This hasn’t exactly been a banner year for hip-hop, not remotely. Kanye aside, 2007’s birthed terrible rap like “This is why I’m Hot,” “A Bay Bay” and “Ayo Technology.” And if I see one more sorority girl do the Soulja Boy dance…you’ll see me on the next episode of Cops. There is no reason to dwell on the past, not with some really exciting rap coming out to end 2007. Jay-Z’s latest post-post retirement album American Gangster comes out today, and it’s getting heavy praise all around, most publications calling it miles better than last year’s Kingdom Come. Inspired by the #1 movie in America of the same name, Hova’s new album also warrants a mini-film for each song. Check out the video for “Roc Boys (The Winner Is…).”

Chicago’s hottest rising star, Lupe Fiasco, drops his heavily anticipated sophomore effort Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool on December 18. Like Jay-Z, Lupe has created a concept album, this one focusing on a character who dies, and comes back to life. No, not that guy. Two videos have hit the Internet so far: “Superstar” hit today (check it out here), while the street single “Dumb it Down” has been out for a little longer. Both are strong tracks, showing Mr. Fiasco isn’t a one-hit wonder.

Finally, the biggest rap releases of the holiday season comes courtesy of the 36 Chambers. Rap’s premier lyrical monster Ghostface Killah releases The Big Doe Rehab Dec. 4, the much-wanted follow-up to 2006’s stellar Fishscale. The track “We Celebrate” is making the Internet rounds, check it out here. But don’t go blowing all your money after picking up Ghost’s new LP, because the very next week the Wu-Tang Clan (including Killah) unveil 8 Diagrams. If you can’t wait until Dec. 11, head on over here to listen to the 8 Diagrams Mixtape, available for free as a download. And you thought hip-hop was dead.