The top 10 albums of 2008

Best album: a tie between Vampire Weekend’s preppie world music on their self-titled album, The Reverend Al Green’s return (accompanied by a hosts of guest stars) on Lay it Down and Nas’s Untitled album.

South African Terror MC, who mainly rhymes in Afrikaans, made Street Life (download for free), and hipster rappers 88 Keys brought out The Death of Adam. DC rapper Wale’s Seinfeld inspired Mixtape About Nothing. Two retro albums: Zimbabweans Green Arrows’ 4 Track Recording Session and Puerto Rican salsa singer Hector Lavoe’s La Voz. My top ten albums are rounded out by Imani Coppola’s The Black and White Album (my 3 year old loves the song, “Raindrops From The Sun (Hey,Hey,Hey”) and Santogold’s self-titled album.

I hate lists. And I am probably going to get some hate mail. But you don’t have to like everything I like. Make your own list.