First impressions are crucial, especially in Hip-Hop. If you drop a dud your first time out, your rap career could be finished as quickly as it started. But not every Hip-Hop act hits a home run their first time up. Some barely made it on base before becoming solid players in the rap world.
Nas made MCs go back to the lab and rethink their motivation after he dropped Illmatic. But on the flip, many a Hip-Hop fan didn’t realize that Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, a Hip-Hop classic which housed “Shook Ones, Pt. II,” was actually their sophomore album (keep any “Juvenile Hell was a sleeper” talk to yourself).
Here are 10 such examples of acts that dropped subpar (relatively speaking) debut albums, only to smash the game with their sophomore re-ups.
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Photo 4th & B’Way
Common – Can I Borrow A Dollar? (1992)
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The “Soul By The Pound (Remix),” which wasn’t on the album, is when Com, as well a sproducer Immenslope now known as No ID, started really getting into a groove. However, the Air Force 1s on the album cover, >.
Mobb Deep – Juvenile Hell (1993)
The Poetical Prophets had become Mobb Deep, but weren’t quite ready for prime time with their Juvenile Hell debut.
A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)
We did say “relative” to their sophomore albums, because ATCQ’s debut is extremely dope. However, compared to The Low End Theory; few albums from anyone are messing with it, period.
Wale – Attention Deficit (2009)
Even a pre-Pop megastar Lady Gaga on lead single “Chillin'” couldn’t prevent this LP of a pre-MMG affiliated Wale from underachieving.
Genius/GZA – Word From The Genius (1991)
“Come Do Me” was the Genius catering to Cold Chillin’ Records’ desires for a radio single. GZA ain’t been listening to mountain climbers with electric guitars since.
The Roots – Organix (1993)
Here’s another that will get the purists all bent out of shape. Organix is damn good, but it ain’t seeing Do You Want More?!!!??! Props to you if you remember that ?uestlove, then B.R.O.ther ? spits bars on “Pass The Popcorn,” though.
The Fugees – Blunted On Reality (1994)
The New Jersey trio’s first album was dead in the water before Salaam Remi remixed “Nappy Heads,” which was the gateway to The Score.
The New Style (Naughty By Nature) – Independent Leaders (1989)
Credit their perseverance, because we’ll say most of you are liars if you claim you were bumping The New Style two years before “O.P.P.” dropped.
Gang Starr – No More Mr. Nice (1989)
Guru and DJ Premier’s first shot had its moments, but you gotta admit it’s not seeing the exquisite rhyme and rhythm experience that is Step In The Arena.
T.I. – I’m Serious (2001)
In many circles, T.I.’s debut is trap rap classic. However, it barely charted.
