It’s been a minute since I’ve done one of these lists, but seeing as how the 2006 VH1 Hip-Hop Honors will be airing next week, I figured I’d honor a few of the conscious cuties of hip hop. And as always, these are my choices:
1. Common – This Windy City brotha first caught my eye with the release of his debut album, Can I Borrow A Dollar? But it was his album, Resurrection, which dropped the single, I Used To Love H.E.R. that kept me wanting more of H.I.M. Many albums later, I’m still a fan. Look for Common to release his 7th album, Finding Forever, in March of 2007 with appearances from D’Angelo and production work by Kanye West, Dr. Dre and the late J Dilla. Also Common will make his big screen debut in the film, Smokin’ Aces, in early 2007.

2. Black Thought – Born Tariq Trotter and better known as the MC and co-founder of The Roots, Black Thought is probably one of the most political rappers in the game today. With or without locs, I luvs me some Tariq! At one point, Black Thought was set to release a solo album, but the album was shelved due to The Roots departure from MCA. But be on the lookout for a project in the future called Dangerous Thoughts with Black and Danger Mouse, who is one half of Gnarles Barkley. But in the meantime and in between time, check out Black Thought on The Roots latest album, Game Theory.

3. Ali Shaheed Muhammad – While most sistas were diggin’ on Q-Tip, I was diggin’ on Ali Shaheed Muhammad, the DJ and member of A Tribe Called Quest. After ATCQ disbanded, Ali went on to form the group Lucy Pearl with Raphael Saadiq and Dawn Robinson, who was later replaced with Joi. And in 2004, Ali went released a solo album called, Shaheedullah and Stereotypes, which is actually a pretty good album. It’s a mix of Hip Hop and R&B. Check it out if you’re looking for something different.

4. Talib Kweli – His name means student of truth in Arabic, so you know this brotha is bad! Not bad meaning bad, but bad meaning good. Talib was one half of the rap duo, Black Star, which also featured Mos Def. After releasing 2 critically acclaimed solo albums, Talib is set to drop another gem on November 7, 2006 entitled Eardrum, with apperances from Jadakiss, Raekwon, Lloyd Banks, Musiq, Rakim, Sizzla and UGK. Producers will include Hi-Tek, Kwame (yes, the Polka Dot Kid himself), Rick Rubin, Kanye West and DJ Khalil.

5. Pharoahe Monch – I first noticed Pharoahe as a member of the hip hop group, Organized Konfusion in the early 90′s. Pharoahe was a bit on the chubby side back then, but I didn’t care, there was something about him that made me take notice. Was it the gap in between his teeth? Could be, but I think it was his rhyme style that made me stop and pause. When he returned as a solo artist in the late 90′s, Pharoahe was no longer chubby, but a slim and slightly buffed rapper. He was still rockin’ the gap toothed smile, and that made me love him even more. Pharoahe had marginal success with his debut album, Internal Affairs, but it was his single Simon Says from that same album which sampled a Godzilla beat, that got major airplay. Pharoahe is set to drop his sophomore album entitled, Desire, on November 28, 2006.
