Listmania!
Classic Hip Hop Rap Albums
All Eyez on MeAll Eyez on Me by 2Pac
Buy new: £6.37 / Used from: £8.99
Incredible album, 2 CDs each filled with pure gold. Not a single weak track on here
DoggystyleDoggystyle by Snoop Dogg
Buy new: £5.87 / Used from: £3.56
Just one of my favourite albums - 13 tracks, and all hip hop gold
The ChronicThe Chronic by Dr. Dre
Buy new: £5.87 / Used from: £4.21
Gets in on the strength of Nuthin But A G Thang alone
Liquid SwordsLiquid Swords by Genius/GZA
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £4.00
What an album, Shadowboxin is amazing, but BIBLE is the most powerful song
Straight Outta ComptonStraight Outta Compton by N.W.A.
Buy used from: £2.78
Needs no introduction - the album that put West Coast hip hop on the map
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.30
Another pure gold album - but CREAM is the standout track
The InfamousThe Infamous by Mobb Deep
Buy new: £6.78 / Used from: £2.74
Dark album, but thoroughly recommended
AtliensAtliens by Outkast
Buy new: £4.97 / Used from: £2.91
Stunning album, probably their finest album to date
The Slim Shady LPThe Slim Shady LP by Eminem
Buy new: £9.78 / Used from: £1.90
Back when he was still raw, this was a great, dark, mysoginistic album
NiggamortisNiggamortis by Gravediggaz
Buy used from: £11.99
Contraversial, but highly listenable album. 1-800-Suicide and Diary of a Madman stand out on this album
Reasonable DoubtReasonable Doubt by Jay-Z
Buy new: £6.37 / Used from: £4.22
Some people will think this album should be higher, but I think this is just right - it is a great album, but not mind-blowing
Return to the 36 ChambersReturn to the 36 Chambers by Ol' Dirty Bastard
Buy new: £7.27 / Used from: £4.11
ODB at his best
IllmaticIllmatic by Nas
Buy used from: £3.43
I wished I liked this album more, but I don't. It's still a very important album, though
Safe & SoundSafe & Sound by DJ Quik
Buy used from: £9.26
DJ Quik's impressive album features some tracks that demand to be played at full volume
Ready To DieReady To Die by The Notorious B.I.G.
Buy used from: £11.99
It's a decent album, and worthy of a spot in the top 20
20012001 by Dr. Dre
Buy new: £10.98 / Used from: £3.43
Dr Dre returned from the dead (and generally terrible "Dr Dre Presents Aftermath" with this dope album
The Score: Refugee CampThe Score: Refugee Camp by Fugees
Buy new: £6.37 / Used from: £0.47
Classic and defining album in its day - not really "rap" enough for this list in fairness, but it has to be included somewhere!
Skull and BonesSkull and Bones by Cypress Hill
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.36
Cuban-themed hip hop; contains the very excellent "Rap Superstar"
Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous [Us Import]Lifestylez Ov Da Poor and Dangerous [Us Import] by Big L
Buy new: £10.79 / Used from: £4.99
Opens with a killer track, but fails to maintain its early momentum
Black OutBlack Out by Method Man
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £1.75
Won't be a popular choice, but I like it. Especially Cereal Killer
Only Built 4 Cuban LinxOnly Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon The Chef
Buy new: £6.78 / Used from: £2.38
What is about the Wu-Tang Clan that means their members have such good solo albums?
Lets Get FreeLets Get Free by Dead Prez
Buy used from: £5.58
Very political, but still very listenable. Hip Hop obviously well known but "I'm A African" also worth a mention
It's Dark And Hell Is Hot (Enhanced Reissue)It's Dark And Hell Is Hot (Enhanced Reissue) by DMX
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.02
Not considered by many to be his best, but I like it
Season of da SiccnessSeason of da Siccness by Brotha Lynch Hung
Buy used from: £36.29
Total horrorcore - if you don't like horror don't listen to it (references to infanticide, etc)
Home Sweet HomeHome Sweet Home by Kano
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.38
Not bad for British Hip Hop