Pete Rock

The rap world has rotated a few times since Pete Rock got here two decades ago, but the legendary producer never fell off. For his first album in nearly four years, he comes close to perfecting the renowned jazz/hip-hop sound that has influenced everyone from Pharrell to Madlib. Lead single "We Roll" is effervescent BBQ hip-hop, while the taut, tense "914" manages to find another use for ESG's "UFO." Sure, Pete's raps are hit or miss, but he's recruited a cast of emcees that includes Wu, Little Brother and Papoose. NY's Finest is predictably solid.