10 Best Rap Records Every Collection Needs
It is 2019, and almost everyone listens to music via apps or the internet. All need a mobile phone and premium headphones to enjoy any track ever released. However, even though most streaming platforms pride themselves in providing Hi-Fi audio, many times, people are left with no choice but to listen to poor quality mp3s. Although there is nothing wrong with letting YouTube autoplay do its thing, you may have to listen to a single track for the 500th time. If this is the case, it is quite refreshing to put on a record. However, the best rap records ever released will not just pop up on your playlist. Therefore, you will have to put in enough time to find the best albums that you want to own.
Below is a list of the 10 best rap records every collection needs
1) Dr. Dre – The Chronic (1992)
Dr. Dre’s The Chronic, released back in 1992, is, without a doubt, an all-time classic. This was the first solo album that he released after leaving the N.W.A’s iconic rap group. Having been applauded by many as one of the best-produced rap records of all time, the album went triple platinum in the United States.
2) Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five – The Message (1982)
This was one of the most popular records of all time.
“The Message” was the first rap song to break into the mainstream media with lyrics that provided social commentary and not just partying.
The song was one among many great tracks on the Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five debut album.
3) Jay-Z – The Blueprint (2001)
Even though “The Blueprint,” was Jay-Z’s six albums in his fascinating rap career. It was by far his best rap record that every collection needs.
It has top-notch production from Bink, Eminem, Trackmasters, Timberland, Just Blaze, and Kanye West. There is no doubt that this must-have is an incredible record, considering the burgeoning career that each of these rappers had.
4) J. Dilla – Donuts (2006)
Donuts feature one of the best rap instrumentals of all time. As J. Dilla’s second album, the “Donuts” was drafted during the artist’s extended stay at the hospital and was only released three (3) days before he died.
While the album’s story makes it an exciting record to listen, the artist’s top-quality sampling would have found its way to the history books regardless.
5) Kanye West – My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)
If you have ever listened to this album, then you know that “My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy” deserves a place on any top rap list.
The instrumentals are a perfect blend of maximalist, classic rap sounds, on-point sampling, experimental electronics, and Kanye’s legendary bars. Remember, it was this record that featured “Runaway,” which was Kanye’s top track of all time.
6) Lil' Kim – Hard Core (BEST RAP RECORDS - BEST RAP RECORDS)
Although she was not the best rapper, she released an excellent record to make sure that the public was no longer dismissive of female rappers.
This album epitomizes all that she did for the hip-hop music in the 1990s.
7) Missy Elliot – Supa Dupa (BEST RAP RECORDS - 1997)
The “Supa Dupa” album remains one of the best albums of all time two decades after it was released.
With Timberland producing the album, features from Lil’ Kim, Aaliyah, Missy Elliott, and Genuwine make this album a great add on to every playlist.
8) Nas-Illmatic (BEST RAP RECORDS - 1994)
Besides his appearance on Supreme T-shirts, there is no doubt that Nas is a legendary rapper.
Illmatic is one of East Coast hip hop greatest records with Nas perfect bars about the inner city life in Queensbridge.
The record has been applauded in rap history as being very influential in many ways, and help put New York on the rap map.
9) Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die (BEST RAP RECORDS - 1994)
Biggie’s first album, “Ready to Die” was a big commercial success.
The record helped boost the East Coast reputation at a period when West Coast records dominated radio waves.
10) Kendrick Lamar – Good Kid, m.A.A.d City (BEST RAP RECORDS - 2012)
With more than an hour’s fascinating rhyme, brutally compelling storytelling, and sweeping production, Kendrick describes a compulsive story of Compton life.
Kendrick does this by assuming the mantle of the town’s great hope, a chronicle explicitly described in the ‘Compton’ by Dr. Dre featuring Closer.
Some many ideas and themes recur across Kendrick’s tracks, but on this record, they have been released with mesmerizing clarity.
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