Released - March 30, 2010
Debuted - #12 Billboard 200; 38,000 copies sold in its first week
The Booth Review's Favorite Tracks - Criminology 2.5, Meth Vs Chef 2, Gunshowers and Miranda
Featured Artists - Inspectah Deck, Sheek Louch, Streetlife, Solomon Childs and Trife Da God
- Never ever sleep on the mighty Wu-Tang Clan. Meth, Rae and Ghost had no problem getting their chemistry back to put out this dope album. These three continue to really be the only Wu-Tang members who constantly put out music and we thank them for it. The Booth has been following the Wu-Tang Clan since we were kids. It’s disappointing that more members of the Clan were not involved but still another great album. Lyrically these three have never had a problem, their variations of flows make them unstoppable and their all-star producers make this album unforgettable.
Released - December 7, 2010
Debuted - #4 Billboard 200; 159,000 copies sold in its first week
Top Rated Single(s) - Got Your Back reached #38 on Billboard 100
Album # - T.I.'s 7th Album
TBR FT's - Welcome To The World, That’s All She Wrote, Amazing and Poppin’ Bottles
FA's - Eminem, Kanye West, Kid Cudi, Drake, Pharrell and Scarface
- Again T.I. puts out another ridiculous album and like the rest of the hip hop community, we all wish he would stay out of trouble so we wouldn’t have to wait a few years in between albums. T.I. has always had great lyrics and in this case you can tell he had some serious free time from the rhymes on this album. Tip just lets loose on some tracks that reminds us of vintage T.I. I’m not hating on Tip but for a guy who used to be known as the Jay-Z of the south, he needs to stay out of prison so the younger generation can learn to appreciate his style and talent.
Released - May 18, 2010
Debuted - #5 Billboard 200; 57,000 copies sold in its first week
Album # - Nas’s 10Th album, Nas’s 3rd collaboration album, Damain’s 4Thalbum, Damian’s 1st collaboration album
TBR FT's - As We Enter, Tribes At War, Strong Will Continue, My Generation and Africa Must Wake Up
FA's - Lil Wayne, K’naan and Stephen Marley
- I wish more people knew about this album because Nas and Damain simply killed it. The chemistry they show is unreal. It’s been over two years since we really heard any new Nas, but this album made it worth the wait. Nas and Damian made it seem like they had been rapping together since “Illmatic” was put out. Even if you’re not into the whole reggae scene, “Distant Relatives” might change your mind and this album is a must for your Nas collection.
Released - July 20, 2010
Debuted - #2 Billboard 200; 176,300 copies sold in its first week
TRS - Aston Martin Music reached #35 on Billboard 100
Album # - Rick Ross’s 4th album
TBR FT's - Free Mason, Maybach Music III, Live Fast Die Young, B.M.F.and Ashton Martin Music
FA's - Jay-Z, Kanye West, Drake, T.I., Jadakiss, Styles P and Cee Lo Green
- XXL Mag's man of the year makes everything about this game seem simple. Rick Ross recruits some hip hop heavy weights for this album and again does it right. Ross has his own style, which at first was not liked by many. Now everyone wants a piece of this guy and rightfully so. He continues to get better with every album he puts out and he will continue to be a fan favorite.
Released - November 9, 2010
Debuted - #3 Billboard 200; 169,000 copies sold in its first week
TRS - Erase Me reached #22 on Billboard 100
Album # - Kid Cudi’s 2nd album
TBR FT's - REVOFEV, Marijuana, Mojo So Dope, Ashin’ Kusher, Erase Me, Wylin’ Cuz Im Young and Mr. Rager
FA's - Kanye West, Cee Lo Green, Cage, GLC and Chip Tha Ripper
- When Kid Cudi released his first album people really did not know what to think of his stoner rap style, then he blew up. No one thought Cudi could make another successful album and once again he proved everyone wrong. There are some serious tracks from this album that turned Cudi’s style from different to essential. It was unthinkable that Cudi would follow his first album with another banger but he did. Get used to this cat because his style and ability will solidify his presence on the rap game for quite a long time into the future. We think he will influence essentially an entire new genre of hip hop.
Released - April 27, 2010
Debuted - #1 Billboard 200; 84,000 copies sold in its first week
TRS - Nothin’ On You reached #1 on Billboard 100
Album # - B.o.B’s #1st album
TBR FT's - Don’t Let Me Fall, Nothin’ On You, Past My Shades, Airplanes, Bet I, Airplanes Part II and I’ll Be In The Sky
FA's – Eminem, Lupe Fiasco, T.I., Bruno Mars, Rivers Cuomo and Hayley Williams
- This album was another highly anticipated debut that did not let us down. Anything Bobby Ray does, he seems to do very well. From B.o.B’s ever changing flows to singing some of his own hooks this album gives southern hip hop a whole new mentality. B.o.B is basically the new Andre 3000.
The Top 4 could all be mixed and matched in different spots
4. Lil Wayne – “I Am Not A Human Being”
Released - September 27, 2010 (Digital Album), October 12, 2010 (Hard Copy)
Debuted - Debuted at #2 Billboard 200, reached #1 when hard copy was released; 110,000 digital copies sold in its first week
TRS - Right Above It debuted #6 on Billboard 100
Album # - Weezy’s 8th album
TRS - Right Above It debuted #6 on Billboard 100
Album # - Weezy’s 8th album
TBR FT's - Gonorrhea, With You, I Am Not A Human Being, Right Above It and Bill Gates
FA's – Drake, Tyga, Jae Millz, Gudda Gudda, Jay Sean, Lil Twist, Lil Chuckee and Nick Minaj
- Only Tupac put out a number 1 album while in prison until Weezy dropped “I Am Not A Human Being.” This album was full of Lil Wayne’s instant classic one liner metaphors and again showed us all how he can be evolving and still killing it at the same time. To some fans this album was considered a hold over till Tha Carter IV but to others it’s another great Weezy album to add to the collection.
3. Drake – “Thank Me Later”
Released - June 15, 2010
Debuted - #1 Billboard 200; 447,000 copies sold in the first week
TRS - Miss Me reached #15 on Billboard 100
Album # - Drake’s 1st album
Album # - Drake’s 1st album
TBR FT's - Fireworks, Over, Unforgettable, Light Up and Miss Me
FA's – Jay-Z, Lil Wayne, T.I., Young Jeezy, Swizz Beatz, Nick Minaj and Alicia Keys
- Probably one of the most anticipated hip hop albums in a long time, and the Toronto native did not disappoint. With the help of some of the biggest names in the game, Drake put out a killer debut album. Drake along with most of the new school artists did it right, they put out mix tapes and toured to build a fan base so when they released an album it would sell like crazy. I think we can all agree that Drizzy’s going to be around a long time so we should all be pumped up for plenty more to come.
2. Eminem – “Recovery”
Released - June 18, 2010
Debuted - #1 Billboard 200; 741,000 copies sold in its first week
TRS - Not Afraid debuted #1 on Billboard 100, Love the Way You Lie debuted at #2, reached #1 on Billboard 100
Album # - Slim’s 7th album
Album # - Slim’s 7th album
TBR FT's - Cold Wind Blows, W.T.P., No Love, 25 To Life, So Bad, Almost Famous and Session One
FA's – Lil Wayne, Slaughterhouse, Rihanna and P!nk
- When Slim’s got his shit together it’s not really fair for any other MC. Here at The Booth we were all blown away by this album from the first track all the way through the bonus tracks. Eminem again makes MCing look easy and this time he does most of it without the help from his mentor and long time producer Dr. Dre who only produced two tracks on this masterpiece.
1. Kanye West – “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy“
Released - November 22, 2010
Debuted - #1Billboard 200; 496,000 copies sold in its first week
TRS - Runaway reached #12 on Billboard 100
Album # - Kanye’s 5th album
Album # - Kanye’s 5th album
TBR FT's - Dark Fantasy, Power, Monster, So Appalled, Runaway and Hell Of A Life
FA's – Jay-Z, Kid Cudi, Raekwon, Rick Ross, Nicki Minaj, CiHi Da Prynce, Pusha T, RZA, Rihanna, Alicia Keys and Beyonce
- This album was unreal, it’s a definite must have and quite possibly one of the best hip hop albums in a long time. Yeezy’s lyrics are unbelievable and the beats and producers seal the deal. Also if you haven’t seen it already check out Kanye’s short promotional film titled “Runaway” with most of his songs featured on it.
Of course we could not limit ourselves to just 10 albums so here's some more that just missed the cut
Honorable Mentions
Bun B – “Trill O.G.”
Released - August 3, 2010
Debuted - #4 Billboard 200; 39,838 copies sold in its first week
Album # - Bun B’s 3rd solo album
TBR FT's - Trillionaire, Just Like That, Put It Down, Right Now, Countin' Money and It's Been a Pleasure
FA's – Drake, Young Jeezy, Twista, Slim Thug, (old lyrics by) 2 Pac and Pimp C
- Ever since the passing of Pimp C (RIP), Bun B has been on an absolute mission. This album is by far some of Bun B’s finest work and you’re all crazy if you don’t own this album yet. Even though Bun B’s been around for a while he doesn’t look to be slowing down at all.
Ghostface Killah – “The Apollo Kids”
Released - December 21, 2010
Album # - Ghostface’s 9th solo album
TBR FT's - Superstar, Black Tequila, Starkology, In Tha Park, How Do You Like Me Baby?, Ghetto and Troublemakers
FA's – Method Man, Redman, Raekwon, Black Thought, Game, Busta Rhymes, GZA, Killah Priest, U-God, Cappadonna, Sheek Louch, Joell Ortiz and Jim Jones
- The featured artists alone should make you buy this album. Tony Starks is not only still killing it but he’s still on top of his game. I bought this album when it was released on Tuesday, it blew my mind and I’ve been listening to it ever since.
Reflection Eternal – “Revolutions Per Minute”
Released - May 18, 2010
Debuted - #18 Billboard 200; 21,000 copies sold in its first week
Album # - Reflection Eternal’s 2nd album, Talib Kweli’s 5th album, Talib Kweli’s 4th collaboration album
Album # - Reflection Eternal’s 2nd album, Talib Kweli’s 5th album, Talib Kweli’s 4th collaboration album
TBR FT's - Back Again, Strangers, In This World, Midnight Hour, Just Begun and Get Loose
FA's – Mos Def, J. Cole, Bun B, Jay Electronica and Estelle
- What more can we say about Talib Kweli and DJ Hi-Tek reuniting after 10 years. I can’t remember ever hearing a bad Kweli track and nothing’s different here, the albums legit. Talib Kweli is also prepping to release his new album “Gutter Rainbows” on January 25Th.
Big Boi – “Sir Lucious Left Foot: The Son Of Chico Dusty”
Released - July 5, 2010
Debuted - #3 Billboard 200; 62,000 copies sold in it first week
TRS - Shutterbugg reached #20 on Billboard 100
Album # - Big Boi’s 2nd solo album
Album # - Big Boi’s 2nd solo album
TBR FT's - Follow Us, Shutterbugg, Tangerine, Fo Yo Sorrows and Night Night
FA's – T.I., B.o.B, Too $hort, Sleepy Brown and Yelawolf
- This album just kept on getting moved back. It was frustrating at first but then again worth the wait (2006 was the last time Big Boi or Andre has put out anything new). Absolute huge Outkast fans here at The Booth, so it was refreshing to hear some new Big Boi. Daddy Fat Sax had no problem returning into his old self on this album proving southern hip hop isn’t all the same. Now that this album is out and doing it, expect Andre 3000’s 3 Stacks to be released soon, so Outkast can reunite and put out another album.
The Roots – “How I Got Over”
Released - June 22, 2010
Debuted - #6 Billboard 200; 51,000 copies sold in its first week
Album # - The Roots 9th album
TBR FT's - Walk Alone, Radio Daze, How I Got Over, The Day and The Fire
FA's – Blu, Truck North, Phonte, Dice Raw and Peedi Crakk
- The Roots are still killing it after all these years. The band lead by ?uestlove lays down some creative music for Black Thought to do his thing and as usual he does not let us down.
Fat Joe – “The Darkside Vol. 1”
Released - July 27, 2010
Debuted - #27 Billboard 200; 12,300 copies sold in its first week
TRS - (Ha Ha) Slow Down reached #54 on Billboard 100
Album # - Fat Joe’s 10th album
Album # - Fat Joe’s 10th album
TBR FT's - I Am Crack, Kilo, No Problems, Heavenly Father and At Last Supremacy
FA's – Lil Wayne, Busta Rhymes, Young Jeezy, Clipse, Too $hort and Cam’rom
- Joey Crack is the definition of longevity, 10 albums is something most MC’s can only dream about. When you’re in the game for this long and still putting out albums, it says a lot. So check out “The Darkside Vol. 1”.
There you have it TBR's Top 10 Albums, hope you enjoyed the list as much as we did making it. If you want to check out The Booth's Top 10 Mix Tapes click HERE.
