Cannibal Ox - Cold Vein Cann Ox's debut was uncompromisingly fierce from start to finish. They embraced this album because it signalled a new wave of alt-rap culture that would prove influential down the road.Ĩ.
When childhood pals Pharrell, Chad, Shay decided to explore their nerdy tendencies on In Search Of., they were taking a road less traveled. The dictionary-toting MC/producer Aesop Rock made his presence known by creating an album that was sonically and thematically superior to hip-hop's bland parity of the time.ĩ. Aesop Rock - Labor Days Aesop is one of the best rapping white boys not named Marshall. The rest of the game is still playing catch-up.ġ0. Ghostface Killah - Supreme Clientele Ghostface teamed up with The RZA to create an album that redefined hip-hop's cutting edge sensibilities. Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP An undeniable hip-hop masterpiece that reinforced Eminem's status as one of the most exciting artists of the new millennium.ġ. The jagged edges fit together like a sonic Jenga.Ģ. OutKast - Stankonia Two dope boys from ATL lay down funky riffs and melodies while dropping musical bombs. Common - Like Water For Chocolate The epic that signaled Common's stunning leap from booky underground darling to fully realized artist.ģ. Del Tha Funky Homosapien - Deltron 3030 Rather than chase trends by faking gangsta reality, Del opts to fuse his unabashedly geeky concepts with Dan the Automator's sharp rhythms and emerges with a wildly imaginative debut.Ĥ. Nia positioned itself as the anti-DMX in a realm where gun-toting was the norm.ĥ. Blackalicious - Nia A transcendent mix of lo-fi rap and beautiful noise that eschewed hip-hop stereotypes. Not for the weak at heart (or ear), Warriorz gets a boost from DJ Premier's grimy production.Ħ. hits the pleasure center of high-energy hip-hop lovers.
dead prez - Let's Get Free The most revolutionary hip-hop group since Public Enemy, dead prez helped revive the conscious movement with this powerful debut LP.ħ. Lyricist extraordinaire Talib Kweli and sonic force Hi-Tek collaborate on a masterwork that underlined the Rawkus era in hip-hop.Ĩ. SV's experimentation with neo-soul and quirky raps flung the door open for groups like Little Brother and Tanya Morgan. Slum Village - Fantastic Vol.2 Two of the three masterminds behind Fantastic Vol.2 are no longer alive, but this album left an indelible mark on hip-hop.