Yesterday I read in the news that Wu Tang Clan and Nas will do a show in the Ziggo Dome (Amsterdam) in June. I hardly play any hiphop these days. Except for nederhop (Dutch hiphop), Diggy Dex is on heavy rotation. I hardly have any hiphop in my music collection (mp3’s not included), but I do have a Nas album on cd. When I was growing up I played more hiphop. Most of the times triggered by a single which made it to the charts. So I am miles away from being a B Boy. The announcement got me thinking what my favorite hiphop albums are. I was a bit afraid that I could not even get to a top10, but I did get to about 15 albums that I played regularly at some point in my life. So here’s the list. If you have any must-listen album, please mention it in the comments.
I will embed my favorite tracks from the albums under the title. When you click on the album title you will get to the full playlist of the album.
10. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
9. Dr Dre – Chronic
8. N.W.A. – Straight Outta Compton
7. The 2 Live Crew – As Nasty As They Wanna Be
I had weekly paper route when I was 16 and played this a lot on my walkman.
6. Dr Dre – 2001
If you like Dr Dre, there is was a great documentary on Netflix The Defiant Ones.
5. Beastie Boys – Hello Nasty
4. Eric B & Rakim – Paid in Full
3. Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill
2. 2 Pac – R U Still Down
I discovered this album a lot later than the whole 2Pac hype and most of the previous entries in this list. A bit older and wiser so I listened to the lyrics a lot more.
1. Nas – It was written
Off course I picked up this album because If I ruled the world with Lauryn Hill. After hearing that I went to the local record shop, listened to the album and immediately bought it.
Bonus Album: Manau – Panique Celtique
Just after finishing the top10 I realised I forgot an album. I bought this one in France after hearing La tribu de Dana at a local party. The videoclip for that song is shot fort near my summer holiday destination (I think I mentioned this before). This song is still played at every local party, most of the times it’s the final song. Hiphop wise there are better songs on the album. Below my favorite.