I’m looking here for favorite album that holds together as a piece, that you almost have to listen to from beginning to end.
For me it’s probably Mos Def & Talib Kwali’s Black Star project. I just never get tired of it, and it keeps getting better no matter how often I play it. The Coup’s Genocide and Juice is dear to me as well, as are Enter the Wu, both Nas’ records Illmatic and Stillmatic, The Roots’ live album, and Aesop Rock’s Labor Days – all get maximum overplay in my eardrums as well. If we’re counting triphop, Tricky’s Maxinquaye never gets old. But that Black Star record, no matter what, if I hear the first notes I have to hear the last ones, and then probably play it again. What does that for you?
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde by the Pharcyde (duh) is a good one. Revolutions by the X-ecutioners is a pretty solid record with songs with guest rappers as well as scratch tracks. Check out “Live From the PJs” with guests Black Thought, Ghostface Killah and Trife. Quality Control by Jurassic 5, kickin it old-school. Things Fall Apart is my favorite Roots studio album, but you’re already familiar with them. The Marshall Mathers LP is probably my favorite Eminem.
If we’re doing trip hop, Endtroducing… by DJ Shadow of course deserves a mention. Massive Attack’s Mezzanine is another good one.
There’s probably so many I’m forgetting but that’s all I got for now.
How could I forget that Pharcyde record! Thanks r4and0m, & I’m seeking out Revolutions now. Also love J5. The thing about Em is that while I love his shit, for me the hang-togetherness of his whole albums isn’t quite as strong as some of these others, but that’d be my favorite too.
“A Wolf In Sheep’s Clothing” by Black Sheep
“Derelicts of Dialect” by 3rd Bass
“Act Like You Know” by MC Lyte
“It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back” by Public Enemy
“Raising Hell” by RUN-DMC
“Edutainment” by BDP
“Ain’t a Damn Thing Changed” or, for that matter, anything by Nice N’ Smooth
Yes, I’m a product of the Golden Age of hip-hop.
And no, nothing that’s come out since even comes CLOSE.
Blackalicious’ Blazing Arrow is that album to me. There have been others since, but that was the first hip-hop album that I couldn’t stop listening too, the whole way through, without skipping a single track. I think I spent a week listening to nothing but it. Every song has its own place on the album, some are witty, some fun, some hard-hitting, and some can only be described as epic. My favorite song on the album is 4000 Miles, done with Chali 2na from J-5 and Lateef the Truth Speaker. It’s a damn fine album that deserves many listens.
I’ll have to agree with others who have said that Speakerboxxx by Big Boi (I found it a much better album than The Love Below, which has great songs but doesn’t quite fit together in the same way as Speakerboxxx) and Things Fall Apart by the Roots are great full albums, and I’ll also recommend Original Pirate Material by the Streets, and Ozomatli’s self-titled album. I unfortunately don’t have all of Deltron 3030’s album, but I LOVE what I do have, and I love the concept behind the album. I should get that soon.
I just remembered “Let’s Get Free” by Dead Prez. Only minor complaint is that it’s political to the point that veers near self-parody at points. But the great album nonetheless, and hip hop with something say (in the spirit of Public Enemy).
Stankonia is definitely the best hip-hop record of all time. Quite possibly the best record of any genre ever recorded. Those of championing Speakerboxxx/The Love Below need to go back and listen to Stankonia, it’s at least an order of magnitude better. Aquemeni was nearly perfect as well, much better than the double album.
Honorable mentions go to Illmatic, Liquid Swords, The Chronic, and Hell Hath No Fury (yeah, it only came out a few months ago, but it’s just that good.)
I need to stop doing this, but one more. “The Score” by the Fugees. I can’t believe I forgot this one. The talented Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras all in one group. Truly hip hop at its finest.
(Side question: Whatever happened to Pras anyway?)
Nobody’s mentioned Bone Thugs’n’ Harmony yet? East 1999 was one of the best rap albums ever. I haven’t heard anyone mention “All Eyez On Me” or “Life After Death” yet.
“Daily Operation” - Gang Starr
“Original Gangster” - Ice-T
“Business Never Personal” - EPMD
“Cypress Hill” - Cypress Hill (the first album was so good, people who got into them for “Black Sunday” are missing out!)
“Death Certificate” - Ice Cube
“Fear of a Black Planet” - Public Enemy
“You Can’t Hold Us Back” - Awesome Dre and the Hardcore Committee (does anyone know this album? Obscure, but Awesome.)
“One For All” - Brand Nubian (I could even nominate “In God We Trust” - I thought they got better when Grand Puba left!)
“The Geto Boys” - The Geto Boys
I would endorse “Derelicts of Dialect” and “Ain’t A Damn Thing Changed” as well.