The hip-hop renaissance man does it again, re-vamping his sound for a syth-pop romp through the trials and tribulations of "The Good Life". It's all that we have come to expect from West: personal confessions, infections swagger, and of course sonically nuanced production that sounds equally dope on headphones, in the car or at the club. Highlights: "Stronger", "I Wonder", "Flashing Lights".

2007 marked the loss of a true pioneer in Pimp C, one of the original architects of the soulful, bluesy sound that came to define the south. But before his untimely passing, C and Bun B reunited for one last magnum opus of vintage UGK; first rate production, Bun B's lyrical craftsmanship, and Pimp C spilling his soul out in nearly every line. Highlights: "Int'l Player's Anthem", "Living This Life"

After nearly a decade away, one of the greatest pure MCs to ever rock a mic returns with an organic, funk fueled showcase for his lyrical dexterity and conceptual genius. While the live instrumentation and recurrence of sung vocals may throw some old fans, most of the experimentation works, and on the mic, Monch is as raw as he ever was. Highlights: "Welcome To The Terrordome", "Trilogy".

Underground vets have continued to evolve with each release, and deliver one of the year's most pleasant surprises. Equal parts homage to the southern sound of the mid-90s and blueprint for the next down south movement, this album showcases Kno as a producer on the verge of fame and Natti and Deacon as poignant wordsmiths capable of evoking a range of emotions. Highlights: "Georgia", "Mexico"

Two promising newcomers from the Bay, Blu (MC) and Exile (producer) come together to deliver a spirited piece of hip-hop in it's purest form. The motif of spiritual reconciliation recurs throughout to tie together a collection of incredibly well crafted, yet heartfelt compositions. Highlights: "In Remembrance of Me", "Cold Hearted", "The World Is... (Below The Heavens)"