Taking a Look into the Best Hip-Hop Albums of All-Time
Rap/Hip Hop as a genre began to spread in the late 1970s to become quite arguably the most popular music in pop culture. The high prestige that the music has created comes down to the classic albums produced over the decades. These albums are not only timeless pieces of music that have defined periods of time in the culture and represent the genius of musicians. But also present the greatest question for us, what is the greatest album in the vast history of Hip-hop.
All Eyes On Me by Tupac
This album was released in 1996, and is well regarded as Tupac's greatest piece of work before his untimely death later that same year. The album is home to some of Shakur's most popular music, such as “California Love”, as well as “I Ain't Mad Atcha”. Unfortunately as stated before Tupac's life was cut short before he was ever able to release more music. His death would lead to Hip-hop getting major mainstream attention and place it at the forefront of music. This album has made its mark as one of the most influential pieces in music history.
Life After Death by Notorious B.I.G
Following in a trend similar to the previous one this album would come out only months before Smalls death also. It was a perfect example of lyrical exercise and wordplay along with slick production, and was given its proper due with five time platinum certification. Some of the standout songs of this album are “Hypnotize”, “Mo Money Mo Problems”, and “Playa Hater”. As we have seen before with Tupac, some people never get the flowers while they can still smell them.
Illmatic by Nas
The album released in 2001 by Nas is his best work to date and probably for the rest of his career. It also came at a point at which Hip-hop really needed standout music especially from the New York area where Nas hails from. A couple of memorable tracks include “N.Y State of Mind”, “The World is Yours”, “Halftime”. The album started was one of the best albums of the 2000s and led to a new era in Rap.
My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy by Kanye West
This album came during a period in which Kanye West was one of the most hated people on planet Earth thanks to his VMA incident. He made up for that by releasing his best piece of work in his career. It featured many talented artists from Jay-Z, Rihanna, and Pusha-T. Some of the best songs off this are “Runaway”, “All of the Lights”, and “Monster”. The album solidified West's musical legacy.
To Pimp a Butterfly by Kendrick Lamar
Released in 2015 this album was third of Lamar's catalog. Coming at a very heated and and disjointed time in society, this album brought social commentary under the label of music. Presenting some of the best music we have heard in decades, it has reached legendary status. Best songs off this album include “The Blacker the Berry”, “I”, and “King Kunta”. It may just be the most influential project on this list.
Even though all these projects are the best in the genre, but we are here who is the best and it has to be To Pimp A Butterfly. To date it is Lamar's best album and has had created a lasting impact that will only add on to the it is legacy.