Nov 28, 2016

In for his 41st classic

 

Jan 7, 2016

:wutt:

 

Jan 24, 2018

what tf is he gonna perform there

 

Mar 25, 2017

Not even best biggie album

 

Nov 15, 2016

yet another example of em stans being completely unaware of everything

 

Apr 30, 2016

So the first thing you have to know is that I cheated. In a handful of instances, I have two albums at one spot on the list. Obviously this helps to include more from the wide pool of deserving records; but to keep it from spinning out of control, I only split a number if it made thematic or logistical sense.

The second thing you have to remember is that "best albums," even when you expand it to include mixtapes as I did, is a somewhat narrow way of looking at rap music. This was a singles genre for a long time, and in some ways, it still is: even though I have two Wayne projects on here, this list doesn't really reflect his hold over the rap world for a half-decade. Nor does it give proper--any--credit to snap music, to Gucci Mane, to any number of rappers or stylistic movements that can't be properly accounted for by one LP-length work.

Last: this simply isn't enough. Even stretching the definition of "20," I don't have Vince or Earl or Shabazz Palaces or Future or Common or Mac Dre or Masta Ace or dozens of other deserving rappers and groups. My initial list--made off the top of my head--had over eighty records. If anyone's curious about what else I considered, reach out to me when it's done and I can point you in direction of new stuff to listen to.

With all that said, here's the list:

#20 YG -- My Krazy Life (2014):


YG's Still Krazy is about six weeks away from coming out, but his Def Jam debut hasn't left clubs or car stereos in Los Angeles. For any artist--but especially one who sat on a major-label shelf for a half-decade--My Krazy Life is remarkably uncompromising, a block-to-the-strip-club coming of age story over the new decade's best production.



#19 Lil Wayne, Tha Carter (2004):


In hindsight, Tha Cater is easy to pinpoint as the start of Wayne's superhuman run in the mid- and late-2000s. But in 2004, it was an endpoint of sorts--not only Mannie Fresh's last album with Cash Money, but the furthest Wayne could push his original sound into the pop sphere.



#18 M.O.P., Warriorz (2000) / Ka, Grief Pedigree (2012):



Released more than a decade apart, Warriorz and Grief Pedigree are at the opposite end of another spectrum: the volume knob. M.O.P. and Ka represent the extremes of New York--the exultant and brash or the quietly sinister, respectively.




#17 Ghostface Killah, Fishscale (2006) / Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II (2009):



With Life is Good, Nas made the first great rap album that's explicitly about middle age. But with Fishscale and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx... Pt. II, Ghost and Rae made masterpieces as they started staring down 40. Each of their writing styles--Ghost's impenetrable free association, Rae's bare, grim naturalism--proved durable while nearly all of their contemporaries became legacy acts.




#16 Devin the Dude, Just Tryin ta Live (2002):


Maybe the least-heard album on this list, Just Tryin ta Live is slow-burning, careful, and considered in the way of Andre's best work or Scarface's more contemplative writing. Devin never became the cult hero he should have north of the Mason-Dixon, but he's one of the most reliable rappers of his era.

 

Dec 10, 2018

vibes only

 

Feb 15, 2018

@FrankOceanSXN

 

Sep 1, 2017

Some of y'all might remember this from s80wars w @Black Panther and @Final, but back in April I got a chance to interview upcoming rapper Bill $aber.

Check it out here: http://soundspurple.com/new-artist-spotlight-creepin-n-lurkin-with-bill-aber/

 

Aug 11, 2017

Here's the rules of the thread:

• This list will consist of 20 of my favorite hip hop records, starting with least favorite and building up to most favorite.
• I chose a format of one album per artist (besides two necessary exceptions) so I can showcase more of my favorite artists because otherwise a handful would dominate all the top spots.
• I'll write something about every album listed and why I love it. I'll include one of my favorite lines from the album and list a few essential tracks.
• Made the list with a critical mind-state but a small amount of criteria was in regards to listenability, nostalgia, etc.
• I made this list beforehand. Regardless of if I change my mind or remember something I had previously omitted by accident I'll only include the 20 I have right now.
• A lot of these you may consider boring picks. Some may be questionable to some of you. I'm not trying to be outside the box or flashy.
• I haven't listened to everything and I have specific tastes. Feel free to recommend any records that I would like a have never heard of may have looked over.
• The list contains an Eminem album. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Gonna post a few every day

heres a bunch to get it started






20.

Run The Jewels - Run The Jewels 2
It's impossible to listen to that intro track and not be amped out of your mind, it's one of my favorite ever. This album is just balls to the wall 12 tracks of bars and killer beats. I think it was made specifically to bust your speakers.
Essential tracks: Jeopardy, Lie Cheat Steal, Earl, Close Your Eyes And Count to f---

19.

Mobb Deep - The Infamous...
First in what will be a string of classic east coast records on this list...I'm a sucker for grimy NY hip hop and this is some of the smoothest s--- out there. I've had Temperature's Rising stuck in my head way beyond a healthy amount. RIP Prodigy.
Essential tracks: Survival Of The Fittest, Temperature's Rising, Shook Ones Pt. II

18.

Vince Staples - Summertime '06
Incredibly expansive record for such a young artist in the game...this is my go-to modern rap record that I judge new albums against. May be higher one day.
Essential tracks: Lift Me Up, Jump Off the Roof, Might Be Wrong, Like It Is

17.

Eyedea & Abilities - By The Throat
Eyedea is/was one of the most underrated wordsmiths in rap. Crazy depressing record. The production and overall tone of the album makes it my favorite E&A joint.
Essential tracks: Spin Cycle, Burn Fetish, Factory, By The Throat

16.

Nas - Illmatic
Ok, maybe I don't hold this record as high as some people do. This was actually one of the very first records that got me into east coast rap but I've actually fell out of love with it as time has passed. Either way there's no denying how incredible it is front to back.
Essential tracks: Life's a b----, The World is Yours, Memory Lane

15.

GZA - Liquid Swords
This was the first solo Wu-Tang album I ever listened to. The production on this particular record is RZA's finest achievement. Love what he crafted from an instrumental perspective and GZA is one of my favorite emcees ever.
Essential tracks: Shadowboxin', Duel of the Iron Mic, Living in the World Today

 

May 26, 2017

Spoiler

https://dbr.ee/x88x

 

Mar 25, 2017

http://www.complex.com/music/2017/03/notorious-big-life-after-death-best-rap-album

@WPGHive

 

Jan 21, 2017

Heres a Rihanna Starter Kit i made about a month ago



tracklist

mad house
disturbia
man down
if its lovin that you want
where have you been
PS im stil not over you
Breakin Dishes
Kiss It Better
We Ride
Diamons
Pon De Replay
Unfaithful
Nothing Is Promised
Work
4.5.Seconds
LWT/Mother Mary
Rehab
GoodNight Gotham

https://www.dropbox.com/sh/ki52ekiu1f8221d/AACJ-wUHT--M67GEeAp3khSVa?dl=0

shoutout @Mike Tyson on artwork

 

Dec 12, 2016

it done

@Kenneth

 

Nov 28, 2016

Spoiler

https://omerta.is/1iOP

Spoiler

https://mega.nz/#F!GI91RKJa!ZykejEWh2yk7Nr04AVlvog