What are your favorite hip-hop/rap albums?

I know there must be some hip hop heads out there on ATS. Personally I love all music, mainly rock, (besides country, sorry cant stand the stuff) but for some reason hip hop has always been something I enjoy. Its probably a generational thing because that's mostly what everyone my age listens to. I enjoy rap because of the community that surrounds it and the competitiveness artists have adopted compared to other genres of music. I love lyricism and flow mostly but I can get into some of the newer stuff coming out . Anyways list a few albums and tell us why you enjoy them! P.S. this is my first real thread so I'm kind of experimenting with layouts and commands.

1. Raekwon - Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
   
   
   
   
   I consider this a masterpiece in the world of hip hop. The production is phenomenal. I just love the gritty sound of the Clan. This and 36 Chambers are in my top 5 favorite albums hands down. My favorite songs on this album are Criminology and Knucklheadz.
   
   
2. Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid M.A.A.D City
   
   
   
   A lot of people don't like Kendrick. He is easily in my top 5. I enjoy most of his music, he's a very intelligent individual, he doesn't gang bang nor does he do drugs, all the while growing up in an environment that glorifies such things. He's the best lyricist that is hot in the game right now. His wordplay and his ability to tell a story is insane. The amount of metaphors and double entendres in this album are insane. The album is just very well done and like other artist's from Compton, it depicts every day life in Compton, Cali but it is a more modern depiction compared to N.W.A.
   
   
3. Nas - Illmatic
   

Nas. Truly one of the greatest in the game which is why he is always included in peoples top 5 rappers. Again I love gritty east coast production. Nas has such a badass flow and his lyricism is impeccable. The dude was only 21 when this album was released. He also spit N.Y. State of Mind all in one go right after he wrote it. N.Y> State of Mind is one of my favorite hip hop songs without a doubt.

These aren't in any specific order, they are just albums I find my self listening to a lot. I can never grow tired of bumping them. I look forward to your favorite albums.

a reply to: that1lurker


Limp Bizkit - $3 Bill Y'all
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
Snoop - Doggystyle

Probably in that order...

I haven't listened to limp bizkit in years. Guess I know what I'm downloading tonight

originally posted by: that1lurker
I haven't listened to limp bizkit in years. Guess I know what I'm downloading tonight

I remember the first time I heard the cover of George Michael's 'Faith' at a party with friends, before the album was released here in the UK. That track blew up the dancefloor at the rock clun I was djing at the time

I didn't grow up with a lot of rap, but I've taken a liking to a fair amount of it over the years .

I'm not big on every song of his but when I like an MFDOOM song I LIKE IT A LOT.


Another artist with a few songs I'm pretty fond of, Louis Logic


EDIT: My apologies, spaced out on the fact your topic was asking about Albums in particular

hey my top three Rap albums are, Tupac greatest hits, dre 2001, and Marshall Mathers LP v1.

How could I forget this Method Man classic re-done in a slightly different style...

a reply to: that1lurker

i love all music thats good i dont discriminate genre lol
not but seriously you dont like
johnny cash, kenny rogers, Patsy Cline
i challenge you to listen to the song coward of the county by kenny rogers a few times and not love it. go try it

Beastie Boys: License to Ill (I might have dated myself a little there).

Tu Pac: just about any album.

Rage Agaisnt the Machine (not really rap but if you're into lyrics it's got some good stuff.

A tribe called quest, wu tang (rza, gza, ghostface and method man were my preferred mcs) Redman, hieroglyphics,big pun,nas, biggy, All that 90s ish. Pretty much every album those guys did was fire.

Eminem, dre, outkast, gravediggas...could go on and on. Dang what happened to rap.

Palmer Squares "Spooky Language"
Also "Amerikkkan Corruption" and Im still waiting on "King Capital"

Rip Capital Steez

There is too much to name only some of them.
But good choices! Only built for Cuban Lynx, one of the best WuTang productions.
And yes, Nas Illmatic, that were the good times!
Kendrick Lamar, sets one back to the good times.

I am listening to Deltron 3030 right now...

easy one for me.

my fav was ready to die for years but then i got into this.

for me its easily the greatest hip hop/rap album of all time

the ziggurat by the constructus corporation.

Wu Tang Clan: Wu Tang Forever
Wu Tang Clan: The W
Ab Soul: Control System
Task Force: Music From The Corner 1 2 and 3
The Four Owls: Natures Greatest Mystery
Cypress Hill: III Temples of Boom
Rza: Liquid Swords
Eminem: Marshall Mather's LP
Jehst: Return of the Drifter
Goodie Mob: Soul Food
Jam Baxter: The Gruesome Features
Immortal Technique: The Martyr

a reply to: that1lurker
Possibly Cypress Hill-"Black Sunday"

Cypress hill
Public enemy
Getto boys
Bone thugs
NWA.

originally posted by: Learningman
Wu Tang Clan: Wu Tang Forever
Wu Tang Clan: The W
Ab Soul: Control System
Task Force: Music From The Corner 1 2 and 3
The Four Owls: Natures Greatest Mystery
Cypress Hill: III Temples of Boom
Rza: Liquid Swords
Eminem: Marshall Mather's LP
Jehst: Return of the Drifter
Goodie Mob: Soul Food
Jam Baxter: The Gruesome Features
Immortal Technique: The Martyr

liquid swords was GZA

My favorite right now is my own.
I got no links, though.

VinylTyrant

Roots'- illadelph/Half-Life was tight

Ghost- Supreme Clientele

Wu tang enter 36 chambers most groundbreaking

Heltah skeltah -nocturnal
Burned many dutches to that one right there

Tribe called quest: low end theory
Outkast: southernplayalistic, aquemini, stankonia
Goodie mob: soul food
Common: resurrection
Biggie: ready to die
Wu tang: 36 chambers
Rawkus Records: Soundbimbing II

These are albums i can listen to start to finish. Seminal works of art that should be in a museum as far as im concerned. Hip hop in its purist form. Lyricism and flawless production from track 1 till the end.