Honestly, local hiphop was all I could pay attention to this year. There were a few albums that could some play from me though, just not 10 of them! (Apologies in advance to any dino-hoppers on Line Out (yeah, right) for Raekwon's exclusion from this list- but Only Built For Cuban Links 2 didn't really move me too tough.)

1. Shabazz Palaces - S/T & Of Light

I can't say enough about it. You'll see soon enough. Shabazz is the future- big props to Dave for being first on it.

2. The Jacka - Tear Gas

I did not expect to be so obsessed with this druggy, thugged-the-fuck-out Bay Area beast, but Tear Gas did it. Thoughtful, soulful, gutter, gutter, gutter. This deserves to be on more than a few peoples' lists.

3. Diamond District - In The Ruff

Monster sound, Doritos-crunchy. MC/producer Oddisee is one of the illest out there right now and In The Ruff is the rawest boom-bap shit to drop- just shows to go ya that straight up hiphop will always win when it's done right.

4. DJ Quik & Kurupt - Blackout

From the moment this was announced I was in Stan mode- two of the most slept on West Coast titans ever. Kurupt is one of my favorite former Death Row inmates ever, and DJ Quik is a absolutely incontestable legend, who's still managing to come up with awesome new sounds. Soundtrack of the summer.

5. Mos Def - The Ecstatic

Black Dante came back hard after a long creative lull- I was convinced he'd given up rap for his first love (acting! c. Jon Lovitz) and I'd almost given up on him. Faith restored. When he's on, he's on fire- rivaling his best moments from Black On Both Sides.

6. P.O.S.- Never Better

P.O.S. is like the 1 or 2 cool black rock kids that I idolized in high school, that I wish I could have gone to shows with. Hiphop filtered through his Minneapolis punk pedigree, and it actually works- better than ever, as the title suggests. Atmosphere is cool and all but Pissed Off Stef is RSE's true transformative figure. I expect only bigger & better from him.

7. Jay-Z - Blueprint 3

Not the best allbum- but had about 3 or 4 cuts that were Jay at his Jayest. I can't help it- I will always give Hov half a chance.