A former US Attorney General, a preeminent Princeton University scholar of religion and race, and an alt-metal frontman with a fetish for genitalia-related puns--that about sums up the diversity of interviews we landed this year.

In addition to our 10 favorites below, we also hit the festival circuit hard, including South By Southwest, the Sasquatch Festival, Lollapalooza, Rock the Bells, the inaugural Treasure Island Music Festival, and the CMJ Music Marathon in New York City.

We also spent a surreal night on the red carpet at the Palms Resort Casino in Las Vegas for the 2007 MTV Video Music Awards, chopping it up with beauty queens, reality-TV stars, and artists of all stripes.

In addition to the favorites below, we also picked the brain of James Murphy of LCD Soundsystem, got irie with H.R. of Bad Brains, and talked about aging in the hip-hop and electronic music worlds with James Lavelle of UNKLE.

Chuck D: Rebel Without a Pause

On the road with his legendary hip-hop group, Public Enemy frontman Chuck D sounds off on his relationship with Flavor Flav, the state of hip-hop, and the upcoming 20th anniversary of PE's breakthrough album.

Henry Rollins, untethered

Onetime Black Flag frontman, now a multimedia presence, talks to MP3.com about his latest USO stop in Iraq and the second season of his IFC talk show.

The Beastie Boys pass the mic

In a hilarious roundtable at the Sasquatch Festival, the legendary trio crack wise on their career, their new album, and, of course, Scientology.

Tom Morello's One-Man Revolution

In San Francisco, as his folk-protest alter-ego The Nightwatchman, Rage Against the Machine guitarist talks music and politics.

Cornel West: The doctor is in

Princeton professor and renowned author talks about his third album, which features guest slots by Prince, Andre 3000, Jill Scott, Talib Kweli, Black Thought, Gerald Levert, KRS-One, and many more.

Keenan's vagina dialogue

Tool and Perfect Circle frontman talks about his new solo project, Puscifer, and its debut album, V is for Vagina.

Janet Reno's ode to America

MP3.com speaks with the former US Attorney General, who executive-produced a three-CD compilation telling the history of America through music.

The Year of the Ronson

The multitalented producer talks about going for broke, the tabloids' appetite for Amy Winehouse, and what's on deck for 2008.

Not your average Jose

Swedish singer-songwriter Jose Gonzalez discusses nature vs. nurture, his hardcore past, and keeping his sound spare.

Great Albums With Van Hunt

Multitalented soul man talks about hitting his stride, his new album Popular, and five of his favorite records right now.