Best of the 2000s: Kanye West - Late Registration (4.5/5)

No retrospective of the essential pop albums of the 2000s would be complete without an entry from producer turned rapper turned singer Kanye West. But which to choose? Remarkably, all of his albums have been quality works, with only the recent 808s and Heartbreak spawning much division among critics. Among his other three works, Late Registration stands out the most, for it was with this album that West really gained crossover pop appeal, hitting #1 with the appealing "Gold Digger"--one among several great singles. While his newer work features more futuristic electronics, this, like The College Dropout, wass more old-school, stripping sharp hip-hop beats over '70s-styled sounds like "Diamonds from Sierra Leone," which uses Shirley Bassey's James Bond theme to explore the ills of the conflict diamond market, and soulful "Touch the Sky," which samples Curtis Mayfield. Other social issues pop up in songs like "Crack Music" (drugs) and "Roses" (health care), but the music doesn't get buried in the message. With a string of effective guests (Jamie Foxx, Jay-Z, Brandy, Maroon 5's Adam Levine, among others), this is a party worth staying for.

Best: Gold Digger, Diamonds from Sierra Leone, Heard 'Em Say, Touch the Sky, Roses, We Major, Crack Music, Bring Me Down