“25 Rap Albums That Got Perfect Ratings” is a list curated by HipHopWired that includes albums from Public Enemy, Run-DMC and Kendrick Lamar.
The story features “…rap albums that got perfect ratings from trusted publications along the years,” HipHopWired says. “We’re not saying all these albums are classics, but it sure does generate good discussion.”
Released in 1992, The Chronic is one album that made the list. The debut solo album for one-time N.W.A member’s Andre Young, otherwise known as Dr. Dre, featured Snoop Dogg, Kurupt and Jewell and included songs such as “Nuthin’ But a ‘G’ Thing,” “Let Me Ride” and “Bitches Ain’t Shit.”
“The good Doctor’s debut is easily identified as universal classic by many,” HipHopWired says. “The Source, XXL and AllMusic all agreed.”
Dropped on September 11, 2001, Jay Z’s The Blueprint saw significant production from Kanye West (“Heart of the City,” “Izzo [H.O.V.A.],’ “Never Change,” “The Takeover”). The album held only one featured artist, Eminem on “Renegade.”
“September 11, 2001 couldn’t crush Jigga’s conquest to achieve perfect ratings in The Source, XXL and VIBE right out the gate,” the story says.
Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city Earned “People’s Respect”
Released 11 years later, Kendrick Lamar’s debut album, good kid, m.A.A.d city, opened at #2 on the Billboard 200 chart. The album featured verses from Drake, Dr. Dre and Jay Rock. It also featured production from Dr. Dre, Just Blaze, Pharrell Williams, DJ Dahi, and Hit-Boy. Fact: ScHoolboy Q is responsible for the handwriting on the album cover.
“K. Dot earned his ‘XXL’ rating and the people’s respect on his platinum major label debut,” HipHopWired says.
As for older albums, 1986 saw the release of Run-D.M.C.’s third album, Raising Hell. Largely co-produced by members of the trio, Def Jam founder Rick Rubin also had his name all over the production credits on songs such as “It’s Tricky,” “My Adidas” and “Is It Live?”
“Both The Source and Rolling Stone recognized the album that broke down mainstream barriers for the Hip-Hop culture,” HipHopWired says.
Released in 1988, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back was Public Enemy’s follow-up to Yo! Bum Rush the Show. Executively produced by Rick Rubin and with production work from The Bomb Squad, songs such as “Rebel Without A Pause” have been sampled by every one from Sublime to Tupac.
“Chuck D, Flavor Flav and The Bomb Squad released one of the most important Hip-Hop albums ever created,” the story says. “Critics still fill in their dots to this day.”
Kanye West’s College Dropout also makes the list. Executively produced by Kanye, the 2004 album marked the producer’s debut as an emcee. College Dropout featured contributions from Jay Z, Ludacris, Common, Talib Kweli, Twista and Jamie Foxx.
“Entertainment Weekly called the Yeezy’s debut the best album of the decade,” HipHopWired puts out there. “Any challengers?“
You can see the rest of the “25 Albums That Got Perfect Ratings” at HipHopWired.
For additional Dr. Dre coverage, watch the following DX Daily:
jay Z blueprint? are you sure?????
blueprint is far from perfect. h to the izzo. lol
Y’all niggaz just mad that Hov is better than your precious Nas. Blueprint is perfect in every way and is way better than garbage ass Ewmatic. It’s Hovi Baby!
smokin dust
I’m a jay z fan but blueprint is not his finest work.
“perfect in every way”.. yeh sure Mary Poppins. haha
I like Jay and Nas, but Blueprint isn’t even Jay’s best album. It damn sure isn’t better than Illmatic or It Was Written
No Illmatic? Is this a joke or what?
YEAH I GUESS KANYE AND KENDRICK LAMAR ALBUMS ARE BETTER THAN ILLMATIC,MOMENT OF TRUTH,CRIMINAL MINDED AND I CAN GO ON AND FUCKING ON FOR DAYS SO GET THE FUCK OUT OF HERE WITH THAT SHIT LIST
I’m just glad that Eminem did not appear , the guy is an anoying noice maker, little voice but wants to screem like those with heavy voice
I feel you on the annoying voice that Eminem has.It took me a while to get past that to open up to him. He used to sound like a coked up cartoon character,but he is definitely one of the best rappers ever. He is super creative and a true wordsmith. I wish his voice could sound like how it did on “Renegade”song with Jay-Z all the time. That would be excellent!!!
Wow great news for me.I love this hip hop beats rap album music.Thanks for sharing.
Not sure why anyone is mad at Blueprint getting perfect ratings. By the time Blueprint came out the ratings from all those magazines pretty much meant nothing and could be bought easily.
DAMN..how does KENDRICK LAMAR top GK,MC…..it debuted at #2….went PLATINUM w/out a whole lotta radio pop hits..IT CHANGED THE GAME for the BETTER!…and GK,MC is still in the TOP 200 since OCT. 2012!…..#LIFE AFTER GK,MC is going to be interesting….the new K.DOT is going to be huge…
Easy just make a better album.
Good kid mad city wasn’t that great in my opinion. But then again I’m 28. So maybe I don’t understand now days hip hop. I prefer listening to Joey badass etc who sound like there from the 90s golden era.
How about Get Rich or die tryn? GTFO here!!!!!!
They always hating on Fif. All the time
Illmatic is on there and Blueprint most definitely should be on there.
Good list, but they kind of dickrode Kanye