THE ELEVEN: Best Hip-Hop CDs of 2006

For years people have been prophesizing the death of hip-hop. Some people have been praying for it. Sadly, it seems that this forecast may actually be coming true. If one takes a look at the top album sales on itunes, only 7 of the top 20 albums came out in 2006. (By comparison, 17 of the top 20 alternative albums are from 2006) And many of the hip-hop albums are from over 10 YEARS AGO!!! Is hip-hop in that bad of shape that someone would rather buy Dr. Dre's the Chronic yet again than something from the last couple of months? To make matters worse...if you continue to scroll down, only 11 of the top 40 are from 2006. (the 11 is just a coincidence) Here's the problem, it's not hip-hop. It's everyone else: the labels, the radio, MTV, are padding so much pseudo-gangsta pop groups down our throats, we've just burnt out on it. That era is over. Let it go, give it up, move on...stop riding your bike by Dr. Dre's house, he'll come out when he's good and ready. Until then take at look at some of the smartest hip-hop being made. In the next couple of weeks, I'm going to start peppering some reviews of these guys into my daily routine to catch you folks up with what the kids are listening to.

The Best Rap Albums of 2006 (so far)

1. Gnarls Barkley - St. Elsewhere
   
2. Murs and 9^th Wonder - Murray's Revenge
   
3. Aceyalone & RJD2 - Magnificent City & Grand Imperial
   
4. Ugly Duckling - Bang For The Buck
   
5. People Under The Stairs - Stepfather
   
6. Modill - Midnight Green
   
7. T. I. - King
   
8. 2Mex & Life Rexal Are $martyr - Money Symbol Martyrs
   
9. Mars Ill - Pro Pain
   
10. Busta Rhymes - The Big Bang
    
11. The Coup - Pick A Bigger Weapon