10 hip-hop picks from a hip-hop purist
Mar 19 '00
Well, since my Top 10 Albums of all time review was pretty hip-hop heavy (8 rap albums total) I’ll assume that I played those albums to death on that island and that I’m interested in some new material for my stay here.
So, without further ado…my top 10 hip-hop albums of all time, in no particular order.
Gangstarr—No More Mr. Nice Guy: This was the first release from the New York duo of The Guru and DJ Premier, and while all of Gangstarr’s releases are unmitigated classics, this is the one that launched their careers. Guru’s deep rhymes and monotone delivery are a perfect match for the dense, bass heavy loops Premier uses on each track. This is hip-hop for the "droppin’ science" crowd for sure.
Brand Nubian—All for One: This 1990 release is one that belongs in the collection of any hip-hop purist. Solid beats compliment a diverse range of rhyme styles and topics from MCs Lord Jamar, Sadat X, and Grand Puba Maxwell. The songs range from groove-able party jams like "Try To Do Me" all the way to the 5% Nation manifesto "Wake Up", making All for One one of the most diverse hip-hop albums of the early 90’s.
Eric B. and Rakim—Follow The Leader: This 1988 release was the follow up to their first album, Paid in Full, an album widely regarded as one of the three greatest hip-hop releases ever. Since Paid in Full was on my other list, I’m taking Follow the Leader with me this time around. Follow the Leader is a more aggressive album than its predecessor, with heavier beats provided by Eric B. and fantastic rhymes from Rakim Allah. Classic tracks include "Follow the Leader", "Microphone Fiend", and "Lyrics of Fury".
Pete Rock and CL Smooth—Mecca and the Soul Brother: This 1992 album was the duo’s first full-length release (coming after their EP All Souled Out). It features a bevy of jazz influenced, horn-heavy beats that are mellow enough for the ladies to appreciate, but enjoyable even while hanging out with the fellas. CL Smooth’s rhyme style is laid back, yet engaging, particularly on the autobiographical "They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y).
Slick Rick—The Great Adventures of Slick Rick: 1987 through 1989 is widely regarded as hip-hop’s golden era—a time period when a veritable sea of classic albums were released. One of the most notable albums from this era was Slick Rick’s first solo album, The Great Adventures of Slick Rick. Slick Rick had risen to fame as the British accented MC featured in Doug E. Fresh’s classic jams "The Show" and "La Di Da Di". This album showcased that he was more than just an MC with a distinctive voice as tracks like "Children’s Story" demonstrated that he was one of the finest story telling rappers to ever rock the mic.
Kool G Rap and DJ Polo—Killer Kuts: This greatest hits package showcases the rhyme skills of one of the most underrated crime rhymers of all time (at least as far as mainstream hip-hop fandom goes. Underground heads have known and loved G Rap for years). With a distinctive lisp and a cinematic eye for detail flavoring his rhyme style, G Rap is an MC’s MC—a microphone technician who can blow up the spot at a moment’s notice.
Big Daddy Kane—Long Live the Kane: Another album from hip-hop’s golden era, Kane’s first solo release boomed from Jeeps and Jettas for months on end. Tracks like "Raw" and "Ain’t No Half Steppin’" established the big father as one of strongest members of Queens’ Juice Crew All-Stars (no small feat in a hip-hop collective that included Kool G. Rap, Roxanne Shante, and MC Shan amongst others). Unfortunately, Kane’s subsequent releases would be lesser efforts as he tried to remold himself into a Barry White/chocolate lover mode and traded in most of his hardcore rhymes for tracks that would appeal to the ladies.
Boogie Down Productions—By All Means Necessary: Led by KRS-One, a rapper who few would dispute is the greatest battle MC ever, BDP’s second joint is a classic release that showcased a new direction for the legendary crew. After the death of DJ Scott LaRock, BDP came back with an album that featured the ferocious rhyme style of their minimalist first release Criminal Minded, but one that also showed a previously unseen philosophical side as well. "My Philosophy" is a track that is eminently worthy of B-boy posturing, but filled with some heavy lyrics as well. Definitely in my top 5 songs of all time category.
Organized Konfusion—Stress: The Extinction Agenda: This is one of the most lyrically dense hip-hop albums of all times. MC’s Prince Po and Pharoahe Monch are wordsmiths of the first order, creating songs with layer upon layer of meaning. I’m not exaggerating when I say that you can listen to a track for the twentieth time and come away from something new, something you hadn’t caught before, in the wordplay of the rhymes. What makes it even better is that the whole album is filled with some fine grooves that you can kick back relax to. Organized Konfusion is a group that never got the respect it truly deserved.
NWA—Straight out of Compton: What’s left to be said about this, the seminal gangsta rap album from what is perhaps the style’s most infamous practitioners? Nothing, really, except that it’s a shame that Eazy-E’s greed ultimately destroyed the group.
Honorable Mentions:
Here are a few noteworthy albums that didn’t quite make the cut—picking 10 and only 10 is a tough task.
Digital Underground—Sex Packets: Groovy funk party tracks highlight one of hip-hops best concept albums.
X-Clan—To the East, Blackwards: Brother J and Professor X were chanting mystical afro-centric rhymes over sampled P-funk beats long before Dre and the west coast gangsta contingent.
And there you have it...my top 10 rap albums of all time. Thanks for reading.
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