10 Best Hip-Hop Albums 2006

#7. Rhymefest - Blue Collar (J )

#7. Rhymefest - Blue Collar © J

Perhaps Rhymefest's biggest challenge in 2006 was being recognized for anything other than "the guy who co-wrote and won a Grammy for "Jesus Walks" with Kanye West." Eschewing thug fantasy and opting for a killer combination of wit and grit, 'Fest eventually stepped out of Ye's shadow and proved himself as one of the midwest's future greats with Blue Collar.

• Rhymefest - Blue Collar Review
• Rhymefest - "Fever" Video Interview with Rhymefest

• #10. AZ - The Format (Quiet Money)
• #9. The Coup - Pick a Bigger Weapon (Epitaph)
• #8. Jay-Z - Kingdom Come (Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam)
• #7. Rhymefest - Blue Collar (J )
• #6. T.I. - King (Atlantic)
• #5. The Game - Doctor's Advocate (Geffen)
• #4. Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury (ZLG)
• #3. Lupe Fiasco - Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor (Atlantic)
• #2. The Roots - Game Theory (Def Jam)
• #1. Ghostface Killah - Fishscale (Def Jam)