So is Illmatic really the greatest Hip-Hop album?

Orizio

I know this has been discussed here before, but I have been considering this point again lately with the release date of Nas' newest looming and feel its a good time to go over it again.I know pretty much every 'educated' Hip-Hop fan seems to think Illmatic is the GOAT album but many seem to beileve this because a reviewer or a freimd said it was so.Here are three albums I think as good as Illmatic(among many others, ironically most of which came out during the mid 90's and/or from New York),three albums at least deserve thought about for that GOAT status...

Mobb Deep 'Hell on Earth'/'The Infamous'=Ignore your prejudices of how awful you think MD are right now, of Prodigy acting like a complete bitch these days and the fact that he hasn't had a decent verse for half a decade and realise how consistently brilliant both of these albums were.'The Infamous' has some of rap's greatest tracks ever that still thrill today like 'The Start of Your Ending','Cradle to the Grave' and 'Shook Ones pt 2'.Havoc's production from these albums is criminally ignored, and matches the gutter and gritty NY sound the Rizah specialised in.Prodigy and Havoc are again overlooked as MC's-99% of todays rappers could only dream of being as ill as they were on tracks like 'Apostles Warning' etc.

GZA 'Liquid Swords'=Same deal as above-consistently brilliantly dark and haunting beats,absolutely no weak tracks and some excellent guest appearances.However unlike the Mobb Deep stuff, the Gizah at that time was an MC that rivalled, at that time anyway, Nas in terms of lyrical brilliance and the ability to conjour vivid imagery. His delivery is too one dimensional compared to Nas or even Prodigy but it matters little on this album not only thanks to his lyrics but the fact that his understated flow works perfectly with some of the Rizah's best work on the boards. Its also finished off perfectly by that great overlooked track 'B.I.B.L.E.',produced by 4th complimented by Killah Priest's bizarre religious influenced lyrics.

Other contenders are the likes of Rae's 'OB4CL',Outkast's 'ATLiens' and Common's 'Resurrection'.

Tha Gopher

Brilliant album but Id rate Ready to Die ahead of it. You have to remember, it was only 10 tracks after all. Cuban Linx/Doggystyle/Chronic/36 Chambers, dem was de days.

Orizio

Yup those were the days.Great **** coming out weekly.

The fact that there are only ten tracks on it is a further condemnation imo.

spacecoyote

i don't find there being any problem with only 10 tracks on the album. The majority of hip-hop albums have too many tracks & a lot of filler on them. Illmatic doesn't get bogged down in skits and theres not a single filler track. If there were more to it, it probably wouldn't have been the album that it is.

phenomenon

I'm going to be crucified for saying this but I never understood the big deal about "Liquid Swords". I know its critically acclaimed in the hip-hop community and I listened to it forcing myself to like it, but it just never grew on me. The long intros to the songs are annoying and the lyrics and beats just aren't on a par with other Wu-Tang classics. "Basic Instructions Before Leaving Earth" was probably the best track on the album because I kinda felt what he was saying.

This may seem strange because I'm a HUGE fan of Wu Tang's comical raps. Perhaps Liquid Swords was just too serious.

Makaveli

If you try to force yourself to like it you never will. I can see where you are coming from with the intros they certainly are a bit drawn out but disagree about the beats and lyrics. This is some of RZA's best work and lyrically nobody in the Wu is better than GZA imo (Inspectah Deck comes close though).

Liquid Swords is my favourite Wu album, it's also an album I rate above Illmatic because unlike Illmatic there isn't a "wack track". That said you can play Illmatic at any time in any mood, LS you need to be in the right mood for.

Other classic albums not mentioned ATCQ - The Low End Theory, De La Soul - De La Soul Is Dead, Eric B & Rakim - Paid In Full.

Personally there are a lot of albums I like better than Illmatic, choices a lot of people would probably disagree with. Maybe it is GOAT but it's not mine.

Orizio

Midnight Marauders is one of my favourite albums of all time as well.Definetly top ten.On the same theme of simply fun and entertaining Hip-Hop, I would say The Roots Do You Want More??!??? is up there as well.

I would defintely argue that Illmatic, from an MC'ing point of view, is incredible.However the production hasn't aged particurly well, and its not as if Nas hasn't made tracks comparable to the stuff he made on Illmatic.Hell some days I even feel The Lost Tapes is as good(or even better)then Illmatic...

StevieG

Personally Midnight Marauders has always been my favourite but Illmatic will always get into the top ten for me
Ready to die will be up there as will Step In the Arena, Pain in Full, De La Soul is Dead, Nation of millions, Strictly Business and a few more

Makaveli

Organized Konfusion's self titled album is another absolute classic. Haven't listened to it in quite a while but stuck it on there now and I forgot how damn good it is. Prince Po and Pharaohe Monch do not get enough credit.

Ah, if only it was 1990 - 1994 again and we could live a new golden age. Where we could appreciate it much more now than then because most of us were kids and missed all of these albums when they first came out.