Rhode Island rapper Francis has a reputation for producing intricately crafted hip-hop manifestos. Surrealist beats ("Underground for Dummies") back up lyrics that deliver a heavy dose of absurdist social commentary ("Civil Obedience") and stream-of-consciousness word play ("Keep Moving"). Bombastic as all get-out, Francis' lyrics have great depth, unfurling differently every time you listen. Francis wins the award for best use of the word "Faustian" ever to appear in hip-hop.