Also read: Top 100 Hip Hop Albums Of The 1980s & Top 100 Hip Hop Albums Of The 1990s
1. Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988)
“Yes – the rhythm, the rebel / Without a pause – I’m lowering my level / The hard rhymer – where you never been I’m in…” (Rebel Without A Pause)
Public Enemy‘s It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back is one of the best albums ever made, in any genre. The best and one of the most important Hip Hop albums ever.
Enough said.
Top tracks: Rebel Without A Pause | Bring The Noise | Don’t Believe The Hype | Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos
2. Nas - Illmatic (1994)
“Rappers, I monkey flip ’em with the funky rhythm I be kickin’ / Musician, inflictin’ composition of pain…” (NY State Of Mind)
One of the very best Hip Hop albums in history, period. A young and hungry, insanely talented emcee comes together with some of the finest producers in the game, who all bring their best work. No skits, no fillers – just nine 5-star tracks that combine into a seminal work that will forever be revered as one of the most important releases in Hip Hop ever. A monumental masterpiece.
Top tracks: NY State Of Mind | Life’s A Bitch | The World Is Yours | It Ain’t Hard To Tell
3. Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full (1987)
“This is how It should be done / This style is identical to none…” (I Know You Got Soul)
In a music genre still in its infancy, this Eric B & Rakim masterpiece was a game changer. Seductive, smooth yet hard beats laced with Rakim’s innovative and intricate rhyme style, make for this groundbreaking and seminal work.
This is one of the albums that can be seen as a precursor to 1988, Hip Hop’s break-out year. An album that established Hip Hop as a musical genre that was there to stay. ‘Paid In Full’ will forever be recognized as one of Hip Hop’s ultimate classics. Filled with unforgettable tracks and Hip Hop anthems this album is a must-have. If you don’t own this album, your Hip Hop collection is incomplete.
Top tracks: I Ain’t No Joke | My Melody | Eric B Is President | Move The Crowd
4. A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory (1991)
“Now here’s a funky introduction of how nice I am / Tell your mother, tell your father, send a telegram…” (Check The Rhime)
PERFECTION. The Low End Theory is the definitive statement about what creativity, innovation, artistry, fun and raw talent can produce. Building on the quality work of their debut, Tribe perfected the fusion of jazzy influences and bass heavy Hip Hop beats. The album is so coherent and consistent, it almost feels like one long song – in this case a good thing.
Phife, who only played a small part on the first album, really increased his skills as an emcee and establishes a perfect interplay with the exceptional Q-Tip. Clever lyrics and smooth and warm music – this album is nothing short of perfect.
Top tracks: Check The Rhime | Verses From The Abstract | Butter | Scenario
5. Wu Tang Clan - Enter The Wu Tang (1993)
“And if you want beef, then bring the ruckus / Wu-Tang Clan ain’t nuttin’ ta fuck with” (Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuttin’ Ta Fuck Wit)
What can be said about this seminal album that hasn’t been said a thousand times over already? One of the most innovative, groundbreaking, influential and important Hip Hop albums EVER. New York’s answer to Dr Dre’s worldshaking The Chronic of the year previous.
RZA’s incredible innovative production resulting in that trademark dirty and gritty Wu-Tang sound, complemented by 9 emcees who all bring their A-game and show crazy versatility and never-seen-before lyrical creativity: unbeatable.
A true Hip Hop masterpiece and a classic for the ages.
Top tracks: Bring Da Ruckus | C.R.E.A.M. | Protect Ya Neck | Da Mystery Of Chessboxin’
6. Ultramagnetic MCs - Critical Beatdown (1988)
“Well I’m the ultimate, the rhyme imperial / I’m better, but some don’t believe me though / But I’m a pro in hot material / On your Walkman, box or any stereo” (Watch Me Now)
A classic album that has stood the test of time – Kool Keith‘s unique style & lyrics along with the excellent overall production ensure this is one for the ages. Highly original & innovative and very consistent – no weak tracks here.
Critically acclaimed, but at the same time slept on and somehow underappreciated – this is one of HHGA’s all-time favorite albums and deserves its top spot in this list of Hip Hop’s break-out decades.
Top tracks: Ego Trippin’ | Ease Back | Watch Me Now | Funky
7. Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded (1987)
“We’re not promoting violence, we’re just having some fun – he’s Scott La Rock, I’m KRS One” (Criminal Minded)
After making a name for themselves in the NYC Hip Hop underground, former social worker Scott La Rock and one of his clients, KRS One, formed Boogie Down Productions and came out in 1987 with Criminal Minded.
The sparse production by the artists – and the at the time uncredited Ced Gee of the Ultramagnetic MCs – combined with KRS One’s lyrical content and distinctive delivery make this album a definitive Hip Hop classic, that without a doubt is up there with the greatest Hip Hop albums of all time.
Together with other groundbreaking 1987 debuts of Eric B & Rakim (‘Paid In Full‘) and Public Enemy (‘Yo! Bum Rush The Show‘) this album set the standard for Golden Age of Hip Hop.
Top Tracks: The Bridge Is Over | South Bronx | Criminal Minded | Poetry
8. De La Soul - 3 Feet High And Rising (1989)
“Mirror, mirror on the wall / Tell me, mirror, what is wrong? / Can it be my De La clothes / Or is it just my De La song?” (Me, Myself & I)
Innovative and hugely influential – this cooperation between De La Soul and producer Prince Paul is truly a landmark album in Hip Hop (and music in general).
This album introduced the skit to Hip Hop albums; and although skits more often irritate than add value, on this album they work. The whole album is consistent and all the songs are awesome – no filler tracks here.
Clever wordplay, deft rhymes, playful production, positivity and fun: 3 Feet High And Rising represented a new direction for Hip Hop, clearly a reaction to cliches already emerging in Hip Hop, even in it’s early years.
De La Soul’s debut is a must have for anyone who loves Hip Hop and an all-time classic.
Top tracks: The Magic Number | Say No Go | Eye Know | Ghetto Thang
9. Pete Rock & CL Smooth - Mecca And The Soul Brother (1992)
“Déjà vu, tell you what I’m gonna do / When they reminisce over you, my God…” They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.)
A timeless musical masterpiece, tasteful and irresistible. After the excellent EP they dropped the year previous, Pete Rock & CL Smoothfollowed up with this brilliant album. Pete Rock’s multi-layered, horns-filled, bass-heavy boom bap production is simply masterful. CL Smooth delivery serves as another instrument to complete the musical feast this album is from start to finish. Incredibly consistent throughout, Mecca And The Soul Brother is one of Hip Hop’s all-time greatest albums.
Top tracks: They Reminisce Over You (T.R.O.Y.) | Straighten It Out | Ghettos Of The Mind | Can’t Front On Me
10. Slick Rick - The Great Adventures Of… (1988)
“Gather ’round party go-ers as if your still livin / And get on down to the old Slick rhythm” (The Ruler’s Back)
It doesn’t get much better than this. A flawless album from start to finish, filled with dope tracks. Slick Rick‘s superior story telling abilities, combined with his humor and typical rap style, make this album an unforgettable classic.
Top tracks: Mona Lisa | The Ruler’s Back | Hey Young World | Children’s Story
11. N.W.A. - Straight Outta Compton (1988)
“Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube / From the gang called Niggaz With Attitudes…” (Straight Outta Compton)
This album was a game-changer; for better or for worse. One of the first real ‘gangsta rap’ albums, and one of the most successful, going multi-platinum without any radio play. It influenced and changed the direction of Hip Hop, producing countless gun-toting clones for decades to come. The difference between all the clones and this album is the originality and authenticity of Straight Outta Compton; combined with the revolutionary & flawless production of Dr Dre and the raw energy & at the time shocking lyrical imagery of Ice Cube, MC Ren & Eazy E. Super classic.
Top tracks: Straight Outta Compton | Fuck Tha Police | Gangsta Gangsta | Express Yourself
12. De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead (1991)
“This is the stylin’ for a little that sounds silly / But nothin’ silly about triflin’ times of Millie / Millie, a Brooklyn Queen-originally from Philly / Complete with that accent that made her sound hilly-billy…” (Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa)
De La Soul more or less invented the rap-skit and to this day, they remain one of the very few acts who know how to use it. Where in 95% of the cases skits do not add anything, except annoying breaks in the flow of albums, De La actually know how to use a skit in the right way – to give a thematic and coherent feel to an album.
De La Soul Is Dead is a long album, but packed with brilliance, musically and lyrically. A marked change in style and feel to their equally brilliant debut 3 Feet High & Rising, De La Soul Is Dead showed a darker and more contemplative side of De La Soul. Gone is the happy-go-lucky positivity of their debut, in stead we get De La’s disillusioned vision on the state of Hip Hop, which would turn out to be highly prophetic. This album was so ahead of its time, Hip Hop still hasn’t caught up yet.
Top tracks: Millie Pulled A Pistol On Santa | Keepin’ The Faith | Bitties In The BK Lounge | Afro Connections At A Hi 5
13. Dr Dre - The Chronic (1992)
“1, 2, 3 and to the 4 / Snoop Doggy Dogg and Dr. Dre is at the door / Ready to make an entrance so back on up / (Cause you know we’re about to rip shit up)…” (Nuthin But A G Thang)
Was there ever a more influential album in Hip Hop? Another 1990’s masterpiece that is about the production first and the lyrical content second.
Dr Dre‘s production on this album is just INCREDIBLE. Often imitated, never duplicated. It also showed us the full potential of Hip Hop’s next superstar – a young Snoop Dogg. Along with lyrics from a host of other talented rappers and Dr Dre himself, The Chronic is filled with the ‘standard’ gangsta themes (violence, sex, drugs, parties) – difference from most of the others is that on this album it sounds GOOD.
An all-time fan favorite to this day, The Chronic will forever be remembered as one of Hip Hop’s most influential and important albums.
Top tracks: Let Me Ride | Nuthin But A G Thang | Fuck Wit Dre Day | The Day The Niggaz Took Over
14. Run DMC - Raising Hell (1986)
“Kings from Queens, from Queens come Kings / We’re raising hell like a class when the school bell rings…” (Raising Hell)
One of the first mega-sellers in Hip Hop and the album that would cement the status of Run DMC as most important Hip Hop act of the time. A brilliant album, with perfect interplay between Jam Master Jay – one of the first great all round DJ’s in the game – and the back-and-forth rhyming of DMC and Run.
This album, together with Beastie Boys‘ debut Licensed To Ill from the same year, was responsible for opening Hip Hop to all kinds of audiences all over the world.
Run DMC “took the beat from the street and put it on TV”.
Top tracks: Peter Piper | Raising Hell | My Adidas | It’s Tricky
15. LL Cool J - Radio (1985)
“LL Cool J is hard as hell / Battle anybody / I don’t care who you tell…” (Rock The Bells)
LL Cool J‘s debut album is one of the most influential Hip Hop albums of all time. Together with Run DMC’s debut album from the year before, Radio was the second album that would set the tone for how Hip Hop was going to sound.
Rick Rubin’s stripped-down, minimalistic production complements LL Cool J B-Boy attitude and revolutionary lyricism perfectly. This is one of the greatest and most important debuts in the history of Hip Hop and LL Cool J is one of the all-time greats.
Top tracks: Rock The Bells | I Can’t Live Without My Radio | Dangerous | You’ll Rock
16. Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique (1989)
“Now I rock a house party at the drop of a hat / I beat a biter down with an aluminum bat / a lot of people they be Jonesin’ just to hear me rock the mic / they’ll be staring at the radio / staying up all night” (Shake Your Rump)
Was there ever an album, in any genre, that used sampling more brilliantly and creatively than Paul’s Boutique? This album truly is sampling heaven.
Paul’s Boutique was completely different from Beastie Boys‘ much easier accessible and commercially super successful debut album Licensed To Ill; andnot what a lot of fans of that album were expecting.
Initially a commercial failure, Paul’s Boutique aged like fine wine and with it the appreciation for it. Now considered a landmark album in Hip Hop, it’s the ultimate example for what the Beastie Boys always stood for: creativity and innovation. They were never afraid to reinvent themselves and stretch (and cross) genre boundaries, while at the same time keeping it real.
A timeless masterpiece, Paul’s Boutique will forever be remembered as a classic album, in music, not just in Hip Hop.
Top tracks: Shake Your Rump | Hey Ladies | Shadrach | B-Boy Bouillabaisse
17. OutKast - Aquemini (1998)
“Many a day has passed, the night has gone by / But still I find the time to put that bump off in your eye” (Rosa Parks)
Always creative and innovative, it’s hard to agree on which album is OutKast’s best. They are all classics in their own right, with this one arguably being their magnum opus, where everything that makes OutKast part of Hip Hop’s elite comes together. The beats, the lyrics – both are truly excellent, but it is the overall vibe of the album that makes Aquemini so special. A stylistic and musical experience that transcends Hip Hop – Aquemini is a creative masterpiece that belongs in every music lover’s collection.
Top tracks: Rosa Parks | Da Art Of Storytellin 1 & 2 | Slump | Aquemini
18. The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die (1994)
“It was all a dream / I used to read Word Up! magazine / Salt-n-Pepa and Heavy D up in the limousine / Hangin’ pictures on my wall / Every Saturday Rap Attack, Mr. Magic, Marley Marl…” (Juicy)
Another landmark album and all-time classic. The Notorious B.I.G. made a big splash on the scene with his classic debut single Party & Bullshit. Expectations were high for his full-length debut album and boy did he deliver with Ready To Die.
One of the most naturally gifted emcees and storytellers in the Hip Hop game ever, everything came together for him on this album. Excellent production throughout with Biggie’s simultaneously brash and vulnerable lyrics to top off the banging instrumentals. Few others were ever able to express their thoughts and feelings the way Biggie was. Super classic.
Top tracks: Juicy | Gimme The Loot | Things Done Changed | Warning
19. Public Enemy - Fear of A Black Planet (1990)
“Most of my heroes don’t appear on no stamps” (Fight The Power)
How do you do you follow up on the best Hip Hop album ever made? The answer is: with Fear Of A Black Planet.
Building on the perfection of It Takes A Nation… Fear Of A Black Planet consolidated Public Enemy‘s status of most important Hip Hop group of the time.
Fear Of A Black Planet is fiercely political, intelligent, unrelenting, uncompromising, profound, powerful, intense, boundary pushing – a landmark album in (Hip Hop) music history.
Perhaps a little less accessible than It Takes A Nation… but equally important and a bonafide classic.
Top tracks: Burn HollyWood Burn | Fight The Power | Welcome To The Terrordome | 911 Is A Joke
20. A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders (1993)
“Honey, check it out, you got me mesmerized / With your black hair and your fat-ass thighs / Street poetry is my everyday / But yo, I gotta stop when you trot my way” (Electric Relaxation)
Faced with the impossible task of following up on the flawless masterpiece that is The Low End Theory, Tribe delivered an album that is every bit as awesome as its predecessor. There can be no greater praise.
As fresh today as it was on the day it was released: the mark of a true classic.
Top tracks: Electric Relaxation | Award Tour | Oh My God | We Can Get Down
21. Run DMC - Run DMC (1984)
“You five dollar boy and I’m a million dollar man / You’se a sucker emcee, and you’re my fan” (Sucker MCs)
This album would be the one to change the direction of Hip Hop. Going for rock-infused, stripped-down, hard beats and a new kind of emceeing, it was game-changing in more ways than one. A great prelude to even greater things to come. The new standard.
Top tracks: Sucker MCs | Jam Master Jay | Hollis Crew | Rock Box
22. Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx... (1995)
“Me and the RZA connect / Blow a fuse, you lose / Half-ass crews get demolished and bruised” (Incarcerated Scarfaces)
The best Wu-Tang solo album? Everyone will agree it’s up there with of the best of them. It’s not even a ‘real’ solo album – every Wu-Tang Clan member appears on one or more tracks and production is in the more than capable hands of RZA. That makes this album even more of a group effort than most other Wu-Tang solo releases.
After Kool G Rap, Raekwon can be seen as one of the pioneers of the mafioso sub-genre and this album is one of the best, if not the best of its sort. Only Built For Cuban Linx… was loosely composed to play like a film with Raekwon as the “star,” fellow Wu-Tang member Ghostface Killah as the “guest-star,” and producer RZA as the “director.” The cinematic feel of the album, along with the top notch production and emceeing, make this one an all-time classic.
And… don’t forget about Nas’ epic guest appearance on one of the album’s centerpieces: Verbal Intercourse. Greatness!
Top tracks: Incarcerated Scarfaces | Verbal Intercourse | Ice Cream | Wu Gambinos
23. Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane (1988)
“Let it roll, get bold, I just can’t hold / Back, or fold cos I’m a man with soul / In control and effect, so what the heck / Rock the discotheque and this groove is what’s next” (Set It Off)
With Big Daddy Kane‘s debut album he immediately establishes himself as one of Hip Hop’s top lyricists – a status he holds to this day. This album was produced by Marley Marl at the peak of his powers and is a definitive Hip Hop classic.
Top tracks: Raw | Set It Off | Ain’t No Halfsteppin’ | Long Live The Kane
24. 2Pac - Me Against The World (1995)
“Inside my mind couldn’t find a place to rest / Until I got that Thug Life tatted on my chest” (So Many Tears)
2Pac’s best album. Although the follow-up All Eyez On Me may be the more popular album, Me Against The World is much more cohesive, balanced and tight.
Me Against The World is 2Pac’s third album and the one on which he reaches real maturity. He is not the all-out thug persona yet and the album is better for it. On this album, he is able to show us all aspects of his tormented being, better than on any of his other albums. An impressive album, and an all-time classic.
Top tracks: Dear Mama | So Many Tears | Me Against The World | Old School
25. The DOC - No One Can Do It Better (1989)
“Keepin’ it dope as long as I can like imagine / Makin’ each record that I do better than the last one” (The Formula)
On the heels of the explosive success of N.W.A‘s Straight Outta Compton, Dr Dre turns out another flawlessly produced album. The D.O.C. is a talented emcee who complements Dre’s beats perfectly.
The D.O.C. doesn’t need gangster posturing to show and prove he is the man – he has the skills and confidence to carry this album and to make it an all-time Hip Hop classic.
Top tracks: It’s Funky Enough | The Formula | Mind Blowin’ | The Grand Finale
