Listmania!
Hip Hop for Beginners
Illmatic: Parental AdvisoryIllmatic: Parental Advisory by Nas
Buy new: £4.88 / Used from: £3.00
Has to be the best hip hop album ever made. 'Life's A B*tch' is just such a tune.
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) by Wu-Tang Clan
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.99
'Cash rules everything around me, CREAM, get the money, dolla dolla bill yall'. Class.
3 Feet High and Rising3 Feet High and Rising by De La Soul
Buy new: £3.98 / Used from: £2.06
Too many skits for my liking, but apart from this, some classic tunes like Buddy, Potholes in my Lawn.
The Low End TheoryThe Low End Theory by A Tribe Called Quest
Buy new: £5.78 / Used from: £4.22
Nothing says hip hop quite like the Tribe and this is their best album by far.
Bizarre Ride II The PharcydeBizarre Ride II The Pharcyde by The Pharcyde
Buy new: £4.98 / Used from: £2.78
Pharcyde's demise is sad, but this album will always be considered one of the best in hip hop.
PhrenologyPhrenology by The Roots
Buy new: £3.48 / Used from: £1.30
The most recognisable Roots album, thanks to 'Seed'!
Buhloone MindstateBuhloone Mindstate by De La Soul
Buy new: £6.68 / Used from: £2.99
Strangely underappreciated, but as a whole, probably their best.
It Was WrittenIt Was Written by Nas
Buy new: £5.78 / Used from: £1.73
Some great collaborations on this with the likes of Mobb Deep.
Black on Both SidesBlack on Both Sides by Mos Def
Buy used from: £7.99
Mos' first solo album. Never really hit the heights of this in his other studio albums, but has so much else out there. Find it!
Black StarBlack Star by Mos Def
Buy used from: £16.00
Feel special if you own this because it's fantastic. 'Twice Inna Lifetime' I think is one of the greatest hip hop tunes ever.