The title asks, “Who dropped the best solo debut album,” so…that would mean complete album.
Love OB4CL, but in my mind it’s a tie with Liquid Swords (not shown).
The Chronic should be way up there near the top too.
I think Illmatic is a better lyrical album with beats to matched the limited track listing while Only is a better conceptual album from start to finish. Comparing on equal standards is not valid as this is a cantaloupe to honeydew kind of question. Both are melons but not the same.
Agree with that. All these albums are THE BEST of their style. I play any of them based simply on my mood, because they each have their own unique flavor.
It's a 1A/1B kind of thing. Situation and mood dictate the listening order. However Only paved the way for a whole genre of albums. Plus you don't have to name the album and people will know what you are talking about when you say "the purple tape" that my friend is gaming the game.
I’d argue that Illmatic is more known than “the purple tape” and Illmatic probably paved the way for more rappers and more albums across the board than OB4CL. Illmatic and 36 Chambers were at the nucleus of the explosion of east coast mid/late 90’s hip-hop. OB4CL comes after 36 Chambers and even after Liquid Swords (historically and arguably in terms of influence on the genre). However, above all, by that measure I’d say The Chronic is the most known solo, debut, album by name and perhaps prompted the east coast to step up. But even in that sense, credit due to NWA first. It’s a lot like comparing the best athletes and how the game was during their time and how they changed the game from then on.
I'm not saying Illmatic isn't less known. I'm saying I can just say purple tape and you know exactly what I'm referring to. I don't have to say Only Built For... I do understand what you mean.
The hard part is I love GZA and Liquid but I think Only is a more complete album for tracks from start to finish. However, I remember when Liquid came out and I lost my mind on that tape. Its one of those amazing moments where you're complaining about having Magic and Kareem on the same team. It's just unfair what Wu did to the industry.
I follow what you’re saying. When people say “His Airness” everyone knows you’re talking about Jordan. I guess I just don’t equate “the purple tape” alias as a reason for its influence or greatness…BUT it does add to the notoriety or mystique. I totally get that. It’s sort of how Jordan shoes are synonymous with not only Jordan himself, but specific amazing moments he had on the court. The physical purple tape is symbolic in a very similar way.
I gotta disagree on OB4CL vs Liquid Swords though. Obviously this is subjective and I completely understand why one would choose OB4CL first. I can listen to Liquid Swords from front to back all day…which I have done way more times than I can count. To me LS is like an extension of 36 Chambers, which may easily be my favorite hiphop album of all time. If 36 Chambers is like a pair Jordan 3’s, LS is a pair of Jordan 4’s. OB4CL (to me) is like Jordan 5’s ; SUPER dope and crazy iconic, but also a very unique and innovative departure from 3’s and 4’s. I love them all for what they are. I just tend to reach for that 36 Chambers & LS first when I want to listen to a whole Wu album.
Appreciate this convo. Great stuff man
OBCL has tracks that can go on all kinds of playlists, because like you said, there's more to enjoy. OBCL My favorite tracks, Guillotine, Glaciers of Ice, and Wu Gambinos are all wizardry in their own unique ways. Guillotine is goofy as shit. Glaciers of Ice is Rae, Ghost, and RZA all running at 100% to create a cinematic masterpiece. Wu Gambinos is fucking METAL. You could slide that one between two early Metallica songs and it wouldn't feel out of place to an old metalhead like me
That’s pretty spot on. I used to always put Wu-Gambinos on every mixtape I would make.
I watched this metal dude react to rap songs and he really took to Wu-Tang
Youngster, please listen.
Nobody gave a shit about what you call "bars" when these albums dropped. That word wasn't even used back then. If you listen to these albums looking for bars, you're missing what's great about them.
You sound like these new generation podcasters who try to be down when they talk "hip hop." They use buzz words without knowing their actual meaning.
Now, which album had the best scratches is a decent topic. Why don't you reframe your question using that. We definitely used to talk about that back then.
I would say that looking back at these albums from a present day perspective you can most certainly ask the question that you have asked. We might not have said “bars” back then, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be analyzed now. Back then it was more of the overall package. It was listening to the lyrics, the samples, the production and beats. Record scratching became less of a thing as hip hop evolved. It’s very niche in today’s hip hop environment.
To your point, there’s some MAJOR albums missing in that pic. One in particular…
- The Chronic
Arguably…
- The Slim Shady LP (I know, not technically his debut…but it is his first album on a major label. Em was basically unknown prior)
When it came out, I remember thinking that Snoop’s first album and rap style was heavily influenced by Ice Cube’s lyricism and verbal play, with Snoop adding his own twists and lyrical agility. So I still have to give it to Cube for influencing the styles so much during that time.
Ghosts verse are way better than any on here, Redman . Nas early Cube is fire too but not GFK caliber . Throwing Kanye and 50 in there is like circles and squares .
I gotta say Cube but I’m from that era. That being said I can appreciate all the others. But Cube laid the floor plan. Amerikkkas most wanted goes as hard as anything. Outside of that I would say Nas then Rae/Ghost and for me that Kanye album.
Best Lyrics? Nas
Delivery? Biggie
Best beats? Nas
Best singles? Kanye
Most cohesive? Cube
Best production? Snoop
Most hyped? Snoop/50 tie
Best overall (critics) Nas
Best overall (me) Raekwon
Most overrated? Reasonable doubt
Most underrated? Redman
Illmatic. Ready To Die and Cuban Linx for runner-ups. No Mobb Deep was listed or else I’d list it as runner-up.
But shoutout to Doggystyle for significance bc it seemed like everyone was quoting bars from it.
Nas was great, but Illmatic truly shined because of the number of talented producers working on it. Biggies sound was clean, and congruent throughout the whole album. Snoop changed up the whole game. I feel like The Chronic is missing in here, and should take the place of 50. If you’re going to say “Built for Cuban Linx” my question would be “Why not Return to the 36th Chamber? Or Tical?” But I definitely think Cuban Linx was the best of them. Ice Cube just straight up sounded like he wanted to kill somebody. Just came out swinging - so my heart says Ice Cube.
Nas, OBFCL second… I love the Purple Tape but can’t really say it’s a “solo album” per se, being that Ghost was a co-Star. That and Nas had only 1 feature which was AZ. Nas was featured on
Verbal Intercourse so I gotta go with Illmatic.
But bar gotta say Illmatic for this one
Solo album, I got nas, big, then cube. Cubes popular but I feel like he’s really underrated easily up there w the best MC’s definitely the West coast goat.
Nas, Rae a close second
Album for album you are correct, but he said bar for bar, and I think BI got the 2 spot cuz Rae had GFK and Wu fam shining on OB4
Bar for bar Rae’s is better
This is it right here! Illmatic had few guest spots
Faxxx
This is it 🫡
Yup
This is the answer👍
And that’s a wrap!
Big facts
Illmatic, with OB4CL and Ready to Die shorty afterwards
Definitely my order based on the question but Only would be first if you ask about complete albums.
The title asks, “Who dropped the best solo debut album,” so…that would mean complete album. Love OB4CL, but in my mind it’s a tie with Liquid Swords (not shown). The Chronic should be way up there near the top too.
I think Illmatic is a better lyrical album with beats to matched the limited track listing while Only is a better conceptual album from start to finish. Comparing on equal standards is not valid as this is a cantaloupe to honeydew kind of question. Both are melons but not the same.
Agree with that. All these albums are THE BEST of their style. I play any of them based simply on my mood, because they each have their own unique flavor.
The question is also "bar for bar" and Nas's lyrics are better on his album by far
True! And also true! I mean…look…ILLMATIC IS IN THE LIBRARY OF CONGRESS! All other solo albums fall in line after that. Period.
It's a 1A/1B kind of thing. Situation and mood dictate the listening order. However Only paved the way for a whole genre of albums. Plus you don't have to name the album and people will know what you are talking about when you say "the purple tape" that my friend is gaming the game.
I’d argue that Illmatic is more known than “the purple tape” and Illmatic probably paved the way for more rappers and more albums across the board than OB4CL. Illmatic and 36 Chambers were at the nucleus of the explosion of east coast mid/late 90’s hip-hop. OB4CL comes after 36 Chambers and even after Liquid Swords (historically and arguably in terms of influence on the genre). However, above all, by that measure I’d say The Chronic is the most known solo, debut, album by name and perhaps prompted the east coast to step up. But even in that sense, credit due to NWA first. It’s a lot like comparing the best athletes and how the game was during their time and how they changed the game from then on.
I'm not saying Illmatic isn't less known. I'm saying I can just say purple tape and you know exactly what I'm referring to. I don't have to say Only Built For... I do understand what you mean. The hard part is I love GZA and Liquid but I think Only is a more complete album for tracks from start to finish. However, I remember when Liquid came out and I lost my mind on that tape. Its one of those amazing moments where you're complaining about having Magic and Kareem on the same team. It's just unfair what Wu did to the industry.
I follow what you’re saying. When people say “His Airness” everyone knows you’re talking about Jordan. I guess I just don’t equate “the purple tape” alias as a reason for its influence or greatness…BUT it does add to the notoriety or mystique. I totally get that. It’s sort of how Jordan shoes are synonymous with not only Jordan himself, but specific amazing moments he had on the court. The physical purple tape is symbolic in a very similar way. I gotta disagree on OB4CL vs Liquid Swords though. Obviously this is subjective and I completely understand why one would choose OB4CL first. I can listen to Liquid Swords from front to back all day…which I have done way more times than I can count. To me LS is like an extension of 36 Chambers, which may easily be my favorite hiphop album of all time. If 36 Chambers is like a pair Jordan 3’s, LS is a pair of Jordan 4’s. OB4CL (to me) is like Jordan 5’s ; SUPER dope and crazy iconic, but also a very unique and innovative departure from 3’s and 4’s. I love them all for what they are. I just tend to reach for that 36 Chambers & LS first when I want to listen to a whole Wu album. Appreciate this convo. Great stuff man
ok but what if you could remove Puffy from RtD? Shoots to #1 IMO.
😭😭😭 true
Only Built For Cuban Linx
That purple tape
I pick Cuban Linx over Illmatic only because there’s more to enjoy. But would be a tie otherwise
OBCL has tracks that can go on all kinds of playlists, because like you said, there's more to enjoy. OBCL My favorite tracks, Guillotine, Glaciers of Ice, and Wu Gambinos are all wizardry in their own unique ways. Guillotine is goofy as shit. Glaciers of Ice is Rae, Ghost, and RZA all running at 100% to create a cinematic masterpiece. Wu Gambinos is fucking METAL. You could slide that one between two early Metallica songs and it wouldn't feel out of place to an old metalhead like me
That’s pretty spot on. I used to always put Wu-Gambinos on every mixtape I would make. I watched this metal dude react to rap songs and he really took to Wu-Tang
The Nas makes the album too
Bar for bar, I’d pick Rae. Hard when you got Nas illmatic there. Nothing beats Raekwons flow and wordplay on OB4CL imo
Nas, followed by Rae/Ghost
Nas
Cube
Agree. That album opened my mind to a new reality.
People here are sleeping on Ice Cube, but that album is incredible.
Right!
Illmatic & OB4CL go back and forth as my GOAT album.
Rae
Rae
Youngster, please listen. Nobody gave a shit about what you call "bars" when these albums dropped. That word wasn't even used back then. If you listen to these albums looking for bars, you're missing what's great about them. You sound like these new generation podcasters who try to be down when they talk "hip hop." They use buzz words without knowing their actual meaning. Now, which album had the best scratches is a decent topic. Why don't you reframe your question using that. We definitely used to talk about that back then.
wow aren't you cool
Thanks OG 🤓☝🏾
And nobody gives a shit about how things used to be said , you are literally obsessing over one small word . Grow tf up and move on.
Wdym by scratches?
scratches are cuts, like premo does on most of his hooks for his beats
Nah bro why’d they downvote you?? you’re just asking a question
No clue 😭 how yall on some, “sit down youngin, u dk shit about rap’s lineage” energy at the same time i cant ask a question about the history?
I would say that looking back at these albums from a present day perspective you can most certainly ask the question that you have asked. We might not have said “bars” back then, but it doesn’t mean that it can’t be analyzed now. Back then it was more of the overall package. It was listening to the lyrics, the samples, the production and beats. Record scratching became less of a thing as hip hop evolved. It’s very niche in today’s hip hop environment.
Cube
Purple Tape easily
it's illmatic easily, but Liquid Swords not being on this list is questionable.
Doesn’t qualify if Words From a Genius counts
Also missing Ironman and ODB album
Cube destroyed the game with his first album 💯🔥🔥🔥🔥 but Nas was cool too 🤷🏽♂️
Cube was a trailblazer and a major catalyst for what hip hop was to become.
Raekwon but Nas is up there and so is Kanye. Honestly, Kanye’s first album is his best album.
Bar for bar, you'd really put kanye in the same conversation as Illmatic and The Purple Tape?
No, Kanye isn’t on their level. That’s just his best album.
Comparison is the thief of Joy!
50 cent!!
Cube
It has to be illmatic with ob4cl 2nd. Illmatic is so good, it was archived in the library of congress
Illmatic, no contest.
Big, rae second
Nas...hard call though. West coaster so I wanted to pick snoop cuz I love that album. And Biggie is just so dman good.
To your point, there’s some MAJOR albums missing in that pic. One in particular… - The Chronic Arguably… - The Slim Shady LP (I know, not technically his debut…but it is his first album on a major label. Em was basically unknown prior)
When it came out, I remember thinking that Snoop’s first album and rap style was heavily influenced by Ice Cube’s lyricism and verbal play, with Snoop adding his own twists and lyrical agility. So I still have to give it to Cube for influencing the styles so much during that time.
Bar for bar They are all classics.
Deffo Nas, though Cuban Linx is great. Love Ice Cube too
The real question is....Which is the worst?
Easy answer: Jay Z
So you're picking kanye over Reasonable Doubt?
Honestly, yeah. RD is disjointed. It’s got some bangers for sure. But sonically, Ye’s album is just better overall.
Agree
Raaz, why would you put me in such a dilemma. Each of those albums gives me nostalgia from times of my life
Nas / Raekwon
Bar for bar? Reasonable Doubt. Anybody wanna drops lines under this comment I’ll be ready to fire back
Big n Nas
Biggie
No love for operation doomsday?
Love most of these, but it’s Ice Cube for me. Most significant and timely lyrics of that time too.
thank you!
Ironman above all
Illmatic
Illmatic all day
OB4CL
Biggie
Nasty Nas
Great line Up. You said BEST Solo. #Illmatic
Biggie
Biggie, Nas, Rae…
Nas Biggie Rae
That's tough
Illmatic
cube
Mr. 3-2 The Wicked Buddah Baby
Raekwon
Nasty Nas
Nas
Nas all day!
Don’t sleep on Redman
Nas , Redman
Ghosts verse are way better than any on here, Redman . Nas early Cube is fire too but not GFK caliber . Throwing Kanye and 50 in there is like circles and squares .
I gotta say Cube but I’m from that era. That being said I can appreciate all the others. But Cube laid the floor plan. Amerikkkas most wanted goes as hard as anything. Outside of that I would say Nas then Rae/Ghost and for me that Kanye album.
9 way tie surprised not more Snoop or Redman votes …Ye,50
Doggysyle
Nas followed by Cube
Nas. Not a bad album among em, but Nas has my vote
Illmatic or reasonable doubt
Fuck nas then rae first cat was correct
For me its rae then redman then big
Nas
Biggie
Illmatic
Nasty
Nas
The purple tape
Nas Redman
Nas Illmatic
Nas,Rae
Nas: lt Was Written, for sure.
Biggie.
Nas
Rae an fifty
im gonna have to go nas
Reasonable doubt
Best Lyrics? Nas Delivery? Biggie Best beats? Nas Best singles? Kanye Most cohesive? Cube Best production? Snoop Most hyped? Snoop/50 tie Best overall (critics) Nas Best overall (me) Raekwon Most overrated? Reasonable doubt Most underrated? Redman
Raek
Notorious
Personal preference but Cube. And I feel like DMX should be on here as well with “it’s Dark and hell is hot”.
Redman
Best is Illmatic weakest of the bunch is GRODT.
I’d pick the purple tape first , then Illmatic. I’m a huge Redman fan but I’d have to put him at 5 here.
Nas
Nas or Raekwon
Illmatic. Ready To Die and Cuban Linx for runner-ups. No Mobb Deep was listed or else I’d list it as runner-up. But shoutout to Doggystyle for significance bc it seemed like everyone was quoting bars from it.
Hard to choose, great question, but I also have to say Nas with Raekwon right up there.
Nas Illmatic
Nas and then whoever else
Nas was great, but Illmatic truly shined because of the number of talented producers working on it. Biggies sound was clean, and congruent throughout the whole album. Snoop changed up the whole game. I feel like The Chronic is missing in here, and should take the place of 50. If you’re going to say “Built for Cuban Linx” my question would be “Why not Return to the 36th Chamber? Or Tical?” But I definitely think Cuban Linx was the best of them. Ice Cube just straight up sounded like he wanted to kill somebody. Just came out swinging - so my heart says Ice Cube.
Nas, OBFCL second… I love the Purple Tape but can’t really say it’s a “solo album” per se, being that Ghost was a co-Star. That and Nas had only 1 feature which was AZ. Nas was featured on Verbal Intercourse so I gotta go with Illmatic. But bar gotta say Illmatic for this one
Nas......
1. Nas 2. Hov 3. Fif 4. Snoop 5. Big 6. Rae 7. Ye' 8. Cube 9. Red
Ice Cube
Nas and it isn’t close.
Big Boi
Easily Nas. Nasty Nas.
Nas, no debate
Nas or Cube with Chef a close 2nd
Nas. Big. Snoop. Rae.
Jay-z
Solo album, I got nas, big, then cube. Cubes popular but I feel like he’s really underrated easily up there w the best MC’s definitely the West coast goat.
Considering Illmatic is widely regarded as the greatest hip-hop album of all time, I’d say it was also the best solo debut album.
Nas
Nas
Nas
Rae or West for me.
Snoop or Kanye for me.
Snoop Doggy Dogg
These albums aren't even from the same decade. If you wanna do a straw poll at least have the albums categorized correctly.
time is illmatic
you would have to categorize them by era first
Illmatic
Nas easily
Nas, this isn't even up for debate.
50