In the land of The Weeknd(TM)s "Trilogy," decadence still reigns supreme.
"R.E.D. (Realizing Every Dream)" is a comeback to smooth R&B Ne-Yo.
It's not just a one-man show and both Murs and 9th Wonder deserve credit for "The Final Adventure."
"The Solution" once again combines Buckshot and 9th Wonder's accomplished and refined skill sets as pioneers of the '90s and the past decade respectively.
Saigon seems to sound most comfortable when he's pointing out the music industry's shortcomings or telling stories of life on the block.
"Dice Game" carefully plays the odds in some places, but it ends up banking on a Detroit ambiance to deliver one of Guilty and Apollo's best works to date.
"Reloaded" finds Roc Marciano painting a gloomy picture as a cold and unfeeling ruler of New York's concrete jungle.
As boastful as the title "Trap God" is, it's evident that Gucci Mane's loyalties reside in the streets, a dynamic that will never change.
"In The Middle Of Infinity" oddly dances in a realm few producers dare to revel.
"Power & Passion" is Mr. MFN eXquire's premier chance at making an impression greater than prior releases have called for.
The Kansas City firecracker continues to blaze through seven tracks that, closing cut aside, channel his pent-up fury into irate Rap missives.
Vinnie Paz's sophomore solo set, "God of the Serengeti," sticks to the script, and that's not a bad thing.
RZA has helmed a cohesive, equally cinematic collection of music that stands on its own and respects the art of sequencing.
"Fizzology" is a tag team effort of a different breed, showcasing Lil Fame's creative talents combined with close Boston comrade Termanology this go round.
Brandy's latest album "Two Eleven" lets one consistent beauty shine: her voice.
For now, "MHz Legacy" fits the group's journey quite well with strong highlights and a few struggles along the way.
With "Mic Tyson," the artist formerly known as Ruck steps back into the ring to deliver a series of haymakers that'll sate the most bloodthirsty of fans.
Freeway sounds most comfortable when the beat and the topic at hand run parallel to the natural aggressiveness that his voice commands.
"Cabin Fever 2" further establishes Wiz Khalifa as a serviceable rapper aware enough to blend in with what's popular for the sake of maintaining a presence.
Blueprint's "Deleted Scenes" has less to do with "Adventures In Counter-Culture" than it may seem.