Once again, I'm 'bout to hit you with some thoughts from Who, b.k.a. Rip to those of you who have been reading the newsletters. The last little while has been crazy busy, but also a fairly good time for hip-hop, so let's get right to it.

- As the year draws to a close, I wanna take a moment to look back at my favourite albums. These are the ones I think people should check seriously.

- Roots Manuva: Brand New Second Hand. I have disagreement from a few, but to me, this is still the album of the year. Those of you who know me, know I hate overplaying tunes, 'cause I don't want to play them out, but I listen to this album sometimes twice a day. I've had it for about 3 months, and I'm not ANYWHERE close to tired of it. If you didn't listen to me the first time, GO GET THIS NOW!!!

- Mos Def: Black On Both Sides. Check the review, also in this newsletter. Hip-hop album of the year, and a serious contender for album of the year. I don't know too many people who don't like Mos Def, and this album demonstrates why. Sicker than a terminal AIDS patient in a contagious disease ward.

- Peanut Butter Wolf: My Vinyl Weighs A Ton. Review also in this week's newsletter. Real hip-hop at it's finest. Impeccable production, raw lyricism, turntable acrobatics. One of the most balanced musical meals in a long while

- Various Artists: Soundbombing Volume II. Still holding down the title for best compilation of various artists ever. Dangerous from beginning to end. Also includes my tune, "Stanley Kubrick," by R.A. the Rugged Man

- The GZA: Beneath The Surface. I don't quite understand why so many people sleep on the GZA. He can rhyme chillin on his couch and still spit some of the illest rhymes the world has ever seen. The production on the album was also really good, so why haven't I heard more about it?

- High & Mighty: Home Field Advantage. Another contender for album of the year. Some aren't feeling Eon, but he's clever, funny and innovative. I've never heard complaints about Mi's beats.

- Arsonists: As The World Burns. "Pyromaniax, blazing. Burning hot!" Nuff said really. Honestly though, if you haven't heard this yet, you have NO idea what you're missing. This is hip-hop at it's most raw. Their show at Illamentalz was ill too.

- Prince Paul: A Prince Among Thieves. An ill concept, the demented mind behind De La Soul and Gravediggaz brings us the first hip-hopera. A really good album with songs that tell a story when taken together, yet are strong enough to stand on their own.

- Nightmares On Wax: Carboot Soul. An amazing chillout album, and also great for just listening. Musical, varied, serious music. Check this quote from their previous album, "Smoker's Delight." (Which is also well worth checking, by the way.) "There's a lot of talk about this new thing called 'Trip Hop', but when I listen to it it takes me back to trax like '2,3, Break' (The B-Boys), 'Hip-Hop on Wax Vol. 1,2,3,' 'Breakdance Electric Boodie' (The West St. Mob), and back then it was called 'Hip-Hop,' ten years on the media try to fool the young B-Boys n' Girls with trendy names such as 'Trip Hop' but at the end of the day, 'Hip-Hop' is 'Hip-Hop'!"

- Lewis Taylor. This is one of the best debut albums I've ever heard. It's soulful, moving, musical with no weak tracks. Fellas, grab this one for when you want to chill with that special woman. Ladies, this can't HELP but put your man in the mood. (Not that it takes all that much for most of us.)

- Kool Keith - Black Elvis: Lost In Space & Dr. Dooom: First Come, First Served. Kool Keith remains one of the most underappreciated artists in the biz, releasing not one, but TWO incredible albums in one year. Other artists who release two in a year (Jay-Z, DMX) tend to have the second album be crap, but not Keith. Crazy innovative as well as just plain crazy, but he makes amazing music.

- La The Darkman: Heist Of The Century. Easily one of the best Wu releases this year, La is crazy talented and so far, crazy slept on. If you missed this one, you missed a LOT.

- Eminem: The Slim Shady LP. I don't care what anyone says, Eminem's got crazy skills. He blew the fuck up, just the way everyone knew he was going to, but that doesn't detract from the strength of this solo debut. Don't forget that Dre only produced two tracks, and it's still strong beginning to end. Keep an eye out for him and members of the Outsidaz, especially Rah Digga, Young Zee and Pacewon

- Herbaliser: Very Mercenary. Another slightly different pick for dat ass. The Herbaliser is just too damn funky. (Sorry Quik) Plus, the Herbaliser/Roots Manuva concert was the best one I went to all summer. (Big Shouts to Rec and Trife for keeping me company at that one.)

- The Roots: Things Fall Apart & The Legendary. An album, an EP and a live album all in one year? Must be the Roots. Still one of the best collectives in hip-hop, these guys can pretty much do no wrong.

- Mountain Brothers: Self. Vol. 1. Another seminal debut album from these Philly independent cats. Fluid as hell, brilliant in pretty much every category. A must have album.

- Gang Starr: Full Clip. If you don't have every GangStarr album, or even if you're like me and you do, this album is a good pickup. It puts some of the best all together, with some rare B-sides and a few new tracks. All I have to say is that "All For the Cash," is my favourite Premier beat ever. That's saying a LOT.

- Internet radio. I know several of you have checked sites like 88hiphop.com, www.koolout.com but check out www.rapping.com/frustrated to check my man Shef in his Kitchen. Live from the T-dot.

- For those of you with ICQ ( download for free ), join the latest incarnation of the CyberKrib. ActiveList number 47971872 is the CyberKrib ActiveList. Come join us when you're online and chat with other members of the CyberKrib massive, get news, etc. If you have problems, send me a message. My # is 7151994 and the nick is Who.

It's been a long while since I made any detailed shouts, so bear with me a bit here.