OT - Greatest Rap Albums
Your list of greatest rap albums. I'll start...
Okay, a warning. I'm old school. I remember hearing the Sugar Hill Gang on the radio. I'm not much about the mumbling into the mic the kids do nowadays. I don't know who the fuck Travis Scott is, and I'm pretty sure that Takeshi 69 video I saw once was an actual nightmare and not a real thing. That being said:
1. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.
Accept no substitutes. This makes my top five albums regardless of genre. Chuck D's lyrics, his flow--the power of his voice as an musical instrument are still unmatched. He introduced a political militance to hip hop, when the lyrics had mostly been devoted to rocking the party and keeping booties shaking. The Bomb Squad brought a heavy element of dissonance that turned a lot of listeners off. Not me, though--I'm so into dissonance that I've got about five Sonic Youth albums. There's the contrast between Flava Flav bouncing off the walls and the S1Ws keeping it on lock-down. Every cut on the this album holds up as a classic in it's own right.
2. The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
There are many contenders for this spot, and, truthfully, I would've placed Amerikkka's Most Wanted by Ice Cube here up until a few years ago, but that album has not aged well. The Pharcyde are worthy here though. Every cut flashes a different style but each is great in its own way. The lyricism is simply brilliant throughout, and the songs sum as a great illustration of the rich variety of styles before MTV codified gangsta and bling as the ONLY forms. This is basically album about middle class Black kids being kids. I only wish the Pharcyde had more than two albums in them.
3. Nas - Illmatic
This could've been at two. A perfect match of brilliant lyrical flow and killer beats. This album introduced the use of jazz in hip hop, which traces rap back to the traditions of beat poetry, the Last Poets, and Gil Scott-Heron. This album is iconic for a reason.
4. Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
A toss-up for me here between their eponymous first album or this one. Gotta go with Black Sunday though for "Insane in the Brain" and "Break 'Em Off Some." Propulsive driving power is the name of game here. These are songs that make you want to wreck shit...but in a, um, good way. B-Real and Sen Dog play off each other brilliantly, and the use of Latin instruments and rhythms was and is revolutionary.
5. The Roots - Things Fall Apart
This could've been higher. It's The Roots, man. This is the album on the list you're most likely listening to with your parents or your kids, or you're throwing on at the cook-out. Consciousness rap over a live band mixing jazz and soul--it's like punk once they finally learned how to play their instruments--it's not as raw and maybe you can't slam dance to it anymore, but, damn, is it great.
6. MC 900 Ft. Jesus - Hell with the Lid Off
A curve ball for y'all: Like the Pharcyde, a relatively forgotten artist, this album, a collaboration with D.J. Zero has all. It's funny, shocking, twisted sometimes all at once. I really love the minimalist beats which mix in elements of electronica to great effect.
7. The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy - Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury
There's a good chance you've never heard of this album, but that's okay. Google it now! Michael Franti still performs with Spearhead, but this album was groundbreaking. Wildly kinetic beats paired with political lyrics that directly confront and indict commericialism and conspicuous consumption. Franti has definitely read Walter Benjamin.
8. Beastie Boys - Ill Communication
Oh yeah, they have to be on here. Everybody's got a favorite Beastie Boys album, and this one is mine. Come on, son. We're talking, "Sure Shot," Root Down," "Sabotage," "Flute Loop," "Bodhisattva Vow." So, so good throughout.
9. Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise
Look, don't scoff. Just sit down, clear your mind, and listen to the whole thing. You'll see I'm right. Gangsta's Paradise is a like Mack Daddy by Sir Mix-a-Lot in that way. Both albums are known for a singular hit but are actually great throughout with many songs that are better than the singular hit.
10. KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap
The brotha is fierce. The brotha is uncompromising. KRS is a true O.G. Picking a favorite KRS album is a challenge. There's his work with Scott LaRock as Boogie Down Productions then there's the extensive solo career after his tragic death. The classic cuts on this one win out: "Outta Here" is one a the great hip cuts of all.
Alright, that's my list. There are obviously big names left off here that would make a longer list of albums or a list of standalone songs. There's no Run-D.M.C. though I can and have spent hours listening to "It's Tricky," or "Mary, Mary" on repeat. There's nothing by Dre or Snoop though would say the same of "Deep Cover." Anyway...what's your list?
August 13th, 2022 at 1:23 PM ^
Personal "faves"
The Chronic (even Chronic 2001)
Life After Death
The Low End Theory
August 13th, 2022 at 8:40 PM ^
Yep....The Chronic, The Chronic 2001, and Kendrick Lamar Damn.
August 13th, 2022 at 9:13 PM ^
I personally like old school rap, the first 2 Run DMC albums were really good. I like the more jazzy rap songs.
Does anyone here like Anderson.Paak? He's got some really good rhythms in his music.
August 14th, 2022 at 7:06 AM ^
Anderson.Paak is doing to hip hop and soul what Prince did for pop and R&B. He’s an excellent drummer, vocalist, MC and composer. Few songs captured the spirit of the summer of 2020 like “Lockdown.”
August 13th, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
To add some more recent classics, two I think belong in the greatest of the last decade are Danny Brown's XXX and Freddie Gibbs' Piñata.
August 13th, 2022 at 8:40 PM ^
Love me some Danny, but Atrocity Exhibition>>XXX in my book. XXX is a great album, but Atrocity is an all-time great.
Also Piñata slaps
August 14th, 2022 at 7:07 AM ^
Madlib always brings it!
August 13th, 2022 at 1:27 PM ^
Some not on your list that could be up there IMO…
The College Dropout
The Marshall Mathers LP
All Eyez on Me
August 13th, 2022 at 3:11 PM ^
Agree, the Marshall Mathers LP should be on the list.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:36 PM ^
That's a great album and was super original, but my fav. is The Eminem Show. Almost every song could've been a hit single w/ a music video: Business, Soldier, Till I Collapse, Cleanin' out my Closet, White America, Square Dance, and more.
August 13th, 2022 at 1:28 PM ^
J Dilla - Donuts
August 13th, 2022 at 1:29 PM ^
For me, Criminal Minded is the best KRS album. Ill communications is good, but I prefer License to Ill, as well. Lately, I have been getting into Mac Miller, as he has a bit of that old school flow. I highly recommend Swimming and Circles.
August 13th, 2022 at 1:40 PM ^
+1 for illmatic. The beats, instrumentals and lyrics are amazing.
I'll admit I was on the wrong side of the Jay-Z and Nas beef, Nas won the dis track battle but lost the war
August 13th, 2022 at 1:42 PM ^
Heartily agree with your top two, Clarence. I'd round out my personal top-5 with:
Bigger and Deffer
Life After Death
Paul's Boutique
But my all-time favorite single is Colors.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:28 PM ^
Agree on. Paul’s Boutique. I have listened to rap for 40 years and haven’t found a full album better. A total game changer. The Beasties were always years ahead until their last album. RIP Adam Yauch.
August 13th, 2022 at 1:43 PM ^
Coolio?
August 13th, 2022 at 2:01 PM ^
Again, don't scoff! Give the album a listen.
August 13th, 2022 at 3:34 PM ^
It’s too hot.
August 13th, 2022 at 9:33 PM ^
Ok. But. Like. Better than Low End Theory? Better than The Chronic? Better than Strictly Business? Better than Paid in Full?... I could keep going, but I think I've made my point. It's great that you love Coolio. I'm just not sure it rises to the level of "best rap album".
August 13th, 2022 at 9:35 PM ^
I love Jeru the Damaja- The Sun Also Rises in the East. I don't think I'd put it in the Best Album category, though. 🤷
August 13th, 2022 at 6:50 PM ^
If you need further enticement-- and it sounds like you do -- Coolio and his crew rock a lot of Michigan gear in the 1,2,3,4 video (the second one Clarence provided above), including Desmond Howard and Amani Toomer jerseys.
August 13th, 2022 at 1:45 PM ^
That’s a great list.
I’m partial to hip hop that has live instrumentation, heavy jazz and funk influence (that Soulquarians era from 97-2002 was golden for me). Here are a few others I’d put in for consideration:
1. The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest. I love Q-Tip and Phife and Ali Shaheed. But Ron Carter made that album, and that’s why I chose it over the other fantastic Tribe albums.
2. The Ecstatic by Mos Def. Another album that many haven’t heard as much as Black on Both Sides or the Black Star album, but every single track on it is fantastic, especially Casa Bey. Mos isn’t always consistent, but when he is on, he is the best MC on the planet.
Edit: here’s Casa Bey: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Wo1OgWoqMEk
3. To Pimp A Butterfly. Kendrick is the current king of hip hop, with creative brilliance, command, flow and accessibility. Like Nas, he has a lot of imitators.
4. Enter the Wu Tang/36 Chambers. This needs neither justification nor explanation.
5. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. She’s had her problems, no doubt, but all those songs still go hard.
By the way, I live in Michael Franti’s hometown. He’s a hero here, and we love that album in our household.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:10 PM ^
Hey, these are all great as well!
Franti's groups always sell out the local club here. I hope he brings them back soon.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:52 PM ^
Enjoyed your selections! Very minor quibble: by the time Illmatic dropped in 1994, many hip hop albums had heavy jazz and spoken word influence—the aforementioned ATCQ albums, De La Soul’s 3 Feet High and Rising (another great one) in 1988, Dígable Planets, GangStarr and several others. But your broader point is well received.
Edit: L’Carpetron made this point before me a few posts down.
August 13th, 2022 at 4:32 PM ^
3 feet high and rising is probably my number 2. Loved everything by De La.
I have trouble choosing between Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders for ATCQ. Loved all of the stuff too. Even the most recent album.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:18 PM ^
Enter the Wu Tang is a top two or three choice for me!
I love Wyclef Jean's the carnival. Or better yet, the score by the fugees!
August 13th, 2022 at 1:47 PM ^
Kendrick Lamar - To Pimp a Butterfly
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Madvillain (MF Doom + Madlib) - Madvillainy
OutKast - Stankonia
August 13th, 2022 at 1:52 PM ^
[EDIT: never mind. I wrote a silly rap/wrap pun that would do nothing but annoy people and invite scorn.]
August 13th, 2022 at 1:56 PM ^
1. Licensed to Ill
August 13th, 2022 at 2:02 PM ^
life after death and illmatic tough to beat.
all eyez on me pretty darn good and if i had to pick a rakim album maybe 18th letter
August 13th, 2022 at 2:09 PM ^
The Purple Tape
Doggystyle
It Was Written
August 13th, 2022 at 7:07 PM ^
I've always been partial to Doggy Style.
Never heard the song, but in other respects.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:09 PM ^
In no specific order:
Ready to Die: Notorious BIG
Reasonable Doubt: Jay-Z
Born Sinner: J.Cole
Life After Death: Notorious BIG
The Chronic: Dr. Dre
Blueprint: Jay-Z
August 13th, 2022 at 3:20 PM ^
This the shit I used to roll down Lewis Street with!
August 13th, 2022 at 2:15 PM ^
‘Get off my lawn’ by old geezer and the elderly
August 13th, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
Come on now. Did I venture into one of your old man-dinosaur rock--who's better the stones or zep or ac/dc posts to do this? One of the seeming dozen of these posted in the last week? I did not. So why jump in here with this?
August 13th, 2022 at 2:54 PM ^
Clarence, I was totally kidding and if anything, was making fun of myself (and other geezers). Should be evident to someone as sharp as you.
August 13th, 2022 at 3:32 PM ^
No sweat, XM. It's still a bizarre comment for me since I'm 55, and a lot of what I listed is 30 years old but...carry on, my friend.
August 13th, 2022 at 3:37 PM ^
fwiw, i do love some of what i would guess would be the more iconic rap songs. maybe not a long list but they exist. one that always comes to mind as part of my old life is this one:
Colors, colors, colors,
Colors, colors, colors,
Colors, colors, colors,
Colors, colors
I am a nightmare walking, psychopath talking
King of my jungle just a gangster stalking
Living life like a firecracker quick is my fuse
Then dead as a deathpack the colors I choose
Red or Blue, Cuz or Blood, it just don't matter
Sucker die for your life when my shotgun scatters
We gangs of L.A. will never die, just multiply
August 13th, 2022 at 6:33 PM ^
One of my personal favorites, can still recite mostly word for word after 35 years or so. I'm assuming you looked these up? I've been wrong on the line after "quick is my fuse" all these years. I always heard it in my head as "Vendetta's n' death, that's the colors I choose." Never thought to look it up.
August 13th, 2022 at 8:49 PM ^
the tune and beginning lyrics are forever etched in my brain b/c of prior events, but not whole stanzas of words. the words have significant meaning to those times and those places, places i've been and worked.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
OG and The E? Nobody messes with them.
When The Chronic and Doggystyle came out, i was at the age where music as I knew it instantly changed forever.
August 13th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^
that's right. you don't mess with an OG. every gangster knows that.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:24 PM ^
50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin
Eminem - Recovery
Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP
2Pac - Until the End of Time
Kanye - College Dropout
August 13th, 2022 at 2:25 PM ^
Lil Boosie-Bad Azz
Hard core Baton Rouge rap.As a long time football coach I have heard “Set it Off” thundering in the locker room many a Friday night,Most Louisiana kids black and white know all the words verbatim.If you ain’t ready to hit someone after “Set it off” you never will be.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:27 PM ^
A lot of this obviously depends on subjective, personal taste in terms of lyrical content (street reporting of an NWA/2Pac/Nas/Rakim type of artist vs a more pop/club type lyrics with strong word play/metaphors from artists such as Jay Z/Lil Wayne) and production type (West v South v East).
Caveats apply that I’ve always gravitated toward street reporting type content (NWA/2Pac), but I’ll say that 2Pac is the most diverse lyricist of all time IMO. Made classics that touched on every topic fathomable. There are very few, if any, artists that have that level of diversity in their lyrics.
Here’s my personal list:
2Pac/Me Against The World (Superb Lyrically)
Biggie/Ready to Die (Superb Lyrically)
Dre/The Original Chronic (Perhaps the best production of all time coupled with strong, though not elite, lyrics)
2Pac/All Eyez on Me (Perhaps the most compelling lyrical album ever, you could *feel* the lyrics/music if that makes sense)
August 13th, 2022 at 2:47 PM ^
I like 2Pac (and Biggie) but love The Chronic. It was also tough leaving that off.
August 13th, 2022 at 2:53 PM ^
For me, The Chronic is the ultimate album for production, and just banging out good car music. That album is absolutely great for cruising in your ride and just vibing.
I’m obviously bias toward West Coast music as a native Angeleno, but I think the overwhelming majority of hip-hop/rap fans agree The Chronic is a production masterpiece.
August 13th, 2022 at 3:26 PM ^
I think you need to expand on what you mean by "superb lyrically" and "compelling lyrical album." Tupac's storytelling is timeless, and so is his message. Biggie's flow is unique and cannot ever be replicated. And, though not on Ready to Die, I Got a Story to Tell is my favorite story song besides La Di Da Di.
Neither Biggie or Tupac are in Eminem's lyrical area code. Lupe is close, but not there. Same with Andre.