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 4, 2008 at 1:28 pm
sbo says:
True, even some that i see posted are bringinback some dope memories and i wish i had remembered when i posted mine
June 4, 2008 at 2:57 pm
Falside says:
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 4, 2008 at 3:07 pm
sneakypete says:
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 4, 2008 at 3:40 pm
Falside says:
no.
June 4, 2008 at 4:08 pm
cj720 says:
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 4, 2008 at 5:05 pm
sneakypete says:
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 4, 2008 at 5:32 pm
sneakypete says:
#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 4, 2008 at 5:41 pm
Jots says:
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 4, 2008 at 9:09 pm
The Craft says:
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 4, 2008 at 10:10 pm
sneakypete says:
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 4, 2008 at 10:37 pm
Jots says:
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 4, 2008 at 11:02 pm
sneakypete says:
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 5, 2008 at 2:27 pm
Dadubbz says:
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 5, 2008 at 2:47 pm
Dadubbz says:
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 5, 2008 at 3:21 pm
Dadubbz says:
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 5, 2008 at 3:41 pm
Dadubbz says:
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 5, 2008 at 3:48 pm
sneakypete says:
speaking of the Prince
“It’s a beautiful night for a date rape”
-Psychoanalysis
June 5, 2008 at 3:51 pm
sneakypete says:
not even a mention of Tupac either.
and yet someone threw out Visionaries?!!
downright shameful
June 5, 2008 at 4:00 pm
Dadubbz says:
or KRS
June 5, 2008 at 4:01 pm
sneakypete says:
oh fffffffffff…
we’re all going straight to hell
June 5, 2008 at 5:39 pm
Jots says:
how about dangermouse’s ‘the grey album’ – better than the actual black album? i think so
discuss
June 5, 2008 at 5:41 pm
sneakypete says:
i’ll say this much
getting sued for copywrite infringement never looked so sweet
June 5, 2008 at 7:51 pm
MFR says:
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 5, 2008 at 11:49 pm
sbo says:
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 6, 2008 at 8:52 am
The Craft says:
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 6, 2008 at 2:47 pm
MFR says:
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 6, 2008 at 3:22 pm
The Craft says:
No doubt mang! Glad we have similar tastes bro. Diggin it
June 6, 2008 at 3:23 pm
Nahlidge says:
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 6, 2008 at 4:14 pm
kozzwon says:
“”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 6, 2008 at 4:26 pm
sneakypete says:
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 6, 2008 at 7:07 pm
kozzwon says:
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 7, 2008 at 12:31 am
sbo says:
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 7, 2008 at 10:19 am
AfterLife says:
Falside is the illest producer around. ANYONE who doesn’t agree is dead wrong.
June 7, 2008 at 10:22 am
sneakypete says:
not even close
June 7, 2008 at 11:56 am
The Craft says:
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 7, 2008 at 12:34 pm
AfterLife says:
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 7, 2008 at 12:54 pm
The Craft says:
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 7, 2008 at 1:39 pm
sneakypete says:
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 7, 2008 at 4:41 pm
sbo says:
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 7, 2008 at 5:48 pm
The Craft says:
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 7, 2008 at 10:46 pm
sbo says:
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 9, 2008 at 11:39 am
Nahlidge says:
With that said. Soula Boy`s cd just made my top 10 of all time. Yuuuuuuuuuh!
June 9, 2008 at 12:11 pm
sbo says:
ha ha funny shit he made top ten mcs in the game on mtv2… which furthers my reasons for not watching that shit!!
June 10, 2008 at 12:50 pm
TROOPRAW says:
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 10, 2008 at 12:54 pm
TROOPRAW says:
damm forgot southernplayalisticaddilacmusic…outkast….blackmoon ..enter the stage..and smif n wesson the shinning…..peace
June 10, 2008 at 1:05 pm
TROOPRAW says:
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 10, 2008 at 1:11 pm
TROOPRAW says:
how the fuck did i forget illmatic,criminal minded,and the first cypress hill joint..muggs the west coast primo……
June 11, 2008 at 12:29 pm
cranstoncitysinner says:
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 12, 2008 at 12:23 am
S.K. says:
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 13, 2008 at 12:07 pm
sneakypete says:
feels so empty…w/o me