1. Outkast Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (La Face)
Outkast prove that double albums can be creative. Dave Mercer, Waterloo ON
Music doesn't get much better then this new original and phunky dirty south hip-hop on one side, then crazy experimental hop/soul on the other. Brad Middleton, Langdon AB
Hip-hop has long suffered from a number of ailments, but none so severe as that of stagnancy and the fear to venture into uncharted territory. Then we have Outkast, who have managed to explore, experiment, have fun, and challenge the parameters of the strictly defined and enforced genre. This album explores countless genres from funk, lounge, drum & bass, hip-hop, pop, and manages to do so in a cohesive manner. The experimentation, the strength of this release, is not masturbatory, but is rather endeavoured with the intent to challenge and expand the genre. In terms of mainstream hip-hop, this is a monument that will hopefully cause the so-called greats to change up their styles and break free of the monotony that has come to cause hip-hop to be no different than the pop stars it once shunned and critiqued. Chadwick Barnes, Montreal QC
It's scary how weird this record is. Hearing this makes me realise why indie rockers in their late 20s have sold their Pavement records and gotten into hip-hop. Awesome. Damien Dabrowski, Montreal QC
The crossover appeal on this album alone makes this album unarguably the hip-hop album of the year, despite what 50 Cent fans might claim. Josh Kyrzakos, Mississauga ON
Outkast are really an original voice in hip-hop in modern music I should say. They prove it twice with each CD having its own direction but both retaining the same relevance. Dominic Sauvageau, Montreal QC
2. Buck 65 Talkin' Honky Blues (Warner)
Buck 65 is something special. He is altering hip-hop without ignoring its present state. Buck can also cover this new ground without coming off as smug or pretentious. Craig Martell, Halifax NS
More accessible than his past CDs amazing samples and storytelling. Josee Lacroix, Gatineau QC
Hip-hop for people who don't like hip-hop. Organic, live instruments, great words and sounds. An amazing storyteller. Samuel Murdock, St-Marc-des-carrieres QC
He's turning into Tom Waits. Jessica Whyte, Halifax NS
Innovative and fascinating take on hip-hop. Largely influenced by folk and country music. Buck may be the man to save hip-hop from the bling bling culture it now represents. Ryan O'Connor, Corwall PE
Rich's music is so far beyond conventional hip-hop, maybe it doesn't fit neatly into this category any more. But this disc was beyond merely being good music it was profound, progressive and unique. What hip-hop should be. David Hayden, Halifax NS
Buck has made the best hip-hop album of the year by making the least hip-hop album of the year. David Breakenridge, Sherwood Park AB
Stinkin' Rich is at it again. He may have joined a major record label, but he's still the old Buck we all know and love, just with a more mature and refined, folky sound. Good stuff. Russ Norberg, Surrey BC
3. Dizzee Rascal Boy In Da Corner (XL)
A 19-year-old British wonder that amalgamates so many influences it's a mishmash of every worthwhile aspect from thug rap, club beat, British working class rap and Dizzee's Caribbean/British vocals bounce alongside the beats oh so fittingly. Shawn Buckle, Toronto ON
For the second straight year, the best hip-hop album was by an Englishman. Admittedly, Dizzee Rascal and the Streets have very little in common beyond accent, but English hip-hop is quickly going from novelty to a distinct subgenre. Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
The Brits are yards ahead of the yanks in hip-hop. Last year, the Streets, this year, Dizzee! Genevieve Bouchard, Montreal QC
Forget about the Streets. Great rap music in UK has now a new name, and it is Dizzee Rascal. Louis-Nicolas Dolbec, Beauharnois QC
Just thinking of this 18-year-old guy writing this amazing album astonishes me. It feels so complete and so together. Ryan Pollard, Saskatoon SK
4. Missy Elliott This Is Not A Test! (Elektra)
The worst Missy album would be twice as good as the best 50 Cent album. And hello, "Pass That Dutch?" Tara Thorne, Halifax NS
She has rad style and her videos are awesome. Andrea Dries, Daky City CA
5. Prefuse 73 One Word Extinguisher (Warp)
Best album of the year. Most heartfelt and moving and musically stunning thing I've heard in a long time. Ryan Pollard, Saskatoon SK
From the moment it starts to sputter and erupt from your speakers this album is both relentless and invigorating. Heading off on his own tangent while most heads are still trying to figure out how to copy his first album. He can do no wrong. Ewan Gibson, North York ON
Perhaps the most talented and important man in electronica since DJ Shadow. Kelly Leschasin, Winnipeg MB
Music walking the edge, just this side of chaos. Brilliant. Ashar Latif, Montreal QC
Scott Heron's second full-outing under the Prefuse 73 moniker and its companion-piece showcase a masterful beat-maker and the process behind his work. It's intelligent dance music that has all its soul intact it's all about the rhythm, son. Thomas Dorey, Winnipeg MB
Where DJ Shadow should be right now. Stephane Lynch, Saint-Eustache QC
Outkast prove that double albums can be creative. Dave Mercer, Waterloo ON
Music doesn't get much better then this new original and phunky dirty south hip-hop on one side, then crazy experimental hop/soul on the other. Brad Middleton, Langdon AB
Hip-hop has long suffered from a number of ailments, but none so severe as that of stagnancy and the fear to venture into uncharted territory. Then we have Outkast, who have managed to explore, experiment, have fun, and challenge the parameters of the strictly defined and enforced genre. This album explores countless genres from funk, lounge, drum & bass, hip-hop, pop, and manages to do so in a cohesive manner. The experimentation, the strength of this release, is not masturbatory, but is rather endeavoured with the intent to challenge and expand the genre. In terms of mainstream hip-hop, this is a monument that will hopefully cause the so-called greats to change up their styles and break free of the monotony that has come to cause hip-hop to be no different than the pop stars it once shunned and critiqued. Chadwick Barnes, Montreal QC
It's scary how weird this record is. Hearing this makes me realise why indie rockers in their late 20s have sold their Pavement records and gotten into hip-hop. Awesome. Damien Dabrowski, Montreal QC
The crossover appeal on this album alone makes this album unarguably the hip-hop album of the year, despite what 50 Cent fans might claim. Josh Kyrzakos, Mississauga ON
Outkast are really an original voice in hip-hop in modern music I should say. They prove it twice with each CD having its own direction but both retaining the same relevance. Dominic Sauvageau, Montreal QC
2. Buck 65 Talkin' Honky Blues (Warner)
Buck 65 is something special. He is altering hip-hop without ignoring its present state. Buck can also cover this new ground without coming off as smug or pretentious. Craig Martell, Halifax NS
More accessible than his past CDs amazing samples and storytelling. Josee Lacroix, Gatineau QC
Hip-hop for people who don't like hip-hop. Organic, live instruments, great words and sounds. An amazing storyteller. Samuel Murdock, St-Marc-des-carrieres QC
He's turning into Tom Waits. Jessica Whyte, Halifax NS
Innovative and fascinating take on hip-hop. Largely influenced by folk and country music. Buck may be the man to save hip-hop from the bling bling culture it now represents. Ryan O'Connor, Corwall PE
Rich's music is so far beyond conventional hip-hop, maybe it doesn't fit neatly into this category any more. But this disc was beyond merely being good music it was profound, progressive and unique. What hip-hop should be. David Hayden, Halifax NS
Buck has made the best hip-hop album of the year by making the least hip-hop album of the year. David Breakenridge, Sherwood Park AB
Stinkin' Rich is at it again. He may have joined a major record label, but he's still the old Buck we all know and love, just with a more mature and refined, folky sound. Good stuff. Russ Norberg, Surrey BC
3. Dizzee Rascal Boy In Da Corner (XL)
A 19-year-old British wonder that amalgamates so many influences it's a mishmash of every worthwhile aspect from thug rap, club beat, British working class rap and Dizzee's Caribbean/British vocals bounce alongside the beats oh so fittingly. Shawn Buckle, Toronto ON
For the second straight year, the best hip-hop album was by an Englishman. Admittedly, Dizzee Rascal and the Streets have very little in common beyond accent, but English hip-hop is quickly going from novelty to a distinct subgenre. Matthew Pollesel, Ottawa ON
The Brits are yards ahead of the yanks in hip-hop. Last year, the Streets, this year, Dizzee! Genevieve Bouchard, Montreal QC
Forget about the Streets. Great rap music in UK has now a new name, and it is Dizzee Rascal. Louis-Nicolas Dolbec, Beauharnois QC
Just thinking of this 18-year-old guy writing this amazing album astonishes me. It feels so complete and so together. Ryan Pollard, Saskatoon SK
4. Missy Elliott This Is Not A Test! (Elektra)
The worst Missy album would be twice as good as the best 50 Cent album. And hello, "Pass That Dutch?" Tara Thorne, Halifax NS
She has rad style and her videos are awesome. Andrea Dries, Daky City CA
5. Prefuse 73 One Word Extinguisher (Warp)
Best album of the year. Most heartfelt and moving and musically stunning thing I've heard in a long time. Ryan Pollard, Saskatoon SK
From the moment it starts to sputter and erupt from your speakers this album is both relentless and invigorating. Heading off on his own tangent while most heads are still trying to figure out how to copy his first album. He can do no wrong. Ewan Gibson, North York ON
Perhaps the most talented and important man in electronica since DJ Shadow. Kelly Leschasin, Winnipeg MB
Music walking the edge, just this side of chaos. Brilliant. Ashar Latif, Montreal QC
Scott Heron's second full-outing under the Prefuse 73 moniker and its companion-piece showcase a masterful beat-maker and the process behind his work. It's intelligent dance music that has all its soul intact it's all about the rhythm, son. Thomas Dorey, Winnipeg MB
Where DJ Shadow should be right now. Stephane Lynch, Saint-Eustache QC