So here it goes.. After much brainstorming, and planning.. I have finally finished my list..
I put these in order according to:
1.lyrical talent
2.the way the album changed the landscape of hip-hop
3.replay value
4.Beats, as that is what makes hip-hop
Reminder this is my production of ideas, no one else's.
Hope you enjoy... :)
25. Mobb Deep - "Hell On Earth" 1996
Certified Gold in 1997.
One of the darkest, hardest and straight raw lyrical albums of all time. It just cracked my top 25.. But it made it.. Definitely a memorable cd, that I play on a monthly basis...
Notable songs-
Animal Instincts, Drop a Gem on 'Em, Bloodsport, Extortion,More Trife Life, Get Dealt With, Hell On Earth (Front Lines), Give it up Fast, Still Shinin', Apostle's Warning..
24. Kanye West "Late Registration" 2005
Kanye's sophomore album was undoubtedly his best, and most successful to date. Ranked number 40 of the top albums of the decade, by Rolling Stone. This "storytelling"album delivers from the front end to the back end, with the occasional funny skit.. This was solid work from the Roca-fella signee. One of my Favs of all time.. By far my favorite Kanye Album.
Notable Songs- Diamonds from Sierra Leone, Heard' em Say, Touch the Sky, Gold Digger, Drive Slow, Bring Me Down, Gone
23. The Roots "Things Fall Apart" 1999
This album is a lyrical onslaught of beautiful poetry, and thoughts. This was the fourth studio album by the roots, and is noted as The Roots breakthrough album by many critics. This album struck gold.
It is a must have for any roots fan, or any fan of beautiful artwork.
Notable Songs- Adrenaline, You Got me
22. Common "Resurrection" 1994
This was Common's Second album. Then known as Common Sense.
Originally this album had poor reviews.. But through the media, and commons success, this album is widely considered a lyrical masterpiece. I personally believe this is his best work.. One of the most talented rappers of all time. Created a masterpiece during a time, everyone was focused on gangster rap. But I didn't miss any of it.
Sold only 2,000 copies.
Notable Songs- "I used to love H.E.R."
21. Lil' Wayne "The Carter" 2004
This was Lil' Wayne's fourth studio album, produced by long time friend and rapper Mannie Fresh. This album blasted Lil' Wayne into mainstream, his "break-out" album. Certified Platinum, this CD, has high Replay Value for years to come.. One of my favorite of all time, and Lil' Wayne's best work ever, on any studio Album. From unforgettable intros to blazing beats, and unforgettable lines, this is going to be forever memorable by many of our generation.
Notable Songs- Go DJ, I Miss My Dawgs, Bring It Back
20. Bone Thugs and Harmony "E 1999 Eternal" 1995
This was the second album from the Cleveland born group and one to ever rock the hip-hop world, "From Cross Roads" to "1st of the month"this album stood on top of the charts for weeks in 1995, almost winning album of the year (grammy). Overall it is in my opinion one of the best lyrical performances by a group , that is household, and can be unmatched with lyrical talent.
10 million worldwide sales.
Notable Songs- East 1999, Crossroads, 1st of the months
19. Eminem "The Eminem Show" 2002
The best rap album of 2002 (grammy). Certified platinum 10x. With over 19,000,000 sales world wide... What else needs to be said??... One of five albums to be Diamond Certified.
O yea, the album... One of the greatest of my life time..
Notable Songs- THE ENTIRE CD.... 'Without me", "Cleaning out my closet" , "Business" , "Superman", "Sing for the Moment"
18. Jay-Z "The Black Album" 2006
His so called final album at the time. This is one of his most solid works, and most impressively it came at a time of major rap obstacles. His 8th studio album is unforgettable.The video for "99 problems" sparked epic controversy Either way this is one of the most played CD's in memory since I first heard it.
It was the 136th highest selling album in the 2000's .
Notable Songs - Encore, Change Clothes, Dirt off Your Shoulder, 99 Problems,Allure (my Fav.) , "My 1st Song"
17. The Fugees "The Score" 1996
The Fugees short term success puts this album rather low on my list.. But never the less this is one of the best albums of the 90's. It captured the hip-hop world, and turned it upside down.. It had much commercial success, and sold 6,000,000. Although they split and had individual success, this album began a reign of fire for this type of art. For that it shall be placed in my top 25.
Notable Songs- "Ready or Not", "Killing me Softly"
16. Dr. Dre "2001" 1999
Dr. Dre's second Studio Album after a long time between his first album the Chronic..(hint-hint). Anyways, this album is a masterpiece of gangster west coast rap, mixed with east coast as well, which in my eyes made it a classic. The replay of this album is like no other. You can step anywhere in this nation, and hear these beats, or lyrics from coast to coast. Unforgettable, as I remember carrying my CD player around with this cd in, for years. Selling516,000 in the first week, and 6x platinum overall.
Notable songs- Still Dre, Whats the Diffrence, Forgot about Dre, The next episode, ALL THE SKITS are CLASSICS..
15. Nas "Stillmatic" 2001
His fifth studio album.. This one is his second greatest. (hint-hint) Upon the release his beef with Jay-Z sparked much relevance and anticipation for this album. Nas delivered with masterpiece rhymes, but whats new? This album can be played for decades to come, as for many, this is an album that can still be unmatched by any other artists of our time. Sold 1.7 million.
Notable Songs- Ether , Got Ur Self A Gun, Your da Man, One Mic, Rule.
14. Snoop Dogg "Doggy Style" 1993
Snoop's debut album, served as one of the landmark west coast albums for years to come. This is one of the most significant albums of the 1990's and made Snoop Dogg a house hold name. This album is a must own album, as it shaped hip hop forever. 4x platinum , his highest selling album.
Notable Songs- Gin and Juice , Who Am I, Doggy Dogg World
13. Ice Cube "Death Certificate" 1991
His second studio album. Ice Cube sparked much controversy with statements on drug dealing, racial profiling, and the right to bare arms. This album although broke through many barriers during its time on release and is widely considered to be his best work to date. The album sold 2 million, but not with out hitting every american hard with lyrical attacks on our nation. A sure classic, that has high replay value in any society.
Notable tracks- "Steady Mobbin", "True to the Game", "No Vaseline"
12. Outkast "Atliens" 1996
The duo's second studio album was anticipated, and highly successful. The Atlanta natives stuck Double Platinum , spending 33 weeks in the top 200. This album to me is one of the deepest of all time, by a rap duo, its outrageous, and unstoppable, with each track having its unique sound and message. This album is one of the best southern rap albums of all time, if not the best.
Notable Songs- "ATLiens", "Elevators (Me and You")
11. Public Enemy "It takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back" 1988
All I have to say about this album, is greatness, if you have not heard this album, you do not know HIP-HOP, this is the origins of true Rap. This album is ranked 43rd on Rolling Stones top 500 Albums of all time.. Do the Math.. It would be higher on my list.. But believe me I have more to offer.. Certified Platinum .... Enough Said!
Notable Songs- The entire album..
10. Dr. Dre "The Chronic" 1992
This is Dre's first studio album, after breaking apart from NWA. Man, what a job he did, this album is widely considered a classic in the Hip-Hop world. This album was also a showing for future artist Snoop Dogg. One of the most influential rap albums of all time.. It sold over 8 million worldwide. Unforgettable tracks carried this album for the next decade until his sophomore release, which was on the list earlier.
Notable Tracks- Fuck with Dre Day, Let me Ride, Nuttin But a "G" Thang, "Bitches aint Shyt"
9. Eminem " The Marshall Mathers LP" 2000
One of the Greatest all time, does it over and over again.. His Sophomore album, was one that captured people from all races, and all background. One of the most controversial albums of my life, and one of the most unforgettable.. This is definitely the best album by any Caucasian rapper. Despite his explicit rip at every life form, his message of a troubled life, and substance abuse, and custody battles, hit the world like no other album ever. He brought the truth out in many rappers for years to come. 19 million worldwide.
Notable Songs- The Entire Album
8. Wu-Tang Clan "Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) 1992
Probably the best group ever to hit Hip-Hop. Not to mention, one of the highest critically acclaimed, down to the point, gangster rap, debut albums in the history of rhyming. This album served as the Blueprint for all gangster rap during the 90's.
Helped pave the way for artists such as Jay-Z, Biggie, Mobb Deep
Certified Platinum
Notable Songs- Can it be all so Simple, CREAM, Protect Ya Neck
7. Raekwon "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" 1995
Story Telling at its best.. Raekwon's debut album. Must I say more..? His Delivery on this album is unforgettable. Giving off a sense of paranoia, but with understandable attacks at the mic.. Beautiful Art.
1.1 million sold.
Notable Songs- Criminology, Rainy Days, Can it be all so Simple Remix, Ice Cream, Heaven & Hell
6. Jay-Z "Reasonable Doubt" 1996
Yea thats right. I got him twice on my list, and breaking the top 8 with one of the best CD's Ive owned. This Album is in my mind the 2nd best debut album by any artist in the history of Hip-Hop.. There I SAID IT. Every song on here, could have been a single, and most importantly, every song has had a indirect or direct influence on every rapper that ever heard this song. One of the most powerful albums ever created. Everyone knew this guy was the truth HOVA! THE ROC! Sold 1.5 million.
Notable songs- Dead Presidents II, Feelin' It
5. The Notorious B.I.G. "Ready to Die" 1994
Biggie's Debut album, would ever create one of the best MC's in the history of Hip Hop. This album made him into the Biggie we all remember. This is the only Album ever released during his lifetime. Making it an instant classic, most importantly giving thought and debate, on what he could have done with a whole career if this was only his debut album.. Again, One of the best to ever walk to earth. RIP BIG.
4x Platnium
Notable Songs- The entire Album!
4. Eric B & Rakim "Paid In Full" 1987
This album was released two years before my birth, and still I know of its magnitude. This is the benchmark for our age of hip-hop. Without this album we would have no rap today as we know it.. Thats all I have to say!
Certified Platinum in 1995
Notable songs- The ENTIRE ALBUM IS CLASSIC!
3. Tupac "All Eyez On Me" 1996
The last Album before his Death, the already established artist, and world known Tupac, went all in on this one. This album is a crown of all 1990 rap, and his career as well.. The 2 disk album, is impossible to look past, or pause. This is undoubtedly one of my favorite albums of all-time, and I am sure many other critics would disagree with me. I placed this so high because of the impact it is still having today, and after his death. 5x platinum .
Notable Songs- California Love, 2 of Amerikas Most wanted, How do u want it, All About U, I aint Mad at Cha.
2. N.W.A. "Straight Outta Compton" 1988
This description will be short and blunt.. With Attitude.
One of the epic albums of all time.
I mean the FBI wanted to seize the album.. C'mon what more should I say.?
This album was on of the first with the Parental Advisory Sticker..
3million Sold. 80% to non-black suburbs . Do the math. EPIC.
The greatest hip-hop album of all-time in my opinion is also a debut album.. Making it the best Debut album of all time as well. This album offers the unique style of Nas, with a delivery and lyrical substance like no other in the history of rap. The album is from top to bottom unforgettable, and unbreakable, no matter what anyone comes out with. This is the Michael Jackson "Thriller" of Rap. One of the most important albums you must listen to before you die..
Sold- who cares?
Notable Songs- If you haven't heard this album, get off my blog.
Now, what do you think??
Honorable Mentions-
Ludacris- "Back For the First time"
50 Cent- "Get Rich Or Die Trying"
Lupe Fiasco "The Cool"
Little Brother "The Listening"
B.I.G. "Life After Death"
Tupac "The Don Killuminati 7 day Theory"
Clipse "Lord Willin"
OutKast "Aquemini"
The Game "The Documentry"
Jay-Z "The Blueprint"
Nas "Gods Son"
Playa Fly "Fly 2k"
