An incoherent album from the grime godfather, but one full of loveable eccentricities.
Virginia rapper successfully expands his skill set on this lean mixtape.
Russell deserves to move from cult concern to a queen of British soul.
An introductory taster on which the Kent MC displays sufficient flashes of talent.
A sadly formulaic slugging match between some true rap heavyweights.
Expanded edition of what is perhaps the most celebrated Wu-Tang album to date.
The London rapper and producer pal pioneer a new style: recession rap.
Rap that can join the unflinchingly candid with the unfalteringly compelling.
The equivalent of setting up a city-sized PA system and cranking it to maximum.
The maverick rapper’s latest has lyrical lunacy to spare.
While it’s evident how he’s won hearts, Miller’s not the complete package yet.
Markie’s mostly good-humoured second studio set has stood up to the test of time.
Cult vocalists and complete unknowns trade the mic on this Earth-shaking hip hop set.
Ross continues to count the cash on this high-profile mixtape release.
A focused fifth album that takes the dynamic duo into newly accessible territories.
The actor-and-rapper’s debut is a warts'n'all affair of absolute conviction.
Brit-rapper maintains his cult reputation for introspective, finely-weaved wordplay.
Minnesota hip hop duo document emotionally-testing experiences on album six.
Or, the collaboration otherwise known as Spaghetti Western Soundtracks Updated.
Dubstep duo’s second LP hums with a menacing darkness.
Reboots Scott Walker and the androgynous end of 90s Britpop into distinctive darkwave.
An early contender for 2011's finest out-of-leftfield long-players.
Drummer’s second solo LP is among the most rewardingly challenging listens of 2010
An impressive coherency is on display across this debut long-play set.
When she’s on fire nobody in hip hop can extinguish her talents.
As a one-off trip through a madcap brain this will split several sides.
The prize-winning battle-rapper comes good on record.
A living dubstep artefact from one of the scene’s pioneers.
The pair exhibit qualities that could elevate them to the top of the charts.
The gangsta rap legend isn’t going down without a mouthy fight.
A hotter property than that chilly moniker might immediately imply.
Twee brother-sister duo’s debut album twinkles with an innocent sweetness.
Despite starting promisingly, the duo’s latest finds their funky shtick wearing thin.
Excellent recession-inspired second album from Californian hip hop/soul vocalist.
Exhaustive brilliance is spread across this double-disc label retrospective.
More smooth sounds from Detroit’s crown prince of velvety soul jams.
Accentuates the lolloping Jamaican flex at Rodney Smith’s musical heart.
Leaves you mentally exhausted yet unable to wipe a goonish grin from your face.
Kompakt’s latest compilation is a great gateway into the Cologne label.
This could represent the greatest thinking man’s beat tape of all time.
This debut for XL is full of unashamed thug rap to cement Giggs’ rising status.
More of a fender bender than the disastrous musical pile-up it could have been.
Dreamy psych-pop meets tropical desert island indie-rock jangle.
The London MC aims to bridge the gap between underground UK hip hop and the mainstream.
Cosmogramma proves itself to be as mind-meltingly boundless as a black hole.
As guilty pleasures go, Hologram Jams has plenty to secretly revel in.
Saddle up for an intergalactic sonic journey, moving both air and brain-cells.
Two hours of predominantly upbeat outpourings from the white-shirted rocker.
They continue to test themselves and listeners alike with stunningly intricate results.
A mix of old and new that hits robustly yet classily, like a fine malt.
