Top Hip-Hop Albums to listen to in your quarantine time
The way we live our lives has changed significantly in a very short amount of time because of the coronavirus, known as COVID-19, which has cancelled all the events around the world and halted social activities everywhere. Amidst this pandemic, the governments have declared lockdowns. People all over the globe are being encouraged to stay away from public spaces.
You’re staying home and you need a distraction, so you have no other option other than turning to your T.V. or your phone for entertainment. But vegging out in front of the TV can take a major toll on your health.
Instead of sitting at one place all day, and straining your eyes, it is advised to listen to some good music. Listening to music lets you do any and every daily chore, workout, or even simply walk around the house. It keeps you kind-of engaged too and if you’re listening to the right track, it’ll help you pass time and you’ll lose the track of it.
When it comes to what type of music to listen to, it generally depends on what kind of task you’re up to do alongside listening to the music. But if you’re planning to listen to some Hip-Hop, you’re in the right place.
Hip-hop is the most diverse genre of music, because other than sounding absolute all alone, it completes other genre’s music when mixed with them, which, surprisingly, it does very well since it blends-in quite nicely.
Hip-hop has music that has meaning to it, is crafted wonderfully, is catchy and it can be an enigma too. In short, a good Hip-hop album is a complete package of all types of music. Following is a list of top 7 Mainstream Hip-hop albums to listen to in this quarantine period.
Illmatic (1994)
Illmatic is the debut studio album by American rapper Nas, released on April 19, 1994. It contains discerning treatment of its subject matter: ravages of urban poverty gang rivalries and desolation.
The album has been noted by music writers for Nas’ unique style of delivery and poetic substance. His lyrics contain content, layered rhythms, multisyllabic rhymes, internal-half rhymes, assonance, and enjambment. The album has been praised by critics to be a classic hip-hop album and has secured more than 9 out of 10 stars in every review.
The likes of N.Y. State of Mind, The World Is Yours all through One love and It Ain’t Hard to Tell, are all classics and clear example of pure lyricism and soothing rhymes.
Nas and this album particularly have been responsible for the birth of a lot of rappers we know and love. The likes of J Cole, Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, J Electronica, Lil Wayne and even rappers of his era like Eminem and Jay-Z. This album is so classic that it is among the Parent Albums in Hip-Hop. Nas’ later works have been equally contributing to music, revolutionary and as always, attract the attention of true hip-hop listeners.
The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
The Marshall Mathers LP is the third studio album by American rapper Eminem, released on May 23, 2000. The album focuses on the upbringing Marshall had, how the world treated and still treated him then and how he chooses to keep portray himself with a controversial second personality Slim Shady. His lyrics contain emotional, dark-humour, violence, catchy hooks, and horror-filled descriptions. His lyrics contain Rhymes, multi-syllable rhymes, internal rhymes and one of his unique styles which 5 and 7-syllable rhymes continued over 8 bars. The album debuted with more than 9 stars out of 10 and managed to secure even better reviews during the retrospective visitation.
The likes of Stan, The Way I Am to The Real Slim Shady and B**** Please II, the album has Exceptional storytelling, writing, and flows and cadences.
Eminem and this album particularly have been responsible for the birth of a lot of rappers we know and praise. The likes of 50 Cent, Big Sean, Joyner Lucas, Kendrick Lamar, J Cole, and even rappers of his era like Obie Trice, Royce Da 5’9″. Eminem has been regarded as one of the greatests by reviewers, fans and even the greatests like Nas, Jay-Z, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and many more. This album is also classic and is among the Parent Albums in Hip-Hop. Eminem’s later works have been equally, if not more, contributing to music, exceptional and as always, attract the attention of many hip-hop listeners. He is still going even after 25 of debut and has evidently evolved as an artist.
Ready to Die (1994)
Ready to Die is the debut studio album by American rapper The Notorious B.I.G., released on September 13, 1994. The album focuses on the struggles Biggie had growing up and back then, his relationship with his girlfriends, his relations with drug dealers and other problems as a black man in white-dominant society. His lyrics contain emotion, violence, semi-melody, great style, and one of a kind delivery and voice. He is known for his unmatchable flows and unique story. The album debuted with over 9 stars out of 10 everywhere.
The likes of Juice, Big Poppa, all through One More Chance and Warning, are full of overwhelming flows and cadences and storytelling.
Biggie and this album particularly have been responsible for the birth of a lot of rappers we know and love. The likes of Big Sean, Logic, J Cole, Donald Glover and even rappers of his era like Nas, Tupac, Eminem and Jay-Z. This album is also a classic one and is among the Parent Albums in Hip-Hop. Unfortunately, B.I.G. was gunned down in 1997 (right before his second album Life After Death) all his previous and recorded works were later released and have been heavily contributing to music and attract the attention of true hip-hop listeners.
All Eyez On Me (1996)
All Eyez on Me is the fourth studio album by American rapper Tupac, released on February 13, 1996. The album is an unapologetic statement and focuses on the struggles Tupak had growing up, him being a proper gangster, his involvements with other gangsters and other problems as a black man in white-dominant society. His lyrics contain heavy emotion, violence, anger, unmatched style and rough delivery and voice. He is known for his unforgettable content and unique messages. The album debuted with over 9 stars out of 10 everywhere.
The likes of All Eyez On Me, Who Do U Want It, all through California Love and 2 of Amerikaz Most Wanted are all unforgettable tracks and heartfelt story and content.
Tupac and this album particularly have been responsible for the birth of a lot of rappers we know and love. The likes of Kendrick Lamar, Big Sean, J Cole, Joyner Lucas, 50 Cent and even rappers of his era like Nas, B.I.G., Eminem and Jay-Z. This album is also a classic one and is among the Parent Albums in Hip-Hop. Unfortunately, Tupac was gunned down in 1996, 6 months before B.I.G.’s death. All his previous and recorded works were later released as singles and full studio albums and have been heavily contributing to music and attract the attention of true hip-hop listeners.
To Pimp A Butterfly (2015)
To Pimp a Butterfly is the third studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on March 15, 2015. The album continues a nuanced dialogue about weighty topics that affect the African-American community. Releasing his album in a time of renewed black activism, Lamar’s song “Alright” has become a rallying cry for the Black Lives Matter movement. The album explores a variety of political and personal themes related to race, culture, and discrimination. The album is full of metaphorical tracks and is metaphorical and satirical as a whole. The album debut with over 9.5 stars out of 10.
The likes of i, Alright all the through u and Mortal Man are unforgettable tracks off of the album.
Kendrick Lamar has proved through this album that he is right at the level of the greatests. His greatest inspiration, Tupac’s influences are clearly visible through his music. He’s basically taking his legacy forward. Kendrick has been regarded as one of the greatests by reviewers, fans and even by the greatests like Nas, Jay-Z, Eminem, Dr Dre, Snoop Dogg and many more. This album is a classic record. Kendrick is still going at an unstoppable speed and has been successful to attract the attention of many hip-hop listeners.
Straight Outta Compton (1988)
Straight Outta Compton is the debut studio album by American hip hop group N.W.A, released August 8, 1988. The album has been viewed as the pioneering record of gangsta rap with its pervasive graphic profanity and true lyrics. Because of the recurring violent and horrorcore lyrics and profanity, often specifically directed at governmental organizations such as the LAPD, N.W.A always enjoyed a particular reputation with U.S. Senators and the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), as noted in the LP’s published notes. The album secured at least 8.5 stars out of 10 from all reviewers.
The likes of Gangsta Gangsta, Express Yourself all the way through Straight Outta Compton and F*** The Police are legendary tracks.
Unfortunately after Ice Cube’s exit, D.O.C.’s accident and later Dr Dre’s exit, the group lost hope, and after one last collaboration Eazy-E passed away. The group fell down and everyone got into their own stuff. But the music they created is the base of all hip-hop, and every rapper on earth is a fan of the legendary group N.W.A.
2001 (1999)
2001 is the second studio album by rapper and hip hop producer Dr Dre. It was released on November 16, 1999. 2001 exhibits an expansion on Dre’s debut G-funk sound and contains gangsta rap themes such as violence, promiscuity, drug use, street gangs and crime. The album secured an 8-star review out of 10 from the critics.
The likes of Still Dre, Forgot About Dre all the way through The Next Episode and The Message are all classics from this decade-defining piece.
After Dr Dre’s exit from N.W.A., he teamed up with Snoop Dogg released his debut album The Chronic (1991), helped Snoop through his debut album, lost some friends, him and Snoop, were dippin’ again kept his ear to the streets, signed Eminem, and through both their’s and Xibit’s help, put this record together.
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