I think I have 3.

My first is probably The College Dropout by Kanye West - the soul sampling and production just give me this warm feeling, especially tracks like School Spirit, Family Business, We Don't Care, and Slow Jamz. It also shows the best of Kanye's humor (the skits, and also the Michael Jackson bar in Slow Jamz. Jesus Walks feels like a whole movie. And it feels the most down-to-earth Kanye's music has ever been (although I do enjoy most of the rest of his music too). The album also feels like fall/autumn to me. Just makes me happy :) lol

2nd is The Eminem Show. This was the first rap album I listened to front to back, so it was kind of my first official introduction to hip hop and holds a special place for me. It still feels fresh even though it came out 22 years ago. His flow was perfected here, his production skills really shined, and he really just laid his life at that point out for everyone. Wish I was alive when this came out! 😭

3rd is DooWops and Hooligans by Bruno Mars. It feels like such a throwback to 2010/2011 (even though I hadn't listened to this album fully until 2023). Runaway Baby is such a freaking banger, Marry You and Just The Way You Are are 2 of the sweetest songs I've heard, Count On Me is so refreshing as a reminder to check on your friends, and Liquor Store Blues is the definition of Groovy. I feel like wearing cool shades whenever I listen to this album 😂

Some honorable mentions: Beatopia by Beabadoobee, Bewitched by Laufey, Late Registration by Kanye, It's Almost Dry by Pusha T, Donda by Kanye, The Melodic Blue by Baby Keem, and The Stranger by Billy Joel.

What are some of your favorite albums, and why? :)