Was waiting for this one, knew it was coming soon

LL Cool J - Radio



This, of course, is a classic hip hop record. For the time, the sound was revolutionary and it still sounds very fresh and exciting today. This is one of the earliest works that put Rick Rubin on the map and would lead to many other great releases from RUN-DMC to Slayer to Johnny Cash. It was also, a highly influential record that had a profound impact on the above mentioned Public Enemy. In terms of beats, production and lyrics this is by all means a hip hop masterpiece. Very hard hitting stuff! Changed the map.

Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full

Groundbreaking. The best word to describe the ultimate combo of DJ and MC. Rakim clearly shows why he is one of the best to ever grace the mic. His flow is smooth and revolutionary, each line is well crafted. Eric B also shows some very impressive skills as a DJ with sampling that is just as revolutionary as Rakim's flow. This is clearly one of the best debuts in rap history and is one of the most overlooked albums as well for how emulated it has been. A true classic.

Paid in Full is a great choice! I believe it paved the way for Nas and Mos Def. The rapping on this album was really revolutionary because before this no one ever thought to be soft spoken and profound.

Well put.

I like the Radio suggestion, definitely one of his finer moments and another great debut. It is sad to see how much he declined in the recent years but I guess that same story can be told about so many musicians.

In the spirit of debuts, I'll add another (one of my personal favorites).



De La Soul - 3 Feet High and Rising

The raps are insightful, fun and different forcing you to think and in some cases try and pick apart to see what they could possibly be alluding to. The energy is always positive on this record and really helps to inspire a different kind of rapping where the word street isn't needed to succeed. The production is hard to describe but I think eclectic sums it up nicely. That could be risky for producers with little experience or without imaginative minds, but this is a very coherent and consistent record. Not for everyone, especially in terms of theme, but something that is refreshingly different in more ways then one.

4sho

Three Feet High was on my short list as well. Of all the super-sample-crazy records from the Golden Era this one is probably my favorite. It does a great job of creating it's own musical universe and NOTHING sounded like this before hand. It's funny, positive and beautifully produced and probably the best case against anti-sampling laws out there. Legendary and brilliant.

I have a couple of De La Soul's Prince Paul other projects that I think are definitely worth checking out and probably highlights of his career.

Handsome Boy Modeling Club -So How's Your Girl?





Stand out track: Magnetizing

Gravediggaz- Six Feet Deep



I like the title track.

Now this next one, an official entry among my semi-chronological list, is one any hip hop fan could see coming a mile away

Run-DMC Raising Hell



This is among the best hip hop records ever made and it's in my personal top five. Chuck D said in Bring Tha Noize "Run DMC first said a deejay could be a band". The significance of Run-DMC and especially Jam Master Jay cannot be overstated. Jam Master Jay's murder was one of the saddest days in the history of rock'n'roll and one of the most under-reported news stories that I can remember. Raising Hell is easily the best metal/hip hop fusion records of all time.

Edited to point out that RZA from the before mentioned Wu was also in the Gravediggaz. RZA and Prince Paul! Talk about two great sound architects getting together. And the fact that they used to all that talent to make an art form as cool and unpretentious as Horror Core Hip Hop makes my heart leap with joy!

You don`t know how many times I`ve listened to this album the last two months. Well put description, and I`m suprised to see it here as I haven`t seen any talks about Smif N Wessun here before.

The Nas album has grown to be my favorite rap album over the year I`ve had it.

Beastie Boys- Licensed To Ill



If the Beastie Boys weren't tied with Beck for being the closest thing my generation has to Led Zeppelin then I would probably make fun of them for going from advocates of glue sniffing, dust smoking, street fighting and sleazy womanizing to being Dali Lama worshipping politically correct weenies. But since they are I'll just stick to the key points about this record. 1) It's the greatest party record ever made. 2) See One.

The first time I've heard of anyone outside of a couple of friends who has even heard of these guys. I'm happy to see that someone else appreciates the record. I bought it on vinyl the other day and it sounds superb!

I own the Handsome Boy Modeling School album White People and its got a couple good tracks on it. I really need to get So Hows Your Girl, I don't know why I haven't. I am curious to check out Prince Paul's solo stuff since he is so talented.



I was waiting for the Run DMC input too. There first three albums are such classics that you could have gone with any of them, Raising Hell is a great choice though.

The Beastie Boys! Completely skipped my mind. Your right on the money by calling it the ultimate party album; it just screams throw a house party. Licensed to Ill is such an obvious choice, its not my favorite but is what got me into the group so its got that kind of split sentimentalism to it.