black star is a classic, one of the best albums in my collection, make sure you check out the Reflection Eternal album as well.
rap/hip-hop has blown up like crazy the past year around here. There was always quite some interest in the commercial mainstream american rappers like dre, snoop and such but now the local dutch-rapping cats are getting some serious airplay. All the local chavs have finally picked up on some of the music I've been listening to for the past five years.
There are some real gems in the american underground, still. Names like El-P, Atmosphere, most of the Stones Throw label and MF Doom are shit hot, innovative, experimental and fresh. Far from the unintelligent monotonous blingbling-yeeaah bullshit that's been out in the mainstream scene.