers his wittiest lines to date. [Nov 2013, p.91]

My Krazy Life is a solid debut. [Apr/May 2014, p.81]

The album is sonically pleasing. [#267, p.92]

By bringing in different talents from the indie/underground scene, Aesop keeps his core satisfied while sticking to a formula that he knows works for him. [#254, p.89]

Nothing Was The Same is straight to the point, and in just over an hour, Drake closes the book on Take Care, yet opens the chapter to a brighter future. [Nov 2013, p.89]

For those unfamiliar with Q's pre-Interscope material, his official debut provides insight, and an appetizer of what his more than respectable discography can do to not only entertain fans of 2010s rap, but inspire them. [Apr/May 2014, p.81]

After listening to Live from the Underground in its entirety, you'll notice the album's cohesiveness and Southern harmony. [#253, p.88]

Free TC moves way less outside contribution than expected. [Dec/Jan 2016, p.90]

The rock presence is clear, but Rocky's raps are still where he triumphs. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.93]

The LA-bred production wizard creates a kaleidoscope of audio experiences that blend together into one-hour long, unconventional gem. [#253, p.91]

The Documentary 2 is The Game’s strongest most focused work since his debut album 10 years ago.

Save a few moments of "over-rapping," his pen is sharp and succinct, void of dull or filler moments. [Dec/Jan 2016, p.90]

It is a step up for Rocky and the perfect documentation of today's new forefront in hip-hop. [Feb-Mar 2013, p.88]

After 20 years in hip-hop, 8Ball still wins with introspective storytelling skills and his signature Southern drawl, proving why Life's Quest is just that for 8Ball. [#254, p.88]

Allowing Cee Lo to exercise his eclecticism while staying within the boundaries of GM is pivotal to this album's originality and is pulled off in a way that only they could make happen. [Sep 2013, p.101]

The Stoned Immaculate may not see Curren$y catapulting to new levels of lyricism, but the N'awlins native's wordplay is still high-- grade on the mic. [#253, p.89]

T5DOA is a fine body of work, but falls short of the "classic album" tag that has eluded Kiss throughout his career. [Dec/Jan 2016, p.89]

While Watching Movies with the Sound Off lacked that strong single to support the album’s release and the young Mac still has time to fully develop the direction in which he proceeds from at this point in time, the Most Dope spitter crafted a cinematic achievement that is definitely most dope.

Hall Of Fame was built to last, and while you’ll hardly be calling for Sean’s induction after the conclusion of his sophomore effort, you’ll sure as hell put him on your ballot.

With the exception of “Crooked Smile” and “Let Nas Down,” the last five songs hold over the album, but don’t add value to the overall project.

GO:OD AM is the most transparent music Mac Miller has ever made and in doing so he has created a sonically cohesive and impressive album.

Overall, Odd Future's shock value rap style comes across less intense on this project. [#252, p.89]

Although it's only 36 minutes long, to some Dom fans dismay, it gives you another layer of what you've come to expect from the Leimert Park emcee--anecdotes, swagger, relatable problems and dreams, all over a mix of West Coast melodic production. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.91]

Although it fails to live up to the internet created hype, its highs outweigh its lows making it an impressive body of work especially if it was made in just six days.

Slaughterhouse's debut album has plenty of cuts that should satisfy their old fans and at least a few that should attract new ones. [#255, p.96]

While the rappers who also contribute to the album aren't out of place, the journey you take with Snoop and Pharrell feels a bit over capacity with their addition. [Jun-Jul 2015, p.88]

It's not Puff's best collection by any stretch of the imagination, but it definitely has some gems. [Dec/Jan 2016, p.90]

Meek surpasses expectations of his own personal Dreams and Nightmares with a youthful appeal, especially for today's misconstrued generation. [Dec 2012/Jan 2013, p.88]

From start to finish, this album is a great look at what G.O.O.D. Music has to offer. [No. 225, p.95]

While there might be a few missteps her and there--particularly in the strength of some of the verses--most of the album works really well. [Nov 2013, p.93]

Jesus Piece is a complete and compelling body of work compiled of consistent MCing and a diverse sonic palette. [Feb-Mar 2013, p.87]

What Waka lacks in depth and purpose, he makes up for with conviction. [#253, p.87]

Even witg a few cuts off the mark, Free's latest effort bares plenty of reaffirming examples as to why the Philadelphia rhymeslinger's place amongst rap's elite is written in stone. [Dec 2012/Jan 2013, p.89]

Despite everything he did right on this album, there are a few blemishes. [Jul 2013, p.88]

Although much of the album is a gumbo of music industry A-listers, there are enough solo gems to show how much more talented than the average Bobby Ray really is. [#252, p.88]

Because The Internet stands on its own musically. The project undoubtedly stands much taller when put in context of all the additional material released in order to create something bigger. [Dec 2013/Jan 2014, p.89]

It's when Gotti ventures out of his comfort zone that he truly succeeds. [Dec 2013/Jan 2014, p.91]

By combining the deep-bass beats and fast-spitting rhymes of Trap Muzik with mature, more-to-the-story rhymes, Tip finds himself back in the limelight. [Feb-Mar 2013, p.89]

Rodeo deftly accomplished one thing: Scott's sound is cemented. [#267, p.93]

Regardless of the missed R&B attempts and a dated Lamborghini track and a simplistic hook that cripples a potential hit, Self Made Vol. 3 tops the collaborative series and covers all the bases. [Nov 2013, p.90]

Fortunately for listeners, DZA comes through solid again. [Apr/May 2014, p.85]

Despite offering a variety of hip-hop today, the album lacks an honest feel, coming across like a batch of mediocre singles. [#255, p.99]

Production from the likes of Young Chop, Mike Will Made It, and Lex Luger propel Finally Rich since it's evident that Chief Keef cares just as much about precise lyricism as he does about keeping the peace on the Southside of Chicago. [Feb-Mar 2013, p.91]

Unfortunately, the concept-less and energy-deficient album leaves no room for anyone to make any lasting impression on the listener. [Jul 2013, p.89]

Nicki's shining moments are her straight-up, hip-hop tracks. [#252, p.87]

Despite lackluster showings on the title track, and the anti-climactic first two verses of "Picasso Baby," a track presence that has stood the test of time for almost two decades eventually shines though. The second half of the aforementioned "Picasso Baby" shows off Jay-Z at his peak. [Sep 2013, p.97]

In comparison to his past two albums, Cudi has grown the furthest from his purest hip-hop roots on Indicud, successfully carving out his own space using fundamental tools of hip-hop. [Jul 2013, p.91]

Rather than allowing the first three tracks to help craft a template for the rest of the LP, the other 10 tracks are watered down by concept-less, feature-heavy songs. [Jul 2013, p.87]