What are the most influential albums of the 90's?

[West Coast Veteran]

I was watching this show called Ultimate Albums on VH1 the other day and the ultimate album the show focused on was Green Day - Dookie. This music historian said that Nirvana - Nevermind and Green Day - Dookie were the most important/influential rock albums of the 90's. I don't like rock music so I didn't understand these albums influences until I watched this show and now I see that their influence was huge on rock music. Anyways I was wondering what do you think are the two most important/influential rap albums from the 90's. State reasons why.

Dr. Dre - The Chronic
Changed West Coast hip hop and all of hip hop forever. The Chronic put the West Coast scene on top of hip hop for nearly four years. It created the new sound for the West Coast which has been duplicated countless of times and is still being used today. The production methods and sounds were also copied by other regions including the East Coast and South. This album put hip hop into the mainstream more than ever before. Dre and Snoop were on MTV every half an hour and their songs were being played on Top 40 radio stations. This was the album that attracted the majority of middle American suburbia into hip hop.


The Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die
This album was influenced by The Chronic and almost had as much impact. Ready To Die single handledly brought back East Coast hip hop to the mainstream. It changed hip hop forever as well because of the commercial formula that it had. The commercial shit we bitch about now was created because of this album. The only difference is that B.I.G. made commercial tracks that were classic. Right after this album dropped all of the East Coast tried to duplicate it similar to how the West duplicated The Chronic.

[ImmortalOne]

No specific order, except for the Chronic.

Dr. Dre, The Chronic - In my opinion, this is the most influential rap album of the 90's. It brought Snoop Dogg into the world of rap, and practically created G-funk as we know it today. And, although Dre was producing long before this album, THIS was the album to launch him into the upper echolon of great producers. Took gangsta rap to a new level. Truly one of the greatest albums ever.

2Pac, All Eyez On Me - Started the double cd trend. This album is the BLUEPRINT for the industry, as EVERY artist in the game today has used at least one idea from it. Pac made an album to please ALL audiences, and he MORE than did a magnificent job. No album holds the balance between raw street lyrics and commericial appeal than this album. This is THE complete rap album, and has almost every type of song imaginable. There are a number of other nice double albums, but this one is still by far the best. Certified Pac as a hip hop legend. One of the greatest albums ever made.

Wu Tang Clan, 36 Chambers - During the "chronic" era, east coast hip hop was falling off the map, but this album almost single handedly saved it. Wu Tang brought back the raw and grittyness that hip hop is supposed to have, and had lacked since the late 80's. This 93' debut also sparked a dynasty of 9 different MC's with 9 different styles and would become one of the signature albums of the east coast, and hip hop in general. Raw street lyricism at its finest. AWESOME fuckin album. "C.R.E.A.M." is still the NY street anthem of hip hop.

Outkast, Southernplayalistic - Though the south was already on the map from the Ghetto Boys and Scarface, Outkast put a new spice into how southern hip hop should sound with this classic debut. The blended rnb and funk into dirty south rap, and it turned out to be a beautifully blended combination embraced by all. It was also the first of 4 classic albums to make Outkast arguably the most consistant rap group ever. This album practically redefined southern rap for the 90's [though they would do it again on their next album even better ]. A hip hop essential.

Bone Thugs N Harmony, E.1999 Eternal - LITERALLY blew peoples minds when it came out in the summer of 95'. Nobody had ever heard anything like it before, and it became the blueprint album for midwest hip hop, and is now THE album by which ALL midwest hip hop albums are measured by. The production was done with live instruments, making it darker and better than most other rap albums. Not the greatest album lyrically, but it put a nice look into the life these cat lived in the projects of upper East Cleveland. Spawned one of the biggest and greatest hits ever seen in rap music, "Tha Crossroads". This album has been bitten by hundreds of lesser acts, but so far no one [including Bone themselves] has come anywhere close to duplicating this masterpiece. One of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Illmatic - If there is ONE album that set the standard for lyricism, its Illmatic. This album drew Nas comparisons to Rakim, who at the time was almost a sin to even mention another rapper in the same sentence as him. The production is top notch [cant go wrong with Primo, Pete Rock, etc etc], but its Nas's vivid story telling and sharp wordplay that captivated everyone's attention. Many of todays best lyricists use this as a reference on their ideas when it comes to lyrics. "NY State Of Mind [along with CREAM] rates up there as one of the most detailed and meaningful street songs ever made. Plus, it only has 10 songs and you could tell Nas wanted this album to be perfect, and though there is no such thing as a perfect album, he came as close as one can get. CLASSIC material here, and kick yourself if you dont have it.

Snoop, Doggystyle - Though not as influential as The Chronic, this is Dre at his ABSOLUTE finest. The production on the Chronic was sick, and this is even SICKER. Lyrically, Snoop isnt the best MC by any means, but he was on point here, and his flow is smoother than gravy. This was the album which REALLY made rap blow up, cuz almost every white kid in the burbs went out and bought this the minute it dropped. Cant say I blame them though, cuz hip hop can only WISH the albums of today were even close to being this good. Very easy album to listen to, and if you dont have this, where the fuck you been the last 7+ years?? Get off your ass and go cop it, fucker!!!!

Biggie, Ready To Die - Though influenced from Illmatic, Biggie put a twist on the story telling Nas introduced to hip hop by making a "cinematic" album. The album is one long story, and you have to listen to it from beginning to end to understand it. The intro goes through each stage of Biggie's life as a youngster, with different songs playing in the background. It starts off with his birth with Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" playing to his release from jail [for robbing a train] with Snoop's "The Shiznit" playing. The whole album proceeds from his life in the projects of Brooklyn up, up until after he blows up, and the fame gets to him and he kills himself in "suicidal thoughts". Truly one of the greatest rap albums ever, its almost like watching a movie.

Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Like Ready To Die, this is also a cinematic album, but with some major differences than Big's album. First, this is more of a "action movie" type album rather then the story of a young man living in the ghetto. Rae and Ghost are drug dealers trying to better themselves and their families, as blatantly seen in the first cut. This album practically brought the "mafiaso and don" type shit into hip hop, and all the flashy artists of today, from Jay Z to Cash Money to Nelly, owe their ideas and success to Rae and Ghost. The only difference is, Cuban Linx isnt a materialistic and watered down album like today's albums. Instead, its a raw lyrical album and is the measuring stick for all drug albums. In addition, RZA drops what is arguably some of the best production EVER heard on a hip hop album. This is truly his musical masterpiece, and is one of the top 5 best produced albums ever IMO. CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASIC.

There are plenty more, but thats it for now.......I couldnt name just 2 albums, too hard to decide!!!!!

[ImmortalOne]

No specific order, except for the Chronic.

Dr. Dre, The Chronic - In my opinion, this is the most influential rap album of the 90's. It brought Snoop Dogg into the world of rap, and practically created G-funk as we know it today. And, although Dre was producing long before this album, THIS was the album to launch him into the upper echolon of great producers. Took gangsta rap to a new level. Truly one of the greatest albums ever.

2Pac, All Eyez On Me - Started the double cd trend. This album is the BLUEPRINT for the industry, as EVERY artist in the game today has used at least one idea from it. Pac made an album to please ALL audiences, and he MORE than did a magnificent job. No album holds the balance between raw street lyrics and commericial appeal than this album. This is THE complete rap album, and has almost every type of song imaginable. There are a number of other nice double albums, but this one is still by far the best. Certified Pac as a hip hop legend. One of the greatest albums ever made.

Wu Tang Clan, 36 Chambers - During the "chronic" era, east coast hip hop was falling off the map, but this album almost single handedly saved it. Wu Tang brought back the raw and grittyness that hip hop is supposed to have, and had lacked since the late 80's. This 93' debut also sparked a dynasty of 9 different MC's with 9 different styles and would become one of the signature albums of the east coast, and hip hop in general. Raw street lyricism at its finest. AWESOME fuckin album. "C.R.E.A.M." is still the NY street anthem of hip hop.

Outkast, Southernplayalistic - Though the south was already on the map from the Ghetto Boys and Scarface, Outkast put a new spice into how southern hip hop should sound with this classic debut. The blended rnb and funk into dirty south rap, and it turned out to be a beautifully blended combination embraced by all. It was also the first of 4 classic albums to make Outkast arguably the most consistant rap group ever. This album practically redefined southern rap for the 90's [though they would do it again on their next album even better ]. A hip hop essential.

Bone Thugs N Harmony, E.1999 Eternal - LITERALLY blew peoples minds when it came out in the summer of 95'. Nobody had ever heard anything like it before, and it became the blueprint album for midwest hip hop, and is now THE album by which ALL midwest hip hop albums are measured by. The production was done with live instruments, making it darker and better than most other rap albums. Not the greatest album lyrically, but it put a nice look into the life these cat lived in the projects of upper East Cleveland. Spawned one of the biggest and greatest hits ever seen in rap music, "Tha Crossroads". This album has been bitten by hundreds of lesser acts, but so far no one [including Bone themselves] has come anywhere close to duplicating this masterpiece. One of the greatest albums ever recorded.

Illmatic - If there is ONE album that set the standard for lyricism, its Illmatic. This album drew Nas comparisons to Rakim, who at the time was almost a sin to even mention another rapper in the same sentence as him. The production is top notch [cant go wrong with Primo, Pete Rock, etc etc], but its Nas's vivid story telling and sharp wordplay that captivated everyone's attention. Many of todays best lyricists use this as a reference on their ideas when it comes to lyrics. "NY State Of Mind [along with CREAM] rates up there as one of the most detailed and meaningful street songs ever made. Plus, it only has 10 songs and you could tell Nas wanted this album to be perfect, and though there is no such thing as a perfect album, he came as close as one can get. CLASSIC material here, and kick yourself if you dont have it.

Snoop, Doggystyle - Though not as influential as The Chronic, this is Dre at his ABSOLUTE finest. The production on the Chronic was sick, and this is even SICKER. Lyrically, Snoop isnt the best MC by any means, but he was on point here, and his flow is smoother than gravy. This was the album which REALLY made rap blow up, cuz almost every white kid in the burbs went out and bought this the minute it dropped. Cant say I blame them though, cuz hip hop can only WISH the albums of today were even close to being this good. Very easy album to listen to, and if you dont have this, where the fuck you been the last 7+ years?? Get off your ass and go cop it, fucker!!!!

Biggie, Ready To Die - Though influenced from Illmatic, Biggie put a twist on the story telling Nas introduced to hip hop by making a "cinematic" album. The album is one long story, and you have to listen to it from beginning to end to understand it. The intro goes through each stage of Biggie's life as a youngster, with different songs playing in the background. It starts off with his birth with Curtis Mayfield's "Superfly" playing to his release from jail [for robbing a train] with Snoop's "The Shiznit" playing. The whole album proceeds from his life in the projects of Brooklyn up, up until after he blows up, and the fame gets to him and he kills himself in "suicidal thoughts". Truly one of the greatest rap albums ever, its almost like watching a movie.

Raekwon, Only Built 4 Cuban Linx - Like Ready To Die, this is also a cinematic album, but with some major differences than Big's album. First, this is more of a "action movie" type album rather then the story of a young man living in the ghetto. Rae and Ghost are drug dealers trying to better themselves and their families, as blatantly seen in the first cut. This album practically brought the "mafiaso and don" type shit into hip hop, and all the flashy artists of today, from Jay Z to Cash Money to Nelly, owe their ideas and success to Rae and Ghost. The only difference is, Cuban Linx isnt a materialistic and watered down album like today's albums. Instead, its a raw lyrical album and is the measuring stick for all drug albums. In addition, RZA drops what is arguably some of the best production EVER heard on a hip hop album. This is truly his musical masterpiece, and is one of the top 5 best produced albums ever IMO. CLAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAASIC.

There are plenty more, but thats it for now.......sorry, I couldnt name just two lol.........

fuck, that post was long, lol.........

[Doggystylin]

shit can it be explained better than that?, damn , nice shit hellrazor

[Youngster323]

lol and he only said to post 2

West- Chronic
East- Illmatic

basically same reasons as Hellrazor

[Big BpG]

The Chronice
At the time this album dropped, it became the first westcoast album to be played on the east-coast. At the time, this was huge. Westcoast music was never played over east radio, but The Chronic brought that album to us. Political issues over the L.A. Riots which reached out from Watts also were a big influence to this album. The timing was perfect  as well. It set the standard for the westcoast sound. Not only did it just have a sound to it, it created the westcoast sound. Of course, the lyrics by Snoop, DPG, and the whole clique were amazing against Dre's sampled, layered and completely hypnotic beats. This album brought Rap to the mainstream. No album brought the Hip Hop culture to the world like the chronic.

Nas - Illmatic
Illmatic was another album that created a vibe. It created a sound and it created a conscious. Nas brought us lyrics, but with those lyrics he brought us a conscious, which at the time was becoming a hard thing to find. Not only did the words show perfection, Pete Rock and DJ Premiere did too. The sound was fresh, it set a time, a place and a setting to every song. Classic album, which brought us the best.

-Big BpG

[ImmortalOne]

Well, if I had to pick only two albums, I guess it would be The Chronic and Only Built 4 Cuban Linx.......

[ZILLA THA GOODFELLA]

West - The Chronic
East - Illmatic
MidWest - E.1999 Eternal
South - The Diary/ Aquemini?

[Don Jacob]

it's cliche to say but it's100% true


chronic and illmatic

[ImmortalOne]

West - The Chronic
East - Illmatic
MidWest - E.1999 Eternal
South - The Diary/ Aquemini?

Very, very similiar to my list.......

West: The Chronic
East: Cuban Linx
Midwest: E.1999 Eternal
South: ATLiens

Aquemini is classic [so is The Diary], but I think ATLiens is slightly more influential, cuz Outkast completely flipped the script and killed the sophmore jinx at the same time. Illmatic and 36 Chambers are mad influential, but Cuban Linx set too many trends to pass up. The Chronic and E.1999 Eternal are just OBVIOUS.

[West Coast Veteran]

Don't you think Oukast's first album is ten times more influential than they're following albums? I do.

[Big BpG]

This is a stupid question, but where is bone from?

-Big BpG

[Doggystylin]

This is a stupid question, but where is bone from?

-Big BpG

Cleveland is the ciityyy wheree weee commee frooomm

[ZILLA THA GOODFELLA]

This is a stupid question, but where is bone from?

-Big BpG

Wat a question.....lmao
Cmon Mr. Hip Hop......
Cleveland Ohio......duh
lol j/p.

[DJ_Jay_Deee]

West - The chronic

East - Illmatic