The Top 100 Hip-Hop Albums (no. 49-25)

49. RJD2, Dead Ringer

An almost flawless album (save the idiotic f.h.h.) from the Ohio native.

48. Mos Def, Black On Both Sides

Too bad Mos's second offering, The New Danger, proved that this one was a fluke.

47. Masta Ace, A Long Hot Summer

Like Clyde Drexler winning a title as a member of the Rockets. Mr. "off beat, on beat" hasn't lost a step.

46. Madvillain, Madvillainy

Its only real fault is that the tracks are too short.

45. A Tribe Called Quest, People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

Only a small sign of what was soon to come.

44. The Roots, Illadelph Halflife

Debunking the myth that they only used live instruments, the Roots crew took things to new heights here, mixing in samples with their organic sound. The result is their most accomplished album, musically, conceptually, and lyrically.

43. Outkast, Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Speakerboxxx is the Outkast we've come to know and dig. Then The Love Below throws us a monster curve -- the result of which is the funkiest thing since Prince was relevant.

42. Cypress Hill, Cypress Hill

Is to getting stoned what It Takes a Nation of Millions... is to black nationalism.

41. Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Return to the 36 Chambers (The Dirty Version)

At times it's so weird/silly/awful that it's genius. Truly a one-of-a-kind album.

40. The Beatnuts, The Beatnuts/Street Level

Too bad Fashion dipped after this. Psycho Les and Juju without him were like Van Halen without David Lee Roth.

39. KRS ONE, Return of the Boom Bap

Kris goes for dolo with a strong assist from DJ Premier and others.

38. Gang Starr, Moment of Truth

Just an unbelievable work of art (or Mart, if you prefer). Guru's never sounded better lyrically, and it's their most diverse effort. The last great Gang Starr album.

37. Jay-Z, Reasonable Doubt

Doesn't get the half the respect Ready to Die receives, yet it is by far a better album.

36. EPMD, Strictly Business

Erick and Parrish making debut.

35. Gang Starr, Hard II Earn

ALONGWAYTOGO is one of the best opening songs in all of hip-hop. And the dopeness didn't stop there.

34. EPMD, Business As Usual

The blueprint for hardcore East Coast rap music.

33. Dr. Dre, 2001

It certainly didn't have the impact of The Chronic, but some consider it a better album.

32. Boogie Down Productions, By All Means Necessary

The death of Scott LaRock couldn't stop this from being a more than worthy successor to Criminal Minded.

31. Outkast, ATLiens

With Andre giving props to groups such as Nirvana and The Smashing Pumpkins in the liner notes, you knew that the experimentation would continue. A remarkably mature effort from such a young duo.

30. Pete Rock and CL Smooth, Mecca and the Soul Brother

The cassette actually contains two songs which are missing from the CD: the titular track and the Pete Rock solo joint, The Creator. Really wish I hadn't lost it. I hope they play T.R.O.Y. at my funeral.

29. Gang Starr, Daily Operation

Primo's beats and Guru's monotone flow, both at their finest.

28. De La Soul, Buhloone Mindstate

Not as conceptual (or as long) as their first two releases, but just as dope.

27. Outkast, Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik

Is to southern hip-hop what Straight Outta Compton is to the West Coast.

26. N.W.A., Straight Outta Compton

Speak of the devil. Who knew foul-mouthed lyrics about guns, gangbanging, drugs and misogyny would, for better or worse, revolutionize rap music?

25. RUN-DMC, Raising Hell

While many critics' idiotic analogy that Run-DMC were The Beatles of hip-hop was incorrect (first of all, The Beatles released no less than 5 classic albums, and secondly, their sound evolved), Raising Hell might certainly be hip-hop's version of A Hard Day's Night.