Which legendary rap album is the "Greatest of All Time"?
Jul 21 '02
The Bottom Line Ok so we could be here disputing over what is and isn't included for the next century. Read it, dispute it, but stay assured I remain right.
What hip-hop album is the “G.O.A.T.” or the “Greatest of all time”? Well, during the relatively short history of hip-hop and rap music many, many groundbreaking, classic, critically acclaimed albums have been released. It’s a timeless dispute over which albums are the best out of these. In this list I’ve done precisely this. They’re not my personal favourites, or the most historically important, but the best. Quality wise we are talking about here. There’s a lot of controversial choices here, so to register your inevitable displeasure just leave me a comment about how you think I’m mad, going mad, about to go mad etc etc.
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10. Ice Cube – Death Certificate(1991, Priority Records). Yes, it’s possibly a controversial decision to include Ice Cube’s sophomore album instead of his other classic release “AmeriKKKa’s most Wanted”, but I think this follow-up is a better release. PE producers the Bomb Squad create an energetic, fiery soundscapes that blend perfectly with the incendiary, vitriolic lyrics that characterised the early Ice Cube. Fierce political criticism, insightful social commentary, angry swipes at ex affiliates and a keen eye for detail made Cube’s lyrics on this album so brilliant. It’s just a shame Cube never created anything close to the quality of this album after 1991.
Highlights
“Wrong N---a To F--k With”
“A Bird in the Hand”
“Kill Sam”
Check out my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_59205127812
9. Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle (1993, Death Row Records). One of, if not the best, debut albums ever created by a rap artist, Snoop introduced the listener to a style of rap quite unheard of before his reign. Similar in style to Slick Rick before him, Snoop’s incredibly lazy, sing-song style of rapping and unique sense of humour drove this album’s standards through the roof. “Doggstyle” also exceeded the gigantic hype (remember Snoop had created all the hyperbole with his appearances on “The Chronic”), a rare thing in life let alone hip-hop. Backed by Dr. Dre’s evolving, funky production and an excellent guest cast of rappers (Tha Dogg Pound, Rage, RBX, Nate Dogg and Warren G) “Doggystyle” had a combined synergy quite unlike any other release in hip-hop…. Ever.
Highlights
“Gin and Juice”
“Murder Was The Case”
“Ain’t No Fun (If the Homies Can’t Have None)”
Check out my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_54518124164
8. “N.W.A. – “Straight Outta Compton” (1989, Priority). I see N.W.A. on comparatively few “G.O.A.T” lists. I don’t know why, “Straight Outta Compton” is a classic on a different level to most other music on the plant. Unique in its probably exaggerated, polarised view of life, Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren and DJ Yella all rhyme with extreme hate and anger about the “ghetto”, the government/authorities and life in general. Oh yeah, the blatant misogyny and glorified violence is a big part of “Straight Outta Compton" as well. Yes folks, this is gangsta rap in all of its nastiness and at the same time brilliance. A quite unique and amazing album with tight, slamming beats from a young Dr. Dre and technically proficient lyrical content.
Highlights
“Straight Outta Compton”
“F—k the Police”
“Express Yourself”
Check out my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_53998292612
7. De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising. (1989, Tommy Boy). So different to the ultra revolutionary trend that was sweeping through hip-hop in the late 80’s , De La Soul proved with this brilliant debut that a rap group could be warm and good-natured and STILL be lyrically assured and critically successful. Incorporating different musical styles from a wide palette of colours, this feel good, giddy sound thankfully didn’t disguise the playful nature of the trio’s lyrics. A wide range of lyrical themes are explored, ranging from serious social commentary to oddball, feel-good love songs. This is rap music that is just so sincere – the album’s half dozen tracks fly by in no time at all. An astoundingly assured debut.
Highlights
“The Magic Number”
“Jenifa Taught Me (Derwin’s Revenge)”
“Me, Myself and I”
6. Eric B & Rakim – Follow the Leader (1988, UNI). To be frank, there’s no way I could make my way through this list without a Rakim album. This contender for “G.O.A.T.” (both emcee and album) is probably going to be another controversial choice, because “Paid In Full” (the duo’s debut) tops many people’s “Greatest of All Time” list. Not in mine. Here Rakim does the unthinkable and actually improves his lyrics and rapping, and Eric B’s tight focused sound becomes slightly more far-reaching and looser. Again, filler is a non-existent thing, and 11 tracks whiz by and you know you’ve just listened to something special. This album finds an absolutely legendary talent of an emcee and a talented DJ/producer completely on top of their game and dominating hip-hop with a classic sophomore release.
Highlights
“Follow the Leader”
“Microphone Fiend”
“Rhymes of Fury”
5. Dr. Dre – The Chronic (1992, Death Row Records). Many contemporary heads dismiss “The Chronic” as something that’s past its time, with relatively weak rhymes (from Dre primarily) and outdated lyrics. Errr no. The production is near unrivalled on any hip-hop record ever – EVERY single track is banging and the beats are just magnificent. And lyrics? Puh, Dre may be a weak rhymer but his supporting cast more than make up for that. Sharp lyrics come from Daz, Rage, RBX, and Kurupt etc etc to prop this album up. PLUS, “The Chronic’s” importance in a historical context can’t be matched, this album literally started a genre. It’s one of hip-hop’s all time greats, and that’s that.
Highlights
Ain’t Nuthin’ But A ‘G’ Thang
Let Me Ride
Stranded on Death Row
Check out my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_56565337732
4. A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders (1993, Jive). Like the Ice Cube decision, this is a bit of a controversial one as well. You see ATCQ had already release 1991’s absolute classic “The Low End Theory” which is one of the greatest of all time. However, I think this sophomore release is better than that because it’s even jazzier, it’s more intelligent and it generally just builds on everything Tribe had accomplished with their groundbreaking previous record. This is hip-hop for the intelligent, and that’s precisely what makes it so refreshing and what makes it an album that stands the test of time.
Highlights
“Award Tour”
“Electric Relaxation”
“God Lives Through”
3. Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993, Loud) While everyone knows where my coastal affiliations lie (I’m Westcoast through and through), I have to say I absolutely LOVE this release from 9 Shaolin warriors known as The Wu-Tang Clan. While not flashily produced or epic in scale (like The Chronic), The Wu brought insanely gritty and fierce lyrics to the game. A crew with the combined lyrical skill of no one else in hip-hop, this album’s grit and down to earth, street level attitudes were soon to become the blueprint for mainstream East coast hip-hop. Backbreakers Gza/Genius, Inspectah Deck, Method Man, U-God, Raekwon, Masta Killah, Rza and Ghostface Killah entered into legend with this exemplary release.
Highlights
“Protect Ya Neck”
“Wu-Tang Ain’t Nothin’ Ta F—k Wit”
“C.R.E.A.M”
Check out my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_65314590340
2. Nas – Illmatic (1994, Columbia). Controversy. I can almost hear it steaming my way. I for one cannot see how “Illmatic” is not in any top 10. What made Illmatic so great is simple. “Rakim’s protégé” Nas introduced his new brand of highly advanced, complex lyricism to the world over a set of astounding beats created by the best in hip-hop (DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Large Professor and more). Nas’ lyrics are poetry in motion – he’s one of the few emcees that combines raw lyrical talent with a knack of the right words in the right place. I find it hard to summarise the sheer brilliance of this nine-track set. One way of doing it is to say: Nas has and NEVER EVER will come remotely close to bettering, or even equalling, the sheer class of Illmatic. Several heads see this album as overrated, but I’m not one of them.
“Highlights”
“Life’s A B---h”
“The World Is Yours”
“One Love”
Check out my review: http://www.epinions.com/content_57733582468
1. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988, Def Ja,). So, we’ve arrived at the big one. Number one. The greatest of all time. Public Enemy are without a doubt the greatest hip-hop group of all time, and this sophomore album is my choice for the best ever. First of all, this was a controversial record. Chuck D’s booming lyrics emphasised black empowerment, and literate yet furious socio-politically charged lyrics were the flavour of the day here. The group’s political stance would not have come over half as strongly without a decent musical backing, and this release’s dense, assaultive musical landscape was a revolutionary moment in hip-hop. It works because it’s a listening experience unlike any other, and “It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back” is 16 tracks of PURE hip-hop dopeness that no other rap record in history can match – historically or quality wise. Many, many say that the group’s follow up “Fear of A Black Planet” is a superior record, well I have dissected both and I think the original’s better.
So there.
Highlights
“Bring the Noise”
“Don’t Believe the Hype”
“Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos”
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Ok, so I’ve probably started up a whole s—t storm with some of my choices here. Well, I’m sure you’re itching to get over to the comment section and tell em what YOU think so please get over there and TELL ME. Even if you completely disagree with me (which you will… lol). Just rest assured that I’m right.
And here’s the omissions that were bloody close, but didn’t quite make it. (all 10 million of them)
A Tribe Called Quest – “Low End Theory”
Boogie Down Productions – “Criminal Minded”
Eric B & Rakim – “Paid In Full”
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth – “Mecca and the Soul Brother”
Notorious B.I.G. – “Ready to Die”
Tupac Shakur - “Me Against the World”
Common – “Resurrection”
Gza – “Liquid Swords”
Slick Rick – “The Great Adventures of Slick Rick”
Jay-Z – “Reasonable Doubt”
Ice Cube – “AmeriKKA’s Most Wanted”
GangStarr – “Hard to Earn”
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And finally, I will be away for quite a lot of the foreseeable future. Yeah, it's because I'm off on holiday (or vacation as you Americans call it) to the home of many of you - the USA. I'm leaving on tuesday, so I'll be active until then. So, don't mistake me for inactive or anything - because I will be back on approximately August 15th (my birthday). Until then, adios!
paulyoungotti will return...
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Member: Paul
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