My 25 Favorite Albums Of All Time [Part I]
I often see these types of posts on the website Complex. Basically, I was inspired to publicaly list mine (in no particular order). Instead of doing one long list, I will break it down into five installments, which will… Yeah you got it! Showcase 5 of my favorite albums at a time.
Kanye West - Late Registration
I was in a Sam Goody store back in 2005 while they were playing this album. “Bring Me Down” which was then followed by “Addicition” were the songs I remember being played. Those two songs alone, especially the latter, helped me gain interest in the CD. I can’t remember if I purchased the CD at that instant, but I know I definitely had it the week before I started my Senior year.
I consider this to be one of his best CD’s. The samples are on point, his flows are on point, guest appearances are on point, etc. It’s just an all around great hip-hop album to chill out to. Especially during that time period of hip-hop.
Jay-Z - American Gangster
The Black Album is a great farewell album. Kingdom Come is a warm-up album for his return. American Gangster is the “I got my mojo back” album. I like his flow and delivery on this release. Songs such as “American Dreamin’”, “Party Life”, “Ignorant Shit” & “Fallin” are the highlights for me. The production helps set a dark tone and serious feel to his lyrics, which helps me envision the picture he is trying to paint about life as a hustler.
Bone Thugs N Harmony - E. Eternal 1999
Although I was very young when this came out, I had the cassette. I most likely wanted it based on the singles “1st Of the Month”, “Crossroads” (was actually the original version on the cassette and not the famous version). I liked the rest of the songs too. Years later (at a more appropriate age) I finally re-purchased it on CD.
The biggest thing I liked about BTNH back in the day is their unique fast paced flow and combining rap with singing. Over the years, I started to appreciate the song “East 1999” a bit more. I started to get into rock music a lot more in high school and that’s kind of the vibe I get from this song. It’s a hard hitting hip-hop song with a dark tone. Some more highlights are: “Da Introduction”, “Crept and We Came”, “Land Of the Heartless” & ”Mr. Bill Collector”. If you buy a BTNH album, you definitely need this one.
N.E.R.D - In Search Of…
This group is one of those great things that appear on the music scene every once in awhile. My idea of “great things” in music is a sound that is unique. The Neptunes were starting to hit it big in the early 00’s and this was their venture into the world as recording artists. I remember seeing the music video for Lapdance (“Oh, that’s the guy (Pharrell) who’s in everyone videos these days”). That may have been around 2001.
I personally consider this a classic album. Every song on here just gets my head nodding and makes me want to sing along. I remember being in Circuit City debating on if I should buy it or not. I did not purchase it. It was because there were two versions of this album on the market (one with electrionic instruments, one with live instruments). Years later, I got my hands on the version with electronic instruments, which I enjoyed. Then at some point I heard the version with live instruments, which is also cool. You can expect to here some that classic Neptune sound (“Am I High”, “Truth Or Dare”, “Run To the Sun”). An all around good listen from beginning to end.
Kris Kross - Da Bomb
This was one of the first hip hop albums (or from any genre for that matter) I ever owned (at the age of 5). This album is probably even one of the reasons why I developed a talent for rapping and beatmaking/producing. If my memory serves me correct, my mom and I were inside of a music store at the Carson Mall when I asked for it. Prior to that I developed an appreciation for Kris Kross (“Jump, Jump”). Good stuff for my youthful ears. As I’m writing this I remember I ended getting two copies of this album, because I damaged the first cassette when I dropped the walkman I was using. Even more old school right?
I can still enjoy the lyrics/flows, because they are apart of my childhood. But for the people who didn’t grow up on this, I just want to say don’t sleep on it because it’s Kris Kross. There’s definitely some dope 90’s hip hop production on this. You might get inspired if you are into that type of sound.
