Mos Def - Black on Both Sides (1999)

Some of the coolest of delivery that remains unparalleled. There are countless memorable hooks, instrumentals, lyrics, and especially beats. The rhythms are expertly arranged and provide a masterclass in sampling, where this album truly makes its lasting mark on the hip-hop scene in conjunction with Mos Def’s hyper-cool rapping. The first side is close to flawless and absolutely essential listening as far as hip-hop, while the second hosts its strongest individual tracks "Habitat” and “Mathematics”. Of course, the features from Busta Rhymes, Talib Kweli, Vinia Mojica and Q Tip add quite a bit of value, and Mos uses their talents and styles perfectly within unique arrangements that elevate their singular styles. Unfortunately, I don't know that I've heard a bigger album-killer than "Rock n Roll", especially being at the center of a superbly consistent and successfully composed album. There are countless examples of pro-black songs done right all over the record, yet this track instead comes across as silly and misplaced among such a philosophically forward and dense, yet warm and approachable track list. This in combination with a few other questionable and clearly aged bars hold Black on Both Sides back from being perhaps one of the greatest hip-hop records of all time. Still, it is filled with greatly memorable beats and punchy lyrics, so powerful that it remains one of the best hip-hop albums of the nineties.