The 100 Greatest Hip Hop Albums (45-41)by Henry Adaso, About.com 100-96|95-91|90-86|85-81|80-76|75-71|70-66|65-61|60-56|55-51 |
45. LL Cool J
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"Run-D.M.C. was the first rap act to produce cohesive, fully realized albums, and LL Cool J was the first to follow in their footsteps. LL was a mere 17 years old when he recorded his classic debut album Radio, a brash, exuberant celebration of booming beats and B-boy attitude that launched not only the longest career in hip-hop, but also Rick Rubin's seminal Def Jam label... While it may take a few listens for modern ears to adjust to the minimalist production, the fact that it hews so closely to rap's basic musical foundation means that it still possesses a surprisingly fresh energy, and isn't nearly as dated as many efforts that followed it (including, ironically, some of LL's own)." ~ Steve Huey, All Music |
44. Brand Nubian
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"Alongside acts such as Public Enemy and X-Clan, the Brand Nubian quartet (DJ Alamo and MCs Grand Puba, Sadat X, and Lord Jamar) helped introduce a whole new generation to Five-Percenter philosophies and conscious pride. Their 1990 debut was filled with the smooth production and syrupy flows that made the Nubian brand of Afrocentricity accessible and funky. Singles "All for One," "Slow Down," and "To the Right" highlight One for All... Alongside the wit and wisdom, though, the Nubian trio dropped some lyrical gaffes as well. Throughout One For All, there are plenty of unfortunate references to "hittin' skins," "cave-dwellin'" Caucasians, and hardcore homophobia. Despite its weaker moments, One for All is still one of the most impressive and definitive documents from hip-hop's "conscious" era." ~ Hua Hsu, Amazon |
43. Lauryn Hill
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"The first solo album by the Fugees' most distinctive voice quickly wipes away the pretensions of so many current hip-hoppers' discs. It does so by both engaging their widescreen ethos--"To Zion," with its martial drums and gospel choir, is as epic a production as has been heard in 1998's pop music--and speaking the plain truth. Miseducation focuses equally on Lauryn Hill's life (especially the birth of her child) and social concerns about the present and future. Its often quiet surface, if anything, lends intensity." ~ Rickey Wright, Amazon |
42. EPMD
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"EPMD avoided the dreaded sophomore curse and kept its artistic momentum going on its second album, Unfinished Business. Once again, the duo triumphed by going against the flow... boasting and attacking sucker MCs is still their favorite activity. However, Erick and Parrish do challenge themselves a bit lyrically on "You Had Too Much to Drink" (a warning against drunk driving) and "Please Listen to My Demo," which recalls the days when they were struggling. But regardless of subject matter, they keep things exciting by having such an appealing, captivating sound." ~ Alex Henderson, All Music |
41. Ice T
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"As riveting as Rhyme Pays was, Ice-T did hold back a little and avoided being too consistently sociopolitical. But with the outstanding Power, the gloves came all the way off, and Ice didn't hesitate to speak his mind about the harsh realities of inner-city life... Ice embraces a first-person format and raps with brutal honesty about the lives of gang members, players, and hustlers... In the next few years, gangsta rap would degenerate into nothing more than cheap exploitation and empty clichés, but in Ice's hands, it was as informative as it was captivating." ~ Alex Henderson, All Music |
100-96|95-91|90-86|85-81|80-76|75-71|70-66|65-61|60-56|55-51 |
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