Common - "Finding Forever"

The first "must get" hip hop album of 2007, Common's "Finding Forever" is just a great, head nodding record. Produced by Kanye West, J.Dilla, and DJ Premier, the album flows from start to finish, with my particular favorites being "Drivin' Me Wild" with Lily Allen (yes, that Lily Allen) and "The Game," the track produced by Primo (and you instantly know it's a DJ Premier track). The first is a summer chill song, the other is a bragadocious, punch you in your mouth type song.

Common has been one of my favorite mc's for a while, from his squeaky voiced days as Common Sense to the mature rapper we have today (and yes, "Electric Circus" was terrible. Blame Eryka Badu). He's got a great flow, voice and the ability to write creative lyrics (and an upcoming hit movie "American Gangster); combine that with some of hip-hop's greatest producers and you have one outstanding album.

Common - Drivin' Me Wild ft. Lily Allen