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Top 25 Hip-Hop Albums of billyjerome
I was looking through my collection of hip-hop and realized that it is still quite an untapped genre for critical albums. Some may disagree but to me, hip-hop has been full of artists who have a hit here and there, yet, never release an entire LPs worth of solid material. Of course this is common in any genre. For me, it appeared more so for hip-hop. The following list I compiled is limited to 25 albums, which, is subject to change any day of the week. This just happens to be my "at the current moment" version. Each album will have a short rambling and include my favorite tracks. I am not a music critic so the short ramblings will be just that, ramblings. Whatever comes to mind about each album is what you get. Let's start the show!
I was considering separating this into 2 solo efforts during the listing process but decided to keep it together as the artists intended. Speakerboxxx might not have been included had I have done that but together as a whole unit, this album stays consistent. ...That doesn't make sense now that I wrote that but hopefully you understand where I am trying to go with it. Honestly, I have nothing else to write about this...just another example of why this list is subjective. I already want to swap this album out for another :P Favorite Tracks: The Way You Move, Church, Love Hater Trilogy, Hey Ya! |
This album cover fits the mood of the album much better than the original, in my opinion. Especially in the sense of the track 'Kim'. My goodness...everytime I hear it..I get chills throughout my entire being. I have not heard ANYTHING so emotional from any other hip-hop artist. Plus, 'Stan' is right behind 'Kim' in terms of emotion. I once sang 'Stan' for karaoke one night...woah. I emoted the same as Em did...there was a very eerie hush over the crowd. It isn't exactly a song you can dance or have a good time to. Luckily my buddy was there and stood up after a few seconds and delivered the best slow clap I have witnessed to date. HAH! Favorite Tracks: Stan, The Way I Am, Marshall Mathers, Kim |
After listening to this album, how could 9th Wonder NOT be one of my favorite producers? This is one of the best one-two punches to grace hip-hop, what with Murs' dope-ass flow over 9th Wonder's incredibly catchy beats. For some reason, I remember finding out about this album way back in the day from PureVolume. Which I thought was strange, seeing as great hip-hop was uncommon to find amongst all the shitty bands that littered that website. Favorite Tracks: Murs Day, Silly Girl, L.A., D.S.W.G. (Dark Skinned White Girls) |
Biggie, Biggie, Biggie....you are quite notorious... One of the best concept albums of all time is a hip-hop album. Fuckin' A! Not only was it a huge success monetarily, it was a huge critical success! I love the way it flows from 'Ready to Die' seamlessly into a massive double album. Street poetry at its finest! One more thing that MUST be mentioned; 'Notorious Thugs'. Who'da thunk a rap artist could dream up Beach Boy-esque intertwining layers? Every time I listen to that high, I SWEAR I hear a new element that went unprocessed the time before. Favorite Tracks: Hypnotize, Mo Money Mo Problems, Notorious Thugs, Ten Crack Commandments, You're Nobody ('Til Somebody Kills You) |
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Love slow claps! :laughing: Oh and the Biggie album, love it, particularly You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You) -> my favourite song of his. |
Man, when I first heard this album, 'Definition' stood out to me the most. Not just because the song blew my mind, lyrically and audibly, but because of the interpolation of Boogie Down Production's 'Stop the Violence'. WhoSampled I always get an old school vibe from this album. The beats have golden age tendencies as well as the newer school spin the lyricists involved spit. Overall, great message put across throughout "Black Star". Favorite Tracks: Definition, K.O.S. (Determination), Hater Players |
Ladies and gentlemen, the greatest band in late night television! This album is what got me into The Roots, and was the first time I had heard of them. The mixture of rock, jazz, R&B, and well, just plain experimentation, all while keeping it funky and catchy, is straight genius. Check this one out!! By the way, I would write more about this but I am super pissed because I spent too long on the reply page and it timed out so I lost everything I already had. :mad: Favorite Tracks: Rock You, Sacrifice, The Seed 2.0, Water Pt. 1 and Pt. 2 (I couldn't find it all-in-one), Complexity |
I'm just going to let you play this song. DJ Premier...producer extraordinaire.. Long live Guru. 1 year gone, yesterday. Favorite Tracks: Werdz From the Ghetto Child, Rite Where You Stand, Skills, Deadly Habitz, Peace of Mine, Riot Akt |
18. My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy - Kanye West http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...lbum_cover.png But Billy! How could you place MBDTF on your top 25 hip-hop albums list after being released less than 6 months ago?!? My response...how could I not? Have you listened to this album???!!! My LORD is it phenomenal. EVERY TIME Kanye releases a new LP, I find it so intriguing. Even without the Runaway video, I always imagine a movie being played out in my mind. What pisses me off, though, is the fact that my buddy went to school and grew up with a bunch of people that are famous and are making something of their lives. Here is an example of one of those people: M$M Speaks on Producing "Lost In The World" with Kanye West on Vimeo All bitterness aside, I shall leave you with a beautiful summary of the entire album. Favorite Tracks: Dark Fantasy, Power, Monster, Runaway, Blame Game, Lost in the World / Who Will Survive in America (works best as one) |
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but honestly, don't mind me. Everyone has an opinion here, I'm excited to see your list finished. |
Understandable. I found out about Black Star some time ago though, and this list is what I'm feeling at the moment.
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lol I also agree but he's entitled to his opinions. Continue Sir, I'm waiting to see what's going to be number 1 |
It only makes sense to follow a Kanye album with a Kanye-produced album. After the unsuccessful "Electric Circus", Common must have felt he had to follow-up with a more mainstream effort. He did exactly that by putting Ye on-board. Common has always had sophisticated lyrics but the stand-out feature of "Be" is definitely the production. Every single beat on here shines. Favorite lyric: Quote:
Favorite Tracks: Be, The Corner, Testify, Love Is..., The Food, Real People, They Say |
MF has always had the most unique flow. That, plus his excellent use of old cartoon samples equates to quite a new experience to the average hip-hop listener. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Good people of earth, I give to you, the greatest supervillain of all time. MF DOOM - OPERATION: DOOMSDAY LUNCHBOX | Stones Throw Records - How awesome is that!!??! http://www.stonesthrow.com/images/20...sday-box-2.jpg Favorite Tracks: Doomsday, Rhymes Like Dimes, Tick, Tick, Red & Gold, Who You Think I Am?, Dead Bent |
Wikipedia is always a good read. Whether or not the information is true, you do (think) you learn something. For instance, Kanye was on tour with U2 the year before this album was released, which inspired him to record anthem/stadium friendly songs. And WOW did he do just that..I don't know officially but it always seemed to me that "Graduation" had the most radio hits on it, of all his albums. Now, I have lost faith in popular radio stations these days, but when you start hearing jams like 'Good Life', 'Flashing Lights', and 'Homecoming' coming over the waves, it definitely warms your heart to know that there is still hope. Sidebar...I was in New York for a week around the time this album came out. Several of us were at a strip club, and I, being the youngest and newest strip club-goer, was quite wasted. I remember quite vividly sitting next to the DJ booth, having a conversation with said DJ about music, particularly what the performers were dancing to. He agreed with me that even though they were good chunes to dance to, they weren't the best to listen to. He then proceded to play 'Flashing Lights', IN ITS ENTIRETY (rare for a strip club). That was the first time I heard that song and, with the combination of my mental state, was one of the most surreal moments of my life. Favorite Tracks: Champion, I Wonder, Good Life (DOPE music video), Flashing Lights, Everything I Am, Homecoming |
I've listened to this so many times, I honestly have nothing to say about it. Maybe I should have put "The Blueprint" here instead.. Everytime I think of Jay-Z, this comes to mind... Favorite Tracks: December 4th, Encore, Change Clothes, Dirt Off Your Shoulder, 99 Problems, Lucifer, My 1st Song |
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Keep this comnig. I pretty much love every album except one here .
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An album made of all samples...how dope is that!? I found this album in "1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die". Here is the article about "Endtroducing....." that piqued my interest in checking it out, with highlighted sections by myself. Quote:
Only 2 songs because it is waaay better all-in-one!!! |
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I quite like The Chronic.
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I hate to quote someone else's opinion of an album again but they said exactly how I feel about "3rd Eye Vision". Quote:
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10. By All Means Necessary - Boogie Down Productions http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedi...ByAllMeans.jpg This album, let alone group, has had a huge influence on others throughout hip-hop history. For example, the hook in 'Stop the Violence' was used on the track 'Definition' from "Black Star". As well as the hook from 'Jimmy' being used in 'Diddy' from "The Saga Continues...". After the murder of Scott La Rock, KRS-One changed the tone of his music towards a more educated aspect. Check out some sampling of his lyrics.. Quote:
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Another concept album from Biggie Smalls, the first one…make sure to listen to ‘Suicidal Thoughts’. VERY chilling. Favorite Tracks: Intro, Things Done Changed, Gimme the Loot, Juicy, Everyday Struggle, Big Poppa, Suicidal Thoughts |
Holy shit! What a breath of fresh air this was when it first came out…and even to this day! I mean, come on! Goddamn! Favorite Tracks: We Don’t Care, All Falls Down, Spaceship, Jesus Walks, Get ‘Em High, The New Workout Plan, Breathe In, Breathe Out, Through the Wire |
Comin' atcha' from a big sweetheart...Mr. Makaveli. Favorite Tracks: Me Against the World, So Many Tears, Temptations, Young Niggaz, Lord Knows, Dear Mama, Old School, Fuck the World, Death Around the Corner |
Another album made almost entirely of samples? Several hundred illegal samples at that?? And how! I like to play a game called “How Many Samples Can You Pick Out?” I get a different number everytime. R.I.P. Paul’s Boutique. Favorite Tracks: Shake Your Rump, High Plains Drifter, Hey Ladies, Looking Down the Barrel of a Gun, Car Thief, What Comes Around, Shadrach, B-Boy Bouillabaisse |
good call on The Marshall Mathers LP - pretty underrated
but no A Tribe Called Quest or De La Soul......yet? |
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I'm not even sure which is my favorite but I know for a fact that it's not The Marshall Mathers LP. I'd probably have to go for Infinite or The Slim Shady LP. |
Slim Shady LP was neck and neck with Marshall Mathers LP.
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I have always referred to Aesop Rock as "The Bob Dylan of Underground Rap". This is quite obvious on this LP. Not only are his lyrics like reading a novella but his voice is just as unique as the aforementioned Bob Dylan. Trying to keep up with him in a single verse is difficult enough. Here is JUST the first track.. Quote:
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CHECK OUT THIS ALBUM. Favorite Tracks: Labor, Daylight, Save Yourself, Flashflood, No Regrets, Coma, Battery, 9-5ers Anthem |
Hands-down BEST use of jazz samples. :bowdown: As well as one of the smoothest MCs of all time, Mr. Q-Tip. Favorite Tracks: Excursions, Buggin’ Out, Butter, Verses From the Abstract, Vibes and Stuff, Check the Rhime, Everything is Fair, Jazz (We've Got) |
Probably the 'coolest' sounding hip-hop album I've ever heard. I love the swagger he evokes throughout its entirety. Look for the production from Knobody on 'Can't Knock the Hustle', a member of Hieroglyphics! Favorite Tracks: Can’t Knock the Hustle, Brooklyn’s Finest, Dead Presidents II, Feelin’ It, D’evils, Can I Live, Coming of Age, Regrets |
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not from the "hardcore" hip-hop coimmunity they'll be going on about Madvillainy, The Pharcyde, Busdriver, etc..... I think most of them don't even "consider" Eminem as "rap" |
Although I chose over half the tracks as my favorites, this album is in the same vein as "Endtroducing....."; it is best listened to altogether. Madlib kills on the production with some of the most eclectic / unheard of samples. It's a strange format for an album, very short songs, lack of choruses. HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Favorite Tracks: Accordion, Meat Grinder, Raid, America’s Most Blunted, Curls, Shadows of Tomorrow, Operation Lifesaver / Mint Test, Figaro, Strange Ways, Supervillain Theme, All Caps, Rhinestone Cowboy |
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But to not consider him rap would be ridiculous. He's definitely a rapper, just one that I have no affinity for. Him and Lil Wayne sit on the bench. Subject matter is probably what it is. I can't relate, I don't want to relate to hard drugs and/or domestic violence and/or violence etc. |
First thing is first, LISTEN TO THIS ALBUM WITH HEADPHONES FOR THE FULL EFFECT. Now that we got that out of the way, why, might you ask is this my favorite hip-hop album? The entire recording has a great vibe to it. It may not be Common's catchiest album but as a collective it works so well. The production work is fantastic. I really dig the psychedelic aura. I don't know, honestly. Whilst cruising around getting high one day, I saw the album cover on my iPod and thought, 'Hey! It's the black Sgt. Pepper! Let's check it out!' History was made that day. As Common says, 'I Am Music.' Enjoy peoples. I love this line! Quote:
Favorite Tracks: Ferris Wheel, Soul Power, Aquarius, Electric Wire Hustler Flower, The Hustle, Come Close, New Wave, Star *69 (PS With Love), I Got a Right Ta’, Between Me, You, and Liberation, I Am Music, Jimi Was a Rock Star, Heaven Somewhere |
hmmm interesting choice for #1.
I need to listen to that album and a few others on your list but appreciate you putting these all together. |
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