OT - Greatest Rap Albums

Submitted by Clarence Boddicker on August 13th, 2022 at 1:20 PM

Your list of greatest rap albums. I'll start...

Okay, a warning. I'm old school. I remember hearing the Sugar Hill Gang on the radio. I'm not much about the mumbling into the mic the kids do nowadays. I don't know who the fuck Travis Scott is, and I'm pretty sure that Takeshi 69 video I saw once was an actual nightmare and not a real thing. That being said:

1. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back.

Accept no substitutes. This makes my top five albums regardless of genre. Chuck D's lyrics, his flow--the power of his voice as an musical instrument are still unmatched. He introduced a political militance to hip hop, when the lyrics had mostly been devoted to rocking the party and keeping booties shaking. The Bomb Squad brought a heavy element of dissonance that turned a lot of listeners off. Not me, though--I'm so into dissonance that I've got about five Sonic Youth albums. There's the contrast between Flava Flav bouncing off the walls and the S1Ws keeping it on lock-down. Every cut on the this album holds up as a classic in it's own right.

2. The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

There are many contenders for this spot, and, truthfully, I would've placed Amerikkka's Most Wanted by Ice Cube here up until a few years ago, but that album has not aged well. The Pharcyde are worthy here though. Every cut flashes a different style but each is great in its own way. The lyricism is simply brilliant throughout, and the songs sum as a great illustration of the rich variety of styles before MTV codified gangsta and bling as the ONLY forms. This is basically album about middle class Black kids being kids. I only wish the Pharcyde had more than two albums in them.

3. Nas - Illmatic

This could've been at two. A perfect match of brilliant lyrical flow and killer beats. This album introduced the use of jazz in hip hop, which traces rap back to the traditions of beat poetry, the Last Poets, and Gil Scott-Heron. This album is iconic for a reason.

4. Cypress Hill - Black Sunday

A toss-up for me here between their eponymous first album or this one. Gotta go with Black Sunday though for "Insane in the Brain" and "Break 'Em Off Some." Propulsive driving power is the name of game here. These are songs that make you want to wreck shit...but in a, um, good way. B-Real and Sen Dog play off each other brilliantly, and the use of Latin instruments and rhythms was and is revolutionary.

5. The Roots - Things Fall Apart

This could've been higher. It's The Roots, man. This is the album on the list you're most likely listening to with your parents or your kids, or you're throwing on at the cook-out. Consciousness rap over a live band mixing jazz and soul--it's like punk once they finally learned how to play their instruments--it's not as raw and maybe you can't slam dance to it anymore, but, damn, is it great.

6. MC 900 Ft. Jesus - Hell with the Lid Off

A curve ball for y'all: Like the Pharcyde, a relatively forgotten artist, this album, a collaboration with D.J. Zero has all. It's funny, shocking, twisted sometimes all at once. I really love the minimalist beats which mix in elements of electronica to great effect.

7. The Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy - Hypocrisy is the Greatest Luxury

There's a good chance you've never heard of this album, but that's okay. Google it now! Michael Franti still performs with Spearhead, but this album was groundbreaking. Wildly kinetic beats paired with political lyrics that directly confront and indict commericialism and conspicuous consumption. Franti has definitely read Walter Benjamin. 

8. Beastie Boys - Ill Communication

Oh yeah, they have to be on here. Everybody's got a favorite Beastie Boys album, and this one is mine. Come on, son. We're talking, "Sure Shot," Root Down," "Sabotage," "Flute Loop," "Bodhisattva Vow." So, so good throughout.

9. Coolio - Gangsta's Paradise

Look, don't scoff. Just sit down, clear your mind, and listen to the whole thing. You'll see I'm right. Gangsta's Paradise is a like Mack Daddy by Sir Mix-a-Lot in that way. Both albums are known for a singular hit but are actually great throughout with many songs that are better than the singular hit.

10. KRS-One - Return of the Boom Bap

The brotha is fierce. The brotha is uncompromising. KRS is a true O.G. Picking a favorite KRS album is a challenge. There's his work with Scott LaRock as Boogie Down Productions then there's the extensive solo career after his tragic death. The classic cuts on this one win out: "Outta Here" is one a the great hip cuts of all.

Alright, that's my list. There are obviously big names left off here that would make a longer list of albums or a list of standalone songs. There's no Run-D.M.C. though I can and have spent hours listening to "It's Tricky," or "Mary, Mary" on repeat. There's nothing by Dre or Snoop though would say the same of "Deep Cover." Anyway...what's your list?

MGoBoard

Matt EM

August 13th, 2022 at 3:59 PM ^

So I’m big on content, leaning strongly toward everyday things that are experienced by the have-nots/impoverished people in America, as a kid that grew up in that exact type of environment. In other words, the subject/realistic portrayal of the lyrics takes priority over word play/vocabulary, when the word play involves content that i don’t subjectively care for.

So you might be able to make the case that Em has stronger word play than Pac/Big, but a good deal of his content is garbage IMO.

Again, all subjective. But I’ve never been a fan of Em because his content is lacking, even if his word play/vocabulary  is strong. 

Joined: 11/08/2008

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L'Carpetron Do…

August 13th, 2022 at 2:36 PM ^

Just a note: I think Tribe Called Quest had started introducing jazz-based loops prior to Illmatic and there were other east coast groups using it as well around that time. 

But, good list and thanks for posting. I heartily second Illmatic and Ill Communication. I would add: 

Enter the Wu-Tang and Liquid Swords (even Wu Tang Forever is pretty great) 

Eminem's first album is hilarious but extremely offensive and wouldn't fly today, but if you can disregard that it's excellent. 

Those early Tribe albums: Low End Theory and People's Instinctive...

In recent years, I really enjoyed one of Kendrick Lamar's (Good Kid MAAD CIty I think?) and one of Drake's ( I think that one was Take Care)

And Deep Cover is the best, only topped by Big Pun and Fat Joe's Twinz (Deep Cover '98)!

 

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Joby

August 13th, 2022 at 2:39 PM ^

By the way, if you need to see why us hip hop heads love this music so much, check out Black Thought from The Roots as he rhymes continuously for 10 minutes while referencing Kafka, Voltaire, Hamlet and Depak Chopra. For us, this is our Entwistle bass solo, our Hendrix shred, our Dave Grohl drum break.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=prmQgSpV3fA

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BostonWolverine

August 13th, 2022 at 2:59 PM ^

It's tragic that we've gotten to 30 comments and no one has mentioned Ghostface's Supreme Clientele. The best hip hop record of all time and I'm not sure it's close. 

 

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Chris S

August 13th, 2022 at 3:31 PM ^

Man, I really feel embarrassed about not having Supreme Clientele in my personal album collection. About 10 years ago I knew I wanted to add a Ghostface album and was stuck between Ironman, Fishscale, and Supreme Clientele. I went with Ironman because of on Winter Warz. I still need to make some additions.

I feel the same way about Redman: not sure to get Whut? the Album or Muddy Waters, so I haven't got either yet.

Joined: 11/16/2013

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Bigeazy313

August 13th, 2022 at 3:06 PM ^

Anything Ice Cube, but Lethal Injection is my fave

All Eyez on Me

Eazy Duz it- Straight Outta Compton

What's on My Mind?

Any EMPD album

Cuban Linx- Liquid Swordz

The Chronic(s)

Doggystyle

Tru to tha Game

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mp2

August 13th, 2022 at 3:13 PM ^

no luda anywhere? i'm very not exposed. a friend in high school had a ludacris cd and 2001 by dre. i got a copy of jay z's the black album in college when you could get anyone's itunes library on the network. i like all of the albums i have listed.

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Chris S

August 13th, 2022 at 3:35 PM ^

Word of Mouf is almost a classic. Luda is one of the most underappreciated rappers in my opinion because of how mainstream he is. Like, Rollout is an absolute banger and has a catchy hook, but he's also in the pocket so tight with the flow and that stands the test of time more than his punchlines do. (Although "I got big balls / I'm a Sac King like Chris Webber" is an all-timer)

Joined: 11/16/2013

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Chris S

August 13th, 2022 at 3:15 PM ^

My man... you gotta see how your list is garbage. If it's "favorite" rap albums, I can see that, but the pre-'94 bias is obvious. However, I love the enthusiasm and thought you put behind it. I'm a hip hop head, and I love heated debates on all-time lists. I have them for albums, songs, beats, and rappers and I think about them all the time just in case a rare individual like yourself comes through and actually cares enough to have a debate on that. Here's the actual list of greatest albums (not necessarily favorites), be as harsh as you want!

  1. The College Dropout - Kanye West
  2. Illmatic - Nas
  3. Eminem Show - Eminem
  4. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
  5. Be - Common
  6. Aquemini - Outkast
  7. Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem
  8. Lupe Fiasco's Food & Liquor - Lupe Fiasco
  9. The Minstrel Show - Little Brother
  10. Ridin' Dirty - UGK
  11. Below the Heavens - Blu & Exile
  12. The Black Album - Jay-Z
  13. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Raekwon (and Ghostface, technically)
  14. When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold - Atmosphere
  15. 36 Chambers - Wu-Tang Clan
  16. Late Registration - Kanye West
  17. Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
  18. Daytona - Pusha T
  19. 2001 - Dr. Dre
  20. Life After Death - The Notorious B.I.G.

As a side note, I don't include any of Kanye's albums after Late Registration as Hip Hop. Dark Fantasy is not my favorite album of all time, but objectively there has been no better collection of music on one album in my lifetime. Cudi's stuff doesn't count either, otherwise Man on the Moon would be on there. There is a midwest bias on the list, for sure, but I don't think that's any different than saying there's a southern bias when it comes to the best football players. Em and Kanye are all-time artists in any genre and Lupe is arguably the most talented rapper to hold a mic.

I also love me some late 80s hip hop. I have Long Live the Kane, Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Radio, and, of course, Paid in Full. They are great for what they are and I listen to them a lot.

I also find myself defending the stance that College Dropout is better than Illmatic. I can see that going either way, I'll just say that unique-ness is what sets them apart in my eyes. In an era of dope-ass New York rap, Illmatic was the absolute dopest. College Dropout was like nothing else ever made before 2004. Memory Lane is probably the greatest rap song of all time to a hip hop head. But Kanye made Jesus Walks, he's never going to hell.

Joined: 11/16/2013

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Clarence Boddicker

August 13th, 2022 at 3:30 PM ^

Greatest for me--the list is definitely subjective. I didn't mean to imply that this was objective at all. There's definitely a generational bias on my part. I don't think there's anything on there from the 21st century (I could have included Run the Jewels or Kendrick Lamar or Jurassic 5 or Outcast) but that's a longer list). These are rap albums your dad likes and that's fine since I'm 55.

Some artists were tough to leave off, but Kanye, Eminem, and Jay-Z were not among them. None of them do it for me. I've gotten multiple albums by Kanye and Jay-Z and would up selling them all because neither artist moves me in the least. It's a taste thing.

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Clarence Boddicker

August 13th, 2022 at 4:24 PM ^

I like individual songs by all three. I was liftiing at the gym for one of the last times before covid when "Monster" by Kanye came on, and I had my best session in many years. "Everybody knows I'm a muthafuckin' monster." Fuck yeah. I love "New York State of Mind," and "Hard Knock Life" by Jay-Z. I love "The Real Slim Shady" by Eminem. But I can go to spotify or youtube to listen a song. There were too many songs on the albums that just didn't do anything for me or songs I flat out hated. So many of Eminem's lyrics are just...yeah, his feelings about women (which is why I'd leave Amerikkka's Most Wanted off now). Jay-Z's whole shtick is the hustler / businessman / aspirational thing that mostly leaves me cold. And I just don't like the way Kanye sounds on the mic--the flow itself. And I really, REALLY hate the fucking autotune thing.

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Chris S

August 13th, 2022 at 8:25 PM ^

Jay-Z: "Sasquatch, Godzilla, King Kong, Lochness, Goblin, Gooooool, a zombie with no conscious"

Kanye: "So listen, Hov, that's not really the direction I was thinking of this song going..."

 

I also really respect that you don't just pick and choose songs, but listen to the entire albums. I'm a fan, for sure.

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Piston Blue

August 13th, 2022 at 4:04 PM ^

1. Illmatic - Nas: for all the reasons stated before.

2. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back - Public Enemy: much like the OP said, made the genre infinitely more substantive and made many future artists more comfortable exploring what they could do with hip-hop.

3. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West: I had to read through the thread twice to make sure no one said it, and I'm shocked it's been omitted up to this point. Every. Single. Track is a banger, with 'Runaway' being one of my favorite songs ever.

4. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill - Lauryn Hill

5. The Blueprint - Jay-Z

6. The Low-End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest

7. 36 Chambers - Wu Tang Clan

8. Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem

9. Late Registration - Kanye West

10. Be - Common

Side note - I was born in '97

Edit: realizing I left out To Pimp a Butterfly (should be 6)

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ILL_Legel

August 13th, 2022 at 4:40 PM ^

One of my top 5 lyrics is from It Takes a Nation of Millions by PE.  1988. Seems like yesterday.
 

“I got a letter from the government the other day

I opened and read it

It said they were suckers”

I’ve never been much for politics.

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OldMaize16

August 13th, 2022 at 4:40 PM ^

Top 5 in some type of order… Life After Death is my number 1 without question. Then the next four: It Was Written, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, and Acid Rap

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trustBlue

August 13th, 2022 at 5:32 PM ^

1. Public Enemy - It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back 

This was exactly what I was thinking of when I clicked on the thread. Public Enemy practically raised me. I love Fear of A Black Planet, which could easily be in the Top 5 also. I can still recite all of the lyrics to Welcome to the Terrordome by heart, but Black Steel in the Hour of Chaos is my absolute favorite PE song ever. 

The rest in no particular order:

Wu-Tang Clan Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) - I mean, just an absolute classic. 

Gangstarr - Hard 2 Earn -- Guru and DJ Premier both at the height of the their powers. 

Jedi Mind Tricks - Legacy of Blood -- Absolute dynamite production and superb lyrical flow. Let down only by some unfortunate homophobic lyrics. 

Mobb Deep - The Infamous -- Shook Ones Pt 2, Survival of the Fittest, nuff said.

Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders -- I could have easily swapped this one for Low End Theory, but this holds a slight edge for me.

Mos Def - Black on Both Sides 

Kayne West - College Dropout -- This completely changed the game when i was released. Absolutely stellar production. Kanye will never be more than middling an emcee, but as an overall production, this album is a masterpiece.

50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Trying -- I'm usually not in to the more commercial side of hip hop, but this was a blockbuster album that actually holds up. 

Eric B and Rakim - Paid in Full -- If you met an alien from another planet, and you tried to explain what hip hop is, this is the album that you put on. Rakim's delivery on this album is probably the greatest performance of pure emceeing of all time. 

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BuddhaBlue

August 13th, 2022 at 5:50 PM ^

Favorite (not necessarily greatest) albums, at the moment and subject to whatever

BDK - Long Live the Kane
RTJ 1
GZA - Liquid sWordz
Ghostface - Fishscale
Captain Murphy - Duality
Jeru - the Sun Rises in the East
Isaiah Rashad - Cilvia Demo
Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II
Justin Warfield - My Trip to Planet 9
Freddie Gibbs - Alfredo
Joey Badass - B4Da$$
Tuff Crew - Danger Zone
Gangstarr - Moment of Truth
Mobb Deep - the Infamous
Nas - Illmatic
ATCQ - People's Instinctive
3rd Bass - the Cactus Album

So many other great albums listed by others too (EPMD, Jay, Digable Planets, early Ye)

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