As we mark the 12th anniversary of Tupac Shakur’s death, I couldn’t help but think of all the hip-hop figures who left us long before we could complain of how bored we are of their music. While it’s true that death is terrible no matter when it strikes, this list aims to acknowledge 10 hip-hop artists who showed flashes of brilliance but never had a chance to reach their peak. [Disclaimer: This list ONLY includes artists aged 30 and younger.]
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(The following entry is rife with lists and subjective statements. If you’re allergic to annotated recommendations, please consult your doctor before proceeding.)

Contrary to what critics would have you believe, there’s been plenty of good hip-hop music this year. From the rise of promising new acts like Reks and Mickey Factz to the resurgence of OGs like Nas and Bun B, it’s been an eventful year indeed.

With the first 7 months of 2008 now officially behind us, it’s time to take a closer look at the very best hip-hop albums*, songs, mixtapes, and collaborations of the year, so far. And let’s not forget the shitty ones.
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If you’re looking to hit the gym hard this Summer, you might want to take a minute and browse through Shannon’s great list of hip-hop workout songs. It’s a well-rounded list, but I insisted on the inclusion of “Lose Yourself” and almost pestered her to find a spot for “One Mic.” You gotta love the way the beat rises and falls in a peaks-and-valleys kinda way on “One Mic.”

• 25 Best Hip-Hop Workout Songs

If you have any favorite workout songs missing from the list, feel free to share.

Like we always do at this time…

Just because I haven’t set eyes on my mom for nearly a decade doesn’t mean we can’t have fun on Mother’s Day. Make a playlist of these beautiful songs for that special woman today and she’ll cherish the gesture all year long.

Without further ado, I give you Rizoh’s hand-picked mother’s day hip-hop playlist.

• Beanie Sigel – “Mom Praying” (Feat Scarface)
• Saigon – “If…(My Mommy)”
• Royce da 5′9″ – “Black Girl”
• Nas – “Dance”
• Talib Kweli – “Momma Can U Hear Me”
• Kanye West – “Hey Mama” [Original]
• Kanye West – “Hey Mama” [Grammy version]
• 2Pac – “Dear Mama”
• Snoop Dogg – “I Love My Momma”
• Jay-Z – “Momma Loves Me”
• Ghostface – “All That I Got Is You” (Feat Mary J Blige)

You’re all welcome.

If you can’t remember the last time you bought a crappy album, it’s definitely been too long. Time to buy a new one.

• How to Buy a Crappy Rap Album

According to MTV, that is.

I stopped reading at No.10, but here’s a rundown of the list:

10. Jim Jones
9. Common
8. 50 Cent
7. Jay-Z
6. Young Jeezy
5. Kanye West
4. Andre 3000
3. The Game
2. T.I.
1. Lil Wayne

At everyone’s behest, I decided to wriggle out ten good hip-hop albums from an otherwise uneventful first half of ‘07. In case you missed it earlier, here’s my list in order of bias appreciation:

10. Black Milk – Popular Demand
9. Hell Razah – Renaissance Child
8. El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
7. Joel Ortiz – The Briick: Bodega Chronicles
6. Evidence – Weatherman LP
5. Devin the Dude – Waiting to Inhale
4. Pharoahe Monch – Desire
3. Prodigy – Return of the Mac
2. Sean Price – Jesus Price Superstar
1. Brother Ali – Undisputed Truth
(Full gist)

Bonus List:

Rizoh’s Favorite Non-Hip-Hop Albums of 2007
5. Rihanna – Good Girl Gone Bad (shhh)
4. Jill Scott – Collaborations
3. White Stripes – Icky Thump
2. Amy Winehouse – Back to Black
1. Feist – The Reminder

Sidenote: I was looking at Bol’s Best 10 yesterday and thought, “Wow, we agree on all but four albums.” In fact, two of the albums I briefly considered for my own Top 10–Ear Drum and Hip-Hop Lives–also made his list. (Btw, that Prodigy album is good, please believe.)

What’s yours?