1. LR - when I realized he wasn't playing around. Jon fucking Brion??? I'm a huge Fiona fan and this was like a dream come true.

2. MBDTF - Chris Rock's campaigning last fall and the 33 1/3 book moved it up for me. His "no fear" album.

3. Yeezus - if MBDTF=ok computer, then Yeezus=kid a. Just as polarizing, alienating, dark, etc.

4. Graduation - when he decided he REALLY wanted to be taken seriously as a rapper. And when he committed to stadium songs.

5. CD - not my fav but I can't deny its impact.

6. 808s&HB - same thing as above.

7. WTT - one of those albums I thought was the the best album of all time when it dropped, and then I got tired of it really fast.

8. CS - not enough Kanye!!! (I know, it's a compilation).