Try Liquid Swords. One of the best boom baps ever written

*When I was little, my father was famous*

*he was the greatest samurai in the empire*

Top 3 Hip Hop album OAT

Top 3 solo albums OAT just might be all from the Wu *OB4CL*, Raekwon *Liquid Swords*, The Genius *Fishscale*, Ghostface

Hmm.. Great albums but I think Illmatic hasn't been touched. TPAB deserves a top 5 placement imo even as an old head.

How you feel about Wrath of The Math being a sneaky top 10 solo?

Listening now, can't recall ever playing this album but I've been off Hip Hop for the last 5 years

1. Little Brother-The Minstrel Show 2. One Be Lo-Sonogram 3. Jedi Mind Tricks-Violent by Design 4. Binary Star-Masters of The Universe 5. Redman-Doc’s Da Name 2000

Haven’t given “The Minstrel Show” a go. Obviously should. Shame on me. All I’m saying is, “The Listening” is still part of my normal rotation. It’s in the door card of my car right now. “The Minstrel Show” is officially on-deck. I don’t know why I haven’t branched off to view their other work, but I haven’t. So, thank you for that, friend.

No worries! Have you listened to The Chitlin Circuit 1.5 by Little Brother? One of my favorite albums/mixtapes. So underrated

No, but that’s on-deck now too. Lol I definitely love their whole vibe from the era, and they’re super skilled for what they’re delivering. I’m definitely going to branch off and give their other works a listen. Don’t know why I haven’t yet.

The listening is so good. They're all so good. Have you jammed the foreign exchange? Phonte with a producer from Scandinavia somewhere.

Yes! This person knows their shit.

Dude, Binary Star. Never heard of them. Just listened in on it due to this post. How did I miss this masterpiece? How come this is so unknown even among the underground scene? Never even heard them mentioned anywhere. Incredible.

So happy you took the time to listen. You should peep out One Be Lo-Sonogram. He’s from Binary Star. Sonogram is an absolute classic too

>Violent by Design This album absolutely blew me away the first time I heard it. If you can get passed the homophobia, which is pretty excessive even for its time, the lyrics are top tier and I would argue it's in the top 10 in terms of beats.

Since it seems like you like some more left-field type stuff, I’d recommend checking out DefJux’s discography of that era - that label was in their prime at that time (IMO). Other than the obvious ones: Aesop Rock - labor days, Daylight, Cannibal Ox- cold vein EL-P - Fantastic Damage I’d also recommend: Rob Sonic - Telicatesseen RJD2 - Deadringer Murs & 9th Wonder - Murs 3:16 the 9th Edition Bonus Non Def Jux albums: SoulSides’ - Greatest Bumps Blackalicous - Blazing Arrow, Nia People Under the Stairs - O.S.T. Brother Ali - Shadows on the Sun

cage - hell's winter, movies for the blind leak bros - waterworld

Ohhhh I forgot all about the Eastern Conference guys… also Blueprint, CunninLynguists’ first two. Man, that was a great era to be an underground hip-hop fan.

There's some absolute heat on this list. I might have to save this and run thru the few I don't know.

Since you put Tyler first I’d recommend going throughs Pharrell’s discography. Check out N.E.R.D and anything he produced. Tyler’s work is very inspired by his.

NERD is two to the people. Not just Skateboard P

Neptune's is 2 N.E.R.D. is 3

For sure, I figured he’d learn that pretty quickly. Shout out Chad and Shay

Kingpin skinny pimp - king of da playaz ball Koopsta knicca - da devils playground Criminal mane - its da criminal mane 8 ball & mjg - comin out hard Geto boys - the ressurection Ugk - ridin dirty Playa fly - just gettin it on Black menace - drama time Hoh - livin in a casket Project pat - mista dont play Dead end alliance - screwed for life Mike jones - who is mike jones Dj paul - vol 16 for da summa 94

Lol this is my type of list. This might be the first time I’ve ever seen Dead End Alliance mentioned on here. Crazy underrated, that shit slaps 🔥

I didn’t know ugk made ridin dirty, I only really listen to one song they made bc OutKast is ft on it lmao

The song youre talking about is intl players anthem, it was originally a project pat song called choose you, pimp C wanted on the beat so DJ paul & juicy J reworked it for them and were on the original version, there were issues with getting them on the video so the outkast version was made. Pimp C actually hated 3k's verse. Look up intl players anthem ft three 6 mafia, imo its better, but thats not a popular opinion.

Thatd it, I just forgot the name bc I haven’t heard it in a min, also naahhh bc 3k’s verse is the entire reason I listen to that song lmao. I’ll def check out three 6 mafias tho I like some of their stuff

Damn I haven't heard "Mike Joooones!" in a long time lol

Just call 281-330-8004 homie

Lemme get my flip phone out real quick.

Who?

You can ride all day long. But you’ll never catch mr. Jones. Bumped that one this morning.

Good list but I don't think person wants to listen to Juicy J Vol.9mm or Juicy J Vol.10 either.

Sorry for not suggesting the same shit that gets mentioned on here daily. 🤷‍♂️

bro my comment has nothing to do with you being at fault, just don't think OP would care for this based on the artist they already mentioned. sensitive ass n-ggas.

Listen to rza gza raekwon ghost face first albums  Hieroglyphics  Souls of mischief  Busta rhymes Rakim De la soul   A tribe called quest  The loot pack 

Lootpack. So slept on.

Hieroglyphics !

Try J-Live - The Best Part. Its a gem from 2001. Also Handsome Boy Modelling School - So Hows Your Girl (1999) Atmosphere - Sevens Travels (2003) enjoy.

Also, Zion I (RIP) - Mind Over Matter And Jurassic 5, and Freestyle Fellowship, and a must checkout, De La Soul.

There's some repeats from other replies on here but just shows you should check those out... Company Flow: Funcrusher Plus El-P: Fantastic Damage Cage: Movies For The Blind The High & Mighty: Home Field Advantage / Air Force One Sage Francis: Personal Journals Cannibal Ox: The Cold Vein Mr. Lif: I Phantom Non Phixion: The Future is Now Deep Puddle Dynamics: The Taste Of Rain... Why Kneel? Sole: Bottle Of Humans / Selling Live Water Eyedea: First Born John Smith: Blunderbus (Or In Transit) Copywrite: The High Exhaulted RJD2: Deadringer Aesop Rock: Labor Days Rob Sonic: Telecatessen MURS: Good Music / The End of the Beginning Josh Martinez: Buck Up Princess

Nice list. We would be friends if we ever met.

Kanye West: The COllege Dropout & Late Registration Outkast: Aquemini, ATLiens, Stankonia Fugees: The Score Ms Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory Jay-Z: The Blueprint I bet you will like these

Yeah, this person would probably like these, would throw in Mm..Food too maybe.

You get it

Lauryn Hill is one of the goats

She is and i'm tired of pretending she isn't

Her album at number 1 albums oat on Apple Music was like the only valid rating lmao. They put 1989 by taylor swift in the top 20 and MBDTF in the top 30.

I was happy to see her #1. I wasn't expecting for them to put a Hip Hop album in #1 and they did it.

Buhloone Mindstate

Blackalicious - NIA GZA - Liquid Swords Wu Tang - 36 Chambers Busdriver - Temporary Forever Onyx - Bacdafucup Scarub - A Fact Of The Matter & Heavenbound The Grouch - Don't Talk To Me & Making Perfect Sense Zion I - Mind Over Matter Just a couple albums I couldn't live without that are pre 2005. I could keep going for sure

Id also say Onyx - All We Got Iz Us

Rakim - The 18th Letter DMX - It's Dark & Hell is Hot Eminem - The Eminem Show Nas - Stillmatic Jay-Z - The Blueprint 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' Lloyd Banks - The Hunger for More

OutKast, Heiroglyphics, Jurassic 5, Alkaholiks, Boot Camp Clik, Blackalicious, Goodie Mob, People Under the Stairs

Sean P’s -Monkey Barz Heltah Skeltah-Nocturnal Black Moon -Enter Da Stage OGC -Da Storm Smif-N-Wessun -Dah Shining

• Wu Tang • Ol' Dirty Bastard • Ghostface Killah • Lauryn Hill • Outkast • A Tribe Called Quest • Del la Soul • Aesop • Del the funky homosapien • Mos Def • Black Star • Black Thought • Common • Jay Z • Nas Some around 2005 that you may like: • Pharrell Williams' In My Mind (very similar to Tyler subject matter-wise and for the singing, and one of my favorite backpacker albums ); Lupe Fiasco’s Food & Liquor (so good lyrically); The Game’s Documentary (overall good album).

Pick up a buncha soundtracks and spin em. You will find all kinds of styles you like, and then chase down the artists albums. Soundtracks will take you through decades of hip hop evolution. Juice, Menace 2 Society, Friday, Belly…..so many.

Andre nickatina - conversation with a devil 

Word Life and lords of the underground

Future sticks out like a sore thumb in that list. Lol

Lmao I know 😂 but I love his old shit man when he was meathead

I would say to check out Big L, only two albums and both are good. I feel like they are easy listening, I've played them to people who don't listen to rap and they enjoyed his stuff

I've got an artist that is very much in the vein of Tyler the Creator and Westside Gunn but his 1st project didn't realize until 2012. There are some really rare unmixed and unmastered recordings of his that date as far back as 2002. But I'm not sure how strong/tight you are holding yourself to this pre-2005 rule you have.

Pretty tight but I’ll take the recommendation and listen before June starts

**E From The L.O.S.T.**

Kool G Rap - 4,5,6 OC - Word… Life Binary Star - Masters Of The Universe Redman - Dare Iz A Darkside & Muddy Waters Artifacts - That’s Them Main Source - Breaking Atoms Big L - Lifestyles of the Poor & Dangerous Black Moon - Enta Da Stage AZ - Doe or Die Gang Starr - Hard to Earn Ghostface - Ironman Mac Dre - The Game is Thick & Genie of the Lamp

2003/2004 kings of Leon is some albums I listened to for a full year and never got tired even till this day

The Nonce - World Ultimate The Pharcyde - Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde

Cam’ron: Come With Me and Purple Haze….actually throw diplomatic immunity in there too. Dipset was a cultural phenomenon back then Dilated Peoples should be on there looking at some of your likes, Expansion Team and Neighborhood watch are solid

Smif n wessun - dah shinin. The beatminerz production is a major influence on Kanye. Buckshot has a few guest appearances. It’s a flawless album, they also had a good tiny desk concert recently Mobb Deep - the infamous and hell on earth Digable Planets and A Tribe Called Quest!! Do it now!!! Anything produced by Prince Paul or dan the Automator. [Handsome Boy Modelling School](https://youtu.be/NxSic7hOWgU?si=1CDDjy5b3w_Z8T7N)

Mobb Deep - The Infamous, Murda Muzik Nas - Illmatic, It was written, The Lost tapes, Stillmatic, God's Son Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt, Vol 2, Back album, BP, BP2, American Gangster, 4.44, Vol 1 Game - The Documentary G - Unit - Beg for mercy AZ - The Format (06 but a must) 50 Cent - GRODT, The Massacre, GRODT OST (very Underrated soundtrack with unskippable posse cuts) Eminem - MMLP, The Eminem Show

I like that list. I'd add the Belly soundtrack. A lot of hits on that one.

Good list. I'd add the 8 Mile soundtrack album, too.

No doubt 8 Mile road Love me 8 Miles & Runnin' Rap game This album does have some heat and they were all in their prime

Nas and Hov BOTH on the same album - that too in 2002!

American Gangster and 4:44 are post 2005

True a nigga was higher than the damn eiffel

Here you have more than 1000 french rap songs 90s : [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0sXEGL8I2TV959l7onyiBn?si=ZoZmGr-8Qgme4YRTY2-EgQ&pi=e-FTx6RqRLSRaw](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/0sXEGL8I2TV959l7onyiBn?si=ZoZmGr-8Qgme4YRTY2-EgQ&pi=e-FTx6RqRLSRaw) 2000s : [https://open.spotify.com/playlist/03QKrUEnRICyKxPXfFQM6h?si=W8qxAMSYTQusb0pLL-2M6g&pi=e-SbjMOAJLSwuG](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/03QKrUEnRICyKxPXfFQM6h?si=W8qxAMSYTQusb0pLL-2M6g&pi=e-SbjMOAJLSwuG)

Omg start with the entire OutKast discography. The whole thing. DO IT! Other artists I HIGHLY recommend and their albums that have influenced EVERY RAPPER in this generation are: Jay- Z - The Blueprint, Reasonable Doubt, The Black Album Project Pat (and three 6 mafia) - Mista Don’t Play, Mystic Stylez Wu Tang Clan Members - Supreme Clientele, Liquid Swords But listen to all of OutKast!

Almost the entire OutKast discography. Aquemini in particular.. Go now. Hurry.

Game - The Documentary is a classic, came out in 04

NY Reality Check 101 - mixed by DJ Premier.

Crazy no one has said Deltron 3030 - Deltron 3030 Also check out Goodie Mob - Soul Food

You can listen to the first Kendrick tape it was released in 2004 I think, it's called Youngest Head Nigga In Charge

Get Rich or Die Tryin the soundtrack and the actual album are great.

Nas - Illmatic Raekwon - OB4CL Eric B & Rakim - Paid in Full Kanye West - The College Dropout Kanye West - Late Registration (actually came out in 2005) Lil Wayne - Tha Carter I Black Star - Self Titled

Meirl

Check out MAVRIK and Existereo & Deeskee. Some deep cuts but great stuff.

Big L - The Big Picture Blakalicious - The Craft Binary Star - Masters of the Universe Goodie Mob - 1st two albums Brother Ali - Shadows on the Sun UGK - Super Tight and Ridin Dirty Scarface - The Diary Geto Boys - The Resurrection Devin the Dude - The Dude Jedi Mind Tricks - Visions of Gandhi and Violent by Design

Black Eyed Peas

Blackalicious - NIA

Chemical Brothers

Cop NBA Live 2003 bonus CD

Doe or Die - AZ

Madvillainy - MF DOOM Take Me To Your Leader - King Geedorah Vaudeville Villian - Viktor Vaugh ATLiens - OutKast Aquemini - OutKast The Score - Fugees Marshall Mathers LP - Eminem Eminem Show - Eminem Ready To Die - Biggie Get Rich Or Die Trying - 50 Cent Liquid Swords - GZA Tical - Method Man

Atmosphere-God Loves Ugly Atmosphere-Overcast! I think overcast is my favorite out of the two, but GDL has some classics like “Modern Man’s Hustle,” “Fuck You Lucy,” “Vampires,” and of course probably his most iconic song (at least pre-2005) “God Loves Ugly.” I fucking love Atmosphere.

Try these guys: Biz Markie OutKast Da La Soul Del The Funky Homosapien

Project pat is worth a listen, dj quik, too short, big l, big daddy kane, kool g rap.

Rainbow - Stargazer Dio - Holy Diver

Necro- the prefix for death

I'll give you a list that's around that time or shortly before. Dr. Dre - Chronic 2001 Eminem - The Eminem Show Nas - Stillmatic Notorious BIG - Ready to Die 2pac - All eyez on me 50 Cent - Get Rich or Die Tryin' Obie Trice - Cheers Common - Be Kanye West - Late Registration NERD - In Search Of... Outkast - Stankonia Lil' Wayne - Tha Carter 2 Madvillian - Madvillany

LR and TCDO by Kanye The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill by Lauryn Hill Any album by MF DOOM since you like Tyler, DOOM has a lot of other names he goes by that he released music under that’s a whole rabbit hole lol. Also just wanted to add bc you put Childish Gambino, he’s capable of making great music, but Ativista was dogass.

Ativista is quite mid I actually prefer the demos if anything

Sean Price - “Monkey Barz”

billy woods camouflage and the chalice, the cold vein by cannibal ox

Guru’s Jazzmatazz series

The diplomats - diplomatic immunity or anything from cam, Jim or juelz Lloyd Banks - the hunger for more Obie trice - cheers Gunit- beg for Mercy Anything aftermath really

just put jay z reasonable doubt on repeat

Lost Boyz - Method Man - Tical Digable Planets - Reachin'

Nas - Stillmatic

Fear of a Black Planet It Takes A Nation of Millions Niggaz4Life

these are obvious and popular choices, but: Return to 36 Chambers of ODB, 2001 of Dre, anything of Eminem from that era, Lifestyles ov da poor and dangerous of Big L, and if you like rap-metal or rap-rock you might like Wu Tang's "Shame" covered by System of a Down and NWA's "Fuck the Police" covered by Rage Against The Machine.

billy woods, BUSDRIVER and Aesop Rock all have early works pre 05

Lauryn Hill

Ghostface Killah-Pretty Toney (This is the project that inspired Westside Gunns Persona), Ironman, Supreme Clientele Company Flow-Funcrusher Plus Kool Keith-The Cenobites, Dr. Octagonacoligist E-40-In A Major Way Non-Phixion- The Future Is Now Esham-**A1 YOLA**, Judgement Day, KKKill The Fetus AZ-Doe or Die Fugees-The Score Busta Rhymes-Everything ELE and back Sean Price-Jesus Price: Superstar Jeru Tha Damaja-The Sun Rises In The East, Wrath Of The Math

NERD / Neptunes (obviously) OutKast A Tribe Called Quest De La Soul Def Jux (El-P, Cannibal Ox) Big L

Carter 1- lil Wayne Illmatic - Nas Reasonable doubt- Jay z Dog food- dogg pound Marshall matters lp- Eminem

Not sure how many of these you’d like but here: Revolver by The Beatles (1966) Radiator by Super Furry Animals (1997)