'Illmatic,' by NasLet's not act like we're surprised this tops the list. 'Illmatic' lands at No. 1 for the same reason people still do the electric slide at weddings: It's classic! A 15-year-old Nasir Jones hooked up with Large Professor, who later introduced him to MC Serch and DJ Premier, and a few years later the underground MC's debut was finally ready for the masses. Nas took a cue from Rakim -- with a faster flow -- and wrote what could be summed up as a journal from the streets.
Reader Comments(1 of 9)
Marioat 8-28-2008
wow some one really screwed up the order of albums.
mrtonymontannaat 9-18-2008
this list really sucks for real these are all the worst albums of all time for real
Queenat 8-28-2008
Cool List but, order and some album could have changed too.
michelle evehartat 8-29-2008
We run this shyt...East Coast at the first two places n 4th place...EAST COAST ALL DAY...
damian obyat 1-25-2009
you must be young and dumb......that's what is wrong with this industry now......east coast vs.?????
junior evegeat 8-30-2008
wheres Liquid Swords
Oh omnipotent 1at 9-23-2008
I know...where are the good albums? And, I don't think Illmatic had nothing on most of BIG's albums.
mike tuzat 8-30-2008
Someone mess this list up real bad.
Doggystyle at 20, and Dre at # ???????
MPat 9-01-2008
I agree all those should be on the top 20 but
dre infront of doggystyle delasoul rakim ? i don' think so
Sheilaat 9-01-2008
How do you have a list of greatest hip=hop albums and not have Eminem make an appearance???
michaelat 11-17-2008
thank god illmatic is number 1
i was just waiting to see when nas would appear on this list. i dont really know what most people are talking about this list is pretty accurate. You people have to realize who actually made hip-hop not the clowns they have on the radio these days
jayessat 9-01-2008
Are you kidding??? Everyone is entitled to their opinion but come on....not only is the order screwed up but you leave off some classic albums. The first two Tribe albums should have made the list. People's Instinctive Travels and Paths of Rhythm definitely should have made it. The first Blueprint is better than Reasonable Doubt and should have made the list. Then they leave off Fear of a Black Planet by P.E., Ice Cube's Amerikkka' Most. Brand Nubian's One for All, X-Clan's To the East Blackwards, Mobb Deep's The Infamous. I could go on and on. I'm sorry but AZ's Doe or Die and Common's I used to love her shouldn't have made the list. They would go under the most "slept on" albums of all time.
adamat 11-03-2008
I feel you on the tribe. What happened to Slick Rick,Ice Cube's Lethal Weapon, Above The Law's Uncle Sam's Curse? Reasonable Doubt by Jay Z fire!
Big Daddy Kane.
kingpotentialat 11-17-2008
you are 1000% correct...this list is horrible. Where's the Beatie Boys? LL-cool J? 50-cent, Female Rap Groups. ...wowww this list is made by someone under 30, I would be any money on that.
(p.s. a little hint to really validate your top 20 list Run-DMC is always #1 on any rap list...)
The Nicest 1 Evaat 9-01-2008
ready to die is better than reasonable doubt even life after death shoulda been on the top 3 no way illmatic is better than ready to die.