Hip Hop Music Records You Must Have

In this blog post, we will be discussing some of the most influential and significant hip hop music records of all time.

Introduction

In order to truly appreciate hip hop music, you need to understand its history. The music has evolved over time, starting with its humble beginnings in the Bronx in the 1970s. From there, it spread like wildfire, eventually becoming the global phenomenon it is today. If you want to understand hip hop, you need to listen to the records that shaped it. Here are 10 essential hip hop records that you must have in your collection.

The Best Hip Hop Albums of the 90s

The 90s were a golden era for hip hop music. There were so many great albums released during this time. If you’re a fan of hip hop, then you need to check out these albums. From classics like Dr. Dre’s The Chronic to Snoop Dogg’s Doggystyle, these are the best hip hop albums of the 90s.

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)

Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is the debut studio album by American hip hop group Wu-Tang Clan, released on November 9, 1993, by Loud Records and RCA Records. Recording sessions took place during 1992 to 1993 at Firehouse Studio in New York City, and the album was produced by the group’s de facto leader RZA.

The Wu-Tang Clan consisted of rappers RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Method Man, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, Inspectah Deck, U-God and Masta Killa. Upon its release, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) received universal acclaim from music critics. Selling 350,000 copies in its first week of release,[4] the album peaked at number 41 on the Billboard 200 chart and reached number two on Billboard’s Top R&B/HipHop Albums chart. On March 7, 1995 Grammys “Album of the Year” was awarded to The Beatles for Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band which featured extensive use of sampling. Many critics consider Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) as one of hip hop’s most important albums.[5][6][7]Its influence can still be heard 20 years later.[8]

All Eyez on Me

All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper 2Pac and the last one to be released during his lifetime. It was released on February 13, 1996, by Death Row Records and Interscope Records. All Eyez on Me features the singles “California Love”, “How Do U Want It”, and “I Ain’t Mad at Cha”. It is considered one of the crowning achievements of 1990s rap music. The album was certified diamond by the RIAA for shipping over five million copies in the United States.

The Score

The Score is the second studio album by American hip hop group Fugees, released on February 13, 1996 by Columbia Records. The album features a wide range of samples and instrumentation, with many elements of alternative hip hop that would come to dominate the hip hop music scene in the mid-late 1990s. The Score includes the hit singles “Killing Me Softly with His Song”, “Ready or Not”, and “No Woman, No Cry”. It was a critical and commercial success, becoming one of the best-selling hip hop albums of all time and winning two Grammy Awards.

Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable Doubt is the debut studio album by American rapper Jay-Z. It was released on June 25, 1996, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Priority Records. The album features production provided by DJ Premier, Ski, this is one of the most important albums in the history of hip hop due to its convicted street perspectives and social commentary.

It Was Written

It Was Written is the second album by American rapper Nas, released July 2, 1996 on Columbia Records in the United States. Following the moderate sales success of his debut album, Illmatic (1994), Nas sought to affix a more commercial tone to his second release. The album features guest appearances from several artists popular at the time, such as Foxy Brown, AZ, and Snoop Dogg.

It Was Written incorporated stylistic and production elements of contemporary East Coast hip hop acts such as The Notorious B.I.G., Jeru the Damaja and Mobb Deep. The album represents a departure from the raw, underground tone of his debut album towards a more polished sound. On some of the tracks sampling became more conspicuous on It Was Written; however, Nas mostly relies on original compositions by producers DJ Premier and Trackmasters.

The record was promoted with four singles: “If I Ruled the World (Imagine That)”, “Street Dreams”, “The Message”, and “I Gave You Power”. Upon its release, It Was Written debuted at number one on both the Billboard 200 and Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums charts. It generated debate over Nas’ change in direction from street lyricist to more mainstream rapper; many hip hop critics praised its ambitious scope while others felt it was reeking of commercialism and surface level gangster rap clichéd themes at best. Nevertheless, Its singles “If I Ruled the World” charted highly on multiple pop charts worldwide as did Street Dreams which made it to #5 on Hot 100.”

The Best Hip Hop Albums of the 2000s

In the 2000s, the hip hop industry was booming and there were a lot of great albums released. In this article, we will be discussing the best hip hop albums of the 2000s. This list is based on our opinion and is not meant to be a definitive list.

The Marshall Mathers LP

Released in May of 2000, “The Marshall Mathers LP” is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem. The album was produced by several producers, including Dr. Dre, and features guest appearances from rappers such as Royce da 5’9″, Snoop Dogg, and Dido. “The Marshall Mathers LP” is considered one of the best hip hop albums of all time, and was ranked #292 on Rolling Stone’s “500 Greatest Albums of All Time” list.

The Blueprint

Released on September 11, 2001, ‘The Blueprint’ was JAY-Z’s sixth studio album, and is often cited as one of his best. The album was recorded in only two weeks, and features some of JAY-Z’s most iconic tracks, like “Izzo (H.O.V.A.)” and “Song Cry.” ‘The Blueprint’ is widely considered one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time, and helped solidify JAY-Z as one of the most successful rappers in the world.

College Dropout

An album by American rapper and producer Kanye West, released on February 10, 2004 by Roc-A-Fella Records. Upon its release, “College Dropout” received widespread critical acclaim, with critics praising Kanye’s rappinghis production styleand the subject matter of the album. At the 47th Annual Grammy Awards, the album was nominated for Album of the Year and won Best Rap Album, while “All Falls Down” and “Jesus Walks” earned him Grammy Awards for Best Rap Song and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group, respectively. “College Dropout” has sold over 4 million copies in the United States and has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America.

Late Registration

Album: Late Registration
Artist: Kanye West
Released: August 30, 2005
Recorded: February–May 2005
Label: Roc-A-Fella, Def Jam
Producer: Kanye West (exec.), Jon Brion (also exec.), Mike Dean, Lupe Fiasco, Rick Rubin (exec.)
Length: 79:12

Late Registration is the second studio album by American hip hop producer and rapper Kanye West. It was recorded over the course of a year in sessions held across studios in New York City and Hollywood, and was released on August 30, 2005, by Roc-A-Fella Records and Def Jam Recordings. The album features guest contributions from Adam Levine, Lupe Fiasco, Jamie Foxx, Common, Desiigner, Nina Simone, and Jay Z. It also features some production co-credits from production duo The Neptunes and English electronic duo Basement Jaxx. Upon its release that year late registration received critical acclaim from many music critics who praised its expansive production style and grandiose themes. It debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart selling 860 000 copies in its first week thus becoming West’s second consecutive album to do so following his successful freshman effort The College Dropout (2004).

The album has since been certified triple platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). Its singles include “Diamonds from Sierra Leone” which peaked at number 43 on the US Billboard Hot 100 chart and “Touch the Sky” which peaked at number 46.

Get Rich or Die Tryin’

Get Rich or Die Tryin’ is the debut studio album by American rapper 50 Cent. It was released on February 6, 2003, by Shady Records, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. Due to the success of his mixtapes, he was granted a record deal withshady records in 2002. He worked with several producers on the album, including Dre, Eminem and Trackmasters.

The Best Hip Hop Albums of the 2010s

Hip Hop music has come a long way since its humble beginnings in the Bronx. Today, the genre is widely popular and has produced some amazing records. Here are some of the best hip hop albums of the 2010s.

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy is the fifth studio album by American rapper and producer Kanye West, released on November 22, 2010, by Def Jam Recordings and Roc-A-Fella Records. It follows a period of public and legal controversy for West, who regained prominence after the success of his fifth studio album, Late Registration (2005). Recording sessions for the album took place during 2009 to 2010 at several recording studios.

The album debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200, selling 496,000 copies in its first week. It produced five singles—”Power”, “Runaway”, “All of the Lights”, “E.T.”, and “Monster”—that attained chart success, with the lead single “Power” peaking atop the US Billboard Hot 100. Upon its release, My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was widely acclaimed by music critics, who praised its experimental production work, substantive lyrical themes, and Kanye West’s performance. Several publications included it among their year-end top albums lists. Although less successful commercially than his previous effort 808s & Heartbreak (2008), My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy was a critical success and revitalized West’s commercial standing.

Watch the Throne

Released in 2011, “Watch the Throne” is a collaborative album by American rappers Jay-Z and Kanye West. It was released by Roc-A-Fella Records, Def Jam Recordings, and Roc Nation.

The album features guest appearances from Bon Iver, Frank Ocean, The-Dream, Mr Hudson, and Beyoncé. The album was supported by three singles: “H•A•M”, “Otis”, and “Lift Off”. “Watch the Throne” received generally positive reviews from music critics and debuted at number one on the US Billboard 200 chart, selling 436,000 copies its first week.

good kid, m.A.A.d city

2012’s good kid, m.A.A.d city was Kendrick Lamar’s breakout album, and for good reason. It’s a masterpiece from start to finish, with each song flowing perfectly into the next. The storytelling is top-notch, the beats are catchy and Kendrick’s rapping is absolutely on point. If you only listen to one album on this list, make it this one.

To Pimp a Butterfly

Released in 2015, Kendrick Lamar’s third studio album is not only one of the best hip-hop records of the decade, but also one of the best albums of the 2010s, period. A searing, often painful examination of race in America, To Pimp a Butterfly isdn’t an easy listen, but it’s a rewarding one. Lamar is at the height of his powers here, and his verses are both formally inventive and emotionally devastating. The album also features some of the most inventive production of the decade, with jazz musician Flying Lotus and hip-hop legend Dr. Dre both contributing to its dense, dynamic soundscape.

DAMN.

DAMN. is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on April 14, 2017, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features production from a variety of record producers, including Mike WiLL Made-It, Teddy Walton, Greg Kurstin and Sounwave; as well as executive producers Anthony “Top Dawg” Tiffith and Lamar himself. The album also features guest appearances from Rihanna, U2 and Zacari.

DAMN. was supported by three singles: “Humble”, “DNA.” and “Loyalty”, which featuring Rihanna; with the former two peaking at number two and number four on the US Billboard Hot 100 respectively. Upon its release, DAMN. received widespread critical acclaim from critics, who praised its thematic scope and Lamar’s lyrical performance; it was also included in several publications’ year-end lists of the best albums of 2017. It became Lamar’s third consecutive number one album in the United States and won a Pulitzer Prize for Music, making Lamar the first non-classical or jazz artist to receive the award; it also won Best Rap Album at both the 60th Annual Grammy Awards and BET Hip Hop Awards.

Conclusion

So there you have it – a list of hip hop music records that you must have. This is by no means an exhaustive list, but it should get you started on your journey to becoming a hip hop music fan. Hip hop is a genre that is rich in history and culture, and there are plenty of great records out there to explore. So get out there and start listening!