Sometimes, a debut album shows an artist's sound in full bloom. Sometimes, it merely offers a glimpse of brilliance, a capacity to blossom into greatness. It's no surprise, then, that several artists have recorded follow-up albums that manage to rival their first for greatness. Here are 10 sophomore albums that turned out better than their predecessors.
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what about straight outta compton?
isn’t that the eighth best rap album ever, according to you?
I would’ve put Tribes album at number one because The Low End Theory is the best album on there.
Lupe anyone?
(“I know it’s fun playing devil’s advocate, but would you really bump off albums like It Takes A Nation, Death Certificate, Paul’s Boutique, De La Soul Is Dead for The Cool? Seriously?” – Henry)
Great List, I Always Forget “Blunted On Reality”, “Words From The Genius” & “Juvenile Hell” Exist No Matter How Many Times I Listen To Them (Not Often) Or Have Someone Remind Me.
I Was Bumping “DLSID” Earlier Today, That Was My First Introduction To De La Soul Back In ’04 When I Quit Listening To Radio.
My opinion is that “Three Feet High And Rising” is better than “De La Soul Is Dead”
What about Late Registration?
I see you have reconsidered your list from what you originally had down, but still you have overlooked many classic second albums…………
Slim Shady LP (Eminem’s first album was infinite, i thought you would know this Henry),Cypress Hill- Black Sunday, The Roots- Illadelph Halflife, Jurassic 5- Quality Control, Outkast- ATliens……….
The list goes on man
(I really like your list. Maybe we should trade lists. I’ll give you It Takes A Nation for Quality Control. Deal? – Henry)
Agreed on Lupe
can somebody please explain to me why It Takes A Nation… is such a good album. they just scream the whole time. i guess they’re “political”, but Eminem is extremely political, and he says it in a much more creative way than Chuck D. same goes for Immortal Technique, Talib, and even dead prez. they were “political”, but they could actually rap good.
and in my opinion, Kanye and Lupe should easily be on the list. and definitely Word of Mouf from Luda
I kinda agree with Christ S.
I would have push that infamous Mobb album all the way to the top.
But of course, thats just my personal opinion. I must have worn my first CD out, i had it on loop in the motor back in the day.
Get that album and others here wyzthreadz
Fair enough henry ure probly right on that one although I’ve never really enjoyed public enemy that much, don’t think it shud be number one neways when the difference between the fugees albums is massive and the infamous and low end theory are such good albums……….
Also I don’t understand people saying Lupe and kanyes second albums were better than their first??? I much prefer college dropout/ food and liqour but I guess that’s just my opinion
@ Adsy
not saying they were better (although The Cool was in my opinion), just saying they were two of the best sophomore releases by anyone
How about Me Against the World or All Eyez on Me? They both are better than Pac’s debut, IMHO one of these classics (the one, which you consider the best) deserves to be on the list.
I would move Eminem up a few spots but I tend to agree with Chris S. And although neither one of the above mention Pac albums was his sophomore album; his sophomore album, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z., was a pretty good album (especially the 2nd half of the CD) but I don’t know about one of the greatest. However, I will throw this one out there, Notorious BIG “Born Again”. And hell as long as I am throwing stuff out there, T.I. “Trap Muzik”.
Wow, I meant “Life After Death”. Brain fart there.
@ chris s
I thought the whole point of this blog was albums ‘better’ than their predecessors
@ Adsy
touche’. another classic case of me not reading much past the title. althought i think it would be less opinionated if it was just best sophomore albums.
@ Mateo
nice catch. i was gonna have to call you out on that haha. but that would definitely be towards the top of my list in my opinion
i know the south other than atlanta dont get much props but my man scarface has had a few albums that could be added to the list
nothing worse than Lupe stans…