2007 album (his second since retirement!) from lyrical master JAY-Z. This album was inspired entirely by the movie "American Gangster," and follows a story arc similar to the film's. This is typical JAY-Z: hot beats from young producers, hot guests (NAS (!), LIL WAYNE (on the amazing "Hello Brooklyn"), & BEANIE SIGEL all make appearances), & hot lyrics. Pretty much anything HOVA releases is classic (except for maybe that "Blueprint 2.0" deal), & this is no exception. RECOMMENDED!!!

A condensed version of Jay's BLUEPRINT 2, featuring the biggest hits and best deep cuts from that double album plus some 'hidden' bonus tracks exclusive to this release. Overall it brings some focus & cohesion to a record often unfairly maligned for being too broadly ambitious and too long.

OK, so he didn't permanently retire, but did any of us really expect that to stick? Come on, now. HOVA has returned with his 10th or 11th album, depending on whether or not you count The Blueprint 2 as a real album. Kingdom Come, though, is what you'd expect from the return of Jay-Z . . . the man has had a lot of changes in the last few years: president of Def Jam, squashing beef with NAS, trying to buy a basketball team, etc. On record, though, it's classic JAY, insane wordplay, clever storytelling, and a club jam or two to keep you on the dancefloor. The only thing I can't forgive JAY for is using the beat on "Show Me What You Got" that uses the same sax sample from "Rump Shaker!" Although, "Rump Shaker" was an early PHARRELL track, and he appears on Kingdom Come, so maybe it's JAY's way of saying things have come full circle. That aside, this is pretty damn good. *** Deluxe version features a bonus DVD with live performances and more! ***

Hotly anticipated collaboration by arguably the biggest names in hip-hop. Features production from the RZA, the Neptunes, and Kanye's longtime collaborator Mike Dean. Vocalists included are Beyonce, Frank Ocean, and Mr. Hudson. This "no holds barred" approach to album making has yieled a TON of buzz and propels Jay and Kanye even further into the stratosphere of rap-royalty.

This MTV Unplugged episode was released in 2001 - just a few weeks after The Blueprint dropped and, some would argue, when Jay was firmly in his prime. Featuring THE ROOTS as his backing band & with appearances from MARY J. BLIGE & PHARRELL, this is HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

1992 brought the BEST Jayhawks album to you

After two incredible 12"s on Guidance, Chicago's own Primeridian absolutely kills it with their debut full length. Mellow real Hip Hop to let everybody know Chicago got the real deal.

Highly anticipated follow-up to JAY REATARD's first solo offering (2006's "Blood Visions") delivers on all standard JAY REATARD fronts: insanely catchy, no messing around, solos that squeal by & hooks for days & days. This album has a poppier edge, overall, than "Blood Visions," but that doesn't make it any less full of trashy, garage-rock-punk goodness.