Anyway, I'm going to venture forth and offer a highly biased, incredibly subjective list of records that are my favorites, and that, I think, display the genius of hip-hop. I encourage people to disagree. I also encourage people to create their own lists. Maybe at the end, we can come up with some sort of highly biased, unauthorative, unofficial master-list. But please, people who stand stand on the trains loudly reciting hip-hop lyrics should not comment here. If you think you may begin your list with "I love hip-hop more than my own Moms, son!!" then nuff respect, kid. But if it's all the same to you, I'd ask that you sit this one out.
Anyway here it goes, in no particular order.
1.) Outkast--Aquemeni
2.) A Tribe Called Quest--
3.) EPMD--Unfinished Business
4.) Ice Cube--Death Certificate
5.) Jay-Z--The Blueprint
6.) Nas-Illmatic
7.) Raekwon--Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
8.) The Fugees--The Score
9.) Gza-Liquid Swords
10.) Public Enemy--It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
11.) De La Soul--3 Feet High And Rising
12.) Gang Starr--Full Clip
13.) The Roots--Illadelph Halflife
14.) Mobb Deep--The Infamous
There's a lot wrong with that list--it's rooted in the early to mid-90s, there aren't any women on there, and its skewed to the East Coast. But beyond that it ignores some truly great feats of MCing. We'll save that for another day, though.
UPDATE: Couple changes, I had the wrong Tribe album as someone mentioned. Also added The Roots--Illadelph Halflife. And yeah Mobb Deep, also. Just forgot those.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
What about 2 Live Jews--As Kosher As They Wanna Be
No Kurtis Blow? I guess thems the breaks...
For something a little newer, I recommend The Coup's "Pick a Bigger Weapon."
I was wondering if you stray into underground or left field hip-hop. Ever?
I suppose it's always problematic to reduce something like this to 10-12 albums, but I suppose it must be done.
I know some people need to be left off, but no Biggie? I listen to Ready to Die probably more than any other hip hop album. Also, I think might be able to make a case of The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Although I know that album has been hotly debated on this blog before.
Why not Dead Prez' Let's get free?? I actually prefer Atliens to Aquemini..?
I'd never claim I was an expert, but I think Run-DMC should probably be on that list.
Hurm. I made a similar (and even more flawed) list several years ago here.
Mobb Deep - The Infamous. I can still smoke that joint and enjoy the fuck out of it, which is more than I can say about The Score
Solid list. I think part of the issue is that anyone who tries to do a top-10 for hip-hop is forced to try and handle ALL of hip-hop. If this were jazz, you'd have the option to self-select a particular stylistic period (e.g. Bop, Fusion, Traditional, etc) or choose representatives of them (Duke, Miles, Herbie) and so on.
The good thing, since hip-hop is still somewhat nascent, is that this will probably come in time. As it gets the critical respect it deserves (slowly, thanks to culture warriors, but no different than jazz's ascent) it'll be easier to make these breakdowns.
My own editions - Dre's The Chronic (west coast masterpiece) and NWA's Straigh Outta Compton (last gaps of projects-era "how we live" rap before it became "who claims to have gotten shot the most"). I'd also like to give a honorable mention to Onyx's Bacdafucup for scaring the crap out of white parents everywhere and getting me and my best friend in a heap of trouble when we were 12 or so.
P.S. Best line ever from Aquemini - "she looked sweeter than a plate of yams with extra syrup" (quoting it doesn't do Big Boi & Andre any justice)
The link didn't work. Click on my name if you want to see my wack ass list.
Actually, I think this is a very good idea. I was thinking about it the other day. There should be some compilation of both the best of hip hop and the history of hip hop. (Actually, I am sure that there are some out there, but I just don't know.) That way, when someone says "I hate hip hop." People can just point to the compilation albums and say, "here, listen to this."
Ok, I just clicked through Andrew Sullivan's link to a great anti-snark column by Roger Ebert so I'll be serious:
Eric B & Rakim--Paid in Full. The greatest rapper needs to have an album in there.
Paid in Full, plus 3 Feet High and Rising and Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys I think really moved hip hop forward in the late 1980s. And you have to have Run-DMC's first album in there. That's like the Black Monolith of hip hop albums.
Good list TNC! Only gripe is Kanye not being on there. Pick any one of his first 3 albums, and you probably can't go wrong (although Late Registration was probably the weakest - still great though). I think people get caught up in Kanye's eccentric, sometimes childish behavior. But from an artistry standpoint and expanding the musical scope of hip hop, any one of those albums is competitive with those before him and for those currently in the hip hop game it's really not close. He's on another level.
@Fighting Words: Boooo (lol)
I've gotta second Ready To Die, since its truly prolific. Also, Big acts a damn fool on some of the tracks - Playa Hater is still guaranteed to crack me up a decade later.
I agree with the ATCQ, Blueprint (Song Cry + Heart of the City stay on playlists), and most of the rest of the list. Just wish it could be longer. You gotta remember, the best part of making lists like these (fools errand though they may be) is that they get people to listen to some things they hadn't considered. For that reason alone, i'd like to see it expanded to 25 or so...
Good call on Aquemini. Da Art of Storytellin part 1 has two of the greatest verses i've heard, especially Andre's.
"I said what you wanna be, she said alive / it made me think for a minute, looked in her eyes / i could've died"
TNC: Can you explain if you havent already done so [and I admit to having not yet sifted through your comments] how it is you place Tribe's Midnight Marauders over the superior, IMHO, The Low End Theory? You really like it more? To me, they were at their peak on the Low End Theory
Nothing by The Roots?
Oh man, it's always fun to point out (take pot shots at) omissions on these things. Here's my quick quibbles about what's missing
- Mos Def: Black on Both Sides
- No BDP?
- Agreed @Bruce InRe: Dead Prez and ATLiens to Aquemeni (both are great, or course)
- Ghostface: Supreme
- Goodie Mob's Black Ice
- Wu's Enter the 36
Can't argue with what's already there, though.
That's a great early 90s list - the only things I can think of from that era to add off the top of my head are:
Eric B & Rakim - "Paid in Full" (as Paul mentioned) Common - Resurrection
Organized Konfusion - Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - The Main Ingredient
I'll be posting my 1996 - present list later. I'd like to see some others post theirs too.
Yeah..i def need something by ghost and goodie mob...although i would prefer soul food to black ice...
My thoughts:
-I agree with Neo on the Infamous shout out. I put it back into rotation about a year ago, and it still hasnt gotten old to me.
-If you're going to put a female albulm on it should be Miseducation.
-Machiavelli really should be on the list. That album really sums up that whole era of rap, and also is a concise display of why people really loved Pac.
-If you're really looking to expand your overall rap pespective you really oughta listen to either Blackstar or Reflection Eternal.
-From the underground genre, the foreign exchange, "connected" albulm is really good i think.
-Finally and I fully expect this to get little traction, but if you really look back at all the bangers that came from the Juvey, B.G. Turk and Weezy combo, back when Manny Fresh was in his prime, you'll realize those early hot boyz days were something special. I know, garbage not real hip hop blah blah blah, but for real, I could put the "guerilla warfare" album in any time and change my whole day
I think TNC made clear thats its mosly an early-to-mid nineties list, so I don't understand all the "WTF no Mos Def? no BDP?" comments.
Commenters: put together your own pre-1990 and post-1996 lists, and lets hash that out.
I'm not a HUGE hiphop fan (no, seriously, I've lost some weight) but I gotta vote Do You Want More. Where is the love for my instrumental virtuosi, Quest and Hub?
True story...1998 or something...first time seeing The Roots in the Martime Hall here in SF. Big place, 3000-5000 something like that. Crowded as fuck and HOT, mostly dudes all crammed in together. The Roots is like 90 minutes late, and people are starting to get annoyed. We've been looking at the instruments for the better part of an hour now and it's getting old.
Suddenly Quest ambles out on stage like it's nothing, like there's not 5000 hot, annoyed sore-backed-from-standing-on-concrete mf-ers sitting there staring at him. And he eating an apple. Just saunters in munching like he's at home just waking up froma nap. I've never seen or heard the gorup before and, being a musician, I look at his kit (bass, snare, hi-hat and ride) and think this has got to be a joke. So he sits down and RIPS MY ENTIRE UNIVERSE APART WITH TWO DRUMS. Tears my world down and puts it back together in a ten minute, show-opening solo. Never before have I witnessed such chutzpah carried off with such such skill. Truly an amazing moment.
So then if that weren't enough, an hour in it's time for Hub's solo. I'm a bass player so I'm highly anticipating it. Well, within thirty seconds he has played every single trick I have in my arsenal. Played all my showy licks, up and down the fret board, and about ten times better than I can. Then he really gets down to a truly virtuosic solo, like he was teasing us.."yeah, see I do the showy fluff too, only I do it better than all of you...and actually I do so very much more than you can even contemplate. You suck."
So I vote The Roots.
@TNC
I have all these albums so I definitely am feeling the list. I'm surprised Rakim didn't make the cut, though. You never got down with The God?
@ Yakatak
True enough for BDP. But Aquemeni dropped roughly around the same time as Black on Both sides (fall 98 to fall 99, if I'm remembering correctly). Got to draw the line somewhere, though.
This is a very respectable list if you remember that it's for people who usually don't listen to hip hop. Aquemini is easily the easiest Outkast album to get into if you are not already hip hop head. Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is great, but it strays from true hip hop too much to make this list in my opinion.
My only real nitpick is leaving off Mos Def: Black on Both Sides as somebody above mentioned. It is damn near perfect (with the only problem being that it's a little too militant for some people's tastes). But if you listen to that album and like it, you will instantly be looking for other similar joints. It's a gateway drug.
What about [insert favorite rap album with outrage here]?!!!!
Seriously, though, early to mid-nineties? I would put Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde in there. Nothing like it, then or since.
You can't live in NY and not have any Method Man - its inexplicable. Thang in Action - Roy Jones Jr. played it on his iPod on the way in to the ring, got to count for something.
One of the most descriptive post titles you've ever written, homie!
I retired from this sort of thing long ago. Talk about politics of identity, grievance and victimhood. You don't need a generational clash between the civil rights and post-civil rights era for that, just try to have a merit-based, selective discussion of the hip-hop canon!
Just to add a little more southern flavor I would include
1. Eightball and MJG "Space Age 4 Eva"
2. UGK "Too Hard To Swallow"
3. Goodie Mob "Cell Therapy"
4. TI "Im Serious"
5. Scarface "The Diary"
6. Ludacris "Word of Mouf"
7. Cee lo Green "Cee lo Green and his Perfect Imperfections"
From the West Coast
1. "NWA Straight Outta Compton"
2. "DJ Quick Quick is the Name"
3. The Game "Doctors Advocate"
And a last one from the East Coast
1. DMX "And Then There Was X"
I'm a Jewish-kid-from-the-suburbs hip-hop fan, but I like what I like. Someone said The Chronic, which I'll second. I have to go with The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem. He writes such great lyrics.
Because I realized no one really wants to click on an external link in a comments thread, I figure I'd port over my list that I compiled back in 2005. I posted my original in response to an MTV list of G.O.A.T. hip hop. The ones I listed aren't necessarily good, but are the tapes/CDs that most affected my musical tastes:
10.) How Ya Like Me Now? -- Kool Moe Dee
It may only be remembered for its title track and "Wild Wild West," but this was a landmark in my appreciation of hip hop. It was the first rap record (okay, it was a cassette) that I ever heard, and I immediately went out and got a pair of British Knights!
L.L. might have gone on to have the longer mainstream career (and honestly, I'm glad I never had to see Moe Dee star in S.W.A.T. and Deep Blue Sea), but I was always firmly in Moe's corner. Besides, I got Uncle L further down the list with a much better album than Bigger and Deffer.
9.) Mama Said Knock You Out -- L.L. Cool J
I didn't totally leave L.L. off the list. I was in eigth grade when Mama Said... came out, and I still can't think of a song to ride in a Jeep to better than "The Boomin' System." I think most people remember the title track and his electric "MTV Unplugged" performance.
When looking back at L's career, people will invariably place Radio or Bigger... at the top of their lists, and deservedly so. But for me, this is the record that defines his career. Plus it was the first hip hop album I ever bought on CD. Though, I still think L.L.'s acting career is something less than desirable.
8.) Black on Both Sides -- Mos Def
Speaking of rappers-cum-thespians:
I had a friend who was all about Blackstar; and as great as that first record was, Mos' solo debut was better.
The Mighty Mos Def's Blackstar collabos with Talib Kweli notwithstanding, Black on Both Sides is a record that only gets better with each listen. Plus, this record has one of my favorite hip hop songs of all time: "Mathematics:"
"Power-liftin powerless up, out of this, towerin inferno
My ink so hot it burn through the journal
I'm blacker than midnight on Broadway and Myrtle
Hip-Hop past all your tall social hurdles
like the nationwide projects, prison-industry complex
Broken glass wall better keep your alarm set
Streets too loud to ever hear freedom sing"
7.) Self: Volume One -- Mountain Brothers
I have to admit that I'm a little biased when it comes to these three brothers from Philly. But it was influential in my life because it was the first legitimate hip hop record from real Asian American MCs. From Peril-L's flow to Styles' humor to Chops' beats, this was a record that bled hip hop.
Unfortunately, a lot of people too easily dismiss Asian American hip hop as novelty acts (see Jin's rise and flameout), and the MBs never got their due before they went their seperate ways. Still, they took it to the Next Level when they rocked ODU back in '99!!
6.) Ghetto Music: The Blueprint of Hip Hop -- Boogie Down Productions
I had a hard time deciding which BDP album to represent. Criminal Minded is a hip hop classic. By All Means Necessary has the definitive BDP track "My Philosophy." And I feel that Edutainment was their strongest album top to bottom (and the Kwame Toure interludes on "Ya Strugglin" made quite an impression on me at the time).
But Ghetto Music was KRS-One's rawest exploration of hip hop to date. The beats are relentless, and classic tracks just come one after another ("Jack of Spades," "You Must Learn," "Bo! Bo! Bo!") and "Breath Control" is a seminal beat box classic.
5.) Like Water for Chocolate -- Common
Common has gotten a lot of press and critical acclaim with the release of his latest album Be. A lot of that probably has to do with the fact that his previous album, Electric Circus, was a commercial flop (even though I thought it was a sonically daring record). The other reason is because of it-producer and fellow Chi-town native Kanye West's involvement in the production. And even though Be is a really good album, it suffers from bearing too much of Ye's influence. While that's not a bad thing per se, it still doesn't represent Common as much as 2000's triumphant Like Water for Chocolate.
Musically and lyrically, this is Common's most enduring album. From the opening vocals by Miss Vinia Mojica on "Time Travelin" to the Mos Def collabo "The Questions" to the rawness of "Thelonious" and the heartache of "A Song for Assata" Chocolate demonstrated that Common's maturity as a lyricist and as an artist didn't peak with One Day it'll All Make Sense (another masterpiece of an album). Also, "The Light" is quite possibly the best hip hop ballad of all time (though the Roots' "You Got Me" might have claim to that title.)
4.) The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill -- Lauryn Hill
Some people might dismiss this as not really being a "hip hop" record. I think they're wrong. Just because Lauryn sings on Miseducation as much as she raps, it doesn't mean the album is any less relevant as a watershed moment in hip hop history. Her multiple Grammy awards paved the way for OutKast's win in 2004 for Speakerboxxx/The Love Below.
Aside from the album's historical precedence, it's simply a beautifully executed work of art. Completely void of filler, even the album's non-musical interludes/skits are vital and serve the message of the album -- (these skits involve a teacher and his students discussing love -- a lesson that Miss Hill seems to be absent for). And while there is plenty of R&B flavor throughout, tracks like "Lost Ones," "Superstar" and "Everything is Everything" is hip hop at its realest. And even though Lauryn fell off the map after this album's astronomical success, Miseducation has forever solidified her place as the Queen of hip hop.
3.) The Low End Theory -- A Tribe Called Quest
This was the first record that showed me hip hop could be something that is as artful as it is fun. Tribe was something different; I knew it the minute I saw the "Check the Rime" video on Yo! MTV Raps. The contrast between Q-Tip and Phife, the jazz beats laid down by Ali Shaheed Mohammad.
Undoubtedly, this was also a great party record. Fifteen years later and "Scenario" is still a track guaranteed to get any dance floor jumpin'. But it's the album's awareness that impressed me the most. Listening to the Last Poets speak about time underneath the beats of "Excursions," Tip taking a cue from Pablo Neruda's 20 Questions in "What?!" and the funky singing by Miss Vinia Mojica in "Verses from the Abstract" brought gravitas to hip hop. This is a seminal record.
2.) (tie) Illadelph Halflife/Things Fall Apart -- The Roots
I had a difficult time trying to decide which Roots record would ultimately end up on this list. Organix is, by definition, one of the greatest hip hop records ever made. But I felt it was dishonest to place that one on this list because I came to it after I had become a fan of the band.
I decided to include Illadeplh Halflife because it was the one that opened me -- and most of the world outside Philly -- to this amazing musical entity. That's the difficult thing about the Roots for me: everything they do is good. It's impossible to distinguish because each album has its own quality. For me, Illadelph reinvigorated my love for the music. I had become disillusioned with the way hip hop was being overrun with negativity and gangsta posturing. When the "What They Do" video dropped, it was like a n epiphany! Here was a group bringing musicianship and craft back into the art form.
Things Fall Apart took everything that was building since Organix and Do You Want More to a whole 'nother level. From the opening dialogue between Wesley Snipes' and Denzel Washington's Mo' Better Blues characters, to the discordant beats of both parts of "Table of Contents," the record is a nonstop assualt that, for me, elevated hip hop to a standard unseen since Coltrane was blowin' a sax. And the Grammy-winning single "You Got Me" is the most beautiful hip hop love song ever committed to wax. Period.
1.) Fear of a Black Planet -- Public Enemy
To this day, I have not heard an album -- of any genre -- as politically, sonically and emotionally charged as this hip hop masterpiece. The opening chords of "Contract on the World Love Jam" perfectly set the mood for the rest of the album. The Bomb Squad's production on this album is a testament to how great hip hop could be. It can be truly said that nothing ever sounded like Public Enemy before Public Enemy. But as great as the beats and samples were on Fear of a Black Planet, this album's greatest strength lied in its charismatic and inspirational frontman: Chuck D.
"Brothers Gonna Work it Out" is both angry and hopeful. "Welcome to the Terrordome" is the soundtrack for anyone who has ever suffered at the boot of opression and racism. "Power to the People" is the most conscious dance record ever recorded. And "Revolutionary Generation" -- a track that celebrated and empowered black women -- was indeed revolutionary at a time when hip hop was becoming increasingly misogynistic.
But the album's greatest triumph comes in the form of a song that was actually released a year earlier. The theme song to Spike Lee's groundbreaking film Do the Right Thing. The inclusion of "Fight the Power" -- truly an anthem for all people in the struggle -- solidified Fear of a Black Planet as something more than just a hip hop record. It was an important record. If anyone was unaware of the cancer of racism, "Fight the Power" was educational. If anyone was disgusted with the inequalies of class and race in America, "Fight the Power" was inspirational. With the release of this track -- quickly followed by the manifesto that was Fear of a Black Planet -- hip hop truly became more than a musical fad. Hip hop became a movement.
One minor nitpick. Your list should include Digital Underground's "Sex Packets."
Excellent! Now I can return the favor by sending a list of essential Rush/Pink Floyd/Moody Blues/O.A.R. tracks.
I needed somewhere to start, so thanks.
A few to add to the list, from a slightly more recent/more alternative perspective:
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
Charizma and Peanut Butter Wolf - Big Shots
Mos Def and Talib Kweli - Black Star
Notorious BIG - Ready to Die
The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
As you can see, TNC, you were mistaken in your album choice for Tribe. But your only cardinal sin was the omission of the Beastie Boys, who are critical.
Actually I think you pretty well covered it. I would really only add Blackstar, simply because it has held up so well, and is so accessible.
I see what you're doing with "hip hop for people who aren't hip hop fans." If you aren't a hip hop fan you might have some trouble recognizing the unique skills that MCs like Rakim and KRS bring to the table. And you're not going for "historical significance" pieces, so its totally defensible to leave out milestones like RUN-DMC, NWA, etc. Shit was groundbreaking but not likely to convert the uninitiated at this point. Also, even if you aren't a hip hop fan you've probably heard Snoop and Dre - and it didn't do it for you. So its fair for TNC to leave them off the list.
biggie - ready to die
mos def - black on both sides
jay z - the black album
fugees - the score
nas - illmatic
mos def & talib - black star
big pun – capital punishment (not the greatest overall album...but his word play is ridiculous)
kanye west – all of em'
(sigh I really wanted to put a lady on this list!)
As an essential album, Jay-Z's debut should be here over Blueprint. I love Blueprint, but Reasonable Doubt is to Jay what Illmatic was to Nas: an opening stanza to the career of a legend. Similarly, Blueprint is to Jay what Stillmatic was to Nas as well, but I'm getting off-topic.
I'd put the Wu's debut album over both Liquid Swords and Only Built 4....for similar reasons, but "The Chronic" and "Doggystyle" (or at the very least, the former should be included as well. Regardless of what one thinks of the subject matter, Dr. Dre's production on both albums was landscape-changing as far as hip-hop production goes. The G-Funk sound's been duplicated time and time again ever since.
My own list would go something like:
Eric B. and Rakim: Paid in Full
Dr. Dre: The Chronic
Jay-Z: Reasonable Doubt
Nas: Illmatic
Mobb Deep: The Infamous
Outkast: Aquemini (by a nose over ATLiens)
A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory
Common Sense: One Day It'll All Make Sense
Mos Def: Black on Both Sides
Ice Cube: Death Certificate
UGK: Ridin' Dirty
Notorious BIG: Ready to Die
2Pac: Me Against the World
De La Soul: 3 Feet High and Rising
Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the 36 Chambers
I love De La Soul but their catalog was so inconsistent. If only they merged the best tracks from 3 Feet and Is Dead...
I think I'm a half-generation behind you in terms of the epicenter of my hip hop love (excepting Outkast, which was ubiquitous in Atl. where I grew up) I think of your list as examples of "the classics" the essential bedrock that everybody who claims to love hip hop should know, but I learned about them after I feel in love with Blackstar, The Roots - Things Fall Apart, Common - Someday It'll All Make Sense. I also have a lot of West Coast love for a person from the east coast. As I loved Bone Thugs -- The Art of War, who I thought had an amazing, original sound. And I also unabashedly loved and still love The Chronic and Snoop's 1st album, vulgar and politically terrible as they both are.
You can see that I got into hip hop from the "conscious" side, but gradually stopped self-censoring, though only in directions that I judged artistically original enough to override any irritation their lyrics caused me. What can I say, I take words very seriously, but I don't judge as music is more various and profound in what it inspires in people than say, a political screed or even a poem.
I was listening to Liquid Swords on a long drive the other day & thinking: a) it's awesome; b) remembering back to the debate here over hip-hop's literary merits a few months back, the correct comparison is not to Shakespeare; it's to Homer. Hip-hop's a narrative form closely linked to musical accompaniment that distills the wisdom of a culture, incorporating elements from earlier poets; that forms clusters of language that get repeated & recycled like the Homeric epithets ("wine-dark sea" or "rosy-fingered dawn"); even the relationship to violence is analogous; what is the Iliad if not a record of history's founding gang war?
Thanks for making a cracker think.
I always find it telling when people who aren't children aren't familiar with the hip hop canon.
Most (8) of the lp's up there have big records that hit urban radio all over the country.
Person unaware of those lp's had to actively ignore the biggest popular culture in this country over the past 30 years.
Just to reiterate -
Black Star. Not Black on Both Sides or Reflection Eternal, even though both are truly great albums. Exhibit A: Thieves in the Night.
"Not strong, only aggressive/Not free, we only licensed/Not compassionate, only polite (now who the nicest?)/Not good but well-behaved/Chasin' after death so we could call ourselves brave, still livin' like mental slaves/Hiding like thieves in the night from life/Illusions of oasis making you look twice."
I would have kept Midnight Marauders.
I also think "Hard to Earn" should replace "Full Clip". Isn't Full Clip a greatest hits album?
I agree with others that the Chronic should be on there, especially if your going to include "Death Certificate" (although I personally prefer "Predator").
But on the whole this is about a solid a list as anyone could have come up with.
Not bad...actually better than I would have predicted! Glad to see EPMD on there...that music seems to get me too many speeding tickets!! Must be the bass-line..
May I humbly remind the old heads of 'Eyes on This' by MC Lyte. She took what Salt 'n Pepa did with 'I'll Take Your Man' and took it to a totally new realm.
In no order
De la Soul - Balloon Mind State
Nas – Illmatic
GZA - Liquid Swords
EPMD – Strictly Business
Beasties – Paul’s Boutique
Gang Starr – Hard To Earn
Dr. Dre – The Chronic
BDP – By Any Means Necessary
PE – It Takes A Nation
Ice Cube – Death Certificate
Fugees – The Score
Mobb Deep – Hell on Earth
Tribe – Low End Theory
The Roots – Illadelph Halflife
Wu Tang – 36 Chambers
Black Moon – Enta Da Stage
UMC – Critical Beatdown
Eric B. Rakim – Follow The Leader
Black Star – Reflection Eternal
Pete Rock – The main Indgrediant
Organized Konfusion – Stress The Extinction Agenda
Lauryn Hill - Miseducation
The Alkoholics - 21 and over
Redman - What Thee Album?
Common - Be
I can't believe Ready To Die isn't on there. Do you sincerely like all those albums more, or were you going for more accessible stuff so as not to scare older white people?
Also, I would have kept Midnight Marauders.
But a pretty good list.
"I also encourage people to create their own lists. Maybe at the end, we can come up with some sort of highly biased, unauthorative, unofficial master-list."
So someone did exactly that a few years ago (they polled a bunch of notable rap bloggers), and here were the results:
http://straightbangin.blogspot.com/2007/05/25-greatest-hip-hop-albums-of-all-time.html
Solid list. My biggest quibbles -- leaving off Boogie Down Productions (would be ok with Criminal Minded or By All Means Necessary). I also don't think you can have such a list without Eric B. and Rakim Paid in Full. There are other very, very solid albums that can easily make the list but in terms of revolutionizing hip hop at the time, those two deserve mention.
Yeah this kinda topic is dangerous. I would have to second an earlier observation on a glaring omition in terms of schooling a newcomer, no "The Chronic"???
Really???
No MF Doom? That's a damn shame.
I've never entirely acquired the taste for It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back. Fear of a Black Planet to me really took it to the next level -- that's where they learned how to harness all that sound they were throwing around.
"Person unaware of those lp's had to actively ignore the biggest popular culture in this country over the past 30 years."
I think this is way wrong. There are a lot of people who are firmly in the hip hop culture who don't even buy entire albums. Someone would have to actively be avoiding hip hop to not be familiar with Ice Cube's Death Certificate?
@Keith!!!
HEHEHE...Kool Moe Dee!! Yes!! I had forgotten all about my L.A. Gears!! I knew some of that good ole school was missing. hehe
Also, where is the BDK love!!?? 'Set it Off' on 'Long Live the Kane' was pre-Outkast carazee'.
I guess I'm trying to say that you can be a hip hop fan and not know the best Gang Star album to get. It certainly doesn't mean you are actively avoiding a certain aspect of pop culture if you don't.
oh man, just saw this post and there's already a lot of comments in just 40 min. Anyway lets get to it.
"There's a lot wrong with that list--it's rooted in the early to mid-90s, there aren't any women on there, and its skewed to the East Coast."
Number 1 : Nothing wrong w/ the list. Hip-hop was created to allow those in the struggle (whom were a minority at the time) to say what you felt and to express yourself. So no apologies.
Number 2: early to mid nineties is THE best point, the pinnacle of hip hop, though I would expand a little, 1987-1994. Before is the Golden era when it was forming, and after is the demise. No one likes to talk about the demise, especially the young bloods, because they feel outkasted that they didn't grow up in the pinnacle. Nas was a good deal late with his album HipHop is Dead, but I ain't mad or sorry, I still play all those albums in the past because they don't die, and I don't pay attention to most of whats going on today. And I say 'most', so no one make me an absolutist.
Number 3: There are no albums by women that are at the top of the list. I know how this must sound, but as I said in point #1 no apologies. MC Lyte, SaltnPep, Missy Elliot, Queen Latifah do not contend w/ the tops albums of hip hop. People will quickly say Lauryn Hill, but the Score was more of group w/Pras and Wycle at their best, and her solo has a lot of r&b and pop elements.
Number 4: Hip Hop was born in the east coast, Queens Bridge or the Bronx, that's up for debate, so naturally its the mecca and there are certain influences that have manifested from the environment. West coast and the South have definitely made contributions, respect due.
Now the list (no part order)
1. Nas-Illmatic
2. B.I.G.-Ready to Die
3. Wu-tang Clan-36 Chambers
Rae-Only Built
Ghostface-Ironman
GZA-Liquid Swords
ODB-Return
4. Eric B & Rakim-Paid in Full
5. Run DMC- Run DMC
6. Mobb Deep-Infamous
7. Tribe-Midnight
8. Outkast-Aquemini
9. De La-(tough one)Stakes
10. Jay Z-Reasonable
11. Beastie Boys-Ill Communication
12. Too Short-(tough one) Born to Mack
13. Dr Dre-Chronic
14. Biz Mark-Make the Music
15. UGK-Super Tight
16. Digable-Blowout Comb
17. Gang Starr-Step in the Arena
18. The Roots-Do You Want More
19. Mos & Talib-Black Star
20. Public Enemy-It takes a Nation
21. EPMD-Strictly Business
22. KRS-Criminal Minded
Notable Mention: Pharcyde-Bizarre, Tupac-Greatest Hits (no solid album), Master P, TRU-Greatest hits (no solid album, Geto Boys-Geto Boys, Group Home-Livin Proof, Bambaataa, UMC-Critical
I may have gone over board but fuck it. Out of roughly a decade's worth of hip hop you need these couple dozen albums
Two more cents: I find it interesting that most of us go to the late 90s/early 00s to pick out female hip hop artists who deeply influence/re-define the genre. I don't think this is flawed as I think it reflects a truth, but I do think it's interesting. The few female hip hoppers here are not only MC's, but also singers. Folks have already mentioned Lauryn Hill's Miseducation, but I would also include Jill Scott's debut, which was inventive, original, musically astonishing and damn near perfect.
Oh, and I know Snoop isn't taken very seriously anymore, but Doggystyle is a classic as well.
A very solid list Mr. Coates, with one glaring omission.
"By any means necessary" by BDP.
I mean it has My Philosphy, Stop the Violence, I'm still #1, and Jimmy. The album is is just so damn '88 (and 808) that I can't see it not on the list.
Great list! Everyone has their own faves but this is a solid list for any wannabe hip-hip head.
Me, I always put Wyclef's The Carnival and Lauryn's Miseducation with The Fugee's The Score, all three masterpieces IMO and sort of go together. And yeah, you do have female MCs there with Lauryn Hill, she had a short career but she was the best of all time as a female MC and IMO would give any male MC a run for their money, because not only could she flow but she could sing like nobody's business. Man, I miss Lauryn Hill...
Best Kanye album is the Sky High album of remixes that came out a few months back, that shit is dope.
Oh yeah, as someone already mentioned, you forgot Wu 36 Chambers, which considering what you've written before, we can only assume you left off by mistake...
Representing the West Coast, I echo the call for Pharcyde, "Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde." Some others that might not be approved by the East Coasters here...Souls of Mischief, "'93 til Infinity." I think The Coup definitely deserves a place, and my favorite is "Steal this Album."
On the East Coast, I also add Digable Planets, "Reachin'," I think it is.
I have my differences (probably would've left Teh Roots off completely, or chosen ...Do You Want More?!; probably would've added The Chronic; might've gone with some G Rap or Kane; would've probably chosen Buhloone Mindstate over 3 Ft. High...; would've probably chosen Paul's Boutique over a couple of things; would've added Public Enemy). But I have as many or more problems with the titles suggested here in the comments section.
I think, for what it's worth, it's a pretty good and accessible list.
I would throw in Lupe Fiasco's the Cool and I'd also mention The New Danger (Mos Def). They're just good albums.
Am I the only man alive who prefers PE's "Apocalypse 91" to "Nation"? It's a criminally underrated album, between Nighttrain, Shut Em Down, By the Time I get to Arizona, etc.
For whatever its worth:
Common - Like Water For Chocolate
GZA - Liquid Swords
Blackstar
Jurassic 5 - Power in Numbers
Madvillain - Madvillainy
De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising
Wu Tang Clan - 36 Chambers
Outkast - Stankonia
Great list TNC, and to all the commenters, remember that the mission was a list of "essentials", not a "greatest of all time" list, so yeah, it is and should be skewed to the foundations of hip-hop over the new stuff. That said, to the people who want Kanye and T.I. on there-- Come on, man. Please.
One absolute must-add is "Ready to Die". The most seminal and one of the most influential rap albums ever produced. I think Tupac can be left off, not because he's not as good as BIG, but because there is no single Pac album that defines the artist and the career like Ready to Die does for Biggie.
I would also agree with "Paid in Full".
Two things that I personally would like to see on there, but which I will admit are more personal than objective, are something by Big L and something by Wu-Tang. Two more from that same era who were instrumental in the development of the craft. Peace.
Ok, no Classic hip-hop albums list, or any hip-hop albums list can leave out "The Chronic." I detect east coast bias.
Also, as others have said, no Rakim!?
My additions to those already listed:
--The Chronic
--The Slim Shady LP (first Eminem album blew me away...I like him when he truly didn't give a F-)
--BlackStar's "Reflection Eternal"
--Ghostface's "Fishscales" --best hip-hop album of last 5 years and 2nd only to Blueprint as best of the new century.
--Pete Rock and CL Smooth's "Mecca and the Soul Brother"
And of course....
Paid in Full
Interestingly this list covers a good chunk of what I've assembled by hitting up Pandora and doing my best to restrict myself to artists that came up in the 90s (with a little bit of wiggle room on both ends). It's a really great way for anyone who wants to learn more about hip-hop (or any other music for that matter) because it'll lead you along with only a bit of wrangling. Plus it's free.
While I think you've got a great list (and hey, The Fugees had a female artist, so why are you so worried?), the only glaring omission I noticed was Enter the 36 Chambers. Biggie is important as well, but that's excusable if you want to stick to the early 90s (which was admittedly one of the most formative eras in hip-hop).
Once again, thanks for poking at this stuff every so often. It's been great encouragement for my own exploration.
Growing up rural and white didn't give me a lot of exposure to legit hip hop over my formative years, but I have to agree with astroninja about PE's "Apocalypse 91", great great stuff.
Stretched to give myself a pat on the back after reading the list, I have three of the albums on it memorized from years and am familiar with a couple more. This from a suburban dad, owner of a small business and father of three.
Thanks for the rest of the suggestions guys, will be updating itunes tonight with a whole new playlist.
/bows
As I understood, this was a list for "non-hip-hop fans"
Otherwise, 36 Chambers from the Wu is a MUST.
But I'd hardly say it's accessable.
One needs a few listens (and a few puffs) to truly appreciate the magic of that album....
Plus, it might be a bit of a shock to hear Meth threaten to "sew your asshole shut and keep feedin you, and feedin you, and feeedin you"......
sorta shocked by the Blueprint over Reasonable Doubt choice.
The Score is an incredible testament to the prowess of one Lauren Hill.
the south snub is a shame, but we're all human. Cee-Lo, Devin, Scarface, early Juve and UGK have all put down some pretty remarkable efforts over the years.
I'm going to go a little different and do my favorite songs. These aren't necessarily songs I think are the best representations of hip-hop, just the ones I like.
chill - epmd
93 'till infinity - souls of mischief
everyday people (remix) - arrested development
T.R.O.Y. - pete rock and cl smooth
catch a bad one - del the funky homosapien
soul food - goody mob
mic checka (remix) - das efx
come clean - jeru
speak ya clout - gang starr
this or that - black sheep
potholes in my lawn - de la soul
can i kick it? - tribe called quest
jimmi diggin cats - digable planets
As you can see, I don't care much for recent stuff.
Oh shit! Left out The Chronic? That's gotta be there. Easily top ten album of all-time in terms of quality, much less how influential it was. Without The Chronic, you never would have had Ready To Die...speaking of which, I gotta have Biggie's Ready to Die on my list...
Also, it should be noted that there *are* Wu-Tang albums on there - Only Built... and Liquid Swords. It's not like the crew is underrepresented.
And I notice now that Nation Of Millions is up there, I had overlooked it before. I would go with Fear Of A Black Planet, personally, but it's splitting hairs.
Dead Prez? Souls Of Mischief? Mos Def? Pharcyde? Come on now.
Just lost a longer comment, but in the time I was writing, a lot of my albums were mentioned. More Buhloone Mind State love, respect for Souls of Mischief and Hiero, Jurassic 5 (although I'd pick the EP), Digable Planets (I'd agree with Reachin', but I feel like Blowout Comb would be the majority view), adding to the Coup love with a Kill My Landlord pick...
One thing that is missing in the comments is Solesides/Quannum. Blackalicious - Melodica, Lyrics Born - Later That Day, or Dj Shadow - Endtroducing could be on there.
I agree that lists of albums are gonna miss a lot of mcs that never put out an album, or if they did, they haven't put out a consistent, great album. What about including a compilation - like Soundbombing or Lyricist Lounge - to catch some of those people?
And if we're using an expansive definition of hip hop, I'd add a Herbalizer album. Either Blow Your Headphones for the Jean Grae tracks, or Very Mercenary for an incredible turntablism album.
Amazing, in that I would've included half of TNC's choices on my own list. THANK YOU for including Illadelph Halflife, which is criminally underappreciated. My additions:
Wu-Tang - 36 Chambers
Ghostface - Fishscale
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
Black Star
Madvillainy
Those first 3 definitely have to be on some sort of master list. To echo a commenter above, Fishscale is probably the best this decade. Paul's Boutique took sampling to a new level, and 36 Chambers is the definition of seminal, and is still the RZA's best work.
Solid effort, but I think you have to include 36 Chambers for what it represents and the quality of the songs. Mine would have included Strictly Business rather than Unfinished, Ready to Die and Straight Outta Compton.
The list scary close to my own personal one though.
@Buddy Toledo
Props for introducing "Endtroducing." While probably not a hip=hop album in the sense that there's little in the way of lyrics, anyone who appreciates a talented DJ (and I don't mean some clown who spins other peoples records and yells, "NEW SHIT!") AND great beats MUST own this album.
Given it's release date, it's even more remarkable compared what other so-called beat-makers where creating (think songs with bitten 80's choruses).
I've also noticed many argue that "Fear of a Black Planet" is the more important PE album. Not even close. Takes a Nation of Millions was far more seminal in the sense that the Bomb Squad production just obliterated everything you'd previously heard from a hip-hop album. Also, the songs are more relevant and impactful. People are still using "Night of the Living Baseheads" "Black Steel" and "Rebel Without a Pause" for their films, tv programs and documentarys.
Better yet, has a hip-hop album sample Slayer since?
There's no filler on "Takes a Nation" while "Fear of a Black Planet" has 3-4 songs to throw away.
"Takes a Nation" is for PE what "Aquemini" is for Outkast, it's the proverbial cut-off point for when you became a fan. If your first PE album was "Fear of a Black Planet" then you got hip cause you were too young or didn't catch on early to PE. "Fear" is a more commerical ablum but "Takes a Nation" is better and bolder.
Same thing with Outkast, Stankonia was the commerical turning point, but any Outkast fan who'd been with them since Southerplayalistic knows that Aquemini is their high point as a true duo.
re: anxiety over lack of female artists, I haven't seen anyone mention Missy. I'm an indie douchebag, so I don't know where she stands in terms of hip-hop canons, but Supa Dupa Fly made SPIN's top 100 albums of the '90s, which has to count for something, right? Right?
First thought - no Rakim?! That's one person I don't think you could ever leave off.
-
Re: Tribe
Man - I can never really decide between Theory and Marauders. I'd have added them both.
Also re: ladies
I'd have added the Queen's Black Reign and Bahamadia and Jean Grae's EP.
And as far as Jay and OutKast - Volume 2 and ATLiens are much stronger works. Aquemini's love is mostly commercial, which to me is always a bit dubious.
I would add:
Boogie Down Productions - By All Means Necessary
Pac - Me Against the World
Wu - 36 Chambers (though I'm of the mind that 8 Diagrams is their greatest work, but won't include it officially since ODB isn't on it).
I searched for "Ultramagnetic" and "Octagon" in this thread; finding none, I can confidently suggest Critical Beatdown and Dr. Octagon, respectively.
For me, the perfect album is either Low End Theory or Fear of a Black Planet.
Good list. I might've gone with Fear of Black Planet over Nation of Millions, but it's hard to go wrong with either. And for sentimental reasons I would've included Three Times Dope's Original Stylin'- though I haven't heard it in years and have no idea if it holds up.
@Buddy Toledo, wb44
The stuff that came out of the Bay area was seriously awesome. Heiro and Soulsides artists were most of what I listened to in high school. However, I'm kind of willing to give Ta-Nehisi the benefit of the doubt here as his list seems to be pretty East Coast oriented. Someone should put up West Coast and Dirty South lists as well.
@Jordan, Buddy
Also saw a Lyrics Born back in 06 and dude put on a hell of a show. Bay Area def. gets slept on....Some great underground artists..
Minor quibble, that I've seen pop up a couple times. There is no BlackStar- reflection eternal. Reflection eternal is a Talib Kweli joint. "black star" is the self titled album from mos and talib. I only point it out because both were great and so its not obvious to me which people are saying should be on the list
Yo, I just finished reading the posts(all good albums) and I have to shout out Too Short and UGK.
Dre and Tupac usually get West coast love, but I think Too Short is better. And in the South, Outkast hands down, I think we all agree on that, but UGK is 1A, and a lot in the south consider them #1
one love
@wb44
At the time, that was exactly what I liked about them. I was in high school between '97 and '02, basically the height of commercial gansta hip-hop. So getting to listen to a bunch of artists who were nearly the antithesis of that mindset appealed me at the time. It also may have had something to do with growing up in Seattle where the Bay Area seemed a lot more similar to my environment than SoCal or the East Coast.
Oh yeah, and I echo the commentors who call for 36 chambers to be on the list. That album got more rotation from me than any other album likely ever will, but I didnt mention it initially because from the previous Wu thread i got the impression that TNC ranks it below liquid swords and the purple tape and thus it wouldn't make the list.
@Green
That was me messing up BlackStar's eponymous release (shit, it's actually just, Mos Def and Talib Kweli are BlackStar)...
For some reason I got it confused.. Kweli's solo joint was hot, but to me, neither he nor Mos have reached the heights of their BlackStar efforts since.
While I initiated joined the chorus that called for 36 Chambers, if Ta-Nehisi is trying to make this list an introduction to hip-hop, I can understand it. When I first listened to Enter the 36 Chambers, it didn't do much for me. The production particularly didn't jibe. After going out and listening to a lot of the other Wu solo efforts, coming back to 36 Chambers felt a lot more organic. Though it's rare, there are times that working back through an artist's catalog instead of the other way around can be fruitful.
Jay Z-The Blueprint above Nas- Illmatic???
Are you serious? Illmatic is the only Rap album that can be described as a "classic". I made it listen to my 15 old brother, and he could believe the skills from Nas. I would have to forcefull disagree with your selection there!
Surprised no one is mentioning Common - Resurrection. I like most of Common's albums, but this is the one I keep coming back to. I love the old school, dusty beats, and the wordplay is fantastic. I never get sick of 'I Used to Love H.E.R. I'd agree that Like Water for Chocolate is excellent as well, and put it at a close second.
I would also add, in addition to the multitude of other suggestions:
Zion I - Mind over Matter
One Be Lo - S.O.N.O.G.R.A.M.
TNC:
A deserving winner.
Between 36 Chambers, The Chronic, Ready To Die, and Doggystyle, you really stayed away from the iconic albums.
What, no P.M. Dawn? I cry ... (when midnight sighs)
I am soooo white.
No one seems to have any issue with the Fugees on this list. And I might have agreed - but I recently put The Score on the turntable and I couldn't believe how badly it had aged. I'm with the commenter who prefers Miseducation - not just musically, but it was certainly more "important," at least in the sense of mainstream breakthrough.
TNC,
Usually you're the man, but I completely dissaprove of Illmatic not being higher on that list. The Blueprint a better album than Illmatic?!?!?!?
Plus, you can't like Illadelphia Half-Life and like The Low End Theory and NOT HAVE MOS DEF ON THAT LIST. He took the best of both those albums and created Black on Both Sides.
TNC, seeing Aquemini top the list (yeah yeah no particular order smorder, it popped in your head first, didn't it?) has just solidified my opinion that you're a solid dude.
Ready to Die is a hip hop staple.
Did someone above say that Lauryn's "Miseducation" has been debated here? Really?? Must have been before my time - what's there to debate?? Yeah, she's off the reservation now, but "Miseducation" is timeless, hell its EDUCATIONAL.
Tough list to make. I agree with all the top spots but would like to add one typical omission that's a true classic:
Smif-n-Wessun- Dah Shinin
Much like The Infamous..., this album still holds up after all these years. Da Beatminerz were on top of their game with some of the illest beats ever heard, not to mention Tek and Steele spitting solid, clever lyrics on every joint. I still play it from start to finish, not too many others I can say that about.
Also, 36 Chambers needs to be on.
GAPeach,
I think the issue that was debated was whether or not it was a hip hop or R&B album. I could be wrong about that, but I think that's what the issue was.
Abdi,
The list was presented in no particular order.
Yeah, I'm pretty ashamed that I didn't call out Illmatic....I tried to rationalize leaving it out, but you just can't......It probably deserves a slot in the top 5.....
@Stacy
Yeah, I can see how that question would cause a healthy debate. She does both seamlessly on the album IMO, but that's neither here nor there - I do not want to be accused of thread hijacking.
Thx!
I like the list. I can actually get with everything on this list.
I wish Ultramagnetic MC's The Four Horsemen were on the list, Two Brothers With Checks is all kinds of goodness!
There were a couple provisos here: essential hip-hop works that might appeal to the non-fan and albums (not singles). This eliminates a number of artists, even ones I love.
That said, I think y'all have nailed it. I would agree with the suggestions above of adding Paul's Boutique, Illmatic, Enter the 36 Chambers, Endtroducing..., and works from Run DMC (probably Raising Hell ) and Kanye (I'd go with Late Registration), but they're all interesting.
And you got to add Biggie; Tupac never did anything for me (sorry).
This list is supposed to be about essential classics that have stood the test of time, but I will also point out that the most interesting guy working right now (IMHO) is Charles Hamilton, who has been releasing mixtapes at a furious pace.
I'm not mad at this list or anyone else's but not even a mention of Slick Rick's "Great Adventures Of"? Not many weak cuts on that record.
Echo the BDP and Kane love. I think to be a truly representative list for the hip hop novice, the list necessarily has to include albums from several eras. You could argue that something from even further back (Sugarhill, Cold Crush) should be considered, however the pre-1985/86 period was so driven by 12" rather than LP so it's hard to pin down one actual standout full-length.
Personal preference but I could make a case for several Master Ace albums although perhaps not in the vein of newcomers to hip hop - he certainly makes a "Slept On" Top 15.
And speaking of veins...Cannibal Ox wouldn't be a bad choice from the more modern era.
Straight Outa Compton was the record of the 90s.
You cannot leave out Snoop Dogg's Gin and Juice + Murder Was the Case, and which big-bootied woman can ever forget that great Sir Mix a Lot tribute???
I like your list. I like Reasonable Doubt over Blueprint, way better production. I'd add:
Pharcyde-Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde
The Roots-Things Fall Apart
NWA-Straight Outta Compton
Massive Attack-Blue Lines (I know it's not pure Hip Hop, but damn this album was a blueprint for 90's hip hop. These guys were way ahead of the curve.)
Lupe Fiasco-it's a toss up between The Cool and Food & Liquor
People Under The Stairs-O.S.T.
LIttle Brother-The Minstrel Show
Murs-Murs 3:16
Wyclef-The Carnival
I take umbrage at the absence of Slum Village and Camp Lo. I'd probably take Midnight Marauders over Low End Theory, too, because I find it to be a much more complete and consistent record. When I listen to Low End, I find myself skipping to the two-three tracks I really enjoy.
This topic is so near to my heart, so nebulous and disputable, that Ive been avoiding it since it was posted.
I'll just say I would have gone with ATLiens over Aquemini, Daily Operation over Full Clip, and Things Fall Apart over Illadelph, but good list man.
Is this rap that folks will like or rap that's supposed to provide folks with a good introduction to rap or rap that's supposed to provide folks with a good introduction to rap while simultaneously avoiding offending their sensibilities?
The Roots are coming to my college, bitches! The Notorious Tight.Wadd.Ed. Stefan will actually be shelling out to see this.
Even with BIG's "Ready to Die" absent from your list, I'd still say it's a damn good starting point for anyone looking to introduce their ears to pure hip-hop gold.
There's always fuss when it comes to ranking Midnight Marauders and The Low End Theory on lists like these. I'm a Low End fan myself. And while their both extremely dope albums, the difference, to me, is that The Low End is more of a headphone banger, while Marauders is the get up, experience out loud kinda album.
I'm sorry but these 3 Albums need to be on a Hip-Hop list:
Boogie Down Productions - Edutainment
Brand Nubians - All For One
Poor Righteous Teachers - Holy Intellect
Awesome. Thanks. I'm a 34-year old white guy who's just now really getting into hip hop and I'm too embarrassed to ask anybody I know for tips on the really good stuff, so this is great list for me.
Jeru - The Sun Rises in the East
Madvillainy
And I'll second everyone's love Paul's Boutique. It really pushed sampling into what we know it to be today.
long live the kane-big daddy kane
criminal minded-boogie down productions
resurrection-common
the score-the fugees
reasonable doubt-jay z
lyte as a rock-mc lyte
cuts for luck and scars for freedom-mystic
straight outta compton-nwa
illmatic-nas
ready to die-notorious big
stankonia-outkast
fear of a black planet-public enemy
doggystyle-snoop dog
all eyez on me-tupac
g funk era-warren g
the miseducation of lauryn hill-lauryn hill
My 2 pennies:
Add Mos Def
Replace The Score with Carnival (I think it's better)
Add Pharcyde
Completely agree that Aquemeni is number 1, followed closely by Illmatic
And my personal list would include Blackalicious - Nia, but that's just me.
I'm definitely feeling the concept of writing a top x list for hip hop albums, and yours is an admirable attempt to give a lil' somethin somethin to the n00bz out there. When I was a hip-hop buyer at my old record store we used to have a grading system for albums (long story short, amazing/classic/historic albums are "5 LPs" and perfect albums get 6). The idea is supposed to be that some albums are historic without being perfect (free of shit you wouldn't fast forward through on re-listens). We had a 'panel' to come up with this stuff and we still never agreed. That said, I offer up my own list in no real order, with the obvious caveat that since I came up a decade later than TNC in a different hip-hop environment the bias will be different (for example, I arrived a lil' too late and will never understand the fascination w/ Cube. Sad as it may be, he's just the dude in the Friday flicks to me).
1. Jay-Z: Reasonable Doubt/ Blueprint in a dead heat (5)
2. Nas: Illmatic (5)
3. Tribe: Low End Theory (6)
4. Eric B & Rakim: Paid in Full (5)
5. Immortal Technique:Revolutionary Vol.2 (5)
6. BlackStar (5)
7. 2pac: Me Against the World (5)
8. B.IG.: Ready to Die (5)
9. Kanye: College Dropout (5)
10. Lauryn: Miseducation (5)
11. Fugees: The Score (5)
12. Outkast: Stankonia (5)
13. Common: Water for Chocolate (5)
14. Kweli: Reflection Eternal (5)
15. The Roots: Things Fall Apart (5)
From this 50 something white dude who's center of music is always shifting
Paul's Boutique-Beastie Boys
The Chronic- Dr. Dre
Blue Lines- Massive Attack
Okay, time now for your favorite Punk albums of all time. (psssst. Clash's London Calling!!!)
TNC,
your list is official. no real gripes. i think midnight bangs harder than low end theory, but that's cause i came of age in the 90s. I can't think of a logical way to order this, but here goes mine:
1. Makaveli (I don't have the thug life tattoo, but would argue that this cat is the most gifted social conscious hip hop artist ever. He's also the wrote some of the most ignorant lines ever)
1.a Big Ready to Die (flow was all net from deep. stories got into the mind of a felony waiting to happen)
2. Blueprint (but she don't get a nigga back like that)
3. Aquemini (ill)
4. Blackstar
4a 36 Chambers
5. Death Certificate
6. Documentary
7. Illmatic (this is number 3 for real)
8. (Illadelph Halflife) did you hear about a queen named ameni
9. midnight marauders
10. southernplayalistic cadallac funky music
OMG!!WTF!!!1! NO X-CLAN XODUS??!? Tot he east my brother to the east!!?!
This IS protected... by the RED... the BLACK... and the GREEN...
(SISSY!!!)
Brotha TNC, whatcha say?
yo i'm feelin a lot of the picks on the list . . . but i must agree with a lot of people in terms of albums like black on both sides, black star, ready to die, miseducation, anything by ghostface and a wu album. as far as de la, apparently i'm the only person who prefers stake is high to all their other albums. i do think atliens is better than aquemini, and come on, reasonable doubt is jay-z's best album, even for a man who has a lot of great albums. as for gangstarr, full clip, tho a comp, is the best release guru had.
so my list would look something like this (no order):
1. reasonable doubt
2. black on both sides
3. fishscale
4. stakes is high
5. full clip
6. atliens
7. miseducation
8. wu-tang forever
9. things fall apart
10. save this spot for a new cat - wale, blu, kanye, or weezy. TBD.
KRS already made an album called Blueprint...so I'd swap that for MosDef's Black on Both Sides. I'm with Keith on Mathmatics being one of my favorite jams.
Add paid in full and the roots album be things fall apart and also add Blackstar and Like water for chocolate. Redman's Whut?
Love the thread, nice list TNC.
Mos Def
All I'm gonna say.
This obviously begs the question - what are the most essential Wu-Tang albums.
My votes:
Everything by Ghostface
Wu Tang Forever
36 Chambers
Liquid Swords
Cuban Linx
Method Man deliberately excluded. Yeah, that's right.
@zorak
Method has a few good solo tracks to his name, but he's definitely better in combination with others. Blackout is a great album.
OK, my hip-hop knowledge is abysmal but I spent some time listening to a lot of underground stuff at one point and I have to mention Aceyalone's "Book of Human Language." An epic concept album and he actually pulls it off.
@ mr. shrimp.
agreed. love aceyalone. one of the most beloved hip-hop aliens.
I haven't seen too many ladies besides Lauryn, so I would like to suggest:
1.Jean Grae - Attack of the Attacking Things
2.Rah Digga - Dirty Harriet
3.Remy Ma - There's Something About Remy...
Unfortunately, it's really hard to find a good female MC, since record labels tend to mold them into either cartoonish hoes (Lil' Kim, Foxy Brown) or almost asexual beings (Missy Elliot, Da Brat).
"Jay Z-The Blueprint above Nas- Illmatic???
Are you serious?"
"Usually you're the man, but I completely dissaprove of Illmatic not being higher on that list. The Blueprint a better album than Illmatic?!?!?!?"
No disrespect, but if you're going to be pissed, at least read the whole post. Especially the part where I said, "in no particular order."
I read through all the comments and really have no beef with anybody's selections, especially considering I haven't listened to everything in hip hop ( I was 5 years late on Outkast and I'm from the South ). Anyway, I was surprised that no one mentioned BDP Live, Hardcore Worldwide. That album to me is the essence of hip hop. Live MCing and DJing, getting the crowd hyped, etc. I think for the uninitiated (that is who this list is for BTW), this is where you start. The first hip hop tape I ever bought (just through dumb luck) was Paid in Full. I've been spoiled ever since. BTW, if you ever do a list of jazz albums for people who aren't jazz fans it begins and ends with Miles Davis 'Kind of Blue'
Lots of overlap, and total agreement on Aquemini as a masterpiece. Here's mine (in order)
1. Outkast - Aquemini
2. Nas - Illmatic (secret weapon: only 30something minutes, why don't more artists just repeat on this formula?)
3. The Coup - Steal This Album
4. KMD - Mr. Hood
5. Jay-Z - The Blueprint
6. De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead
7. Wu Tang - 36 Chambers
8. MF Doom - Doomsday
9. Dr. Dre - The Chronic
10. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt
11. Hieroglyphics - 3rd Eye Vision
12. Ghostface - Pretty Toney
13. Outkast - Southernplayalistic
14. Black Star
15. Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride
That's a great point - BDP Live is the best (only?) live rap record. It really does capture how powerful Kris was on stage. He could really rock a crowd better than anyone.
The rest of the comment section is lost in the weeds - but maybe proving the point. On a blog post listing rap records for folks who don't listen to rap, the majority of suggestions here eschew genre-defining classics for the kind of albums favored by white rock critics and college professors. I think it's important to evaluate rap on its own terms, not just the terms that agree with your lifestyle or morals. To read some of these lists, you might wonder what all the fuss about violence and misogyny was about. It is what it is, not just what we want it to be.
A lot of these records just have no business on a "hip-hop primer for the uninitiated" list. Lupe Fiasco? Jurassic 5? Really?
Lastly, I can't really understand the mass love for Fishscale. It's a good record, sure - but nothing near the dusted brilliance of Supreme Clientele (or even Ironman, imho). Just because something came out in the last 5 years, and can prove to some that hip-hop has some life left in it yet, doesn't - to me - mean that it should bump off albums that are better on the merits.
[/rant]. No offense intended. I'll go back to loudly reciting lyrics on the 4 train now. :D
The Roots have a pretty shitty live album, although a friend at the show said the concert was great. The Coup has a good live album. Lyricist Lounge has some live tracks, or maybe I was fooled.
Personally, I wrote what I like and listen to. Trying to add albums outside my personal preferences would be just be repeating others determinations of what's great, and that's how stuff gets overrated.
But I don't know why Jurassic 5 doesn't have any business on this list. A hip hop list without Cut Chemist seems wrong to me. And if you're talking about hip hop performed live, you need to see Cut Chemist.
I'm glad somebody remembered Bahamadia's Kollage.
Of course, thinking about live shows reminds me why I don't have any business making a list like this. I saw the 98 tour of Lyricist Lounge in Philly, which was a great line-up. Eminem rhymed, and didn't stand out to me at all. Pretty soon after that, he was bigger than everybody else at that show.
Thanks for this, TNC. As someone who appreciates the genre but doesn't have a particularly strong love for it, I'll spend some time on this list and see where it leads me (we'll see if you have more influence on my tastes than my good friends who are far more hip-hop oriented than I.) I'm curious to see what they think of your list, though I already know one of my best friends will take major issue with you listing Aquemini over ATLiens.
Haven't read the comments but I want to mention that Doggystyle is arguably the most accessible rap album out there. I bought the tape when it was released (back when I was in the 3rd grade, unbeknowst to my parents!) and it has been a staple ever since. Finally saw Snoop live last summer and he did at least half the album, it's still so $$$.
All my faves that were omitted have already been mentioned save one: EFIL4ZAGGIN
Yeah, I know it's misogynistic, nihilistic, violent, and stupid but damn if it wasn't one of the most listenable hip-hop albums ever.
I wouldn't put doggystyle on the list, because even though it is a really good album, if you don't listen to much hip hop, I would think the misogyny on that album could be pretty shocking. I remember even as a pretty unscrupulous teenager listening to that album the first few times thinking, man this dude really don't think very highly of women does he? I suspect that any number of those cuts could turn a lot of newcomers off.
Also, regarding live albums, the Jigga unplugged was pretty good. Not classic or anything,but since you guys were discussing it...
Also, I'm shocked by lack of love for Gang Starr's "Moment of Truth" both the album and the song. At a low moment in my life it was like the Guru was speaking directly to me:
Suicide? Nah, I'm not a foolish guy
Don't even feel like drinking, or even gettin high
Cause all that's gonna do really, is accelerate
the anxieties that I wish I could alleviate
But wait, I've been through a whole lot of other shit, before
So I oughta be able, to withstand some more
Pure poetry.
For the females Rah and Remmy (love her on the anti-up remix) are alright but MC Lyte's Lyte As a Rock and Latifah's All Hail the Queen are best in class.
I know this isn't in any particular order but Aquemini really is #1 on my personal list so your list is good in my book. I'm always weary of people who don't recognize the beauty of that album.
obligatory white jew pushing aes rock
And I'm sleeping now (Wow!) And the settlers laugh
You won't be laughing when your covered wagons crash
You won't be laughing when the buzzards drag your brother's flags into rags
You won't be laughing when your front lawn is spangled with epitaphs
You won't be laughing
And I hang my boots to rest when I'm impressed
So I triple knot 'em then forgot 'em
This origami dream is beautiful
but man those wings will never leave the ground
Without a feather and a lottery ticket, now settle down
In no particular order (we'll actually there is a bit of a timeline).
Run DMC Raising Hell
LL Cool J Radio
Public Enemy It takes a Nation
ICe-T Power
NWA Ni99as 4 Life
2pac 2pacalypse/ me against the world
ICe Cube Death Certificate
Dre Dre The Chronic
Mac Dre California Living
Nas Illmatic
OutKast Southernplayesticcadilacfunkymusic
UGK Hard to Swallow
Geto Boys - We can't be stopped
Souls of Mischief 93 til
Too Short Get in Where you Fit in
Snoop Doggy Style
Black Moon- enta Da Stage
Biggie Ready to Die
DMX It's Dark and Hell is Hot
and by the time you get to this album you should have developed you're own taste and can go from there.
wow i'm late to this, but to echo others, if you're gonna have Outkast in there, i think it should be ATliens.
totally disagree with you on that. SouthernPlayistic was a much better album from begining to end, I don't think there is a single track I would skip 5mics no doubt. Atliens was a solid sophmore effort but just doesn't measure up to the groups first outing. Also I had to slap myself for not putting wu-tang 36chambers on my original list. I think I need may need someone to come punch me in the face for that mental lapse.
Also I had to slap myself for not putting wu-tang 36chambers on my original list. I think I need may need someone to come punch me in the face for that mental lapse.
I'll sew your asshole shut and keep feedin' ya and feedin' ya . . .
What about DMX - It's Dark and Hell is Hot??? That album is a banger front to back!!!!!!
It is silly to acknowledge that your list is flawed because it doesn’t have any women on it, when there is Lauryn Hill, The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill. Make her number 15, and you’ll still be keeping it real: we’ll assume you just forgot! Come on baby, light my fire…
Dr. Dre – The Chronic
Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle
Black Sheep – A Wolf in Sheeps Clothing
DMX – It’s Dark and Hell is Hot
Kanye West – The College Dropout
Eminem – The Slim Shady LP
Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
Tupac – All Eyes on Me
Rage Against the Machine – Evil Empire
Jay-Z – The Blueprint
Wu-Tang – Enter the Wu: 36 Chambers
Some might not categorize Rage as Rap but I don't know how you can't, Zack has some sick shit
TNC's list plus the Wu-Tang.
They are seminal.
Keeping in mind that TNC's post wasn't "Greatest Ever" or even "Best Early 90s", but was "for non hip-hop fans looking to expand."
J5 - Quality Control
Handsome Boy Modeling School - So...How's Your Girl?
Late to the game but i'll add my 2 cents. No order.
Dr Dre - The Chronic
NWA - Niggaz4Life
Snoop - Doggystyle
Ice Cube - War & Peace Vol 1 - The War Disc
Westside Connection - Terrorist Threat
Ice Cube - AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill
Xzibit - 40 Dayz & 40 Nightz
Digital Underground - Sex Packets
Biggie - Ready To Die
PE - Fear of a Black Planet
50 Cent - Guess Who's Back
50 Cent - The Massacre
G-Unit - Beg For Mercy
Shyne - Shyne
Fat Joe - Don Cartagena
Punisher - Capital Punishment
Wu Tang - Enter the 36 Chambers
Lil Kim - Hardcore
Tha Lost Boyz - Legal Drug Money
Busta Rhymes - When Disaster Strikes
Outkast - SouthernPlayalistic
Goodie Mob - Soul Food
Juvenile - 400 Degreez
Juvenile - Reality Check
Ludacris - Incognegro/Back For the First Time
TI - I'm Serious
Nelly - Country Grammar
When I read the premise, I assumed it was for people who have not listened to any rap, so this list is based on what would be the best intro to the genre, a veritable "Rap 101"
In no particular order or signifigence
Nas - Illmatic
Jay - Reasonable Doubt
Common - Like Water for Chocolate
OutKast - Aquemini
The Roots - Things Fall Apart
Notorious B.I.G - Ready to Die
Tupac - Me Against the World
Talib Kweli & HiTek - Reflection Eternal
A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
Mos Def & Talib Kweli - Black Star
This obviously doesn't cover the whole genre (or touch the west coast/ south), but I think if you want to give someone a taste of the game, baby steps, this works.
And anyone who really believes that Beat, Rhymes and Life is better than Midnight Marauders is just wrong. Sorry.
Ain't seen any mention of UK hip-hop here yet, so here's a few suggestions from this side of the Atlantic:
Dizzee Rascal - Boy In Da Corner
Sway - This Is My Demo
Aspects - Correct English
Some people say The Streets, but I think his thing gets old pretty quick.
Or you could just hit up the Kidulthood soundtrack. Great tracks on there.
Gang Starr - Step in the Arena