West Coast Connection Forum
DUBCC - Tha Connection => Outbound Connection => Topic started by: Ras Kass' Toothpick on June 08, 2004, 08:26:26 AM
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I feel that I'm guilty of throwing around this word too much and feel that every dope album that comes out has this word attached. An album can be just amazing and flawless and it won't take anything away if you don't put the label "classic" on it. I'm going to tone down the word classic a great deal.
So with that said, here are hip-hop's only classic albums.
Run-D.M.C. - Run-D.M.C.
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf700/f745/f74565wr7xh.jpg)
LL Cool J - Radio
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf400/f492/f49240eq0c9.jpg)
Run-D.M.C. - Raising Hell
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc300/c337/c33794yhpr1.jpg)
Beastie Boys - Licensed To Ill
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f550/f55085bm0s5.jpg)
Boogie Down Productions - Criminal Minded
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc900/c955/c9555598282.jpg)
Eric B. & Rakim - Paid In Full
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre300/e330/e330774rhvi.jpg)
Public Enemy - It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc900/c991/c991887466w.jpg)
Slick Rick - The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc800/c808/c80818f9gw3.jpg)
NWA - Straight Outta Compton
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c570/c570717e782.jpg)
EPMD - Strictly Business
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f556/f55641gjtm0.jpg)
Boogie Down Productions - By Any Means Necessary
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc900/c967/c96757n7en4.jpg)
Eric B. & Rakim - Follow The Leader
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd700/d739/d7397588jtk.jpg)
Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c473/c47348852qa.jpg)
Ultramagnetic MC's - Critical Beatdown
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc700/c799/c79986pe8vx.jpg)
Geto Boys - Grip It! On That Other Level
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c580/c580313n6yo.jpg)
Big Daddy Kane - It's A Big Daddy Thing
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f543/f54389fpurw.jpg)
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - Road To The Riches
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c508/c50859sg6jt.jpg)
Ice Cube - Amerikkka's Most Wanted
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c570/c57034necut.jpg)
A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f590/f59049xo5ff.jpg)
A Tribe Called Quest - The Low End Theory
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf700/f744/f74467tjqej.jpg)
Dr. Dre - The Chronic
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf600/f601/f60172iv73v.jpg)
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth - Mecca And The Soul Brother
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd500/d561/d56172b4fr0.jpg)
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf800/f860/f86028e1tkg.jpg)
A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c517/c5174886a6e.jpg)
Snoop Doggy Dogg - Doggystyle
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre700/e763/e76321uhg2o.jpg)
Black Moon - Enta Da Stage
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc700/c713/c7132584gdb.jpg)
Nas - Illmatic
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd100/d107/d107033sn8b.jpg)
Notorious B.I.G. - Ready To Die
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc300/c376/c37668p4306.jpg)
Chef Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc700/c706/c706312ed1o.jpg)
2Pac - All Eyez On Me
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre700/e771/e771847607k.jpg)
Outkast - Aquemini
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd200/d280/d28072ioj0v.jpg)
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I had a difficult time with some albums like De La Soul's 3 Feet High And Rising, Ice Cube's Death Certificate and Scarface's The Diary but I decided to be conservative and leave them off if I didn't feel very strongly about putting them up their with the others.
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its a pretty good list, but i would probably have put 2 of the 3 others you mentioned (de la soul - 3 feet high, and scarface - diary) on there...
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take off 2pac, Biggie and Nas and definately put 3 feet high & rising on there.
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And Gangstarr don't even get a mention, thats cold.
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the diary is definatley a classic, hands down
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(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c498/c498203018l.jpg)
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(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067RPH.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
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(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067RPH.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
That's the shit right there. 8)
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(http://images.amazon.com/images/P/B000067RPH.01._PE_SCMZZZZZZZ_.jpg)
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drg200/g274/g27487tjqej.jpg)
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yea good list, i would have put some others on there, but... anyway, since you posted this, whats YOUR deffinition of a classic album
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And Gangstarr don't even get a mention, thats cold.
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take off 2pac, Biggie and Nas and definately put 3 feet high & rising on there.
take off Illmatic? LMAO
I'ma comment on that list when i got sum time
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whats YOUR deffinition of a classic album
First, and most important it has to impact hip-hop music, it has to influence others in how they make music. Straight Outta Compton came and shook up the rap world and the rest of music too. It wasn't the first time gangsta rap was recorded but it was the first time it really got attention. Another example is that I think that Slick Rick's album made MCs more creative and was the blueprint of how to tell stories.
That's not my definition of a classic album but that's the main aspect that a classic album has.
take off 2pac, Biggie and Nas and definately put 3 feet high & rising on there.
2Pac and Biggie I can see, but Nas? No Illmatic? That's the popular choice for greatest album ever. That album is the yardstick for perfection and what other rappers try to acheive.
And Gangstarr don't even get a mention, thats cold.
Which one(s)? Daily Operation? Moment Of Truth? I can't see in the same class with the others in terms of impact. Great albums but no classics.
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yeah thats a good list, but theres ALOT missing. we've had more classic albums than that. heres a few i would add:
Brotha Lynch Hung - Season Of Da Siccness
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f543/f54353oyoc1.jpg)
Spice 1 - 187 He Wrote
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c515/c51565u5p3o.jpg)
Xzibit - At The Speed Of Life
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre300/e330/e33085q3334.jpg)
Tha Dogg Pound - Dogg Food
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/dre700/e771/e77170pupb6.jpg)
Ice Cube - Death Certificate
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc500/c563/c563880jim5.jpg)
Cypress Hill - Cypress Hill
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f550/f55003op4o1.jpg)
The DOC - No One Can Do It Better
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c488/c48820e27dx.jpg)
Too Short - Get In Where You Fit In
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf700/f701/f70145o0dkv.jpg)
Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd100/d134/d13436bg0wb.jpg)
Warren G - Regulate... G-Funk Era
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd700/d784/d78444o96be.jpg)
MC Eiht ft. CMW - We Come Strapped
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd800/d857/d85746ijjx3.jpg)
Ras Kass - Soul On Ice
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc700/c797/c797734veo8.jpg)
Luniz - Operation Stackola
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c460/c46071mfog6.jpg)
DJ Quik - Quik Is The Name
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf400/f458/f45892fiwfn.jpg)
Kam - Made In America
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc300/c352/c352823929c.jpg)
E-40 - In A Major Way
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf300/f321/f32186lpkji.jpg)
Westside Connection - Bow Down
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc800/c813/c813584a5ip.jpg)
Bone Thugs N Harmony - E.1999 Eternal
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc900/c947/c9470875h9v.jpg)
Above The Law - Black Mafia Life
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf700/f701/f70177a8kv3.jpg)
Scarface - The Diary
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f590/f59079b6u1x.jpg)
Those are all undenaible classics to me, and I'm sure to many others also.
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(http://www.thugpoetry.com/tq/theynev.jpg)
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I agree with everything nima listed, great list
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^ yeah nima listed some real classics there
except I'd swap BLACK MAFIA LIFE for UNCLE SAMS CURSE due to the improvement in quality music from ATL, and of course, BLACK SUPERMAN is on there......
below is a few of my personal classics, and what I think should be regarded as CLASSIC.....
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drd500/d569/d5697234g92.jpg)
^ genius album from suga free, theres aload of suga free haters around I know, but nearly all suga fans wud say this is timeless
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drf500/f545/f54568feyik.jpg)
^ UNDERATED.........4tay talking some REAL shit on this
*oh and faces 'the diary' IS a classic in every sense of the word 8)*
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Like I said I don't wanna throw the word around like nothing. Those albums Nima listed maybe "westcoast" classic but not real classics. I'd say most hip-hop heads haven't even heard of Season Of Da Siccness, Bow Down is great but how is it a classic like the ones I listed? I don't see how At The Speed Of Life has a significant impact on hip-hop.
Again, you're not taking away anything from an album by not calling a album "classic".
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Like I said I don't wanna throw the word around like nothing. Those albums Nima listed maybe "westcoast" classic but not real classics. I'd say most hip-hop heads haven't even heard of Season Of Da Siccness, Bow Down is great but how is it a classic like the ones I listed? I don't see how At The Speed Of Life has a significant impact on hip-hop.
Again, you're not taking away anything from an album by not calling a album "classic".
yeah i feel that way too. toothpicks list is pretty complete, but i believe with the same reasoning quoted above, that aquemini should not be on there.. if aquemini is on there, i think the other ones that nima listed could just as easily replace it..
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Like I said I don't wanna throw the word around like nothing. Those albums Nima listed maybe "westcoast" classic but not real classics.
Yeah, it seems to me that it's a lot easier to make a "classic" for a Westcoast artists than most other artists.
The word "legend" seems to be thrown around a little too much as well..
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(http://www.eagleson.com/hiphop/store/product/covers/nonphixion_futureisnow.jpg)
This is definatly a modern day classic.
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We all have our personal classics, but i think its save to say that stuff like Bow Down and TQ's album or Spice 1's album are not considered classics all around, and there are reasons....wat new did they bring to the game? WHat impact did they have?
Was Fugees THE SCORE on that list? Its not my favourite, but i think its a classic.......Id also add ras kass debut, Outkast debut, and DOc's
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But ya, if you wanna go by impact, how much impact on hiphop did Doc's album have, or Ras kass' for that matter.......mayb ethey arenot true classics
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But ya, if you wanna go by impact, how much impact on hiphop did Doc's album have, or Ras kass' for that matter.......mayb ethey arenot true classics
The D.O.C went platinum in 1989, thats pretty rare for a hip hop album at the time, just because todays youth don't know about it, it still had a big impact in hip hop when it was released. And i don't consider Illmatic classic because i don't really like much of the LP at all. I haven't listened to it in about a year, so my view might have changed but for 9 years i never got why everyone loved that LP so much over others.
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We all have our personal classics, but i think its save to say that stuff like Bow Down and TQ's album or Spice 1's album are not considered classics all around, and there are reasons....wat new did they bring to the game? WHat impact did they have?
Was Fugees THE SCORE on that list? Its not my favourite, but i think its a classic.......Id also add ras kass debut, Outkast debut, and DOc's
Actually... do you know how many people think TQ's first album is the best R&B album ever made?
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dude shut the fuck up. TQ is nowhere near any sort of classic status.
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We all have our personal classics, but i think its save to say that stuff like Bow Down and TQ's album or Spice 1's album are not considered classics all around, and there are reasons....wat new did they bring to the game? WHat impact did they have?
Was Fugees THE SCORE on that list? Its not my favourite, but i think its a classic.......Id also add ras kass debut, Outkast debut, and DOc's
Actually... do you know how many people think TQ's first album is the best R&B album ever made?
ummm....one...
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Mauzip, the only people who think Tq's debut is the best r7b album of all time are groupies who run his website and post on his message board and carry umbrellas for him......this is a discussion of HIP HOP classic albums by the way. As for classic R&B albums, you better listen some to some 70's shit if you think TQ's album is the best......
Charlie Brown, i feel you on the DOC album, but aside from westcoast heads, its impact and longevity is quite minimal. As for Nas, i know what u mean; most people i know dont even like that cd, i think it is something you had to hear when it first came out, although unfortunately it was so under the radar when it dropped that many missed the opportunity. I was lucky to order it by chance from Columbia Records club as one of my 10 free cds for joining; at first i hated it but it dawned on me how dope it actually was. Sure, its not as accessible and commerical friendly as the Chronic, Doggystyle, or other cds that popular around the time, but if you really give it a chance you may be surprised. If not, i still understand why.......peace
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yeah i feel that way too. toothpicks list is pretty complete, but i believe with the same reasoning quoted above, that aquemini should not be on there.. if aquemini is on there, i think the other ones that nima listed could just as easily replace it..
Aquemini was a close call. The south really started making noise in '98, I know in large part to Master P and No Limit but for some reason this album really stands out to me as a landmark album. Not to mention that the content was amazing, it's original and creative with outstanding beats and rhymes.
I was thinking long and hard about Southplaya... too, it's really close either way.
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Charlie Brown: If u don't like Illmatic, aight. I never really liked RUN-DMC (the album) that much cuz from the perspective i had when i heard it it was very simplistic and just sounded too old for my personal likings. But it is still undeniably a classic for its impact, the way it influenced other records and its importance to hiphop history. And so is Illmatic, so u just cannot say it should be taken off that list
Nima: Those are all dope ass albums on ur list (except I think Soul On Ice is kinda overrated by those who know it), Season Of Da Siccness is up there w/ The Chronic for me, but most of the albums u listed are not important or even unheard of to many hiphop listeners who ain't that much into w/c shit. Only albums u could put on that list IMO are Regulate + maybe Cypress Hill
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc700/c706/c7063721xa5.jpg)
This album really belongs on that list too cuz it was definitely trendsetting like few others (much more than eg Enta Da Stage). Mobb Deep defined reality rap and really, this album has been sampled more than any other i know (no exaggeration, no album i could name songs with more vocal samples off than this) and songs like "Shook Ones Pt. II" or "Survival Of The Fittest" are sum of the most respected street classics ever
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Nas-Illmatic
Raekwon-Cuban Linx
Gza-Liquid Swords
Outkast-All
Andre3000-the Love Below
Tribe Called Quest-First 3 really
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yeah mobb the infamous definitely needs to be in there..
jake - haha The Love Below? give me a break man
dude looks like you guys arent really understanding the reason for this post..
the main point of this post is to point out the true classics of hip hop, and not to have the word being applied to like every album.
and once again, you need to take those busted ass laker hoes outta ur signature. theyre so fukin beat up. especially the one on the right.
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The Infamous was just about to go up there but I was giving the credit of that grimey, hardcore hip-hop to Enter The Wu-Tang and Enta Da Stage (both came out two years earlier). I think those two albums influenced CNN, Mobb Deep, Smif-N-Wessun, etc.
Either way The Infamous could be on there with no real objection from me and Enta Da Stage could be off.
Charlie Brown: If u don't like Illmatic, aight. I never really liked RUN-DMC (the album) that much cuz from the perspective i had when i heard it it was very simplistic and just sounded too old for my personal likings. But it is still undeniably a classic for its impact, the way it influenced other records and its importance to hiphop history. And so is Illmatic, so u just cannot say it should be taken off that list
^^^ Took the words outta my mouth.
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I agree with everything nima listed, great list
and wheres Mobb Deep "The Infamous"
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The Infamous was just about to go up there but I was giving the credit of that grimey, hardcore hip-hop to Enter The Wu-Tang and Enta Da Stage (both came out two years earlier). I think those two albums influenced CNN, Mobb Deep, Smif-N-Wessun, etc
I'd say they did too, but then neither Wu-Tang nor Black Moon released albums that weren't influenced by other records before them. The feeling I get listening to "The Infamous" is different from the feeling I get listenin to "36 Chambers"...what Mobb Deep did was usher in the era of Queensbridge reality rap, they made a dark, depressive album, pure street shit. Wu-Tang had all those references to martial arts flicks and songs that weren't that serious or dark ("Method Man")...Black Moon's first album was more like The Infamous lyrically, but judgin from its impact on hiphop it seems to be less important to me. I'm not sayin u should take Enta Da Stage off that list but The infamous gotta be on it cuz it was just as important and influential and defined that QB style which those others didn't (since they weren't even QB albums)
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Esham-Boomin Words From Hell-C'mon,this album set the stage for many Detroit Rappers and at such a young age(13).
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Nas-Illmatic
Raekwon-Cuban Linx
Gza-Liquid Swords
Outkast-All
Andre3000-the Love Below
Tribe Called Quest-First 3 really
The Love Below wasn't hip hop.
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how the hell can you call an album which is not even a year old classic?
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Pretty dope list. i'd mos def put 3 ft high and rising on there… and theres some ish on the list that I wouldn’t exactly consider classic (but that’s me).
And I ain’t sure bout classic but I’m really, really feeling Immortal techs revolutionary vol2… tis a bit early to label it as a classic tho.
Also classics IMO... black Star, diamond D’s stunts. Blunts n hip hop, gangstarrs moment of truth, KMDs mr hood, commons resurrection, main source breakin atoms, outkast 1st 3 albums… and im sure more will come to mind later
Just my opinion tho…
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all the cool kids think Chingy "Jackpot" is a classic mainstream albums and i dont even listen to mainstream rap...
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Here's one that I personally see as a classic, but I dunno how many other people are gonna be behind me on:
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c469/c4697062951.jpg)
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
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^^ i was never a big fan of theirs, but if it was on the list i wouldn't say take it off
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Here's one that I personally see as a classic, but I dunno how many other people are gonna be behind me on:
(http://image.allmusic.com/00/amg/cov200/drc400/c469/c4697062951.jpg)
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
YES!!! AGREED!!! Incredible album, the useage of sampling as not just ripping the entire track was influential for years to come.
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I'd definitely have to put DOC on that list. You listen to that album now and it doesn't even sound like it was made in '89, like run DMC and LL. That timeless quality is, to me a real important quality if i'm going to call something classic.
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Esham-Boomin Words From Hell-C'mon,this album set the stage for many Detroit Rappers and at such a young age(13).
closed casket was his best album, and it was still original.
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i'm too lazy to look back now to see if it's on but license to ill should definately be on there
Efil4zaggin, IMO should be on there....c'mon it was the first polished album production wise
Life is too $hort could be on there
Black sunday cypress hill
Me Against the World, most definately
and fuck what you say ...the love below is classic
and i WAS going to take down my laker hoes but since y'all love em so much they're here to stay
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the diary is definatley a classic, hands down
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the diary is definatley a classic, hands down
word
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I got some of those classic albums that Ras Kass' Toothpick posted, but not all of them though (I still haven't bought Paid In Full for example).
I'll be going on a shopping spree next week, when my exams are done! 8)
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The album in my avatar is most definatly a classic, and the g.a.o.at. IMO
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^^ Actually I do think Makaveli was easily better than AEOM too, but I can't really see how it had a remarkable impact on hiphop. Still one of my all time favorites
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^^ Actually I do think Makaveli was easily better than AEOM too, but I can't really see how it had a remarkable impact on hiphop. Still one of my all time favorites
Yeah but to be honest what impact did AEOM have apart from being the first proper hiphop double album? It just inspired people to make double albums with a lot of filler rather than 12-14 track albums with no weak tracks. If anything AEOM had a bad effect on hiphop, for both the double album reason, and the fact that in artists like Ja Rule we still see artists trying to be like AEOM Pac when I would personally much prefer if artists were inspired by Me Against The World or Makaveli Pac, where he actually had something useful to say.
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^^ Actually I do think Makaveli was easily better than AEOM too, but I can't really see how it had a remarkable impact on hiphop. Still one of my all time favorites
Yeah but to be honest what impact did AEOM have apart from being the first proper hiphop double album? It just inspired people to make double albums with a lot of filler rather than 12-14 track albums with no weak tracks. If anything AEOM had a bad effect on hiphop, for both the double album reason, and the fact that in artists like Ja Rule we still see artists trying to be like AEOM Pac when I would personally much prefer if artists were inspired by Me Against The World or Makaveli Pac, where he actually had something useful to say.
Couldn't agree more.
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^^ Actually I do think Makaveli was easily better than AEOM too, but I can't really see how it had a remarkable impact on hiphop. Still one of my all time favorites
Yeah but to be honest what impact did AEOM have apart from being the first proper hiphop double album? It just inspired people to make double albums with a lot of filler rather than 12-14 track albums with no weak tracks. If anything AEOM had a bad effect on hiphop, for both the double album reason, and the fact that in artists like Ja Rule we still see artists trying to be like AEOM Pac when I would personally much prefer if artists were inspired by Me Against The World or Makaveli Pac, where he actually had something useful to say.
well since u didn't deny AEOM did have an impact I agree fully...u actually hit the nail on the head sayin Ja Rule and others are tryina be the AEOM Pac MUCH more than the Makaveli or pre-Death Row Pac. That might be sad, but it's just backin up the point AEOM was his most influential album. And btw, u could still take AEOM off that list IMO, since i think it's about albums who contributed to hiphop in a constructive way...AEOM was good with all its weaknesses, its influence on hiphop might not have been
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^^ Actually I do think Makaveli was easily better than AEOM too, but I can't really see how it had a remarkable impact on hiphop. Still one of my all time favorites
Yeah but to be honest what impact did AEOM have apart from being the first proper hiphop double album? It just inspired people to make double albums with a lot of filler rather than 12-14 track albums with no weak tracks. If anything AEOM had a bad effect on hiphop, for both the double album reason, and the fact that in artists like Ja Rule we still see artists trying to be like AEOM Pac when I would personally much prefer if artists were inspired by Me Against The World or Makaveli Pac, where he actually had something useful to say.
down south hustlers was the first double album released in rap.
*pours out 40 for old p*