10 Joints that aw' All That
Jul 22 '02
The Bottom Line It's a list, people. If you're expecting Socrates-like philosophy, go away.
So its come down to this. My ten favorite rap cds of all time.
Before I get to the actual list, I feel you should know a few things about me. First, I started listening to hip-hop in the mid-90's, with tastes favoring whatever they were playing on MTV at the time. My tastes have since evolved, yet I still can't seem to get over the fact that I liked Puff Daddy, Mase and those other Bad Boy sellouts (with the exception of Biggie, of course). So don't go on reading this expecting old, old stuff like Public Enemy or NWA. I haven't even heard Enter the Wu-Tang yet.
Second, we all know that in 1999 and 2000, MTV finally hit their low point and stopped playing rap pretty much altogether, except for Eminem and all those trailer park rap/metal guys like Limp Bizcuit. VH1 doesn't play rap, I can't find my favorite shows on BET anymore, and my local radio station sticks to the mainstream. The fact that rap suffered three tremendously crippling blows in the late 90's (the deaths of Pac and Biggie in '96 and '97 respectively, the dissolution of A Tribe Called Quest in '98) only made things worse. As it goes, very few rhymes have been worth my time since the millenium. So I put my interest in rap on hold to reconnect with my white suburban classic rock roots.
But that hasn't stopped me from playing a little catch-up, and it sure as s--t ain't gonna stop me from writing up this little compilation of personal faves.
Without further ado, the winners:
Snoop Doggy Dogg-Doggystyle
The essential west coast gangsta rap funk cd. Under the watchful eye of Dr. Dre, Snoop produced a flawless cd containing the catchiest hooks the rap world has ever heard. Snoop's surly, distinctive voice and pot-smoker image somehow, some way were complimented by the blaring synthesizers and horns, and his lyrical prowess took us from the lightest of pot parties to the depths of Hell. Poor Snoop has yet to top this.
2Pac-Me Against the World
I noticed everyone seems to have this big love affair going on with All Eyez on Me, but I personally prefer this one. Me Against the World is the most soulfull, heartfelt rap lp ever produced, and it continues to stand as a monument to 2Pac's talent. An aura of sorrow really seems to be present throughout the whole cd as Pac pays tribute to everyone from his lost homies to Mama to his old school influences in the rap game.
The Notorious B.I.G.-Ready to Die
If Ready to Die isn't on someone's top ten list, he either hasn't heard it or is still rabidly anti-east coast. The raw, heavy beats accompany Biggie's thick, husky, distinctive voice through his beginnings as a drug dealer on the streets of Brooklyn to his meteoric rise to the top of the rap industry, where he lives it up in his big house, driving expensive cars and drinking the finest champagne. Biggie's brilliant lyrics portray everything in vivid, gritty detail, and at some point you'll swear you're actually there.
Eminem-The Marshall Mathers LP
Eminem is, simply put, the best lyricist on the streets these days. No one does shock violence like him. So what if MTV regularly plays his videos in futile attempts to prove they're still down. His ability to write darkly funny rhymes always amazes me. And when Eminem chooses to go the other way, he's dangerous. His masterpiece Stan, about an obsessive fan, is the most disturbing rap song I've ever heard. MTV, the government, his mother, nothing is sacred to Eminem. He always speaks his mind, and for that reason alone he's one of the best.
A Tribe Called Quest-The Love Movement
They may have broken up, but look what they left us with to remember them by. Tribe isn't a gangsta group, just some guys who want to have a good time, and they prove that by rapping in a calm, laid-back fashion. Their soft-grooved, smooth jazz-infused beats blow away everything else out there.
I detect a flury of rotten eggs headed at me for excluding The Low End Theory and Midnight Marauders. So listen up, 'cause I'm only gonna say this once. I haven't heard them yet.
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony-East 1999 Eternal
With a lyrical flow that runs faster than the Road Runner, Bone does the typical gangsta thing, surviving in the streets, smoking all the pot they can get their hands on, et cetera. But they do it well. As the name implies, these guys occaisionally break out of their barrage of rapid-fire lyrics to vocalise in harmony, and the results are devastatingly brilliant songs like Budsmokers Only and 1st of tha Month. And if there's a more beautiful tribute song than Tha Crossroads, I have yet to hear it (provided you pick up the later version of the lp).
The Roots-Illadelph Halflife
The lack of love shown for The Roots on the fave lists upsets me. The fact that Black Thought and co. play their own instruments is noteworthy in itself. The best way to describe these guys is "a harder version of Tribe". Illadelph Halflife has a bit of variety, from soft jazz-influenced songs to the Mexican Concerto of the Desparado, but it's never enough to overwhelm you.
Busta Rhymes-When Disaster Strikes...
In lyrical talent, Busta is second only to Eminem, and his clever metaphors and similes sit right at the front of this fun little lp. The production is excellent, and although Busta occaisionally lets other MC's fill in for him, he never gets overshadowed.
Dr. Dre-The Chronic
I've done eight and can hold out no more. While Dre's rhyming skills may not be up to snuff, his live band, outstanding production and all-star army of guest rappers more than make up for that little oversight. Similar to Doggystyle in its heavy, catchy funk-influenced sound, The Chronic brought the rap style known as gangsta to the forefront and gave the west coast its unique sound. When you buy this, remember to pick up Dre's newer 2001 as well-it's a perfect compliment, and I almost gave it the spot.
Wu-Tang Clan-Forever
You've got nine brilliant, talented loudmouth rappers influenced by kung-fu movies, the rawest east coast beats you ever heard and no sampling-how can you go wrong? The Wu-Tang's second lp, a double set (rare in rap), regroups an experienced Clan (most of them having put out solo lps between Enter the Wu-Tang and this), and places them right back onto the mean streets of Shaolin as they survive and rise to the top.
Well, that's it. Please don't kill me for overlooking one of your faves or for being a former Puffy fan. What can I say, I repent.
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BaronSamedi3
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