I like some of the songs but it's pretty lame if you ask me. It's to commercial for my taste, I wish Jay-Z would make an album like Reasonable Doubt, The Blueprint I and The Black album again.
Also for Rap album of the Year it goes to Redman/Method Man - The Blackout II. I can't find one bad line/lyric on the whole damn album not to mention the awesome beats to go along with each song.
"Yo, back when chef mami used to sell plates, we used to sell base
I learned to wipe my nose and wipe the prints off the shell case
Don't want no jail case, freedom miles standing at hell's gate
It's hot, and the devil's my cell mate
The game's addictive, I can't stop, it's like I'm chasing that first high
Like Betty Crocker baking that first pie
The beef we serving is stir fried, swerving all through your urban
Hurting, every gate and corner, you working, I'm
The bottom line, the school of hard knocks turn into Columbine" - MM
One Example...I could post lyrics all day from that album.
Raekwon's new album is alright I don't think it even comes close to the first. Also my favorite Rap album of last year was GZA's Pro Tools.
And My most anticipated rap album coming out within the next 2 years LUPE FIASCO !