Ten Laid Back Hip-Hop Albums You Need To Hear

So, you're a hip-hop fan. A real connoisseur of the industry and you've got it all; Afrika Bambaataa to Wu-Tang, Dizzee Rascal to UGK. Maybe even some Diddy can be found in your collection. The only thing is, you're tired of hearing about the chains, the cars, the cash and promiscuous flirtations.

These are in no way listed in order of importance; I could never label these in the right order. Each of them has their own flavor and feel. Her are the albums that you're missing:

1) Blu & Exile - Below the Heavens

This West Coast duo released their latest effort recently and it made a splash in the underground community. Blu is a very talented emcee and his talent shines in this album. The lyrics in this album are a great example of Blu's talent. Exile outdoes himself providing beats for Blu.

Favorite Tracks:

• My World Is...
• Show Me the Good Life

2) Little Brother - Get Back

Little Brother does a great job at sampling old-school hits and mixes them with the lyrics well. These guys have the southern sound that you're looking for, the lyrics that you want to hear and the beats that you've never heard and need to. The real thing that I like about Little Brother is the fact that you can hear them having fun in their music. In all of their tracks is a light feeling and easy flow.

Favorite Tracks:

• Can't Win For Losing
• That Ain't Love

3) Panacea - Ink Is My Drink

Panacea is not your typical hip-hop group...and I like that. With laid back beats, smooth flows and an easy sound, they're a welcome addition to my collection. Their beats have a lot of jazzy sounds; perfect for a sunny afternoon.

Favorite Tracks:

• Invisible Seas
• Pulse

4) Black Milk - Popular Demand

Black Milk provides a sound similar to Talib Kweli or Kanye West; hard beats with creative lyrics. This album has more of a gangster element than any of the other albums on this list. Black Milk is definitely a talented lyricist and shows it over and over on this album.

Favorite Tracks:

• Popular Demand
• Sound the Alarm

5) Little Brother - The Minstrel Show

Little Brother is doing it again with their old-school samples, clever rhymes and easy going flows. This album is one of my all time favorites and has more to offer than most.

Favorite Tracks:

• Not Enough
• Say It Again

6) Pete Philly & Perquisite - Mind.State

Pete Philly & Perquisite are a couple of talented guys. This album exemplifies this simple fact. They bring something to the hip-hop game that most can't think of. Drums are a big part of their beats and fit right into Pete Philly's rhyming style.

For some extra doses of these two, check out their Remindstate album. It's got all of the tracks from Mind.State remixed and I actually prefer some of the tracks on Remindstate to those on the regular album.

Favorite Tracks:

• Insomnia
• Hope

7) Jay Dee - Donuts

Jay Dee (Jay Dillah, Jay D) was one of the best DJ's of his short time. He never broke into the main stream, but was well known throughout the industry as one of the premier artists. This album of his gives a great look into his skills as a producer. There are only instrumentals on this album, but you would never guess it if you listened to it all the way through.

Favorite Tracks:

• Waves
• Time: The Donuts of the Heart

8) Statik Selektah - The Look of Love

Statik Selektah exemplifies how a good DJ should mix a song. Taking great songs and remixing them into something is one thing. Making that song the same or better takes talent and that's exactly what this album provides.

Favorite Tracks:

• Hold Tight
• This Is Hip Hop

9) DJ A-Trak - Welcome 2 Kanye's Soul Mix Show

DJ ATrak and Kanye West 'team up' to bring you all of the old-school tracks that Kanye has sampled. If you've ever caught yourself listening to one of Kanye's songs and thinking that you've heard that song before, check this album out. Besides having some great 'taking-it-back' songs, there is some great examples of a scratch artist here.

Favorite Tracks:

• Is Where the Hatred Is (My Way Home)
• Common Man (Never Change)

10) Consequence - Don't Quit Your Day Job

Having worked close with Kanye West and A Tribe Called Quest, Consequence has lots to live up to and he does a great job proving himself out. My only complaint about this album is the number of skits. It reminds me of Rhymefests 'tribute' to Michael Jackson. All in all, it's a great album with help from John Legend and Kanye West.

Favorite Tracks:

• The Good, The Bad, The Ugly
• Feel This Way