The 10 Most Inspirational Albums of the 2000s

Number 10. OutKast: Stankonia (2000)
Stankonia is OutKast's best album, hands down! This album is full of catchy hooks, different styles of music that the group hasn't been known for, prior to this album.They have the most cutting edge lyrics that may make you think a little while before you actually catch on. Released in 2000, this album is a classic album that will be listened to for years to come.

Number 9. Arcade Fire: Funeral (2004)
If rock n roll ever had any inclination of being declared a dead genre of music, this album single handedly revived it. Made up of a crew of Canadians and American rejects, they joined that illustrious company the moment they crashed into our collective consciousness with this electrifying debut album, which which honored all fallen loved ones, and touched a soft spot in the hearts of the millions of fans that bought the albums, downloaded the music, and made Funeral a classic album of the decade.

Number 8. T.I.: Paper Trail (2008)
T.I. was getting ready to serve 1 year and 1 day in prison prior to dropping this album.This album was long awaited and came at just the right time. From intro to outro this album contains songs that makes you think, dance, laugh, cry, and pretty much touches every emotion that the human soul has to offer. This album is TI's most brilliant piece of art to date, and can truly be called a masterpiece.

Number 7. Paul Westerberg: Folker (2004)
The consistency of Folker makes this one of the most magnificent works of art of Paul's career. This album is definitely a defining moment and a pinnacle peek in his career. This album alone stands out from any other piece of music that was put out in the entire decade.

Number 6. The Shins: Chutes Too Narrow(2003)
A short time ago, a band changing someone's life was thought to be so heartfelt and inspirational. Today the idea seems cliche to hear someone say that a piece of music can change someone's life. By listening to the first couple of songs on the album, this album clearly put my heart in that direction. From the hi-hats, strings, and cords teamed up with the lyrics, it clearly touched millions.

Number 5. Jay-Z: The Blueprint(2001)
This is the best rap album of the year. Jay-Z's cutting edge lyrics help to lift up New York after the infamous 9/11 attacks on the nation. In a strange coincidence, the album was set to be released on 9/11/01, the day of the attacks. We just as the nation came together, so did each song on this album, they all came together to create a flawless album.

Number 4. Usher: Confessions(2004)
After a widely publicized breakup with long time girlfriend, Chilly of TLC, Usher gathered the strength and courage to record this album, Confessions. His theme song was his confession that he had been unfaithful
to his soon to be wife. With this album, he related to all that had cheated and been cheated on. This was the masterpiece album of the R&B world.

Number 3. Souljah Boy: Souljahboytellem.com (2007)
This album should be the theme for all young hustlers. This album was recorded before he got a record deal. After the dance hit, Crank Dat Souljah Boy, sprung millions upon millions of views, friends, and replicas on youtube, record execs had no choice but to sign the young star. he recorded this album in the real studio and quickly sold millions of ringtones and albums.

Number 2. Lil Wayne: The Carter 3(2008)
"Hip Hop ain't dead, it just had a heart attack." These are the words of Lil Wayne himself. This album went platinum in its first week of being released. This album was being bumped in every car on the road. I can remember listening to this cd, and riding down the road, and hearing 10 different cars playing 10 different songs, at the same time. And not to mention turning to numerous different radio stations playing numerous different songs. It gave me a Wayne headache, but in a good way.

Number 1. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
This album has made in the Guinness Book of World Records as the fastest solo album to go platinum. It sold 1.79 million records in its first week. This album came in the midst of alot of controversy surrounding the artist, but he pulled through to make a classic album. This album won the Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and was nominated for Album of the Year, which was the first time a rap/hip-hop album was nominated in the category. No wonder this album is the number 1 album of the decade.