100% Dope. Knonam pulls together a concept drenched with 80s New Wave, Pop, Rock, & Hip-Hop. He's also a very skilled lyricist & songwriter. Perhaps the best album of the year you'll never hear. (My star rating: 5 out of 5)

Wow! Masta Ace, Wordsworth, Punchline, & Stricklin all come through with one of the finest records of the year. Dope beats, ill rhymes, clever word-play, intelligent lyrics, well-picked guest rappers, and a sure-fire concept drives this album towards the top of my list. (My star rating: 5 out of 5)

This is some of the best material I've ever heard from Akrobatik. This one is simply air-tight. With guest spots from Little Brother, Talib Kweli, Chuck D & Mr. Lif, it's sure not to disappoint. (My star rating: 4.5 out of 5)

An extremely solid LP from front to back. Grip Grand comes conscious, soulful & is very skilled. The production from Grip Grand (and a few others) is dope too. Nice guest spots from Percee P & A.G. among others. A nice LP from under the radar. Recommended (My star rating: 4.5 out of 5)

Perhaps the best 16 minutes of the Spring. These 5 songs from Slug & Ant are 5 of their best songs ever. No joke. (My star rating: 5 out of 5)

Is this the best Bobby Digital record yet? You decide! It's definitely up to par with RZA's debut as BD. This one includes dope & inventive production throughout. A nice change in formula (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Incredible album from one of the finest female spitters I've ever heard. Do yourself a favor and check out this gem. Straight out of Detroit, Invincible gets laced with some excellent production provided by Black Milk, Waajeed & more! (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Atmosphere's "Lemons" is an excellent new album from Slug & Ant. It somewhat favors introspective material over straight bangers which finds Atmosphere changing their formula more than usual. It's a bit dark, and holds a synth heavy, and somewhat indy feel to it. Excellent replay value. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

After a 10 year hiatus, Show & A.G. return to the game. This was actually released digitally last year, but is now available for the masses on CD. An extended EP of sorts, with 7 new tracks and 5 instrumentals. Extremely solid. Guest appearances include DJ Premier & O.C.. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

This cat is relatively new, but you wouldn't think it from the guest list, which includes DJ Premier, Buckwild & Kool G Rap. Most of it is produced by Double Shot though...who is also a very dope producer. Excellent rapping & lyrics from Little Vic as well. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Headnodic is one of my favorite producers these days, so this was a no-brainer. Moe Pope delivers an excellent set of rhymes over the lush production. Solid on all fronts. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

This short 6-song EP really floored me. The super group consists on Gift of Gab, Lateef, & Headnodic. Headnodic's sonically original production is an excellent direction for these Quannum cats. Skip proof from front to back. With guest spots from DJ Shadow, MF Doom, Ladybug Mecca, & Raashan Ahmad; you're really gonna want to check this one out. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Extremely dope return from the Rap-A-Lot vets. Dope-E is back with pure power, and the production is fly throughout the disc. An excellent return to form. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Tight material from these Juice Crew veterans. Tighter than I thought Craig G was capable of at this point in his career. Marley Marl lends an even nicer set of beats than he did with KRS last time around. Recommended! (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

An excellent effort from The Roots. It doesn't quite boast the flawlessness of 2006's "Game Theory", although it does run in a similar vein. Some nice bangers throughout. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Blu & Ta'Raach turn out a very unorthodox project after Blu & Exile's critically acclaimed "Below The Heavens" album just last year. It's a bit half-baked and heavy on instrumental jaunts, but when the two come together, they make some wonderfully dope and cocky sh**. I'm digging it. (My star rating: 4 out of 5)

Another excellent LP from KRS-One, who seems to never run out of steam. His flow is still in top form, and the beats from Duane "DaRock" Ramos are very nice. He would be better served with Premo, but this is still an excellent addition to his discog. (My star rating: 3.5 out of 5)

This highly anticipated EP boasts 7 new tracks with every member appearing on each cut. Dope beats and rhymes throughout. Not classic stuff per-se, but they show they still got it. (My star rating: 3.5 out of 5)

Though I thought "Perseverance" was a nice release for 2007, there was still a subtle disconnection between Percee P & Madlib to me. And even though that disconnection is still present on this remix album, I must say that I'm enjoying these more than the originals. (My star rating: 3.5 out of 5)

This is Verbal Kent's 3rd album, and my first exposure to him. He's an excellent battle emcee, with some insightful lyrics to go. Energy like this needs to be heard in the game nowadays. Released on Molemen Records, with excellent production and guest spots. (My star rating: 3.5 out of 5)