18th Day

Unavailable in the U.S.! 2004 debut album from the British Hip Hop star who has been heaped with praise from all corners of the media and is the most respected female rapper in Britain, Estelle's 2008 sophomore album, Shine featuring 'American Boy', a duet with Kanye West, is one of the most sensational Hip Hop albums of the year. For those wanting more, look no further than this equally exciting debut! Unlike other Brit-Hop contenders, she doesn't feel the need to use the 'from the ghetto' template and is content to let the positivity of her music 'keep it real'. So on 'Free' we see her call on the nation's youth to do something with their lives (like 'Why Don't You' for the new millennium), whilst 'Change Is Coming' teaches life's lessons with majestic success and 'Gonna Win' works as an anthem of self-belief for anyone feeling down trodden. 'The 18th Day' is a huge milestone in British Hip Hop - a credible record that never panders to the 'Americanization' of the scene. V2.