The Best Hip Hop Albums of All Time

Check out our list of the best hip hop albums of all time. From Nas to Kendrick Lamar, these are the greatest hip hop albums ever made.

The best hip hop albums of all time – a definitive guide

In many ways, hip hop is the story of the underdog. It’s a genre that rose from the tough streets of New York in the 1970s, to become one of the most popular and influential music genres in the world.

There have been countless great hip hop albums released over the years, but which ones are truly the best?

To answer that question, we’ve put together this definitive guide to the best hip hop albums of all time. From classic records by giants like Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G., to more modern classics by Kendrick Lamar and J Cole, these are the albums that have defined hip hop.

The history of hip hop – from its origins to the present day

The history of hip hop is often traced back to August 11, 1973, when DJ Kool Herc threw a back-to-school jam at 1520 Sedgwick Avenue in the Bronx, New York City. However, hip hop’s roots can be found even further back in time, in the African and Caribbean communities who created this musical genre from a melting pot of cultures. From its origins to the present day, hip hop has continued to evolve and change, giving rise to new subgenres and styles.

Early pioneers of hip hop such as DJ Kool Herc and Afrika Bambaataa laid the foundations for this musical genre, with their innovative use of sampling and turntablism. In the 1980s, rappers like Run-DMC and Beastie Boys took hip hop to new heights with their chart-topping tracks and groundbreaking music videos. In the 1990s, artists like Tupac Shakur and Notorious B.I.G brought gangsta rap to the mainstream, while groups like Wu-Tang Clan introduced new styles like horrorcore and alternative hip hop.

Today, hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music in the world, with artists like Kendrick Lamar, Drake and Jay-Z dominating the charts. Hip hop has also had a huge influence on fashion, art and culture, with its unique style being adopted by people all over the world.

The greatest hip hop albums of the 1990s

In the 1990s, hip hop underwent a golden age thanks to the advent of new subgenres and the rise of many legendary artists. This decade saw the release of some of the most influential and iconic albums in the genre, albums that would go on to shape hip hop for years to come. Here are 10 of the greatest hip hop albums of the 1990s.

The greatest hip hop albums of the 2000s

In the early 2000s, a new crop of rappers and producers emerged who pushed hip hop in exciting new directions. Gone were the days when rap was simply about reflecting life on the street – now, it was about pushing boundaries and expanding the genre’s sonic palette. Below are our picks for the greatest hip hop albums of the 2000s.

-The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem (2000)
-The Blueprint by Jay-Z (2001)
-The College Dropout by Kanye West (2004)
-Late Registration by Kanye West (2005)
-Graduation by Kanye West (2007)
-Animal Ambition by 50 Cent (2014)

The greatest hip hop albums of the 2010s

2010s was a decade that saw the continued rise of streaming services like Spotify and Apple Music, which changed the way people consume music. This decade also saw the biggest names in rap release some of their most critically acclaimed albums. Here are the greatest hip hop albums of the 2010s.

-Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
-Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP2
-Kanye West – Yeezus
-Drake – Take Care
-J Cole – 2014 Forest Hills Drive
-P Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp a Butterfly
-Nicki Minaj – Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded
-Lil Wayne – Tha Carter IV

The greatest hip hop tracks of all time

There is no denying that hip hop is one of the most popular genres of music today. Whether you are a fan of the old school or the new school, there are some tracks that just stand out as being the best of all time. Here is a list of 20 of the greatest hip hop tracks of all time:

1. “Sucker MCs” by Run-DMC
2. “The Show” by Doug E. Fresh & The Get Fresh Crew
3. “Rapper’s Delight” by The Sugarhill Gang
4. “Planet Rock” by Afrika Bambaataa & The Soulsonic Force
5. “The Breaks” by Kurtis Blow
6. “Fresh” by Kool & The Gang
7. “Jam on It” by Newcleus
8. “It’s Tricky” by Run-DMC
9. “Walk This Way” by Run-DMC & Aerosmith
10. “Hoopskirt II (Theme from ‘Hoop Dreams’)” By Public Enemy 11. “Fight the Power” by Public Enemy
12. “(You Gotta) Fight for Your Right (To Party)” by Beastie Boys
13. “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang” by Dr. Dre featuring Snoop Doggy Dogg
14. “Regulate” by Warren G featuring Nate Dogg
15.”I’ll Be There for You/You’re All I Need to Get By” by Method Man featuring Mary J. Blige
16.”Gin and Juice” by Snoop Doggy Dogg
17.”Cradle to the Grave” by Tupac Shakur featuring Outlawz 18.”Dear Mama” by Tupac Shakur
19.”Changes” by Tupac Shakur
20.”Hail Mary” by Tupac Shakur

The best hip hop producers of all time

In the world of hip hop, the role of the producer is often undervalued. While the MC may be the face of the group and receive the lion’s share of the credit, it is often the producer who creates the beats and hooks that make a song memorable. From Quincy Jones to Dr. Dre, these are some of the best hip hop producers of all time.

Quincy Jones
A true musical icon, Quincy Jones has produced some of the most popular and influential albums of all time. His work with Michael Jackson on Thriller and Off The Wall is nothing short of legendary, and he has also worked with everyone from Frank Sinatra to Willie Nelson. In addition to his production work, he is also a highly sought-after arranger and conductor.

Dr. Dre
One of the most successful producers in hip hop history, Dr. Dre’s influential beats have helped sell over 50 million records worldwide. He got his start as a member of NWA in the late 1980s, before going on to launch his own highly successful solo career. He has also produced for some of rap’s biggest names, including Snoop Dogg, Eminem, and Kendrick Lamar.

Rick Rubin
With a resume that includes work with everyone from Jay-Z to Metallica, Rick Rubin is one of the most diverse producers in music history. He got his start in hip hop as co-founder of Def Jam Records, where he helped launch the careers of LL Cool J and The Beastie Boys. He has since gone on to produce for a wide range of artists, including Johnny Cash and Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Andre Young (aka Dr. Dre) is an American rapper, record producer, and entrepreneur who co-founded Death Row Records with Suge Knight in 1991.. As a producer for Death Row he worked on albums by Snoop Dogg ( Doggystyle), Tupac Shakur ( All Eyez On Me) , Tha Dogg Pound (Dogg Food) , Nate Dogg ( G funk classics). He released his own solo album The Chronic in 1992.. In 1996 he left Death Row Records to found Aftermath Entertainment . In 2006 he became CEO/President Of Interscope Geffen A&M records .

The best hip hop DJs of all time

From the old school to the new, these are the best hip hop DJs of all time.

1. DJ Premier
2. Dr. Dre
3. The Notorious B.I.G.
4. Tupac Shakur
5. Kendrick Lamar
6. Jay-Z
7. Nas
8. Eminem

The best hip hop MCs of all time

The term “MC” stands for “microphone controller” or “master of ceremonies.” In the early days of hip hop, MCs would introduce the DJ and get the crowd hyped up with their rhyming skills. As hip hop progressed, MCs became the stars of the show and the focus shifted to their lyrical prowess and ability to tell a story. These days, there are many different styles of MCing, but the best MCs share a few common traits. They have a unique flow, interesting delivery, clever punchlines, and most importantly, they have something to say.

There are hundreds of great hip hop albums, but only a handful can be considered truly classic. To be considered for this list, an album must have been released after 1990 and must be widely considered to be one of the best hip hop albums of all time. This list is in no particular order and includes both solo artists and groups.

-The Notorious B.I.G., “Ready to Die” (1994)
-2Pac, “All Eyez on Me” (1996)
-Nas, “Illmatic” (1994)
-Eminem, “The Marshall Mathers LP” (2000)
-Lauryn Hill, “The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill” (1998)
-Outkast, “Stankonia” (2000)
-Kanye West, “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” (2010)
-Jay-Z, “The Blueprint” (2001)

The best hip hop albums for beginners

If you’re new to hip hop, these are the best albums to start with. From old school classics to modern masterpieces, these are the definitive hip hop albums that every fan needs to own.

-Run DMC – Raising Hell
-Nas – Illmatic
-Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die
-Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
-Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy
-Outkast – Stankonia