Leave it to a retired guy to make the rap album of the year. Loosely based on the movie of the same name, American Gangster by Jay-Z ($10) is self-described "black superhero music," with lots of funk-era samples, pounding bass, and some of Jay's best lyrics in recent memory. Standout Tracks: "Pray," "American Gangster," "Success," and the wonderfully satiric "Ignorant Shit."