40. Revolutionary Vol. 2 – Immortal Technique
Lyricism: 9/10
Production: 5/10
Concept: 7/10
Overall: 21
Designation: Solid
I’d be willing to bet that if you have heard an Immortal Technique song once, you will have not forgotten it. Or at the very least, you have appreciated the New York poet for what he is: A Revolutionary. Immortal Technique’s lyrics and cadence are unmistakably aggressive, political, and argumentative. He’s a master of his style, and does not care to change it. This album represents a true and unique voice of hip-hop’s underground at his absolute peak. While it is not a classic, it earns a spot on this list for its undeniably great lyricism, vocal performance, and provocative subject matter. It is a force of nature.
Notable tracks: Point of No Return, Industrial Revolution, The Cause of Death, Freedom of Speech
39. Lupe Fiasco's The Cool - Lupe Fiasco
Lyricism: 8.5/10
Production: 6/10
Concept: 7/10
Overall: 21.5
Designation: Solid
Realistically, Lupe Fiasco's The Cool could be much higher on this list. Lupe is one of the best rappers, best storytellers - ever - and I'm not just talking about hip-hop. Still though, as good as he is, I would argue he was still coming into his own and trying to find his voice as an artist during this time. For this reason, it makes sense to put The Cool here. It is a truly remarkable album with remarkable highs; songs like Superstar and Paris, Tokyo still bang to this day.
Lupe's talent is obvious, but The Cool suffers from a bit of studio-oversight. You can almost hear them breathing down his neck track-by-track screaming for more radio-playable songs. This is why his following album, Lasers, was such a disaster. It was only after this fight with the studio that Lupe could truly be an independent artist and make the album he wanted to make. Spoiler alert: That album will show up on this list. Somewhere. Until then, The Cool is a fantastic consolation prize.
Notable tracks: Go Go Gadget Flow, The Coolest, Superstar, Paris Tokyo, Hip-Hop Saved My Life, Little Weapon, Dumb It Down
38. The Wonder Years – 9th Wonder
Lyricism: 6/10
Production: 9/10
Concept: 7/10
Overall: 22
Designation: Solid
Legendary beat-maker 9th Wonder’s skill is in full-effect and on full-display in this mammoth collaborative album. 9th is a master of the soul chop, the bassline, and perhaps even more impressive, bringing together a plethora of different artists from different places and different backgrounds into a symphony of hip-hop excellence. This album's sound is fun and easy to listen to, yet dense and impactful.
Notable tracks: Enjoy (West Coastin'), Piranhas, No Pretending, 20 Feet Tall, That's Love
37. Redemption – Jay Rock
Lyricism: 7/10
Production: 7/10
Concept: 8/10
Overall: 22
Designation: Excellent
Jay Rock is here. The Watts product was often described as one dimensional before this project. No one can say that now. Jay Rock rhymes with conviction, emotion and vulnerability without compromising his nasty style. Production is off the chain, features are perfect, and Jay Rock is at his best. The entire hip-hop community is understandably on the edge of their seat to see how he follows up Redemption.
Notable tracks: ES Tales, OSOM, King’s Dead, WOW Freestyle, Redemption
36. AT.LONG.LA$T.A$AP – A$AP ROCKY
Lyricism: 7.5/10
Production: 7.5/10
Concept: 7.5/10
Overall: 22.5
Designation: Needs More Time
A$AP Rocky’s best album, you could certainly make the argument, is way too low on this list. This project was incredibly-highly anticipated - and it delivered. The Harlem rapper would not match this success with his follow-up album, Testing, but who could blame him? From conception, to vocal performance, to composition, the bar was set remarkably high. A$AP Rocky isn’t going anywhere anytime soon though, and I think his best work is still in front of him. Only time will tell.
Notable tracks: Canal St., L$D, Excuse Me, LPFJ2, M'$, Everyday, Back Home
35. Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight – Travis Scott
Lyricism: 5.5/10
Production: 8/10
Concept: 9/10
Overall: 22.5
Designation: Needs More Time
By now you're sensing a common theme amongst this portion of the list; relatively recent albums that need more time to judge. The last three picks or so could maybe be flip-flopped any which way. Musically though, I would argue Birds in the Trap Sing McKnight changed the game perhaps more than any other album on this list so far. It is diverse yet focused, and contains Travis’s best work with features to date. After this album dropped in 2016, it was clear that Travis Scott was the rapper that everyone else was trying to sound like.
Notable tracks: the ends, way back, outside, goosebumps, first take, pick up the phone
34. Acid Rap – Chance the Rapper
Lyricism: 7/10
Production: 6/10
Concept: 9.5/10
Overall: 22.5
Designation: Needs More Time
Although technically a mixtape, Chance is the artist he is today because of Acid Rap. It’s by far his most influential product, and undoubtedly deserves a spot on this list. Unfortunately, the Chicago rapper has not quite been able to replicate the resoundingly awesome reviews of Acid Rap, but his talent and grasp of the genre is undeniable. This project is as diverse, thoughtful and aggressive as any on the list, with A-list features to boot.
Notable tracks: Good Ass Intro, Cocoa Butter Kisses, Favorite Song, Acid Rain
33. Lord Willin’ – Clipse
Lyricism: 8/10
Production: 9/10
Concept: 6/10
Overall: 23
Designation: Elite
Pusha-T makes his second appearance on this list in the form of his duo Clipse with fellow Virgina rapper Malice. Fueled by Pharell’s beats, this album catapulted Clipse onto the scene. This sound was something the world was not ready for. It changed the game. Pharell’s swingy and funky beats combined with Clipse’s aggressive and relentless rap style make this album and essential summertime listen. Lord Willin' is a true and unique work of art, on the precipice of the 'classic' designation.
Notable tracks: Intro, Young Boy, Grindin’, Let’s Talk About It
32. We got it from Here… Thank You 4 Your service – A Tribe Called Quest
Lyricism: 7/10
Production: 8/10
Concept: 8/10
Overall: 23
Designation: Excellent
Tribe came back onto the scene with this incredibly timely album, and generated a buzz in bringing in everyone from Andre 3000 and Kanye West to Jack White and Elton John. Seriously, the features on this album are something that only a legendary hip-hop crew like Tribe could pull off. The best part of this project is that Tribe knows exactly what their role is in the modern hip-hop climate. They don’t come off as old, sour or whack; instead, they recognize their goal is to shepherd the next generation of hip-hop into a positive and productive light. The tracks are inventive, creative, sonically diverse, fun, nostalgic, and always worth re-listening to.
Notable tracks: We the People, Whateva Will Be, Solid Wall of Sound, Kids, Mobius, Black Spasmodic, Conrad Tokyo
31. 2014 Forest Hills Drive – J. Cole
Lyricism: 8/10
Production: 7/10
Concept: 9/10
Overall: 24
Designation: Needs More Time
Although J. Cole’s discography has been for the most part consistent, this is the album that turned the skilled North Carolina product into a household name. 2014 Forest Hills Drive was more than a dope hip-hop album, it was the autobiography J. Cole was missing to take his music to the masses. It is personal and emotional, yet aggressive, confident and unabashed; a true tour-de-force in songwriting and performance. Now, with the release of The Off-Season in 2021, J. Cole once again has the hip-hop world by the throat – just like he did with Forest Hills Drive seven years prior.
Notable tracks: 03' Adolescence, A Tale of 2 Citiez, Fire Squad, No Role Modelz, Apparently, Love Yourz
That's it for this installment of the countdown. Stay tuned for #'s 30-21 next week, and listen along with us below. Cheers, hip-hop heads.
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