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[BondFiction]

I'm posing a question to all the rap/hip-hop fans here. What do you think is the greatest rap album of all time?

I'm torn on this. I'd like to choose one of my favorites, like maybe T.I.'s "Trap Muzik", but I honestly couldn't say that's the best rap album ever. Then I go back to albums that are perfect or have been really influential throughout the growth of hip-hop. "BlackStar" is a classic. Jay-Z's "Reasonable Doubt" and Raekwon's "Only Built 4 Cuban Linx" are considered the birth of mafioso rap. OutKast burst onto the scene in the 90s and has put out several classic albums. "Paid in Full" by Eric. B and Rakim is pretty much the pinnacle of lyricism and masterful scratching. And how about "Rapper's Delight", the first mainstream rap song? So after much deliberation, I've narrowed my list down to five...

5.


"Trap Muzik" - T.I.

Call me a sucker for southern rap. Pretty much the go-to album for music about drug dealing and life in the A, in my mind. Check out "Be Easy" and "No More Talk".

4.


"BlackStar" - Mos Def & Talib Kweli

A nearly flawless album from the pair rappers. Their flow combined with their incredible lyrics makes for a terrific EP. Check out "Thieves in the Night" and "Definition".

3.


"Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik" - OutKast

Dudes just hit the ground running. I could make a case for "Speakerboxxx/The Love Below", my favorite album of all time, but unfortunately Andre's half sounds like the lost Prince album. Check out "Player's Ball" and "Claimin' True".

2.


"Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)" - Wu-Tang Clan

These guys came out of the New York underground with a completely different sound, and have sicne become one of the most renowned and influential rap groups of all time. Check out "C.R.E.A.M." and "Tearz".

1.


"Illmatic" - Nas

Check me out ya'll
Nasty Nas in your area
About to cause mass hysteria


So how about you guys? What are your choices?

[drunkpiano]

I'm torn.

NWA - Straight Outta Compton


or

Immortal Technique - Revolutionary Vol. 1

[Sa9jev]

I'd add:

Canibus- Can-I-Bus
Lyrics and delivery so amazing, not even Wyclef Jean could bring this album down.

Blackstar, for sure. It really doesn't get better than that.

[Quagmar]

Some great picks so far.  Here's my addition:



One of the best albums ever made...in any genre.

[Angry Baboon.]

Illmatic, by far.

'Power in Numbers' by Jurassic 5 is not bad either

[Sa9jev]

Quality Control blew Power In Numbers out of the water. If you haven't heard it, and like J5, run right out and buy this album.

[jekelish]

I'll second 36 Chambers...

However, if I were to take a Nas album, I might be inclined to go with It Was Written

[Tim]

I'll give another vote to 36 Chambers and Illmatic.

However I should also like to add:


Liquid Swords

and

The Low End Theory

[BondFiction]

However, if I were to take a Nas album, I might be inclined to go with It Was Written

Yeah, the album was the shit. Have you heard his new album yet?

[jekelish]

What's on his new album?  I've heard a couple of his newest singles (Black Republican, which may actually be considered a Jay-Z track, and Hip Hop is Dead), both of which are fucking awesome...but I haven't caught more of his new stuff yet.

[agent00deuce650]

I will third 36 Chambers, and second The Low End Theory.

I will also add E. 1999 Eternal from Bone Thugs n Harmony

[BondFiction]

What's on his new album?  I've heard a couple of his newest singles (Black Republican, which may actually be considered a Jay-Z track, and Hip Hop is Dead), both of which are fucking awesome...but I haven't caught more of his new stuff yet.

Yeah, those were both off of his last album, "Hip Hop Is Dead".

Here's his newest single, "Hero".

He ethers the news on "Sly Fox".

You didn't hear this from me, but the entire album leaked a couple weeks back, so you should be able to find all his new stuff on Youtube. He also dropped a free mixtape with DJ Green Lantern about a month ago.

[jekelish]

What's on his new album?  I've heard a couple of his newest singles (Black Republican, which may actually be considered a Jay-Z track, and Hip Hop is Dead), both of which are fucking awesome...but I haven't caught more of his new stuff yet.

Yeah, those were both off of his last album, "Hip Hop Is Dead".

Here's his newest single, "Hero".

He ethers the news on "Sly Fox".

You didn't hear this from me, but the entire album leaked a couple weeks back, so you should be able to find all his new stuff on Youtube. He also dropped a free mixtape with DJ Green Lantern about a month ago.

Awesome...I'm gonna have to check that shit out.

And here's another vote for Low End Theory as one of the best rap albums.  Check the Rhyme is one of the all-time great tracks.

And ya know what, it hasn't been mentioned yet, but I think you've gotta put The Chronic and Doggystyle at least in the conversation (at least The Chronic).

[BondFiction]

I might throw in a nomination for Hova's "The Blueprint". I think if we get enough seconds and thirds for albums I might just set this up as a poll.

[jekelish]

Blueprint was a fuckin' tight album.

And since it made me think of Kanye, I'll say this: College Dropout is one of the best, most complete albums I've ever heard.  Easily one of my favorites, and if you ask me it's the height of Kanye's career.

[BondFiction]

If we're talking Chicago, I'm going with "Be" by Common" or maybe Lupe's "The Cool". See, this is the problem. There's so many great fucking albums out there.

[jekelish]

If we're talking Chicago, I'm going with "Be" by Common" ... See, this is the problem. There's so many great fucking albums out there.

Hell yes, and you're right.  You never realize how many great albums there are until you start listing them all.  For instance, one of my favorite Tribe albums is Beats, Rhymes, Life...and Wu-Tang's album is Wu-Tang Forever deserves to be mentioned...hell, I love Method Man's album Tical and would put it among the best I've heard...how the hell do you really decide on one singular best?  And fuck, we haven't even mentioned Life After Death yet, which was fucking insanely good.

[BondFiction]

Then you've got guys that are great rappers that only have mixtapes out, so you can't really put them up here. Dudes like Crooked I and Wale, who I'm sure have great things in store for them.

[agent00deuce650]

If we're talking Chicago, I'm going with "Be" by Common" or maybe Lupe's "The Cool". See, this is the problem. There's so many great fucking albums out there.

Holy shit I completely forgot about "The Cool" and "Be" both great albums especially "The Cool".  But if mixtapes were allowed then I would have to say that Chamillionaire's "Mixtape Messiah pt. 2" was absolute genius.

[sniffmyutoot]

I'm surprised to see someone who was a bigger fan of Trap Muzik as opposed to King. King is definitely my favorite album from T.I., and one of my favorite rap albums of all time.