The Definitive Hip-Hop Collection (Part 3)

11. Criminal Minded - Boogie Down Productions

While Criminial Minded is one of KRS-ONE's best albums, I had real trouble between choosing this or Return Of The Boom Bap. Boom Bap is very similar in style, and the understanding you would gain of Bronx hip-hop isn't going to be that different. In addition to being more modern, I feel the album is of better quality and that KRS-ONE has, at that point, matured and his confidence is at a high. What you get are much better rhymes that are particularly poignant politically.

12. Doug E. Fresh - The World's Greatest Entertainer

Basically, this album is like an 80's hip-hop variety show. Doug's beat boxing is probably the best ever, and there will be none like him ever again. He broke Slick Rick, who was a better lyricist, and who really helped make this album shine. The reason this is a must have is that it bridges the gap between Africa Bambaataa and L.L. Cool J.

13. L.L. Cool J - Mama Said Knock You Out

This album was an incredible comeback for L.L. He had been counted out for years before, with his only real hit prior to this album being his debut. Mama said remained one of the best hip-hop albums for several years during the 90's. It set a new standard for quality, with L.L.'s signature metaphors, and his smooth delivery. Paired with some real honesty, I know that this album was one of the few that helped Hip-Hop cross over to the mainstream, for better or for worse.

14. Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

I remember listening to this in '97 and not knowing where they were from. When I found out they were from the west-coast, I denied it for years. This group was so original that they caught everyone by suprise. They sucessfully blended the conscious with the silly, as well as the terrible. Bizarre Ride is still difficult to categorize, but it definitely belongs in this collection.

15. De La Soul - Stakes Is High

De La is probably one of the best Hip-Hop groups that you may never have heard or, or you may think they were one-hit-wonders. With Prince Paul's production, on their first album, 3 Feet High And Rising they immediately changed the way producers put together Hip-Hop albums. This album was probably De La's darkest. There is a constant sense of foreboding as you listen to the album, it is almost as though they have a warning that is so urgent you have to hear it. The namesake song on the album is easily in my top ten, and is one of the few songs that I can listen to repeatedly without tiring.

I thought of submitting 3 Feet instead of this, but this album is so much better that it had to go on.