The third album in an incredible three-album run. Where dumbed down factory rap was selling millions of copies, this gem of an album sold less than It's a brilliant gambit when it works. The third time was the charm for Brad "Scarface" Jordan. Due to label uos, it was not before when the album was finally released.

He would go on to release a myriad of excellent albums and collaborations — Doomsday just may be the very best of his work. With this sophomore effort, Freestyle Fellowship deliver the goods. Conscious, humorous, clever, versatile: emcees Mikah 9, P. This highly original album is a slept-on lyrical masterpiece.

Another one of those albums that received widespread critical acclaim, but no radio play — as it was not about guns, money, and bitches but rather about intelligence and upliftment. He is not the all-out thug persona yet and the album is better for it.

On this album, he is able to show us all aspects of his tormented being, better than on any of his other albums. Underground Hip Hop at its finest. A hate-or-love-it kind of album for many due to its innovative and experimental nature, but doubtless a classic. Ahead of its time and very influential, Funcrusher Plus paved the way for countless left-field Hip Hop acts, who were and are instrumental in keeping the genre fresh.

A classic album is timeless, one that will still sound good decades from now. A classic album can be played again and again, without having to skip tracks. The album was well received by real Hip Hop heads and critically acclaimed, but it never got the sales or mainstream attention it deserved. This is real Hip Hop and a true underground classic. The Next Step is the independently released full-length debut by Los Angeles duo People Under the Stairs , the first in a string of excellent albums.

Maybe due to lacking promotion by O. This easily is one of the best Hip Hop albums of Critically acclaimed, but at the same time slept on and somehow under-appreciated — this is one album that definitely needs to part of any Hip Hop curriculum. Ever since Rhymesayers Entertainment was founded in as an independent record label they have been consistently dropping high-quality Hip Hop from a wide roster of talent.

In his year career, KRS dropped many classic albums — this one ranks with the best of them. Lyrics, flow, delivery, message, beats, diversity — this album has everything. Some great guest spots, great vibe — this is an album for the ages.

Both Mos Def and Talib Kweli planned to release their solo albums around the same time, but they postponed their individual projects and decided instead to collaborate on a full-length LP — and what a collaboration it is.

Liquid Swords is another highlight in the Wu-Tang solo catalog. Classic Wu-Tang. Why this album is hardly ever mentioned when discussing best ever Hip Hop albums is a mystery. Everything about this album is DOPE. Production is on point, Paris is a great emcee with a dark, menacing tone of voice and the subject matter is thought-provoking. Revolutionary Vol. An album that will forever polarize opinions. Wherever you stand, there can be no denying this is a landmark album, both production-wise and lyrically.

Mobb Deep brought their A-game on their second album and The Infamous will always be seen Source 100 Best Rap Albums Youtube as one of the most important mids East Coast albums. A timeless musical masterpiece, tasteful and irresistible. CL Smooth delivery serves as another instrument to complete the musical feast this album is from start to finish.

Still angry, still hungry. Raw and uncompromising, Death Certificate was highly controversial in its subject matter. This is Southern Hip Hop at its finest. Real and raw, Soul Food has that genre-bending musicality reminiscent of OutKast with true lyrical depth. One of those albums that age like fine wine and only get better as times goes by. Diamond D always was a producer first and an emcee second and it shows.

The beats on this joint are flawless start to finish, no need to skip tracks on this album. An underrated Golden Age gem. Great production and plain awesome lyricism by one of the best emcees ever. Where dumbed down factory rap was selling millions of copies, this gem of an album sold less than This album Source 100 Best Rap Albums Uk is FUN.

It should be, though. Excellent work. This album was produced by Marley Marl at the peak of his powers and is a definitive Hip Hop classic. Has there ever been a more influential album in Hip Hop?

Often imitated, never duplicated. Elzhi is one of the most underrated emcees in the game. The Detroit lyrical giant dropped an instant classic with The Preface. The Preface is an amazing album you just have to have in your collection. What an excellent album! Filled with jazzy and soulful beats, great sampling and lyrics worth listening to, The Find simply is an amazing debut and an all-around brilliant album.

This is a flawless album: top-notch production from Showbiz and Diamond D and guest appearances from Lord Finesse and Big L among others — this may just be the best DITC album in a series of excellent albums. Amazingly consistent and entertaining throughout. The album flew well under the mainstream radar but was quickly recognized as a classic by true heads. This album is ART, pure and simple. Madvillainy redefined the underground and is a perfect example of what can happen if two left-field geniuses combine powers.

MF DOOM and Madlib have both produced many pieces of brilliant music, but this epic album may just be the crowning achievement in both their careers. The best Hip Hop album of Eminem in his prime, lyrically unbeatable. On the heels of the explosive success of N. The D. The Rugged Man is an exceptional emcee. Incredible flow and wordplay, with lyrics that are clever, humorous, self-depreciative, personal, and provocative — this guy really is something else.

The beats on this album are dope too, Legends Never Die is one of the best albums of the past decade if you ask me. Production is excellent — with some of the soundscapes provided by a young Kanye West in top form — and lyrically Scarface is at his best, deftly balancing his trademark street tales with conscious commentaries.

Breaking Atoms is an important and hugely influential album in the history of Hip Hop and a testament to the brilliance of Large Pro.

And not to forget: this album contained the official debut on wax from young Queensbridge emcee Nasty Nas, with a brilliant opening verse on the dope posse cut Live At The BBQ.

This is DMX at the top of his game: introspective, hardcore, and emotional at the same time. He would never top or even equal this album, even though the follow-up Flesh Of My Flesh, Blood Of My Blood , which came out later in this same year, was a pretty good album as well.

In an era where conscious Hip Hop had long lost the spotlight to empty-headed materialism and violence, dead prez was one of the crews who kept the tradition started by Public Enemy and KRS-One alive: bringing intelligent, socially and politically charged messages over some kick-ass beats.

A flawless album from start to finish, filled with dope tracks. Second album, second classic for The Pharcyde. More mature and musically rounded than their equally epic debut, Labcabincalifornia is an album that has matured really well.

Servants in Heaven , Kings in Hell is the fifth studio album by legendary Philly crew Jedi Mind Tricks and arguably their best, in a series of mostly excellent albums. It is also their best-performing album commercially but still went criminally unnoticed especially when compared to highest selling and wack rap albums from the likes of Lil Wayne, Rick Ross and others like them.

The Rugged Man. But the rest of the album bangs too. Mama Said Knock You Out maybe? Or Bigger And Deffer? This is one of the greatest and most important debuts in the history of Hip Hop and LL Cool J is one of the all-time greats.

Their insanely smooth flows and outstanding creativity and originality make for an atypical late nineties NYC Hip Hop album. It has aged really well though and is deservedly recognized now by many as the masterpiece it is. Brother Ali is one of the heavy-hitters of the fantastic Rhymesayers label.

All of his albums are great, but Shadows Of The Sun arguably is his very best. Over some of the most engaging Ant production ever heard, Ali paints honest, poignant, and compelling pictures all over the album.

On a list with essential Hip Hop albums, one spot has to be reserved for Murs — one of the most underappreciated artists in the game. This album is a monument in the history of Hip Hop music. Original, both lyrically and musically.

Enta Da Stage is such an album. As KRS One would say: this album is real boom bap — real hard beats and real rap. Conscious, positive and funky — this album has turned out to be a timeless piece of music.

This is as good as feel-good Hip Hop gets. Perfectly capturing that throwback Hip Hop vibe, this Californian crew are all about flawless emceeing over dope instrumentals. Chali 2na, Mark 7even, Zaakir, and Akil can flow and harmonize with the best of them.

Much needed upbeat Hip Hop in times when materialism and violence of gangsta wannabes dominated the mainstream. Grip It! All tracks on the album were re-recorded, remixed and revamped by acclaimed producer Rick Rubin. One of the earliest N. Mos Def is one of the most unique emcees out there — he has a unique, immediately recognizable voice and his flow is tight. One of the most lyrical albums in Hip Hop ever, by one of the most underrated lyricists. In an age of simplistic rhymes and lack of meaningful concepts, Lupe Fiasco brought intelligence and consciousness back to mainstream Hip Hop.

The third album in an incredible three-album run. Bizarre and humorous lyrics delivered in that typical crazy Redman flow — Muddy Waters is an album that is not to be missed. Cannibal Ox really delivered something special with The Cold Vein. With invaluable work on the boards of El-P during the heyday of the unsung DefJux label, this album is nothing less than a masterpiece. The Cold Vein was years ahead of its time and is only getting better as time goes by. Hi-Tek comes with excellent production throughout and Talib Kweli once again proves he is a gifted emcee who can write meaningful lyrics and has the emcee skills to deliver them.

No skippable tracks on this album — quality all the way. The second Tribe album on this list, because it is nearly impossible to choose which one is one is better. Faced with the impossible task of following up on the flawless masterpiece that is The Low End Theory , with Midnight Marauders Tribe delivered an album that is every bit as Source 100 Best Rap Albums For Windows awesome as its predecessor was. There can be no greater praise. Crucially important in establishing the Rawkus movement, this album is a monument in underground Hip Hop.

Raw Hip Hop beats and scratches combined with clever and socially conscious lyrics — there are virtually no weak tracks here, and A LOT of standouts. But make no mistake, this whole compilation album is dope a. What more is there to want? This entry may not be an obvious one when talking about essential Hip Hop albums, but it is a personal favorite, so there you go. Percee P is a criminally underrated emcee. One of the best lyricists in the game, ever. Active in the Hip Hop game since the s — and always stealing the show as a guest emcee on other peoples albums — Perseverance , his official solo debut album came out as late as If he could have gotten himself released in the early 90s, no doubt he would be widely recognized now as one of the all-time greats.

As it is, this album may have come too late — in a time when Hip Hop was being watered down and dumbed down for near on a decade already and quality Hip Hop like this was not promoted anymore by the big money people. This is a real Hip Hop album, that should have a place in any real heads collection. Superior lyrical skill, astute lyrics and produced by one of the best producers in the game: Madlib. Hip-hop in was a misogynistic place. MC Lyte's debut, "Lyte as a Rock," helped usher in a wave of skilled, confident rappers who just happened to be women.

Tupac Shakur was fresh out of jail when he released "All Eyez on Me," and you could hear the raw thoughts of a man grappling with his inner conflict. On one side were the brazen cuts that showed his tough side; on the other, he was soft as a pillow, immortalizing dead homies on the sentimental "Life Goes On. It also gave us a sneak peek of hip-hop's future, in sound and rhyme. Finding early promotional copies of this album years later is like finding unicorn blood.

Kanye's first album, "The College Dropout," was one for the ages. His hunger on this album is unmatched. Warm, sample-heavy production backs up Mr.

West's self-conscious lyrics. At a time when bad boy stars such as Mase and Diddy ruled radio with a pop-friendly sound, X took the dark route. A year-old bleached-blond rapper from Detroit wasn't anyone's image of a hip-hop artist at the turn of the decade. But once Eminem opened his mouth, no one could question his skill. Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all.

Their debut is one of the most influential of the era. Guru used his monotone voice like an instrument to call attention to inner-city strife, while Premier backed him up with some of the grimiest beats hip-hop has ever heard. It retains vestiges of "Good Kid, m.

One of rap's greatest duos , Mobb Deep brought QB dun talk to hip-hop audiences in the '90s. East Coast hip-hop was a competitive space in the '90s, and Mobb's first album, "Juvenile Hell," flew under the radar. In , Havoc and Prodigy made huge creative leaps with "The Infamous.

The Human Beatbox came onto the scene with jokes in his veins and a boogers-out attitude on the mic. With Marley Marl weaving some of the tightest beats of the Golden Era and Biz dropping lung-cracking rhymes, "Goin' Off" affirmed Biz Markie as a certified master of ceremonies.

When everyone wondered if Kanye could re-enact the magic of his stellar debut, his response was a resounding yes. West was rewarded with a Grammy for his effort. It's hard for those who weren't there to understand, but the Geto Boys were rap heroes to every little ghetto boy and girl on the Gulf Coast who dared dream of counting bars at a time when East Coast and West Coast were vying for rap supremacy.

It's a great album full of raw tales every hood can relate to, from Houston to Haiti. Latifah's debut showcased her Grade A rapping chops, with songs such as "Wrath of My Madness" and "Ladies First" announcing the Jersey native as rap's new royalty.

The largely instrumental album sounded like nothing else that was out in Shadow culled samples from obscure places to create a hazy spell of an album. 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. La Rock would have approved. The album gets its unique identity from Bun and Pimp's yin and yang connection.

Bun is the surgical emcee, while Pimp is the flamboyant philosopher. Everyone should buy two copies. RZA's serene, atmospheric board work helps transform the album from alt-rap bravery to a Wu masterpiece. Mos Def 's solo debut, "Black on Both Sides," scores major points in key categories: aesthetics, substance, and production. It knocks from end to end. Whether kicking rhymes about his personal politics or painting a portrait of a plump backside, Mos does it with vivid skill.

Nas could spend the rest of his career chasing a shadow named "Illmatic. Standouts include the scathing Jay-Z diss "Ether" and the time-bending classic "Rewind. Creative ebullience abounds, but three of 's best rap songs are all here: "B. One part Southern-fried beatsmithery and one part poetic sorcery, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is percent dope. It's one of the best hip-hop albums of the s.

Marley Marl supplies the cold beats, DJ Polo provides the cuts, and Kool G Rap attacks every track with the nastiest lisp in the five boroughs. Prime poets MF Doom and Madlib joined forces to create this enduring masterwork in An extension of Dr. Dre's classic debut, "" aka "Chronic " is a syncopated day in the life of a G. Now a duo, The Coup makes a more focused album full of political rhetoric, vivid storytelling, and slick production.

Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as "Still Not a Player" and "You Ain't a Killer. A mic in one hand and a copy of "The Philosophy and Opinions of Marcus Garvey" in the other, Mos Def and Talib Kweli excelled with their consciousness revivalism form of hip-hop. WIth Organized Noize manning the boards once again, OutKast emerged with a thoroughly enjoyable Southern rap album that rivals its predecessor for greatness.

In , The Roots released a groundbreaking album that offered a peek into the experimental approach to music they would later hang their hats on. Highlights include the title track and "Let's Organize.

LL Cool J released a ton of clunkers in the latter part of his career, but "Radio" stands testament to his days as a great emcee: tough, def, and jingling, baby. Her stellar songwriting flourished from song to song, whether grappling with spirituality "Final Hour," "Forgive Them, Father" or stroking sexuality without exploiting it "Nothing Even Matters". At a time when hip-hop was dominated by rage, Erick Sermon and Parrish Smith slowed things down with the decidedly smooth, fresh, and exciting "Unfinished Business.

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.

Biggie must have known this would be his last album. He stuffed it with as many songs as he could muster: street anthems, radio hits, comedic skits, and a wide cast of co-stars. It also captured Guru and Premier's growing frustration with sucker emcees. Authentic, fun, and beautifully produced, Tribe's stunning debut appealed to lovers of alternative hip-hop and still inspires.

Pete Rock and CL Smooth helped usher in a pivotal point in hip-hop with their mix of smooth, horn-heavy beats and sophisticated rhymes. The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP. Backed by RZA's slick and somber beats, Ghostface dropped a combustive debut rife with rich stories and wild metaphors. After a messy breakup with NWA, Ice Cube filled his debut album with dark stories of manic frustration.

Redman's wild sense of humor is the main star of "Whut? Thee Album," but it's also notable for its rousing energy, funky party jams, and ferocious boasts. Marley Marl's excellent production helps make "Mama" a masterpiece. Some say "Makaveli" is 2Pac's best album. It's certainly his hardest and most surreal. Released less than eight weeks after Pac's death, the album further eternalized Pac's enigma.

The third time was the charm for Brad "Scarface" Jordan. His third solo foray, "The Diary ," immediately established the Houston rapper as the South's answer to Rakim, thanks to his smart storytelling and inimitable flow. Tribe's third disc is a collection of melodic, Crisco-slick sizzlers.

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