Music Banter - View Single Post - 5 Must-hear albums for a hip-hop newbie?

Jester · 12-23-2009, 11:51 AM

Blah, well you definitely got the wrong Public Enemy and Aesop Rock work. I'm going to give you more than 5, and you can get around to them whenever you want.

Nas - Illmatic
Great length, no filler, probably the best produced album ever. It's as good as everyone says it is.

Aceyalone - All Balls Don't Bounce
Everyone sleeps on this album, don't miss out on it. Seriously, trust me on this. Aceyalone is perfect for getting people into hip hop.

Common - Be
It's one of the better albums with the neo-soul sound. Another album that's great for getting people into hip hop.

Aesop Rock - Labor Days
Music For Earthworms is okay, but its sound is not as fulfilled as Labor Days. The production here is infinitely better, and Aesop Rock has only gotten better. Possibly Aesop Rock's most diverse album.

Masta Ace - Disposable Arts
Probably my favorite concept album. Masta Ace is slept on, too, but he's one of the best there is. Plus, he's the only rapper from the 80's who is still relevant today.

Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Go through their discography in order. This isn't their best album, but I think it's the best start. That, and it IS a fantastic album in its own right - the vibes are nice.

Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
There's no way around missing this. It's a classic. However, don't expect to like this on your first listen. The production is rough, minimal, and lo-fi, so it might be a bit hard to get into at first.

Freestyle Fellowship - Innercity Griots
They were actually doing what Wu-Tang Clan was before Wu-Tang Clan. Mikah 9 is one of the most stylistically advanced rappers ever, Aceyalone is one of the most interesting, and P.E.A.C.E. is also great. This is also really slept on, don't miss it.

Blu & Exile - Below the Heavens
This is a (relatively) new album. (It's from 2007.) Blu & Exile are worth keeping your eye on, they're going to be a big deal in the underground. This album is probably one of my favorite hip hop albums. Blu leaves no room between the listener with his lyrics; they're personal, and his storytelling is great. The production is also incredibly fitting here.

Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf - Big Shots
Another personal favorite that's slept on. (Why are the things that are slept on always the best?) Charizma is really, really energetic, and Peanut Butter Wolf's production is on par with DJ Premier. Kind of similar principles, too.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything.

12-23-2009, 11:51 AM	#2 (permalink)
Jester Music Addict Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 752	Blah, well you definitely got the wrong Public Enemy and Aesop Rock work. I'm going to give you more than 5, and you can get around to them whenever you want. Nas - Illmatic Great length, no filler, probably the best produced album ever. It's as good as everyone says it is. Aceyalone - All Balls Don't Bounce Everyone sleeps on this album, don't miss out on it. Seriously, trust me on this. Aceyalone is perfect for getting people into hip hop. Common - Be It's one of the better albums with the neo-soul sound. Another album that's great for getting people into hip hop. Aesop Rock - Labor Days Music For Earthworms is okay, but its sound is not as fulfilled as Labor Days. The production here is infinitely better, and Aesop Rock has only gotten better. Possibly Aesop Rock's most diverse album. Masta Ace - Disposable Arts Probably my favorite concept album. Masta Ace is slept on, too, but he's one of the best there is. Plus, he's the only rapper from the 80's who is still relevant today. Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik Go through their discography in order. This isn't their best album, but I think it's the best start. That, and it IS a fantastic album in its own right - the vibes are nice. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) There's no way around missing this. It's a classic. However, don't expect to like this on your first listen. The production is rough, minimal, and lo-fi, so it might be a bit hard to get into at first. Freestyle Fellowship - Innercity Griots They were actually doing what Wu-Tang Clan was before Wu-Tang Clan. Mikah 9 is one of the most stylistically advanced rappers ever, Aceyalone is one of the most interesting, and P.E.A.C.E. is also great. This is also really slept on, don't miss it. Blu & Exile - Below the Heavens This is a (relatively) new album. (It's from 2007.) Blu & Exile are worth keeping your eye on, they're going to be a big deal in the underground. This album is probably one of my favorite hip hop albums. Blu leaves no room between the listener with his lyrics; they're personal, and his storytelling is great. The production is also incredibly fitting here. Charizma & Peanut Butter Wolf - Big Shots Another personal favorite that's slept on. (Why are the things that are slept on always the best?) Charizma is really, really energetic, and Peanut Butter Wolf's production is on par with DJ Premier. Kind of similar principles, too. Let me know if you have any questions about anything.