Your Top 5 Hip-hop Albums?

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Your Top 5 Hip-hop Albums?

Started 15 years ago by urbaniized / toggle topic info

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urbaniized

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Joined: Dec '10
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Posted 15 years ago #

go wild.. So many albums you gotta be skipping through the bullshizzle skits or guest producers not quite cuttin the mustard with an hi hat to lairy in the mix or a bad sample choice...very few have that ' end to end burners ' type of sh!t...
If i was puttin a Gangstarr album in there it would be ' Daily Operation ' umm. ... Nevermind That...
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So dazzle me

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esomedina

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Posted 15 years ago #

My Top 5 in particular order at the moment (subject to change the next time I put my iPod on Shuffle):

Common - Resurrection
This is the first album that ever got me open. I was discovering punchlines and similes YEARS after it came out. Plus add in the fact he was from Chicago, just made it better because it was like one of your own was so dope and received such praise from most of the greats. I still get chills when "This Is Me" comes on. Remember walking through Hyde Park with the homies on our way to Dr. Wax reciting the lyrics to "This Is Me" passing Louis Farrakhan's house. Fun times.

Ras Kass - Soul On Ice
Where to begin with this one. Never in my life had I heard such lyricism. This was required listening material when I used to commute to college back in 1996. I took an hour and 15 minute bus ride (2 transfers). "Sonset" was like the greatest diss record that wasn't a diss record. Then add in the "Soul On Ice (Remix)" and I was simply stunned from beginning to end. Even the Coolio assisted track gets bump on days when I feeling goofy.

Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens
I can honestly say that Blu is the first emcee who's nuts I've been on HARD. Dude is simply one of the illest writers EVER. The way he wrote "Cold Hearted" is the stuff of legends to me and he should be recognized more for it. "Dancing In The Rain" is some real stuff. I can put this on and just zone out from beginning to end. It just melds into one continuous movement that is awe inspiring.

PUTS - Question In The Form Of An Answer
Read an URB review of this album back in 1998. Bought it at Virgin Mega Store after getting a fat refund check one semester. Came back to my dorm. Closed the door, unwrapped the cellophane. Popped the disc into my shelf system. Hit play. Was thrown for a loop when "Crazy Live" came on, but when "Youth Explosion" came on, I think I listened to that 15 times in a row memorizing the lyrics and reciting them like they were my own. This album helped me get though college. Used to study to this. Walked to class to this. Wrote rhymes to this. "Earth Travelers" was some incredible stuff and Thes's verse is one of my all time favorites. Not to be overly dramatic, but I am thankful every day this album was created.

Aceyalone - Book Of Human Language
Quite frankly, the greatest concept album created. Add the fact that Aceyalone is such a gifted freestlyer, you wonder if he even wrote this stuff down or let his mind focus and then spit out the stream of consciousness. "The Grandfather Clock" is just one of those songs that come along every few years that you can't get out of your head no matter how hard you try. I still to this day recite random lines from this song.
zoltan

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Joined: Dec '10
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Posted 15 years ago #

top 5.

5. Gangstar: Moment of Truth
4. Raekwon: Built for Cuban Linx part 1
3. O.C.: Jewelz
2. Nas: Illmatic
1. Pete Rock: Soul Survivor
urbaniized

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Joined: Dec '10
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Posted 15 years ago #

@esomedina.
Youth Explosion I Memorizes tHe Whole Lyrics From That Track And We'll Be There those songs really got me hooked to that album.
ever Got A Chance To Listen to rass kass album.so imma be sure to check it out @ Ughh.com.lol
as for Blu & Exiles Album i would Say that Would be My #6 Album.The World Is(Below The Heavens) And The Narrow Path ,And In Remembrance Of Me are songs that are heaven to my eardrums.

Btw I See your A francesc Fabregas Fan too.but He Has A Hamstring Injury right now=(.mad props my man.GO ARSENAL. WERE ON TOP OF THE BPL.

=D

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mambo7891

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Posted 15 years ago #

Man, my hip-hop collection is small ATM but every album i buys eems like a classic and best ever...

ATM, my top 5 would be (in no particular order)

PUTS: Carried Away
Jurassic 5: J5
Cypress Hill: Black Sunday
The Roots: How I Got Over
Gift Of Gab: 4th Dimensional Rocketships goin up

Also, Tres Presents: Shipping & Handling is a classic compilation. Im listening to tha a fair bit l8ly
esomedina

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Posted 15 years ago #

@urbanized,

Soul On Ice is an indisputable classic. I much prefer this early version of Ras Kass than the current iteration of him.

As for Arsenal, yes we're at the top of the table! Hopefully we can stay there keep Man UTD at bay until they make up their game with Blackpool. The way Nasri is playing, no need to rush Cesc back IMO. Let him rest. Besides, we won't be back at full strength until after the new year when Vermaelen comes back. We sorely miss him. Koscielny out 3 weeks with a concussion. Back line looking thin.
dougiedocious

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Posted 15 years ago #

That's a tough one, here goes 5 of my favorite all time greats

De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead

The vibe of this album is unmatched, more over though every track including the skits with the comic on the inlay "Shut up hamster penis", just make an album that puts you right there, like you were listening to it as it was being made. Just breath it in.

Ice Cube - Death Certificate

An album so hard as hell it smacks you in the face, the P Funk breaks, the sheer ferocity of Cube raging against the injustices of the world. I was as far removed from this world as I could be, but hearing this bought it to me, and put the issues in no uncertain terms. You could call it a travelogue of South Central.

Phi-Life Cypher - Millennium Metaphors

A densely packed album which demands to be heard. Si Philli and Life are undoubtedly some of the UK's finest, and shine out on this album. Nappa's beats provide a perfect backdrop for the verbal fireworks. Never stealing the show but keeping a perfect balance.

DJ Vadim - Life From The Other Side

A star studded album featuring production by the one and only UK powerhouse. Marking his trade mark sound with a continental connection that just shone out: El-P, Swollen Members, Motion Man, Skinnyman, Sarah Jones, Blade, Mucho Mu, Jupiter Jam, Toastie Taylor. Need I say more?

People Under The Stairs - Question In The Form Of An Answer

I could have chosen any of their records, but this was the first that set me off, you never forget your first time. Classic, Timeless, dope as f***.
YoYoPo

The Architect
Joined: Feb '05
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Posted 15 years ago #

dougiedocious said:
DJ Vadim - Life From The Other Side

A star studded album featuring production by the one and only UK powerhouse. Marking his trade mark sound with a continental connection that just shone out: El-P, Swollen Members, Motion Man, Skinnyman, Sarah Jones, Blade, Mucho Mu, Jupiter Jam, Toastie Taylor. Need I say more?

still can't get over the Skinnyman verse on this album. Pure fire! And Ninjatune are still putting out amazing records (the Bonobo album this year... wow)

esomedina said:
Blu & Exile - Below The Heavens
I can honestly say that Blu is the first emcee who's nuts I've been on HARD. Dude is simply one of the illest writers EVER. The way he wrote "Cold Hearted" is the stuff of legends to me and he should be recognized more for it. "Dancing In The Rain" is some real stuff. I can put this on and just zone out from beginning to end. It just melds into one continuous movement that is awe inspiring.

+1! this really is one of the best hip hop albums of the last few years. Really great partnership, and actually a really beautiful album (rare for hip hop!)

Top 5 albums is very tough though... there are some clear 'classics' that have been very influential and still get heavy play (36 Chambers for example) but aren't necessarily favourites.

I might have to come back to add some more, but for now

PUTS - Stepfather
Not the first of their albums I heard and not necessarily the most played, but in my opinion the best. Everything it did when it came out was progressive (in terms of their back catalogue at least) and to me is still fresh... the artwork, the DVD, the whole package.

Edan - Beauty and the Beat
Basically a perfect album. Really dope realisation of concept. Crazy atmospheric beats. Lyrics are ridiculous. The back-and-forth between Edan and Insight... just ILL!!
chunkyrice

LP
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 372

Posted 15 years ago #

Edan - Beauty and the Beat
Basically a perfect album. Really dope realisation of concept. Crazy atmospheric beats. Lyrics are ridiculous. The back-and-forth between Edan and Insight... just ILL!!

Top, top album. So many good tunes. "Emcees smoke crack" and "Sing it, Shitface" are probably my favourites.

Would also be tough narrowing down a top 20 let alone a top 5, but here are some of my favourites off the top of my head and in no particular order.

Public Enemy - It takes a nation of millions...
I was really lucky to see them live back in 87 as part the famous Def Jam Tour with Eric B & Rakim and LL Cool J at the Hammersmith Odeon (which is also sampled for the album). This was also probably one of the first hip hop albums I bought (along with Stetasonic's In full gear) If I only had one album to take on a desert island I would probably take this...

Black Sheep A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing
Would have like to have seen these guys stay together and put out more albums. So many samples in here.

PUTS - OST
My introduction to the "P" was with the "Double K Show" and "Acid Rain Drops". I can't remember what made check out there stuff but I'm really glad I did!

ATCQ - Midnight Marauders
Probably one of the finest concept albums out there.

Ugly Duckling - Journey to Anywhere
"Eye on the Goldchain" got me back into hip hop...
esomedina

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Posted 15 years ago #

YoYoPo said:

Edan - Beauty and the Beat
Basically a perfect album. Really dope realisation of concept. Crazy atmospheric beats. Lyrics are ridiculous. The back-and-forth between Edan and Insight... just ILL!!

This is one of those simply impressive albums from start to finish. I can put this on during my morning commute and before I know it, I'm already at work.
SactownConnection

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Posted 15 years ago #

Good list, chunkyrice. Can't believe I'd never heard that Edan before. I'm getting it right now. HUGE ups for Black Sheep. That album is an indisputible champion of a record.

As far as De La goes, I like De La Soul Is Dead, but I've REALLY been into Buhloone Mindstate, and strangely enough, Stakes Is High (even though they're missing Prince Paul) lately. That song "Down Syndrome" rocks the block when you're in your ride.

If I could just throw a few more out there, I have to say that
Street Level by the Beatnuts
Black On Both Sides by Mos Def
Innercity Griots by Freestyle Fellowship
Blowout Comb by Digable Planets
Original Gangsta (OG) by Ice-T
are all worthy mentions. And I feel like sh*t for not putting something from Boogie Down or Eric B & Rakim on there. Maybe runners-up could be Breaking Atoms by Main Source and The Main Ingredient by Pete and CL

What about the best hip hop IN THE PAST FIVE YEARS?
That makes it a little tougher... I mean, even Crown City's "Earthtones" was '04, so you can't even put that one on the list...
Panacea - The Scenic Route
PUTS - Stepfather (Carried Away is a CLOSE MFing second)
Nujabes - Modal Soul (technically not hip hop, 'cause we're talking a producer, but I don't care... it's too dope)
Giant Panda - Fly School Reunion
Danger Doom - The Mouse And The Mask
The kid in me wants to put Fatlip's TheLoneliest Punk on there too, but that's just 'cause Fatlip is second only to Biz Markie in the comedy he puts in his music.
chunkyrice

LP
Joined: Sep '08
Posts: 372

Posted 15 years ago #

The Mouse and the Mask, Fly School Reunion and Blowout Comb are also great albums from start to finish. One other album that I would have added to my list if I had the space would be Gangstarr's - Step in the Arena, when I got back into hip hop at the end nineties/early noughties a mate of mine gave me list of albums that I had missed. This was one of my favourites for a long time.
YoYoPo

The Architect
Joined: Feb '05
Posts: 3,618

Posted 15 years ago #

Nujabes is hip hop. That album is definitely up there!
YoYoPo

The Architect
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Posted 15 years ago #

there was definitely something missing...

Dilla Donuts!!
urbaniized

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Joined: Dec '10
Posts: 34

Posted 15 years ago #

Nujabes' Modal Soul And Metaphorical Music. RIP Nujabes

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