Ten Hip-Hop Album Recommendations-Part 1

Andre 3K and Big Boi, in a patriotic moment.

So a week ago I got a great email from my brother-in-law.  He's looking to get more into 'good rap' (as he puts it) and wanted my recommendations of artists to check out.  I was looking for a project and this seemed like a lot of fun.  So, I brainstormed and put together this list for him.

This isn't a 'Top 10 Hip-Hop Albums' list; this is more of a '10 Hip-Hop Albums I Would Want With Me On A Deserted Island (in no particular order)' list.  I readily admit-I have no qualifications with the exception that I'm a pretty strong fan of rap, hip-hop, and associated genres, which is really the only qualification that counts.

Take a look below.  Each entry has a description for some context, a recommended first track to listen to and then a second in case you like what you hear.  If you're jamming to this album and want some more in that vein, I've also provided a recommended follow up album.  The entires below are in no order whatsoever.

I'd be curious in what anyone's opinions are.  Do you agree with these choices?  What would be on your list?  Is any of the stuff below new to you?  Leave a comment below.

Tune in next Thursday for Part 2.

OutKast - Stankonia

If you ask OutKast fans which album is their best, you will have rabid proponents for almost each one, there are at least four that critics would consider 'classics'.  I chose Stankonia because its as wild and inventive as OutKast got, while still remaining a strong duo.  Later albums saw them separate a bit, but here they're still trading verse for better verse for even better verse.  Similar to Mos Def's Black on Both Sides, its almost prophetic how fresh and relevant Stankonia has remained.

Track: Outkast - B.O.B.
Follow Up Track: Outkast - So Fresh, So Clean
Follow Up Album: Outkast - Aquemini



Mos Def - Black on Both Sides

This is Mos Def's massive solo debut.  Recorded over 10 years ago, every single issue he raps about sounds as if he pulled it from headlines today.  Water scarcity, racial profiling, excessive misogyny and materialism, he covers it all while still remaining upbeat and optimistic about our potential as humans to transcend.  This album is one of two rap albums I have on an iTunes playlist called 'Perfect Albums'.

Track: Mos Def: Hip-Hop
Follow Up Track: Mathematics
Follow Up Album: Blackstar - Mos Def & Talib Kweli are Blackstar (if you already checked that out, Talib Kweli - Quality)



Kanye West - My Beautiful, Dark, Twisted Fantasy.

I think that Kanye is one of the most creative musicians working in the world today, and for years I've said that Kanye is hip-hop's Radiohead. And the masterpiece MBDTF his Kid A, where he shows how insanely talented, creative, and far-reaching he is.  His production is glorious and his inspirations are numerous; he utilizes indie rock, soul, revolutionary poetry, you can go on and on with this album.  This is the second rap album on my 'Perfect Album' playlist.

Track: Kanye West ft. Pusha-T - Runaway
Follow Up Track: Kanye West - Lost in the World ft. Bon Iver
Follow Up Album: Jay-Z and Kanye West - Watch The Throne



The Fugees - The Score

I struggled with this selection.  I really wanted to represent a solid female MC on this list and I was balancing between this and The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (her solo debut following The Fugees).  In the end the tipping point was that The Fugees is simply more of a rap album.  The chemistry between these three is unquestionable and is probably a reason this rap classic is very commonly found in 'non rap lovers' collections

Track: How Many Mics (okay, and the classic track, Killing Me Softly)
Follow Up Track: The Mask
Follow Up Album: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill




The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free

Mike Skinner is a white Brit, growing up in a tradition of jungle, garage, and other more electronic oriented inspirations.  You'll hear that the production (the music, as opposed to the words, you hear) on A Grand is different from most of the other albums on this list.  But this man is an incredible storyteller, better than any other artist on this list.  This is a concept album, an easily followed story instigated by the loss of a thousand dollars that takes the listener through bar nights, cheating girlfriends, and fights with friends.

Track: Dry Your Eyes
Follow Up Track: Fit But You Know It
Follow Up Album: The Streets - Original Pirate Material