The Best Hip-Hop Albums of the 1990s
Our pick of the essential hip-hop records released in the 1990s, ranked.
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1IllmaticNas
Illmatic
Ten tracks, no filler, widely held to be the greatest rap album ever made. Nas's vivid Queensbridge storytelling sits over production from Premier, Pete Rock, Q-Tip and Large Professor. The benchmark every lyricist measures against.
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2Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)Wu-Tang Clan
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
A gritty, kung-fu-soaked debut that introduced nine distinct voices over RZA's raw, dusty production. It rewrote the rules for group dynamics in hip-hop and launched a dynasty of solo careers. Essential East Coast canon.
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3Ready to DieThe Notorious B.I.G.
Ready to Die
Biggie's debut pairs cinematic street narratives with effortless flow and undeniable hooks, balancing menace and humour. The storytelling and presence are extraordinary for a first album. A New York cornerstone.
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4The ChronicDr. Dre
The Chronic
The album that defined G-funk, pairing Dre's laid-back, synth-heavy production with a young Snoop's effortless flow. Massively influential on 1990s West Coast rap. Smooth, menacing and endlessly sampled.
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5The Low End TheoryA Tribe Called Quest
The Low End Theory
Jazz-rap perfected, marrying upright bass and crisp drums to relaxed, conscious rhymes. Hugely influential on alternative hip-hop. One of the genre's most beloved albums.
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6The Miseducation of Lauryn HillLauryn Hill
The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
A genre-blurring masterpiece of hip-hop, soul and reggae, deeply personal and beautifully sung and rapped. It swept the Grammys and still feels singular. One of the great solo debuts.
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7Reasonable DoubtJay-Z
Reasonable Doubt
A coolly confident debut of mafioso storytelling and effortless flow. Polished and assured. Many fans' favourite.
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8It Was WrittenNas
It Was Written
A glossier, commercially bigger follow-up to Illmatic, home to 'If I Ruled the World'. Polished and assured. A strong second act.
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9Me Against the World2Pac
Me Against the World
His most introspective and acclaimed record, reflective and wounded beneath the bravado. Deeply personal. Many fans' favourite.
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10All Eyez on Me2Pac
All Eyez on Me
A sprawling double album of West Coast swagger and contradiction, recorded in a burst of energy. Hit-laden and definitive. Peak Pac.
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11Life After DeathThe Notorious B.I.G.
Life After Death
A sprawling double album of effortless range, released days after his murder. Hit-laden and definitive. A tragic peak.
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12DoggystyleSnoop Dogg
Doggystyle
Snoop's debut, draped over Dre's G-funk, is effortless cool from start to finish. The chemistry between MC and producer is total. A definitive early-90s West Coast record.
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13The Slim Shady LPEminem
The Slim Shady LP
The breakout, introducing his cartoonish alter ego over Dr. Dre production. Shocking and brilliant. The arrival of a phenomenon.
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142001Dr. Dre
2001
A glossy, expensive-sounding return that proved Dre's production genius a second time, full of hits and immaculate beats. The guest list reads like a who's who. Polished West Coast perfection.
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15AqueminiOutKast
Aquemini
The duo's creative high point, fusing live instrumentation, funk and forward-thinking rap into a cohesive whole. Adventurous and soulful throughout. Frequently cited as their best.
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16Midnight MaraudersA Tribe Called Quest
Midnight Marauders
Warmer and punchier than its predecessor, with sharper hooks and the same jazzy ease. Many fans rate it their finest. A perfect summer-evening record.
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17Wu-Tang ForeverWu-Tang Clan
Wu-Tang Forever
A sprawling, ambitious double-album sequel. Dense and acclaimed. A strong follow-up.
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18Liquid SwordsGZA
Liquid Swords
The most coherent Wu-Tang solo album, GZA's dense lyricism over RZA's cinematic, chess-themed production. Dark and brilliant. A 90s essential.
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19The InfamousMobb Deep
The Infamous
Bleak, brilliant Queensbridge rap, all paranoia and hard-boiled detail over dusty beats. Definitive East Coast gloom. A 90s cornerstone.
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20Supa Dupa FlyMissy Elliott
Supa Dupa Fly
A futuristic debut with Timbaland's off-kilter beats and Missy's playful invention. Ahead of its time. A landmark of forward-thinking R&B-rap.
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21Vol. 2... Hard Knock LifeJay-Z
Vol. 2... Hard Knock Life
A commercial peak of crossover hits and street craft. Polished and huge. A breakthrough.
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22Black on Both SidesMos Def
Black on Both Sides
A rich, musical solo debut spanning conscious rap, soul and rock, full of warmth and ideas. Ambitious and beloved. A genre touchstone.
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23Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black StarBlack Star
Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
A warm, lyrical conscious-rap landmark of chemistry and craft. Soulful and beloved. A genre touchstone.
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24Things Fall ApartThe Roots
Things Fall Apart
The Roots' breakthrough, live-band hip-hop of real depth and groove. Soulful and cohesive. Their most acclaimed record.
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25Moment of TruthGang Starr
Moment of Truth
A peak of boom-bap craft, Guru's calm flow over Premier's perfect beats. Tight and beloved. Their finest.
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26Hard to EarnGang Starr
Hard to Earn
A gritty, peak boom-bap record of Premier's beats. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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27Mecca and the Soul BrotherPete Rock & CL Smooth
Mecca and the Soul Brother
A warm, jazzy landmark of soulful production, home to 'They Reminisce Over You'. Lush and beloved. A 90s classic.
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28It's Dark and Hell Is HotDMX
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
A raw, intense debut of gravel-voiced fury and vulnerability. Powerful and huge. A late-90s landmark.
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29TicalMethod Man
Tical
A grimy, raw Wu-Tang solo debut. Tough and beloved. A genre highlight.
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30Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...Raekwon
Only Built 4 Cuban Linx...
The 'purple tape', vivid Mafioso storytelling over RZA's grimy beats, with Ghostface as co-star. Cinematic and influential. A Wu-Tang high point.
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31Operation: DoomsdayMF DOOM
Operation: Doomsday
The supervillain origin story, built from soul loops, cartoon samples and DOOM's tangled, brilliant wordplay. Lo-fi and singular. The foundation of his legend.
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32Soul FoodGoodie Mob
Soul Food
A foundational Southern hip-hop landmark of soulful depth. Warm and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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3393 'til InfinitySouls of Mischief
93 'til Infinity
A breezy, jazzy West Coast debut, home to its title classic. Smooth and beloved. A genre favourite.
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34Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty VersionOl' Dirty Bastard
Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
A wild, unhinged Wu-Tang solo debut of pure charisma. Chaotic and beloved. A cult classic.
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35IronmanGhostface Killah
Ironman
A vivid, soul-sampling Wu-Tang solo debut. Sharp and beloved. A genre highlight.
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36Hell on EarthMobb Deep
Hell on Earth
A bleak, hard-edged peak of Queensbridge gloom. Tough and beloved. A strong follow-up to The Infamous.
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37Ridin' DirtyUGK
Ridin' Dirty
A definitive Southern rap landmark of smooth funk and street wisdom. Soulful and influential. A genre cornerstone.
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38The DiaryScarface
The Diary
A vivid, introspective Southern-rap peak. Sharp and acclaimed. A genre highlight.
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39We Can't Be StoppedGeto Boys
We Can't Be Stopped
A raw, influential Southern-rap landmark, home to 'Mind Playing Tricks on Me'. Dark and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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40E. 1999 EternalBone Thugs-n-Harmony
E. 1999 Eternal
A melodic, rapid-fire peak of harmonised rap. Distinctive and huge. A genre landmark.
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41Black SundayCypress Hill
Black Sunday
A blunted, dark peak of stoner rap and Muggs's eerie beats. Heavy and huge. A 90s staple.
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42Check Your HeadBeastie Boys
Check Your Head
A live-instrument pivot blending rap, punk and funk. Loose and beloved. A creative high.
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43Ill CommunicationBeastie Boys
Ill Communication
A funky, eclectic peak, home to 'Sabotage'. Fun and beloved. A high point.
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44People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of RhythmA Tribe Called Quest
People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A playful, jazzy debut of bohemian energy and invention. Warm and fresh. A great beginning.
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45De La Soul Is DeadDe La Soul
De La Soul Is Dead
A darker, denser follow-up that rejected the hippie label. Sharp and ambitious. A grower among fans.
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46Buhloone MindstateDe La Soul
Buhloone Mindstate
A jazzy, low-key peak of mature craft. Smooth and beloved. A cult favourite.
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47Bizarre Ride II the PharcydeThe Pharcyde
Bizarre Ride II the Pharcyde
A loose, funny, jazzy West Coast debut of off-kilter charm. Playful and beloved. A 90s favourite.
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48Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)Digable Planets
Reachin' (A New Refutation of Time and Space)
A jazzy, bohemian debut, home to 'Rebirth of Slick'. Cool and beloved. A genre highlight.
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49Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes BlackPublic Enemy
Apocalypse 91... The Enemy Strikes Black
A sharp, politically charged peak of dense production. Bold and acclaimed. A high point.
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50AmeriKKKa's Most WantedIce Cube
AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
A furious solo debut of sharp social commentary and Bomb Squad production. Raw and influential. A genre landmark.
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51Death CertificateIce Cube
Death Certificate
A furious, divisive peak of political West Coast rap. Bold and acclaimed. A landmark.
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52The PredatorIce Cube
The Predator
A furious, post-riots peak, home to 'It Was a Good Day'. Sharp and huge. A commercial high.
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53Mama Said Knock You OutLL Cool J
Mama Said Knock You Out
A hard-hitting comeback peak of braggadocio and hooks. Tough and tuneful. His best.
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54Daily OperationGang Starr
Daily Operation
A gritty, peak boom-bap record of Premier's craft. Tough and beloved. A high point.
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55One for AllBrand Nubian
One for All
A jazzy, conscious-rap debut of warm craft. Smooth and beloved. A genre highlight.
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56Breaking AtomsMain Source
Breaking Atoms
A jazzy, influential landmark of sample-based production. Smooth and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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57Lifestylez ov da Poor & DangerousBig L
Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
A sharp, punchline-heavy Harlem debut. Tough and beloved. A cult classic.
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58The Sun Rises in the EastJeru the Damaja
The Sun Rises in the East
A lyrical, Premier-produced peak of dusty boom-bap. Tough and beloved. A cult classic.
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59Enta da StageBlack Moon
Enta da Stage
A grimy, foundational Brooklyn boom-bap landmark. Tough and beloved. A genre cornerstone.
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60Dr. OctagonecologystDr. Octagon
Dr. Octagonecologyst
A surreal, sci-fi art-rap landmark with Dan the Automator. Bizarre and acclaimed. A cult classic.
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61ATLiensOutKast
ATLiens
The Atlanta duo's spacey, soulful second album, where their Southern sound drifted cosmic and confirmed them as something genuinely singular.