Let’s say, for arguments sake, that you could only take six rap albums into outer space/to the grave/to a deserted island. What would they be, and why?
My picks are as follows:
1. Ultramagnetic MC’s – Critical Beatdown
I pick up a new Kool Keith super subliminal every time I listen to this work of dusted genius.
2. The Beatnuts – Street Level
Better than Illmatic.
3. MF Doom – Operation Doomsday
Never before have old cartoons and dollar bin 80’s R&B records sounded so good.
4. Roc Marciano – Marcberg
The father to many present day rappers’ styles, it plays like film noir on wax.
5. Akinyele – Vagina Diner
Large Professor’s finest work behind the boards, aided by Ak’s innovative views on exercise and birth control.
6. Lord Finesse – Return of the Funkyman
Covers all the bases of a great rap album – a song about coming up, a track about the doubters, some cuts dealing with how the ladies can’t get enough of him and some choice cameos from Percee-P and A.G. over vintage, bare-bones D.I.T.C. beats. What more could an east-coast elitist possibly want?
Street Level better than Illmatic? lmao
Otherwise, great picks, but I’ll always choose Funky Technician over ROTFM.
My coices: Illmatic, Critical Beatdown, Stress: TEA, Word…Life, Wanted: DOA
Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions
Ultra magnetic MC’s – Critical Beatdown
Wu-Tang – Enter the Wu-Tang
Nas – Illmatic
B.I.G – Ready to Die
Roc Marciano – Reloaded
Your list pretty much nails it. I’d have tribes first one, criminal minded and organised konfusion self titled one in mine for now. Need more time to think it over though.
Tribe “Midnight Marauders”
Nas “Illmatic”
Gang Starr “Full clip” (I know it ain’t an album but it’s too hard to pick one Gang Starr lp)
Organized Konfusion “Stress: the extinction agenda”
Mf Doom: Operation Doomsday
De La Soul “Bulhoone Mindstate”
Stunts, blunts & hip hop
Stress: the extinction agenda
Center of attention
Midnight mauraders
Illmatic
Return of the boom bap
Natural Elements (Mix of all their work)
Roc Marciano – Reloaded
Kool G Rap – Roots of Evil
Scaramanga (Mix of most of his stuff)
Ghostface Killah – Supreme Clientele
Illmatic
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Death Certificate
Compton
Rare Chandeliers
Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em
The Cactus
Nation Of Millions
Supreme Clientele
Covert Coup
The Chronic
Fear of a Black Planet
Amerikkka’s Most Wanted
Midnight Marauders
Let the Rhythm Hit Em
Hard To Earn
Mecca and the Soul Brother
Man this is difficult. Using the “Shit! My house is about to be demolished and I only have seconds to save 6 CDs” scenario, I’d have to pick:
The Aspects “Correct English”
Fleapit “Music from the ditch”
Braille “Life first…half the battle”
Ice Cube “Death Certificate”
Gang Starr “Full Clip” (best of)
Ghostface Killah “Ironman”
alternatively, if the Vogons were about to blow up Earth and me and Ford Prefect could save six Rap albums for the benefit of the universe:
De la sol “3 feet high & rising”
Jeru the Damaja “The sun rises in the east”
Random “Mega Ran”
The Coup “Steal this album”
Gza “Liquid Swords”
Dr Octagon.
Critical Beatdown
Illmatic
Muddy Waters
Mecca & The Soul Brother
Moment Of Truth
Purple Tape
Marcberg
Illmatic
Only Built for Cuban Linx
The Low End Theory
Daily Operation
Ironman
Hell on Earth
The War Report
Dah Shinin
Enta Da Stage
Dare iz a Darkside
GZA/Genius – Liquid Swords
KRS One – Return of the Boom Bap
Ice Cube – The Predator
MOP – Firing Squad
Large Professor – The LP
This will change everytime you ask me.
Ice Cube Amerikkkas Most Wated
Scarface Mr. Scarface Is Back
Nas Illmatic
King T Tha Triflin Album
Redman Dare Iz A Darkside
Roc Marciano Reloaded
Young Bleed All I have in this world….
ATCQ Low End Theory
Gang Starr Step in the Arena
Redman Whut thee Album
EPMD Business as usual
Eightball and MJG Comin out hard
Everybodies lists go hard.
critical beatdown
it takes a nation of millions
criminal minded
illmatic
low end theory
enta da stage
black bastards
hell on earth
stone crazy
low end theory
sex style
sub sex style for goodfellas
BEATNUTS Street Level production> Illmatic production
Can’t disagree with most lists but a recent album that would probably make it on to my desert Island is Blu & Exile’s “Below the heavens”. An underground classic if there ever was one.
Street Level is an amazingly inventive record. It’s hard to compare it to directly to Illmatic as they are both very different creative masterpieces. I can definitely understand why you chose Street Level Robbie. You get props over here!
Btw the Cru’s “Da Dirty 30” is another masterpiece that would make it on to my desert island list.
LOW END THEORY
ONLY BUILT FOR CUBAN LINX
EDUTAINMENT
EXTINCTION AGENDA
BREAKING ATOMS
DEATH CERTIFICATE
FUCK MAN I HAVE TO GO OVER THE LIMIT AND ADD DAILY OPERATION. I CANT NOT.
marcberg
reloaded
marci beaucoup
grief pedigree
night’s gambit
dr yenlo
METAL!
street level beats > illmatic beats
My conscience is wearing on me…round II:
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
Breaking Atoms
Illmatic
Return Of the Boom Bap
Word…Life
The Chronic
Dang…can’t front on:
Funky Technician
Critical Beatdown
Donuts
No Need For Alarm
Enta Tha Stage
Runaway Slave
@kool max power: It’s a lot more enjoyable to listen to on repeat while getting heroically drunk.
If I were being blasted off into space, the 6 albums I’d take with me to show them aliens that mankind is not to be fucksed with =
MOP “Warriorz”
Tech N9ne “KOD”
Ras Kass “Soul on ice”
Paris “Sleeping with the enemy”
Gunshot “International Rescue”
Necro “I need drugs”
@mike h good call on Young Bleed that album is the shit.
Illmatic
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx…
Midnight Marauders
Supreme Clientele
Illadelph Halflife
Minstrel Show
Just to prove we existed on earth before…
Covert Coup
Madvillainy
Donuts
Reloaded
Long Live the Kane
Good to Be Home
Just to prove we existed on earth before…
Covert Coup
Madvillainy
Donuts
Reloaded
Long Live the Kane
Good to Be Home
…or on a island for dolo.
Just to prove we existed on earth before…
Currency – Covert Coup
Madvillain – Madvillainy
J Dillard – Donuts
Rock Marciano – Reloaded
BDK – Long Live the Kane
Blu – Good to Be Home
…or on a island for dolo.
Just to prove we existed on earth before…
Currency – Covert Coup
Madvillain – Madvillainy
J Dilla – Donuts
Rock Marciano – Reloaded
BDK – Long Live the Kane
Blu – Good to Be Home
…or on a island for dolo.
Critical Beatdown
Criminal Minded
It Takes A Nation
To The East, Blackwards
Sex & Violence
I feel like I need more than 5, though.
I mean 6.
#6 is Business As Usual
I find it surprising that these two albums haven’t been mentioned yet:
Cypress Hill – Self-titled
Y Society – Travel at your own pace
@Robbie: Haha, that’s a good reason
Oh, just noticed that I forgot my number 6: Grimm’s Scars & Memories
Better prepare a 6 disc custom playlist of greatest hits!
Not too many solid all hits albums for me.
Jeru da damaja
Ready to die
Eric sermon solo album
Paid in full
Missy elliot
Fat boys 1st album
COULD JUST AS EASILY ADD:
SCARFACE THE DIARY
SAAFIR BOXCAR SESSIONS
DONE BY THE FORCES OF NATURE
RIDING DIRTY
DOGGYSTYLE
ILLMATIC
I THINK IF YOU ASKED ME EVERY DAY THIS WOULD BE DIFFERENT EVERY DAY BUT WOULD SURE AS HELL NEVER INCLUDE NECRO 🤔
It’s impossible yaddayadda, but still, off the dome:
Aceyalone “Book of human language”
Tim Dog “Penicillin on wax”
Ice Cube “Death Certificate”
Cannibal Ox “Cold Vein”
Schooly D “Am I black enough for you”
Defari “Focused Daily”
This is my essential 6 to go.
The Low End Theory – A Tribe Called Quest
Breaking Atoms – Main Source
It Takes a Nation of Millions to hold Us Back – Public Enemy
Labcabincalifornia – The Pharcyde
Madvillainy – Madvillian
Paid In Full – Eric B & Rakim
Mobb Deep – The Infamous
Raekwon – OBFCL
Nas – Illmatic
Dead Prez – Let’s Get Free
Fat Joe – Jealous One’s Envy
BIG – Ready To Die
Goodfellas – Show & AG
Hell on Earth – Mobb D
Moment of Truth – Gang Starr
Dr Dooom
Can’t Hold Back – Ice Cream Tee
moment of truth
marcberg
ini – center of attention (i like that soft shit)
people’s instinctive travels
atliens
ironman
O.C. word…
Show & A.G. Runaway slaves
Roc Marci Marcberg
Diamond Stunts, blunts…
A Tripe Low End…
MF Doom Op Doom…
Xtra shit: Killa Sha God walks…
MF Grimm “American Hunger”
Pigeon John “& the summertime pool party”
Benefit “BENEFIT”
Buck 65 “Vertex”
Nine “Cloud 9”
Vanilla Ice “Extremely live”
supreme clientele
reloaded
it was written
fear of a black planet
business as usual
iI want you-marvin gaye
Public Enemy “It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back”
Son Of Bazerk Featuring No Self Control & The Band “Bazerk, Bazerk, Bazerk”
Slum Village “Fantastic, Vol. 2”
A Tribe Called Quest “Midnight Marauders”
Threat “Sickinnahead”
Pete Rock & CL Smooth “The Main Ingredient”
@DubCityRoller Illmatic, The Blueprint, RTJ2, Purple Tape, The Infamous…, and Rare Chandeliers
@kirbywinfield Breakin Atoms, Long Live the Kane, Criminal Minded, Paul’s Boutique, Paid in Full, 3ft High and Rising
@CPierznik “Wu-Tang Forever” “The Chronic” “Illmatic” “Reasonable Doubt” “Only Built 4 Cuban Linx” “Life After Death”
@dinogoldie The Resurrection; Resurrection; Born again; UP from the ashes; Rebirth; E1999 Eternal.
@MBerger36 ATLiens, Marshall Mathers LP, All Eyez on Me, God Son, Paid in Full, and Ready to Die (no pun intended)
@99point1percent Straight Outta Compton, Enter The Wu-Tang, Whut? Thee Album, Illadelph Halflife, 400 Degreez, good kid, m.A.A.d city
@emmet_80 Sex Style – better than Illmatic, Illmatic, Ironman, Funcrusher Plus, Truth Crushed to Earth Shall Rise Again, Wu Tang Forever.
@1AndOnlySmooth It Was Written, The Infamous, Purple Tape, The War Report, The Chronic, Moment Of Truth
@TheCosby Life After Death, Liquid Swords, Donuts, Nocturnal, Midnight Marauders, & (i have to leave the last one blank)
@LILHICKORY 6 copies of flockaveli
@MrOptiK Liquid Swords, Cuban Linx, Ready to Die, Illmatic, Doggystyle (apologies to east coast elite) & Your Old Droog LP
@Silly_Genius Muddy Waters. Madvillain. Donuts. Aquemini. Special Herbs 0-9
@upgrayedd73 Raising Hell – By All Means Necessary – Doggystyle – It Takes a Nation of Millions – The Infamous – Short Dog’s In The House
@ChrisAbaray Moment of Truth, Uptown Saturday Night, Monkey Barz, Liquid Swords, E. 1999 Eternal, Lord Willin
@KashMartinMusic the chronic / black bastards / ob4cl / atliens / street level / return of the boom bap
@djbenhameen Atliens, Fadanuf Fa Everybody, Midnight Marauders, No One Can Do It Better, Blueprint, Bizzare Ride,
@AlphaDavis Aquemini, Blueprint, The Diary, All Eyez On Me, Graduation & The Chronic in my casket.
@_VincentS Paid in Full, Nation of Millions, Illmatic, Death Certificate, De La Soul is Dead and Aquemini
@Yesterlenium De La Soul is Dead, Paul’s Boutique, Low End Theory, The Chronic, Daily Operation, Business Never Personal
@LosGeez Yo Bum Rush, Midnight Marauders, Trophies, Grief Pedigree, Living Proof, Reloaded
@ben_is_like illmatic, infamous, ridin dirty, aquemini, 56 nights, 808s
@Clarknova1 Low End Theory, Madvillainy, Ready to Die, Death Certificate, ATLiens, Mystic Stylez
@Eg421421 black mafia life, strictly business, low end theory, raising hell, critical beat down, radio
@PaulyGDog Liquid Swords, The Cold Vein, Things Fall Apart, Ridin’ Dirty, Moment of Truth, Chronic 2001
@Bass_Cadet Critical Beatdown, Low End Theory, Daily Operation, Don’t Sweat The Technique, Stunts Blunts, Liquid Swords
@MaskOfNorro Low End Theory Illmatic Critical Beatdown Nation of Millions Street Level Breaking Atoms
@DJYodaUK Midnight Marauders ATLiens Cuban Linx 3 Feet High It’s A Big Daddy Thing Biz Never Sleeps
@compboy1972 Criminal Minded, Critical Beatdown, Horns of Jericho, The Low End Theory, Breaking Atoms, It Takes a Nation of Millions…
@m_spitz Ready To Die, Check Your Head, Raising Hell, Killmatic, 36 Chambers, Grimy Awards
@MelloMusicGroup sex style, liquid swords, ghost at the finish line, petestrumentals, champion sound, the listening
@kev79cfc Ultra mcs Critical beatdown De la soul is dead Gza liquid swords Mr scarface is back Eric+Ra paid in full Jmt violent by design
@AtchaShamrock Below The Heavens Endtroducing… Rising Down The Renaissance Pinata Aquemini
@jimmy_townsend Liquid Swords Wu-Tang Forever Supreme Clientele Enter the 36 Chambers Atliens
@joseXgabriel Trap or Die 2, Late Reg, Reasonable Doubt, Nothing was the Same, I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead, Black On Both Sides
@mo_fornow3 Hell On Earth, Murda Muzik, Violent by Design, Wu Tang Forever, Pain Language, OB4CL
@penandgravy low end theory, illmatic, to the east backwards, midnight marauders, liquid swords, enter the 36
@FlossLo Illmatic, doomsday, hard to earn, low end theory, de la soul is dead, between a rock and a hard place
@NSDedlee Runaway Slave, Breaking Atoms, By All Means Necessary, Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em, Step In The Arena, Funky Technician.
@robpursey Sex Packets, Straight Out The Jungle, Great Adventures, Nation Of Millions, One For All, Cypress Hill
@mattzki Illmatic, Iron Man, Paul’s Boutique, Capital Punishment, Stone Crazy
@TheBakerGrant Illmatic, The Infamous, Aquemini, Ridin’ Dirty, Monkey Barz, Hell Hath No Fury
@diggoblick Doomsday, fear of a black planet, pimps don’t pay taxes, Cuban linx, Illmatic, Marcberg
@roathboy Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Runaway Slave, Street Level, Breaking Atoms, Midnight Marauders, Supreme Clientele
@mrgartrelle Death Certificate, ATLiens, Stress…, De La Soul is Dead, Midnight Marauders, OB4CL
@SteevMo Paul’s Boutique The Cactus Album Breaking Atoms Paid In Full The Low End Theory 3 Feet High And Rising
@SpiderMals Hell Hath No Fury, Midnight Marauders, Like Water For Chocolate, 36 Chambers, Illmatic & Game Theory
@AGfrom203 Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop, Paid In Full, Reasonable Doubt, Midnight Marauders, It Takes A Nation & Life After Death.
@KpDat Trap or die, Trap Muzik, ATLiens, Graduation, Savage life 1, Ready to die
@IrishGoonAFC A Gangster And A Gentleman, Hell On Earth, Supreme Clientele, Stillmatic, Slim Shady Lp and The Chronic
@realdjruthless Supreme Clientele, Me Against the World, Muddy Waters, Capital Punishment, Life After Death & Madvillain
@MFLucasVillain Business As Usual, OB4CL, Four Horsemen, Marcberg, Doomsday, Niggaz4life
@4DDash MBDTF, Reasonable Doubt, Aquemini, Carter 2, Graduation, GKMC
@shanghai_dan OBCL, By Any Means Necessary, Fear of a BP, Ironman, Low End Theory, Cold Vein.
@xavier_poire Aquemini, Low End Theory, Death Certificate, Liquid Swords, The Chronic, 93 ’til Infinity
@bonuslevels Black on both sides, the unseen, supreme clientele, piñata, the score
@regfromjerz Beauty & the Beat, Grief Pedigree, the Unseen, Vaudeville Villain, It Takes a Nation of Millions, Sex & Violence
@deaderick74 Nation, All Means, Orig. Styling, Forces of Nature, Amerikkka’s, 3 Feet High.
@the_illatino Illmatic, Word…Life, Midnight Marauders, Cypress Hill, Follow The Leader, Hard To Earn.
@djsabatoge Madvillian, XXX, Marci Beacoup, Muddy waters, Illmatic,Low end Theory
@MilkCrateKid Daily Operation, The Predator, De La Soul Is Dead, Funk Your Head Up, The Sun Rises In The East, Midnight Marauders.
@DinoRemedios Great Adventures, Buhloone Mindstate, Low End Theory, Sun Rises In The East, & Madvillain
Street Level better than Illmatic might make me stop checking this website.
Nice knowing you mate. Don’t let the door hit your ass on your way out.
World’s famous Supreme Team from Queens. Nah mean?!
Ras Kass – Soul On Ice
GZA – Liquid Swords
Aceyalone – A Book Of Human Language
MF Grimm – The Downfall of Iblyis: A Ghetto Opera
The Grouch – Fuck The Dumb
Organized Konfusion – Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Not knocking anyone’s musical taste.. but did i just see a Vanilla Ice album on a list? Am i gonna have to go back and revisit the ‘Extremely Live’ LP to see what i missed?
As for over & over, day to day replay value, I can see why Street Level is better than Illmatic in that aspect(although Stone Crazy is Beatnuts best album).
Death certificate getting a lot of mentions on this list…. both it and Amerikkas most are amazing and among the 30 or so albums in my personal top 10. But if I’m gonna be chilling on a tropical island for the rest of my days I would not want those albums destroying my vibe.
Done by the forces of nature or straight out the jungle are also good choices to me.
In no order:
The cenubites
Lord finesse-the awakening
Funkdoobiest-brothasdoobie
Grand puba-2000
Da buze bruvaz-cheezesteaks & beatbreakz
Beatnuts-street level
Whut.. thee album over Illmatic just for the fun of it plus it is an amazing debut & funky as hell!!
My top 6 tapes would be the Chosen Ones enter the Lord, Godfather Don hazardous, School of Hard Knocks self titled album, Gangstar step into the arena, Poor Righteous Teachers New World Order and PMD business is business album
it was written OBC4CL wutang forever life after death diplomatic immunity the infamous
Runaway Slave
Breaking Atoms
Daily Operation or Step In The Arena
Street Level
Low End Theory
Sex & Violence
—Critical Beatdown—
It Takes a Nation
Death Certificate
Efil4zaggin
LONS/Time
Makavelli
In My Lifetime Vol II