Mount Rushmore Pt. 3: The Four Kings Of Hip Hop From 2005 – 2009

The term Mount Rushmore, most literally referring to the carved mountainside in Keystone, South Dakota, has been derived to mean the top four or pinnacle in instances outside of United States Presidents. For example, the Mount Rushmore of the Boston Celtics is Bill Russell, John Havlicek, Bob Cousy and Larry Bird.

HipHopDX has taken this idea and used it for the last two decades of Hip Hop music. In an effort to document the ever changing landscape of the art form, we have done this in four five-year installments which will be released on a weekly basis for the next month. Without further ado, here is Hip Hop’s Mount Rushmore.

The Rundown

Towards the end of the new millennium’s first decade, Hip Hop had fully immersed itself in civilization. Couple that with the spread of internet literacy and the mixtape culture was born. Amid all of this upheaval, there was more music out there than ever and more money in Hip Hop for labels. The artists on this list all came out of the crowd due to some of these phenomena and were able to differentiate themselves from a time when there was more music than ever.

Kanye West

Album(s): Late Registration, Graduation, 808s and Heartbreak

Sales: 6X Platinum between these albums

“If this is your first time hearing this you’re about to experience something so cold.” Just a year before 2005, this warning was sounded on the second track of Kanye West’s The College Dropout. In hindsight, this warning should have been heeded as West would go on to be among the most influential musicians on earth over the next decade. It was from 2005 to 2009 that he built on his successful kickoff. It turned out The College Dropout was just the start and would be followed up with three number one albums in Late Registration, Graduation and the originally misunderstood 808’s and Heartbreak. By the end of the first decade of the 21st century, Kanye West would be part pariah part musical genius and well on his way to one of the most impressive discographies in the history of music.

Lil’ Wayne

Album(s): Tha Carter II, Tha Carter III

Sales: 4X Platinum between these albums

Looking back it is awe-inspiring to remember how bright Lil’ Wayne burned and how quickly he burned out. From 2005-09 Hip, Hop was Wayne’s world and we were all just living in it. It all started with Tha Carter II  in 2005 and was cemented by an unfathomable amount of content. Between the Da Drought series, The Dedication mixtapes and various other projects, it seemed a month didn’t go by without a Wayne release. His zenith came in 2008 with Tha Carter III, the album that many consider to be his finest work. Unfortunately, it would be downhill after this release. While fellow Young Money artists Nicki Minaj and Drake moved into the spotlight, his once heralded release schedule became mired in delays and distractions.

Lupe Fiasco

Album(s): Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor, Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool

Sales: 1X Gold between these albums

It can be argued that Lupe Fiasco had the greatest first two albums in the history of the game. Lupe Fiasco’s Food and Liquor and Lupe Fiasco’s The Cool were different from any of the other music at the time and still managed crossover appeal. From skateboarding, backpack rap imagery to Chicago boasting, Lupe Fiasco went from underground to the top of the charts seemingly overnight. This early promise would become a cautionary tale as conflict with Atlantic Records led to the oft-maligned Lasers being released only after online petitions circled to demand it’s release. Since then it has been up and down for the artist born Wasulu but it seems that his out of the gate hype is a thing of the past.

T.I.

Album(s): King, T.I. vs. T.I.P., Paper Trail

Sales: 4X Platinum between these albums

The year range for this particular group could not have worked out better for T.I. His three most popular and critically acclaimed releases all came in this window with King, T.I. vs. T.I.P. and Paper Trail. It was a quick ascent for Clifford Harris and an equally quick descent with jail time stemming from gun charges and more focus on film and television work stagnating his musical output. Regardless, this three album run was an impressive trilogy and one of the best runs an artist has had in the 21st century.

Honorable Mention: Rick Ross, Game

Honorable Mention:

Game had a couple of strong offerings in The Documentary and Doctor’s Advocate but with a handful of underwhelming performances sprinkled in he was never able to make the jump to the first-team of Hip Hop in this time period or anytime after despite consistently putting out solid work. Rick Ross debuted his solo career in 2006 with Port of Miami and continued to build his notoriety with smooth flow and changing the idea of authenticity.