Moniker’s Top Ten: Best Hip-Hop Albums

I’ve listened to hundreds of Hip-Hop albums, of course encountering my fair share of great albums and to a similar degree, some god-awful ones. There are albums that I constantly come back to, generally because their lyrics – and to a lesser sense – production are top notch. While this piece is more opinionated then my prior articles, I’m treating this as a “personal” listing and not an “end all be all” list, and using it as a chance to recommend some classic albums for people who haven’t already encountered them.

10. Funcrusher Plus
By: Company Flow
Released: 1997
One of the most unique releases in Hip Hop, using what some regarded as “spacey production” and some of the most intricate lyrics heard in an album, this was truly a different approach to the Hip Hop culture. The group consisted of “El P”, “Big Jus” and tour DJ “Mr. Len”. El P producing majority of the albums beats and rapping over them, Big Jus complimenting the beats with tight lyricism and Mr. Len adding scratches. This album sets to achieve a think different approach and rewards listeners with it’s deep imagery and tight use of metaphors. The album’s beats while not as unique to listeners of current “Def Jux” artists, were considered vastly different from Hip Hop at the time (and still hold up incredibly well); the lyrics ranged from pop culture references turned battle rap to more shocking subject matter, such as “Last Good Sleep” based on El Ps alcoholic step father. El Ps quote – in context of the subject matter – convey the idea’s on this album perfectly: “I don’t try to be different, I am”

9. Cormega: Special Edition: The Realness + The True Meaning
By: Cormega
Released: 2001
Most heads will know Cormega from the on and off “beef” he had with Nas or possibly from his latest DVD release that was garnering some buzz. For those who don’t, Cormega is a rapper residing from the infamous “Queensbridge”. While this is an album “two-pack” the themes presented on both fit together perfectly, I consider the two albums equating to some sort of “symphony” of brilliance. As corny as that may sound, I will consider this as one album seeing as I listened to the tracks almost interchangeably. This “album” in essence is what you’d get from regular gangster rap: drug deals, killing and sex; what sets it apart though, is Cormegas ability as a lyricist to mend those concepts into poetry. I’ve heard countless “gangster rap” albums, but this one stays definitive in it’s approach to subject matter, Cormega doesn’t just talk about his lifestyle, he has the ability to fully understand it. This album highlights all of these aspects, truly Cormega at his best and a must have for any Hip Hop head.

8. Be
By: Common
Released: 2005
While I may catch flack for not listing some of his previous classics, I consider this one of his definitive pieces. I felt not only was Common at his peak in terms of lyric ability, but every track he graced was flawless; With Kanye West production (and a few beats by J-Dilla) complimenting Commons lyrics, this album feels timeless. The album has a very soulful feel, with Common using his socially aware rap style to grace each track. I consider every song to be near perfect, with a ton of “quotables”. Another instant-classic that any Hip Hop head should have.

7. Masters Of The Universe
By: Binary Star
Released: 2000
This is the first album I ever listened to that was under the category of “underground”, and it has held the distinction in my mind as one of the finest in that term. For those who don’t know, Binary Star consisted of the now broken up: “OneManArmy” (now under the moniker OneBeLo) and “Senim Silla”, both contributing their own unique input to each concept presented on the album. The production is impressive having some throw backs to classic Hip Hop, with others using unique samples – such as wolf howls mixed with piano – to highlight the groups unique lyric style. While this album isn’t completely “flawless” – with a few tracks slipping up, and some awkward guest appearances – it has done more then enough right that it has stuck out in my mind as a “must have”, OneManArmy and Senim Silla were truly a unique duo and this album demonstrates this perfectly.

6. Moment Of Truth
By: Gang Starr
Released: 1998
Anyone who’s delved into “hardcore” Hip Hop, or has grown up with the culture is bound to have atleast hear of Gang Starr. Consisting of DJ Premier and Guru, Gang Starr is one of Hip Hops legendary groups. This album is in my opinion, their finest. DJ Premiers production can’t be touched, using his trademark drums and talented ear for making any sample sound genius, this album shows him on his “A Game” more then any other hes worked on. Guru using his honest approach to lyricism, with multi-syllables and amazing delivery are another highlight to this already great album. Every track stays consistent, and has some of the finest production I’ve ever heard on a Hip Hop album. Anyone who considers themselves even remotely hardcore in terms of “Hip Hop” has heard this album, and if you haven’t it’s a must.

5. The Cold Vein
By: Cannibal Ox
Released: 2001
From my Cold Vein Review:
Now, you’re probably wondering, what’s the recipe to what I’ve already summed up as a genius album? Top notch production and some of the finest lyrics ever heard on a Hip Hop album. Vordul Mega’s style is laced with multiple-syllable flows and a dash of abstract metaphors pertaining to his depressing views on life. Now, to be honest Vordul isn’t the reason this album is still playing on my stereo, his lyrics are good but they don’t have the same level of uniqueness as Vast Aire’s do. However, without Vordul’s input on this album, it wouldn’t feel right. Vast Aire, while not having the incredible flow that Vordul does, makes up for it with his charismatic delivery and genius wordplay. Each track, he laces his lyrics with some of the wittiest line’s I’ve heard in Hip Hop thus far. Lines from Iron Galaxy such as: “You were a stillborn baby, mother didn’t want you but your were still born, boy meets world of course his pops is gone, what you figga, that chalky outline on the ground is a father figure?” leave my jaw still dropping.

4. The Best Part
By: J-Live
Released: 2001
The debut album by english-teacher-turned-rapper J-Live. To be honest, I hadn’t heard of this album until sometime early last year, and when I finally listened to it, I was incredibly impressed. J-Live has a very unique style, with a style that pertains to classic Hip Hop yet with enough new-school to keep himself sounding relevant to this ever-changing art. Having legendary producers such as “Pete Rock” and “Dj Premier” grace some of the tracks – with other producers providing equally impressive ones – almost all the tracks feel timeless. J-Live has a unique way of capturing a vision through his lyrics, conveying his ideas through heavy use of wordplay and his amazing grasp of vocabulary. This is definitely one of the most slept-on albums, you owe it to yourself as a “hip hop head” to find and listen to this album.

3. Operation: Doomsday
By: MF Doom
Released: 1999
The debut album by rapper and producer: “MF Doom”. This album is eccentric in many ways, demonstrating Dooms heavy use of comic book references, incorporating this into his beats and lyrics. This albums beats are completely on point, and MF Dooms lyrics while sounding awkward on first listen can range from corny to incredibly deep. Almost all the tracks on this album have some sort of comic-book reference and eccentric aspect to them, for some this may put them off, however I found it to be truly unique amongst the vast array of artists Hip Hop is housing. Calling this album “eccentric” would be an understatement to the personality Doom puts into his lyrics and beats, anyone who’s feeling like something different or enjoys the more “abstract” side of Hip Hop should pursue this classic.

2. Black on Both Sides
By: Mos Def
Released: 1999
Coming from the acclaimed group “Black Star” with “Talib Kweli”, comes the solo-debut by Mos Def. Considered to be a throw back to the roots of Hip Hop, everything this album does, it does right. Having a soulful approach and a “jazzy” aspect, this album is – yes, I’m using this word again – timeless. Mos Defs lyrics are incredibly well thought out and witty, and he uses his voice for more then rapping, singing on some of the songs. The instrumentals are provided by many legendary producers such as: Diamond D, 88 Keys, DJ Premier and even more (with Mos Def even producing some of the tracks). This album sounds like what many would consider true Hip Hop. This is a finely crafted piece of art that transcends Hip Hops conventions, yet pertains to them.

1. Illmatic
By: Nas
Released: 1994
This was one of the first Hip Hop albums I ever got a hold of, and really listened to. Maybe it’s the nostalgia speaking, or maybe it’s the fact that I’m always “favorable” to Nas as an artist. Whatever the reason is, I can guarantee two things on this album: One being Nas’ stand out delivery and amazing lyrics. Every beat he graces he presents impressive verses. He has such a great way of presenting his concepts and demonstrating the lifestyle he lives in through word, I could get an acapella version of this album and still thoroughly enjoy it. Two (if you haven’t guessed already) is the beats on this album, ALL of the beats sound just as flawless as Nas’ lyrics, not one even remotely slips up. They’re perfect. This album only has one guest appearance, and while some may argue (before hearing) that “It lacks variety”, I think it was a perfect move for Nas to keep the guests at a minimum as it left him in the spot light and displayed what he had to offer, not others. Only problem with this album is that it’s garnered such high regards, every time Nas drops an album its instantly compared to this one, and that can be a hit or miss. If you haven’t picked up this album, heres what I say to you — in the words of KRS: “If you don’t know me by now I doubt you’ll ever know me”

That concludes my “Top-Ten” list of what I consider to be the “best” Hip Hop albums. So since I’ve written my own opinionated column, I’m curious readers, what are “your” favorite albums?

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Posted by LostMoniker on September 28th, 2008 :: Filed under Moniker's Top Ten
Tags :: be, binary star, black on both sides, cannibal ox, common, company flow, cormega, dj premier, emceeing, funcrusher plus, gangstarr, guru, hip hop, illmatic, j-live, masters of the universe, MF doom, moment of truth, mos def, nas, operation doomsday, the best part, the cold vein, the real, the realness, the true meaning, top ten
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