Although Hip-Hop is only around 50 years old, it’s already the most popular genre in the country. Throughout its history, it continues to change and involve as new artists and sounds are introduced.
But, even as the genre changes, there are still those albums that have always been in rotation, whether that’s on a cassette tape, CD, vinyl or on streaming services. These are the rap albums hip-hop heads have owned on every platform.
Considered by many hip-hop purists to be the greatest rap album of all time, this is the one young fans who are just getting into the genre are told to listen to. This classic project transports you to Nas’ world in Queensbridge, New York.
Outkast has the greatest discography out of any hip-hop group in history—argue with ya momma. While other projects they have released may have been more popular, this is the album that truly put the group on the map. It was a toss-up between this project and Aquemini, but I love this album so much that I had to put it on the list.
The most influential and beloved rapper of all time, periodt. In his short life, 2pac inspired so many fans and this was the album that truly expanded his fanbase. His first album with Death Row records is filled with west-coast bangers.
If you consider your left a commercial hip-hop listener or a backpacker, or you fall somewhere in the middle, there’s one artist that is considered by all to be the greatest of all time, and that’s Jay-Z. Not only are his albums exceptional, but his longevity proves that he’s relevant in any generation. The Blueprint was the album that cemented Hov is the best in the game and continues to be cherished by fans everywhere.
MF Doom is the greatest villain in the history of rap, and this album is the most villainous hip-hop project of all time. This project stands out in DOOM’s legendary discography because it is a collab with one of the best producers of all time, Madlib. Unlike other projects on this list, this project is timeless, it doesn’t sound like it came out in a particular era, which is why hip-hop fans have to make sure to have it in their collection.
There was a time when Lil Wayne was the biggest rapper in the world and nobody came even close. When he released Tha Carter III in 2007 Weezy was on top of the world and nobody could touch him. For fans who were just getting into rap when this album came out, Wayne is considered the greatest of all time.
While this album has not been out as long as others on this list, it’s sure to be in constant rotation as K. Dot is one of the best lyricists of all time and arguably the best rapper of his generation. This album represents the beginning of Lamar’s meteoric rise.
While each project is good in its own right, if there were to be an essential J. Cole album, it would be 2014 Forest Hill Drive. Even without a proper single, this album still had bangers for fans to enjoy. Similar to Kendrick, this album is not as tenured as others on this list, but there’s no doubt it will be played as long as the genre exists.
Drake has run the rap game for the past decade. While some may be respected more lyrically, nobody performs better when it comes to numbers. Drake’s sophomore studio album Take Care is the standard in terms of the Canadian rapper meshing together rap and R&B. Damn-near every song on this project was a hit. It will continue to be the climax for the most popular artist of this generation.
