Best hip-hop albums of all time

continued from the list of rock albums | send suggestions
History of Hip Hop | History of Rock Music

Chris Dusman's Spotify playlist based on this page (as of 2023)


(only one album per artist) (rarely updated after 2000)
  1. Public Enemy: It Takes A Nation Of Millions (Def Jam, 1988)
  2. cLOUDDEAD: cLOUDDEAD (2001)
  3. Erik B & Rakim: Paid In Full (1987)
  4. Dalek: Negro Necro Nekros (1998)
  5. Wu Tang Clan: Enter the Wu-Tang (1993)
  6. Common: Electric Circus (2003)
  7. Afrika Bambaata: Beware (Tommy Boy, 1986)
  8. Cannibal Ox: The Cold Vein (2001)
  9. De La Soul: 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)
  10. Cypress Hill: Cypress Hill (1991)
  11. Fugees: The Score (1996)
  12. Mos Def: Black on Both Sides (1999)
  13. Dizzee Rascal: Boy in Da Corner (2003)
  14. Eminem: The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
  15. Run DMC: Raising Hell (Profile, 1986)
  16. Beastie Boys: Paul's Boutique (1989)
  17. Disposable Heroes Of Hiphoprisy: Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury (1992)
  18. Outkast: Aquemini (1998)
  19. Jungle Brothers: Done By The Forces Of Nature (1989)
  20. Goats: Tricks of the Shade (1992)
  21. Stetsasonic: Blood, Sweat & No Tears (1991)
  22. Signor Benedick the Moor: El Negro (2013)
  23. A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory (1991)
  24. Company Flow: Little Johnny From The Hospital (1999)
  25. Nas: Illmatic (1994)
  26. Death Grips: Exmilitary (2011)
  27. Ice Cube: AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted (1990)
  28. LL Cool J: Radio (1985)
  29. Gang Starr: Step In The Arena (1990)
  30. Guru: Jazzmatazz Volume 1 (1993)
  31. Snoop Doggy Dogg: Doggystyle (1993)
  32. Arrested Development: 3 Years 5 Months and 2 Days In The Life (1998)
  33. Spectre: The Illness (1995)
  34. Wyclef Jean: The Carnival (1997)
  35. Aesop Rock: Float (2000)
  36. Kanye West: My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
  37. Dr Octagon: Dr Octagon (1995)
  38. Dr Dre: The Chronic (1992)
  39. Beatnigs: Beatnigs (Alternative Tentacles, 1988)
  40. NWA: Straight Outta Compton (1988)
  41. Consolidated: The Myth Of Rock (Nettwerk, 1990)
  42. Boogie Down Productions: By All Means Necessary (1988)
  43. Digable Planets: Reachin' (1993)
  44. Digital Underground: Sex Packets (1990)
  45. Prince Paul: A Prince Among Thieves (1999)
  46. Main Source: Breaking Atoms (1991)
  47. Freestyle Fellowship: Inner City Griots (1993)
  48. Brand Nubian: One For All (1990)
  49. Notorious BIG: Ready to Die (1994)
  50. M.C. Lyte: Lyte As A Rock (1988)
  51. Sage Francis: Personal Journals (2002)
  52. Edan: Beauty And The Beat (2005)
  53. Ultramagnetic MCs: Critical Beatbown (1988)
  54. Roots: Do You Want More (1995)
  55. Dream Warriors: And Now The Legacy Begins (1991)
  56. Full Force's Full Force (1985)
  57. Raekwon: Only Built for Cuban Lynx (1995)
  58. Ice-T: Power (1988)
  59. Whodini: Escape (1984)
  60. 2Pac: Me Against The World (1995)
  61. MC Hammer's Let's Get It Started (1988)
  62. Salt 'N Pepa: Blacks' Magic (1990)
  63. X-Clan: To The East Blackwards (1990)
  64. Schoolly D: Saturday Night (1987)
  65. GZA/Genius: Liquid Swords (1995)
  66. Mike Ladd: Welcome to the Afterfuture (1999)
  67. Jeru The Damaja: The Sun Rises in the East (1994)
  68. Queen Latifah: All Hail The Queen (1989)
  69. EPMD: Strictly Business (1988)
  70. Atmosphere: God Loves Ugly (2002)
  71. Common: Resurrection (1994)
  72. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo: Wanted Dead Or Alive (1990)
  73. Sole: Bottle Of Humans (2000)
  74. AntiPop Consortium: Tragic Epilogue (2000)
  75. DJ Faust: Man Or Myth (1998)
  76. Slick Rick: Great Adventures (1988)
  77. Missy Elliott: Supa Dupa Fly (1997)
  78. Buck 65: Language Arts (1997)
  79. Roots Manuva: Brand New Second Hand (1999)
  80. Organized Konfusion: Organized Konfusion (1991)
  81. Gravediggaz: 6 Feet Deep (1994)
  82. Geto Boys: Geto Boys (1990)
  83. Coup: Steal This Album (1998)
  84. US3's Hand on the Torch (1993)
  85. Fun Lovin' Criminals: Come Find Yourself (1996)
  86. Outkast: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (1994)
  87. Asian Dub Foundation: R.A.F.I. (1997)
  88. Jay-Z: Reasonable Doubt (1996)

Assorted additions for the 2000s

(still need to be organized by rating)
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