Greatest Rap Albums Ever

This has been debated and tarnished several times over. To prove a point VH1 listed Lil Wayne as one the top 3 rappers ever. I guess their employee urinanalysis program is pretty flawed. Anyhow here's "my" list. Feel free to second guess, scratch your head or complain-to yourself. Like I said it's mine and we all share a few common body parts and orifices so you get my picture.

Public Enemy-It Takes A Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Even white people loves this Black power and awareness album-so that speaks volumes-LOL! I personally think I was enthralled by Terminator X's DJ prowess more than Chuck D's voice and the Bomb Squad's production. I really love pure DJing and X is incredible! Chuck made you listen and Flav made you laugh during the learning experience that was Black empowerment.

Run DMC-Raising Hell
This album opened doors for all rappers to delve into the mainstream. Pioneers!

Wu-Tang Clan-Enter Da 36 Chambers
This is a tape and CD I've personally replaced 3 times because it's been stolen or damaged that much. Go figure!

Eric B & Rakim-Pain In Full
Probably the first lyrical end to end burner made. The God was so ahead of his time. The lyrical blueprint!

BDP-By All Means Necessary
KRS-1 went from violence to knowledge due to the passing of DJ Scott La Rock and this energy created a masterpiece. It was a lyrical manifesto and call to the masses to wake-up!

LL Cool J-Bigger and Deffer
Some might say Radio but I hate to say it but "I Need Love" changed what was acceptable for rappers to rap about and it was cool to be sensitive but with an edge.

A Tribe Called Quest-The Low End Theory
My personal favorite Tribe album because of the jazzy feel of it and the banga "Scenario-Remix".

De La Soul-3 Feet High and Rising
Pot Holes In My Lawn did it for me! Then rap music changed forever due to them and BizMarkie sampling some whiners who were broke.

EPMD-Strictly Business
These guys were like an updated Run DMC to me but harder with less yelling. Made me go cop a fisherman hat and plaid pants and tell young girls to Get the Bozack!

Notorious B.I.G-Life After Death
C'mon there's no Jay-Z without the late great Francis M. White! He freestyled some pretty incredible stories on this album. Incredible!

M.C. Lyte-Lyte As A Rock
There hasn't been a female MC hard as Lyte in decades and we may never see or hear anyone either. Milk D's lil sis was killing it!

Common-Be
Yes, he had several note worthy albums but this is one that showed everyone and I mean everyone he's a lyrical beast and you should have been listening for 10+ years. Sad you missed out on his earlier stuff. So go cop them!

Queen Latifah-All the Hail Queen
Some might argue "U.N.I.T.Y" was her true soldifying moment-nope! "Wrath of My Madness" is still a very hard track and this album welcomed her as a future great before the acting.

Little Brother-The Minstrel Show
Very few albums get a full uninterrupted play from my finnicky ears but these NC cats really killed their second album but people still are asking who? Heads better recognize!

N.W.A.- Straight Outta Compton
My mom hated this album for the cursing but it made me recopy it several times. I loved the anger and wondered if it was really that bad out in California. Actually it is.

Ice Cube-Amerikkka's Most Wanted
One of the smartest and business savvy rappers ever. Glad he went solo because this album wouldn't have happened.

Scarface-The Fix
I love the Ghetto Boys and alotta of my friends would ask what the heck are you listening to and call them wack. Naw Scarface was killing it for awhile but this album made him national just listen to it!

Souls of Mischief-93 til Infinity
What I love about these guys was that they repped Cali but didn't have the "Cali flow". They were like a west coast Native Tongues affilliate. The tracks fit somewhere in between as well.

Slick Rick-The Adventures of Slick Rick
A ton of classics came from this album he was uplifting, funny and raunchy all in one on this album. The Ruler was in pure form here!

Onyx-Baccdafucup!
The first time I saw video I was like "whoa" are those machine guns? I was only 16 and I couldn't believe it was okay to tell someone to pull guns like that. The violence was intoxicating but not motivating-lol! They paved the way for groups like M.O.P. etc

Redman-Whut! Thee Album
Before Reggie Noble was blatantly funny lyrically he was purely lyrical with a bit of humor and wit here and there. He rocked the E. Sermon tracks from start to finish. Helped usher in the bummy grimey look that my high school hated-LOL!

Raekwon feat. Ghostface Killah-Only Built for Cuban Linx
OMG! "The Purple Tape" This would be higher but I had to pay proper homage to the pioneers. However I will admit this probably my 2nd favorite album ever next P.E.'s. The beats, lyrics, skits and the posse cuts are pure genious and everyone wanted an alias after this.

Nas-Illmatic
1st time out and Nasir Jones made a classic and people wanted him to never grow or advance past this masterpiece and ridiculed him for it. The only MC to go against Jay-Z lose a few times then murder him and have Sean admit that he couldn't come back after Ether. Now they are pals.

Jay Z-Hardnock Life Vol. 1
Ok, Ok why not Reasonable Doubt? Well that album grew on me plus I feel this album had more expansion to it and way harder tracks IMO. I had to replace this one a few times too. Thx fellas for stealing or scratching my cds so much!

Method Man-Tical
Very dirty grimey album but you love it. "Bring Da Pain" is still my theme song. Meth admits this is not the original version of the album but it became a masterpiece. He was never able to duplicate the success of this due to everyone wanting RZA to produce all of his albums like this one.

Dr. Dre-The Chronic
I think the mid-90's was the Golden Era of Hip Hop. This album was a beast and didn't matter where you were from you bumped this G-Funk cd and nodded your head. It wasn't really the lyricsim on this album that made you want to listen it was Dre's melding of rap and funk and how it hypnotically smoothed you out.

Gangstarr-No More Mr. Nice Guy
Who can doubt "Manifest" and Guru's simple but resonating lyrics on this album. This was the startings of one of rap's greatest producer's career. Guru is a good lyricist but Premier steals it with his scratched in hooks and beats.

Busta Rhymes-The Coming
Rarrarggh like a dungeon dragon! Hip Hop quotable that sparked a stellar career and this debut album that was dirty enough and party friendly for all. Playful but hard lyrics were ear catching.

Brand Nubian-All For One
Glad they dropped the old moniker and became positive rappers. Kept the 5 Percent Nation buzz growing and building with this album. Too bad Grand Puba was feeling himself too much and left the group.

Black Moon-Enta Da Stage
Any MC who has worn or rocks a backpack owes it to these guys lead by Buckshot Shorty (drops the Shorty soon after this album). The hard beats provided by DJ Evil Dee and Buck's lyrics make this a must have. Far too many classics on this album.

Snoop Doggy Dog-Doggy Style
I remember I heard "Deep Cover" and thought "Dayum who's that cat with Dre and that beat-OMG!" Enter one of the greatest west coast rappers ever and ushered in the pimp swagger and vernacular. With his laid back flow and Dre's beats this album is a must have.

Ol Dirty Bastard-Return to the 36th Chambers
Some will probably say how? Well here's how for me my girlfriend at the time back in 94 told me to buy this because she kept hearing dudes at work play it and it was funny but hard. I was like really-Ms Rnb love songs like this dirty grimey stuff? Well guess what ol' girl was right this a killa album. Dirty's insane singing and rhymes meshed perfectly with RZA's beats. I actually bought this CD because he had "Dirty Dancing" feat. Method Man which is a banga!