The Greatest Rap/Hip Hop Group of all Time
 

Who is the Greatest Hip Hop/Rap group of all time? if you cant choose just one then make a list.

Wu Tang Clan.

This isn't even close... Wu Tang by a landslide. They are just awesome.


if you disagree, then it's best to protect ya neck!

Everyone loves the Wu, but as a group their efforts have never been able to top 36 Chambers. I personally choose them, but honestly the Doomtree collective isn't that far behind.

36 Chambers is a classic though, I don't think it can even be topped by anyone honestly. I'd put it in the top 5 rap albums ever, by anyone. Some great solo stuff too, especially Liquid Swords, Tical, and OB4CL

I have to admit I find 36 Chambers kind of meh. I've never understood why people make such a big deal out of it.

I've got three letters and one word for you.

RZA Production.

I have one word for you: meh.

In terms of sheer variety and releases, nobody really comes close to the WU.

Other groups that definitely deserve mention are A Tribe Called Quest, Hieroglyphics, Beastie Boys, EPMD & Public Enemy.

Beastie Boys were great, but they really only ever had one sound.

Liquid Swords crushes 36 Chambers imo, and some of the other solo albums (Raekwon's) piss me off to such an n'th degree... Though if I were asked this question I'd likely say them. Just for general aesthetic. They were innovative and some of their songs were downright killer. I wouldn't say they've ever had a killer album, but some of their songs are just anthems.

Seriously?

Seconded.

Unless I'm missing something?

I think what you're missing is the fact that they have one of the most varied sounds of anyone mentioned so far in this thread.

I only have Licensed to Ill and Paul's Boutique so I'm probably speaking from a complete state of darkness.

License to Ill - straightforward 80's hip hop, with the exception of Fight for Your Right to Party and No Sleep Til Brooklyn, which had some hard rock/metal influence. Produced by Rick Rubin

Paul's Boutique - A sampler's masterpiece and a total tribute to 70's music and disco produced by the Dust Brothers w/ DJ Hurricane

Check your head - Combined hip hop with alt. rock and jazz. Saw the introduction of Ad Rock, MCA, and Mike D playing their own instruments (Since they started as an NYC punk group). Also brought in Mario Caldato on Hammond B3 organ and a separated percussionist. Produced by Mario C. (I think)

Ill Communication - Pretty much straightforward 90's hip-hop with more of the group's instrumental creations to augment their sound.

Hello Nasty -Futuristic hip-hop with a definite outerspace feel. Legenary Mixmaster Mike on the decks.

To the Five Burroughs - Meh, haven't really listened to it, so I can't really say.

Well, even those two albums are pretty different from each other, but give a listen to Check Your Head or Ill Communication. There's more variety within either one of those albums than a lot of hip hop groups have in their entire career.

Don't forget about the hardcore-ish tracks.

Tough Guy and Heart attack Man? Yeah, they were pretty punk, kinda' a throwback to there pre-hip hop days

There was Time for Livin' on Check Your Head too. Which was pretty similar to those two tracks.

How come?

I love Wu Tang, but I'm with you on this. It's a classic and their most recognizable songs are on there, but I think if you took Wu Tang Forever and pared it down from a double album to like 10-13 songs, it would blow 36 chambers away easily. I still don't know why they chose to release a double album as their follow up to 36 chambers.

I had no idea. I haven't even listened to all of Paul's Boutique and I made this assumption. Now I'm going to have to listen to those. Thanks guys. :thumb:

Tribe Called quest
De La Soul
Wu Tang Clan
Roots
Cypress Hill
Gangstarr
Hieroglyphics
Alkaholics
Diggable Planets
Pharcyde