HipHopBabie's Favorite Albums of 2009

2009 turned out to be a great year for hip hop. With so many great releases, I had difficulty choosing my top 10. Let's hope 2010 brings that raw shit.

1. Fashawn - Boy Meets World

• Even though a lot of classic & legendary emcees came back with albums in 2009, I was captivated by rookie Fashawn's straightforward rhymes and intimate stories. With Exile on production, this album proved that 21 year old Fashawn isn't just another new kid.

2. Raekwon - Only Built for Cuban Linx 2

• More than a decade after the original, Rae released the sequel in hopes to gain as much success. Although it didn't prove to match up to Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Raekwon showed us that he can still release dope music. I played this album daily for months.

3. ThunderCats - The Eye of Thundera

• Mighty Jukebox, an independent duo consisting of emcee S. Creezy and producer Fonetik Simbol, released this side project for free here. A great album with fresh beats, a versatile emcee, and a great adaptation of Marvel Comic's ThunderCats.

4. CunninLynguists - A Strange Journey Vol. 1

• Kno never fails with his god-like (no dick-riding) beats. This concept album/mixtape proved that this trio never cease to amaze. Vol. 2 was just as good but Vol. 1 showed a little more originality and less remixed tracks.

5. Ghostface Killah - Ghostdini - The Wizard of Poetry

• This pick is a little different for me. It wasn't really a favorite of mine until recently. Ghostface sounds perfect on the RnB tracks. Apart from the Ron Browz song, there wasn't a wack track.

Honorable Mentions:

• K'Naan - Troubador
• Tanya Morgan - Brooklynati
• Diamond District - In The Ruff
• Kid Cudi - Man on the Moon: The End of Day
• Mos Def - The Estatic
• DOOM - Born Like This