Rolling Stone Talks Hip-Hop

6.13.22

Rolling Stone: The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time.

Last week, Rolling Stone released an article dubbing the “The 200 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums of All Time.” Naturally, artists and fans around the world were enraged in what they had found (or did not find) within the article. It was clear that Rolling Stone was prepared for whatever was to come at them, however.

The article was listed on the Rolling Stone website on June 7th, with a number of credited writers whom have worked on the article. They made it clear to note that the list was compiled of hip-hop albums just from the United States, and specifically in hip-hop (dance hall, reggaeton, etc, were not considered at this time). Additionally, they mentioned if a band or artist was already on the list once or twice, they would likely choose a different album over them, in order to keep the list relevant, across different ages of hip-hop.

The list certainly did cover different ages of hip-hop. The list included hip-hop albums from the 80s, including MC Lyte and Too $hort. It went on to highlight new albums, that have released over the past two years, from artists who have yet to see their peak yet, like Flo Milli and Little Simz.

Artists The Game and Meek Mill were both very unhappy with their lack of presence on these lists. Both are ones who never hold anything back, and they both shared on social media how they felt they had a spot on that list, and demanded answers to how the list was formulated, and why the lack of diversity on the board who chooses, is the way that it is.

It would definitely take me some time to put together a list of 200 rap albums in a very specific order of the best ones, and no one will ever agree on one list. However, when you go to a concert, club, or anywhere that plays hip-hop music, you hear hold up wait a minute… y’all thought I was finished! Whether or not you’ve kept up with The Game over the years, The Documentary is the most iconic album cover in hip-hop of all time, and it has a stacked track list to match it.

Not all of our favorites are going to make the list. I do like seeing Run the Jewels on here, I like seeing Nas and Eazy E and Ghostface Killah. I think they got the wrong Lil Uzi Vert album on here. Luv is Rage is definitely the better album over Eternal Atake, but I am charging that one to making the new generation of hip-hop heads happy. Playboi Carti’s Whole Lotta Red was supposed to be great, but it fell short. Still made the list, though. There were some albums in the middle. I am not mad with Rick Ross being on here, Tyler, the Creator’s Bastard album opened up the doors for a lot. I love seeing Rapsody on here, because she is beyond talented and deserves those flowers.

There were a number of strange compilation albums which I do not think should have been considered to count in this category. Several in the late 90s I would have moved up pretty far. Young Jeezy, 'Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101', Run-D.M.C., 'Raising Hell', Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter II’, Clipse, 'Hell Hath No Fury', T.I., 'Trap Muzik'. All super solid and definitely deserve their spot here, probably much higher on the list, too.

I am sure the world is outraged by Watch The Throne being 77, and that Azealia Banks got herself a spot at all. As you get within the top 50, they very clearly all deserve to be there. Many of them, owning multiple spots on the list, including Eminem, Jay-Z, Kanye West, and more. No J. Cole on the list, which I am sure will have some fans in an uproar. My personal nomination of album missed would be G Herbo’s Swervo from 2018. An early time for the Chicago artist, but the tracklist is nothing but hits, with big features including Young Thug, Juice WRLD and Chief Keef.

The number one hip-hop album of all time? The Notorious B.I.G., 'Ready to Die' (1994) And possibly The Game’s one contender for most noticeable album cover of all time. I wonder where he got the inspiration. Cannot really argue with this one. Though, toying with the rest of the list is quite fun.

200. Travis Scott, 'Astroworld' (2018)

199. Juice WRLD, 'Goodbye & Good Riddance' (2018)

198. KMD, 'Mr. Hood' (1991)

197. Freddie Gibbs & Madlib, 'Bandana' (2019)

196. The Jacka, 'Tear Gas' (2009)

195. Cupcakke, 'Ephorize' (2018)

194. K'Naan, 'The Dusty Foot Philosopher' (2005)

193. A$AP Rocky, 'Live. Love. A$AP' (2011)

192. Pop Smoke, 'Meet the Woo' (2019)

191. Lyrics Born, 'Later That Day' (2003)

190. Drakeo the Ruler, 'Cold Devil' (2018)

189. Nipsey Hussle, 'Crenshaw' (2013)

188. Various Artists, 'Wild Style: Original Soundtrack' (1983)

187. Capone-N-Noreaga, 'The War Report' (1997)

186. Too $hort, 'Life Is ... Too $hort' (1988)

185. MC Lyte, 'Lyte as a Rock' (1988)

184. Saba, 'Care for Me' (2018)

183. Camp Lo, 'Uptown Saturday Night' (1997)

182. Gucci Mane, 'Chicken Talk' (2006)

181. Various Artists, 'Soundbombing II' (1999)

180. Little Simz, 'Sometimes I Might Be Introvert' (2021)

179. Freestyle Fellowship, 'To Whom It May Concern...' (1991)

178. E-40, 'In a Major Way' (1995)

177. Gravediggaz, '6 Feet Deep' (1994)

176. Westside Gunn, 'Flygod' (2016)

175. Roxanne Shanté, 'Bad Sister' ( 1989)

174. Cam'ron, 'Purple Haze' (2004)

173. Mac Miller, 'The Divine Feminine' (2016)

172. Flo Milli, 'Ho, Why Is You Here?' (2020)

171. Marley Marl, 'In Control, Volume 1' (1988)

170. Big K.R.I.T., 'Krit Wuz Here' (2010)

169. Goodie Mob, 'Soul Food' (1995)

168. Mach-Hommy, 'Pray for Haiti' (2021)

167. Above the Law, 'Black Mafia Life' (1993)

166. Childish Gambino, 'Because the Internet' (2013)

165. Cannibal Ox, 'The Cold Vein' (2001)

164. Schoolboy Q, 'Blank Face' (2016)

163. UGK, 'Super Tight...' (1994)

162. Tierra Whack, 'Whack World' (2018)

161. Polo G, 'Die a Legend' (2019)

160. Big L, 'Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous' (1995)

159. Handsome Boy Modeling School, 'So...How's Your Girl?' (1999)

158. Devin the Dude, 'Just Tryin ta Live' (2002)

157. Danny Brown, 'XXX' (2011)

156. DJ Quik, 'Quik Is the Name' (1991)

155. Jeru the Damaja, 'The Sun Rises in the East' (1994)

154. Steinski, 'What Does It All Mean? 1983-2006 Retrospective' (2008)

153. Eazy E, 'Eazy-Duz-It' (1988)

152. Rae Sremmurd, 'SremmLife' (2015)

151. Lil Nas X, 'Montero' (2021)

150. The Roots, 'How I Got Over' (2010)

149. DJ Screw, '3 ’N the Mornin’ (Part Two)' (1996)

148. Run the Jewels, 'Run the Jewels 2' (2014)

147. LL Cool J, 'Radio' (1985)

146. Black Sheep, 'A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing' (1991)

145. Common, 'Be' (2005)

144. Roc Marciano, 'Reloaded' (2012)

143. Lil Uzi Vert, 'Eternal Atake' (2020)

142. Little Brother, 'The Listening' (2003)

141. Black Moon, 'Enta da Stage' (1993)

140. Nas, 'It Was Written' (1996)

139. The Streets, 'Original Pirate Material' (2002)

138. City Girls, 'Period' (2018)

137. Slum Village, 'Fantastic Vol. 2' (2000)

136. Doja Cat, 'Planet Her' (2021)

135. Rick Ross, 'Teflon Don' (2010)

134. 2Pac, 'Me Against the World' (1995)

133. Killer Mike, 'R.A.P. Music' (2012)

132. J. Cole, '2014 Forest Hills Drive' (2014)

131. Ghostface Killah, 'Fishscale' (2006)

130. Pete Rock and C.L. Smooth, 'Mecca and the Soul Brother' (1992)

129. Playboi Carti, 'Whole Lotta Red' (2020)

128. Big Pun, 'Capital Punishment' (1998)

127. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, 'E. 1999 Eternal' (1995)

126. 21 Savage and Metro Boomin, 'Savage Mode' (2016)

125. Drake, 'If You're Reading This It's Too Late' (2015)

124. Outkast, 'Speakerboxxx/The Love Below' (2003)

123. Souls of Mischief, '93 'til Infinity' (1993)

122. N.E.R.D., 'In Search Of...' (2002)

121. A Tribe Called Quest, 'People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm' (1990)

120. Young Thug, 'Barter 6' (2015)

119. The Coup, 'Party Music' (2001)

118. Tyler, the Creator, 'Bastard' (2009)

117. Missy Elliott, 'Under Construction' (2002)

116. Jungle Brothers, 'Straight Out the Jungle' (1988)

115. Afrika Bambaataa, 'Looking for the Perfect Beat 1980-1985' (2001)

114. Digital Underground, 'Sex Packets' (1990)

113. Jay-Z, 'The Black Album' (2003)

112. Rapsody, 'Laila’s Wisdom' (2017)

111. Boogie Down Productions, 'By All Means Necessary' (1988)

110. Biz Markie, 'Goin' Off' (1988)

109. Main Source, 'Breaking Atoms' (1991)

108. Pusha T, 'Daytona' (2018)

107. Kool G Rap & DJ Polo, 'Wanted: Dead or Alive' (1990)

106. Ol' Dirty Bastard, 'Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version' (1995)

105. Chance the Rapper, 'Coloring Book' (2016)

104. Eve, 'Scorpion' (2001)

103. Mos Def, 'Black on Both Sides' (1999)

102. Young Thug, Birdman, Rich Homie Quan, 'Birdman Presents Rich Gang: Tha Tour Part 1' (2014)

101. Young Jeezy, 'Let’s Get It: Thug Motivation 101' (2005)

100. Run-D.M.C., 'Raising Hell'

99. Lil Wayne, 'Tha Carter II' (2005)

98. Company Flow, 'Funcrusher Plus' (1997)

97. Clipse, 'Hell Hath No Fury' (2006)

96. Ice-T, 'Power' (1988)

95. T.I., 'Trap Muzik' (2003)

94. De La Soul, 'De La Soul Is Dead' (1991)

93. Ice Cube, 'Death Certificate' (1991)

92. DJ Shadow, 'Endtroducing.....' (1996)

91. Boogie Down Productions, 'Criminal Minded' (1987)

90. Kid Cudi, 'Man on the Moon: The End of the Day' (2009)

89. Brand Nubian, 'One for All' (1990)

88. Cypress Hill, 'Cypress Hill' (1991)

87. Ultramagnetic MCs, 'Critical Beatdown' (1988)

86. Common, 'Like Water for Chocolate' (2000)

85. Eminem, 'The Slim Shady LP' (1999)

84. Vince Staples, 'Summertime '06' (2015)

83. M.I.A., 'Kala' (2007)

82. Slick Rick, 'The Great Adventures of Slick Rick' (1988)

81. Digable Planets, 'Blowout Comb' (1994)

80. Earl Sweatshirt, 'Some Rap Songs' (2018)

79. Eric B. & Rakim, 'Follow the Leader' (1988)

78. Azealia Banks, 'Broke With Expensive Taste' (2014)

77. Jay-Z and Kanye West, 'Watch the Throne' (2011)

76. Gang Starr, 'Hard to Earn' (1994)

75. Megan Thee Stallion, 'Fever' (2019)

74. Public Enemy, 'Fear of a Black Planet' (1990)

73. The Pharcyde, 'Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde' (1992)

72. Dr. Octagon, 'Dr. Octagonecologyst' (1996)

71. Queen Latifah, 'All Hail the Queen' (1989)

70. The Fugees, 'The Score' (1996)

69. Ghostface Killah, 'Ironman' (1996)

68. Juvenile, '400 Degreez' (1998)

67. Geto Boys, 'We Can't Be Stopped' (1991)

66. Three 6 Mafia, 'Mystic Stylez' (1995)

65. De La Soul, 'Buhloone Mindstate' (1993)

64. 50 Cent, 'Get Rich or Die Tryin' ' (2003)

63. Black Star, 'Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star' (1998)

62. MF Doom, 'Operation: Doomsday' (1999)

61. Scarface, 'The Diary' (1994)

60. Kendrick Lamar, 'Damn.' (2017)

59. The Notorious B.I.G., 'Life After Death' (1997)

58. Ice Cube, 'AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted' (1990)

57. Beastie Boys, 'Licensed to Ill' (1986)

56. Noname, 'Room 25' (2018)

55. A Tribe Called Quest, 'Midnight Marauders' (1993)

54. Migos, 'Culture' (2017)

53. Salt-N-Pepa, 'Hot, Cool and Vicious' (1986)

52. Kanye West, 'The College Dropout' (2004)

51. The Roots, 'Things Fall Apart' (1999)

50. EPMD, 'Strictly Business' (1988)

49. N.W.A, 'Straight Outta Compton' (1988)

48. J Dilla, 'Donuts' (2006)

47. Missy “Misdemeanor” Elliott, 'Supa Dupa Fly' (1997)

46. Tyler, the Creator, 'Call Me If You Get Lost' (2021)

45. LL Cool J, 'Mama Said Knock You Out' (1990)

44. Genius/GZA, 'Liquid Swords' (1995)

43. Run-D.M.C., 'Run-D.M.C.' (1984)

42. Big Daddy Kane, 'Long Live the Kane' (1988)

41. Kanye West, 'Late Registration' (2005)

40. Dr. Dre, 'The Chronic' (1992)

39. Lil Wayne, 'The Carter III' (2008)

38. Kendrick Lamar, 'good kid, m.A.A.d city' (2012)

37. Raekwon, 'Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...' (1995)

36. Chance the Rapper, 'Acid Rap' (2013)

35. Snoop Doggy Dogg, 'Doggystyle' (1993)

34. Various Artists, 'The Sugar Hill Records Story' (1997)

33. De La Soul, '3 Feet High and Rising' (1989)

32. Chief Keef, 'Finally Rich' (2012)

31. Nicki Minaj, 'Pink Friday' (2010)

30. Beastie Boys, 'Paul’s Boutique' (1989)

29. 2Pac, 'All Eyez on Me' (1996)

28. Mobb Deep, 'The Infamous' (1995)

27. Outkast, 'Aquemini' (1998)

26. Jay-Z, 'Reasonable Doubt' (1996)

25. Eminem, 'The Marshall Mathers LP' (2000)

24. Nas, 'Illmatic' (1994)

23. UGK, 'Ridin' Dirty' (1996)

22. DMX, 'It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot' (1998)

21. Lil Wayne, 'Da Drought 3' (2007)

20. Future, 'DS2' (2015)

19. Lil Kim, 'Hard Core' (1996)

18. Madvillain, 'Madvillainy' (2004)

17. Kanye West, 'Yeezus' (2013)

16. Cardi B, 'Invasion of Privacy' (2018)

15. Eric B. and Rakim, 'Paid in Full' (1987)

14. Ghostface Killah, 'Supreme Clientele' (2000)

13. Dr. Dre, '2001' (1999)

12. Clipse, 'Lord Willin' ' (2002)

11. Drake, 'Take Care' (2011)

10. Lauryn Hill, 'The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill' (1998)

9. A Tribe Called Quest, 'The Low End Theory' (1991)

8. Wu-Tang Clan, 'Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)' (1993)

7. Missy Elliott, 'Miss E... So Addictive' (2001)

6. Kanye West, 'My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy' (2010)

5. Kendrick Lamar, 'To Pimp a Butterfly' (2015)

4. Public Enemy, 'It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back' (1988)

3. Jay-Z, 'The Blueprint' (2001)

2. Outkast, 'Stankonia' (2000)

1. The Notorious B.I.G., 'Ready to Die' (1994)