Best Albums of 2000s

Best albums of the 2000s.

Usher- Confessions - Any album that moves 10 million units is worthy of an album of the decade accolade. “Confessions” was a project that took Usher from being a national superstar to an international icon. Too bad he lost Chilli in the process. “Confessions” was released on March 23, 2004.

1 / 10

Usher- Confessions - Any album that moves 10 million units is worthy of an album of the decade accolade. “Confessions” was a project that took Usher from being a national superstar to an international icon. Too bad he lost Chilli in the process. “Confessions” was released on March 23, 2004.

Jay-Z- Blueprint - It molded how producers would craft their sounds for Jay-Z. Shawn Carter’s next best effort to his rookie debut, “Reasonable Doubt,” “Blueprint” was literally a blueprint for your favorite rapper. It also spawned one of the greatest rap battles in hip-hop history. “The Blueprint” was released on September 11, 2001.

2 / 10

Jay-Z- Blueprint - It molded how producers would craft their sounds for Jay-Z. Shawn Carter’s next best effort to his rookie debut, “Reasonable Doubt,” “Blueprint” was literally a blueprint for your favorite rapper. It also spawned one of the greatest rap battles in hip-hop history. “The Blueprint” was released on September 11, 2001.

Kanye West- College Dropout - If you went to college, this was your favorite album. If you hated your day job, this was your favorite album. And if you wanted to sing about Jesus in the club, this was your favorite album. Flawless to say the least, critics have pegged this as the rap album of the decade. How’s that for a college dropout? "College Dropout" was released on February 10, 2004.

3 / 10

Kanye West- College Dropout - If you went to college, this was your favorite album. If you hated your day job, this was your favorite album. And if you wanted to sing about Jesus in the club, this was your favorite album. Flawless to say the least, critics have pegged this as the rap album of the decade. How’s that for a college dropout? "College Dropout" was released on February 10, 2004.

Mariah Carey- The Emancipation of Mimi - Snatching a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album in 2005, Mimi’s 10th solo effort charted over 6 million copies sold and silenced critics who doubted her ability to reign supreme. The album also generated one of Carey’s biggest hits of her career, “We Belong Together,” for which she received two Grammys. “The Emancipation of Mimi” was released on April 12, 2005.

4 / 10

Mariah Carey- The Emancipation of Mimi - Snatching a Grammy for Best Contemporary R&B Album in 2005, Mimi’s 10th solo effort charted over 6 million copies sold and silenced critics who doubted her ability to reign supreme. The album also generated one of Carey’s biggest hits of her career, “We Belong Together,” for which she received two Grammys. “The Emancipation of Mimi” was released on April 12, 2005.

Beyonce- I Am....Sasha Fierce - Introducing us to her alter ego Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé effortlessly set the bar to levels unseen with “I Am….Sasha Fierce.” Spawning seven chart-topping singles and 10 Grammy nods, Knowles couldn’t have created a more fluent project. She supported the project with the “I Am” tour that has now been tapped to take on South America starting in February of 2010. “I Am…Sasha Fierce” was released November 8, 2008.

5 / 10

Beyonce- I Am....Sasha Fierce - Introducing us to her alter ego Sasha Fierce, Beyoncé effortlessly set the bar to levels unseen with “I Am….Sasha Fierce.” Spawning seven chart-topping singles and 10 Grammy nods, Knowles couldn’t have created a more fluent project. She supported the project with the “I Am” tour that has now been tapped to take on South America starting in February of 2010. “I Am…Sasha Fierce” was released November 8, 2008.

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Lil Wayne- The Carter III - Selling one million copies in seven days, “The Carter III” solidified Wayne’s place in music, let alone hip-hop. The project brought in three Grammy Awards and birthed the first number one single of Weezy’s career, “Lollipop.” To date, the set has sold over 2.4 million copies. “The Carter III” was released on June 10, 2008.

6 / 10

Lil Wayne- The Carter III - Selling one million copies in seven days, “The Carter III” solidified Wayne’s place in music, let alone hip-hop. The project brought in three Grammy Awards and birthed the first number one single of Weezy’s career, “Lollipop.” To date, the set has sold over 2.4 million copies. “The Carter III” was released on June 10, 2008.

50 Cent- Get Rich Or Die Tryin - One of the most feared debuts in hip-hop, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” blindsided the music industry. Fif’s plan for dominance commenced with the release of “GRODT” and he never looked back. Surprisingly, the opus did not receive any Grammy accolades, but was hailed as one of hip-hop’s strongest debuts of all time. “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” was released February 4, 2003.

7 / 10

50 Cent- Get Rich Or Die Tryin - One of the most feared debuts in hip-hop, “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” blindsided the music industry. Fif’s plan for dominance commenced with the release of “GRODT” and he never looked back. Surprisingly, the opus did not receive any Grammy accolades, but was hailed as one of hip-hop’s strongest debuts of all time. “Get Rich Or Die Tryin” was released February 4, 2003.

Kanye West- Graduation - Another flawless effort from Yeezy, “Graduation” came as a refreshing effort during a stagnant time in hip-hop. A colorful display of emotion, Kanye’s intricate and triumphant tone landed him three Grammys and a soundscan victory over hip-hop tough guy, 50 Cent. “Graduation” was released September 11, 2007.

8 / 10

Kanye West- Graduation - Another flawless effort from Yeezy, “Graduation” came as a refreshing effort during a stagnant time in hip-hop. A colorful display of emotion, Kanye’s intricate and triumphant tone landed him three Grammys and a soundscan victory over hip-hop tough guy, 50 Cent. “Graduation” was released September 11, 2007.

Ne-Yo- In My Own Words - After hiding behind the pen and pad for seven years, Ne-Yo showed the R&B realm, in his own words, how to get down. Though mainstream success was kept at a minimum for the effort, selling 1.6 million copies to date, the project projected what Ne-Yo would become to the genre of R&B. “In My Own Words” was released February 28, 2006.

9 / 10

Ne-Yo- In My Own Words - After hiding behind the pen and pad for seven years, Ne-Yo showed the R&B realm, in his own words, how to get down. Though mainstream success was kept at a minimum for the effort, selling 1.6 million copies to date, the project projected what Ne-Yo would become to the genre of R&B. “In My Own Words” was released February 28, 2006.

Andre 3000- The Love Below - Released alongside Big Boi’s “Speakerboxx,” “The Love Below” was Andre 3000’s coming out party for funky melodies and unorthodox harmonies. “Hey Ya,” the project’s first single, was the first platinum download on iTunes. The dual release “Speakerboxx/The Love Below” has moved over 10 million copies worldwide. “Speakerboxx/The Love Below” was released on September 23, 2003.

10 / 10

Andre 3000- The Love Below - Released alongside Big Boi’s “Speakerboxx,” “The Love Below” was Andre 3000’s coming out party for funky melodies and unorthodox harmonies. “Hey Ya,” the project’s first single, was the first platinum download on iTunes. The dual release “Speakerboxx/The Love Below” has moved over 10 million copies worldwide. “Speakerboxx/The Love Below” was released on September 23, 2003.