My Top 10 Favorite Hip Hop Albums
I wanted to give yall a better understanding of where I’m coming from and standard I judge yall against.
So, without further ado…
I present to you:
Sneaky Pete’s Hip Hop Album Top Ten List!!!!!!!!
#10) Is a tie: Life and Times of Sean Carter / Hard to Earn
Pretty hard to argue dude ISN’T the GOAT/All about Primo Production
#9) Low End Theory
Could ANYone ever be as cool as these dudes?!
#8) Return to the 36 Chambers
ODB. nuff sed.
#7) Resurrection
Might seem like a strange pick to some but it only took one song to make this album masterpiece for me and there’s some other solid tracks on there too—gotta have this one!
#6) Doggy Style
“it aint no funnn, if the homies can’t haaaave none!”
#5) Enter the 36 Chambers
I’m not even one of these “Wu-Tang is Forever” believers but…OMG. Nothing even close to this had ever been attempted. How can you not love every detail of this album?! Gotta hand it to the RZA.
#4) Marshall Mathers LP
What can you really say about this album… I’m speachless.
#3) Liquid Swords
Lyrically, Aint NOBODY touchin’ this album Goddam, the GZA.
#2) Muddy Waters
From the swagger to the relentless punchlines, SICK production…REDMAN IZ GRIMEY!
#1) De La Soul is Dead
I bet NO ONE Was Expecting THIS!!! These dudes embodied everything I love about HIP HOP on this album
Conceptual, Clever, Smart-ass even Off the wall humor, No two traks the same… I always listen to this album start to finish. “BITTIES IN THE BK LOUNGE…ALL THEY DO IS BEG AND THEY SCRRR-OUNGE”
finit.
That’s my List. Agree? Disagree? What is your top 10?
June 3rd, 2008 at 11:48 am
this is what i’m talkin about. Finally a thread where music is the topic. If anyone fucks this up with bickering your an ass hole for real!! I know I havnt said nothing about the toppic yet, but I gotta file some quarterly buisness taxes and then i’ll come back and post my top 10.
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:18 pm
#10 aesop rock- labor days
#9 gangstar - moment of truth
#8 outkast- aqumeni
#7 big pun - capitol punishment
#6 wu tang- enter 36 chambers
#5 the roots - phrenol0gy
#4 nas - illmatic
#3 gift of gab- 4th dimensional rocket ships going up
#2 big l - the big picture
#1 jayz the blue print
mad hard just to pick 10.. there is a whole part of the reason i do my thing that didnt make the list.. so many classics like raekwon only built for cuban links , Black star album, talib kweli, tupac, biggie ready to die, pete rock and cl smooth , typical cats but i had to be honest with the shit i really bump.. im sure i will look over this and be mad i left out somethin
June 3rd, 2008 at 12:19 pm
like the marshall mathers lp shit
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:12 pm
this is strictly a personal opinion of my favorite albums, not a ‘greatest albums of all time’ list
10. big pun - capital punishment
besides ghostface, i think pun is one of the most underrated emcees of all time, and easily the most underrated dead emcee. ‘dead in the middle of little italy’ is all i’ve got to say
9. 2mex - 2mex
this album got me through the first real family loss i’ve ever experienced. when my grandfather was passing, every time i’d go visit him in the hospital, for whatever reason, i’d throw this album on and just zone out. ‘baby i ain’t jokin” has been my permanent breezy ringtone, and ‘falcon gentle’ is one of my favorite songs ever.
8. raw produce - the feeling of now
nobody has heard this album. it’s just plain amazing. if tribe or de la consisted of two white guys from cambridge, this is what they would make. GO PICK IT UP NOW!
7. a tribe called quest - people’s instinctive travels/midnight marauders/low end theory - i put all three because every time i listen to one, it’s my favorite until i listen to the next one.
6. de la soul - stakes is high
i just got this album a few months ago and i already know every word to it. amazing throughout.
5. raekwon - only built 4 cuban linx…
is there really anything i can say about this that hasn’t been said before?
4. ghostface - supreme clientele
i love ghost and all of his work, but this is his lyrical peak. after all this time listening to him i’ve become pretty good at deciphering most of the shit he says, but this one is still a work in progress. fucking AMAZING.
3. j dilla - donuts
listening to this still gives me chills. dilla was a genius.
2. nas - illmatic
this album is simply perfect. seriously. there is not a hi-hat where it shouldn’t be. i am still amazed as some of the shit he says, even after listening to it as many times as i have.
1. wu-tang clan - enter the wu (36 chambers)
it changed my life. unlike pete, i am one of those ‘wu-tang is forever’ cats just because this album was so fucking good. all 9 emcees blend together so well. fundamentally, i think illmatic may be a ‘better’ album, but 36 chambers is my favorite.
honorable mention - ghostface - the pretty toney album
one of the first albums i bought when i was really getting into hip-hop in high school, it was one of the first albums i got obsessed with. ‘holla’ is one of the greatest rap songs written in the past ten years, easy.
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:19 pm
I’m shocked no one’s screamed
“Blasphemy!!” at me for not putting illmatic in my top 10
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:21 pm
oh and let me throw a few more in there
sage francis - personal journals
murs and 9th wonder - 3:16 - the 9th edition
cannibal ox - the cold vein
aesop rock - appleseed
cage - hell’s winter
common - be
blackstar - mos def and talib kweli are…
eric b and rakim - paid in full
big daddy kane - long live the kane
souls of mischief - ‘93 till infinity
little brother - the minstrel show
the cool kids - totally flossed out ep
June 3rd, 2008 at 1:27 pm
top 10 son…top 10!!!!
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:11 pm
this isn’t the order they should be in but here is 10
Swollen Members-Balance
Blackstar
(not too sure when this one came out but) Greyskull- Dead livers
wu-Forever
Eric B and Rakim- Paid in Full
Wu- 36 chambers
EPMD-Strictly Business
Muggs vs Gza- Grandmasters
The Roots-Things Fall Apart
Outkast- ATLiens
theres the 10 i give much respect to, of course this is a tough thing to think about considering there is soooooo much music out there but these are the cds i could listen to all day and be happy with.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:15 pm
Swollen Members?! wooooooooow
representin for Canadians ay?
I saw these dudes perform waaay back in the day
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fiAqHD02QQk
video is kinda crazy!
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:30 pm
This is a great start…
I’d REALLLY like to hear from some FANs?!!!
If you’re out there reading this
and you’ve never so much as held a mic in your hand
but you know every word to say…”It Takes 2″
Your opinion counts too!!!
I’ll be nice, I swear
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:39 pm
I was wondering why you didnt post any vids from the balance album, then i looked and cant find any from that cd either, just the audio from the track with Del. Balance in my opinion is their best cd.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:48 pm
my top 1
The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:54 pm
I can’t put them in order but here’s a few:
Biggie-Ready To Die-nobody’s mentioned that one,that’s blasphemy.
Nas-Illmatic
Snoop-Doggystyle
Wu Tang- Wu Tang Forever
Dr Dre-The Chronic
Pete Rock+ CL Smooth_Mecca and The Soul Brother
Ice Cube-Death Certificate
Jalib-Champion Sound
Dilla- Donuts
Quasimoto-The Unseen
Madvillian
Beastie Boys- All the albums
Eminem-Slim Shady LP
Biz Markie-Pickin Boogers
Time Machine-Slow Your Roll
Edan-Beauty and The Beat
NWA-Greatest Hits
Kanye West-College Dropout
Busta Rhymes-E.L.E
RJD2-Dead Ringer
I can go on and on and onand on……………..
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:55 pm
Wow some interesting pics on here. For the most part I actually like Pete’s pics with the exception of Marshall Mathers-just my preference-never was a fan of Eminem. Interesting of Jots to put up 2 Mex. I like 2 Mex but it’s a suprising pic. I agree with Backwards on the ATLiens. I feel that may be one of the most underrated albums of all time……………..Props to Pete for doin something positive here we can all add to.
June 3rd, 2008 at 2:58 pm
I forgot Midnight Marauders By Tribe Called Quest i had to throw that in too cause thats way on the top of the list
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:00 pm
a few words about participation on “my blog”
The intent here is to create a DIALOG.
so use the “golden rule” and Do for others what you
want them to do for you:
PLEASE READ the OTHER POSTS B4 POSTING your own opinion.
The problem with myspace is:
there’s a whole lot of people talkin
an nobody listening!!
I won’t let that happen here.
Furthermore, take a note from myself and Jots
(well done Jots!) and add a lil bit of WHY
you chose what you chose. the plain Facts are boring
it’s your story that makes it interesting.
That being said… Shame on you Jots for not
FOLLOWING THE DIRECTIONS!!
Skool is in session and I mean to teach yall the power
of saying what you mean and meaning what you say.
I’m going to start crackin down on people
–for real
I’m not taking off for punctuation or nuthin, but goddam–
sometimes i have to read a post 6 or 7X
to figure out what the hell ur tryin to say!!?
OK we didnt’ all go to Moses Brown
but I really think some of yall are just being lazy.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
it doesnt say list top 10 Favorite Emcee or Song
or list all the albums you like…
Do the excercise!!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:03 pm
oh…..and
Big City-Everything I Do is Badass
not out till July, but I heard it and it’s one of my favorites.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:04 pm
woooooooow
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:07 pm
my bad sneak. should have been 10.
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:12 pm
I encourage you to do it again!
really take a minit to think it over
and decide what’s really significant to YOU!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
Here’s some of my 10 favs (in no particular order):
-Outcast: (ATLiens)
-The Visionaries: (many people aren’t even aware how dope these guys are)
-The Roots: (pic one: Things Fall Apart/Illadelph Halflife)
-Souls of Mischief: (93 til’ Infinity)
-Soundbombing 2:(Compilation)
-Enter the 36 Chambers of course!)
-Dilated Peoples: (The Platform)
-Swollen Members: (Balance)/ (I’m also a Battle Axe fan)
-Tribe (Any of their first couple albums)
-Beastie Boys (License to Ill)
But also shout these on the list: Binary Star, Freestyle Fellowship (Inner City Griots), Jurassic 5 (Quality Control), The Pharcyde (Bizarre Ride…), Jeru (Wrath of the Math), Public Enemy (Fear of a Black Planet), Black Starr, Redman (Muddy Waters), Non Phixion (The Future is Now), AND… The Goats (No Goats, No Glory), DAAAAMMMNNN THAT WAS TOUGHER THAN I THOUGHT!!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:15 pm
Oh shit!!!
i just saw STERBY’s “contribution”
lol
ok STERB you can be exempt cuz ur the koolest DJ i kno
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:16 pm
no AOTP mentionS??
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
Soundbombing 2!! now that’s a great choice
“cuz anyman who would jump in front of mini van
for 20 grand a bottle of pain pillz and a mini thin
is FUKN CRAZZAY!!!”
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:17 pm
sorry, i couldn’t help myself - let me mention mf doom - mm food and madvillain - madvillainy too, lol.
and city, i didn’t put ‘ready to die’ in because i’ve always felt there’s just a bit too much puff daddy on it for my liking…and to be honest, a lot of the beats are just OKAY. plus, as much as i like biggie, i think he is a bit at fault for starting ‘generic’ rap…he took what nas, ghostface, raekwon, mobb deep, etc were doing and made it accessible for mainstream audiences with his booming voice and his clear vocabulary, which is cool - but he also helped start the waves of shitty shoot’em’up rap that followed. and if it wasn’t for him, we would have never had to be tortured by that awful guerrilla black motherfucker…gah
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:21 pm
OMG
I get compared to Em way more often then i care to admit
but GB?!! are u fukn kiddin me?
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:24 pm
fuck man all these posts are reminding me of albums i forgot about
i might have to revise my shit later
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:26 pm
gyeah, see it’s not EZ
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:32 pm
btw first non-rapper who can tell me the artist
who created my #7 pick
gets a free copy of my new album
shit, you’ll just google it
i gotta make it harder
this is open to anyone!!!
What two crews does the emcee diss
in the most classic joint (at the very end of the song)
off that album
I need: artist/song title/2 crews
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:45 pm
more then one artist have titled there album “Resurrection” common sense/ tupac and thats not from google killa
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:48 pm
i guess you’ll have to figure it out from the other clues then!
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:50 pm
common dissed ice cube in i use to love h.e.r if i remember correctly.. i dont remeber 2 crews so maybe im wrong
June 3rd, 2008 at 3:52 pm
2 out of 3
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Shouts to Big City for the EDAN choice (Beauty and the Beats). That’s an album that was VERY good, but didn’t get enuff accolades because it was waaay experimental. But definitely a solid work of music. Nice Big City.
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:00 pm
let me clarify– Common disses 2 “musical acts” or “hip hop groups”
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:03 pm
west coast im guessin but i dont know
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:05 pm
listen to the song then!
(that’s kinda the whole point)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y12YgEIFcAY
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:14 pm
comon jots, i got my money on you for this one!
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:21 pm
westside connect wc andnate?
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:24 pm
survey says….
X
(did u listen or u just guessin?)
June 3rd, 2008 at 4:27 pm
and no more hints
like Marshall sed
aint no spoon fed hip hop here!
June 3rd, 2008 at 5:14 pm
PETE this was something i neva seen coming….. GOOD SHIT…. Madd props Heres My Top Ten Albums
10. Moment Of Truth - GangStarr
9. Yeah Baby - Big Pun
8. Here To Save You All- Chino Xl
7. Lifestyles of the poor & dangerous - Big L
6. Self Tittled- Joe Budden
5. We Are The Strrets - The LOX
4. SouthernPlayalisticcaddillacfunkymusic - Outkast
3. Childern Storys - Slick Rick Aka Rick Tha Ruler
2. Reasonalbe Dout - Jay-z
1. Ready 2 Die - Notorious B.I.G
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:10 pm
I dont actually know this answer but i got the song and it sounds like he took a stab at a few people, Ice cube ” i wasnt salted when she was with the boy n the hood” that was kinda obvious. But then there is that line about dudes SLAMMIN her and Takin her to THE SEWER. Sounds like Das EFX or Onyx, maybe both iduno… if i’m wrong you can shit on my comment pete. i just want to see what the answer is
June 3rd, 2008 at 6:46 pm
yezur!
alllll-riiiiiiiiiighty thennn
well done sir, well done.
June 3rd, 2008 at 7:47 pm
Common did take shots at Ice Cube in I used to love h.e.r,but he made a full diss track called “The Bitch in You”
June 3rd, 2008 at 8:39 pm
thats my shit
June 3rd, 2008 at 10:29 pm
dammit son i was at work i woulda had that shit too
June 4th, 2008 at 4:01 am
cool post..
these are not what i see the BEST,but in my opinion what my favorites are..in no paticular order..
raekwon - only built for cuban linx - i think this one has stuck with me thru the years cause it was when the W was really doing something no one had seen before..
cannibal ox - the cold vein - i think this was a masterpiece on both ends,production wise el-p killed it,and vast aire and vordul take it to another level,and im happy for a underground release it got the credit it deserved..
kweli and hi-tek - reflection eternal - kweli’s best release by far..
del the funkee homosapien - i wish my brother george were here - the only reason i put this one on is,i got put on to del thru sifting thru my step fathers tape,and it was totally different then the west coast shit on the radio..i was hooked..
mf doom - operation doomsday - the first LP from doom from coming back after leaving KMD…if you listen to this you can see the blueprint to what dooms been doing doing (sucessfully)over the years..
jay z - in my lifetime vol.1 - figuring jay-z has alot of dope albums this one was a tough one,songs like imaginary players and friend or foe still get spins..
rza - bobby digital in stereo - rza re-invented himself once again,and in my opinion this LP stands out in a time where wu was hit or miss..
r.a. the rugged man - die,rugged man,die - i know i know the crazy white boy shtick has been done plenty of times,but i assure you this,r.a. is a sick bastard for real,and he can rhyme like crazy…check out lessons on you tube..
a tribe called quest - beats,rhymes and life - i know some people feel this is where tribe kind of slipped up,but i really like this joint..
beastie boys - paul’s botique - again some of choices are because i grew up listening to this paticular cd,but the beasties were no better than on this album hands down..
June 4th, 2008 at 12:10 pm
My bad, but gotta correct two things: I forgot to say which Visionaries album. (Pangea). And I listed the WRONG Goats album-I meant Tricks of the Shade. yo Kozz, I do think Paul’s Botique IS probably the best Beastie album, but License to Ill has the most classics off it. The bottom line is it’s hard to argue with ANY of these pics.
June 4th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
True, even some that i see posted are bringinback some dope memories and i wish i had remembered when i posted mine
June 4th, 2008 at 2:57 pm
In No Order…here’s a few that no one has mentioned…
Edo G Featuring Pete Rock
My own worst enemy
Marco Polo
The Port Authority
Little Brother
The Minstrel Show
Special Teamz
Stereotypez
Dj Shadow
Entroducing
Army of the Pharoahs
Ritual of Battle
Funk Bunker Fleet
Slap N Spit
Snowgoons
German Lugers
Group Home
Livin Proof
Cannibal Ox
The Cold Vein
Production on these records are crazy!
June 4th, 2008 at 3:07 pm
yall wanna go for round 2?
Favorite 10 hiphop albums that feature a Female!
…as main or equal contributor
(ie Mary J on the hook doesn’t count)
comon now–gotta give it up to the ladies
June 4th, 2008 at 3:40 pm
no.
June 4th, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Ahh shit… its about damn time…. Foxy Brown, Eve, Lil Kim, Roxanne Shante… there is just too many….Shit half the ladies in this industry are better than the men!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:05 pm
i have to admit …i didnt’ get very far before
needing some google help
so let’s go with Top 10 fav female emcee
June 4th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
#10 Left Eye “i seen a rainbow yesterday…”
#9 J.J. Fad -Supahsonic!
#8 Ladybug Mecca - “it can kick a plan with the crowd burst-
me i be diggin it with the funk verse”
#7 Monie Love “wassup with you this time… a brother took a dive and now he’s playin with ya mind? oh no, this cannot be accepted”
#6 Queen Latifa “who you callin a b#!@” ?
#5 Missy “who got the keys to the jeep? vroooooooom”
#4 Lil Kim “Bang this in ya whips. Pack em call the roadie with the chips in the wrists”
#3 Salt N Peppa “Express yaself… gotta be you and only you babe!”
#2 MC Lyte
“I need a ruffneck
I need a dude with attitude
Who only needs his fingers with his food”
#1 Lauren Hill
“though my eyes saw the deception, my heart wouldn’t let me learn
For, some dumb woman was I
and every time he’d lie
he would cry and inside i’d die
my heart must have died a thousand deaths
compared myself to Toni Braxton thought I’d never catch my breath”
oh my gahd!!!
June 4th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
i can’t even come close to ten but i will name some female-related highlights in my mind:
lauryn hill in general, whether fugees or solo - one of the best emcees regardless of gender. like kanye said, ‘i wish her heart still was in rhymin’
apani b (fly emcee) - absolutely destroys everything i’ve ever heard her on. “let me watch” on viktor vaughn’s vaudeville villain is one example - she actually outshined DOOM on that shit! and, although i can’t find confirmation of this anywhere online, i am pretty sure you can find her on the track “LYRICAL TACTICS” by Mister Voodoo (of Natural Elements), where she absolutely MURDERS - “wannabe pretenders FALL like SEPTEMBER THROUGH NOVEMBER”. oh my goodness!
jean grae - besides being an amazing emcee, she does the voices on my favorite hip-hop themed kung-fu dub show, “Kung Faux”. the track she did with immortal technique, “you never know”, is also one of my favorites ever…deep shit.
yarah bravo - the prettiest member of One Self, she murders tracks something serious. Her delivery is so fucking smooth. Peep “Bluebird” to see what i’m saying.
i’ll also state the obvious names of MC Lyte and Queen Latifah…and i am also not a fan of foxy brown or lil’ kim AT ALL..ugh
June 4th, 2008 at 9:09 pm
Word Up Falside; that Snowgoons has RIDICUlous production. That Pete Rock/ Edo was superdope, but not enuff songs for me to put it with the elite. Minstrel Show fo sho do
June 4th, 2008 at 10:10 pm
here we go again…
this dude falside is a funny ninja
he had his friend ask if i could get him into my show
which i did
and then his friend introduced him to me as
a producer i should work with
so i’m like cool, lemme see what he’s workin with
So i contact him…
he’z on some “I’m too big to do freebies, son”
dude ur what…18 and got one joint on a Vast Aire album?
I never even said you couldn’t keep the copyrite
but I don’t need to pay for beats
check the production on my album son
you don’t have one track that measures up
period.
June 4th, 2008 at 10:37 pm
that really doesn’t have anything to do with this post, pete. i think this website’s seen enough beef already. take it to myspace
June 4th, 2008 at 11:02 pm
ok u have a point
but you didn’t REALLY think it was gonna be
all popcorn and puppy dogs from here on out did you?
i just callem as i see em
June 5th, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Why did it take until the female list for Digable Planets to be brought up???
Blowout Comb and Reachin’ both make my top ten. The jazz, the message, the fun… shit… I was recently just about passed out after an off the hook wedding reception at like 3 in the morning, then my homie put on blowout as we were rolling around miami… amazing combonation
we’re just babies man
June 5th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Masta Ase “Slaughterhouse” also makes my list. A bit off the wall and not necessarily a complete listen-thru album, but it still makes the regular round on my stereo… I mean what’s the use of a subwoofer without “Born to Roll” every now and then.
Here’s the rest (which have already been included):
illmatic
De la soul is dead
moment of truth
illadelph
midnight marauders
return to the 36
doggystyle
June 5th, 2008 at 3:21 pm
OH SHIT! I forgot Gravediggaz - Six Feet Deep. That shit is seriously dark and disturbing but soo fucking funny at the same time… RZA is an absolute mad man and genius on this absolutely drug-induced banger and one of a kind album
June 5th, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Prince Paul aka The Undertaker also gets mad props for six feet deep…
Speaking of Prince Paul… what about “A Prince Among Thieves”? I haven’t listened to it in awhile, but if I was trapped on an island with only 10 Hip Hop albums… I might have to trade in the consciousness of Gangstarr for the unique Hip Hopera style and storyline of “A Prince Among Thieves.”
…and if it’s purely entertainment value I’m going for then Dr. Octagonecolygist has to be there as well.
Ok, I think I’ve remembered all the obscure top ten albums now, plus I guess I missed the peak of this post so I’m probably just posting back and forth to myself.
I’m psyched to have a ton of new recommendations from these lists!!
June 5th, 2008 at 3:48 pm
speaking of the Prince
“It’s a beautiful night for a date rape”
-Psychoanalysis
June 5th, 2008 at 3:51 pm
not even a mention of Tupac either.
and yet someone threw out Visionaries?!!
downright shameful
June 5th, 2008 at 4:00 pm
or KRS
June 5th, 2008 at 4:01 pm
oh fffffffffff…
we’re all going straight to hell
June 5th, 2008 at 5:39 pm
how about dangermouse’s ‘the grey album’ - better than the actual black album? i think so
discuss
June 5th, 2008 at 5:41 pm
i’ll say this much
getting sued for copywrite infringement never looked so sweet
June 5th, 2008 at 7:51 pm
I can’t resist. I gotta throw my two sence in…
# 10. Leak Brothers - Waterworld (Cage & Tame One)
I’ve always liked Cage’s ill out there style and Tame one is just a lyrical monster. I think these two bring out the best in each other. Plus the production on this album is straight gruesome.. Give it a listen…
# 9. De La Soul - Buhloone Mind State
I’m a big fan of prince paul and his production on this album gives me a fuckin eargazm. plus Pos and Dave just bring it on their verses. They’re not tryin to be hard or play any roll they’re just freakin it. To me it’s there final good bye before dummin down there lyrics cuz financially “stakes are high”.
# 8. GZA - Liquid Swords
In my opinion this is undeniably the best solo project out of the clan. Genius lives up to his name with his verbal display and Rza’s heart went into the production on this album.
Side Note: For those who may not know. In the recording process of this album Gza layed down his vocals over
basic drum tracks and Rza arranged the songs. In fact in an interview Gza said he didn’t even know what verses Rza put with what hooks until he heard the album himself.
# 7. Organized Konfusion - Equinox
This is not to say that their 1st and 2nd album weren’t fuckin’ bangers but these guys albums just got better everytime.. Would have liked to have heard a fouth…
there’s still hope…
# 6. Black Moon - Enta Da Stage
Da Beatminers…shit these beats…these beats were and still are some break neck suicide joints. With buck shot killin it and 5ft plus our 1st look into what would come
from the boot camp such as Smif n’ Wessun and Heltah Skeltah
(those two albums are in my top 20).
# 5. Wu-Tang Clan - 36 Chambers
….And then came the WU. Although I had Already heard of Prince Rakeem aka RZA and The Genius aka GZA little did i know what was in store for me when i first heard “Protect ya Neck”. This raw style of production and new array of emcees they brought to the table was a revolution to hip hop and the rest is history..
# 4. Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill
Now Here was some west coast heads on some east coast type style with some hardcore raw funked up beats and rhymes that either make you want to chill and get high or go out and merk a mutha fucka..
# 3. Gravediggaz - 6 Feet Deep
This is just a collaborative effort that, in my opinion, is top notch. first off ,those who actually read this know how i feel about prince pauls’ production plus a little Rza
thrown in. The lyrics, concepts and just all around vibe was the two cups of blood i was thirsting for…
# 2. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
This shit to me was just the epitome of hardcore. Through out Hip Hop History KRS-ONE has made so many dope track but this album was where it started and reigned supreme over nearly everyone.
# 1. Eric B. and Rakim - Paid in Full
For those of you who know my name and know Rakim you should realize he is my favorite emcee. Rakim’s lyrics on this album can still contest and emecee on any album who has come since. That’s my word !!!
June 5th, 2008 at 11:49 pm
ayo shit is crazy.. not a krs mention till now… i would love to see a TOP 10 mc’s of all time… i gaurentee the lists will all be contraversil… i got to peep me of these albums that i overlooked… good shit GO CELTICS
June 6th, 2008 at 8:52 am
Good list MFR. I just don’t know ’bout Leak Bros. making the cut though. Maybe if we did the Top 10 CONCEPT albums of all time, that would be there fo sho (along with The Nighthawks, and A Prince Among Thieves). In fact, why don’t we flip on that list soon?? Good shit tho homie
June 6th, 2008 at 2:47 pm
yeah as far as leak bros goes i had to throw in something from what might be called new genre.
yes nighthawks is dope to and prince among thieves was ….well PRINCE PAUL…say no more
June 6th, 2008 at 3:22 pm
No doubt mang! Glad we have similar tastes bro. Diggin it
June 6th, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Good topic. Hmmm. My top 10 is always changin`. But…
Masta Ace: A Long Hot Summer
-Shit`s just a dope album. I`m into a lot of “feel good” shit. Honestly I think the 2nd half of the cd has some drop off points. But I had this cd on repeat for the longest time. “Beautiful” was on blast for days at a time.
Jay Z: Reasonable Doubt
-Yea yea. Big suprise right? But no band wagon shit. I didn`t even dig Jay until I hit like 16-17. But he easily grew to my fav MC. The album still bumps to this day. And it`s 2008. (The Blueprint would be on this list too but I rather mention others.)
Common: B.E.
-When I first popped in the album I was stuck on the intro for like a hour. Every song holds strong all the way through. Commons laid back delivery, lyrics, Kanye and Dilla beats. Can`t go wrong.
Outkast - ATLiens/Aquemini
-Couldn`t pick one. Cuz both have had equal spins. Andre is prolly my 2nd fav MC. They push the “hip hop” boundaries and came out with 2 classics in my opinion. Fuck the snap hop shit that the South is puttin` out now a days.
Scarface: The Diary
-Might turn a few heads. But I think Face is under rated. I love this album. The way he puts his lyrics and stories across get me all the time. It`s like he just rolls off from heart to paper seemlessly.
Nas: It Was Written
-I`ve always liked it better than Illmatic. People have hated me for it ha. But from “The Message” to “Affirmative Action” this shit goes hard. And the intro still gives me chills.
Mos Def: Black On Both Sides
-Can`t forget this. I miss the old Mos Def. Tho he`s been showin` some signs of it lately. Ms. Fat Booty. Speed Law. Mr. Nigga. Good shit.
Little Brother - The Minstrel Show
-It`s already been mentioned but I have to agree. I still bump this album from start to finish. Phonte is one ill ass dude.
Snoop - DoggyStyle
-I agree with Pete on this. So many dope joints on that album.
Pharoahe Monch: Desire
-Monch is still a beast. This album proved it.
The last 3 were rushed cuz I gotta head to work. But word.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:14 pm
“”check the production on my album son
you don’t have one track that measures up
period.”"
lol falsides a beast,obviously im not going to let the cat out of the bag,maybe falside will,but that cat got like 10 - 15 cuts with some of the illest underground MC’s already recorded for his album…
this is why i dont understand you pete,everytime i try to give you a chance,you say something stupid,your too big to get charged for beats??dont you charge people for your album(if it ever comes out)?
and i KNOW for a fact,im not the only one who would agree with me on here,some of your favorite RI groups have worked with dude and would probally agree with me when i say his throwaways trump some of your beats.
period.
June 6th, 2008 at 4:26 pm
it’s not about being too big to get charged
i wouldn’t ever expect a producer to just…give me a beat
But many have just for the exposure i can get them
I’ve worked out arrangements where the I license the beat (still belongs to the producer)
or we make two songs- one for them, one for me
June 6th, 2008 at 7:07 pm
i hear you i’ve gotten tons of free beats from people which im grateful for the dude who do it for sure,but lets be honest to get some real good stuff your probally going to have to pay..
June 7th, 2008 at 12:31 am
when a producer will hit me with a “free” track, i am more willing to pay the next time we would work together… i have done that with a few producers if they bless the first 1… nah mean.. falside defintly makes some heat though
June 7th, 2008 at 10:19 am
Falside is the illest producer around. ANYONE who doesn’t agree is dead wrong.
June 7th, 2008 at 10:22 am
not even close
June 7th, 2008 at 11:56 am
Yo Afterlife, no diss on Falside, cuz he is nice, but there are some dope ass producers around…including Tony Backwards. No one can saqy which PRODUCER is better, because it’s like art…a matter of preference. We all know who has skills and who doesn’t, but it’s like arguin which flavor of ice cream is better. As long as it’s quality (Benn and Jerry’s over Hood), then the rest is irrelevant. It’s not like they’re battle rappers.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:34 pm
Good point. It is all about preference. There is a long list of very talented local producers. I’ll let y’all get back to the topic of top 10s.
June 7th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
Word up man. Glad we agree. Respect. I’ll be sure to stay tuned to what you and Falside are up to. Later fam
June 7th, 2008 at 1:39 pm
The Craft makes a very interesting point
How can one argue whether chocolate is better than vanilla?
and yet, that’s what this website/my blog
is all about
the language of art critique is probably the most complex language
on the planet… there is no black and white
but we point to things like
imagination vs rooted in the culture
variation vs random/disorganized
confidence vs egotism
emotional response
and even more tangible things like
track record
sellability
market value
cuz let’s face it, nobody in music wants to work a 9 to 5
June 7th, 2008 at 4:41 pm
good points..thats why people shouldnt get mad if you voice your opinion.. i hate when people like shit that i dont because i dont understand why they would like such garbage,, like southern dance tracks that they call “hiphop”… but then again when i go down south them dewds are really about what there music is so i dont even hate anymore..but yea back to the top ten !!
June 7th, 2008 at 5:48 pm
As long as those southern dance tracks are GOOD …which is hard to say cuz I’m not a fan either…so it would make me a poor critic of that type of garbage!!!
Only someone that knows the genre can say which southern “hip-hop” tracks are good. Cuz to me, it’s all booty! But like SBO said gotta still acknowledge that some of it is skillful, while some of it is talentless.
June 7th, 2008 at 10:46 pm
im not even sayin the music is the best.. i jus dont 100% hate on it like i use to.. i got family down there and thats how they live.. you will never hear me bumpin it but i will respect it.. even though its garbo lol… hard to explain i guess
June 9th, 2008 at 11:39 am
With that said. Soula Boy`s cd just made my top 10 of all time. Yuuuuuuuuuh!
June 9th, 2008 at 12:11 pm
ha ha funny shit he made top ten mcs in the game on mtv2… which furthers my reasons for not watching that shit!!
June 10th, 2008 at 12:50 pm
paid in full..the chronic..muddy waters…6 feet deep…midnight maurauders..sun rises in the east..liquid swords..only built for cuban links…illadelh halflife…capital punishment…theres my top ten….few honorable mentions…..de la soul.. stakes is high..gangstarr..any one of em…..snoop dogg..doggystle..mobb deep..the imfamous…big l..life styles of the poor and dangerous..lord finesse funky technition…epmd strictly buiness and unfinshed buiness..blunts stunts and hip hop…dimond d….common resurection…iight im out i got hoes to supa soak!…troopraw aka Mines.. doa.ac tf
June 10th, 2008 at 12:54 pm
damm forgot southernplayalisticaddilacmusic…outkast….blackmoon ..enter the stage..and smif n wesson the shinning…..peace
June 10th, 2008 at 1:05 pm
female emceez… before ruffneck..mc lyte..lady mecca..lauren hill..princess of the posse era queen latifah…monie love..nikki d..jean grae….apani b…bahamadia…salt n pepa……
June 10th, 2008 at 1:11 pm
how the fuck did i forget illmatic,criminal minded,and the first cypress hill joint..muggs the west coast primo……
June 11th, 2008 at 12:29 pm
My very first time here & I LOVE LISTS…of any kind. Grew up w/hip hop but stayed away for a while because I was disgusted w/it & was too lazy to dig around but slowly gettin back thanx, mainly to Joe Beats inspiring me. Have alot of you, like me, drove around or sat on ya couch thinkin about ya top ten? Of course, now, I can’t remember but…..
1. Paul’s boutique- changed the whole buisness. How hard would it be to make an album w/nothing but samples? Serious. I’m not a musician/producer.
2. Enter the 36 chamber- as w/preceding choice….the reason why these 2 are the best is, in my opinion…originality. No one can ever put out a cd that’ll sound like it.
the rest in no particular order….
EPMD-strictly biz
BDP-BAMN
Eric B & Rakim- follow the leader
Prince Paul- Prince amongst thieves
Gravediggaz-6 ft deep
Ghostdog sndtrk-RZA
Tony Touch-piecemaker(I know but every trk is great)
P.E.- Takes a nation of millions
Snoop- doggy style
TRIBE-Low end thory(top 3)
NWA-SOC
Easy E- Easy duzit
Gang Starr- Full Clip
Dr Octagon- dr octagonecoligyst
June 12th, 2008 at 12:23 am
this is my first post on here and i gotta say this had me thinking for a minute but here it goes…
10- N.W.A.- Straight outta Compton: groundbreaking debut from the world’s most dangerous group. Standout track-”Fuck The Police”
9. Mos Def and talib Kweli are: Blackstar: I put this album on my list because besides it being a dope album, it gave the underground a great deal of exposure and helped launch Rawkus Records to its peak in the late 90’s. Standout Track “Definition” or “Respiration” your call
8. Common- Resurrection: Definately my favorite of all of Common’s albums. Common and No I.D. had a chemistry thats rarely heard nowadays. Standout Track “I Used to Love H.E.R.”
7. Das Efx- Hold It Down: Highly underrated album often overlooked by the group’s debut. Sewa-style at its finest. Standout track “Real Hip Hop”
6. Nas- Illmatic: This album, in my opinion, opitimizes the phrase “quality over quantity.” Although only having 10 tracks, it features production from arguably the best producers in hip-Hop history (Primo, Pete Rock, Large Pro as well as Q-tip) and has one of the greatest guest spots of all time with AZ’s verse on “Life’s A Bitch.” Standout Tracks- NY State of Mind, Lifes A Bitch and the World IS Yours
5. The Roots- Things Fall Apart: Hard to choose over Illadelph, but i felt that this album displayed a more accurate picture of the Roots uniqueness and what separates them from the rest of the game. Standout Track: “Act Too…The Love of my Life”
4. Outkast- ATLiens: Probably the most underrated album of all time. This album just puts you in a zone from the spaced out melodic production to the smooth flows of Big Boi and Andre 3000…classic. Standout Track(s)”ATLiens,” “Elevators”
3. TIE: Public Enemy-”Fear of a Black Planet” and Eric B. and Rakim’s “Paid In Full”: I couldn’t decide which of these two classics should make the top 3, so i picked ‘em both. P.E.’s politically charged lyrics not only pioneered the styles of emcees like Immortal technique etc., but at the time provided a voice for the black community as a whole. “Paid In Full” is an all time classic. Rakim was so ahead of his time as he fathered the style of multi-syllabic rhyming.
2. A Tribe Called Quest- “Low End Theory” My personal favorite Tribe album, although their first 3 are all in the same league. Standout Tracks- “Check The Rhime” “Buggin Out” and “Scenario”
1. Wu-Tang Clan- “Enter The 36 Chambers”: What can be said about this album that hasn’t already been spoken? CLASSIC!! pure originality in both production and lyrics. Standout Tracks…All of them
I put this list together based on originality and how grounbreaking each was to our culture. Some of MY personal favorite joints are Redman’s first 4 albums, Only Built For Cuban Linx, Binary Star’s “Masters of the Universe”,
J-Live’s “All of the Above”, Zion I’s “Deep Water Slang,” Non Phixion’s “The Future is Now” and Promoe’s “Government Music” Damn… theres so many more
June 13th, 2008 at 12:07 pm
feels so empty…w/o me
June 17th, 2008 at 5:20 pm
i think the best album is Soulja boy, i could say that but then id be lying.
the list really goes like this….
10.Kanye West/Late Registration - The production wasnt really as good as College Dropout but i think Ye really grew as an artist.
9.Jay-Z/Reasonable Doubt - Before HOV was big pimpin or standing under umbrella ellas he dropped this CD here. I thought that Jay brought a whole new style to the table (though im 14 i listen to alot of old school). Plus the production was the bomb. Politics As Usual….
8.Dr.Dre/The Chronic - The D.R.E. held it down. i dont have to talk about the production i mean were talking about Dr.Dre here. And the album had Nutin But A G’ Thang on it. End of story
7.Lupe Fiasco/The Cool - Lupe Fiasco is a genius. There is nothing i like more then when 2 types of music come together. Lupe did that a couple of times on that album. Working with Patrick Stump of Fall Out Boy and Matthew Santos. And Gold Watch was one of the most original songs ive heard in a while. It kinda sucks that he is already releasing his final album.
6.Nas/Illmatic - The World is yours. Thats all im saying
5.Common/Be - As if the Chi Town God Common wasnt enough this dude partnered up with Kanye West and J Dilla for the production. Thats just overkill in my book. the outcome….was nothing short of a real soulful album
4.Mortals gonna kill me for this but Lil Wayne/Tha Carter Two. Best Rapper Alive, not quite but pretty good on his albums (and only his albums). the production was acceptable. but it was the punchlines and the delivery that got me on this album.
3.Notorious B.I.G./Ready To Die - The first hip hop album i bought, it must have been luck. I can see why big poppa was an icon in the rap game. It was all a dream
2.2Pac/Me Against The World - Greatest Pac album ever. id rather hear music less about gangters now and days. And each time i do i make sure i pop in Me Against The World. Especially with tracks like dear mama. he even makes it cool to be a mama’s boy. Its an album you can kick back and chill to.
Last but certainly not least…………….(#1)Cannibal Ox/The Cold Vein. to begin the Production was classical, a unique sound i havent heard in a…..forever. Vast Aire and Vordul Mega are like the Justice Leauge when they’re spittin. the lines were crazy dope “sizzer tounge i lick tissue” or that part when vordul mega was like “Straight outta the depths of hell/Reflect the sec-ond
Inhale the buddah wisdom/Envision and edit inscriptions of Vor-Megala spiritualism/Paint a picture from the spiritual
And seriously spit a lyric/That’ll rip through a phsyical ligament” its just amazing. ots a breakthrough album and the greatest i have heard in 14 years. CANOX numbre uno