XXL has created a list of “11 Rappers’ Sophomore Albums That Were Bigger Than Their First.”
“The sophomore slump is not just a cliche,” XXL says of its list. “It’s an indicator of longevity in the music industry, and many rappers have come and gone without getting over that hump. But while so many fall off, and a smaller group of others maintain their consistency, there’s a rare group of artists whose second album surpassed their debut—even if the first may have been dope on its own.”
Drake’s Thank Me Later, T.I.’s Trap Muzik, Mobb Deep’s The Infamous, Pharrell’s G I R L and Eminem’s The Marshall Mathers LP, are on the list.
“The Slim Shady LP was a fantastic introduction to the world for Eminem, particularly with songs like ‘My Name Is’ and ‘Guilty Conscience,’ which won Shady his first two Grammys. So how did he follow it up? By unleashing The Marshall Mathers LP just over a year later.”
The report says the effort earned two Grammy Awards, an Album of the Year nomination a #1spot on the charts and Diamond certification by the RIAA.
“MMLP solidified Eminem as one of the biggest superstars in the game,” the publication says.
To view the list, visit XXL.
RELATED: Eminem First Artist With Two Digital Diamond Awards
Eminem announced on a Detroit radio station today he’s working on MMLP3
it’s not possible. Source or gtfo.
its tru i was listenin
It’s true, just googled it now
what a weak list.
At least mention life after death, wutang forever (and when they say big, i’m assuming sales and not actually classic cut status, so stfu stans).
what about kendrick
Infinite was eminems first album and it was the best he ever did, Fucking idiots.
they be talking about major label releases not underground albums
what about
outkast – atliens DRE KILLED IT
wu – wu tang 4eva RZA ON THE BOARDS
nas – it was written THAT PEN
dmx – 2nd record HIT AFTER HIT
ice cube – NWA KILLA FUCK ALL YALL
dre – 2001 COME ON MAN
Wow all of your are way worse then the first…It was written is not a classic but has good songs, Wutang forever was cool but not even close to a classic and 2001 is far short of the Chronic…….
It Was Written is a classic, some believe it’s better than Illmatic, I wouldn’t argue that if you took the top 9 lyrical bombs off It Was Written. I personally would go with Illmatic, It Was Written was definitely that work. Wu’s Forever is a classic, too..I actually believe that’s better than 36 Chambers, just my opinion.
@Truth
You’re smoking crack to think It Was Written, Wu-Tang Forever and 2001 aren’t classics. I don’t think they are necessarily better than their predecessors, but clearly classic albums.
and kendrick lamar bout make that
Though XXL could have easily expanded this list a bit, there are quite a few more rappers/group in which their Sophomore album trumps their debut. I’ll add 9 “underground” rappers/groups and make it an unofficial Top 20 list lol. For the Hip-Hip heads…
NWA-“Niggaz4Life” trumps “Straight Outta Compton” even without Cube
Big Daddy Kane-“It’s a Big Daddy Thing” trumps “Long Live the Kane”
Roots-“Illadelph HalfLife” trumps “Do You Want More??!?”
O.C.-“Jewelz” trumps “Word Life”
Fugees-“The Score” trumps “Blunted on Reality”
Pharoah Monche-“Desire” trumps “Internal Affairs”
Little Brother-“Minstrel Show” trumps “The Listening”
Lord Finesse-“Return of the Funky Man” trumps “Funky Technician”
Gang Starr-“Step in the Arena” trumps “No More Mr. Nice Guy”
WOW, Return of the Funky Man..I’m going to have to pull that out. That was my shit.
How the f does “Desire” trump “Internal Affairs”? Or “Jewelz” trump “Word…Life”?
That’s one of the dumbest things I ever heard.
My bad, XXL included Fugees. I’ll replace that with..
Brand Nubian-“In God We Trust” trumps “All For One” even without Puba
My bad, XXL included Fugees. I’ll replace that with..
Brand Nubian-“In God We Trust” trumps “All For One” even without Pub
“Brand Nubian-“In God We Trust” trumps “All For One” even without Pub”
Hell no all for one is a classic, only song from In God We Trust I can bump is that alla akbar joint
That All For One is a classic, but that In God We Trust was crazy too. They’re both classics to me. That’s a tough one.
LOL at them putting Tyga and Wale. Outkast “ATLiens” definitely should’ve been on that list for sure.
I swear every goddamn list/chart they make, they put some legendary stuff into it and some bullshit they wanna hype. Annoying