I Burn Them Again 05 Serving Them Since Aesop Rock

A lot of solid Hip Hop releases across the lath in 2007, and a couple of albums that volition eventually be considered classics. Don't forget to check out the Honorable Mentions, there were a lot of albums that could have fabricated the best 40 that had to exist relegated to the HM department. For this listing, nosotros have ranked our forty favorite albums of the year. Not included are EP'south, mixtapes, compilations, and instrumental albums.

Also read: Tiptop 150 Hip Hop Albums Of The 2000s

1. Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth

The Undisputed Truthis the best Hip Hop anthology released in 2007. Powerful, political, and personal: activist Brother Ali shows himself in a song similar "Truth Is", the biting political commentator in the archetype "Uncle Sam Goddamn" and "Letter of the alphabet From The Government", and the vulnerable family unit human being comes out in the biting letter to his ex-wife "Walking Away" and one to his son "Faheem". Great messaging, intricate lyricism, beautiful guitar-driven bluesy rhythms crafted by Pismire – and not one miss in the tracklist:The Undisputed Truth is a classic.

Rating: 9/10

two. Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens

Tape sales don't make an anthology a archetype. A classic album is timeless, one that will still sound skilful decades from the engagement of its release. A classic album can exist played over again and again, without having to skip tracks.

Blu & Exile's Below The Heavens is such an album. Consistent quality throughout – Exile'due south soulful production is perfectly complemented past Blu'south introspective and intelligent lyrics. The album was well-received by Hip Hop heads and critically acclaimed, only information technology never got the sales or mainstream attending information technology deserved. This is real Hip Hop and an underground classic.

Rating: nine/ten

iii. Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass

Aesop Stone's best album? 1 of his all-time for sure. The album features production by Blockhead, El-P, Rob Sonic, and Aesop Rock himself – so in that location need exist no doubt nearly the quality of the soundscapes. A frontrunner in the 'alternative' Hip Hop wave instrumental in saving Hip Hop around the turn of the millennium, Aesop Stone may be best known to most because of his left-field kind of production. People often overlook his lyrical abilities, though. Aesop Stone is underrated as an emcee – each track on this album is a carefully created gem of lyrical genius. None Shall Pass is the prototype of Aesop Stone'due south creativity and progressiveness.

Rating: viii.v/10

4. Percee P – Perseverance

Percee P is a criminally underrated emcee. Ane of the best lyricists in the game, e'er. Active in the Hip Hop game since the 1980s – and ever stealing the testify as a guest emcee on other people'due south albums –Perseverance, his official solo debut album came out as late equally 2007. If he could have gotten himself released in the early on 90s, no doubt he would exist widely recognized at present as one of the all-time greats. As it is, this album may have come likewise late – in a fourth dimension when Hip Hop was being watered downwardly and dumbed down for most on a decade already and quality Hip Hop like this was not promoted anymore by the big coin people.

This is a existent Hip Hop album, that should have a place in whatever real heads collection. Superior lyrical skill, astute lyrics, and produced by 1 of the all-time producers in the game: Madlib. It has Madlib'south signature sound; a scrap modern & experimental at times, but still with plenty of an 'old-school' feel to them to match Percee P's lyrics.

The album has a couple of guest spots – Guilty Simpson, Vinnie Paz, Diamond D, Prince Po, Aesop Rock – all quality emcees, but Percee P outshines them all effortlessly. The aptly titledPerseverance is a testament to Percee P's career and you need to go cheque out this anthology.

Rating: 8.5/10

5. Pharoahe Monch – Want

Want is the second solo album from Pharoahe Monch, released viii years (!) afterwards his critically acclaimed solo debut,Internal Affairs. Where some artists seem to favor quantity over quality when it comes to their output (nosotros're looking at you Kool Keith), in the case of Pharoahe Monch information technology clearly is the other way around. Eight years is a long expect for a follow-up, but Desire was worth the await. The album offers hard-hitting boom-bap beats with Pharoahe Monch exercising his insane flow with extreme precision and style. Lyrically complex, but thoroughly enjoyable,Desire is one of those albums that is not be missed past those who are into Hip Hop for grown-ups.

Rating: viii.five/10

eight. Lupe Fiasco – The Cool

Lupe Fiasco's debut,Food & Liquor (2006), was amid the most revered debuts in any era of Hip Hop. Could he redo that acclaim with his sophomore anthology, The Cool? Damn sure. This anthology practically served every bit an unofficial sequel toFood & Liquor (the official sequel,Nutrient & Liquor 2: The Peachy American Rap Album (2012), didn't quite meet those expectations). Powerful cuts like "The Coolest", "Gold Watch" and "Hip Hop Saved My Life" are exhibits of how intelligent and well-read Lupe Fiasco is. Easily comparable to his classic debut in terms of quality, this album is ane of 2007's best releases.

Rating: 8.5/ten

7. Kanye West – Graduation

Completing the trilogy subjecting around a schoolhouse theme, Kanye dropped another dope album withGraduation. Combining the best ofThe College Dropout (2004) and Late Registration (2005),Graduation saw him reaching back into his haversack and bringing practiced sometime soulful Hip Hop. With excellent cuts such as "Stronger", "Champion", and "Everything I Am", Kanye knocked information technology out the park once again, making his classic record streak 3-for-three.

Rating: 8.v/10

8. Cunninlynguists – Dirty Acres

Much like People Under The Stairs, Cunninlynguists is another one of those crews that have succeeded in putting together an amazingly consequent body of piece of work over the years. Stylistically different from their previous albums –Dirty Acres is the album that sonically and lyrically showcases Cunninlynguists' Down South heritage near of all their albums – and not a classic like its predecessor A Piece Of Strange (2006), this anthology all the same is dope as hell.

Rating: eight.5/10

9. Talib Kweli – Eardrum

Talib Kweli's best albums are two collaboration efforts:Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998) with Mos Def as Blackness Star andTrain Of Idea (2000) with Hi-Tek as Reflection Eternal. None of his solo-albums e'er reached the aforementioned level of classic-ness every bit those two absolute Hip Hop monuments, butEardrum comes close enough. Arguably Talib Kweli's best album,Eardrum could take been fifty-fifty better if it had been a fleck tighter – at 20 tracks and fourscore minutes the album is a bit also long for its ain proficient – but that said, it's hard to say which tracks should accept been left off. The album feels consistent throughout, filled with Talib's intelligent lyrics and with catchy hooks and dope beats to accompany them.

Rating: viii.5/x

ten. Y Gild – Travel At Your Own Pace

Damu the Fudgmunk teamed up with rapper Insight as Y Guild for 2007'sTravel At Your Own Pace. The beats on this album are simply fantastic. Polish, well-baked, sample-driven, and jazzy – they offer an intense feeling of nostalgia. Insight's rhymes are intelligent and insightful, pairing perfectly with Damu The Fudgemunk'due south distinguished sounding beats. Travel At Your Ain Paceis excellent, but sadly slept-on.

Rating: 8.5/ten

11. Senim Silla – The Name, The Motto, The Result

Senim Silla is one/2 of Binary Star, the duo he formed with the as unsung One Exist Lo. The Name, The Motto, The Outcome is his first (and only) solo album and some other hidden 2007 treasure. The Name, The Motto, The Outcome is deep, layered, and circuitous – both lyrically and musically  – and not an piece of cake album to go into maybe, just one that amply rewards those who are willing and able to invest the fourth dimension and attending this gem deserves.

Rating: 8.5/ten

12. El-P – I'll Sleep When Yous're Dead

El-P's second solo album, and another dope one. As always, El Producto brings that innovative, deeply layered, sonically dense flavour – never that run-off-the-manufactory rap music: left-field Hip Hop at its finest. Standout tracks include 'Habeas Corpses" (feat. Muzzle), "EMG", "Run The Numbers" (feat. Aesop Rock), "Tasmanian Pain Coaster", "Up All Dark" (feat. Mr. Lif) and "Bulldoze" – only this a solid and consistent listen from beginning to terminate.

Rating: 8.v/10

13. Common – Finding Forever

After his OK debut anthologyTin can I Infringe A Dollar (1992), Chicago'southward Common dropped 3 classics back-to-back:Resurrection (1994),One Day It'll All Brand Sense (1997), andLike Water For Chocolate (2000). Later that came the highly experimental Electric Circus (2002) – a detest it or love information technology kind of album, and certainly an odd duck in Common'southward otherwise amazingly consistent discography (not countingUniveral Mind Command (2008), which is his weakest album if you ask us).

Anyhow, afterward the for virtually people disappointingElectrical Circus, Mutual came back incredibly strong withBe (2005), for us the best album of his career and one of the all-time of this decade. The question was ifBe'south follow upwardly could exist as strong as its predecessor – almost incommunicable of course. Even ifFinding Forever does non quite reachExist's level of most-perfection,  it is an first-class album in its own right. The Bilal-assisted "U, Blackness Maybe" is the absolute highlight of the album, but likeExist the whole album is equally tight and consistent as you'd look from Common, one time once more with assistance from Kanye West on most tracks.

Rating: 8/10

xiv. Evidence – The Weatherman LP

The Weatherman LP is the beginning solo album by Dilated Peoples emcee Evidence. At 70 minutes, this is a long album – just lilliputian if any time is wasted. With guest appearances from Phonte, Planet Asia, Rapper Large Pooh, Slug (and others), scratches past DJ Revolution and Evidence's bandmate in Dilated Peoples DJ Babu, and production past Evidence himself with Babu and others similar Sid Roams, The Alchemist, DJ Khalil and Jake One, pure Hip Hop is practically guaranteed. Evidence 'slow-flow' way of rapping may non entreatment to everybody and he may not be the best emcee yous take ever heard – simply he doesn't demand to be. This album is dope as f and i of the best to ever emerge out of the Dilated Peoples camp.

Rating: viii/10

15. UGK – Underground Kingz

Known for being one of the pioneering acts to emerge from Texas, UGK saw their biggest commercial success with this anthology – their last one released during Pimp C's lifetime, but a couple of months before his untimely death. Maybe not quite the archetype UGK's 3rd albumRidin' Dirty (1996) was, just Cloak-and-dagger Kingz is almost correct upwardly in that location with it – a major last chapter to the much-respected story of ane of the greatest duos to ever practise information technology.

Rating: 8/ten

xvi. Jay-Z – American Gangster

American Gangster signified a definitive return to class for Jay-Z after the disappointing 2006 albumKingdom Come. According to Jay-Z himself, near every song onAmerican Gangster is based on a specific scene from the Ridley Scott film well-nigh the life of former drug kingpin Frank Lucas (played past a formidable-as-ever Denzel Washington).American Gangster feels like a more mature version of Jay-Z'due south classic debutReasonable Dubiousnessand is one of Jay-Z's improve albums without a dubiety.

Rating: 8/10

17. Sage Francis – Human being The Death Trip the light fantastic

Human The Death Dance is Sage Francis' third solo album, and arguably his best – even ifPersonal Journals (2002) andHealthy Distrust (2005) are dope as hell too. Slap-up beats and skillfully delivered lyrics that are worth listening to – what more than could you demand to satisfy your Hip Hop cravings? Sage Francis is one of the nearly under-appreciated artists in post-2000 Hip Hop.

Rating: 8/10

xviii. Polyrhythm Addicts – Suspension Glass

Polyrhythm Addicts is a four-man crew consisting of DJ Spinna, Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Complex, and new member Tiye Phoenix (who replaced Apani B Fly).Interruption Glass is structured and sequenced well, with a good mix of bangers and slower jams, and is filled with clever observations and conscious lyrics. Dope production from DJ Spinna, and great rhymes from Shabaam Sahdeeq, Mr. Circuitous, and Tiye Phoenix. Invitee appearances made by Pharoahe Monch ("Reachin'"), Large Professor ("The Purist"), Planet Asia ("One Chance"), & Phonte ("It's My Life") assist round out the album, keeping it varied and strong from start to finish.

Rating: 8/10

19. Blueish Heaven Black Death & Hell Razah - Razah's Ladder

Wu-Tang affiliate Hell Razah has put together an all-encompassing and pretty strong catalog over the years, this collaborative album with production duo Bue Heaven Black Death is i of his best, if not his absolute best. The stellar production serves as the perfect properties for Hell Razah'due south conscious lyrical imagery – Blue Sky Black Death and Hell Razah have great synergy. The Killah Priest-esqueRazah's Ladder is one of the finest hole-and-corner Hip Hop albums released in 2007.

Rating: 8/10

xx. Ghostface Killah – The Big Doe Rehab

Rating: 8/10

21. Blueish Scholars – Bayani

Blueish Scholars is a duo consisting of producer Sabzi and rapper Geologic; both hailing from Seattle. On their sophomore album, Geologic succeeds in existence relevant on electric current issues without sounding preachy, and Sabzi's shine and soulful beats serve as a perfect backdrop for his thoughtful rhymes.Bayani is a piece of creative and cute music, one of the most slept-on Hip Hop albums released in 2007.

22. Shad - The Former Prince

What is the best Hip Hop album to come out of Canada in 2007, or even in the decade? No, no, no, nothing from Drake. The decade's best anthology from a Canadian Hip Hop creative person is Shad's The Sometime Prince. This album is perfectly put together, with amazing beats and lyrics, plus an overall great positive vibe and atmosphere.

Rating: viii/10

23. Killah Priest – The Offering

Killah Priest's 5th solo anthology The Offering represents another impressive display of lyricism and intelligence, supported past mostly strong production. Guest appearances by Nas, Immortal Technique, and HRSMN colleagues Ras Kass, Kurupt, and Canibus add some extra flavor – but as non all these guests bring their A-game, it's Killah Priest who effortlessly dominates. His pitch is a piffling bit college than on well-nigh of his other projects – he even sounds a bit like Nas here, likewise in his menstruum and delivery. Killah Priest is on a whole other level, proving over again he is a top-lyricist – and his best work was yet to come at this point.

Rating: vii.5/10

24. Black Milk – Popular Demand

Detroit's beatsmith Blackness Milk comes off very dainty with his sophomore albumPopular Need. Another one of those producers who can hold his own on the microphone, Black Milk has strung together a itemize of very good albums – andPop Demand is no exception. This is an album filled with soulful bangers, with adequate emceeing past a rapping producer and guest appearances from the likes of Slum Village's T3, Elzhi and Baatin likewise every bit from Guilty Simpson, One Be Lo, and others.

Rating: 7.v/10

25. Little Brother – Getback

Rating: 7.5/10

26. Wisemen - Wisemen Budgeted (2007)

The Wisemen is a crew consisting of Wu-Tang-affiliated emcee/producer Bronze Nazareth, his brother emcee/producer Kevlaar seven (who died on December 23, 2014, from a claret disorder), and emcees Phillie, Salute the Kid, Illah Dayz, and June Megalodon. The group'due south debut albumWisemen Approaching as well has features from Wu-Tang Clan's GZA too as from Killah Priest, Vast Aire, Planet Asia, Prodigal Sunn, and others.

Killer beats and dope rhymes –Wisemen Approaching is an under-appreciated projection that deserves more attending than information technology got.

Rating: 7.5/10

27. Ohmega Watts – Watts Happening

Rating: 7.5/10

28. Sean Cost – Jesus Cost Supastar

Rating: 7.v/x

29. Regular army Of The Pharaohs – Ritual Of Battle

Ground forces Of The Pharaohs (AOTP) was initially conceived by Jedi Mind Tricks frontman Vinnie Paz. His vision was a constantly-evolving, collaboration of epic proportions that would include emcees, producers, and DJs. AOTP's first incarnation included Bahamadia, Jedi Mind Tricks, Chief Kamachi, 7L & Esoteric, and Virtuoso and resulted in the wildly successful 12" single, 'Five Perfect Exertions'. 2006 saw the long-awaited debut The Torture Papers,the supergroup's sophomore offerRitual Of Battlereunites the winning formula – this time around with Vinnie Paz, Outerspace, Apathy, 7L & Esoteric, Celph Titled, Chief Kamachi, King Syze, Faez One, Demoz, Reef The Lost Cauze, Doap Dixon, Rex Magnetic, also as first-time AOTP constituent (and renowned former Jedi Mind Tricks fellow member) Jus Allah.

Ritual Of Boxing is not as stiff asThe Torture Papers is, but notwithstanding enough potent.

Rating: seven.5/10

30. Panacea – The Scenic Route

Panacea is a duo consisting of emcee Raw Poetic and producer K-Murdock, hailing from Washington, D.C. Their sophomore LPTheBreathtaking Route is a great album, like in vibe and musicality to Blu & Exile's classic Below The Heavens.

With mesmerizing beats laid down by M-Murdock complemented with Raw Poetic's dope lyrical flow,The Scenic Road is one of those unique albums that flows perfectly from beginning to end, utterly consistent and cohesive throughout. Smooth and irresistible, this album was a jiff of fresh air in a year when (mainstream) rap was sinking into a monotonous abyss of vulgarity, stupidity, and negativity – and it is a smashing addition to whatsoever music lover's collection.

Rating: 7.5/10

31. Ane Exist Lo – The R.Due east.B.I.R.T.H.

Rating: 7/10

32. Phat Kat – Carte Blanche

Rating: seven/10

33. Scarface – M.A.D.E.

Scarface's nearly underrated anthology? Even though it was critically and commercially successful,Made is rarely mentioned in discussions most Scarface'due south best work. Possibly considering we got used to Face dropping consequent quality? Production on the whole anthology is dope, a bit darker than on its classic predecessorThe Fix, and lyrically Scarface brings his A-game on most of the tracks ("Dollar" is one of the very few misses on this album). A standout rail on Fabricated is "Never", which has Scarface cleverly rhyming around a sample of the word never, only there are more groovy tracks to enjoy like "Burn", "Who Do Yous Believe In" and especially "The Suicide Notation".

Rating: 7/x

34. Public Enemy – How You Sell Soul to a Soulless People Who Sold Their Soul???

Rating: 7/10

35. Redman – Red Gone Wild

Redman's best album since Muddy Waters (1996)? We say yes, simply opinions are divided on this ane. Sure, the album could have benefitted from a tighter roster of producers (read: more Erick Sermon-produced tracks). Also, the Dirty South influences on some tracks may not be appreciated past everyone, and absolutely non every guest adds quality. Redman's own Gilla House Crew are not great emcees, and especially Snoop Dogg and Nate Dogg turn in a kind of limp contribution. The usual collabo track with Method Man is dope as hell though, every bit are near of the other tracks on this album. As per usual with Redman, this is a long album – only it doesn't experience overlong. And luckily this time he didn't overdo it with the skits, which makes a listen-through without needing to skip tracks possible – always a good matter.

Red Gone Wild: Thee Album was Redman's much-delayed first release in six years later the so-thenMalpractice album, and a return to form. Redman is his humorous self here, spiting his typical well put-together verses, filled with witty punchlines and dope metaphors and similes. You lot may disagree, merely at HHGA we loveCarmine Gone Wild: Thee Album.

Rating: vii/10

36. DJ Jazzy Jeff – The Return Of The Magnificent

Rating: 7/10

37. Super Chron Flying Brothers – Emergency Powers

Emergency Powers: The Earth Touris billy woods and Priviledge's commencement and best album.Emergency Powers is packed with intricate and intelligent rhymes nearly societal issues, nicely balanced with lots of weed raps and some straight-up humbug – this is a clever and witty slice of work that stays entertaining for its full 71-minute duration. The MF DOOM-Esque musical backdrops (DOOM actually produced one vocal) are dope every bit f as well, rhymes and beats go together beautifully here.Emergency Powersis a striking debut, one of the best albums released on baton wood's Backwoodz Studioz label, and one of the most slept-on albums of 2007.

Rating: 7/10

38. Jeru The Damaja – Still Rising

Rating: 7/x

39. KRS-One & Marley Marl – Hip Hop Lives

20 years afterwards The Bridge Wars, former rivals KRS-One and Marley Marl team up to drop a nice and tight album. "All Skool", "Kill A Rapper", "Over 30", "I Was There", and especially "Hip Hop Lives" – dope tracks aplenty. A solid and thoroughly enjoyable album.

Rating: 7/10

40. Wu-Tang Clan – 8 Diagrams

Rating: seven/10

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Source: https://hiphopgoldenage.com/list/top-40-hip-hop-albums-2007/

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