Throwback Tapedeck: 15 Classic Albums From The 90s & 2000s [Photos] - Page 14

While “Throwback Thursday” is a moment folks on social media take to post up older photos, people hardly ever mention music from back in the day. The more “seasoned” of us are old enough to remember having a car with a tape deck, and there were some classic albums of the 1990s and early 2000s that were dominating speakers.

The 1990s and early 2000s gave rise to some of Hip-Hop’s best, with rappers like Busta Rhymes, Jay Z, EPMD, Nas and others dropping classic beats and rhymes. In the years that’s passed, many of us might need a little reminder of the heat that dropped in the past.

We’ll help you take it back to the old school Walkman and tapedeck days and speak on a few albums that are undeniable classics.

HipHop Wired’s Throwback Tapedeck features 15 classic albums of the 1990s and early 2000s. Let us know if we missed any in the comments.

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Photo: YouTube

Gang Starr – Moment Of Truth (1998)

DJ Premier and Guru’s fifth album is considered by most fans across the board as their most complete work. Four years passed between Moment Of Truth and their last record, and the duo didn’t disappoint in the least. Features from K-Ci and Jojo, Scarface, and the Wu-Tang Clan’s Inspectah Deck help round things out.

Check out “You Know My Steez”

Busta Rhymes – Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front (1998)

Busta Rhymes went solo in 1996 and enjoyed a potent three-album run that capped off with his most critically acclaimed LP in Extinction Level Event: The Final World Front. It was nominated for more awards than any of his past work and also features his highest charting single, “What’s It Gonna Be?” with Janet Jackson.

Peep “What’s It Gonna Be?”

Jay Z– The Blueprint (2001)

Jay Z’s sixth studio album was a return to the boom-bap for the Brooklyn  bomber, this after ruling the radio his past few efforts. With the album dropping during the terrible events aroun the 9/11 disaster in 2001, it’s easy to forget the impact of this record. However, the emergence of Kanye West as a producer occurred and Just Blaze solidified his position as one of the best himself. Picking a classic from Hov’s discography is tough, but we think this wins.

Peep “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)”

Mos Def  (Yasiin Bey) – Black On Both Sides (1999)

Mos Def, now known as Yasiin Bey, had underground Hip-Hop fans salivating for his debut album after an expert showing alongside fellow Brooklyn native Talib Kweli and their Black Star collaboration. Black On Both Sides had every element necessary for a classic album: radio-friendly cuts, bangers, soulful samples and sharp rhymes from the Mighty Mos Def.

Peep “Ms. Fat Booty”

Little Brother – The Listening (2003)

A now defunct trio, Phonte, Rapper Big Pooh and producer 9th Wonder made the world pay attention to North Carolina rap. But despite oodles of soulful grooves and rap talent, the group never made a blip on the mainstream radar. That’s too bad, because their debut LP is timeless.

“Check out lead single “Whatever You Say”

M.O.P. – Warriorz (2000)

The album got a little burn by way of its blazing lead single “Ante Up,” but there were so many other great songs on the album that people missed out on. DJ Premier laced the Brooklyn duo big on this one too. This would go on to be M.O.P.’s top-selling record as well.

Peep “Ante Up (Remix)”

2Pac– The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)

2Pac’s career was unfortunately cut short due to his death on September 13, 1996. The album was among the last batch of songs 2Pac recorded, and was slated to drop in 1997.  Fans might say other albums in Pac’s discography were better, but across the board most consider this release to be his most potent work.

Check out “Hail Mary”

Game – The Documentary (2005)

The Game emerged as a fresh voice in support of the resurging West Coast rap scene. His major label debut had the backing of Dr. Dre, production from the super producer, and features from a buzzing 50 Cent and other G-Unit cohorts. Some say that it might have been the last classic album from the westside.

Peep “Hate It Or Love It”

A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders (1993)

Yeah, yeah, everyone says The Low End Theory is the one but we beg to differ. But records are critically acclaimed, but Q-Tip’s production and rhymes seemed much more polished at this point of the group’s career.

Check out “Electric Relaxation”

Outkast – Aquemini (1998)

Outkast’s third album was the clearest look into Andre 3000 and Big Boi’s different personas, almost playing the two against each other. What resulted was some of the most soulful, eclectic grooves ever to appear on a Hip-Hop album. The Dungeon Family’s live music production style was at its apex at the time.

Peep “Rosa Parks”

Digable Planets – Blowout Comb (1994)

The Digable Planets second and final studio record didn’t yield a crossover hit like “Rebirth of Slick (Cool Like That)” and it wasn’t trying to. This a dark, bass-heavy record made for headphones, late nights or cruising. The Black Power lyrics and abstract speech also put things in motion too.

Check out “Dial 7 (Axioms Of The Creamy Spies)”

Common – Be (2005)

Chicago’s Common lost fans after dropping his critically acclaimed but musically risky Electric Circus album. In 2005 after a three-year hiatus, Common linked with his Windy City brethren Kanye West to create one of the best albums of the 2000s.

Peep “Go!”

Rah Digga – Dirty Harriet (1999)

The former first lady of the Flipmode Squad exploded onto the scene with her unforgettable voice and trademark hard-body punchlines. Digga Digga is still doing her thing and sounds good as ever, but the fans didn’t get behind this debut like they should have.

Peep “Tight”

Snoop Dogg – Doggystyle (1993)

Snoop Doggy Dogg wowed the world with his confident, laidback raps over funky Dr. Dre production. To date, Doggystyle is his highest selling and most acclaimed work although he’s gone on to release other records that could definitely benefit from a nomination.

Check out “What’s My Name?”