Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg became one of the Striking a balance between pleasant and pugnacious, "Mama Said Knock You Out" marked Uncle L's growth as a rapper. Kaash Paige - … Whether you're a fan of more recent hits or those classic hip hop albums, be sure to vote up what you think are truly the greatest rap albums of all time.

"Aquemini" is evidence of just how often Boi and Dre loved to reinvent their sound. The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP. 2. "Stress: The Extinction Agenda," Organized Konfusion's second album, is more ambitious and exceptionally well written compared to the first. A 19-year-old word wizard, Nas packed potent poetry into 39 minutes, while A-list producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock supplied the perfect score. "Hard to Earn" varied from Gang Starr's previous albums: It was harsher and more insular. By using LiveAbout, you accept our Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo brought social commentary and spirituality to the forefront of '90s rap with gems such as "Slow Down" and "Wake Up." You'll love "Electric Relaxation," "Award Tour," and "Oh My God." (1994); Tracks: The What, Juicy & Things Done Changed By Wu-Tang Clan (1993); Tracks: Protect Ya Neck, C.R.E.A.M. If you're one of those glass-half-full people, you'll note that the only positive side of Scott La Rock's unfortunate murder was in the direction of "By All Means Necessary." Eazy, Dre, Cube, and the rest of 'em had to fight for their right to party. The sample-heavy "Breaking Atoms" was one of the most influential albums ever, in that it helped launch the careers of 

A combination of Juvie's melodic flow and Cash Money's high-end production made "400 Degreez" a Southern rap favorite in 1998. The one gangsta rap album to rule them all, "Power" portrayed inner-city street life in graphic detail while sending an anti-crime message to the hood. & Rakim (1987); Tracks: Extended Beat, I Know You Got Soul & I Ain’t No Joke By A Tribe Called Quest (1993); Tracks: We Can Get Down, Clap Your Hands & Steve Biko (Stir It Up) By Lauryn Hill (1998); Tracks: Nothing Even Matters, Superstar & I Used to Love Him By 50 Cent (2003); Tracks: Gotta Make It to Heaven, Patiently Waiting & If I Can't Redman's wild sense of humor is the main star of "Whut? Busta's second album is arguably his most consistent work. The album gets its unique identity from Bun and Pimp's yin and yang connection. & Tearz By Kanye West (2004); Tracks: I'll Fly Away, School Spirit (skit 1) & We Don't Care By The Notorious B.I.G. Everyone should buy two copies. Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as "Still Not a Player" and "You Ain't a Killer." EPMD is the most sampled group in hip-hop for good reason: Their production is a thing of beauty. Xzibit molds his voice into a gruff instrument, overpowering the beats when necessary. 1," a collaboration James Brown. Big Daddy Kane wrote the manuscript for braggart rap on "Long Live the Kane." Yet Chicago rapper Common (then known as Common Sense) still managed to stand out with his smart, jazz-tinged sophomore LP, "Resurrection." 1980s hip-hop is colored by drum breaks, bad fashion, and Afrocentrism. "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx..." is a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin's life. It definitely contains his most memorable singles: "Dangerous" and "Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See." The gritty production comes from now-vintage equipment such as SP-12s and AKAI 2000s . Dr. Dre's finesse aside, Snoop's piquant delivery and melodic flow were equally crucial to the success of "Doggystyle." No thug core tracks, no name-inscribed missiles aimed at East Coast rappers. Henry Adaso has written about hip-hop since 2005 and founded the award-winning blog The Rap Up. Tech N9ne - MORE FEAR. LiveAbout uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience. "Endtroducing" is one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. It's a crime-rap manifesto that shaped the course of mafioso rap throughout the '90s. It has this gloriously invigorating feel that resonated with audiences old and new. SV's experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups such as Little Brother and Tanya Morgan.

At a mere eight tracks, "Born to Mack" was indeed too short.

While his peers bragged about the size of their manhood, Rakim styled on them with peculiar precision. De La Soul reinvented its sound on "De La Soul Is Dead." Standouts include the scathing Everyone should buy two copies. Hip-hop in 1988 was a misogynistic place. There are two stars on "Licensed to Ill," and both deserve equal credit. If any of your top 10 favorite hip hop albums aren't listed here, by all means, add them. The rapper’s father appears on the album’s sepia-tone cover—boasting a spectacularly-curated mustache—and as Black Beans goes on, the importance of family becomes its prevailing motif. 15 August, 2020 188.

Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all. Biggie Smalls is the illest. With robust beats by Mike Dean and a young KRS-One was the dreaded poet, Scott La Rock the musical visionary. Most of the album was recorded in a closet without air conditioning, which imbues it with a raw feeling.