Old Man Ebro recently tried to convey to Wale the value of having a weighty catalog opposed to having a career that was just flash-in-the pan. Wale, who is going on to make his fourth album sometime next year, will be one of the few MCs who came up in the digital age with an actual discography.
That type of build-up only comes with time and dedication–or does it? What if you actually flooded the market with multiple albums in one year?
The premise for numerous projects from one artist in the mixtape circuit isn’t uncommon at all. But studio albums take planning and precision and paper money. (Unless, your name is BeyoncĂ© Knowles.)
Since Talib Kweli is set to release his second album of 2013, Hip-Hop Wired looks at 15 rappers who released two albums in the same year.
It may not be the best angle for MCs to put their best foot forward musically and creatively, but y’all know the saying. You can’t knock the hustle.
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Photo: Tumblr
Photo: Instagram
Lil Wayne
Year: 2010
Albums: Rebirth & I Am Not A Human Being
Critics may have scoffed at the thought of Wayne rocking out in Trukfit socks but both albums were certified gold by the end of the year.
Photo: Instagram
Tech N9ne
Year: 2009
Albums: Sickology 101 & K.O.D.
Freedom is a gift and Tech N9ne has made himself a millionaire off the strength of his independence. Salute.
Photo: Instagram
Nas
Year: 1999
Albums: …i am & Nastradamas
The last remnants of “Nasty Nas” were expelled in a pair of lackluster albums to close out the millennium. Jay-Z’s monster diss eventually knocked him back on his pivot, though.
Photo: Instagram
Busta Rhymes
Year: 1998
Albums: The Imperial & E.L.E. (Extinction Level Event): The Final World Front
Before he went on to another platinum solo effort, The Dungeon Dragon made sure his crew got their name out in the open.
Photo: Los Anjealous
Public Enemy
Year: 2012
Albums: Most of My Heroes Still Don’t Appear on No Stamp & The Evil Empire of Everything
These fell well under the radar but the legendary group are still bringing the noise where applicable.
Photo: Amazon
Jay-Z
Year: 2002
Albums: The Best of Both Worlds & The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse
We give his Soundscan numbers their props but that’s where it stops. Even Jay would agree.
Photo: Twitter
Ghostface Killah
Year: 2006
Albums: Fishscale & More Fish
One of these was a divine sushi roll and the other was Captain D’s. It gets like that when you stretch yourself too thin.
Photo: Instagram
E-40
Albums: Revenue Retrievin’: Day/NightShift; Revenue Retrievin’: Overtime/Graveyard Shift; The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 1,2,3; The Block Brochure: Welcome to the Soil 4,5,6
Years: 2010, 2011, 2012, 2013
For your information, that’s 42 tracks in 2010, 44 in 2011, 60 in 2012 and 45 this year. He also released two albums with Too $hort in 2012 but we think you get the picture.
Photo: Instagram
Talib Kweli
Year: 2000
Albums: Train of Thought & Hip Hop for Respect
Kweli has known the value of hard work long before his name automatically commanded respect. The latter was an organized effort with Mos Def to raise awareness for the police killing of Amadou Diallo.
Photo: ThisIs50
50 Cent
Year: 2003
Albums: Get Rich or Die Tryin’ & Beg For Mercy
The release of the G-Unit automatically guaranteed platinum albums from Lloyd Banks and Young Buck.
Photo: AJC
Gucci Mane
Year: 2013
Albums: Trap House III & The State vs. Radric Davis II: The Caged Bird Sings
The struggle is exposed when you’re facing 20 years, bruh.
Photo: Instagram
Redman
Year: 1998
Albums: El Niño & Doc’s da Name 2000
All the weed in the world couldn’t slow down Reggie Noble’s work ethic in the 90s.
Photo: Instagram
Nelly
Year: 2004
Albums: Sweat & Suit
Mr. St Louie tried to jig us with eagle dances and Tim McGraw ditties. It kinda worked.
Photo: Tumblr
DMX
Year: 1998
Albums: It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot & Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood.
Before struggle was a way of life, DMX became the second rapper to release two albums in the same year that debuted on the Billboard 200 at #1.
The first?
Photo: Amazon
2Pac
Year: 1996
Albums: All Eyez on Me & The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
Whether it was in life or death, Tupac Shakur knew how to churn out a classic album. R.I.P.
