Graydomes Top Ten Hip Hop Albums Carnivale Sep 23 '03    Write an essay on this topic. Tweet Popular Products in Music Jersey Boys [Original Broadway Cast Recording] by Original Broadway Cast From $8 Mai by Eri Sugai From $4 The Bottom Line This list is Ten albums that a crazed hip hop head heavily recommends. After hours (see years) of research, i present the Top Ten Albums of all time. Working out the top ten hip hop albums is kinda hard and full of danger. No matter what list i come up with, people ain't going to agree, so do i pick ten albums that i believe get most heads 'respect'? or do i pick ten albums that get my most respect? Of course than there's the job of nailing down just 10, from probably about 25-30 contenders. Ok, well this list is MY top ten greatest albums of all time, the ten albums i felt the most, and truly believe are beacons of brilliance in the saturated world of hip hop. My album collection spans over 300 albums, spread across 20 years (cd's, vynl, cassettes). I must note i haven't listened to every hip hop album ever made, and as such may have missed the odd classic, but i know what i like and whats good and this list is a strong reflection of that. So lets get it on...counting down from number 10... 10. Violent By Design - Jedi Mind Tricks (2001) The more i listen to this album, the more i like it. Stoupe's dark and gritty production, interlaced with movie/TV scenes pave the way to create a world that truly sucks the listener in. The MC'ing on the album is both hardcore energetic and clever passages. This album just oozes atmosphere, like few others. 9. Wu-Tang Forever - Wu-Tang Clan (1997) Some will be surprised to not see 36 Chambers on this list, but for me my the best Wu album is this 2 disc epic. 10 MC's at the peak of there powers, competing against each other with mindboggling rhymes. One moment Inspectah Deck blows the listener way with a smart rap, than comes Ghostface in his entertaining way outdoing the INS, before Meth lays a cool line so cold that it gives you goosebumps. The songs range from deep, to blazing, to ODB's wacked out style. Than there is the production, Rza could not put a foot wrong during the mid 90's, and this album is no different. One of the few double albums that succeed. 8. Licensed To Ill - Beastie Boys (1986) I was only a little kid when i first heard the Beastie Boys lay there prep boy raps. To this day this album still lays a firm enough imprint in my mind to still get regular rotation. Its not the most technically brilliant album, nor the deepest album, but what it is, is fun. A party album full of hip hop anthems, that has inspired more MC's than many admit to. 7. The Chronic - Dr. Dre (1992) When Dr. Dre ups his game, he changes the game. The veteran of the rap business was making hits before anyone heard of Ice Cube. To me his pinnacle however is this 1992 masterpiece. This album of funked out west coast beats is the blueprint for great West Coast albums, not to mention the joint that launched Snoop, Daz and Kurupt. Not one song on this album is weak, and it still stands up as well today as it ever did. Of course it also gave birth to arguably the greatest hip hop anthem ever 'Nothin But A G-Thang'. This is one album i'll never get tired of. 6. Fear Of A Black Planet - Public Enemy (1990) 'It Takes A Nation of Millions' is generally regarded as PE's best album, not to mention as one of modern musics greatest ever. For me though, this is PE's finest moment. Typical of Public Enemy this album is soaked in political statements and controversy. From calling Elvis a racist to demanding the burning of hollywood, FOABP holds no punches back. Chuck D is at his lyrical most poignant, tellin the world how it is, while Flavor Flav cuts witty but socially important tracks like '911 Is A Joke'. To end the album PE give us there brilliant 'Fight The Power'. Political hip hop on another level. 5. Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G (1994) When i first heard Juicy, i stopped breathing for a second and went Whoa. A feel good hip hop track rapped with such lyrical brilliance that few songs, near ten years on have managed to come close. I bought this album as soon as it came out, and after first listen was a little dissapointed. I'm not sure why, but i just didn't think it was all that hot. But a funny thing happened, as much as i thought i didn't like the album, the more i kept playing it. Biggie paints such vivid pictures with his rhymes, and as much as he plays up to a tough 'gangsta' image, the album shows a gentler man, with self doubt and weaknesses. This really hit home to me, and for nearly ten years i have constantly played this album, astounded by the rhyming talent of Biggie and the feeling he puts in. 4. Aquemini - Outkast (1998) I slept on Outkast, yeah i like there singles, but i wasn't convinced enough to put my dollars on one of there albums. Big mistake. Thankfully i decided to purchase Aquemini though, an album that from go to whoa, makes the listener bump there head as well as chill out. The production is amazing, the guests are tight, and Andre and Big Boi unstoppable. This album is just so clever, that even to this day i shake my head at how anyone could come up with such brilliant music. Its funky, clever, smart and a must have album for any music fan. 3. ATLiens - Outkast (1996) After hearing Aquemini, i realised i had a mission to grab Outkasts previous albums. After the first few plays, i liked this album, but it was not as good as Aquemini. ATLiens however is more suptle than Aquemini, and requires a few more listens, and a chilled out mentality. Andre and Big Boi combine so well on this album, laying deep soulful lines, that feel like its cleansing your soul. This is truly hip hop on another level, the perfect album to drive to, chill to, cry to, and cheer up to. Its represents the very best in hip hop music, cool beats, clever lines, and deep terminolgy. 2. Death Certificate - Ice Cube (1991) No album blew me away as much as this. For people that doubt Ice Cube as one of the true greats, they need to get there hands on this album. Ice Cube is at his angry lyrical best, spitting gangsta, political, battle and even humour. Backed by tight production, Cube lets fly at everyone including Korean corner stores and even his ex-partners NWA. This is the finest solo album ever made, Ice Cube is a tour de force, laying the groundwork for the new age of early 90's hip hop. 1. Silent Weapons For Quiet Wars - Killarmy (1997) If i haven't p***ed you off yet with my list, than this may be the album to do it. I can't lie though, this is the best rap album i have ever heard. Featuring the mind blowing grimey production of Rza protege 4th Disciple, and the skills of a group of MC's better known as the collective Killarmy. War is both the lyrical point and the grimey landscape that is painted on this very gritty album. Hardcore lyrics lay wake to lines on Terrorism, death and even love. Each member of Killarmy combines so well that that they are like streams running into each other. But its the feel of the album that steals the day, the world it creates is so dark yet realistic that its hard to not be drawn in and feel part of its world. Evey track is pure grimey banger, with some of the best production i have ever heard, to create the most solid albim i have ever heard. I still bump this joint every week, its a hip hop masterpiece that is very slept on. Before i finish i'd just like to quickly mention 10 other albums that may have not made this list today, but during the right moment are top ten to me: 2001 - Dr. Dre Liquid Swords - Gza Revolutionary Vol. 2 - Immortal Technique The Fix - Scarface NWA & The Posse - NWA The Lost Tapes - Nas The Blueprint - Jay-Z Supreme Clientele - Ghostface Killah All Eyez On Me - Tupac The Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem Well thats it. I'm prepared for the hate, but please remember its all just an opinion, as there is no such thing as 'The Top Ten' greatest hip hop albums ever. However you gotta admit i'm damn close... huh?

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