Hip-hop heads often point to the 1990s as a defining juncture in rap music. That era spawned so many classic albums that the Golden Agers still idolize it till this day. Instead of the "monkey see, monkey do" attitude of today's scene, 90s hip-hop thrived on originality. On one hand, you had the unflinching brazenness of N.W.A.; On the other, the swift charm of De La Soul. The same era that gave us Snoop Dogg's twisted tales also brought us Common's smart-guy charisma.
While compiling this list, I was reminded of a time when hip-hop had the power to move souls. Pull up a chair, grab a cold drink, and buckle up, as we take a trip down memory lane to relive some of hip-hop's finest moments. The list is ranked by year (9 from each year).
From Ice Cube's blood-boiling Death Certificate to Nas' brain-rattling Illmatic, I give you the 90 greatest rap albums of the 90s.
Related: 100 Best Rap Albums of the 2000s | 100 Best Rap Songs of the 2000s
Artwork © Columbia
Comments
Thanks for the ’90s list Henry. All we are missing now is your take on 2000-2005. Any chance you will bless us with lists for those years too? No doubt the new millennium brought some bangers as well…
I was expected a countdown of #1-90, but top 9 of each year is fine too. If it was more of a countdown, IWW would’ve made it before I Am… most likely.
2000-2005 list wouldn’t be a bad idea. My favorites would be Stillmatic, Food and Liquor, Be, and Cold Vein.
why is it that the low end theory was in your top ten for the greatest albums of all time but it’s before albums that weren’t even in the top ten? just asking.
James, I’m not sure I understand your question. But you should note that this particular list is ranked according to the year the albums were released.
1993, for example shows you the Top 9 albums from that particular year.
So The Low End Theory rank indicates its place in that particular year, not 90s overall. Make sense?
sorry, i should have been more clear. if you look at your 100 greatest albums ever list, the low end theory is number seven. now, nwa’s efil4zaggin album isn’t even on that 100 greatest list, and it’s ahead of the low end theory on your 90′s list for that year. see what i mean?
im guessing that DJ Shadow’s Endtroducing…(1996),doesnt qualify because its just instrumetal hip hop?
perhaps Big L and the Black Star album should have made the list but overall a very good list!
yeah i’m surprised big l’s album didn’t make the list too… but anyway im also surprised some medicore albums made it. For exampe, Vol 3… the life and times of s. carter, that album was jay-z’s WORST effort, and the songs you mentioed or some of the worst on the album, ESPECIALLY big pimpin and it’s atrocious beat, noteven ugk could save that song. o and btw life after death isn’t even a classic in my opinion, had biggie made it into one cd it woulod have been, same for all eyez on me, even though cd #1 is a classic by itself except for 1 or 2 songs, the 2nd cd is horrible, the best 2 cd cd’s in my opinion, though i dunno anyone who wopuld agree with me are first nas’ street’s disciple, and wu-tang forever, but that’s just my opinion. Thanks for the list Henry
first off, gza liquid swords is much more of a classic than raekwon, also, you completely whiffed on lost boyz legal drug money… but good list i guess, i would have chosen some others and shuffled em around a bit, but good list…
Great list. ’95 was the year son!