I've been wanting to do this for a long time now. So, when I finally decided that I should do it listened to a ton of music to start and get the list together. It took me a solid month to get the order right because I didn't want to look back at this in a week and hate the list. Even though i couldnt find the tenth album that would have made this the more common top ten list but, ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
There's actually not a lot these albums all have in common besides genre and that I can listen to any of these albums, older than a year, and not want to skip a single track.
Honorable Mentions
There's no way I could fit more than ten albums on a top ten. Here are some others that I really enjoy
- Capital Punishment by Big Pun
- Slim Shady LP by Eminem
- Get Rich or Die Trying by 50 Cent
- Liquid Swords by GZA
- Lifestylez ov da poor and dangerous by Big L
- Stanktonia by Outkast
- College Dropout by Kanye West
- The Diary - Scarface
Number Nine - Word of Mouf by Ludacris
Ludacris isn't going to end up on everyone's top ten list of greatest rappers anytime soon. His presence in the 200's is unarguable though, with this being his magnum opus. He isn't going to beat Nas or Jay-Z in lyrical battle but he's got a fantastic flow, entertaining vibe and a good ear for beats. From the beginning track (Coming 2 America) where he says he's like a foreign king in America with the way women treat him to the track that never fails to hype me up (Move b*tch) it's just everything I would want in a Ludacris album, pure fun that never fails to get me to do something stupid.
Favorite Tracks: Growing Pains, Move B*tch, and Cold Outside.
Number Eight - It's Dark and Hell is Hot by DMX
DMX in my mind has two great albums, this and And then there was X. This is by far my favorite of the two though, it's just something that I listen to all the time and it never grows old. With skits that don't do much but set a mood and doesn't do something skits do very often, be incredibly annoying. His debut album is chock full of songs that'll get you barking with DMX (Ruff Ryder's Anthem), wondering if DMX is alright (Damien), or Just plain wondering if he's being serious about what he's saying (X is coming)
It's just a grimy album filled with an omnious mood that works, very well.
Favorite tracks: ATF, Let Me Fly, and Damien
Number Seven - Man on The Moon: The End of day by Kid Cudi
Kid Cudi's debut is completely different from all of his other albums simply because he likes switching up his sound with every album (and song sometimes) none the less, I really like kid cudi. This is his most consistent piece of work and quite frankly his best. Almost every song on this is a viable an anthem which is a feat in itself. There's also a story to the album (Which isn't too complicated but the way it's told could be clearer) which is nice but honestly this album works not because of the story but how simple and great it sounds. Which may sound weird but it's simply a great sounding album with simple lyrics.
Favorite tracks: Soundtrack 2 my life, My world, and Pursuit of Happiness.
Number Six - My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
Kanye West is a genius. He'll even tell you himself. His ego is part of the reason we got this album and plays a big part in what it's about. Even if you didn't want to think about a possible theme and reason for everything in the album. What could come off as a braggadocio filled slap to the face (or ears?) Is a brilliant, exhilarating album that shows that Kanye does what he wants.
Favorite tracks: Hell of a life, So appaled, Runaway.
Number Five - Good Kid, M.A.A.D City by Kendrick Lamar
This album was an instant classic and with it Kendrick caught lightning in a bottle quickly cementing himself as one of the best rappers doing it today. His studio debut album is a story of a young Kendrick Lamar in Compton having an outing with some friends. The story is easy to follow (he sticks to the concept well) and it allows him to talk about what he wants with a cinematic way (It is called a short film in its subtitle for a reason) that's remincent of Biggie Smalls Ready To Die. Showing no signs of slowing down anytime soon Kendrick Lamar is here and he's fantastic.
From the various skits of Kendrick's mother calling for her van to Jay Rock stealing the show on Money trees it's just got everything I could personally ask for in an album and I've listened to it far too many times.
Favorite Tracks: The Art of Peer Pressure, Money Trees, and Backstreet Freestyle.
Number Four - Late Registration by Kanye West
One of the hardest choices I had to make when I was making this list was whether to include The College Dropout or Late Registration. In the end I went with Late Registration. So, Kanye West is genius. I know I said that before but it's worth mentioning again if only for how versatile he is. Late registration is continuing the story set in college drop out but it features a Kanye who has a bit more of a handle on what he wants to do how to do it. He shows improvement on pretty much every area possible and honestly, who doesn't love Gold Digger?
Favorite Tracks: Gold Digger, Gone, and Heard 'em say.
Number Three - Ready to Die by Biggie Smalls
Once I start listening to it I feel a compulsive, almost instinctive need to hear the whole thing barring that one part (You know the one). Having the best ending to an album ever and best intro ever are just two things that set this album apart from its competition. My mother once told me that Tupac was a real poet and was something that inspired everyone, Biggie was the dude you got high to with friends after I told her I prefer Biggie. I still do, Tupac may inspire a huge crowd of people but Biggie will talk to the singular man at night when he's pondering his thoughts Suicidal Thoughts being a perfect example of this.
As I stated earlier, This album has a very cinematic feel, not because it sticks to a concept and follows it for dear life but rather the general feel it gives off. I know that doesn't explain much but listen to it and you'll get what I mean.
Favorite Tracks: Suicidal Thoughts, Ready to die, me and my b*tch.
Number Two - Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers by Wu-Tang Clan
Every song on 36 Chambers has ingrained itself into pop culture, even a few particular lines have too. This album is so filled with energy it's crazy, from Ol' Dirty Bastard's verses to the martial arts samples to the production from RZA in general. It's just, mind boggling. It isn't a polished idea where everything seems to fit and that may just be why it shines so much, it's grimy and has a breakneck pace. It's filled with merobale characters who all have distinct voice and styles which helps it all the more. Its almost like it was a bunch of the best at their who had been doing this for years on a hot streak of five albums, except this was their debut.
Favorite tracks: Method Man, C.R.E.A.M., Can it all be so simple.
Number 1 - The Eminem Show by Eminem.
This is easily my favorite album. When starting this list I wrote down my top three and then started from there because I knew what they would be, I know this is my favorite and it's a pretty easy answer. It sold a crap ton of copies and it's by Eminem. Yet none of those reasons are why it's my favorite. I grew up listening to this, I've heard Em say goodbye to Hollywood more times than I've broken plates (And since I'm too clumsy for my liking, that's a lot of times.) I've got vivid memories of cleaning the library while this was out in the Xbox amongst a plethora of other very personal connections to it. This is just simply the best if you ask me..
(This was all written on my phone so I'm sorry for how short it is and the general crappiness)
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