The Greatest 50 Hip-hop Albums Ever - #43...

[Twentytwofifty]

The D.O.C. - No One Can Do It Better (1989)


    Along with being the principle architect of the N.W.A’s menacing, groundbreaking West Coast sound though much of the late 80s and early 90s.  Dr. Dre was also an influencial talent broker, whose 1989 introduction of Texas-born lyricist The D.O.C., preceded high profile discoveries such as Snoop Doggy Dogg and Eminem. 

    However, The D.O.C.’s confident debut, No One Can Do It Better, was not the typical Nigga With Attitude threat.  Clearly, he was a streetwise rhymer more interested in battling MCs than busting caps on wax, as evidenced on tracks such as “The Formula” and “The D.O.C. & The Docter”.  When No One Can Do It Better was released the West Coast had just started to break nationally thanks to the gangsta movement and wasn't known for much outside of N.W.A and Ice-T.  In the D.O.C., however, the scene found a new level of credibility: a highly skilled battle rhymer who could hold his own with any East Coast lyrical virtuoso. Though his chops are rarely mentioned in the same breath, the D.O.C. clearly ranks up near the master technicians of the era, Rakim and Big Daddy Kane; while he may not be as smooth as the former or as spectacularly wordy as the latter, he has a distinctively rough, commanding voice and an aggressive, hard-hitting flow all his own.  From banging It's Funky Enough to the incredible westcoast version of Marley Marl's "Symphony", the N.W.A featured "Grand Finale", this album is fantastic.

    The platinum album’s barrage of groove-heavy guitar, drums and keyboard synthesizers allowed space for his authoritative vocal presence to shine – vocals that were cut short after a life-threatening car accident.  Yet, along with his extensive writing credits on The Chronic, No One Can Do It Better remains an influencial piece of work revered by hardcore rap aficionados. 


50. Dr. Dre – 2001 (1999)
49. Outkast – Southernplayalisticaddicmuzik (1994)
48. Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt (1996)
47. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo – Wanted: Dead Or Alive (1990)
46. Redman – Whut? Thee Album (1992)
45. De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead (1991)
44. Fugees – The Score (1996)
43. The D.O.C. – No One Can Do It Better (1989)

[Elevz]

Shit! Certified classic! Only ranked 43? You're finding me amazed once again

I've been wondering about this album once again... How can The D.O.C. proclaim himself to be a lyricist of another level when he's not touching any real topics on this album? He's self proclaiming to kick knowledge and all that, but he doesn't go much further than saying he's the best, in 13 (the number of tracks) ways. Nevertheless a great album to listen to, nice rhyming techniques, great flows, even greater beats by The Doctor.

Actually... 43rd might be the perfect spot for The D.O.C.'s NOCDIB. Props once again to C2K

[GangstaBoogy]

ahh man i love this album D.O.C.'s flow was amazing. sad what happened to him

[Larrabee]

Classic record.

[eS El Duque]

Classic record.

[makaveli11]

Classic record.

[SGV]

Wow....

[Wicked977]

He Ghost-Writes For Dre Right

[Suga Foot]

He Ghost-Writes For Dre Right

no, he openly wrote for Dre. 

[Low Key]

If these are the first 8, I really want to see what #1 is. I suppose rap has been around for almost 25 years, but you are naming some of the best ever.

['EclipZe]

this album is a classic, nice review !

[Throwback]

this album is a classic, nice review !

[Capo Di Tutti I Capi]

This must be a fucking joke this at number 43? Its easily in top 5.. get the fuck outta here with that list

[Traumatized]

great read as always. Props.

[Twentytwofifty]

This must be a fucking joke this at number 43? Its easily in top 5.. get the fuck outta here with that list

You forgot to take account for the fact that you don't know shit about hip-hop.
And if you're going to look at number 41 you might as well save that quote of yours for that thread.