Hip-hop has produced plenty of great music over its 40-plus-year history. Few albums are worthy of the title “greatest,” while others are good enough to make the list. These albums were picked on the basis of creativity, originality, replay value, and overall cultural impact.
100 of 100
Run the Jewels: ‘Run the Jewels’
Courtesy Fools Gold
Killer Mike is really good at rapping. El-P is really good at rapping and excellent at making beats. Put these two together and nobody could screw it up.
99 of 100
The Freestyle Fellowship: ‘To Whom It May Concern’
Sun Music
Amid the thugged-out reign of N.W.A. and Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship countered with lyrical virtuosity.
98 of 100
Too Short: ‘Born to Mack’
Jive Records
Raw, uncut, and X-rated tales of female conquests abound. At a mere eight tracks, “Born to Mack” was indeed too short.
97 of 100
MF Doom: ‘Operation Doomsday’
Metal Face Records
Doom’s off-kilter rhymes, scenic skits, and soul-inspired production made “Operation Doomsday” a unique set worthy of multiple spins.
96 of 100
Pharoahe Monch: ‘Internal Affairs’
Priority Records
“Internal Affairs” was Pharoahe Monch’s Rocky Balboa moment. Most of the album was recorded in a closet without air conditioning, which imbues it with a raw feeling. The gritty production comes from now-vintage equipment such as SP-12s and AKAI 2000s .
95 of 100
Jeru the Damaja: ‘The Sun Rises in the East’
Payday Records
Fame proved elusive for the Brooklyn emcee, but Jeru’s talent and Premier’s mind-blowing compositions made his debut one of the quintessential ’90s hip-hop albums.
94 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’
Top Dawg Entertainment
There’s a lot to love about Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.” For starters, it’s a remarkable rap album in every way rap can be remarkable. It’s a portrait of the jungle through the eyes of the prey. Despite a Grammy snub, it was well received by fans, critics, and peers.
93 of 100
Juvenile: ‘400 Degreez’
Cash Money Records
A combination of Juvie’s melodic flow and Cash Money’s high-end production made “400 Degreez” a Southern rap favorite in 1998.
92 of 100
The Roots: ‘Things Fall Apart’
MCA
This mid-career success for The Roots was a huge step forward from the righteous fury of their first three LPs.
91 of 100
Del: ‘I Wish My Brother George Was Here’
Elektra Records
While his cousin Ice Cube was busy stirring up the gangsta rap scene, Del was laying the foundation for what would become a healthy alternative-hip-hop landscape.
90 of 100
Xzibit: ‘40 Dayz & 40 Nightz’
RCA Records
Xzibit molds his voice into a gruff instrument, overpowering the beats when necessary. It’s a brilliant gambit when it works.
89 of 100
Reflection Eternal: ‘Train of Thought’
Rawkus
Super lyricist Talib Kweli and super producer Hi-Tek join forces on a masterwork that underlined the Rawkus era in hip-hop.
88 of 100
Slum Village: ‘Fantastic Volume II’
GoodVibe
Two of the three masterminds behind “Fantastic Volume II” are no longer alive, but this album left an indelible mark on hip-hop. SV’s experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups such as Little Brother and Tanya Morgan.
87 of 100
Black Moon: ‘Enta Da Stage’
Wreck Records
Unlike most hip-hop albums of its era, “Enta Da Stage” eschewed confrontational raps and opted for a brooding, electrifying brand of hip-hop.
86 of 100
Wyclef Jean: ‘The Carnival’
Sony
This is where it all began. Wyclef’s debut set the bar high for the rest of the Fugees’ solo efforts. “The Carnival” was a masterful piece that combined Clef’s smart songwriting with excellent beatsmithing. It was a critical and commercial smash.
85 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Fix’
Def Jam
“The Fix” was one of those albums that came out of nowhere and made you forget everything else going on in Southern rap. With robust beats by Mike Dean and a young Kanye West and Scarface in peak form, “The Fix” was an instant hit and a Southern rap classic.
84 of 100
The Roots: ‘Illadelph Halflife’
Geffen
The year is 1996 and hip-hop heads aren’t so sure about live instrumentation. So The Roots flip the script and sample themselves in a brave artistic endeavor.
83 of 100
Busta Rhymes: ‘When Disaster Strikes’
Elektra Records
Busta’s second album is arguably his most consistent work. It definitely contains his most memorable singles: “Dangerous” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
82 of 100
MC Lyte: ‘Lyte As a Rock’
Courtesy Atlantic
Hip-hop in 1988 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. Standouts include “Paper Thin” and “I Cram to Understand U.”
81 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’
Aftermath
“The Marshall Mathers LP” was an undeniable hip-hop masterpiece that reinforced Eminem’s status as one of the most exciting artists of the new millennium.
80 of 100
2Pac: ‘All Eyez on Me’
Death Row Records
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.”
79 of 100
Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics: ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’
Mercury Records
“Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop” announced Diamond D as one of the best producers on the mic. It also gave us a sneak peek of hip-hop’s future, in sound and rhyme. The album featured fierce rhymes and beats by the likes of Big L, Fat Joe, and Q-Tip, among others. Finding early promotional copies of this album years later is like finding unicorn blood.
78 of 100
Kanye West: ‘The College Dropout’
Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam
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. “College Dropout” appealed to both mainstream and underground audiences.
77 of 100
DMX: ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’
Def Jam
DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” arrived in May 1998 and established him as the hottest thing in rap. At a time when bad boy stars such as Mase and Diddy ruled radio with a pop-friendly sound, X took the dark route. He barked (literally) his way to the top of the charts, thanks to key singles “Get at Me Dog” and “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.” And “How’s It Goin’ Down” with Faith Evans showed this dog wasn’t all bark.
76 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Slim Shady LP’
Aftermath
A 24-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. “The Slim Shady LP” sold over 5 million copies and solidified Em as a new force in rap.
75 of 100
Jungle Brothers: ‘Straight Out the Jungle’
Warlock Records
1980s hip-hop is colored by drum breaks, bad fashion, and Afrocentrism. Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all. Their debut is one of the most influential of the era.
74 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Step in the Arena’
Chrysalis Records
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.
73 of 100
Pharcyde: ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
Delicious Vinyl Records
While De La Soul was brewing Daisy Age rap on the East Coast, Pharcyde was diligently paying attention out West. “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde” has many fun, irreverent moments (“Oh S**t”) and angst (“Officer”) and mush (“Passin’ Me By”), but not once do the zany fellas on the mic compromise passion for a bitter whine.
72 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’
Aftermath
“To Pimp a Butterfly” is a concept album with a convoluted arc that Kendrick follows with rare discipline. It retains vestiges of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” themes, with Lucy (Lucifer) supplanting Sherane. It deserves a seat alongside timeless works such as “Fear of a Black Planet” and “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.”
71 of 100
Mobb Deep: ‘The Infamous’
Sony
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 1995, Havoc and Prodigy made huge creative leaps with “The Infamous.” With Havoc serving up hardbody beats and Prodigy thrilling listeners with cinematic crime rap, “The Infamous” became one of the most influential gangsta rap albums.
70 of 100
Biz Markie: ‘Goin’ Off’
Cold Chillin’ Records
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.
69 of 100
Kanye West: ‘Late Registration’
Roc-A-Fella
When everyone wondered if Kanye could re-enact the magic of his stellar debut, his response was a resounding yes. “Late Registration” not only built on his previous sound palette, but it also packed even more lyrical punch than his debut. West was rewarded with a Grammy for his effort.
68 of 100
Geto Boys: ‘We Can’t Be Stopped’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
67 of 100
Queen Latifah: ‘All Hail the Queen’
Tommy Boy Records
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.
66 of 100
DJ Shadow: ‘Endtroducing’
Island
“Endtroducing” is one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. The largely instrumental album sounded like nothing else that was out in 1996. Shadow culled samples from obscure places to create a hazy spell of an album.
65 of 100
AZ: ‘Doe or Die’
Capitol Records
After his star turn on Nas’ “Life’s a B***h,” AZ launched his solo career with the arrival of “Doe or Die.” Nas returns the favor on “Mo Money, Mo Murder,” while songs such as “Rather Unique” and “Gimme Yours” hark back to the street spirit of “Illmatic.”
64 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘By All Means Necessary’
Jive
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.” KRS-One found himself denouncing Black-on-Black violence and railing against injustice on the classic BDP album. La Rock would have approved.
63 of 100
UGK: ‘Ridin’ Dirty’
Sony
“Ridin’ Dirty” is UGK’s most important album and one of the best rap albums ever recorded. 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.
62 of 100
GZA/Genius: ‘Liquid Swords’
Geffen
“Liquid Swords” introduced GZA as the cerebral swordsman. RZA’s serene, atmospheric board work helps transform the album from alt-rap bravery to a Wu masterpiece.
61 of 100
Mos Def: ‘Black on Both Sides’
Rawkus
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.
60 of 100
Nas: ‘Stillmatic’
Sony
Nas could spend the rest of his career chasing a shadow named “Illmatic.” 2001’s “Stillmatic” was the closest he came to capturing the angst and paranoia of his boyhood self. Standouts include the scathing Jay-Z diss “Ether” and the time-bending classic “Rewind.”
59 of 100
Nas: ‘It Was Written’
Columbia
“It Was Written” is Nas’ attempt to match the grit and glory of “Illmatic.” Highlights include “The Message,” “I Gave U Power,” and “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.
58 of 100
OutKast: ‘Stankonia’
LaFace
Creative ebullience abounds, but three of 2002’s best rap songs are all here: “B.O.B.,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and the baby mama drama jama “Ms. Jackson.”
57 of 100
De La Soul: ‘De La Soul Is Dead’
Tommy Boy Entertainment
De La Soul reinvented its sound on “De La Soul Is Dead.” After being derided as hippies, they shifted away from the Daisy Age image of the first album and returned with a poker-face album that retained some of the early zaniness.
56 of 100
OutKast: ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
LaFace
OutKast’s debut is as much a triumph for Andre 3000 and Big Boi as it is for production outfit Organized Noize. One part Southern-fried beatsmithery and one part poetic sorcery, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is 100 percent dope.
55 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘The Blueprint’
Roc-A-Fella
It’s an album so great not even Osama bin Laden could stop its flight to the top on 9/11/01. “Blueprint” solidified Jay’s place as a GOAT contender. It’s one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s.
54 of 100
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: ‘Road to the Riches’
Warner Bros. Records
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.
53 of 100
Madvillain:‘Madvillainy’
Stones Throw Records
Prime poets MF Doom and Madlib joined forces to create this enduring masterwork in 2004.
52 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘2001’
Aftermath
An extension of Dr. Dre’s classic debut, “2001” (aka “Chronic 2001”) is a syncopated day in the life of a G.
51 of 100
The Coup: ‘Genocide & Juice’
Wild Pitch Records
Now a duo, The Coup makes a more focused album full of political rhetoric, vivid storytelling, and slick production.
50 of 100
Big Punisher: ‘Capital Punishment’
Columbia Records
Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as “Still Not a Player” and “You Ain’t a Killer.”
49 of 100
Black Star: ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’
Rawkus
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.
48 of 100
OutKast: ‘ATLiens’
LaFace
WIth Organized Noize manning the boards once again, OutKast emerged with a thoroughly enjoyable Southern rap album that rivals its predecessor for greatness.
47 of 100
The Roots: ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’
Geffen
In 1995, The Roots released a groundbreaking album that offered a peek into the experimental approach to music they would later hang their hats on. It’s 100% sample-free—no additives.
46 of 100
Organized Konfusion: ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’
Elektra Records
“Stress: The Extinction Agenda,” Organized Konfusion’s second album, is more ambitious and exceptionally well written compared to the first. Highlights include the title track and “Let’s Organize.”
45 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Radio’
Def Jam
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.
44 of 100
Brand Nubian: ‘One for All’
Elektra Records
Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo brought social commentary and spirituality to the forefront of ’90s rap with gems such as “Slow Down” and “Wake Up.”
43 of 100
Lauryn Hill: ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’
Sony
Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” offered the best blend of rap and R&B in hip-hop history. 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”).
42 of 100
EPMD: ‘Unfinished Business’
Priority Records
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.”
41 of 100
Ice-T: ‘Power’
Warner Bros
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.
40 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Life After Death’
Bad Boy Records
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. “Life After Death” is certified diamond for sales totaling over 10 million units.
39 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Hard to Earn’
Chrysalis Records
“Hard to Earn” varied from Gang Starr’s previous albums: It was harsher and more insular. It also captured Guru and Premier’s growing frustration with sucker emcees.
38 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm’
Sony Records
Authentic, fun, and beautifully produced, Tribe’s stunning debut appealed to lovers of alternative hip-hop and still inspires.
37 of 100
Pete Rock & CL Smooth: ‘Mecca and the Soul Brother’
Elektra Records
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.
36 of 100
Dead Prez: ‘Let’s Get Free’
Columbia Records
The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP.
35 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘Fear of a Black Planet’
Def Jam
Dark, raw and provocative, “Fear of a Black Planet” produced classic cuts such as “911 Is a Joke” and “Who Stole the Soul.”
34 of 100
Ghostface Killah: ‘Ironman’
Sony Records
Backed by RZA’s slick and somber beats, Ghostface dropped a combustive debut rife with rich stories and wild metaphors.
33 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’
Priority Records
After a messy breakup with NWA, Ice Cube filled his debut album with dark stories of manic frustration.
32 of 100
Redman: ‘Whut? Thee Album’
Def Jam
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.
31 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Paul’s Boutique’
Capitol Records
As critics were writing off Beastie Boys as a one-album wonder, Ad-Rock, Mike, and MCA went back to their L.A. studio and worked feverishly on their follow-up to the monumental “Licensed to Ill.” The result was “Paul’s Boutique,” an album that packed a combination of creative depth and layered production.
30 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’
Def Jam
Striking a balance between pleasant and pugnacious, “Mama Said Knock You Out” marked Uncle L’s growth as a rapper. The hard-edged songs are here (“Murdergram,” “Mama Said Knock You Out”), but they’re perfectly complemented by smooth, accessible jams (“Around the Way Girl”). Marley Marl’s excellent production helps make “Mama” a masterpiece.
29 of 100
Makaveli: ‘The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory’
Death Row Records
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 album’s best songs include the street anthem “Hail Mary” and the (adoptive) hometown tribute “To Live and Die in LA.”
28 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Diary’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
27 of 100
Big Daddy Kane: ‘Long Live the Kane’
Cold Chillin’ Records
Big Daddy Kane wrote the manuscript for braggart rap on “Long Live the Kane.” Marley Marl’s sparse production and Kane’s slick wordplay are worth noting. Like Tony the Tiger, he’s GRRRRREAAAT.
26 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘Midnight Marauders’
Jive Records
Tribe’s third disc is a collection of melodic, Crisco-slick sizzlers. You’ll love “Electric Relaxation,” “Award Tour,” and “Oh My God.”
25 of 100
Ultramagnetic MC’s: ‘Critical Beatdown’
Next Plateau
“Critical Beatdown” is important for three reasons: It’s arguably the best album of 1988; it revolutionized the art of hip-hop sampling thanks to Ced-Gee’s brilliant use of the E-mu SP-1200 sampler; and it introduced the world to the exceptionally creative weirdo known as Kool Keith.
24 of 100
Run-DMC: ‘Raising Hell’
Profile Records
“Raising Hell” was the most uncompromising Run DMC album, and also the most accessible. It has this gloriously invigorating feel that resonated with audiences old and new. “Raising Hell” is important for its originality as well as its influence. “My Adidas” is still an anthem for hip-hop fashion, while “Walk This Way” helped started a trend of rock-rap fusion.
23 of 100
D.O.C." ‘No One Can Do It Better’
Ruthless Records
Before a car crash wrecked D.O.C.’s larynx, he made an undeniable hip-hop classic. “No One Can Do It Better” sidestepped West Coast gun talk in favor of East Coast lyricism and featured some of Dr. Dre’s finest production.
22 of 100
EPMD: ‘Strictly Business’
Priority Records
EPMD is the most sampled group in hip-hop for good reason: Their production is a thing of beauty. Combine that with Erick and P’s laid-back rhymes and you get strictly dopeness.
21 of 100
Afrika Bambaataa: ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’
Tommy Boy Records
Afrika Bambaataa was a trailblazer, an innovator of the hip-hop aesthetic. “Looking for the Perfect Beat” is a good place to start if you’re seeking to familiarize yourself with his most significant works, including “Planet Rock” and “Unity Pt. 1,” a collaboration James Brown.
20 of 100
Main Source: ‘Breaking Atoms’
Wild Pitch Records
The sample-heavy “Breaking Atoms” was one of the most influential albums ever, in that it helped launch the careers of Nas, Akinyele, and others. It also inspired a production technique that’s still widely emulated.
19 of 100
Common: ‘Resurrection’
Relativity Records
1994 was a flagship year for hip-hop, with “Illmatic” and “Ready to Die” arriving. Yet Chicago rapper Common (then known as Common Sense) still managed to stand out with his smart, jazz-tinged sophomore LP, “Resurrection.”
18 of 100
Cypress Hill: ‘Cypress Hill’
Columbia Records
Aside from being the first popular Latino rap group, Cypress Hill also did a respectable job of bridging the gap between rock and hip-hop on its self-titled debut album. Highlights include “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “The Phunkcy Feel One.”
17 of 100
Snoop Doggy Dogg: ‘Doggystyle’
Death Row Records
“Doggystyle” kicked the door wide for many West Coast emcees. Dr. Dre’s finesse aside, Snoop’s piquant delivery and melodic flow were equally crucial to the success of “Doggystyle.”
16 of 100
Fugees: ‘The Score’
Columbia Records
Fugees’ second album, “The Score,” was so remarkable that most fans forgot about the less memorable debut. Truth be told, “The Score” was a huge improvement over the lackluster “Blunted on Reality.”
15 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Licensed to Ill’
Def Jam
There are two stars on “Licensed to Ill,” and both deserve equal credit. Rick Rubin, the true pioneer of rap rock, is the one pulling the musical puppet strings on this thing. But the album would be nothing without the Beasties destroying every track with their unbridled passion.
14 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘Criminal Minded’
B-Boy Records
KRS-One was the dreaded poet, Scott La Rock the musical visionary. Together they cooked up an album that shook up the landscape of hip-hop. “Criminal Minded” should be studied in college.
13 of 100
OutKast: ‘Aquemini’
LaFace Records
“Aquemini” is evidence of just how often Boi and Dre loved to reinvent their sound. They abandoned everything that had worked in the past and went straight for harmonica, acoustic guitar, and even a tinny splice of electro.
12 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘Death Certificate’
Priority Records
Cube’s debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was outstanding, but his follow-up was even better and more venomous than the first. The thing is named “Death Certificate,” after all. The album’s “Death” side presented an image of the present, while the “Life” side offered a vision of the future.
11 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Roc-A-Fella
Before “Reasonable Doubt,” mafioso rap lacked nuance. Jay studied his peers and perfected their template, bringing a vulnerable side that personified the usual street characters. The outcome was an album that served both as an honest narrative of the ills of street life and an unrepentant defense of it.
10 of 100
2Pac: ‘Me Against the World’
Interscope
“Me Against the World” is 2Pac at his best. No thug core tracks, no name-inscribed missiles aimed at East Coast rappers. Simply Pac at his most poignant and most defiant, the duality in all its brilliance.
09 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘The Low End Theory’
Jive Records
“The Low End Theory” is Tribe at its best. Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg became one of the greatest rap groups of all time by trafficking in smart lyrics drizzled over smooth, jazz-rap layers.
08 of 100
N.W.A.: ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Priority Records
Eazy, Dre, Cube, and the rest of ’em had to fight for their right to party. No one—not even the alphabet people—could stop them from publicly, viciously and explicitly indicting the powers that be. It’s a true West Coast masterpiece.
07 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘The Chronic’
Death Row Records
1991 produced many great albums: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “Mecca and the Soul Brother,” Pharcyde’s “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,” and Diamond D’s “Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.” But it was Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” that towered over hip-hop that year and for many years to come. Dre’s G-funk basslines, bolstered generously by Snoop’s slick flow, announced the new name running the game.
06 of 100
Wu-Tang Clan: ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’
Loud Records
“36 Chambers” is one of the greatest debuts hip-hop has ever seen. The 12-song spectacle barely gave the nine original swordsmen enough room to stretch out their eccentricities. Highlights include “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and the pragmatic life hack “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F**k’ Wit.”
05 of 100
Raekwon: ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’
Loud Records
“Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin’s life. It’s a crime-rap manifesto that shaped the course of mafioso rap throughout the ’90s.
04 of 100
Eric B. & Rakim: ‘Paid in Full’
Island Records
While his peers bragged about the size of their manhood, Rakim styled on them with peculiar precision. The man loves painting pictures with words, and “Paid in Full” is his ultimate canvas.
03 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’
Def Jam
Public Enemy challenged everything that posed an obstacle to the oppressed: racism, injustice, crooked cops, profiling, everything. P.E.’s second album is an undeniable hip-hop classic.
02 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Ready to Die’
Big Beat Records
Biggie’s ability to coolly captivate an audience with his storytelling chops, capture a difficult emotion (e.g., suicidal thoughts), or mine comedy from the most serious of subjects (e.g., robbery) are skills rarely seen in the same package. Biggie Smalls is the illest.
01 of 100
Nas: ‘Illmatic’
Columbia Records
There are great hip-hop albums, and then there’s “Illmatic.” A 19-year-old word wizard, Nas packed potent poetry into 39 minutes, while A-list producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock supplied the perfect score. “Illmatic” is the greatest hip-hop album of all time.
Hip-hop has produced plenty of great music over its 40-plus-year history. Few albums are worthy of the title “greatest,” while others are good enough to make the list. These albums were picked on the basis of creativity, originality, replay value, and overall cultural impact.
100 of 100
Run the Jewels: ‘Run the Jewels’
Courtesy Fools Gold
Killer Mike is really good at rapping. El-P is really good at rapping and excellent at making beats. Put these two together and nobody could screw it up.
99 of 100
The Freestyle Fellowship: ‘To Whom It May Concern’
Sun Music
Amid the thugged-out reign of N.W.A. and Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship countered with lyrical virtuosity.
98 of 100
Too Short: ‘Born to Mack’
Jive Records
Raw, uncut, and X-rated tales of female conquests abound. At a mere eight tracks, “Born to Mack” was indeed too short.
97 of 100
MF Doom: ‘Operation Doomsday’
Metal Face Records
Doom’s off-kilter rhymes, scenic skits, and soul-inspired production made “Operation Doomsday” a unique set worthy of multiple spins.
96 of 100
Pharoahe Monch: ‘Internal Affairs’
Priority Records
“Internal Affairs” was Pharoahe Monch’s Rocky Balboa moment. Most of the album was recorded in a closet without air conditioning, which imbues it with a raw feeling. The gritty production comes from now-vintage equipment such as SP-12s and AKAI 2000s .
95 of 100
Jeru the Damaja: ‘The Sun Rises in the East’
Payday Records
Fame proved elusive for the Brooklyn emcee, but Jeru’s talent and Premier’s mind-blowing compositions made his debut one of the quintessential ’90s hip-hop albums.
94 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’
Top Dawg Entertainment
There’s a lot to love about Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.” For starters, it’s a remarkable rap album in every way rap can be remarkable. It’s a portrait of the jungle through the eyes of the prey. Despite a Grammy snub, it was well received by fans, critics, and peers.
93 of 100
Juvenile: ‘400 Degreez’
Cash Money Records
A combination of Juvie’s melodic flow and Cash Money’s high-end production made “400 Degreez” a Southern rap favorite in 1998.
92 of 100
The Roots: ‘Things Fall Apart’
MCA
This mid-career success for The Roots was a huge step forward from the righteous fury of their first three LPs.
91 of 100
Del: ‘I Wish My Brother George Was Here’
Elektra Records
While his cousin Ice Cube was busy stirring up the gangsta rap scene, Del was laying the foundation for what would become a healthy alternative-hip-hop landscape.
90 of 100
Xzibit: ‘40 Dayz & 40 Nightz’
RCA Records
Xzibit molds his voice into a gruff instrument, overpowering the beats when necessary. It’s a brilliant gambit when it works.
89 of 100
Reflection Eternal: ‘Train of Thought’
Rawkus
Super lyricist Talib Kweli and super producer Hi-Tek join forces on a masterwork that underlined the Rawkus era in hip-hop.
88 of 100
Slum Village: ‘Fantastic Volume II’
GoodVibe
Two of the three masterminds behind “Fantastic Volume II” are no longer alive, but this album left an indelible mark on hip-hop. SV’s experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups such as Little Brother and Tanya Morgan.
87 of 100
Black Moon: ‘Enta Da Stage’
Wreck Records
Unlike most hip-hop albums of its era, “Enta Da Stage” eschewed confrontational raps and opted for a brooding, electrifying brand of hip-hop.
86 of 100
Wyclef Jean: ‘The Carnival’
Sony
This is where it all began. Wyclef’s debut set the bar high for the rest of the Fugees’ solo efforts. “The Carnival” was a masterful piece that combined Clef’s smart songwriting with excellent beatsmithing. It was a critical and commercial smash.
85 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Fix’
Def Jam
“The Fix” was one of those albums that came out of nowhere and made you forget everything else going on in Southern rap. With robust beats by Mike Dean and a young Kanye West and Scarface in peak form, “The Fix” was an instant hit and a Southern rap classic.
84 of 100
The Roots: ‘Illadelph Halflife’
Geffen
The year is 1996 and hip-hop heads aren’t so sure about live instrumentation. So The Roots flip the script and sample themselves in a brave artistic endeavor.
83 of 100
Busta Rhymes: ‘When Disaster Strikes’
Elektra Records
Busta’s second album is arguably his most consistent work. It definitely contains his most memorable singles: “Dangerous” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
82 of 100
MC Lyte: ‘Lyte As a Rock’
Courtesy Atlantic
Hip-hop in 1988 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. Standouts include “Paper Thin” and “I Cram to Understand U.”
81 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’
Aftermath
“The Marshall Mathers LP” was an undeniable hip-hop masterpiece that reinforced Eminem’s status as one of the most exciting artists of the new millennium.
80 of 100
2Pac: ‘All Eyez on Me’
Death Row Records
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.”
79 of 100
Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics: ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’
Mercury Records
“Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop” announced Diamond D as one of the best producers on the mic. It also gave us a sneak peek of hip-hop’s future, in sound and rhyme. The album featured fierce rhymes and beats by the likes of Big L, Fat Joe, and Q-Tip, among others. Finding early promotional copies of this album years later is like finding unicorn blood.
78 of 100
Kanye West: ‘The College Dropout’
Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam
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. “College Dropout” appealed to both mainstream and underground audiences.
77 of 100
DMX: ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’
Def Jam
DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” arrived in May 1998 and established him as the hottest thing in rap. At a time when bad boy stars such as Mase and Diddy ruled radio with a pop-friendly sound, X took the dark route. He barked (literally) his way to the top of the charts, thanks to key singles “Get at Me Dog” and “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.” And “How’s It Goin’ Down” with Faith Evans showed this dog wasn’t all bark.
76 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Slim Shady LP’
Aftermath
A 24-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. “The Slim Shady LP” sold over 5 million copies and solidified Em as a new force in rap.
75 of 100
Jungle Brothers: ‘Straight Out the Jungle’
Warlock Records
1980s hip-hop is colored by drum breaks, bad fashion, and Afrocentrism. Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all. Their debut is one of the most influential of the era.
74 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Step in the Arena’
Chrysalis Records
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.
73 of 100
Pharcyde: ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
Delicious Vinyl Records
While De La Soul was brewing Daisy Age rap on the East Coast, Pharcyde was diligently paying attention out West. “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde” has many fun, irreverent moments (“Oh S**t”) and angst (“Officer”) and mush (“Passin’ Me By”), but not once do the zany fellas on the mic compromise passion for a bitter whine.
72 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’
Aftermath
“To Pimp a Butterfly” is a concept album with a convoluted arc that Kendrick follows with rare discipline. It retains vestiges of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” themes, with Lucy (Lucifer) supplanting Sherane. It deserves a seat alongside timeless works such as “Fear of a Black Planet” and “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.”
71 of 100
Mobb Deep: ‘The Infamous’
Sony
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 1995, Havoc and Prodigy made huge creative leaps with “The Infamous.” With Havoc serving up hardbody beats and Prodigy thrilling listeners with cinematic crime rap, “The Infamous” became one of the most influential gangsta rap albums.
70 of 100
Biz Markie: ‘Goin’ Off’
Cold Chillin’ Records
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.
69 of 100
Kanye West: ‘Late Registration’
Roc-A-Fella
When everyone wondered if Kanye could re-enact the magic of his stellar debut, his response was a resounding yes. “Late Registration” not only built on his previous sound palette, but it also packed even more lyrical punch than his debut. West was rewarded with a Grammy for his effort.
68 of 100
Geto Boys: ‘We Can’t Be Stopped’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
67 of 100
Queen Latifah: ‘All Hail the Queen’
Tommy Boy Records
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.
66 of 100
DJ Shadow: ‘Endtroducing’
Island
“Endtroducing” is one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. The largely instrumental album sounded like nothing else that was out in 1996. Shadow culled samples from obscure places to create a hazy spell of an album.
65 of 100
AZ: ‘Doe or Die’
Capitol Records
After his star turn on Nas’ “Life’s a B***h,” AZ launched his solo career with the arrival of “Doe or Die.” Nas returns the favor on “Mo Money, Mo Murder,” while songs such as “Rather Unique” and “Gimme Yours” hark back to the street spirit of “Illmatic.”
64 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘By All Means Necessary’
Jive
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.” KRS-One found himself denouncing Black-on-Black violence and railing against injustice on the classic BDP album. La Rock would have approved.
63 of 100
UGK: ‘Ridin’ Dirty’
Sony
“Ridin’ Dirty” is UGK’s most important album and one of the best rap albums ever recorded. 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.
62 of 100
GZA/Genius: ‘Liquid Swords’
Geffen
“Liquid Swords” introduced GZA as the cerebral swordsman. RZA’s serene, atmospheric board work helps transform the album from alt-rap bravery to a Wu masterpiece.
61 of 100
Mos Def: ‘Black on Both Sides’
Rawkus
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.
60 of 100
Nas: ‘Stillmatic’
Sony
Nas could spend the rest of his career chasing a shadow named “Illmatic.” 2001’s “Stillmatic” was the closest he came to capturing the angst and paranoia of his boyhood self. Standouts include the scathing Jay-Z diss “Ether” and the time-bending classic “Rewind.”
59 of 100
Nas: ‘It Was Written’
Columbia
“It Was Written” is Nas’ attempt to match the grit and glory of “Illmatic.” Highlights include “The Message,” “I Gave U Power,” and “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.
58 of 100
OutKast: ‘Stankonia’
LaFace
Creative ebullience abounds, but three of 2002’s best rap songs are all here: “B.O.B.,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and the baby mama drama jama “Ms. Jackson.”
57 of 100
De La Soul: ‘De La Soul Is Dead’
Tommy Boy Entertainment
De La Soul reinvented its sound on “De La Soul Is Dead.” After being derided as hippies, they shifted away from the Daisy Age image of the first album and returned with a poker-face album that retained some of the early zaniness.
56 of 100
OutKast: ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
LaFace
OutKast’s debut is as much a triumph for Andre 3000 and Big Boi as it is for production outfit Organized Noize. One part Southern-fried beatsmithery and one part poetic sorcery, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is 100 percent dope.
55 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘The Blueprint’
Roc-A-Fella
It’s an album so great not even Osama bin Laden could stop its flight to the top on 9/11/01. “Blueprint” solidified Jay’s place as a GOAT contender. It’s one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s.
54 of 100
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: ‘Road to the Riches’
Warner Bros. Records
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.
53 of 100
Madvillain:‘Madvillainy’
Stones Throw Records
Prime poets MF Doom and Madlib joined forces to create this enduring masterwork in 2004.
52 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘2001’
Aftermath
An extension of Dr. Dre’s classic debut, “2001” (aka “Chronic 2001”) is a syncopated day in the life of a G.
51 of 100
The Coup: ‘Genocide & Juice’
Wild Pitch Records
Now a duo, The Coup makes a more focused album full of political rhetoric, vivid storytelling, and slick production.
50 of 100
Big Punisher: ‘Capital Punishment’
Columbia Records
Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as “Still Not a Player” and “You Ain’t a Killer.”
49 of 100
Black Star: ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’
Rawkus
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.
48 of 100
OutKast: ‘ATLiens’
LaFace
WIth Organized Noize manning the boards once again, OutKast emerged with a thoroughly enjoyable Southern rap album that rivals its predecessor for greatness.
47 of 100
The Roots: ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’
Geffen
In 1995, The Roots released a groundbreaking album that offered a peek into the experimental approach to music they would later hang their hats on. It’s 100% sample-free—no additives.
46 of 100
Organized Konfusion: ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’
Elektra Records
“Stress: The Extinction Agenda,” Organized Konfusion’s second album, is more ambitious and exceptionally well written compared to the first. Highlights include the title track and “Let’s Organize.”
45 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Radio’
Def Jam
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.
44 of 100
Brand Nubian: ‘One for All’
Elektra Records
Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo brought social commentary and spirituality to the forefront of ’90s rap with gems such as “Slow Down” and “Wake Up.”
43 of 100
Lauryn Hill: ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’
Sony
Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” offered the best blend of rap and R&B in hip-hop history. 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”).
42 of 100
EPMD: ‘Unfinished Business’
Priority Records
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.”
41 of 100
Ice-T: ‘Power’
Warner Bros
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.
40 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Life After Death’
Bad Boy Records
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. “Life After Death” is certified diamond for sales totaling over 10 million units.
39 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Hard to Earn’
Chrysalis Records
“Hard to Earn” varied from Gang Starr’s previous albums: It was harsher and more insular. It also captured Guru and Premier’s growing frustration with sucker emcees.
38 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm’
Sony Records
Authentic, fun, and beautifully produced, Tribe’s stunning debut appealed to lovers of alternative hip-hop and still inspires.
37 of 100
Pete Rock & CL Smooth: ‘Mecca and the Soul Brother’
Elektra Records
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.
36 of 100
Dead Prez: ‘Let’s Get Free’
Columbia Records
The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP.
35 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘Fear of a Black Planet’
Def Jam
Dark, raw and provocative, “Fear of a Black Planet” produced classic cuts such as “911 Is a Joke” and “Who Stole the Soul.”
34 of 100
Ghostface Killah: ‘Ironman’
Sony Records
Backed by RZA’s slick and somber beats, Ghostface dropped a combustive debut rife with rich stories and wild metaphors.
33 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’
Priority Records
After a messy breakup with NWA, Ice Cube filled his debut album with dark stories of manic frustration.
32 of 100
Redman: ‘Whut? Thee Album’
Def Jam
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.
31 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Paul’s Boutique’
Capitol Records
As critics were writing off Beastie Boys as a one-album wonder, Ad-Rock, Mike, and MCA went back to their L.A. studio and worked feverishly on their follow-up to the monumental “Licensed to Ill.” The result was “Paul’s Boutique,” an album that packed a combination of creative depth and layered production.
30 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’
Def Jam
Striking a balance between pleasant and pugnacious, “Mama Said Knock You Out” marked Uncle L’s growth as a rapper. The hard-edged songs are here (“Murdergram,” “Mama Said Knock You Out”), but they’re perfectly complemented by smooth, accessible jams (“Around the Way Girl”). Marley Marl’s excellent production helps make “Mama” a masterpiece.
29 of 100
Makaveli: ‘The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory’
Death Row Records
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 album’s best songs include the street anthem “Hail Mary” and the (adoptive) hometown tribute “To Live and Die in LA.”
28 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Diary’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
27 of 100
Big Daddy Kane: ‘Long Live the Kane’
Cold Chillin’ Records
Big Daddy Kane wrote the manuscript for braggart rap on “Long Live the Kane.” Marley Marl’s sparse production and Kane’s slick wordplay are worth noting. Like Tony the Tiger, he’s GRRRRREAAAT.
26 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘Midnight Marauders’
Jive Records
Tribe’s third disc is a collection of melodic, Crisco-slick sizzlers. You’ll love “Electric Relaxation,” “Award Tour,” and “Oh My God.”
25 of 100
Ultramagnetic MC’s: ‘Critical Beatdown’
Next Plateau
“Critical Beatdown” is important for three reasons: It’s arguably the best album of 1988; it revolutionized the art of hip-hop sampling thanks to Ced-Gee’s brilliant use of the E-mu SP-1200 sampler; and it introduced the world to the exceptionally creative weirdo known as Kool Keith.
24 of 100
Run-DMC: ‘Raising Hell’
Profile Records
“Raising Hell” was the most uncompromising Run DMC album, and also the most accessible. It has this gloriously invigorating feel that resonated with audiences old and new. “Raising Hell” is important for its originality as well as its influence. “My Adidas” is still an anthem for hip-hop fashion, while “Walk This Way” helped started a trend of rock-rap fusion.
23 of 100
D.O.C." ‘No One Can Do It Better’
Ruthless Records
Before a car crash wrecked D.O.C.’s larynx, he made an undeniable hip-hop classic. “No One Can Do It Better” sidestepped West Coast gun talk in favor of East Coast lyricism and featured some of Dr. Dre’s finest production.
22 of 100
EPMD: ‘Strictly Business’
Priority Records
EPMD is the most sampled group in hip-hop for good reason: Their production is a thing of beauty. Combine that with Erick and P’s laid-back rhymes and you get strictly dopeness.
21 of 100
Afrika Bambaataa: ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’
Tommy Boy Records
Afrika Bambaataa was a trailblazer, an innovator of the hip-hop aesthetic. “Looking for the Perfect Beat” is a good place to start if you’re seeking to familiarize yourself with his most significant works, including “Planet Rock” and “Unity Pt. 1,” a collaboration James Brown.
20 of 100
Main Source: ‘Breaking Atoms’
Wild Pitch Records
The sample-heavy “Breaking Atoms” was one of the most influential albums ever, in that it helped launch the careers of Nas, Akinyele, and others. It also inspired a production technique that’s still widely emulated.
19 of 100
Common: ‘Resurrection’
Relativity Records
1994 was a flagship year for hip-hop, with “Illmatic” and “Ready to Die” arriving. Yet Chicago rapper Common (then known as Common Sense) still managed to stand out with his smart, jazz-tinged sophomore LP, “Resurrection.”
18 of 100
Cypress Hill: ‘Cypress Hill’
Columbia Records
Aside from being the first popular Latino rap group, Cypress Hill also did a respectable job of bridging the gap between rock and hip-hop on its self-titled debut album. Highlights include “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “The Phunkcy Feel One.”
17 of 100
Snoop Doggy Dogg: ‘Doggystyle’
Death Row Records
“Doggystyle” kicked the door wide for many West Coast emcees. Dr. Dre’s finesse aside, Snoop’s piquant delivery and melodic flow were equally crucial to the success of “Doggystyle.”
16 of 100
Fugees: ‘The Score’
Columbia Records
Fugees’ second album, “The Score,” was so remarkable that most fans forgot about the less memorable debut. Truth be told, “The Score” was a huge improvement over the lackluster “Blunted on Reality.”
15 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Licensed to Ill’
Def Jam
There are two stars on “Licensed to Ill,” and both deserve equal credit. Rick Rubin, the true pioneer of rap rock, is the one pulling the musical puppet strings on this thing. But the album would be nothing without the Beasties destroying every track with their unbridled passion.
14 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘Criminal Minded’
B-Boy Records
KRS-One was the dreaded poet, Scott La Rock the musical visionary. Together they cooked up an album that shook up the landscape of hip-hop. “Criminal Minded” should be studied in college.
13 of 100
OutKast: ‘Aquemini’
LaFace Records
“Aquemini” is evidence of just how often Boi and Dre loved to reinvent their sound. They abandoned everything that had worked in the past and went straight for harmonica, acoustic guitar, and even a tinny splice of electro.
12 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘Death Certificate’
Priority Records
Cube’s debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was outstanding, but his follow-up was even better and more venomous than the first. The thing is named “Death Certificate,” after all. The album’s “Death” side presented an image of the present, while the “Life” side offered a vision of the future.
11 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Roc-A-Fella
Before “Reasonable Doubt,” mafioso rap lacked nuance. Jay studied his peers and perfected their template, bringing a vulnerable side that personified the usual street characters. The outcome was an album that served both as an honest narrative of the ills of street life and an unrepentant defense of it.
10 of 100
2Pac: ‘Me Against the World’
Interscope
“Me Against the World” is 2Pac at his best. No thug core tracks, no name-inscribed missiles aimed at East Coast rappers. Simply Pac at his most poignant and most defiant, the duality in all its brilliance.
09 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘The Low End Theory’
Jive Records
“The Low End Theory” is Tribe at its best. Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg became one of the greatest rap groups of all time by trafficking in smart lyrics drizzled over smooth, jazz-rap layers.
08 of 100
N.W.A.: ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Priority Records
Eazy, Dre, Cube, and the rest of ’em had to fight for their right to party. No one—not even the alphabet people—could stop them from publicly, viciously and explicitly indicting the powers that be. It’s a true West Coast masterpiece.
07 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘The Chronic’
Death Row Records
1991 produced many great albums: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “Mecca and the Soul Brother,” Pharcyde’s “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,” and Diamond D’s “Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.” But it was Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” that towered over hip-hop that year and for many years to come. Dre’s G-funk basslines, bolstered generously by Snoop’s slick flow, announced the new name running the game.
06 of 100
Wu-Tang Clan: ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’
Loud Records
“36 Chambers” is one of the greatest debuts hip-hop has ever seen. The 12-song spectacle barely gave the nine original swordsmen enough room to stretch out their eccentricities. Highlights include “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and the pragmatic life hack “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F**k’ Wit.”
05 of 100
Raekwon: ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’
Loud Records
“Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin’s life. It’s a crime-rap manifesto that shaped the course of mafioso rap throughout the ’90s.
04 of 100
Eric B. & Rakim: ‘Paid in Full’
Island Records
While his peers bragged about the size of their manhood, Rakim styled on them with peculiar precision. The man loves painting pictures with words, and “Paid in Full” is his ultimate canvas.
03 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’
Def Jam
Public Enemy challenged everything that posed an obstacle to the oppressed: racism, injustice, crooked cops, profiling, everything. P.E.’s second album is an undeniable hip-hop classic.
02 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Ready to Die’
Big Beat Records
Biggie’s ability to coolly captivate an audience with his storytelling chops, capture a difficult emotion (e.g., suicidal thoughts), or mine comedy from the most serious of subjects (e.g., robbery) are skills rarely seen in the same package. Biggie Smalls is the illest.
01 of 100
Nas: ‘Illmatic’
Columbia Records
There are great hip-hop albums, and then there’s “Illmatic.” A 19-year-old word wizard, Nas packed potent poetry into 39 minutes, while A-list producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock supplied the perfect score. “Illmatic” is the greatest hip-hop album of all time.
Hip-hop has produced plenty of great music over its 40-plus-year history. Few albums are worthy of the title “greatest,” while others are good enough to make the list. These albums were picked on the basis of creativity, originality, replay value, and overall cultural impact.
100 of 100
Run the Jewels: ‘Run the Jewels’
Courtesy Fools Gold
Killer Mike is really good at rapping. El-P is really good at rapping and excellent at making beats. Put these two together and nobody could screw it up.
99 of 100
The Freestyle Fellowship: ‘To Whom It May Concern’
Sun Music
Amid the thugged-out reign of N.W.A. and Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship countered with lyrical virtuosity.
98 of 100
Too Short: ‘Born to Mack’
Jive Records
Raw, uncut, and X-rated tales of female conquests abound. At a mere eight tracks, “Born to Mack” was indeed too short.
97 of 100
MF Doom: ‘Operation Doomsday’
Metal Face Records
Doom’s off-kilter rhymes, scenic skits, and soul-inspired production made “Operation Doomsday” a unique set worthy of multiple spins.
96 of 100
Pharoahe Monch: ‘Internal Affairs’
Priority Records
“Internal Affairs” was Pharoahe Monch’s Rocky Balboa moment. Most of the album was recorded in a closet without air conditioning, which imbues it with a raw feeling. The gritty production comes from now-vintage equipment such as SP-12s and AKAI 2000s .
95 of 100
Jeru the Damaja: ‘The Sun Rises in the East’
Payday Records
Fame proved elusive for the Brooklyn emcee, but Jeru’s talent and Premier’s mind-blowing compositions made his debut one of the quintessential ’90s hip-hop albums.
94 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’
Top Dawg Entertainment
There’s a lot to love about Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.” For starters, it’s a remarkable rap album in every way rap can be remarkable. It’s a portrait of the jungle through the eyes of the prey. Despite a Grammy snub, it was well received by fans, critics, and peers.
93 of 100
Juvenile: ‘400 Degreez’
Cash Money Records
A combination of Juvie’s melodic flow and Cash Money’s high-end production made “400 Degreez” a Southern rap favorite in 1998.
92 of 100
The Roots: ‘Things Fall Apart’
MCA
This mid-career success for The Roots was a huge step forward from the righteous fury of their first three LPs.
91 of 100
Del: ‘I Wish My Brother George Was Here’
Elektra Records
While his cousin Ice Cube was busy stirring up the gangsta rap scene, Del was laying the foundation for what would become a healthy alternative-hip-hop landscape.
90 of 100
Xzibit: ‘40 Dayz & 40 Nightz’
RCA Records
Xzibit molds his voice into a gruff instrument, overpowering the beats when necessary. It’s a brilliant gambit when it works.
89 of 100
Reflection Eternal: ‘Train of Thought’
Rawkus
Super lyricist Talib Kweli and super producer Hi-Tek join forces on a masterwork that underlined the Rawkus era in hip-hop.
88 of 100
Slum Village: ‘Fantastic Volume II’
GoodVibe
Two of the three masterminds behind “Fantastic Volume II” are no longer alive, but this album left an indelible mark on hip-hop. SV’s experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups such as Little Brother and Tanya Morgan.
87 of 100
Black Moon: ‘Enta Da Stage’
Wreck Records
Unlike most hip-hop albums of its era, “Enta Da Stage” eschewed confrontational raps and opted for a brooding, electrifying brand of hip-hop.
86 of 100
Wyclef Jean: ‘The Carnival’
Sony
This is where it all began. Wyclef’s debut set the bar high for the rest of the Fugees’ solo efforts. “The Carnival” was a masterful piece that combined Clef’s smart songwriting with excellent beatsmithing. It was a critical and commercial smash.
85 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Fix’
Def Jam
“The Fix” was one of those albums that came out of nowhere and made you forget everything else going on in Southern rap. With robust beats by Mike Dean and a young Kanye West and Scarface in peak form, “The Fix” was an instant hit and a Southern rap classic.
84 of 100
The Roots: ‘Illadelph Halflife’
Geffen
The year is 1996 and hip-hop heads aren’t so sure about live instrumentation. So The Roots flip the script and sample themselves in a brave artistic endeavor.
83 of 100
Busta Rhymes: ‘When Disaster Strikes’
Elektra Records
Busta’s second album is arguably his most consistent work. It definitely contains his most memorable singles: “Dangerous” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
82 of 100
MC Lyte: ‘Lyte As a Rock’
Courtesy Atlantic
Hip-hop in 1988 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. Standouts include “Paper Thin” and “I Cram to Understand U.”
81 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’
Aftermath
“The Marshall Mathers LP” was an undeniable hip-hop masterpiece that reinforced Eminem’s status as one of the most exciting artists of the new millennium.
80 of 100
2Pac: ‘All Eyez on Me’
Death Row Records
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.”
79 of 100
Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics: ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’
Mercury Records
“Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop” announced Diamond D as one of the best producers on the mic. It also gave us a sneak peek of hip-hop’s future, in sound and rhyme. The album featured fierce rhymes and beats by the likes of Big L, Fat Joe, and Q-Tip, among others. Finding early promotional copies of this album years later is like finding unicorn blood.
78 of 100
Kanye West: ‘The College Dropout’
Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam
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. “College Dropout” appealed to both mainstream and underground audiences.
77 of 100
DMX: ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’
Def Jam
DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” arrived in May 1998 and established him as the hottest thing in rap. At a time when bad boy stars such as Mase and Diddy ruled radio with a pop-friendly sound, X took the dark route. He barked (literally) his way to the top of the charts, thanks to key singles “Get at Me Dog” and “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.” And “How’s It Goin’ Down” with Faith Evans showed this dog wasn’t all bark.
76 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Slim Shady LP’
Aftermath
A 24-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. “The Slim Shady LP” sold over 5 million copies and solidified Em as a new force in rap.
75 of 100
Jungle Brothers: ‘Straight Out the Jungle’
Warlock Records
1980s hip-hop is colored by drum breaks, bad fashion, and Afrocentrism. Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all. Their debut is one of the most influential of the era.
74 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Step in the Arena’
Chrysalis Records
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.
73 of 100
Pharcyde: ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
Delicious Vinyl Records
While De La Soul was brewing Daisy Age rap on the East Coast, Pharcyde was diligently paying attention out West. “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde” has many fun, irreverent moments (“Oh S**t”) and angst (“Officer”) and mush (“Passin’ Me By”), but not once do the zany fellas on the mic compromise passion for a bitter whine.
72 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’
Aftermath
“To Pimp a Butterfly” is a concept album with a convoluted arc that Kendrick follows with rare discipline. It retains vestiges of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” themes, with Lucy (Lucifer) supplanting Sherane. It deserves a seat alongside timeless works such as “Fear of a Black Planet” and “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.”
71 of 100
Mobb Deep: ‘The Infamous’
Sony
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 1995, Havoc and Prodigy made huge creative leaps with “The Infamous.” With Havoc serving up hardbody beats and Prodigy thrilling listeners with cinematic crime rap, “The Infamous” became one of the most influential gangsta rap albums.
70 of 100
Biz Markie: ‘Goin’ Off’
Cold Chillin’ Records
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.
69 of 100
Kanye West: ‘Late Registration’
Roc-A-Fella
When everyone wondered if Kanye could re-enact the magic of his stellar debut, his response was a resounding yes. “Late Registration” not only built on his previous sound palette, but it also packed even more lyrical punch than his debut. West was rewarded with a Grammy for his effort.
68 of 100
Geto Boys: ‘We Can’t Be Stopped’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
67 of 100
Queen Latifah: ‘All Hail the Queen’
Tommy Boy Records
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.
66 of 100
DJ Shadow: ‘Endtroducing’
Island
“Endtroducing” is one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. The largely instrumental album sounded like nothing else that was out in 1996. Shadow culled samples from obscure places to create a hazy spell of an album.
65 of 100
AZ: ‘Doe or Die’
Capitol Records
After his star turn on Nas’ “Life’s a B***h,” AZ launched his solo career with the arrival of “Doe or Die.” Nas returns the favor on “Mo Money, Mo Murder,” while songs such as “Rather Unique” and “Gimme Yours” hark back to the street spirit of “Illmatic.”
64 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘By All Means Necessary’
Jive
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.” KRS-One found himself denouncing Black-on-Black violence and railing against injustice on the classic BDP album. La Rock would have approved.
63 of 100
UGK: ‘Ridin’ Dirty’
Sony
“Ridin’ Dirty” is UGK’s most important album and one of the best rap albums ever recorded. 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.
62 of 100
GZA/Genius: ‘Liquid Swords’
Geffen
“Liquid Swords” introduced GZA as the cerebral swordsman. RZA’s serene, atmospheric board work helps transform the album from alt-rap bravery to a Wu masterpiece.
61 of 100
Mos Def: ‘Black on Both Sides’
Rawkus
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.
60 of 100
Nas: ‘Stillmatic’
Sony
Nas could spend the rest of his career chasing a shadow named “Illmatic.” 2001’s “Stillmatic” was the closest he came to capturing the angst and paranoia of his boyhood self. Standouts include the scathing Jay-Z diss “Ether” and the time-bending classic “Rewind.”
59 of 100
Nas: ‘It Was Written’
Columbia
“It Was Written” is Nas’ attempt to match the grit and glory of “Illmatic.” Highlights include “The Message,” “I Gave U Power,” and “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.
58 of 100
OutKast: ‘Stankonia’
LaFace
Creative ebullience abounds, but three of 2002’s best rap songs are all here: “B.O.B.,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and the baby mama drama jama “Ms. Jackson.”
57 of 100
De La Soul: ‘De La Soul Is Dead’
Tommy Boy Entertainment
De La Soul reinvented its sound on “De La Soul Is Dead.” After being derided as hippies, they shifted away from the Daisy Age image of the first album and returned with a poker-face album that retained some of the early zaniness.
56 of 100
OutKast: ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
LaFace
OutKast’s debut is as much a triumph for Andre 3000 and Big Boi as it is for production outfit Organized Noize. One part Southern-fried beatsmithery and one part poetic sorcery, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is 100 percent dope.
55 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘The Blueprint’
Roc-A-Fella
It’s an album so great not even Osama bin Laden could stop its flight to the top on 9/11/01. “Blueprint” solidified Jay’s place as a GOAT contender. It’s one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s.
54 of 100
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: ‘Road to the Riches’
Warner Bros. Records
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.
53 of 100
Madvillain:‘Madvillainy’
Stones Throw Records
Prime poets MF Doom and Madlib joined forces to create this enduring masterwork in 2004.
52 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘2001’
Aftermath
An extension of Dr. Dre’s classic debut, “2001” (aka “Chronic 2001”) is a syncopated day in the life of a G.
51 of 100
The Coup: ‘Genocide & Juice’
Wild Pitch Records
Now a duo, The Coup makes a more focused album full of political rhetoric, vivid storytelling, and slick production.
50 of 100
Big Punisher: ‘Capital Punishment’
Columbia Records
Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as “Still Not a Player” and “You Ain’t a Killer.”
49 of 100
Black Star: ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’
Rawkus
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.
48 of 100
OutKast: ‘ATLiens’
LaFace
WIth Organized Noize manning the boards once again, OutKast emerged with a thoroughly enjoyable Southern rap album that rivals its predecessor for greatness.
47 of 100
The Roots: ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’
Geffen
In 1995, The Roots released a groundbreaking album that offered a peek into the experimental approach to music they would later hang their hats on. It’s 100% sample-free—no additives.
46 of 100
Organized Konfusion: ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’
Elektra Records
“Stress: The Extinction Agenda,” Organized Konfusion’s second album, is more ambitious and exceptionally well written compared to the first. Highlights include the title track and “Let’s Organize.”
45 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Radio’
Def Jam
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.
44 of 100
Brand Nubian: ‘One for All’
Elektra Records
Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo brought social commentary and spirituality to the forefront of ’90s rap with gems such as “Slow Down” and “Wake Up.”
43 of 100
Lauryn Hill: ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’
Sony
Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” offered the best blend of rap and R&B in hip-hop history. 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”).
42 of 100
EPMD: ‘Unfinished Business’
Priority Records
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.”
41 of 100
Ice-T: ‘Power’
Warner Bros
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.
40 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Life After Death’
Bad Boy Records
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. “Life After Death” is certified diamond for sales totaling over 10 million units.
39 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Hard to Earn’
Chrysalis Records
“Hard to Earn” varied from Gang Starr’s previous albums: It was harsher and more insular. It also captured Guru and Premier’s growing frustration with sucker emcees.
38 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm’
Sony Records
Authentic, fun, and beautifully produced, Tribe’s stunning debut appealed to lovers of alternative hip-hop and still inspires.
37 of 100
Pete Rock & CL Smooth: ‘Mecca and the Soul Brother’
Elektra Records
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.
36 of 100
Dead Prez: ‘Let’s Get Free’
Columbia Records
The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP.
35 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘Fear of a Black Planet’
Def Jam
Dark, raw and provocative, “Fear of a Black Planet” produced classic cuts such as “911 Is a Joke” and “Who Stole the Soul.”
34 of 100
Ghostface Killah: ‘Ironman’
Sony Records
Backed by RZA’s slick and somber beats, Ghostface dropped a combustive debut rife with rich stories and wild metaphors.
33 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’
Priority Records
After a messy breakup with NWA, Ice Cube filled his debut album with dark stories of manic frustration.
32 of 100
Redman: ‘Whut? Thee Album’
Def Jam
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.
31 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Paul’s Boutique’
Capitol Records
As critics were writing off Beastie Boys as a one-album wonder, Ad-Rock, Mike, and MCA went back to their L.A. studio and worked feverishly on their follow-up to the monumental “Licensed to Ill.” The result was “Paul’s Boutique,” an album that packed a combination of creative depth and layered production.
30 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’
Def Jam
Striking a balance between pleasant and pugnacious, “Mama Said Knock You Out” marked Uncle L’s growth as a rapper. The hard-edged songs are here (“Murdergram,” “Mama Said Knock You Out”), but they’re perfectly complemented by smooth, accessible jams (“Around the Way Girl”). Marley Marl’s excellent production helps make “Mama” a masterpiece.
29 of 100
Makaveli: ‘The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory’
Death Row Records
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 album’s best songs include the street anthem “Hail Mary” and the (adoptive) hometown tribute “To Live and Die in LA.”
28 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Diary’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
27 of 100
Big Daddy Kane: ‘Long Live the Kane’
Cold Chillin’ Records
Big Daddy Kane wrote the manuscript for braggart rap on “Long Live the Kane.” Marley Marl’s sparse production and Kane’s slick wordplay are worth noting. Like Tony the Tiger, he’s GRRRRREAAAT.
26 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘Midnight Marauders’
Jive Records
Tribe’s third disc is a collection of melodic, Crisco-slick sizzlers. You’ll love “Electric Relaxation,” “Award Tour,” and “Oh My God.”
25 of 100
Ultramagnetic MC’s: ‘Critical Beatdown’
Next Plateau
“Critical Beatdown” is important for three reasons: It’s arguably the best album of 1988; it revolutionized the art of hip-hop sampling thanks to Ced-Gee’s brilliant use of the E-mu SP-1200 sampler; and it introduced the world to the exceptionally creative weirdo known as Kool Keith.
24 of 100
Run-DMC: ‘Raising Hell’
Profile Records
“Raising Hell” was the most uncompromising Run DMC album, and also the most accessible. It has this gloriously invigorating feel that resonated with audiences old and new. “Raising Hell” is important for its originality as well as its influence. “My Adidas” is still an anthem for hip-hop fashion, while “Walk This Way” helped started a trend of rock-rap fusion.
23 of 100
D.O.C." ‘No One Can Do It Better’
Ruthless Records
Before a car crash wrecked D.O.C.’s larynx, he made an undeniable hip-hop classic. “No One Can Do It Better” sidestepped West Coast gun talk in favor of East Coast lyricism and featured some of Dr. Dre’s finest production.
22 of 100
EPMD: ‘Strictly Business’
Priority Records
EPMD is the most sampled group in hip-hop for good reason: Their production is a thing of beauty. Combine that with Erick and P’s laid-back rhymes and you get strictly dopeness.
21 of 100
Afrika Bambaataa: ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’
Tommy Boy Records
Afrika Bambaataa was a trailblazer, an innovator of the hip-hop aesthetic. “Looking for the Perfect Beat” is a good place to start if you’re seeking to familiarize yourself with his most significant works, including “Planet Rock” and “Unity Pt. 1,” a collaboration James Brown.
20 of 100
Main Source: ‘Breaking Atoms’
Wild Pitch Records
The sample-heavy “Breaking Atoms” was one of the most influential albums ever, in that it helped launch the careers of Nas, Akinyele, and others. It also inspired a production technique that’s still widely emulated.
19 of 100
Common: ‘Resurrection’
Relativity Records
1994 was a flagship year for hip-hop, with “Illmatic” and “Ready to Die” arriving. Yet Chicago rapper Common (then known as Common Sense) still managed to stand out with his smart, jazz-tinged sophomore LP, “Resurrection.”
18 of 100
Cypress Hill: ‘Cypress Hill’
Columbia Records
Aside from being the first popular Latino rap group, Cypress Hill also did a respectable job of bridging the gap between rock and hip-hop on its self-titled debut album. Highlights include “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “The Phunkcy Feel One.”
17 of 100
Snoop Doggy Dogg: ‘Doggystyle’
Death Row Records
“Doggystyle” kicked the door wide for many West Coast emcees. Dr. Dre’s finesse aside, Snoop’s piquant delivery and melodic flow were equally crucial to the success of “Doggystyle.”
16 of 100
Fugees: ‘The Score’
Columbia Records
Fugees’ second album, “The Score,” was so remarkable that most fans forgot about the less memorable debut. Truth be told, “The Score” was a huge improvement over the lackluster “Blunted on Reality.”
15 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Licensed to Ill’
Def Jam
There are two stars on “Licensed to Ill,” and both deserve equal credit. Rick Rubin, the true pioneer of rap rock, is the one pulling the musical puppet strings on this thing. But the album would be nothing without the Beasties destroying every track with their unbridled passion.
14 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘Criminal Minded’
B-Boy Records
KRS-One was the dreaded poet, Scott La Rock the musical visionary. Together they cooked up an album that shook up the landscape of hip-hop. “Criminal Minded” should be studied in college.
13 of 100
OutKast: ‘Aquemini’
LaFace Records
“Aquemini” is evidence of just how often Boi and Dre loved to reinvent their sound. They abandoned everything that had worked in the past and went straight for harmonica, acoustic guitar, and even a tinny splice of electro.
12 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘Death Certificate’
Priority Records
Cube’s debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was outstanding, but his follow-up was even better and more venomous than the first. The thing is named “Death Certificate,” after all. The album’s “Death” side presented an image of the present, while the “Life” side offered a vision of the future.
11 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Roc-A-Fella
Before “Reasonable Doubt,” mafioso rap lacked nuance. Jay studied his peers and perfected their template, bringing a vulnerable side that personified the usual street characters. The outcome was an album that served both as an honest narrative of the ills of street life and an unrepentant defense of it.
10 of 100
2Pac: ‘Me Against the World’
Interscope
“Me Against the World” is 2Pac at his best. No thug core tracks, no name-inscribed missiles aimed at East Coast rappers. Simply Pac at his most poignant and most defiant, the duality in all its brilliance.
09 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘The Low End Theory’
Jive Records
“The Low End Theory” is Tribe at its best. Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg became one of the greatest rap groups of all time by trafficking in smart lyrics drizzled over smooth, jazz-rap layers.
08 of 100
N.W.A.: ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Priority Records
Eazy, Dre, Cube, and the rest of ’em had to fight for their right to party. No one—not even the alphabet people—could stop them from publicly, viciously and explicitly indicting the powers that be. It’s a true West Coast masterpiece.
07 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘The Chronic’
Death Row Records
1991 produced many great albums: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “Mecca and the Soul Brother,” Pharcyde’s “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,” and Diamond D’s “Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.” But it was Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” that towered over hip-hop that year and for many years to come. Dre’s G-funk basslines, bolstered generously by Snoop’s slick flow, announced the new name running the game.
06 of 100
Wu-Tang Clan: ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’
Loud Records
“36 Chambers” is one of the greatest debuts hip-hop has ever seen. The 12-song spectacle barely gave the nine original swordsmen enough room to stretch out their eccentricities. Highlights include “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and the pragmatic life hack “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F**k’ Wit.”
05 of 100
Raekwon: ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’
Loud Records
“Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin’s life. It’s a crime-rap manifesto that shaped the course of mafioso rap throughout the ’90s.
04 of 100
Eric B. & Rakim: ‘Paid in Full’
Island Records
While his peers bragged about the size of their manhood, Rakim styled on them with peculiar precision. The man loves painting pictures with words, and “Paid in Full” is his ultimate canvas.
03 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’
Def Jam
Public Enemy challenged everything that posed an obstacle to the oppressed: racism, injustice, crooked cops, profiling, everything. P.E.’s second album is an undeniable hip-hop classic.
02 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Ready to Die’
Big Beat Records
Biggie’s ability to coolly captivate an audience with his storytelling chops, capture a difficult emotion (e.g., suicidal thoughts), or mine comedy from the most serious of subjects (e.g., robbery) are skills rarely seen in the same package. Biggie Smalls is the illest.
01 of 100
Nas: ‘Illmatic’
Columbia Records
There are great hip-hop albums, and then there’s “Illmatic.” A 19-year-old word wizard, Nas packed potent poetry into 39 minutes, while A-list producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock supplied the perfect score. “Illmatic” is the greatest hip-hop album of all time.
Hip-hop has produced plenty of great music over its 40-plus-year history. Few albums are worthy of the title “greatest,” while others are good enough to make the list. These albums were picked on the basis of creativity, originality, replay value, and overall cultural impact.
100 of 100
Run the Jewels: ‘Run the Jewels’
Courtesy Fools Gold
Killer Mike is really good at rapping. El-P is really good at rapping and excellent at making beats. Put these two together and nobody could screw it up.
99 of 100
The Freestyle Fellowship: ‘To Whom It May Concern’
Sun Music
Amid the thugged-out reign of N.W.A. and Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship countered with lyrical virtuosity.
98 of 100
Too Short: ‘Born to Mack’
Jive Records
Raw, uncut, and X-rated tales of female conquests abound. At a mere eight tracks, “Born to Mack” was indeed too short.
97 of 100
MF Doom: ‘Operation Doomsday’
Metal Face Records
Doom’s off-kilter rhymes, scenic skits, and soul-inspired production made “Operation Doomsday” a unique set worthy of multiple spins.
96 of 100
Pharoahe Monch: ‘Internal Affairs’
Priority Records
“Internal Affairs” was Pharoahe Monch’s Rocky Balboa moment. Most of the album was recorded in a closet without air conditioning, which imbues it with a raw feeling. The gritty production comes from now-vintage equipment such as SP-12s and AKAI 2000s .
95 of 100
Jeru the Damaja: ‘The Sun Rises in the East’
Payday Records
Fame proved elusive for the Brooklyn emcee, but Jeru’s talent and Premier’s mind-blowing compositions made his debut one of the quintessential ’90s hip-hop albums.
94 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’
Top Dawg Entertainment
There’s a lot to love about Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.” For starters, it’s a remarkable rap album in every way rap can be remarkable. It’s a portrait of the jungle through the eyes of the prey. Despite a Grammy snub, it was well received by fans, critics, and peers.
93 of 100
Juvenile: ‘400 Degreez’
Cash Money Records
A combination of Juvie’s melodic flow and Cash Money’s high-end production made “400 Degreez” a Southern rap favorite in 1998.
92 of 100
The Roots: ‘Things Fall Apart’
MCA
This mid-career success for The Roots was a huge step forward from the righteous fury of their first three LPs.
91 of 100
Del: ‘I Wish My Brother George Was Here’
Elektra Records
While his cousin Ice Cube was busy stirring up the gangsta rap scene, Del was laying the foundation for what would become a healthy alternative-hip-hop landscape.
90 of 100
Xzibit: ‘40 Dayz & 40 Nightz’
RCA Records
Xzibit molds his voice into a gruff instrument, overpowering the beats when necessary. It’s a brilliant gambit when it works.
89 of 100
Reflection Eternal: ‘Train of Thought’
Rawkus
Super lyricist Talib Kweli and super producer Hi-Tek join forces on a masterwork that underlined the Rawkus era in hip-hop.
88 of 100
Slum Village: ‘Fantastic Volume II’
GoodVibe
Two of the three masterminds behind “Fantastic Volume II” are no longer alive, but this album left an indelible mark on hip-hop. SV’s experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups such as Little Brother and Tanya Morgan.
87 of 100
Black Moon: ‘Enta Da Stage’
Wreck Records
Unlike most hip-hop albums of its era, “Enta Da Stage” eschewed confrontational raps and opted for a brooding, electrifying brand of hip-hop.
86 of 100
Wyclef Jean: ‘The Carnival’
Sony
This is where it all began. Wyclef’s debut set the bar high for the rest of the Fugees’ solo efforts. “The Carnival” was a masterful piece that combined Clef’s smart songwriting with excellent beatsmithing. It was a critical and commercial smash.
85 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Fix’
Def Jam
“The Fix” was one of those albums that came out of nowhere and made you forget everything else going on in Southern rap. With robust beats by Mike Dean and a young Kanye West and Scarface in peak form, “The Fix” was an instant hit and a Southern rap classic.
84 of 100
The Roots: ‘Illadelph Halflife’
Geffen
The year is 1996 and hip-hop heads aren’t so sure about live instrumentation. So The Roots flip the script and sample themselves in a brave artistic endeavor.
83 of 100
Busta Rhymes: ‘When Disaster Strikes’
Elektra Records
Busta’s second album is arguably his most consistent work. It definitely contains his most memorable singles: “Dangerous” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
82 of 100
MC Lyte: ‘Lyte As a Rock’
Courtesy Atlantic
Hip-hop in 1988 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. Standouts include “Paper Thin” and “I Cram to Understand U.”
81 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’
Aftermath
“The Marshall Mathers LP” was an undeniable hip-hop masterpiece that reinforced Eminem’s status as one of the most exciting artists of the new millennium.
80 of 100
2Pac: ‘All Eyez on Me’
Death Row Records
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.”
79 of 100
Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics: ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’
Mercury Records
“Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop” announced Diamond D as one of the best producers on the mic. It also gave us a sneak peek of hip-hop’s future, in sound and rhyme. The album featured fierce rhymes and beats by the likes of Big L, Fat Joe, and Q-Tip, among others. Finding early promotional copies of this album years later is like finding unicorn blood.
78 of 100
Kanye West: ‘The College Dropout’
Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam
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. “College Dropout” appealed to both mainstream and underground audiences.
77 of 100
DMX: ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’
Def Jam
DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” arrived in May 1998 and established him as the hottest thing in rap. At a time when bad boy stars such as Mase and Diddy ruled radio with a pop-friendly sound, X took the dark route. He barked (literally) his way to the top of the charts, thanks to key singles “Get at Me Dog” and “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.” And “How’s It Goin’ Down” with Faith Evans showed this dog wasn’t all bark.
76 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Slim Shady LP’
Aftermath
A 24-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. “The Slim Shady LP” sold over 5 million copies and solidified Em as a new force in rap.
75 of 100
Jungle Brothers: ‘Straight Out the Jungle’
Warlock Records
1980s hip-hop is colored by drum breaks, bad fashion, and Afrocentrism. Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all. Their debut is one of the most influential of the era.
74 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Step in the Arena’
Chrysalis Records
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.
73 of 100
Pharcyde: ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
Delicious Vinyl Records
While De La Soul was brewing Daisy Age rap on the East Coast, Pharcyde was diligently paying attention out West. “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde” has many fun, irreverent moments (“Oh S**t”) and angst (“Officer”) and mush (“Passin’ Me By”), but not once do the zany fellas on the mic compromise passion for a bitter whine.
72 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’
Aftermath
“To Pimp a Butterfly” is a concept album with a convoluted arc that Kendrick follows with rare discipline. It retains vestiges of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” themes, with Lucy (Lucifer) supplanting Sherane. It deserves a seat alongside timeless works such as “Fear of a Black Planet” and “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.”
71 of 100
Mobb Deep: ‘The Infamous’
Sony
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 1995, Havoc and Prodigy made huge creative leaps with “The Infamous.” With Havoc serving up hardbody beats and Prodigy thrilling listeners with cinematic crime rap, “The Infamous” became one of the most influential gangsta rap albums.
70 of 100
Biz Markie: ‘Goin’ Off’
Cold Chillin’ Records
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.
69 of 100
Kanye West: ‘Late Registration’
Roc-A-Fella
When everyone wondered if Kanye could re-enact the magic of his stellar debut, his response was a resounding yes. “Late Registration” not only built on his previous sound palette, but it also packed even more lyrical punch than his debut. West was rewarded with a Grammy for his effort.
68 of 100
Geto Boys: ‘We Can’t Be Stopped’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
67 of 100
Queen Latifah: ‘All Hail the Queen’
Tommy Boy Records
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.
66 of 100
DJ Shadow: ‘Endtroducing’
Island
“Endtroducing” is one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. The largely instrumental album sounded like nothing else that was out in 1996. Shadow culled samples from obscure places to create a hazy spell of an album.
65 of 100
AZ: ‘Doe or Die’
Capitol Records
After his star turn on Nas’ “Life’s a B***h,” AZ launched his solo career with the arrival of “Doe or Die.” Nas returns the favor on “Mo Money, Mo Murder,” while songs such as “Rather Unique” and “Gimme Yours” hark back to the street spirit of “Illmatic.”
64 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘By All Means Necessary’
Jive
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.” KRS-One found himself denouncing Black-on-Black violence and railing against injustice on the classic BDP album. La Rock would have approved.
63 of 100
UGK: ‘Ridin’ Dirty’
Sony
“Ridin’ Dirty” is UGK’s most important album and one of the best rap albums ever recorded. 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.
62 of 100
GZA/Genius: ‘Liquid Swords’
Geffen
“Liquid Swords” introduced GZA as the cerebral swordsman. RZA’s serene, atmospheric board work helps transform the album from alt-rap bravery to a Wu masterpiece.
61 of 100
Mos Def: ‘Black on Both Sides’
Rawkus
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.
60 of 100
Nas: ‘Stillmatic’
Sony
Nas could spend the rest of his career chasing a shadow named “Illmatic.” 2001’s “Stillmatic” was the closest he came to capturing the angst and paranoia of his boyhood self. Standouts include the scathing Jay-Z diss “Ether” and the time-bending classic “Rewind.”
59 of 100
Nas: ‘It Was Written’
Columbia
“It Was Written” is Nas’ attempt to match the grit and glory of “Illmatic.” Highlights include “The Message,” “I Gave U Power,” and “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.
58 of 100
OutKast: ‘Stankonia’
LaFace
Creative ebullience abounds, but three of 2002’s best rap songs are all here: “B.O.B.,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and the baby mama drama jama “Ms. Jackson.”
57 of 100
De La Soul: ‘De La Soul Is Dead’
Tommy Boy Entertainment
De La Soul reinvented its sound on “De La Soul Is Dead.” After being derided as hippies, they shifted away from the Daisy Age image of the first album and returned with a poker-face album that retained some of the early zaniness.
56 of 100
OutKast: ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
LaFace
OutKast’s debut is as much a triumph for Andre 3000 and Big Boi as it is for production outfit Organized Noize. One part Southern-fried beatsmithery and one part poetic sorcery, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is 100 percent dope.
55 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘The Blueprint’
Roc-A-Fella
It’s an album so great not even Osama bin Laden could stop its flight to the top on 9/11/01. “Blueprint” solidified Jay’s place as a GOAT contender. It’s one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s.
54 of 100
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: ‘Road to the Riches’
Warner Bros. Records
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.
53 of 100
Madvillain:‘Madvillainy’
Stones Throw Records
Prime poets MF Doom and Madlib joined forces to create this enduring masterwork in 2004.
52 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘2001’
Aftermath
An extension of Dr. Dre’s classic debut, “2001” (aka “Chronic 2001”) is a syncopated day in the life of a G.
51 of 100
The Coup: ‘Genocide & Juice’
Wild Pitch Records
Now a duo, The Coup makes a more focused album full of political rhetoric, vivid storytelling, and slick production.
50 of 100
Big Punisher: ‘Capital Punishment’
Columbia Records
Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as “Still Not a Player” and “You Ain’t a Killer.”
49 of 100
Black Star: ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’
Rawkus
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.
48 of 100
OutKast: ‘ATLiens’
LaFace
WIth Organized Noize manning the boards once again, OutKast emerged with a thoroughly enjoyable Southern rap album that rivals its predecessor for greatness.
47 of 100
The Roots: ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’
Geffen
In 1995, The Roots released a groundbreaking album that offered a peek into the experimental approach to music they would later hang their hats on. It’s 100% sample-free—no additives.
46 of 100
Organized Konfusion: ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’
Elektra Records
“Stress: The Extinction Agenda,” Organized Konfusion’s second album, is more ambitious and exceptionally well written compared to the first. Highlights include the title track and “Let’s Organize.”
45 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Radio’
Def Jam
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.
44 of 100
Brand Nubian: ‘One for All’
Elektra Records
Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo brought social commentary and spirituality to the forefront of ’90s rap with gems such as “Slow Down” and “Wake Up.”
43 of 100
Lauryn Hill: ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’
Sony
Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” offered the best blend of rap and R&B in hip-hop history. 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”).
42 of 100
EPMD: ‘Unfinished Business’
Priority Records
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.”
41 of 100
Ice-T: ‘Power’
Warner Bros
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.
40 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Life After Death’
Bad Boy Records
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. “Life After Death” is certified diamond for sales totaling over 10 million units.
39 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Hard to Earn’
Chrysalis Records
“Hard to Earn” varied from Gang Starr’s previous albums: It was harsher and more insular. It also captured Guru and Premier’s growing frustration with sucker emcees.
38 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm’
Sony Records
Authentic, fun, and beautifully produced, Tribe’s stunning debut appealed to lovers of alternative hip-hop and still inspires.
37 of 100
Pete Rock & CL Smooth: ‘Mecca and the Soul Brother’
Elektra Records
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.
36 of 100
Dead Prez: ‘Let’s Get Free’
Columbia Records
The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP.
35 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘Fear of a Black Planet’
Def Jam
Dark, raw and provocative, “Fear of a Black Planet” produced classic cuts such as “911 Is a Joke” and “Who Stole the Soul.”
34 of 100
Ghostface Killah: ‘Ironman’
Sony Records
Backed by RZA’s slick and somber beats, Ghostface dropped a combustive debut rife with rich stories and wild metaphors.
33 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’
Priority Records
After a messy breakup with NWA, Ice Cube filled his debut album with dark stories of manic frustration.
32 of 100
Redman: ‘Whut? Thee Album’
Def Jam
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.
31 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Paul’s Boutique’
Capitol Records
As critics were writing off Beastie Boys as a one-album wonder, Ad-Rock, Mike, and MCA went back to their L.A. studio and worked feverishly on their follow-up to the monumental “Licensed to Ill.” The result was “Paul’s Boutique,” an album that packed a combination of creative depth and layered production.
30 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’
Def Jam
Striking a balance between pleasant and pugnacious, “Mama Said Knock You Out” marked Uncle L’s growth as a rapper. The hard-edged songs are here (“Murdergram,” “Mama Said Knock You Out”), but they’re perfectly complemented by smooth, accessible jams (“Around the Way Girl”). Marley Marl’s excellent production helps make “Mama” a masterpiece.
29 of 100
Makaveli: ‘The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory’
Death Row Records
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 album’s best songs include the street anthem “Hail Mary” and the (adoptive) hometown tribute “To Live and Die in LA.”
28 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Diary’
Rap-A-Lot Records
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.
27 of 100
Big Daddy Kane: ‘Long Live the Kane’
Cold Chillin’ Records
Big Daddy Kane wrote the manuscript for braggart rap on “Long Live the Kane.” Marley Marl’s sparse production and Kane’s slick wordplay are worth noting. Like Tony the Tiger, he’s GRRRRREAAAT.
26 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘Midnight Marauders’
Jive Records
Tribe’s third disc is a collection of melodic, Crisco-slick sizzlers. You’ll love “Electric Relaxation,” “Award Tour,” and “Oh My God.”
25 of 100
Ultramagnetic MC’s: ‘Critical Beatdown’
Next Plateau
“Critical Beatdown” is important for three reasons: It’s arguably the best album of 1988; it revolutionized the art of hip-hop sampling thanks to Ced-Gee’s brilliant use of the E-mu SP-1200 sampler; and it introduced the world to the exceptionally creative weirdo known as Kool Keith.
24 of 100
Run-DMC: ‘Raising Hell’
Profile Records
“Raising Hell” was the most uncompromising Run DMC album, and also the most accessible. It has this gloriously invigorating feel that resonated with audiences old and new. “Raising Hell” is important for its originality as well as its influence. “My Adidas” is still an anthem for hip-hop fashion, while “Walk This Way” helped started a trend of rock-rap fusion.
23 of 100
D.O.C." ‘No One Can Do It Better’
Ruthless Records
Before a car crash wrecked D.O.C.’s larynx, he made an undeniable hip-hop classic. “No One Can Do It Better” sidestepped West Coast gun talk in favor of East Coast lyricism and featured some of Dr. Dre’s finest production.
22 of 100
EPMD: ‘Strictly Business’
Priority Records
EPMD is the most sampled group in hip-hop for good reason: Their production is a thing of beauty. Combine that with Erick and P’s laid-back rhymes and you get strictly dopeness.
21 of 100
Afrika Bambaataa: ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’
Tommy Boy Records
Afrika Bambaataa was a trailblazer, an innovator of the hip-hop aesthetic. “Looking for the Perfect Beat” is a good place to start if you’re seeking to familiarize yourself with his most significant works, including “Planet Rock” and “Unity Pt. 1,” a collaboration James Brown.
20 of 100
Main Source: ‘Breaking Atoms’
Wild Pitch Records
The sample-heavy “Breaking Atoms” was one of the most influential albums ever, in that it helped launch the careers of Nas, Akinyele, and others. It also inspired a production technique that’s still widely emulated.
19 of 100
Common: ‘Resurrection’
Relativity Records
1994 was a flagship year for hip-hop, with “Illmatic” and “Ready to Die” arriving. Yet Chicago rapper Common (then known as Common Sense) still managed to stand out with his smart, jazz-tinged sophomore LP, “Resurrection.”
18 of 100
Cypress Hill: ‘Cypress Hill’
Columbia Records
Aside from being the first popular Latino rap group, Cypress Hill also did a respectable job of bridging the gap between rock and hip-hop on its self-titled debut album. Highlights include “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “The Phunkcy Feel One.”
17 of 100
Snoop Doggy Dogg: ‘Doggystyle’
Death Row Records
“Doggystyle” kicked the door wide for many West Coast emcees. Dr. Dre’s finesse aside, Snoop’s piquant delivery and melodic flow were equally crucial to the success of “Doggystyle.”
16 of 100
Fugees: ‘The Score’
Columbia Records
Fugees’ second album, “The Score,” was so remarkable that most fans forgot about the less memorable debut. Truth be told, “The Score” was a huge improvement over the lackluster “Blunted on Reality.”
15 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Licensed to Ill’
Def Jam
There are two stars on “Licensed to Ill,” and both deserve equal credit. Rick Rubin, the true pioneer of rap rock, is the one pulling the musical puppet strings on this thing. But the album would be nothing without the Beasties destroying every track with their unbridled passion.
14 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘Criminal Minded’
B-Boy Records
KRS-One was the dreaded poet, Scott La Rock the musical visionary. Together they cooked up an album that shook up the landscape of hip-hop. “Criminal Minded” should be studied in college.
13 of 100
OutKast: ‘Aquemini’
LaFace Records
“Aquemini” is evidence of just how often Boi and Dre loved to reinvent their sound. They abandoned everything that had worked in the past and went straight for harmonica, acoustic guitar, and even a tinny splice of electro.
12 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘Death Certificate’
Priority Records
Cube’s debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was outstanding, but his follow-up was even better and more venomous than the first. The thing is named “Death Certificate,” after all. The album’s “Death” side presented an image of the present, while the “Life” side offered a vision of the future.
11 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Roc-A-Fella
Before “Reasonable Doubt,” mafioso rap lacked nuance. Jay studied his peers and perfected their template, bringing a vulnerable side that personified the usual street characters. The outcome was an album that served both as an honest narrative of the ills of street life and an unrepentant defense of it.
10 of 100
2Pac: ‘Me Against the World’
Interscope
“Me Against the World” is 2Pac at his best. No thug core tracks, no name-inscribed missiles aimed at East Coast rappers. Simply Pac at his most poignant and most defiant, the duality in all its brilliance.
09 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘The Low End Theory’
Jive Records
“The Low End Theory” is Tribe at its best. Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg became one of the greatest rap groups of all time by trafficking in smart lyrics drizzled over smooth, jazz-rap layers.
08 of 100
N.W.A.: ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Priority Records
Eazy, Dre, Cube, and the rest of ’em had to fight for their right to party. No one—not even the alphabet people—could stop them from publicly, viciously and explicitly indicting the powers that be. It’s a true West Coast masterpiece.
07 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘The Chronic’
Death Row Records
1991 produced many great albums: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “Mecca and the Soul Brother,” Pharcyde’s “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,” and Diamond D’s “Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.” But it was Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” that towered over hip-hop that year and for many years to come. Dre’s G-funk basslines, bolstered generously by Snoop’s slick flow, announced the new name running the game.
06 of 100
Wu-Tang Clan: ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’
Loud Records
“36 Chambers” is one of the greatest debuts hip-hop has ever seen. The 12-song spectacle barely gave the nine original swordsmen enough room to stretch out their eccentricities. Highlights include “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and the pragmatic life hack “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F**k’ Wit.”
05 of 100
Raekwon: ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’
Loud Records
“Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin’s life. It’s a crime-rap manifesto that shaped the course of mafioso rap throughout the ’90s.
04 of 100
Eric B. & Rakim: ‘Paid in Full’
Island Records
While his peers bragged about the size of their manhood, Rakim styled on them with peculiar precision. The man loves painting pictures with words, and “Paid in Full” is his ultimate canvas.
03 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’
Def Jam
Public Enemy challenged everything that posed an obstacle to the oppressed: racism, injustice, crooked cops, profiling, everything. P.E.’s second album is an undeniable hip-hop classic.
02 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Ready to Die’
Big Beat Records
Biggie’s ability to coolly captivate an audience with his storytelling chops, capture a difficult emotion (e.g., suicidal thoughts), or mine comedy from the most serious of subjects (e.g., robbery) are skills rarely seen in the same package. Biggie Smalls is the illest.
01 of 100
Nas: ‘Illmatic’
Columbia Records
There are great hip-hop albums, and then there’s “Illmatic.” A 19-year-old word wizard, Nas packed potent poetry into 39 minutes, while A-list producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock supplied the perfect score. “Illmatic” is the greatest hip-hop album of all time.
100 of 100
Run the Jewels: ‘Run the Jewels’
Killer Mike is really good at rapping. El-P is really good at rapping and excellent at making beats. Put these two together and nobody could screw it up.
100 of 100
100
of 100
99 of 100
The Freestyle Fellowship: ‘To Whom It May Concern’
Amid the thugged-out reign of N.W.A. and Cypress Hill, Freestyle Fellowship countered with lyrical virtuosity.
99 of 100
99
98 of 100
Too Short: ‘Born to Mack’
Raw, uncut, and X-rated tales of female conquests abound. At a mere eight tracks, “Born to Mack” was indeed too short.
98 of 100
98
97 of 100
MF Doom: ‘Operation Doomsday’
Doom’s off-kilter rhymes, scenic skits, and soul-inspired production made “Operation Doomsday” a unique set worthy of multiple spins.
97 of 100
97
96 of 100
Pharoahe Monch: ‘Internal Affairs’
“Internal Affairs” was Pharoahe Monch’s Rocky Balboa moment. Most of the album was recorded in a closet without air conditioning, which imbues it with a raw feeling. The gritty production comes from now-vintage equipment such as SP-12s and AKAI 2000s .
96 of 100
96
95 of 100
Jeru the Damaja: ‘The Sun Rises in the East’
Fame proved elusive for the Brooklyn emcee, but Jeru’s talent and Premier’s mind-blowing compositions made his debut one of the quintessential ’90s hip-hop albums.
95 of 100
95
94 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘Good Kid, m.A.A.d City’
There’s a lot to love about Kendrick Lamar’s “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City.” For starters, it’s a remarkable rap album in every way rap can be remarkable. It’s a portrait of the jungle through the eyes of the prey. Despite a Grammy snub, it was well received by fans, critics, and peers.
94 of 100
94
93 of 100
Juvenile: ‘400 Degreez’
A combination of Juvie’s melodic flow and Cash Money’s high-end production made “400 Degreez” a Southern rap favorite in 1998.
93 of 100
93
92 of 100
The Roots: ‘Things Fall Apart’
This mid-career success for The Roots was a huge step forward from the righteous fury of their first three LPs.
92 of 100
92
91 of 100
Del: ‘I Wish My Brother George Was Here’
While his cousin Ice Cube was busy stirring up the gangsta rap scene, Del was laying the foundation for what would become a healthy alternative-hip-hop landscape.
91 of 100
91
90 of 100
Xzibit: ‘40 Dayz & 40 Nightz’
Xzibit molds his voice into a gruff instrument, overpowering the beats when necessary. It’s a brilliant gambit when it works.
90 of 100
90
89 of 100
Reflection Eternal: ‘Train of Thought’
Super lyricist Talib Kweli and super producer Hi-Tek join forces on a masterwork that underlined the Rawkus era in hip-hop.
89 of 100
89
88 of 100
Slum Village: ‘Fantastic Volume II’
Two of the three masterminds behind “Fantastic Volume II” are no longer alive, but this album left an indelible mark on hip-hop. SV’s experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups such as Little Brother and Tanya Morgan.
88 of 100
88
87 of 100
Black Moon: ‘Enta Da Stage’
Unlike most hip-hop albums of its era, “Enta Da Stage” eschewed confrontational raps and opted for a brooding, electrifying brand of hip-hop.
87 of 100
87
86 of 100
Wyclef Jean: ‘The Carnival’
This is where it all began. Wyclef’s debut set the bar high for the rest of the Fugees’ solo efforts. “The Carnival” was a masterful piece that combined Clef’s smart songwriting with excellent beatsmithing. It was a critical and commercial smash.
86 of 100
86
85 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Fix’
“The Fix” was one of those albums that came out of nowhere and made you forget everything else going on in Southern rap. With robust beats by Mike Dean and a young Kanye West and Scarface in peak form, “The Fix” was an instant hit and a Southern rap classic.
85 of 100
85
84 of 100
The Roots: ‘Illadelph Halflife’
The year is 1996 and hip-hop heads aren’t so sure about live instrumentation. So The Roots flip the script and sample themselves in a brave artistic endeavor.
84 of 100
84
83 of 100
Busta Rhymes: ‘When Disaster Strikes’
Busta’s second album is arguably his most consistent work. It definitely contains his most memorable singles: “Dangerous” and “Put Your Hands Where My Eyes Can See.”
83 of 100
83
82 of 100
MC Lyte: ‘Lyte As a Rock’
Hip-hop in 1988 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. Standouts include “Paper Thin” and “I Cram to Understand U.”
82 of 100
82
81 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Marshall Mathers LP’
“The Marshall Mathers LP” was an undeniable hip-hop masterpiece that reinforced Eminem’s status as one of the most exciting artists of the new millennium.
81 of 100
81
80 of 100
2Pac: ‘All Eyez on Me’
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.”
80 of 100
80
79 of 100
Diamond and the Psychotic Neurotics: ‘Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop’
“Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop” announced Diamond D as one of the best producers on the mic. It also gave us a sneak peek of hip-hop’s future, in sound and rhyme. The album featured fierce rhymes and beats by the likes of Big L, Fat Joe, and Q-Tip, among others. Finding early promotional copies of this album years later is like finding unicorn blood.
79 of 100
79
78 of 100
Kanye West: ‘The College Dropout’
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. “College Dropout” appealed to both mainstream and underground audiences.
78 of 100
78
77 of 100
DMX: ‘It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot’
DMX’s debut album, “It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot,” arrived in May 1998 and established him as the hottest thing in rap. At a time when bad boy stars such as Mase and Diddy ruled radio with a pop-friendly sound, X took the dark route. He barked (literally) his way to the top of the charts, thanks to key singles “Get at Me Dog” and “Ruff Ryder’s Anthem.” And “How’s It Goin’ Down” with Faith Evans showed this dog wasn’t all bark.
77 of 100
77
76 of 100
Eminem: ‘The Slim Shady LP’
A 24-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. “The Slim Shady LP” sold over 5 million copies and solidified Em as a new force in rap.
76 of 100
76
75 of 100
Jungle Brothers: ‘Straight Out the Jungle’
1980s hip-hop is colored by drum breaks, bad fashion, and Afrocentrism. Jungle Brothers provided Afro comfort music to soundtrack it all. Their debut is one of the most influential of the era.
75 of 100
75
74 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Step in the Arena’
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.
74 of 100
74
73 of 100
Pharcyde: ‘Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde’
While De La Soul was brewing Daisy Age rap on the East Coast, Pharcyde was diligently paying attention out West. “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde” has many fun, irreverent moments (“Oh S**t”) and angst (“Officer”) and mush (“Passin’ Me By”), but not once do the zany fellas on the mic compromise passion for a bitter whine.
73 of 100
73
72 of 100
Kendrick Lamar: ‘To Pimp a Butterfly’
“To Pimp a Butterfly” is a concept album with a convoluted arc that Kendrick follows with rare discipline. It retains vestiges of “Good Kid, m.A.A.d City” themes, with Lucy (Lucifer) supplanting Sherane. It deserves a seat alongside timeless works such as “Fear of a Black Planet” and “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted.”
72 of 100
72
71 of 100
Mobb Deep: ‘The Infamous’
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 1995, Havoc and Prodigy made huge creative leaps with “The Infamous.” With Havoc serving up hardbody beats and Prodigy thrilling listeners with cinematic crime rap, “The Infamous” became one of the most influential gangsta rap albums.
71 of 100
71
70 of 100
Biz Markie: ‘Goin’ Off’
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.
70 of 100
70
69 of 100
Kanye West: ‘Late Registration’
When everyone wondered if Kanye could re-enact the magic of his stellar debut, his response was a resounding yes. “Late Registration” not only built on his previous sound palette, but it also packed even more lyrical punch than his debut. West was rewarded with a Grammy for his effort.
69 of 100
69
68 of 100
Geto Boys: ‘We Can’t Be Stopped’
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.
68 of 100
68
67 of 100
Queen Latifah: ‘All Hail the Queen’
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.
67 of 100
67
66 of 100
DJ Shadow: ‘Endtroducing’
“Endtroducing” is one of the most influential hip-hop albums of all time. The largely instrumental album sounded like nothing else that was out in 1996. Shadow culled samples from obscure places to create a hazy spell of an album.
66 of 100
66
65 of 100
AZ: ‘Doe or Die’
After his star turn on Nas’ “Life’s a B***h,” AZ launched his solo career with the arrival of “Doe or Die.” Nas returns the favor on “Mo Money, Mo Murder,” while songs such as “Rather Unique” and “Gimme Yours” hark back to the street spirit of “Illmatic.”
65 of 100
65
64 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘By All Means Necessary’
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.” KRS-One found himself denouncing Black-on-Black violence and railing against injustice on the classic BDP album. La Rock would have approved.
64 of 100
64
63 of 100
UGK: ‘Ridin’ Dirty’
“Ridin’ Dirty” is UGK’s most important album and one of the best rap albums ever recorded. 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.
63 of 100
63
62 of 100
GZA/Genius: ‘Liquid Swords’
“Liquid Swords” introduced GZA as the cerebral swordsman. RZA’s serene, atmospheric board work helps transform the album from alt-rap bravery to a Wu masterpiece.
62 of 100
62
61 of 100
Mos Def: ‘Black on Both Sides’
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.
61 of 100
61
60 of 100
Nas: ‘Stillmatic’
Nas could spend the rest of his career chasing a shadow named “Illmatic.” 2001’s “Stillmatic” was the closest he came to capturing the angst and paranoia of his boyhood self. Standouts include the scathing Jay-Z diss “Ether” and the time-bending classic “Rewind.”
60 of 100
60
59 of 100
Nas: ‘It Was Written’
“It Was Written” is Nas’ attempt to match the grit and glory of “Illmatic.” Highlights include “The Message,” “I Gave U Power,” and “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)” with Lauryn Hill.
59 of 100
59
58 of 100
OutKast: ‘Stankonia’
Creative ebullience abounds, but three of 2002’s best rap songs are all here: “B.O.B.,” “So Fresh, So Clean,” and the baby mama drama jama “Ms. Jackson.”
58 of 100
58
57 of 100
De La Soul: ‘De La Soul Is Dead’
De La Soul reinvented its sound on “De La Soul Is Dead.” After being derided as hippies, they shifted away from the Daisy Age image of the first album and returned with a poker-face album that retained some of the early zaniness.
57 of 100
57
56 of 100
OutKast: ‘Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik’
OutKast’s debut is as much a triumph for Andre 3000 and Big Boi as it is for production outfit Organized Noize. One part Southern-fried beatsmithery and one part poetic sorcery, Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is 100 percent dope.
56 of 100
56
55 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘The Blueprint’
It’s an album so great not even Osama bin Laden could stop its flight to the top on 9/11/01. “Blueprint” solidified Jay’s place as a GOAT contender. It’s one of the best hip-hop albums of the 2000s.
55 of 100
55
54 of 100
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: ‘Road to the Riches’
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.
54 of 100
54
53 of 100
Madvillain:‘Madvillainy’
Prime poets MF Doom and Madlib joined forces to create this enduring masterwork in 2004.
53 of 100
53
52 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘2001’
An extension of Dr. Dre’s classic debut, “2001” (aka “Chronic 2001”) is a syncopated day in the life of a G.
52 of 100
52
51 of 100
The Coup: ‘Genocide & Juice’
Now a duo, The Coup makes a more focused album full of political rhetoric, vivid storytelling, and slick production.
51 of 100
51
50 of 100
Big Punisher: ‘Capital Punishment’
Pun impressed with his larger-than-life debut, which sports immediate standouts such as “Still Not a Player” and “You Ain’t a Killer.”
50 of 100
50
49 of 100
Black Star: ‘Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star’
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.
49 of 100
49
48 of 100
OutKast: ‘ATLiens’
WIth Organized Noize manning the boards once again, OutKast emerged with a thoroughly enjoyable Southern rap album that rivals its predecessor for greatness.
48 of 100
48
47 of 100
The Roots: ‘Do You Want More?!!!??!’
In 1995, The Roots released a groundbreaking album that offered a peek into the experimental approach to music they would later hang their hats on. It’s 100% sample-free—no additives.
47 of 100
47
46 of 100
Organized Konfusion: ‘Stress: The Extinction Agenda’
“Stress: The Extinction Agenda,” Organized Konfusion’s second album, is more ambitious and exceptionally well written compared to the first. Highlights include the title track and “Let’s Organize.”
46 of 100
46
45 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Radio’
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.
45 of 100
45
44 of 100
Brand Nubian: ‘One for All’
Grand Puba, Sadat X, Lord Jamar, and DJ Alamo brought social commentary and spirituality to the forefront of ’90s rap with gems such as “Slow Down” and “Wake Up.”
44 of 100
44
43 of 100
Lauryn Hill: ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’
Lauryn Hill’s “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” offered the best blend of rap and R&B in hip-hop history. 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”).
43 of 100
43
42 of 100
EPMD: ‘Unfinished Business’
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.”
42 of 100
42
41 of 100
Ice-T: ‘Power’
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.
41 of 100
41
40 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Life After Death’
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. “Life After Death” is certified diamond for sales totaling over 10 million units.
40 of 100
40
39 of 100
Gang Starr: ‘Hard to Earn’
“Hard to Earn” varied from Gang Starr’s previous albums: It was harsher and more insular. It also captured Guru and Premier’s growing frustration with sucker emcees.
39 of 100
39
38 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm’
Authentic, fun, and beautifully produced, Tribe’s stunning debut appealed to lovers of alternative hip-hop and still inspires.
38 of 100
38
37 of 100
Pete Rock & CL Smooth: ‘Mecca and the Soul Brother’
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.
37 of 100
37
36 of 100
Dead Prez: ‘Let’s Get Free’
The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, Dead Prez helped revive the consciousness movement with this powerful debut LP.
36 of 100
36
35 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘Fear of a Black Planet’
Dark, raw and provocative, “Fear of a Black Planet” produced classic cuts such as “911 Is a Joke” and “Who Stole the Soul.”
35 of 100
35
34 of 100
Ghostface Killah: ‘Ironman’
Backed by RZA’s slick and somber beats, Ghostface dropped a combustive debut rife with rich stories and wild metaphors.
34 of 100
34
33 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted’
After a messy breakup with NWA, Ice Cube filled his debut album with dark stories of manic frustration.
33 of 100
33
32 of 100
Redman: ‘Whut? Thee Album’
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.
32 of 100
32
31 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Paul’s Boutique’
As critics were writing off Beastie Boys as a one-album wonder, Ad-Rock, Mike, and MCA went back to their L.A. studio and worked feverishly on their follow-up to the monumental “Licensed to Ill.” The result was “Paul’s Boutique,” an album that packed a combination of creative depth and layered production.
31 of 100
31
30 of 100
LL Cool J: ‘Mama Said Knock You Out’
Striking a balance between pleasant and pugnacious, “Mama Said Knock You Out” marked Uncle L’s growth as a rapper. The hard-edged songs are here (“Murdergram,” “Mama Said Knock You Out”), but they’re perfectly complemented by smooth, accessible jams (“Around the Way Girl”). Marley Marl’s excellent production helps make “Mama” a masterpiece.
30 of 100
30
29 of 100
Makaveli: ‘The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory’
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 album’s best songs include the street anthem “Hail Mary” and the (adoptive) hometown tribute “To Live and Die in LA.”
29 of 100
29
28 of 100
Scarface: ‘The Diary’
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.
28 of 100
28
27 of 100
Big Daddy Kane: ‘Long Live the Kane’
Big Daddy Kane wrote the manuscript for braggart rap on “Long Live the Kane.” Marley Marl’s sparse production and Kane’s slick wordplay are worth noting. Like Tony the Tiger, he’s GRRRRREAAAT.
27 of 100
27
26 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘Midnight Marauders’
Tribe’s third disc is a collection of melodic, Crisco-slick sizzlers. You’ll love “Electric Relaxation,” “Award Tour,” and “Oh My God.”
26 of 100
26
25 of 100
Ultramagnetic MC’s: ‘Critical Beatdown’
“Critical Beatdown” is important for three reasons: It’s arguably the best album of 1988; it revolutionized the art of hip-hop sampling thanks to Ced-Gee’s brilliant use of the E-mu SP-1200 sampler; and it introduced the world to the exceptionally creative weirdo known as Kool Keith.
25 of 100
25
24 of 100
Run-DMC: ‘Raising Hell’
“Raising Hell” was the most uncompromising Run DMC album, and also the most accessible. It has this gloriously invigorating feel that resonated with audiences old and new. “Raising Hell” is important for its originality as well as its influence. “My Adidas” is still an anthem for hip-hop fashion, while “Walk This Way” helped started a trend of rock-rap fusion.
24 of 100
24
23 of 100
D.O.C." ‘No One Can Do It Better’
Before a car crash wrecked D.O.C.’s larynx, he made an undeniable hip-hop classic. “No One Can Do It Better” sidestepped West Coast gun talk in favor of East Coast lyricism and featured some of Dr. Dre’s finest production.
23 of 100
23
22 of 100
EPMD: ‘Strictly Business’
EPMD is the most sampled group in hip-hop for good reason: Their production is a thing of beauty. Combine that with Erick and P’s laid-back rhymes and you get strictly dopeness.
22 of 100
22
21 of 100
Afrika Bambaataa: ‘Looking for the Perfect Beat’
Afrika Bambaataa was a trailblazer, an innovator of the hip-hop aesthetic. “Looking for the Perfect Beat” is a good place to start if you’re seeking to familiarize yourself with his most significant works, including “Planet Rock” and “Unity Pt. 1,” a collaboration James Brown.
21 of 100
21
20 of 100
Main Source: ‘Breaking Atoms’
The sample-heavy “Breaking Atoms” was one of the most influential albums ever, in that it helped launch the careers of Nas, Akinyele, and others. It also inspired a production technique that’s still widely emulated.
20 of 100
20
19 of 100
Common: ‘Resurrection’
1994 was a flagship year for hip-hop, with “Illmatic” and “Ready to Die” arriving. Yet Chicago rapper Common (then known as Common Sense) still managed to stand out with his smart, jazz-tinged sophomore LP, “Resurrection.”
19 of 100
19
18 of 100
Cypress Hill: ‘Cypress Hill’
Aside from being the first popular Latino rap group, Cypress Hill also did a respectable job of bridging the gap between rock and hip-hop on its self-titled debut album. Highlights include “How I Could Just Kill a Man” and “The Phunkcy Feel One.”
18 of 100
18
17 of 100
Snoop Doggy Dogg: ‘Doggystyle’
“Doggystyle” kicked the door wide for many West Coast emcees. Dr. Dre’s finesse aside, Snoop’s piquant delivery and melodic flow were equally crucial to the success of “Doggystyle.”
17 of 100
17
16 of 100
Fugees: ‘The Score’
Fugees’ second album, “The Score,” was so remarkable that most fans forgot about the less memorable debut. Truth be told, “The Score” was a huge improvement over the lackluster “Blunted on Reality.”
16 of 100
16
15 of 100
Beastie Boys: ‘Licensed to Ill’
There are two stars on “Licensed to Ill,” and both deserve equal credit. Rick Rubin, the true pioneer of rap rock, is the one pulling the musical puppet strings on this thing. But the album would be nothing without the Beasties destroying every track with their unbridled passion.
15 of 100
15
14 of 100
Boogie Down Productions: ‘Criminal Minded’
KRS-One was the dreaded poet, Scott La Rock the musical visionary. Together they cooked up an album that shook up the landscape of hip-hop. “Criminal Minded” should be studied in college.
14 of 100
14
13 of 100
OutKast: ‘Aquemini’
“Aquemini” is evidence of just how often Boi and Dre loved to reinvent their sound. They abandoned everything that had worked in the past and went straight for harmonica, acoustic guitar, and even a tinny splice of electro.
13 of 100
13
12 of 100
Ice Cube: ‘Death Certificate’
Cube’s debut, “AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted,” was outstanding, but his follow-up was even better and more venomous than the first. The thing is named “Death Certificate,” after all. The album’s “Death” side presented an image of the present, while the “Life” side offered a vision of the future.
12 of 100
12
11 of 100
Jay-Z: ‘Reasonable Doubt’
Before “Reasonable Doubt,” mafioso rap lacked nuance. Jay studied his peers and perfected their template, bringing a vulnerable side that personified the usual street characters. The outcome was an album that served both as an honest narrative of the ills of street life and an unrepentant defense of it.
11 of 100
11
10 of 100
2Pac: ‘Me Against the World’
“Me Against the World” is 2Pac at his best. No thug core tracks, no name-inscribed missiles aimed at East Coast rappers. Simply Pac at his most poignant and most defiant, the duality in all its brilliance.
10 of 100
10
09 of 100
A Tribe Called Quest: ‘The Low End Theory’
“The Low End Theory” is Tribe at its best. Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip, and Phife Dawg became one of the greatest rap groups of all time by trafficking in smart lyrics drizzled over smooth, jazz-rap layers.
09 of 100
09
08 of 100
N.W.A.: ‘Straight Outta Compton’
Eazy, Dre, Cube, and the rest of ’em had to fight for their right to party. No one—not even the alphabet people—could stop them from publicly, viciously and explicitly indicting the powers that be. It’s a true West Coast masterpiece.
08 of 100
08
07 of 100
Dr. Dre: ‘The Chronic’
1991 produced many great albums: Pete Rock & CL Smooth’s “Mecca and the Soul Brother,” Pharcyde’s “Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde,” and Diamond D’s “Stunts, Blunts & Hip-Hop.” But it was Dr. Dre’s “The Chronic” that towered over hip-hop that year and for many years to come. Dre’s G-funk basslines, bolstered generously by Snoop’s slick flow, announced the new name running the game.
07 of 100
07
06 of 100
Wu-Tang Clan: ‘Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)’
“36 Chambers” is one of the greatest debuts hip-hop has ever seen. The 12-song spectacle barely gave the nine original swordsmen enough room to stretch out their eccentricities. Highlights include “C.R.E.A.M.,” “Protect Ya Neck,” and the pragmatic life hack “Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthing Ta F**k’ Wit.”
06 of 100
06
05 of 100
Raekwon: ‘Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…’
“Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…” is a journey through the thrills, the violence, and the rote regimen that constitute a New York drug kingpin’s life. It’s a crime-rap manifesto that shaped the course of mafioso rap throughout the ’90s.
05 of 100
05
04 of 100
Eric B. & Rakim: ‘Paid in Full’
While his peers bragged about the size of their manhood, Rakim styled on them with peculiar precision. The man loves painting pictures with words, and “Paid in Full” is his ultimate canvas.
04 of 100
04
03 of 100
Public Enemy: ‘It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back’
Public Enemy challenged everything that posed an obstacle to the oppressed: racism, injustice, crooked cops, profiling, everything. P.E.’s second album is an undeniable hip-hop classic.
03 of 100
03
02 of 100
The Notorious B.I.G.: ‘Ready to Die’
Biggie’s ability to coolly captivate an audience with his storytelling chops, capture a difficult emotion (e.g., suicidal thoughts), or mine comedy from the most serious of subjects (e.g., robbery) are skills rarely seen in the same package. Biggie Smalls is the illest.
02 of 100
02
01 of 100
Nas: ‘Illmatic’
There are great hip-hop albums, and then there’s “Illmatic.” A 19-year-old word wizard, Nas packed potent poetry into 39 minutes, while A-list producers such as DJ Premier and Pete Rock supplied the perfect score. “Illmatic” is the greatest hip-hop album of all time.
01 of 100
01
