RAP ALBUMS \ Top 10

1. OutKast, "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below" (Arista): The wildly ambitious double album from Big Boi and Andre 3000 is clearly the best rap album since OutKast's last album, "Stankonia."
2. Ludacris, "Chicken-N-Beer" (Def Jam South): God bless Ludacris. The Atlanta loudmouth keeps things fun in a genre that sometimes takes itself way too seriously. Luda's always good for a few laughs. And the power in his voice -- that familiar boom and drawl -- is always entertaining.
3. Nappy Roots, "Wooden Leather" (Atlantic): "Good God almighty, look at what we have here." The down-homeboys from Kentucky build on the success of their debut with this impressive follow-up. The good-natured group with drawls thicker than even Luda's are a thoughtful bunch.
4. Michael Franti and Spearhead, "Everyone Deserves Music" (Boo Boo Wax): One more album like this and Spearhead will officially have to jump to the other list here. Michael Franti's mix of mellow soul and rap is thought-provoking as always, especially on the effective plea for peace "Bomb the World."
5. The Neptunes, "The Neptunes Present Clones" (Star Trak): The hip-hop superproducers (Chad Hugo and Pharrell) cash in on all their favors for other artists with this compilation. Ludacris, Dirt McGirt, Nas and Kelis are among the highlights, along with Pharrell's smash "Frontin'."
6. 50 Cent, "Get Rich or Die Tryin"' (Interscope): 50 gets a bottle full of bub for his monster year. Truth be told, he's far from rap's most gifted vocalist. But there's no denying the addictive hits "In Da Club," "Wanksta," "21 Questions" and "P.I.M.P." Much credit to Dr. Dre for the beats.
7. Jay-Z, "The Black Album" (Roc-A-Fella): If this is really Jay's last album, and that's doubtful, at least he goes out on top. "The Black Album" offers another fresh batch of hustler success stories and one more great pop effort with Pharrell ("Change Clothes").
8. Northern State, "Dying in Stereo" (Star Time): This brainy female trio calls to mind the early days of the Beastie Boys, with a kitchen sinkful of clever references (everything from Chekhov to Snoopy) and a whiny delivery.
9. Black Eyed Peas, "Elephunk" (A & amp;M): The Peas got their biggest hit yet, but lost some street cred in the process. The peace-promoting "Where Is the Love?" crossed over to the pop charts and won a Grammy nomination. And they collaborated with Justin Timberlake, of all people, which just doesn't happen in rap. But once you get past all that gloss, there's something in the Peas' sound that's worthwhile. The energy. The fun. It's all still there.
10. Obie Trice, "Cheers" (Shady/Interscope): Eminem's latest prot & eacute;g & eacute; didn't get to 50 Cent status with his debut disc, but the pure silliness in "Got Some Teeth" is enough to creep onto this list.