Sean Price

For NYC rap in the mid-'00s, the past looks better than the present, and Sean Price looks like the man. Thank his producers. The chunky, swaggering funk licks of "Like You" give way to the shimmering soul of 9th Wonder's "Violent." Price's threatening baritone juxtaposes nicely against the lighter fair, though he's his world play is nimble enough to navigate more robust beats. Sadat X and Buckshot show up for the excellent "Da God," while Little Brother emcee Phonte pops in for "Let it Be Known." An excellent follow-up to Price's 2005 acclaimed debut, Monkey Barz.