What makes 3 listenable in its darkest moments is the production, where P often struggles to sound comfortable.

Bold and indulgent, God Forgives, I Don't embodies why Rick Ross has become a fixture that listeners can depend on, as well as an executive who can strategize success for not only himself but others around him.

Although it feels druggy and improvisational at times, the outcome is soberingly great.

The complete package displays an obvious maturation from the veteran that is effectively in tune with a focus many have considered missing for some time.

The album is a storyteller's album. In fact, it's an immensely inclusive R&B album.

Ultimately, fans of Aesop will love this release, but those who have yet to find a reason to listen to his music won't find one here.

Overall, Fortune further indicates a changing of the guard in urban music, as Chris Brown's feel good songs find his most staunch advocates willing to overlook his lowered standards of musical content.

Wild Ones is an unfilfilling [sic] and detached listen.

Self Made Vol. 2 is a noted improvement from its predecessor.

Attractive Sin, an album that is sure to add to his discography as another solid effort from Sir DZL.

Smoke DZA and Harry Fraud deliver a solid collection of songs that grow more interesting on repeated listen, basking in an evolved sound equally representing vintage and avant-garde New York Hip Hop.

Love & Danger leaves a confusing stain on the veteran's legacy and does little to strengthen the cause of loyalists with a vested interest in his haphazard easily misunderstood art.

While there are some highlights on the album, they don't nearly make up for the glaring flaws throughout, the lack of noteworthy lyrics or the redundancy in topics, flows, hooks and beats.

Azealia Banks has an endearing charm, magnetic glow, and aggressively attitudinal confidence that come together as 1991's short collection is equally catchy and unique rendering her one to continue watching.

Oh No's execution is slightly off the mark in sticking to its motif, but that shouldn't detract from the goods he's brought this time around. We can dig it.

His singular sound gives the project a wonderful sense of cohesiveness and gels Purpp's vision together with a maturity beyond his young years.

The album is brimming with peerless content and an enlivened ambience that is manifested from his spoken word introduction to his grandmother's parting words on the closing track.

Curren$y's big league debut The Stoned Immaculate remains faithful to the spirit of his beloved witty arrogance, while bolstered by star power intended to propel his career at this pivotal stage.

The project furthers Top Dawg Entertainment's winning streak and marks the formal arrival of a cornerstone for this organization, an interestingly deep thinker whose determination and expanding consciousness seek to uplift and shape the world around him.

Elitist as it might seem, it's a Rap album that sounds better if you can name most of the Gang Starr Foundation.

There's no doubt--R.A.P. Music is the best Southern Rap album since Big Boi's Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son of Chico Dusty.

There's still a bit more growing to do, but Master of My Make-Believe shows that's she's headed in the right direction.

B.o.B. has been adamant about his latest album being created organically, yet that doesn't justify the lack of cohesion or quality found on Strange Clouds.

This is an escapist listen that appeals to fans beyond the traditional Hip Hop consumer, and is as forward-sounding as it is nostalgic.

At times tasteful and other times tasteless, Pluto demonstrates a bravado that knows no shame.

Gift of Gab is a craftsman, and achieves goal to provide uplifting music.

While her voice may be a point of contention for newcomers and the album's content risks going over heads in its catering to the progressive sect, openminded listeners will find fortune, self-esteem, and inspiration from her constantly growing womanhood.

Pop Star Nicki is still going strong so her fans should have nothing to worry about, but those of us who started collecting with the original line should probably just find a new hobby-Mixtape Nicki has been discontinued.