Most Dissapointing Album of the Year

Wu-Tang Clan - 8 Diagrams
For Wu-Tang fans everywhere, this was as upsetting as it was disappointing. Nobody wanted to believe the words of Raekwon and Ghostface as the public inched towards its first Wu album in years. But when it finally smacked us upside the head with its overbearing mediocrity, there was hardly a Wu fan who could honestly get behind this project. It didn’t help that Ghostface’s Big Doe Rehab was heads and shoulders better than this lump of coal in everyone’s Christmas stocking.

Comeback of the Year

UGK
After simply being feature mongers for Young Jeezy, T.I., Young Buck and others, Pimp C and Bun B proved that the momentum rightfully carried into album-making. With the hit of their careers, the duo earned new fans 15 years after they started in “International Player’s Anthem.” Although neither Bun or Pimp had ever really faded to earn a comeback, UGK as a unit returned to mean to the masses what the streets had known since Super Tight.

Worst Trend of the Year

Blaming Hip Hop for Everything
“[We] missed the part when it stopped being about Imus.” Whether Jena 6, Don Imus’ views or the Virginia Tech shootings, MySpace banner ads weren't the only things trying to assassinate rappers. Much of the media, not only the Right, pointed fingers at rap music for every turn. Even better, Anderson Cooper used Cam’ron as others used Snoop as Hip Hop’s defendants. In numerous failed scapegoat attempts, the truth always came out in the heat of the mic.

Story of the Year

Kanye West vs. 50 Cent
If you think sales equates a good artist or a good album, you’re sadly mistaken. But that doesn’t mean the showdown of Kanye West and 50 Cent wasn’t a thrilling ride. It was largely 50 who set the tone with his continuous shit talk and most notably his vow to retire if Ye outsold him first week. So to see 50 served a big ass slice of humble pie when he got waxed first week, it was the ultimate pay off – even if 50 doesn’t hang’em up.

Slept On Album of the Year

Blu & Exile – Below the Heavens
There are some albums that are so good that you don’t feel bad sharing the file with friends so they can at least hear what you’ve “stumbled” upon. Below The Heavens was that album. Matching brilliant lyricism from Blu with beautiful production courtesy of Exile, Below The Heavens caught everyone who listened by surprise. We’re still curious how long something this good can stay beneath the radar for long. Hopefully by 2008 the public will stop hitting snooze on this wonderful album.