East: The Roots - Undun (2011)
West: Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens (2007)
South: CunninLynguists - A Piece of Strage (2006)
Midwest: Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004)
*Disclaimer* 2011 releases will become classics due to The Roots' being better than How I Got Over, which was easily the greatest from 2010, IMO. & Section. 80 being better than the other EPs that Kendrick dropped prior to Section. 80.
Reasons:
Every year should have a few album's that people will reflect upon in the future, when people look back to 2011, they'll see the year Kendrick Lamar finally got his dues and they'll see The Roots continuing their domination.
The Roots' Undun is easily one of the greatest concept records that I've heard in recent years. From production to lyrics, the shit is mindbogglingly brilliant.
Blu's, CunninLynguists and Kanye's are classics, IMO. They've stood the test of time. Blu's BTH sells out and is number one over at UGHH whenever they get it in stock. CunninLynguists' A Piece of Strange is up there with the greatest concept records. You could argue that one or two of the tracks are throwaways, but as a piece of music in its entirety, it's still very much a fulfiling listen. Kanye's College Dropout was epic at the time, his guest appearances were great for hip hop and I never felt Be was a classic because it lacked replayability for me…
Great albums that could be considered:
West:
Fashawn - Boy Meets World (2009)
Eligh - Grey Crow (2010)
Co$$ - Before I Awoke (2011)
Pigeon John - … And the Summertime Pool Party (2006)
Etc.
East:
The Roots - How I Got Over (2010)
Unknown region:
Atmosphere - When Life Gives You Lemons (2008)
