We asked y’all a question, which hip-hop album is best? With lyrics so genius, it stands tall, above the rest. The Community came through, with passionate debate – Six of you then asked, to further elaborate. So, get ready to witness history unfold. As the Community crowns the best hip-hop album sold.
Now, gather round people, let me set the stage / For this epic battle of hip-hop’s golden age.
Listen up, it’s time to bring the heat / To discuss the greatest hip-hop album, an elitist feat / We got Nas, Eminem, Wu Tang Clan in this rap brawl / Public Enemy, 2 PAC, and Notorious BIG, yo, they all stand tall.
Repped by @Jamie_Jimz, we got ‘Illmatic’ in the ring / Nas dropped bombs, made the whole game sing / With poetic flows and storytelling, he painted the streets / A vivid portrayal of Queensbridge and life’s gritty beats.
But hold up, @mulv88 bigs up Eminem, the rap god / ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’ his weapon, one we applaud / With lightning-fast delivery and controversial lines / Slim Shady took the world by storm, no confines.
Now, Wu Tang Clan, @Jaywdee77 feels a force to be reckoned / ‘Enter the 36 Chambers’, their debut, the stuff of legend / RZA, GZA, Method Man, and the whole crew / Their gritty, raw sound, a revolution they brew.
Public Enemy, the prophets of hip-hop’s rage / ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions...’, @MrStreetzP set the stage / Chuck D and Flavor Flav, a powerful pair / Their influential lyrics, their genius they share.
Lost but never gone, we got 2 PAC and Notorious / Legends of the game, their impact, so victorious / 2 PAC’s ‘All Eyez on Me’, @Oeonbanjo says a masterpiece / Poetic, political, and raw, his legacy won't cease.
Finally Notorious BIG, the king of East Coast flow / ‘Ready to Die’, @Scotts_Sneakers’ star of the show / With smooth delivery and vivid storytelling / His rhymes captivate, the essence of hip hop dwelling.
So buckle up, Community get ready for this ride / An exploration of greatness, where true legends collide / The best hip hop-album of all time, we’ll unveil / Prepare for the ultimate rap battle, yo, it’s time to set sail!
NAS – ILLAMATIC
Where do I start about Nas’ llmatic. Not only was it one of the first rap albums I listened too when growing up, but it still brings back so many memories when I listen to any of the tracks now. I can remember playing the album in bed before going to sleep on my Sony Walkman back in 1998, trying to not wake any of my family up haha.
He was young at the time. None of my mates knew who Nas was until ‘Gods Son’ came out and even then, they were listening to Eminem. The album itself, I didn’t realise but was one of the first ‘super produced’ albums and had so many different high-profile producers on it, but it opened the gateway for so many to follow in the footsteps. For me it still is the best hip-hop album of all time, and nobody will come close to it.
“Inhale deep like the words of my breath / I never sleep, cause sleep is the cousin of death / I lay puzzle as I backtrack to earlier times / Nothing’s equivalent, to the New York State of Mind.”
Nas (N.Y. State of Mind)
EMINEM – THE MARSHALL MATHERS LP
For me the Marshall Mathers LP was hugely influential. I first heard it when a mate gave me a dodgy copy in about year 5 or 6 of primary school. Up until that point I had quite a narrow taste in music and my eyes were suddenly opened to a whole different genre that really spoke to me.
From that album I discovered Dre, from Dre I discovered Snoop and it didn’t stop there. The beauty of hip-hop compared to other genres I like is the collaboration and the exposure to new artists that comes with that. This album is one of the best.
“Will Smith don’t gotta cuss in his raps to sell records / Well, I do, so f- - k him and f- - k you too! / You think I give a damn about a Grammy? / Half of you critics can’t even stomach me, let alone stand me.”
Eminem (The Real Slim Shady)
WU TANG CLAN – ENTER THE 36 CHAMBERS
When ‘Enter the 36 Chambers’ released in 1993 I was already a few years deep into my hip-hop journey. Throughout the early 90’s, the West Coast G-funk sound had dominated, and Rza’s gritty beats were almost jarring at first. Once my ear had adjusted, I however quickly came to appreciate the depth of the album.
Raw and rugged beats, interspersed with kung-fu skits, the album introduced an array of unique personalities spitting about NY life, all with a unique style and perspective. The hunger of all members is apparent throughout the album and leaves you in no doubt as to their intention. Their subsequent back catalogue of classic (group and solo) albums is testament to these ambitions.
The album also birthed a new way of doing things – a multi-MC group, that came together like ‘Voltron’ to take the hip-hop world by storm. With solo deals across numerous record labels the ‘Wu Tang sound’ and the characters that it introduced became the pinnacle of hip-hop for me for many years.
“I grew up on the crime side, the New York Times side / Stayin’ alive was no jive / Had secondhands, Mom’s bounced on old man / So then we moved to Shaolin land.”
Raekwon (C.R.E.A.M.)
PUBLIC ENEMY – IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK
In 1988 my big brother Richard introduced me to an artist called Derek B, a London based rapper who opened my eyes to rhyming, a week later he came home with ‘It Takes a Nation’ by Public Enemy. There were so many samples from the Public Enemy that I had heard on the Derek B album, and it got me to delve deeper on sampling and all things we now call hip hop. That exploring of music samples and my inquisitive mind were fed with every single PE album since, and even though I later found out Yo' Bum Rush the show was their first offering.
It takes a nation will always be the introduction to American, specifically New York Sounds and the deepest understanding of African American Culture that has now dominated mainstream music for the last 25 years. First hearing the opening of ‘Bring The Noise’… “Too Black Too Strong, Too Black Too Strong” was rebellious to play in a household that was rife with racism throughout my childhood. PE gave me the weapons to fight for justice for my friends around me and it’s been a theme of my life’s work ever since.
The roll call of all the current artists of the time in Bring the noise, further fuelled my knowledge of LL, Eric B, Run DMC etc. ‘Rebel Without Pause’ has arguably the most recognisable opening of all hip hop, MTV sampled it and used it for YO Raps – that’s the power and the influence of Chuck D and the PE crew. It may not have the highest grossing sales or be featured on many top 5 lists but for me ‘It Takes a Nation’ gave birth to the Spike Lee era of using PE in almost every movie he’s made, and everyone knows how much I love Spike and what he’s done for hip-hop. Don’t Believe the Hype.
“They claim we’re products from the bottom of Hell / But the black is back, and it’s bound to sell / Picture us coolin’ out on the Fourth of July… / And if you heard we were celebratin’, that’s a worldwide lie.”
Flavor Flav (Louder than a Bomb)
2 PAC – ALL EYEZ ON ME
Tupac Shakur’s ‘All Eyez on Me’ stands as an iconic masterpiece within the realm of hip-hop, widely regarded as one of the greatest albums in the genre’s history. Released in 1996, this double album showcases Tupac’s lyrical prowess and storytelling ability like never before. What sets ‘All Eyez on Me’ apart is its profound authenticity. Tupac’s raw and unapologetic lyrics delve deep into his personal experiences, struggles, and societal issues. Tracks like ‘Ambitionz Az a Ridah’ and ‘Life Goes On’ offer a glimpse into the artist’s multifaceted persona, blending tales of street life with reflections on fame, love, and mortality.
The production on the album, primarily handled by Dr. Dre, DJ Quik, and Johnny ‘J,’ is a sonic masterpiece. The beats are both timeless and diverse, seamlessly integrating elements of funk, soul, and West Coast hip-hop. Each track is meticulously crafted to complement Tupac’s lyrics, enhancing the emotional impact of his words. Moreover, ‘All Eyez on Me’ boasts an impressive roster of guest artists, including Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, and The Outlawz, adding layers of depth to the album’s sonic landscape.
This album’s significance extends beyond its musical excellence; it encapsulates a pivotal moment in hip-hop history, capturing the essence of ‘90s West Coast rap. Its social commentary and fearless honesty continue to resonate with listeners, solidifying its status as the quintessential hip-hop masterpiece and a timeless beacon in the genre’s rich history. ‘All Eyez on Me’ is not merely an album; it’s an enduring testament to Tupac’s unparalleled artistry and an everlasting cornerstone of hip-hop culture and a timeless masterpiece.
“So many battlefield scars while driven in plush cars / This life as a rap star is nothin’ without guard / Was born rough and rugged, addressin’ the mass public / My attitude was f- - k it, ‘cause motherf- - kers love it.”
2 Pac (Ambitionz az a Ridah)
THE NOTORIOUS B.I.G. – READY TO DIE
‘Ready to Die’ is easily the best hip-hop album of all time for me as it’s an amazing body of work, with every song on there being an absolute banger! Whenever I hear any song from it, the track instantly sends me back to my childhood and a lot of good memories growing up. There was always hip-hop playing in my house daily for as long as I can remember.
Listening to it now, I understand more the message behind the album, and it applies to my life perfectly – we can be successful regardless of our background and we can really turn nothing into something. For me this album really touches my soul and I just relate to Biggie’s lyrics and timeless music, such as ‘10 Crack Commandments, Juicy, Skys the Limit, Warning, Gimme the Loot and Who Shot Ya’ – all timeless pieces. Biggie is an absolute legend and was way ahead of his time, so that’s why for me, it is and will forever be the best hip-hop album of all time!
“Birthdays was the worst days / Now we sip Champagne when we thirsty / Uh, damn right I like the life I live / ‘Cause I went from negative to positive and it's all good…”
The Notorious B.I.G. (Juicy)
