Big L - Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous

Big L - Lifestylez Ov Da Poor & Dangerous

My definition of a classic hip hop album. Not too many songs, no skits, great jazzy boom bap beats, incredible flow and dope lyrics. Some don't find Big L a legend due to the fact that he brags and brags. Well, he does, but check out the crazy lyricism, sick and brave metaphors along with the dope word play. Now try to do the same. I thought so.

Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane

Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane

1988 album completely produced by Marley Marl. Sounds tempting? Then I don't have to add that Big Daddy Kane is on the mic with his intelligent lyrics delivered with finesse and clearness. "Ain't No Half Steppin" is probably thee most smapled track by every producer and DJ that came later than this album.

2Pac - Me Against The World

2Pac - Me Against The World


This has nearly all his greatest tracks. The essence of Tupac Shakur. "So Many Tears", "Temptations", "Me Against The World" and many more. 2Pac on his deepest lyrics. A must have.

Main Source - Breaking Atoms

Main Source - Breaking Atoms

Large Pro just dropped the album "Main Source" so I thought of reminding people about the group he belonged to of the same name. The beats here are simply amazing, all produced by Large Professor. Another notable fact is that Nas made his debut here.

Gravediggaz - Niggamortis

Gravediggaz - Niggamortis

It's "6 Feet Deep" with one extra song. RZA rhymes here. The production, though is handled by the one and only Prince Paul. The lyrical content of this album is, shortly said, psychopathic. But you shouldn't take it seriously, take it as a parody. Because that's what this album is. Everything they say is ridiculously funny.

Method Man - Tical

Method Man - Tical

Method Man had great skills on this one. I don't know what happened on his next releases. RZA once again shows class.

Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele

Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele

Just as I said, endurance. Perseverance as well. Back in 2000 nobody even mentioned the Wu on the hip hop scene. Then came Ghost with this album. It put them back on the map. Compared to his previous classic, the lyrics are improved. When it comes to beats - they have changed. Positively or negatively - you decide. We don't have RZA handling the whole production, along comes Mathematics and others.

Ghostface Killah - Ironman

Ghostface Killah - Ironman

One year after Raekwon and GZA, Ghostface drops his debut album. And boy oh boy ain't it bangin! He was, after all, a promising MC after beginning the "Enter The Wu-Tang" album. RZA once again does a brilliant job. Imagine that some people don't consider him one of the greatest producers of all time. But back to Ghostface. When it comes to endurance, his name first comes to my mind.

Genius/GZA - Liquid Swords

Genius/GZA - Liquid Swords

Another Wu-Tang Clan classic. GZA was the most creative and original out of the whole group. RZA once again does a brilliant job on the production. The only thing that doesn't fit here is Killah Priest's track (the last one) "B.I.B.L.E". Don't get me wrong, it's a brilliant song, only compared to other material on the album it doesn't fit.

Raekwon - Olny Built 4 Cuba Linx...

Raekwon - Olny Built 4 Cuba Linx...

Out of all the Wu-Tang albums, this is the one I listen to the most. Raekwon, along with Kool G Rap and AZ gave birth and also had a great impact on Mafioso Rap. There is only one topic on this album, but it's so wide nobody ever complained: the happenings on the street. If you love movies like "Scarface" or "Casino" maybe "Goodfellas", than this is what you simply must hear. The beats are all made by the one and only RZA, who back in 1995 was in his prime. Lyrics are hard to understand due to the gang/mafia slang, but that's just what makes this album so fucking dope.

Wu - Tang Clan - Enter The Wu - Tang (36 Chambers)

Wu - Tang Clan - Enter The Wu - Tang (36 Chambers)

Debut of the world famous Wu-Tang Clan considered by some to be even greater than "Illmatic". RZA brought a completely new style to the rap game. The beats were ruff n' rugged combined with a lot of piano play. Back in 93' every member of the Wu was in his prime, that's: GZA, Ol' Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ghostface, Masta Kill, U-God and Method Man. On this album we have essential tracks like: "C.R.E.A.M." (on of the greatest beats ever) "Protect Ya Neck" and "Shame On A Nigga". Something you cannot miss!

A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

A Tribe Called Quest - People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm

Let me take you back to 1990: bands such as N.W.A. and PE rule the hip hop scene. The beats are raw, grimey, hard-hitting and chaotic. Along comes A Tribe Called Quest, with conscious lyrics. Only this is a totally different type of music. We have a large amount of jazz samples on this album. That combined with Q and Phife's flows gives you an instant classic.

A Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory

A Tribe Called Quest - Low End Theory

If you have been listening to this music for a long time play this album and tell me what you think. You would probably say that the album is fresh, original and a great album. Guess what? This was recorded in 1991! That's 17 years and still blowing a lot of people's minds. That can only mean one thing: a classic that's passed the time test. And there is nothing really else to say. The album is perfect all way through. You can't say that any song here steps it down. Even the guest appearances are breath taking: from Diamond D to Sadat X to Leaders of the New School (Busta Rhymes). No more talking, bump this in your car right now!

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

A Tribe Called Quest - Midnight Marauders

When it comes to the greatest album by A Tribe Called Quest a lot of people discuss about it and cannot come up with a conclusion. I find this one the coolest. We have Q-Tip and Phife on the mic and Ali Shaheed Muhammad on the production. The album from both of the sides is great. Starting with production, we all now that it gave birth to jazz rap and revolutionarized beat making. Who could have done it better than the ones who made it up? Q-tip has such an original voice that you don't even need to listen to what he is saying. His smooth flow leads into such mood, that indeed, this fantastic record should be played only at night.

Expansion

I, the author of Real Hip Hop Addiciton decided to expand my little empire. This is the 2nd blog that I will be leading simultaneously with the one I have already developed. The title of the website suggests everything - I will post hip hop classics from the 80s, 90s and the modern ones. Here you can find albums that the hip hop fans consider as classics and also my personal favorites.

For now that's about it. Peace.