Last week, Lin Manuel Miranda was on Sway in the Morning and talked about his top 5 hip hop albums of all time. This got me thinking about my list for the for the umpteenth million time. Over the years, I have had a pretty good lock on what my top 10 is, but would always forget a couple here and there and never had put them in any order. So, I figured I might as well make it official and put up my list. A couple of notes on how I came up with this list:
1)_ No More than One Album Per Artist. If I did that there may only be four or five artists on here.
2)_ If I don’t know the majority of the album (or the songs I know didn’t collectively have a huge impact on my life) then it’s not on my list, no matter how much it may deserve to be there.
3)_ No “Best of” or Compilations (apparently). I can think of one or two albums that would make its way on here until I realized it’s actually a “best of” album.
With that, here we go.
THE INCREDIBLE TRUE STORY – LOGIC
I have one or two dark horse albums on this list, and this is the first one. Logic has been a pretty polarizing figure in hip hop lately. Even so, the majority consensus is that he is one of the better rappers out today. I am a pretty big fan of his, and this is by far my favorite album from him. It makes my top ten list because this is the album that, no matter what, every time I listen to the songs they just make me feel good! For 13/14 songs (and even some of the 4 “scenes”) I am hyped and singing along to as many words as I can. The production on every song is top notch. Logic embodies his message of peace, love and positivity with a variety of flows ranging from double and triple-time cadence, to singing, to that more reminiscent of a Drake or Big Sean track. The wordplay is less complex than his first album, but exemplifies his combination of living through struggle while being completely and 100% himself. He completely hooked me when he mentions Leeloo, Korben Dallas, Fhloston Paradise, and napping in a big ass house. Some argue that he sounds too much like other rappers on this album and there is some truth to that. However, the space odyssey concept of the album is felt enough throughout that Logic still puts his unique stamp on each and every song.
Favorite Track: Fade Away
Best Track: Fade Away
Worst Track: The Incredible True Story
IT’S DARK AND HELL IS HOT – DMX
This is my 2nd dark horse (though not as much as #10). This album was the first I ever bought as I a kid. X has one of the most recognizable voices (and barks) in music. X is one of the only musicians in history to have a run of 4 or more #1 albums in row. X is one of the only musicians that I have ever seen to be able to have the entire world rock with him at a concert (I’m pretty confident that is not an exaggeration):
X is the first rapper you think of when you say X (sorry Xzibit). This debut was everything that DMX was in the 90s: rugged, visceral, uninhibited, and just… hood. It has arguably one of the best hip-hop songs of all time in “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem “. It also has one of the best concept songs in “Damien”. “How’s it Goin’ Down” is classic. His combination of hood narratives, spiritual devotions, and rugged realities kicked off one of the most successful runs in hip-hop history.
Favorite Track: Stop Being Greedy
Best Track: Damien
Worst Track: For My Dogs
THE SCORE – THE FUGEES
This is another album that was the soundtrack of my childhood. I don’t know what was more memorable about this record, the songs or Michelle Leslie Brown from 225th street that plays ball in the park. This is one of the few instances in music history that without the skits, the feel of the entire album shifts. The combination of Wyclef’s musical genius, L-Boogie’s lyrical savagery, and Pras’ voice made for one of the best examples of synergy on tracks. From “How Many Mics” to “Family Business”, guttural beats mixed with hints of guitar and bass riffs create the perfect backdrops for the Fugee’s thought-provoking and complex lyrics. The reggae influence is heavy throughout the album and creates a sound that lets you know who exactly you are listening to from second one. Every time Lauryn Hill gets on the track, whether singing or rapping, the quality is tripled. The best tracks have her at the forefront, and this is why for years many people had no idea that “Killing Me Softly With His Song” (ONE TIME!!) was a remake. For years, people have been asking when they will come out with another album (I’ve seen this asked to Ms. Boogie in person) and it doesn’t look like we will get that wish granted anytime soon, if ever. The Score is great enough to hold us over for the rest of time if need be.
Favorite Track: Ready Or Not
Best Track: Killing Me Softly With His Song
Worst Track: Mista Mista
THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP – EMINEM
Mr. Mathers is one of the GOATs, if not THE GOAT. He is respected in the community to be one of the greatest because he IS hip-hop: using music and lyrics to tell your authentic story. The Marshall Mathers LP is Eminem’s diary to the world. He tells every aspect of his life with power, anger, humor, and what seems like a never-ending ability to just keep slewing words and rhyme schemes from the beginning, middle, and end of every bar. He paints pictures with his words and brings out different emotions with every song. “Stan” brought plenty of people to tears with its first listen. “The Real Slim Shady” was his quintessentially hilarious first single. “The Way I Am” and “Mashall Mathers” are anthems for anyone who needs to tell people GTFOH!!!. “Criminal” caps off Em’s ability to take all the mud sent his way and send it back with more middle fingers. Then there’s “Kim”(need I say more about that song). There are not too many albums that put an artists’ life on their sleeve more than this one (except maybe the albums ahead).
Favorite Track: Kill You
Best Track: Stan
Worst Track: Remember Me?
STANKONIA – OUTKAST
This one has a bit of my bias in it. For one, my age is showing because this may not even be their best album. Second, my East Coast/Midwest/everything that is not the south bias isn’t allowing me to put this in the top 5. Either way, take your pick of any OutKast album and it could legitimately make anybody's top ten list. Stankonia is the album that perfectly balances the two halfs of OutKast’s career. Before Stankonia, Andre hadn’t gone full Andre but was making his way to otherworldly status. Big Boi was coming into OG status, but hadn’t quite gotten there yet. After Stankonia, 3 Stacks went full alien from outer space and Big found his patented pimp stroll that has carried him ever since. Similar to the perfection that is “Int’l Players Anthem”, Stankonia is the perfect balance between the grounded southern nature of their previous albums and the stylized, risk-taking Album-of-the-Year winner after. The blending of their opposing styles never sounded better than on this album. “Ms. Jackson” will never ever stop being played all over the world. “B.O.B.” is an anthem for anybody, everywhere. Whether it’s a slow groove (“So Fresh, So Clean”) or a smack in the mouth (“?”), there is a soul that follows through the entirety of this album. The funk cannot and will not be denied. Got it? Good. BREAK!
Favorite Track: B.O.B.
Best Track: So Fresh, So Clean
Worst Track: Gangsta Sh*t
good kid, m.A.A.d city – KENDRICK LAMAR
Dre just knows how to make classic debut albums. Well at least “major-label” debut albums. K. Dot busted through the rap game with this love letter to Compton, to the West Coast, and to his life. I call it a love letter because there is no way that someone who has never stepped foot in Compton can feel like they are also from there after listening to an album without that artist looking back at those experiences that created that album with the same amount of fondness and turmoil as is heard in good kid, m.A.A.d city. It screams West Coast. Yet, without isolating the rest of the country. There are some regional albums that need to grow on you if you aren’t from the area. This is distinctively West Coast while still inviting outsiders along for the journey. That journey enthralls you from when you first step inside K. Dot’s momma’s van in “Sherane A.K.A. Master Splinter’s Daughter”. You freeze with him after seeing two black hoodies as his phone rings. You almost catch your first offense with him. You dive into swimming pools of liquor with him. This album transports you without ever leaving your seat. The ends of verses one and two on “Sing About Me” will make you sit and wonder and listen and just think and ponder life, it’s so beautiful. It’s been long enough now to be able to call this one a classic.
Favorite Track: m.A.A.d City
Best Track: Sing About Me, I’m Dying of Thirst
Worst Track: Compton
BE – COMMON
From the first string pluck on “Be” to the last piano strike on “It’s Your World Part 2”, Be is 43 minutes of poetry over smooth jazz that fills your soul with the essence of Chicago in the 2000s. Kanye West wove together an intimate jam session for Common to put some of his most introspective rhymes. Be is a journey of freedom, relaxation, soul, passion, love, and life. You live in the moment of every song because “the present is a gift [you] just wanna 'Be'”. You wanna be the cold and struggle of “The Corner”. You wanna be in the heat of the moment and just “Go!”. You wanna be “Faithful” to the end. You wanna be in that courtroom to yell and “Testify”. You wanna be in a relationship where you know what “Love Is…” You wanna be in the rumble and hustle of “Chi City”. You wanna be at Chappelle’s Show eating “The Food”. You wanna be forever around “Real People”. You wanna be able to say that God don’t ever give you nothing you can’t handle whenever “They Say” but they don’t know. You wanna be that person that knows that “It’s Your World”. This album creates that vibe of just being. Being you and being real and being a light that shines in all aspects of life.
Favorite Track: They Say
Best Track: Be
Worst Track: Go!
THE BLUEPRINT – JAY-Z
The Blueprint is Jay’s “I am the man and I know it, and I am going to prove it to you track after track by making this classic and then telling you how classic it is while you’re listening to its classicness”. Jay-Z is at his most confident, comfortable, and cool on this album. He announces his kingdom over the rap game from track one, “The Ruler’s Back”, and never gives up the crown. I don’t know how many different ways he shows you The Blueprint of how he is the best in the game on this album, but every time he does it’s fresh and proves in that moment that he is untouchable. His flow on every track is full braggadocio, the production is hard hitting, and lyrically Jay is on his grown man shit. But then, tracks like “Song Cry” and “Blueprint (Momma Love Me)” bring listeners back to Jay’s humble beginnings with emotional weight. Whether in full boast mode or more “sensitive thug”, his punchlines are relentless and the album breathes a killer instinct. Not to mention it produced one-half of the best rap beefs of all time, as well as the best example of being bodied on your own track (thanks Em). Jay is at his best on this album, making everything feel effortless because he knew his reign was just beginning.
Favorite Track: Heart of the City (Ain’t No Love)
Best Track: Heart if the City (Ain’t No Love)
Worst Track: Izzo (H.O.V.A)
LUPE FIASCO’S THE COOL – LUPE FIASCO
The Cool is one of the best concept (and hip-hop) albums EVER. It is 17 songs (and 2 beautiful intros) of lyrical wordplay, storytelling, and world building. “Superstar” is probably Lupe’s most popular song and showcases how even when he isn’t rapping at his highest level he is better that 95% of any rappers out in the last 15 years. The Cool isn’t “Super Lupe Lyrical” like you usually hear from dread Lupe nowadays, but it is full of double and triple entendre on top of metaphors wrapped up in a straight bar fest. Apparently, “Dumb it Down” was so complex at first that his label asked him to change the hook into its current iteration. Lupe showcases his ability to master flows at top speed (“Go-Go Gadget Flow” and “The Die”) or more laid back (“Fighters” and “Intruder Alert”). The concept building off of his hood tale “The Cool” from Food & Liquor works tremendously in painting lyrical pictures through the personification of the Hustler (“The Coolest”), The Street (“Streets on Fire”), and The Game (“Put You On Game”) as dark irresistible forces. The one-off concept of “Gotta Eat” creating a story of the hustler through fast food punchlines is pure genius. There is only one “meh” song out of the 17, and that in itself is an accomplishment, especially when considering there could be whole articles written about the brilliance of the story of “Hip-Hop Saved My Life”, the amalgam of references in “Gold Watch”, and the genre blending of “Little Weapon” and “Hello/Goodbye”. What pushes it into the top 2 is that it doesn’t fall into the pitfall where lyrical masterpieces are often production flops. The Cool is a masterpiece from (almost) start to finish.
Favorite Track: Paris, Tokyo
Best Track: Put You On Game
Worst Track: Hi-Definition
ILLMATIC – NAS
There is no better debut and no better album than Nas’ magnum opus. The lyrical ability is a 10 (“I sip the Don P/watching Gandhi/til I’m charged and writing in my book of rhymes/all the words past the margin”). The production is New York’s finest and a 10 (Tip, Premo, and PETE ROCK!) The storytelling is a 10 (“One Love” will shed some thug tears). The flow is a 10 (verse one of “N.Y. State of Mind” was done in ONE TAKE!!!) The dueling comradery with AZ is a 10. The voice is a 10. This album is utter perfection. K. Dot would not have been able to take you through Compton if Nas hadn’t taken you through Queensbridge first. Lupe would not have been able to paint pictures of a hustler’s life if Nas didn’t introduce the hood intellectual first. Jay wouldn’t be able to talk his shit without Nas’s Mafioso flow. Illmatic is a cultural phenomenon that influenced his peers and those who followed him. It stands the test of time and will be on top of this (and many others) list for a very long time. Nothing more needs to be said.
Favorite Track: N.Y. State of Mind
Best Track: N.Y. State of Mind
Worst Track: One Time 4 Your Mind
And there goes my top 10 list. There are definitely albums that used to be on here, but if I was being honest with myself, I couldn’t keep them on when I don’t really listen to many of their songs that often (My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Life After Death, Paid in Full, The Chronic). I will also admit my early-life biases that keep other albums off the list just because I didn’t grow up listening to them (anything from Tupac, Scarface, or Cube). Let the arguments begin people. Leave your comments, your opinions, and your own lists. Until next time…
Honorable Mentions (The Next 10 in no particular order):
-Run The Jewels 3, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, Life After Death, Paid In Full, The Chronic, Lord Willin', Mos Def and Talib Kweli Are..., The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill, 2014 Forest Hills Drive, Enter the Wu Tang (36 Chambers)