looking forward to checking this one out. his work on the last erykah badu album was amazing

Stakes Is High is probably my favorite hip hop record of all time.

For those of you that frequent this thread, let's discuss our top 5 favorite hip-hop albums. This might just be an excuse to tell everyone my top 5 and talk about how awesome they are. Here we go.

5. Kanye West - The College Dropout (2004) The public believed that Jay-Z was officially retired and they needed to find a new hip-hop sensation to sweep them off their feet. The College Dropout was released and the public was thrilled. Remember how big this album was? It was so great. I feel like every song on here was a single. Featuring some of my favorite singles (All Falls Down, Jesus Walks, The New Workout Plan, Through the Wire) and other classics with great guest verses (Two Words, Get 'Em High, Never Let Me Down). This album is so good and the production is amazing. When I heard this, I knew that Kanye would be around for a long time. Who knew that he would turn out to be this interesting media personality? I wish he used the soulful samples again like he did in this album. "Last Call" is one of the best endings to any album. Nothing but praise for this masterpiece.

4. Jay-Z - The Black Album (2003) This album is so good and so fun. It is the ultimate hip-hop album for parties. The beats are out of control and Jay-Z's flow is impeccable. "Justify My Thug" is my favorite song on here because the build up before the beginning of this song is terrific. Hardly any weak spots on this one. Nothing really to say about this other than it was responsible for the mass production of hip-hop remixes on the internet (how good was The Grey Album? So good, that's the answer.) One of my favorites for playing in my car for long drives during the day.

3. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993) When hip-hop first really started to get grimy. Coming from the wretched slums of Shaolin came a groundbreaking, hardcore hip-hop group whose debut album blew everyone away. Such a terrific outcast of rappers. The smooth verses of Method Man, intellectual lyricism by GZA, passionate sounds from Ghostface and Raekwon, and the outrageous, beautiful words of Ol' Dirty Bastard. He was my favorite rapper. He was so original and so out of control that he always kept me entertained. Such a great album.

2. Dr. Dre - 2001 (1999) Such an innovative, influential album. Hardly any weak spots on here and terrific, mind blowing production. Dre's verses and rough and in your face just like the listeners want. The constant, refreshing choruses and verses from Snoop Dogg are always a treat. I always listen to this album when I am driving and I need to stay awake. I know every song on this album and I rap to the lyrics in order to keep my eyes open. Great fucking album. Never gets old. Also, "Still D.R.E.", whose lyrics were written by none other than Jay-Z, is the best hip-hop song of all time.

1. Notorious B.I.G. - Ready to Die (1994) The best hip-hop ever. The greatest rapper ever with some of the sickest beats by Easy Mo Bee, P. Diddy (Back when he was awesome. Check out Puff Daddy and Family's "No Way Out.), DJ Premier, and Pete Rock. A 22-year-old phenom releasing his debut album with guests like Method Man (holy shit, "The What" is terrific), Lil' Kim, and Puff. "Big Poppa", "Who Shot Ya", "Everyday Struggle", "Juicy", "One More Chance." This is an album with no flaws. Best shit ever.


Honorable mentions:

Ghostface - Fishscale
Madvillain - Madvillainy
Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
Ol' Dirty Bastard - Return to the 36 Chambers (The Dirty Version)
Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter II
De La Soul - Stakes is High
Dr. Dre - The Chronic
MF Doom - Operation Doomsday
Pimp C - Pimpalation
UGK - Ridin' Dirty (Jay-Z's favorite hip-hop album)
Method Man and Redman - Blackout


What is everyone else's?

I may edit details in, but I think it's....(in no order, they're close)

Wu Tang Clan - Enter the Wu
Outkast - Aquemini
Dizzee Rascal - Boy in da corner
Durrty Goodz - Axiom
Slick Rick - The great adventures of...

And oddly enough, I've never liked 'Ready to die', I know everyone else loves it, but I find it too poserish for some reason. My mates gave me an unbelievable amount of shit for saying I liked Boy in da corner more than it.

Never liked Tupac either (other than singles), I don't get why those two are the consensus best two MC's ever.

Yeah, I never became a fan of Pac either. To each his own, I guess.

1. Mood - Doom
2. Wu Tang - 36 Chambers
3. Mos Def - Black on Both Sides
4. Real Live - The Turnaround
5. Cannibal Ox - Cold Vein

I'm a big fan of that Mos Def album. I used to prefer Talib to Mos Def until I listened to Black Star again a few months ago and, for some reason, switched to preferring Mos. His flow and change of characters and voices is terrific. One of the best, definitely underrated, rappers around. I need to check out "Doom." Never given it a listen.

Other than #1, No specific order:

1) Mobb Deep - The Infamous (Greatest HipHop Album Ever Created. Period.)
2) Outkast - ATLiens
3) Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
4) Eminem - Marshall Mathers
5) Wu-Tang - Wu-tang Forever
6) Mase - Harlem World
7) Tupac - All Eyez on Me
8) Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury
9) Dre - 2001
10) Jedi Mind Tricks - Violent By Design
11) Jay-Z - Blueprint
12) Killah Priest - Heavy Mental
13) Big Pun - Capital Punishment
14) AZ - Doe or Die
15) Cormega - True Meaning / The Realness (Can't decide between the two)

Best list I've ever seen

Had to do what?

I had a feeling I was spelling it the nerdiest way possible... I just got too stubborn to write it the right way.

I made a list about a year ago called "The Hip-Hop Bible" and I was going to listen to every album and talk about it a little bit, placing the newer albums in the "New Testament" and older ones in the "Old Testament." Never did get around to actually doing this though. Maybe I'll try to finish that some time when I get some time.

doom is the first record hi tek produced. it sounds like vbd era jmt or the grimiest of grimy rza beats.

emcees sound like mobb deep

karma is a standout track

fucking dope as shit

Haven't really thought about this in a while... pretty excellent answers all over the place so far.
Right now, thinking:

Ready to Die - see sonic's blurb. Pretty much nailed it.

Low End Theory - smoothest shit ever. One of the two albums that got me into hip hop.

Paul's Botique - the other one. White jewish kids making a convincing argument for other white jewish kids to dig deeper into this shit. The fucking samples... pop music sensory overload of awesomeness.

36 Chambers - murderous shit. RZA's just out of control with the beats and everybody who gets on the mic is killing it.

Labor Days - Ace's way with words just fascinates the hell out of me. Dude writes the oddest and most original verses in the world and always ends up making them sound sick as hell.

Aesop Rock is out of control. I really enjoy reading the lyrics along as he raps them. "None Shall Pass" is raising higher and higher in my list. It's so awesome, so original, so moving.

Yeah, pretty excellent stuff in there. I started to get into that one really heavy, but then put it down and haven't revisited it for a while. Thinking that's probably an awesome thing to do right now. Your thread is kick ass by the way. Turning me on to all sorts of stuff I'd probably never find elsewhere.

My favorite hip-hop album of the last couple years (Tronic and HHNF come to mind, as well). This album is spot on. Cryptic, sparkling lyrics and out of control beats from Blockhead (anybody listen to those albums I posted? He's the man) and Aesop Rock. For the longest time, this was the only album that I had in my car and it was the only one I needed. I still haven't memorized the lyrics for the majority of the songs. They are so original and surreal. When I first started listening, I thought that what The Mars Volta's lyrics do for prog rock, Aesop's lyrics do for hip-hop. Enjoy.

And I will remember your name and face on the day you are judged by the funhouse cast / And I will rejoice in your fall from grace with a cane to sky like 'None Shall Pass'


1. Keep Off the Lawn (Produced by Aesop Rock)
2. None Shall Pass (Produced by Blockhead)
3. Catacomb Kids (Produced by Aesop Rock)
4. Bring Back Pluto (Produced by Blockhead)
5. Fumes (Produced by Blockhead)
6. Getaway Car (Feat. Cage and Breeze Brewin') (Produced by Blockhead)
7. 39 Thieves (Featuring El-P) (Produced by Aesop Rock)
8. The Harbor Is Yours (Produced by Blockhead)
9. Citronella (Produced by Aesop Rock)
10. Gun for the Whole Family (Feat. El-P) (Produced by El-P)
11. Five Fingers (Produced by Aesop Rock)
12. No City (Produced by Blockhead)
13. Dark Heart News (Feat. Rob Sonic) (Produced by Rob Sonic)
14. Coffee (Feat. John Darnielle) (Produced by Blockhead)

Aesop Rock - None Shall Pass (2007)

lots to add to this thread...

i love de la. aside from maybe outkast, i think de la is the best hip hop group of all time. they certainly have relavent longevity than outkast had/has. grind date is a masterpiece, as are pretty much every one of their other albums (except AOIs...I is pretty good while II is pretty subpar). 3 ft high is my fav de la record and has been for some time, although SIH and BMS have both occupied that slot at various times. 3 ft is actually my favorite hip hop album from before 1991.

my top 4 list from 86-91
de la soul - 3 ft high and rising
public enemy - fear of a black planet
eric b + rakim - paid in full
beastie boys - paul's boutique


my top 10 list for 92->01 (no real order, although i haven't revised or revisited this list in nearly 5 years, and it may be solidly different these days...)
outkast - aquemini (my favorite hip hop album of all time, period)
nas - illmatic
a tribe called quest - midnight marauders
wu tang clan - enter the wu tang (36 chambers)
mos def + talib kweli are black star
common - one day it will all make sense
a tribe called quest - the low end theory
jay-z - the blueprint
mos def - black on both sides
notorious BIG - ready to diea


the infamous is also a masterpiece. this thread is awesome, keep it up.

I dig that list of 92-01. Good shit on there. I really need to start getting in to A Tribe Called Quest. I have listened to their albums pretty heavily at times, but it always turns in to background music for some reason. I need to sit down and give it a good listen. That's what I had to do with The Renaissance and I fell in love with it. I think it's because Q-Tip has such a relaxing flow, that I zone out. Either way, they're awesome, I just need to listen more. Black Star is wild, awesome tunes. I'm going to go on an album post rampage in a few days, look out.

I talked about this a lot in the Now Playing thread as well as in the Albums recommendation thread, but I'm going to jabber about it here as well. Check it out. Here's what I wrote earlier.

That Green Album sounds fantastic. Grabbing it now, thanks.

Late to this party... I only just recently picked this up. It is making my head hurt right now it is so good. Holy christ.



Ghostface Killah - Fishscale

Fishscale is another thing I didn't really understand the hype for. Good album, but just good and nothing special at all by Ghost standards.

I realise I'm being a negative nancy over the last couple of pages, but there you are.

Completely disagree. I think Fishscale is Ghostface at his best. The production works really well with his verses and it has a grimy, dirty feel to the whole album that I love. This and Ironman are his two best, in my opinion.

I'll have to agree with Sonic. Definitely his two best works to date. Btw, have you heard Big Doe Rehab? I seriously enjoyed it - very under-appreciated album IMO. Great production, great verses, dope hooks, and a lot of great guest appearances.

It's the ODB as you can see

Here are two terrific Wu-Tang solo efforts from my favorite member of the group. With production mainly by RZA in the first album, Return to the 36 Chambers is a very grimy album that focuses on piano beats and soulful vibes. One of my favorite records ever. His second studio album, Nigga Please, is very enjoyable but not nearly as good as his debut. Nigga Please has production from RZA as well as The Neptunes, who were responsible for giving him radio-worthy singles (see Got Your Money feat. Kelis). Both of these albums are great creations by one of the weirdest, original voices in hip-hop.


Ol' Dirty Bastard - Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (1995)


Ol' Dirty Bastard - Nigga Please (1999)

UGK. Everyone needs to check out these guys. Bun-B and Pimp C make up one of the greatest hip-hop duos ever. They create enjoyable, suave Southern rap. They are best known for their single last year with Outkast as well as being featured in Jay-Z's successful "Big Pimpin'. Here is the majority of their stuff.

Too Hard To Swallow: Not much to say about this one. This is their first album that is worth a listen. We see a 19-year-old Pimp C and a 21-year-old Bun B. Pretty enjoyable, old school hip-hop.

UGK - Too Hard To Swallow (1992)

Super Tight: Now we see the duo perfecting their verses and working on their beats. Great album and it's amazing to see how much different they sound by the time of their most current album.

UGK - Super Tight (1994)

Said to be their best album, Ridin' Dirty is Southern hip-hop at its finest. Jay-Z claims this is his favorite album. Need I say more?


UGK - Ridin' Dirty (1996)

Dirty Money: Here we see UGK trying something new with their music. This album has a shit load of guest verses (8Ball and MJG whaaaaaaaat?). I like it, but I can only handle it in small doses.

UGK - Dirty Money (2001)

Underground Kingz: One of the best hip-hop albums of recent memory. Dizzee Rascal, Talib, Too Short, a bunch of dudes make appearances on here and it is out of control.

UGK - Underground Kingz Disc 1 (2007)
UGK - Underground Kingz Disc 2 (2007)


Here's some solo efforts, some of which I think are better than their studio albums.

Bun-B - Trill. Nothing outstanding but still a fun listen. His second studio album is much better.

Bun-B - Trill (2005)

Bun-B - II Trill. Awesome. Download now.

Bun-B - II Trill (2008)

Pimp C's Pimpalation. This album is the shit. It's my avatar for Christ's sake. Check this out. Some of the most enjoyable beats and fun verses. This album rules.

Pimp C - Pimpalation Disc One (2006)
Pimp C - Pimpalation Disc Two (Chopped and Screwed) (2006)

'underground kingz' was album of the year in 2008. RIP pimp c... dude went out on top

'ridin dirty' is a 10/10 classic, does not get better than that album

i didnt really care for bun b's album this year altho it had its share of str8 bangers

My favorite hip-hop albums:

Wu Tang - 36 Chambers
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Eminem - Marshall Mathers
Eminem - Slim Shady
Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

sonic alligator = best poster in recent memory. big up!

This is a mindblowing thread. As someone who's relatively new to most hip-hop it couldn't have come at a better time. UGK post was excellence. I've been meaning to check out Pimpalation after having had it burned into my brain by your avatar... a similar Outkast post would be welcome too.

I feel I should add to the praise for Underground Kingz. My only UGK album but it's a great one. Of course a bit long but that's to be expected.. and it's fully enjoyable throughout even if some of it does blur together.

i've got the outkast post. gimme till tuesday night at the latest.

i've gotten into UGK backwards. i highly look forward to rounding out my collection of their material w/ that post.

http://soundopinions.org/forum/index.php?s...338&hl=pack

Completely agree. Finally listened to Dr. Octagynecologist today, and loved it. Thanks to Hans Christian Anderson for recommending and Sonic Alligator for posting it. I'm excited to check out some of the other stuff that's been posted here, and I'm looking forward to this Outkast post that's allegedly on its way.

Nice. I look forward to this. Currently, I have ATLiens, Speakerboxx, and Stankonia. I anticipate listening to Aquemini.



Also, Nowhere Fast, I really enjoyed Big Doe Rehab. I really appreciate every album that Ghostface releases. His solo efforts are so different than the Wu-Tang sound and they are always an enjoyable listen. Bulletproof Wallets is pretty sick as well.

Jay-Z is one of my favorite rappers ever and, for some reason, I have mixed emotions with Reasonable Doubt. Sometimes I love it and other times I find it very frustrating. Not sure why. "Brooklyn's Finest" is one of my favorite hip-hop songs and "Bring it On" is awesome, but the album as a whole gives me mixed emotions. Who knows why.

it will be my treat to do the complete outkast oeuvre. sonic, i can't believe you've never heard aquemini. get ready to have your head split. sometimes i think stankonia has higher highs, but as a start to finish record it is unquestionably 'kast's best, and IMO the best hip hop record of all time.

ghost is brilliant, all this records are at least solid if not classic. supreme is my favorite.

I haven't heard ANY Outkast record front-to-back so I am unbelievably pumped for this. I love discovering new discographies.

man, as i said in my de la post...these are the two best hip hop groups of all time (group having at least 2 MCs). very little contest in my eyes, particularly in that both of these groups have like 4-5 classics each.

de la has won in the longevity battle but i think 'kasts highs are better. andre is a top 5 mc of all time as far as i'm concerned.

Who’s that, coming round? Suffering popularity breakdown?

Next up is Canadian rapper/producer K-Os.



I really liked him a few years ago when Atlantis came out. Fortunately, I recently began to revisit his albums and they are amazing. Joyful Rebellion is great for every one to check out. If you aren't familiar with his work, check out Joyful Rebellion. If you like that, download Atlantis. If you enjoy both of those, check out Exit. Here they are. Think of Will.I.Am with Wyclef and Q-Tip. In my opinion, these albums really shine when K-Os removes the beats and sings a few verses with nothing but an acoustic guitar. These albums span across many genres and they are terrific.


K-Os - Exit (2002)


K-Os - Joyful Rebellion (2004)


K-Os - Atlantis: Hymns for Disco (2006)

I think there are a few misses, but "Dead Presidents II" is my favorite rap song of all time, and "22 Twos," "D'Evils," and "Can't Knock the Hustle" are all up there, too.

Also, you're definitely in for a treat with Aquemini. One of the greatest, most fun, original hip-hop albums ever.

As I deliver rhymes with ease and walk around with my head up, I'm dead up serious so don't be getting too curious

People here are aware of Gang Starr, yeah? This is rapper Guru and producer/awesome dude extraordinaire DJ Premiere. Their albums are out of control. Smooth, soulful hip-hop. Check out if you like Tribe, Pete Rock, Nas, Wu-Tang, De La, etc. If you are just getting into these guys, I recommend checking out Step in the Arena, Daily Operation, and Hard to Earn. In that order. Daily Operation is absolutely amazing. Premo really does a great job with the production. These albums have some of the greatest hip-hop productions around. He samples artists like Aretha Franklin, James Brown, Mingus, Weather Report, Isaac Hayes, and George Clinton. Everyone should really get in to these guys if you haven't already.

Here's (probably) my favorite song by them, off of the album Moment of Truth.




Gang Starr - No More Mr. Nice Guy (1989)


Gang Starr - Step in the Arena (1991)


Gang Starr - Daily Operation (1992)


Gang Starr - Hard to Earn (1994)


Gang Starr - Moment of Truth (1998)


Gang Starr - The Ownerz (2003)

man above the clouds is a gem. i love gang starr. in fact they are really the only other group i could think of that challenges de la or outkast in the best hip hop group title, except i don't totally know if i put them on the same plane as those other two (as gangstarr only has one mc and one DJ).

quite excited for this post too b/c i lost my copy of daily operation some time ago.

k-os is pretty great. the will.i.am and wyclef comparisons aren't off the mark, but that's like comparing frightened rabbit to counting crows. so close, yet so far.

Flossin', swervin', the rims is glistening. They gotta see the wood 'cause the top is missing.

Pimp C - Knockin' Doorz Down

According to Wikipedia, UGK is coming out with their last album (with songs they had already records, obviously) in 2009. It is supposed to be called "UGK 4 Life." Also, Bun-B is rumored to release "Trill-O-G" in 2009. Lastly, Pimp C's final solo effort, prior to his death, is to be compiled and released in 2009 as well. It is supposed to be called "A Pimp Named C." If all three of these albums get released next year, 2009 will be the best year of all time.

We need some more Pete Rock love in this thread. Everything hip hop should be:

T.R.O.Y. IMO the best hip-hop song ever penned:



The Creator


Take You There


One in a Million


Its Not a Game


Step Up (with INI)


Mind Over Matter (with INI)

Pete Rock is something great. I really enjoy his instrumental album "PeteStrumentals." His albums with C.L. Smooth are terrific. Unfortunately, I couldn't get into his most recent effort, NY's Finest. I don't know why. I just want his style and flow to go back the Soul Survivor vibe. Those albums were great. I'll probably post some stuff later this week or something.

okay, i've been cutting back on my somb time due to finals and studying and shit. but as a warm up for my eoy list, my top hip hop records:

1. stankonia - one of the earliest albums that i appreciated fully, and one that gets better and better for me each year.
2. miseducation of lauryn hill - the first rap album i "got". i already had plenty of other hip hop at the time, but when my twelve year old ears heard this record for the first time, my brain got blown. i know she's gone down in estimation, and that this record can be a little preachy and soft, but holy hell is this a great album.
3. deliverance - easily my pick for most underrated rap album ever. sparxxx is a mediocre rapper, but i don't think anyone's gone as far out as this one, stylistically, and succeeded. this album is a blessing from top to bottom and easily one of my all time favorites. i'll fish for a link if anyone's interested. seriously, if you haven't heard this, do.
4. things fall apart - classic. height of their abilities. best of a great group. all that. organic and wonderful, but still punch to the gut hard.
5. the pretty toney record - my favorite ghostface, though that seems to be contrary to consensus. it doesn't get better than save me dear. that song's got me laid more than any other.
6. prince among thieves - a great, lost record. too many skits, otherwise this would place way higher. some of prince paul's best production, with a ton of great tracks. everything but the skits is solid gold.
7. mos def and talib kweli are black star - enough said. will never be topped.
8. the blueprint - the name says it all. a near perfect rap album by a goat at the height of his powers. a little too popular to connect with me on a personal level. but still indisputably great.
9. fantastic damage - sometimes it's a little too buzzy and sharp, but there are songs here that obliterate me, no matter what mood i was in. t.o.j., especially.
10. three feet high and rising - again, too many skits. also dated, but charmingly so. still great, still something i come back to regularly. this album is like the meet the beatles of rap.

okay, back to homework. that is all.

Spot on with Things Fall Apart. Good call. Also, good call on the Prince Paul record. I love this album, but, as you said, it has too many skips and interludes and stuff. I don't know why that was so big with De La and Paul earlier in their careers, but it's a bit annoying. But, as you said, the actual tracks are out of control.