As the new year is still in its infantile stages, it is as good a time as any to focus on the quality aspect of music artists such as 9th Wonder have recently sparked in conversation.
Like rap albums that got perfect ratings from trusted publications along the years. We’re not saying all these albums are classics but it sure does generate good discussion.
—
Photo: Mats Andersson/WENN.com, Instagram/Kim Kardashian
Dr. Dre – The Chronic (1992)
The good Doctor’s debut is easily identified as universal classic by many and The Source, XXL and AllMusic all agreed.
Common – Be (2005)
XXL championed Common’s Kanye West revival upon its release.
Kanye West – The College Dropout (2004)
Entertainment Weekly called the Yeezy’s debut the best album of the decade. Any challengers?
Beastie Boys – Return To The 5 Boroughs (2004)
On their sixth outing, Rolling Stone felt the Beasties had earned all the stars in the galaxy and Tri-State area.
Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)
You’ll be hard-pressed to find a publication worth that mettle that didn’t (eventually) hang this LP on their mantle.
See—> The Wu-Tang Clan’s 36 Greatest Hits
The Roots – undun (2011)
The scribes over at HipHopDX felt this legendary Roots Crew release was untouchable.
Jay-Z – The Blueprint (2001)
September 11, 2001 couldn’t crush Jigga’s conquest to achieve perfect ratings in The Source, XXL and VIBE right out the gate.
Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury (2006)
Jive wasn’t playing fair so XXL gave this a “XXL” and it finally saw the light of day.
Nas – Illmatic (1994)
Everybody holds dear to Nas’ first-born these days but it was Miss Info who told you what was what in the very beginning.
Little Brother – The Minstrel Show (2005)
Scratch magazine shelled out the top props to the three-man Carolina crew upon its release. Long live Scratch and Little Brother.
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d. city (2012)
K. Dot earned his “XXL” rating and the people’s respect on his platinum major label debut.
DJ Shadow – Endtroducing….. (1996)
The sample fiend’s wet dream garnered rave reviews from Rolling Stone, Pitchfork, AllMusic and Slant magazine when it dropped.
Run-DMC – Raising Hell (1988)
Both The Source and Rolling Stone recognized the album that broke down mainstream barriers for the Hip-Hop culture.
Scarface – The Fix (2002)
Jerry L. Barrow and The Source gave Uncle Face a well-deserved 5-mic rating back in the day.
Kanye West – Late Registration (2005)
Yeezy achieved perfection on his sophomore effort, so said Rolling Stone, XXL, The Guardian and AllMusic.
Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Speaking of sophomore albums, Slim Shady’s 2nd is known to have broken the mold in a plethora of publications.
Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988)
Chuck D, Flavor Flav and The Bomb Squad released one of the most important Hip-Hop albums ever created and critics still fill in their dots to this day.
Mobb Deep – The Infamous (1995)
Known as a staple for poetic thuggery, Hav & P have 5 mics and a “XXL” under the belt for this one.
Outkast – Aquemini (1998)
Big Daddy Fat Sacks and 3 Stacks got their just due from AllMusic and The Source for their third LP.
Outkast – Stankonia (2000)
AllMusic was quick to revalidate the twin’s passport as was URB for the next follow-up.
The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death (1997)
Although it was his last proper release, countless critics put golden flowers on B.I.G.’s grave with flawless write-ups.
Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggystyle (1993)
Everybody loves Snoop’s first album. Especially Rolling Stone, The Source and AllMusic.
Ice Cube – Death Certificate (1991)
Cube’s second album has more street cred–and critical acclaim–than you can count on both hands.
Dr. Dre – 2001 (1999)
There’s a good reason why Dre has been hesitant to roll out another album following this sonic masterpiece. How do you top the mountain peak?
Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
Chris Rock says it’s the best album ever (regardless of genre) and it holds a 94/100 rating on Metacritic. Any challengers?
