I don't really listen to hip hop, but I'm looking to expand my musical horizons. So, what's a good album for me to get my feet wet? Someone told me I should pick up Wu-Tang's "Enter the Wu-Tang" as a good starting-off point.

Any suggestions?

notorious big...
ready to die

notorious big...
ready to die
That's the best rap album every start-to-finish, so that's a good one.

Also

Nas - Illmatic
Dr. Dre - The Chronic

and maybe some greatest hits collection like 2Pac's "Greatest Hits", LL Cool J's "All World"

Enter the Wu-Tang's a nice choice too

and maybe UGK's or Scarface's Greatest Hits for a Southern feel

Wu-Tang Clan - "Enter The 36 Chambers"
Nas - "Illmatic"
Dr. Dre - "The Chronic"
Jay-Z - "Reasonable Doubt"
Eminem - "The Marshall Mathers LP"
Big Pun - "Capital Punishment"
Eric B. & Rakim - "Paid In Full"
Notorious B.I.G. - "Ready To Die"
2Pac - "All Eyez On Me"

That wouldn't be a bad way to start off your catalog, has a bit of everything: Old school, lyricism, west coast/east coast, and basically all of those albums are Classic.

2pac - Greatest Hits was the first Hip Hop Album I bought. These days My favourtie album is Notorious BIG - Ready 2 Die.

Thanks guys! K sent to all I could. Sorry neils and Tug, I have to spread it around a little before I give you any more. :(

Eric B & Rakim- know the ledge
dre dre- deep cover
dre dre-check yourself
kurtis blow-the breaks
all of public enemies songs
slick rick- childdrens story
2pac- hit em up
2pac-dear mama

alotta people will say Illmatic, but that ****s to complicated for a first time listener...this album is one thatll get anybody into hip-hop. in fact, id say its the greatest album of all time imho, fu.ck you

http://z.about.com/d/rap/1/0/h/O/-/-/meagainsttheworld.jpg


EDIT: *greatest hip-hop album of all time

The ones that have been named in this thread so far are classics, but really, what kind of rap do you like? Gangsta stuff? Hardcore? Horrorcore? Engaged/Consious rap?

I'll suggest a few, less mainstream and known but great none the less.

Immortal Technique-Revolutionary Volume. 2
Jedi Mind tricks-Servants in heaven, kings in hell
Atmosphere-God loves ugly
Heron DeMarco-Mutiny

If you can't find them, just send me a pm, i have tons of albums in mp3 format. Lots of underground stuff.

The ones that have been named in this thread so far are classics, but really, what kind of rap do you like? Gangsta stuff? Hardcore? Horrorcore? Engaged/Consious rap?

I'll suggest a few, less mainstream and known but great none the less.

Immortal Technique-Revolutionary Volume. 2
Jedi Mind tricks-Servants in heaven, kings in hell
Atmosphere-God loves ugly
Heron DeMarco-Mutiny

If you can't find them, just send me a pm, i have tons of albums in mp3 format. Lots of underground stuff.

What's the difference between these?
I recently discovered MF Doom, and I like him a lot. I'm not really heavy into gangsta stuff, but if it's good, I'll pick it up. I like clever lyrics and beats that rip my spine out of my ass.

Check out MF Doom.

I'll try and post up some links when I get the chance on some albums I feel would be helpful.

I've got a lot of MU links for 1988-1994 era if you're interested?

SUGARHILL GANG - RAPPERS DELIGHT (1979)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DZAORTZQ

GRANDMASTER FLASH & THE FURIOUS FIVE - THE MESSAGE (1982)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=W2FOVAXQ

GRANDMASTER FLASH - THEY SAID IT COULDN'T BE DONE (1985)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HZDUQ5MS

GRANDMASTER FLASH - THE SOURCE (1986)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=2LGX94K0

WHODINI - WHODINI (1983)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TA5JZ9OO

WILDSTYLE SOUNDTRACK (1983)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RF80RQ7G

BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS - CRIMINAL MINDED (1987)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RIHHKK9O

BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS - GHETTO MUSIC THE BLUEPRINT OF HIP HOP (1989)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F2A5GV65

BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS - SEX AND VIOLENCE (1992)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=U5OZIYOK

SPECIAL ED - LEGAL (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=GDN4MIDA

BOOGIE DOWN PRODUCTIONS - EDUTAINMENT (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=VNL5N78E

NAUGHTY BY NATURE - NAUGHTY BY NATURE (1991)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=DKIRO7WQ

PUBLIC ENEMY - YO! BUMRUSH THE SHOW (1987)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=83DMWTWP

EPMD - BUSINESS AS USUAL (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L0TC7TGU

BIG DADDY KANE - LONG LIVE THE KANE (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BQZ1NFBQ

BIG DADDY KANE - THE TASTE OF CHOCOLATE (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L6YUUF30

BIG DADDY KANE - LOOKS LIKE A JOB FOR... (1993)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=ZW9U27V3

BIG DADDY KANE - DADDY'S HOME (1994)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SWC3J04A

BIG DADDY KANE - ITS A BIG DADDY THING (1989)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=CMCU6KH9

BIG DADDY KANE - PRINCE OF DARKNESS (1991)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=HY1W1917

KOOL G. RAP & DJ POLO - ROAD TO RICHES (1989)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PCGHHZC5

KOOL G. RAP & DJ POLO - WANTED DEAD OR ALIVE (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=RNJ6CIZE

DE LA SOUL - 3 FEET HIGH AND RISING (1989)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=NHZ1UYQL

DE LA SOUL - DE LA SOUL IS DEAD (1991)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XVAB0MIK

RUN DMC - RUN DMC (1983)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=B64PMB9D

RUN DMC - KING OF ROCK - (1985)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=P07100R0

RUN DMC - RAISING HELL (1986)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AB23XRM4

RUN DMC - DOWN WITH THE KING (1993)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=IUDRL0V1

ERIC B. & RAKIM - PAID IN FULL (1987)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=L9WDAWO4

ERIC B. & RAKIM - FOLLOW THE LEADER (1988)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PCNTFS3R

ERIC B. & RAKIM - LET THE RHYTHM HIT EM (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=K1ABQY27

ERIC B. & RAKIM - DON'T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE (1992)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=C4IPCP58

ERIC B - ERIC B (1995)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=PS6YFAO3

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST - THE LOW END THEORY (1991)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=61MJ31Z3

A TRIBE CALLED QUEST - MIDNIGHT MARAUDERS (1993)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BC0Q2HOT

PUBLIC ENEMY - IT TAKES A NATION OF MILLIONS TO HOLD US BACK (1988)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=APBZPI47

ULTRAMAGNETIC MC'S - CRITICAL BEATDOWN (1988)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=F3ALDS2C

BRAND NUBIAN - ONE FOR ALL (1990)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=SKAFE9WK

GRAND PUBA - REEL TO REEL (1992)
http://www.megaupload.com/pt/?d=UYRW3X2Y

MASTA ACE - (1990) TAKE A LOOK AROUND
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=XO91VNXQ

CYPRESS HILL - CYPRESS HILL (1992)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BKFSLXP0

LORDS OF THE UNDERGROUND - HERE COMES THE LORDS (1993)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=O1T2NL3A

GETO BOYS - TILL DEATH DO US PART (1993)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=TC3KB2DJ

GETO BOYS - WE CAN'T BE STOPPED (1991)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=T18FQ07R

PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH - MECCA AND THE SOUL BROTHER (1992)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=BCEDLTKP

PETE ROCK & CL SMOOTH - THE MAIN INGREDIENT (1994)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=COZ7M8J1

ONYX - BACDAFUCUP (1994)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=I1L55FOP

REDMAN - WHUT? THEE ALBUM (1992)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=AGAQMPTC

REDMAN - DARE IZ A DARKSIDE (1994)
http://www.megaupload.com/?d=LMF5XEXQ

this should get you started...........

A lot of classics been posted already...... here's some more:

Raising Hell - Run-DMC
Straight Outta Compton - NWA
Makaveli (2pac) - 7 Day Theory
Life After Death - Notorious B.I.G.
2001 - Dr Dre
Blueprint - Jay-Z
Stillmatic - Nas
College Dropout - Kanye West

Em
Any 2pac album
Royce
Big
BIG L!!!!

What's the difference between these?
I recently discovered MF Doom, and I like him a lot. I'm not really heavy into gangsta stuff, but if it's good, I'll pick it up. I like clever lyrics and beats that rip my spine out of my ass.

Might aswell use the magic of youtubes to give you a sneak peak. :headbang:

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There, enjoy!

Check out MF Doom.

I picked up "Madvillain" today, and I'm hooked.

I picked up "Madvillain" today, and I'm hooked.

Nice!!! That's a great album. MF Doom and Madlib collaboration.:cool: He has a few aliases...

Viktor Vaughn
King Gedorah
DangerDoom (DangerMouse and MF Doom Collaboration)

I would strongly recommend that you pick up DangerDoom. It's awesome!!!

Nice!!! That's a great album. MF Doom and Madlib collaboration.:cool: He has a few aliases...

Viktor Vaughn
King Gedorah
DangerDoom (DangerMouse and MF Doom Collaboration)

I would strongly recommend that you pick up DangerDoom. It's awesome!!!

Yeah, I checked out "The Mask" feat. Ghostface, and it blew me away. That song was in my head all day.

Yeah, I checked out "The Mask" feat. Ghostface, and it blew me away. That song was in my head all day.

Right on...

MF Doom is one of my favorites for sure. His lyrics are kind of schizophrenic but his flow is unmatched IMO. The way he goes in and out of the beat is amazing.

Right on...

MF Doom is one of my favorites for sure. His lyrics are kind of schizophrenic but his flow is unmatched IMO. The way he goes in and out of the beat is amazing.

Yeah, I like MF Doom for sure. Can you recommend me anything that is along the same vein?

I don't really listen to hip hop, but I'm looking to expand my musical horizons. So, what's a good album for me to get my feet wet? Someone told me I should pick up Wu-Tang's "Enter the Wu-Tang" as a good starting-off point.

Any suggestions?




Check out albums from Mos Def and The Roots, you should like them.

Here are some sample songs.






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Check out albums from Mos Def and The Roots, you should like them.

Absolutely. Good stuff. I've seen the Roots before, they are awesome.. I really like Mos Def's album "Black On Both Sides" I think it might be his first album:thinking:

Notorious BIG - Ready 2 Die
Nas - Illmatic
AZ - Doe or die
Wu Tang Clan - Enter the wu-tang:36 chambers


If you really want to appreciate hip hop, smoke a joint, then listen....

Some other mc's i like:

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