Top 10 Greatest Rap Albums of the '90s
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Illmatic - Nas
As J. Cole said it best, 2Pac was Jesus, and Nas wrote the Bible. So many meaningful lyrics and stories told about his life and the many expressions he had. As Nas put it best on "Got Yourself a Gun": "My first album had no famous guest appearances. The outcome: I'm crowned the best lyricist." Also, listen to that album. Perfect title: Stillmatic.
The hip-hop Bible. The whole of hip-hop and rap could be reconstructed from this one album. It defined an era and was highly innovative at the time. He may not compare to Biggie or 2Pac as the greatest rapper, but if you don't consider this the greatest rap album not only of the '90s but of all time, then you are a thick teaser.
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All Eyez on Me - 2Pac
Tupac is a rapping legend, and this is a legendary rap album! Tupac always knows how to deliver the goods. This album achieved a lot of success, and it deserves the top place on this list!
Hands down, the best rap album ever. The only ones that come close are Bone Thugs' East 1999 or Nas' Illmatic. Anyway, not one song from Illmatic beats Life Goes On.
Tupac is the greatest MC. He should be more included in magazines as a great legend. He doesn't just rap about guns. He raps about life. Changes is one of the greatest songs of all time. This album is the greatest of a legend and also the greatest rap album of all time.
A GREAT LEGEND FOR ALL OF US
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Enter the Wu-Tang - 36 Chambers) - Wu-Tang Clan
This should be in the top 5, if not number 1. These guys redefined NY hip hop along with Nas and Biggie Smalls.
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The Slim Shady LP - Eminem
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E. 1999 Eternal - Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
One of the greatest rap albums ever. I'm surprised to see it at 9 because Bone Thugs are so underrated. The only bad thing was the Ouija skit. Die Die Die was the only boring song on here. Still, to this day, Crossroads is one of the greatest songs of all time. Bone Thugs were always the best rap group. Wu-Tang Clan was really good, but can you compare any of their songs to Crossroads? And N.W.A. was good but a bit overrated. In my opinion, All Eyez on Me and E. 1999 Eternal were the best rap albums ever created. Another good album by them was Creepin on Ah Come Up. That album was sick as hell.
From the beats to the flows and harmonies, this album was at least one of the top 3 albums ever created. This album made a lot of new rappers today bite Bone Thugs' style.
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Ready to Die - The Notorious B.I.G.
A true classic. The album that put Biggie on the GOAT list. He embodied flashy New York rap with some really great stories (e.g., "Warning," "Gimme the Loot"), but also gave us some really "real" rap about the struggles he had with himself and with fame (e.g., "Juicy," "Everyday Struggle," "Suicidal Thoughts"). Not only did Big have bars to spare, but he also had the capability of making a great song with those clever lines.
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The Chronic - Dr. Dre
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Infamous - Mobb Deep
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Doggystyle - Snoop Dogg
This album should be ranked much higher! It's my favorite Snoop Dogg album. With the help of Death Row's best talent and Dr. Dre's production masterpiece, this album doesn't get any better, folks.
What?! This should be at least in the top 5. It's better than The Chronic for sure.
I don't know what it is, but this album is just such a smooth listen.
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The Low End Theory - A Tribe Called Quest
Are we serious? This is a top 3 album. Whether it's the witty lines, jazz beats and sampling, or consistency, the disrespect is real.
I love this album. You guys should listen to their album The Love Movement.
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People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm - A Tribe Called Quest
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All We Got Iz Us - Onyx
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Liquid Swords - GZA
GZA's best album. It's top 15 of all time - so good.
This should be a little higher. Not the best, but one of the greatest Wu-Tang albums of all time.
Songs like Shadowboxin, Hello Wind Staff, Liquid Swords, and B.I.B.L.E. inspired me as a kid. GZA's flow was just tight. Wu-Tang can't be touched. The only rap group above them is BTNH, but other than them, Wu-Tang is the best rap group of all time.
Definitely the greatest Wu-Tang solo album of all time.
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Soul Food - Goodie Mob
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Moment of Truth - Gang Starr
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Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous - Big L
Underrated album and should definitely be in the top 10!
The most underrated rapper of all time, in my opinion. This album is so good. Big L is a legend.
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Creepin on Ah Come Up - Bone Thugs-n-Harmony
This is hot from top to bottom. Glad to see it in the top ten. The best list I've seen yet. This album deserves to be in the top ten because every song on it is good. There isn't a single dumb song. Illmatic has one dumb song, which is One Time 4 Your Mind, and One Love isn't that good either.
This is the only album with great songs from top to bottom. A really good intro too.
Intro: 7/10 for an intro
Mr. Ouija: 1/10
Thuggish Ruggish Bone: 10/10
No Surrender: 10/10
Down Foe My Thang: 9/10
Creepin on Ah Come Up: 10/10
For the Love of Money: 10/10
Overall: 9/10
A very short album, but worth buying.
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Illadelph Halflife - The Roots
Great album from start to finish. The beats, untouchable flows, and musicality displayed are unparalleled.
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Reasonable Doubt - Jay-Z
Jay's second-best album. It deserves more love.
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Aquemini - Outkast
My favorite album of all time. How is this ranked 33? That's blasphemous.
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The Score - The Fugees
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2001 - Dr. Dre
One of my favorites in my collection. Its head-bumping beats are something you never get tired of.
My favorite, only second to Illmatic, with All Eyez on Me not far behind.
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Adrenaline Rush - Twista
This deserves to be above Fear of a Black Planet. The skit is sexy and nice. The songs are hits like Adrenaline Rush and Get It Wet. Practically every song on here is awesome. In Overdose, Twista's verse was better than every verse Eminem ever spit. Twista was so underrated. He was one of the best, period.
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Fear of a Black Planet - Public Enemy
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4,5,6 - Kool G Rap
Wow, I can't believe this wasn't on the list.
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Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… - Raekwon
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Things Fall Apart - The Roots
