List of hip hop albums

This is a list of influential records in the history of hip hop music. It has been derived by compiling lists from professional reviews. Each artist or groups is allowed to have only one album on this list. This is a study of Golden age hip hop, so few if any albums from this century are included. Every album and artist on this list should have an article. Albums on this list should be considered "classic" material.

  1. The Concrete by A.D.O.R.
  2. Metropolis Gold by All City
  3. Doe or Die by AZ
  4. Livin' Like Hustlers by Above the Law - (1, 2)
  5. Planet Rock: The Album by Afrika Bambaata - (3)
  6. Coast II Coast by Tha Alkaholiks - (4)
  7. Three Years, Five Months and Two Days in the Life of... by Arrested Development - (3)
  8. Real Brothas by B.G. Knocc Out & Dresta
  9. Paul's Boutique by Beastie Boys - (1, 2, 3)
  10. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous by Big L
  11. Goin' Off by Biz Markie - (1, 2)
  12. Long Live the Kane by Big Daddy Kane - (1, 2)
  13. Enta Da Stage by Black Moon - (2)
  14. A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing by Black Sheep - (2, 4)
  15. Black Star by Black Star
  16. By All Means Necessary by Boogie Down Productions - (1, 2, 3)
  17. Riders of the Storm: The Underwater Album by Boogiemonsters
  18. One For All by Brand Nubian - (1, 2, 3, 4)
  19. The Coming by Busta Rhymes
  20. The Cold Vein by Cannibal Ox - (3)
  21. Ride The Rhythm by Chill Rob G - (1, 2)
  22. Resurrection by Common - (2, 3, 4)
  23. It's a Compton Thang by Compton's Most Wanted - (1)
  24. Black Sunday by Cypress Hill (2)
  25. Dead Serious by Das EFX - (2)
  26. De La Soul Is Dead by De La Soul - (2, 4)
  27. Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop by Diamond D - (2, 4)
  28. Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space) by Digable Planets - (2, 3)
  29. [...] Packets by Digital Underground - (1, 2, 3)
  30. Hypocrisy Is the Greatest Luxury by Disposable Heroes of Hiphoprisy - (3)
  31. No One Can Do It Better by The D.O.C. - (1, 2)
  32. He's the DJ, I'm the Rapper by DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince - (1, 2)
  33. Quik Is the Name by DJ Quik - (2)
  34. The Chronic by Dr. Dre - (2, 3)
  35. Dr. Octagonecologyst by Dr. Octagon - (3)
  36. Eazy-Duz-It by Eazy-E - (1, 2)
  37. The Marshall Mathers LP by Eminem - (3)
  38. Strictly Business by EPMD - (1, 2, 3, 3)
  39. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em by Eric B & Rakim - (1, 2)
  40. Fat Boys by Fat Boys - (1)
  41. The Score by The Fugees - (2, 3)
  42. Full Force by Full Force - (3)
  43. Daily Operation by Gang Starr - (2, 4)
  44. Grip It! On That Other Level by Geto Boys - (1)
  45. Supreme Clientele by Ghostface Killah - (2, 3)
  46. The Message by Grandmaster Flash & the Furious Five - (1)
  47. Jazzmatazz, Vol. 1 by Guru - (3)
  48. Liquid Swords by GZA - (2, 3)
  49. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted by Ice Cube - (1, 2, 3)
  50. The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech...Just Watch What You Say by Ice-T - (1)
  51. Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z - (1, 2)
  52. Wrath of the Math by Jeru the Damaja - (4)
  53. Done by the Forces of Nature by Jungle Brothers - (1, 2, 3)
  54. Back to the Old School by Just-Ice - (1)
  55. Tell the World My Name by K-Solo - (1)
  56. Act a Fool by King Tee - (1)
  57. Road To The Riches by Kool G Rap & DJ Polo - (1, 2)
  58. How Ya Like Me Now by Kool Moe Dee - (1)
  59. Return of the Boom Bap by KRS-One - (1, 4)
  60. Ego Trip by Kurtis Blow - (1)
  61. Bigger and Deffer by LL Cool J - (1, 2)
  62. Funky Technician by Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth - (1, 2, 4)
  63. Make It Reign by Lord Tariq and Peter Gunz
  64. We're in This Together by Low Profile - (1)
  65. From Where??? by Mad Skillz
  66. Breaking Atoms by Main Source - (2, 3, 4)
  67. The Album by Mantronix - (1)
  68. Take a Look Around by Masta Ace - (1)
  69. Down by Law by MC Shan - (1, 2)
  70. The Infamous by Mobb Deep - (2)
  71. Illmatic by Nas - (2, 3, 4)
  72. Naughty by Nature by Naughty by Nature - (2)
  73. Nice & Smooth by Nice & Smooth - (1, 2)
  74. Accept Your Own and Be Yourself (The Black Album) by No I.D.
  75. Ready to Die by The Notorious B.I.G. - (2, 3)
  76. Straight Outta Compton by N.W.A. - (1, 2, 3)
  77. Word...Life by OC
  78. Return to the 36 Chambers by Ol' Dirty [...] - (2)
  79. Bacdafucup by Onyx - (2)
  80. Stress: The Extinction Agenda by Organized Konfusion - (2, 4)
  81. Aquemini by Outkast - (3)
  82. Mecca and the Soul Brother by Pete Rock & CL Smooth - (2, 4)
  83. Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde by The Pharcyde - (2, 4)
  84. Holy Intellect by Poor Righteous Teachers - (1, 2)
  85. A Prince Among Thieves by Prince Paul - (3)
  86. It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back by Public Enemy - (1, 2, 3)
  87. The Unseen by Quasimoto - (4)
  88. All Hail the Queen by Queen Latifah - (1, 2, 3)
  89. Soul On Ice by Ras Kass
  90. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon - (2, 3, 4)
  91. Whut? Thee Album by Redman - (2, 4)
  92. Do You Want More?!!!??! by The Roots - (2, 3)
  93. King of Rock by Run-D.M.C. - (1)
  94. Mr. Scarface Is Back by Scarface - (2)
  95. Saturday Night by Schoolly D - (1, 2, 3)
  96. Soul Clap by Showbiz & A.G. - (4)
  97. The Great Adventures of Slick Rick by Slick Rick - (1, 2, 3, 4)
  98. Fantastic, Vol. 2 by Slum Village
  99. Dah Shinin' by Smif-N-Wessun - (2)
  100. Doggystyle by Snoop Doggy Dogg - (2, 3)
  101. 93 'til Infinity by Souls of Mischief - (2)
  102. Legal by Special Ed - (1)
  103. Spice 1 by Spice 1 - (2)
  104. The Godfather by Spoonie Gee - (1)
  105. Bring the Beat Back by Steady B - (1)
  106. In Full Gear by Stetsasonic - (1)
  107. Rapper's Delight by Sugarhill Gang - (1)
  108. Born to Mack by Too $hort - (1, 2)
  109. The Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest - (2, 3, 4)
  110. All Eyez on Me by Tupac Shakur
  111. Critical Beatdown by Ultramagnetic MCs - (1, 2, 3)
  112. Wild Style by Various Artists - (1)
  113. Regulate...G Funk Era by Warren G
  114. Whodini by Whodini - (1)
  115. Controversy by Willie D - (1)
  116. Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan - (2, 3, 4)
  117. The Carnival by Wyclef Jean - (3)
  118. To the East, Blackwards by X-Clan - (1, 2, 3)

References