The Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time: More Than Just Your Average Hip-Hop Countdown Dec 16 '02    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet The Bottom Line The ONLY List You Need. The bottom line is this – you might read 100 lists debating which albums really are the top ten of all times, but the only list you really need is this one. Please keep in mind that this is MY list – while I encourage all feedback, verbal tirades from fanboys and streeteams is frowned upon by the management. You may scan the list now and notice that there is NO Krs-One, NO Nas, NO Ice Cube and there is justifiable reason for that. While I respect all of those emcees for various reasons – in crafting my list, I tried to choose albums that impacted me and the people around me. Since I am only 24, this list reflects my youth and my musical tastes. So with that disclaimer that I would like to see NO DISPUTING my choices (that’s a joke) – here are the top ten Hip-Hop albums according to moi. #10. Who: Blackstar Album: Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star Why: Independent of each other, Talib Kweli and Mos Def are two of the most well-respected lyricists in Hip-Hop. Put them together and honestly their power can’t be debated. The album is a mix of political consciousness, battle rap and excellent songs to get the party started. There are few albums in contemporary Hip-Hop that are able to cover the bases as well as Black Star. Album Ear Candy: Definition, Brown-Skinned Lady, Hater Players #09. Who:Snoop Doggy Dogg (Snoop Dogg) Album: Doggystyle Why: At a time when west coast rappers weren’t really making noise – out comes Snoop and drops a bomb on listeners everywhere. Backed by Dr. Dre on production, Snoop has a style of rhyming that is all his own and to this day hasn’t been able to craft an album as solid and electrifying as Doggystyle. Album Ear Candy: What’s My Name, Gin And Juice, Murder Was The Case #08. Who: Wu-Tang Clan Album: Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) Why: When the Wu first came out it was almost comical that they had as many members in their group as they did – but when they rhymed, all laughter ceased. Just as the west coast sound was starting to permeate airwaves, the Wu laid it down for the east coast – mixing a unique style of production, tag-teaming the mic and incorporating Shaolin monk elements into their music. Album Ear Candy: C.R.E.A.M., Protect Ya Neck, Shame On A N**** #07. Who: A Tribe Called Quest Album: Midnight Marauders Why: ATCQ really owned the late 80’s Hip-Hop scene. They crafted a sound that nobody else was doing and they owned it. Together Q-Tip, Ali Shaheed Muhammad, and Phife Dawg made some of the best music of their time. Independently, the crew was never really able to replicate any of the success they get collectively. Their style was together and each member of the crew brought something different and interesting to the table. Album Ear Candy: Sucka N****, Award Tour, Electric Relaxation #06. Who: The Fugees Album: The Score Why: After going largely unnoticed with their first two albums – something clicked within The Fugees dynamic and The Score was born. Blending together Hip-Hop, R&B, Blues and some more isht – The Fugees perfected the balance of male to female energy and utilized their individual talents to the hilt. Album Ear Candy: Fugee-La, How Many Mics, Ready Or Not #05. Who: Outkast Album: Aquemini Why: While I know that most folks consider “Atliens” to be their best work – I feel that overall quality and togetherness make Aquemini a better pick. Despite whatever weirdness Andre 3000 brings to the game – Big Boi is the yin to his yang, balancing out the edginess and grounding Outkast into a Southern Hip-Hop delite. Album Ear Candy: Rosa Parks, Aquemini, Spottieottiedopaliscious #04. Who: Jay-Z Album: MTV Unplugged Why: Pick your jaws up, you knew that Jigga was going to make the list and I’m sure you’re baffled as to why Reasonable Doubt didn’t make the cut. While I love RD just as much as the next person, time yields growth and Jay showed that by being backed by The Roots band and Jaguar Wright – showing that he could hold his own in any situation. Album Ear Candy: Takeover, Big Pimpin’, Song Cry #03. Who: Dr. Dre Album: The Chronic Why: One of the funniest things about this album is that Dr. Dre really isn’t the focus of the project as a whole. His music does however provide the backdrop for some of the illest rhymes ever laid on wax. It was the album that introduced what was to be the Death Row Records empire to the world and really put Dre on the map as a producer. Album Ear Candy: Nuthin’ But A G Thang, Lyrical G*ngb*ng, F*** Wit Dre Day #02. Who: 2Pac (Tupac Shakur) Album: Me Against The World Why: So often you see 2Pac get discredited for being an average rapper with a passionate sound. Whatever your belief is, the man did have a significant impact on Hip-Hop during his time on earth. He was introspective, thoughtful and in the same sentence was a ruthless victim of circumstance. “Me Against The World” word for word is Pac’s best work. The most direct and emotional showcase of his talents and should be respected for being as such. Album Ear Candy: Me Against The World, Shed So Many Tears, Dear Mama, Death Around The Corner #01. Who: The Notorious B.I.G. Album: Life After Death Why: Truth be told, I don’t really like “Ready To Die”, Biggie’s first album which is often heralded as his best work. What “Ready To Die” lacks in production and refinement – “Life After Death” more than makes up for it. Although it is the dreaded Hip-Hop double album, B.I.G. hold his weight throughout the entire album. At the time, working with Puffy was a good thing and B.I.G. was able to showcase his versatile flow and talent for creating lyrics that make you want to smack your momma they were so clever. Album Ear Candy: Notorious Thugs, Kick In The Door, My Downfall, Long Kiss Goodnight - Final Thoughts - There you have it folks, 10 albums you don’t want to be without. If you don’t have them yet – go get them or else your Hip-Hop player’s card will be revoked.

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