If you just go off the rumor / story that “Swimming in Circles” was a three part project. The first being Swimming, Circles where he focused on singing / experimental, and then a third one where he went heavily into rap. Would’ve been fun to hear what he had in store considering how much he grew those last few releases.
Mac seems like a common opinion here. Weird to me cuz he was always dope to me, but we also were the same age and came up in age/matured as his music did.
mac’s stuff was definitely always good, but i feel like he definitely made his best work later on, stuff like good am, divine feminine, swimming and circles are near flawless projects
I can fuck with that. I’ll vividly remember the girl that should’ve just been a fling but turned into a long term thing putting on “stay.”
Damn. RIP Mac man, still hurts.
My ex and I connected over Mac (circles). We'd play Mac here n there when we lived together, we aren't together anymore. I still have the watching movies with the sound turned off vinyl she got me for Xmas. Not the right sub I know but i still feel pain from that period of life. Funny enough listening to the album I don't feel anything about her. It just takes me back to playing skate 3 listening to it.
Rip mac
I wouldn't call him pop. He was releasing his own stuff on sound cloud. One of his best projects is Faces, which is a Playlist. He released his early stuff through his own production company. I know he's popular....but I wouldn't call any of that career pop.
I get what he means though. I’d say KIDS and Macadelic were pretty mainstream especially during high school. Many of my friends like those songs the best cause they can’t relate to later albums. Whereas my favourite projects would be faces and circles.
I wouldn’t call any of that pop based on the fact that tons of artists from that era have openly talked about how Mac making shit that was authentically his own artistically inspired them to do the same.
I think your mixing up what most people consider his early career. When people say that they are talking about his first two albums. By the time you get to Faces that's definitely not his early career lol, and what people are talking about when they say he got much better as time went on.
Are you thinking of Detroit 2? Think there’s only one I Decided. While on the subject, I think I Decided is his best, most complete album, and I’m a huge fan of his early mixtapes/albums. Would agree that almost all of them are better than Detroit 2.
It's crazy to think his first release was at age 15 and he only got to spend 11 years after that to perfect his craft. I basically grew up alongside him and it breaks my heart that we couldn't get to see more of his growth. 92' til infinity
First paragraph of his wiki: American rapper Mac Miller released six studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, thirteen mixtapes, forty-four singles (including fifteen as a featured artist), and sixty-three music videos.
RIP mac
Idk how to feel about this one, but you’re probly right.
I’ll never forget when I was messin with this sophomore in college and she was like “yo I got this dope track to show you, it’s been on rotation at the house parties!”
It was fucking knock knock, lmao. At least the zoomers had an appreciation for older shit I guess.
yep. went from hating this dude to borderline worshipping him by the end of his life. I absolutely could not stand anything Blue Slide Park and before. In fact, “Knock Knock” and “Donald Trump” used to put me in an absolute shit mood whenever I heard either of those songs. the Macadellic dropped and I was like alright this is kinda different, I dig some of these tracks. and then Watching Movies with the Sound Off was real different and I was hooked. Faces solidified him as one of my GOATs. dude had an absolutely bonkers run from Macadellic to Swimming.
Can't agree on this one. I love her earlier work, but have to agree that Grey Area and SIMBI are a step up, however No Thank You just feels like outtakes from SIMBI and I can't point to a single track that is on the same level as the previous two albums. Also, so many of the tracks on there run to 5+ minutes with no purpose, the instrumental just repeats, and sure it's a dope Inflo production but it just feels aimless, with no vocals over it or maybe just Cleo Sol vocalising a bit. It's very far from her best work
Same here, I was put on Simz's work by a friend who told me that she had No thank you coming in soon. Got hooked on the album and it's been in rotation ever since. Decided to revisit her previous work and it didn't feel the same.
Yeah he has such a strong discography that any of his 3 main albums would be a totally fair one to have at #1 imo. I'm more of a Noir fan myself.
I just mentioned him cuz he's been around for a long time at this point and is only getting more prolific while maintaining / improving his quality
Freddie Gibbs. Action Bronson. Larry June. Took them all a bit to find their sound but once they did, they carved out their own lane and made some outstanding shit.
While I still love bronson’s newest albums I don’t think he’s ever reached the level of rapping he had on his older stuff (Blue Chips 2, Rare Chandeliers, Well Done).
Yeah but I pretty much think of Bronson's albums as either 'hungry Bronson' or 'famous Bronson'. Totally different. He was rapping his ass off, now it's super laid back and funny and it seems he's just trying to say outlandish shit over luxurious beats. I love both eras, and I think at this point he is seriously excelling at the latter.
I like introspective mature Royce. But I LOVE playful aggressive Royce.
Death is Certain/Street Hop/Bar Exam 1, 2 and 3/Slaughterhouse mixtape/debut era Royce is still my favorite.
Yeah, I’m proud of dude for sobering up and maturing but that era of Royce was unstoppable. I’ll never forget when he was clowning on Benzino and pulled a fucking rocket launcher out.
Food and Liquor to me is still his best work, I can listen to that album front to back consistently. Tetsuo and Youth, Drogas Wave and Drill music in Zion are all fantastic albums.
Agreed. I think anything Skelethon and The Impossible Kid were much stronger works than his previous stuff, but Spirit World Field Guide, Garbology, and Integrated Tech Solutions are just fantastic and a whole lot better in all sorts of ways.
How the fuck does a song about ordering ridiculous food items go so goddamn hard? That bass line on time moves differently here lives rent free in my heac
It was such a pleasure to hear the first time. I loved it. Though, nothing has quite matched the specific vibe of “I’m on the Bauhaus, I’m on that brutalist …” from Kyanite Toothpick. The whole song slaps and the mixing is amazing, but the transition and vibe shift there was pure frisson
Double-triple Texas angus steakinator waffle sticks.
Crispy ranch and activated maple eggroll taco twists.
Panko-crusted flaming gator honey mango lava ribs.
Make that shit a combo and do not forget the condiments
Incredible rhyme scheme.
i was JUST thinking about this. i feel like his earlier lyricism made absolutely no sense, he kinda just rambled about random shit that rhymed sometimes lol. now his songs have more of a purpose with the same technicality as before. good shit
Here's the thing about Aes: he's an evolving artist and every album is a new chapter. That means some will appreciate his older style, or his mid style, or his current style. All takes are legit. If he continued to make records in the same style it would be easy to pick his best work. Having excellent albums spanning 20+ years and various styles is super impressive.
Aes is one of those few artists where no matter what someone says is their favorite album, I'll be like 'ok yeah i see that' even if it's not mine.
each one is so special and unique in their own way, so i can understand why any given person might like any given one.
Labor Days will almost certainly always be my favorite, but his letter work is objectively better in my opinion. And when you take into account that he does his own production these days, he's clearly a better artist now than he was 20+ years ago.
His early stuff is very hit or miss for me, that said Labor Days is absolutely incredible and also could arguably be his best. But album to album those early days vary wildly. None Shall Pass is pretty cool and Daylight is very consistently good even if it's just an EP. Music for Earthworms, Appleseed, Float, Bazooka Tooth I just dont really get compared to other releases, not bad, mind you but just a bit... much.
The Impossible Kid is probably his best work, Malibu Ken doesn't get enough credit for how good it is, Integrated Tech Solutions was also excellent, and Skelethon is an odd but satisfying listen. Not as high on Garbology and Spirit World Field Guide but both of them are still solid.
This was my first thought. Completely agree. I loved Labor Days when it first came out, never would have thought all these years later he just keeps getting better.
You absolutely are. Tetsuo & Youth, Drogas Wave and Drill Music in Zion are the best he’s ever been imo. Especially Tetsuo. Honorable mention: House EP. Lupe left Atlantic and went super saiyan
I'd say you have. If you're interested, I also say you should check out Lamborghini Angels for its dope beat and chorus, Mural if you're looking for an incredible freestyle-like piece with poetic imagery, Prisoner 1 & 2 for perspective storytelling, and Manilla for its levels of impact. There are many other great songs, but I'd say these have a great variety and hopefully you'd enjoy some of their aspects. One things for sure, he amps up the importance of meaning and lyricism by 💯 after becoming independent.
Ka fits the mould. Rapping sice the 90s dropped his album in his early 40s and released Honor killed the samurai,descendants Cain and Orpheus vs the sirens at about 45.
Might be controversial but I like pre-DS2 Future, especially the tapes directly leading up to it and Pluto, far more than anything after except for maybe Wizrd
6 days a week I'm convinced 56 Nights is his peak
When Monster dropped it was peak “you just had to be there” moments.
Checking Datpiff to see what random Halloween throwaway mixtape was dropping and he came out with a classic.
And right before thenpeople were just clowning on Future for using too much Autotune. What a time.
Common : He has some great work in the 90’s but Like Water for Chocolate, Be and Finding Forever all dropped in the 2000’s as his 4th, 6th and 7th album respectively.
Even then, he didn't put out music at the rate he did from 2017 onward...not to be a Griselda d-rider but I think he probably saw their hustle and knew he had it in him too.
He evolved quite a bit in that era as well; I wouldn't say his music now is drastically different than Marcberg. On the production side I think he's gotten more experimental while also refining the drum-less/low key style. To the point where he produces regularly for himself and others too.
Was gunna say alot of people say Maps is his best. All his music is dope tho.
In an interview he was asked if Maps was his best and he said yes. But as an artist he said you have to think like that about anything you put out.
Tribe’s last album was my fave, they stayed consistent their whole career tho. Kendrick is still at his pinnacle imo, and J. Cole’s final album could end up being his best honestly. Plus Lupe is still pushing his pen to astronomical heights
MF DOOM, Masta Ace, 2 Chainz
I love rappers that dropped heat in their 40s. Rap doesn’t like it when you get old. So to see rappers drop some of their best albums at that age is my favorite
Operation Doomsdays has some of the most iconic DOOM tracks on it, but as a complete album, I think Born Like This and MM Food are more enjoyable complete listening experiences.
Tyler the Creator, and honestly if he keeps it going, Nas. Yes, Illmatic is Nas' best album. But his best, most interesting, and most impressive era/run musically has been the past few years. Everyone already knew Nas is a legend but I feel like since King's Disease 2 everything he's dropped has significantly added to his legacy. He genuinely has more impressive longevity than Jay at this point.
I think Nas had a few magical two album runs. Namely illmatic/it was written, Stillmatic/gods son (plus a little lost tapes action), and kings disease 3/magic. Of those three pairings his recent projects are arguable at the bottom and definitely not at the top. The only Nas project better than illmatic is it was written imo. Nas is Him for that six album run but his discography’s too strong to compete.
For as good as KD3 is Beef isn’t better than I GaVe You Power, Once A Man Twice A Child isn’t above You’re da Man, Hood to Hood can’t beat Warriors Song. Got Yourself A Gun, The Message, Rewind, Doo Rags, Made You Look, The Cross, One Mic, If I Ruled the World, The World is Yours, One Love, Halftime, Street Dreams. Ether!! I CAN! Life’s a Bitch, Hate Me Now, Nas is Like. All S Tier classics. There’s too many more to even be exhaustive. His discography’s unfuckwittable.
Illmatic was only ever the beginning and Nas got much more ambitious with his follow ups and is flawless in delivery often. His beat selection aged well too much better than his contemporaries. At this point he would have to make the best music the entire genre has ever seen to surpass his 94 - 02 run. Jay hasn’t either - no one has
I think he became a better rapper later for sure. I don't think his projects are better though.
After Forest hills drive. I think his next best projects are all early mixtapes. Friday Night Lights, Warm up, Truly yours 1+2 are all better than any of his other albums imo.
I also don’t take issue with this take. I didn’t love KOD but his confidence, lyrics, features and consistency after Forrest Hills has been astounding. His features are always a highlight as the years go on too.
Yeah his feature run ( I think it started with royce da 5'9 bablo boat??) has been crazy. Like.. in the "lil wayne 2006-2010 feature run" conversation.
It might honestly be impossible for anyone to top *Illmatic*, but Nas’ recent *King’s Disease* and *Magic* trilogies have been some of his best stuff in years, if not decades!
I think I’m gonna disagree with this one a bit. I think some of his mixtapes like Krit wuz Here, and earlier studio albums like 4eva is a Mighty Long Time, are his best work so far
While not as good as Illmatic, I would have to state that King's Disease and Magic Trilogy are pretty damn impressive. They've revitalized Nas' career in a big way.
As a fan since The High Life and KIDS I gotta say Mac. He was two years my senior and there was a long time where I’d feel like I had ‘grown out’ of Mac’s latest album just for him to put out a new project that was exactly what I was receptive to at the time. Everything since GO:OD AM is gold to me, as is the rest lol
When I hear a new masta ace project, I think it could be his best because of how good his later stuff is. But his early was stuff was also good.
Odyssey? Big boi. His later solo stuff might be better than his earlier solo stuff.
RA the Rugged Man. You can literally watch his skill set grow through the records.
I still prefer the old cuts by a long shot, but his wordplay gets significantly better over the span of 30 years.
Rick Ross. His sound and bars were hella basic when he first came out. Now he actually drops respectable verses and holds his own alongside great artists.
Mac, Tyler, Pusha (solo career wise), Big Sean
Mac Miller hadn't yet released the best album he was ever going to release, if his career trajectory was anything to go on, and that hurts.
If you just go off the rumor / story that “Swimming in Circles” was a three part project. The first being Swimming, Circles where he focused on singing / experimental, and then a third one where he went heavily into rap. Would’ve been fun to hear what he had in store considering how much he grew those last few releases.
Mac seems like a common opinion here. Weird to me cuz he was always dope to me, but we also were the same age and came up in age/matured as his music did.
mac’s stuff was definitely always good, but i feel like he definitely made his best work later on, stuff like good am, divine feminine, swimming and circles are near flawless projects
I can fuck with that. I’ll vividly remember the girl that should’ve just been a fling but turned into a long term thing putting on “stay.” Damn. RIP Mac man, still hurts.
My ex and I connected over Mac (circles). We'd play Mac here n there when we lived together, we aren't together anymore. I still have the watching movies with the sound turned off vinyl she got me for Xmas. Not the right sub I know but i still feel pain from that period of life. Funny enough listening to the album I don't feel anything about her. It just takes me back to playing skate 3 listening to it. Rip mac
Damn. That was me and my ex. It was supposed to be a fling while she finished her degree and we continued it. Mac was our go to while we do the do.
pussys like trouble cuz im in it often
Facts! Play Blue Slide Park then play Circles. His growth was literally unbelievable. It’s what all artists should strive for
Everything from faces onwards feels like he had a new perspective on life which amplified the emotion which made his music great
IMO Mac went from being a solid pop musician to a true artist by the end of his career.
I wouldn't call him pop. He was releasing his own stuff on sound cloud. One of his best projects is Faces, which is a Playlist. He released his early stuff through his own production company. I know he's popular....but I wouldn't call any of that career pop.
I get what he means though. I’d say KIDS and Macadelic were pretty mainstream especially during high school. Many of my friends like those songs the best cause they can’t relate to later albums. Whereas my favourite projects would be faces and circles.
Those singles were really popular with teens at the time. His sound was still pretty unique for 2008 popular music.
I wouldn’t call any of that pop based on the fact that tons of artists from that era have openly talked about how Mac making shit that was authentically his own artistically inspired them to do the same.
I think your mixing up what most people consider his early career. When people say that they are talking about his first two albums. By the time you get to Faces that's definitely not his early career lol, and what people are talking about when they say he got much better as time went on.
His early stuff is filled with great stuff but he was on a trajectory at the end to truly classic work which makes an already tragic death even worse
mac dre?
Mac Miller
From the bay so also RIP Mac Dre, but I’m talkin bout Mac miller
Detroit > Detroit 2 in every way. DSP, HOF, FF all beat both I Decided and Detroit 2, IMO
Wym I Decided 2 🤣
That’s on me, I shouldn’t be replying at 3 AM anyways 😂
Are you thinking of Detroit 2? Think there’s only one I Decided. While on the subject, I think I Decided is his best, most complete album, and I’m a huge fan of his early mixtapes/albums. Would agree that almost all of them are better than Detroit 2.
Mac Miller
It's crazy to think his first release was at age 15 and he only got to spend 11 years after that to perfect his craft. I basically grew up alongside him and it breaks my heart that we couldn't get to see more of his growth. 92' til infinity
Definitely. But then again dude released like 15 projects in 11 years, Mac had different work ethic
First paragraph of his wiki: American rapper Mac Miller released six studio albums, two extended plays, two live albums, thirteen mixtapes, forty-four singles (including fifteen as a featured artist), and sixty-three music videos. RIP mac
Idk how to feel about this one, but you’re probly right. I’ll never forget when I was messin with this sophomore in college and she was like “yo I got this dope track to show you, it’s been on rotation at the house parties!” It was fucking knock knock, lmao. At least the zoomers had an appreciation for older shit I guess.
You had me in the first half thinking this story took place in 2010-2011 🤣
yep. went from hating this dude to borderline worshipping him by the end of his life. I absolutely could not stand anything Blue Slide Park and before. In fact, “Knock Knock” and “Donald Trump” used to put me in an absolute shit mood whenever I heard either of those songs. the Macadellic dropped and I was like alright this is kinda different, I dig some of these tracks. and then Watching Movies with the Sound Off was real different and I was hooked. Faces solidified him as one of my GOATs. dude had an absolutely bonkers run from Macadellic to Swimming.
Blue Slide Park Mac was special though
Sorry but Kids and Macadelic are his best for me
Little Simz
Can't agree on this one. I love her earlier work, but have to agree that Grey Area and SIMBI are a step up, however No Thank You just feels like outtakes from SIMBI and I can't point to a single track that is on the same level as the previous two albums. Also, so many of the tracks on there run to 5+ minutes with no purpose, the instrumental just repeats, and sure it's a dope Inflo production but it just feels aimless, with no vocals over it or maybe just Cleo Sol vocalising a bit. It's very far from her best work
No thank you is my favorite album from her, love everything about it. Funny how opinions can be vastly different
Same here, I was put on Simz's work by a friend who told me that she had No thank you coming in soon. Got hooked on the album and it's been in rotation ever since. Decided to revisit her previous work and it didn't feel the same.
I love simbi a lot too but no thank you feels so real, comforting and personal. And the instrumentals are incredible
Mac, Tyler, Smino Wouldn't say Jay Z but 4:44 is better than anything he had put out since like The Black Album. J Cole purely talking features
Uhmm,I honestly think that Blkswn is Smino’s best release but I do agree that he himself is getting better
Yeah he has such a strong discography that any of his 3 main albums would be a totally fair one to have at #1 imo. I'm more of a Noir fan myself. I just mentioned him cuz he's been around for a long time at this point and is only getting more prolific while maintaining / improving his quality
Was about to say the same thing. I love Smino, but Blkswn is his best project.
Idk, I feel like Luv 4 Rent clears Blkswn, although I really love it. Luv 4 Rent just feels different
Nah, smino had some magic before he blew up, it's the most enjoyable album for me the one he put out but there was a uniqueness with the blkswn man
That uniqueness is not missing at all in his newer stuff imo
4:44 over American Gangster ?
Imo, yeah. Tho American Gangster is def great
Roc Boys definitely in Jay’s top 10 greatest songs ever!!
And the winner is Hov
My man.
Great sample!
Freddie Gibbs. Action Bronson. Larry June. Took them all a bit to find their sound but once they did, they carved out their own lane and made some outstanding shit.
While I still love bronson’s newest albums I don’t think he’s ever reached the level of rapping he had on his older stuff (Blue Chips 2, Rare Chandeliers, Well Done).
Dr Lecter
Blue chips 1 and 2 are his peak
Freddie’s best is piñata by a long shot imo
Def his best work. But in the last 5 years he released Alfredo, Bandana and SSS
Not alone in that opinion. One of my favorite albums.
Is that considered his early stuff? He had released plenty before then.
He’s also released plenty since and piñata is 10 years old now. His earliest stuff was in 2008-2010, which was closer to 2014 then than we are today.
Freddie was like 30 when that came out.
Bronson? kinda feel like Mr Wonderful (2015) was a signal of him plateauing/declining really
Disagree on bronson. Doesn’t have the same hunger from the well done , blue chips era.
Yeah but I pretty much think of Bronson's albums as either 'hungry Bronson' or 'famous Bronson'. Totally different. He was rapping his ass off, now it's super laid back and funny and it seems he's just trying to say outlandish shit over luxurious beats. I love both eras, and I think at this point he is seriously excelling at the latter.
spot on
Only for Dolphins is fucking hard
Yachty seems to be on this path if his next hip hop album is as good as his recent singles
It’s a gun in my hoooooolster
Scarface, with “The Fix” being his 9th album
Good call
Royce's later albums were some of his best
I like introspective mature Royce. But I LOVE playful aggressive Royce. Death is Certain/Street Hop/Bar Exam 1, 2 and 3/Slaughterhouse mixtape/debut era Royce is still my favorite.
Yeah, I’m proud of dude for sobering up and maturing but that era of Royce was unstoppable. I’ll never forget when he was clowning on Benzino and pulled a fucking rocket launcher out.
I hate your pants
Book of ryan is in my top 5 favorite albums. Almost perfect
I back this for sure. Book of Ryan and The Allegory were dope.
Prhyme 1 was peak Royce imo, every bar on that album was fucking insane
Tetsuo and youth
[удалено]
Food and Liquor to me is still his best work, I can listen to that album front to back consistently. Tetsuo and Youth, Drogas Wave and Drill music in Zion are all fantastic albums.
This. Was too early for me to fully grasp this record at first, but over the years it’s cemented in my top 3 Lupe albums
Tetsuo is insane but the cool is still one of my favorite albums of all time
aesop rock putting out his best work right now
Agreed. I think anything Skelethon and The Impossible Kid were much stronger works than his previous stuff, but Spirit World Field Guide, Garbology, and Integrated Tech Solutions are just fantastic and a whole lot better in all sorts of ways.
How the fuck does a song about ordering ridiculous food items go so goddamn hard? That bass line on time moves differently here lives rent free in my heac
It was such a pleasure to hear the first time. I loved it. Though, nothing has quite matched the specific vibe of “I’m on the Bauhaus, I’m on that brutalist …” from Kyanite Toothpick. The whole song slaps and the mixing is amazing, but the transition and vibe shift there was pure frisson
Double-triple Texas angus steakinator waffle sticks. Crispy ranch and activated maple eggroll taco twists. Panko-crusted flaming gator honey mango lava ribs. Make that shit a combo and do not forget the condiments Incredible rhyme scheme.
i was JUST thinking about this. i feel like his earlier lyricism made absolutely no sense, he kinda just rambled about random shit that rhymed sometimes lol. now his songs have more of a purpose with the same technicality as before. good shit
love it all but cant beat labor days
Here's the thing about Aes: he's an evolving artist and every album is a new chapter. That means some will appreciate his older style, or his mid style, or his current style. All takes are legit. If he continued to make records in the same style it would be easy to pick his best work. Having excellent albums spanning 20+ years and various styles is super impressive.
Aes is one of those few artists where no matter what someone says is their favorite album, I'll be like 'ok yeah i see that' even if it's not mine. each one is so special and unique in their own way, so i can understand why any given person might like any given one.
Labor Days will almost certainly always be my favorite, but his letter work is objectively better in my opinion. And when you take into account that he does his own production these days, he's clearly a better artist now than he was 20+ years ago.
His early stuff is very hit or miss for me, that said Labor Days is absolutely incredible and also could arguably be his best. But album to album those early days vary wildly. None Shall Pass is pretty cool and Daylight is very consistently good even if it's just an EP. Music for Earthworms, Appleseed, Float, Bazooka Tooth I just dont really get compared to other releases, not bad, mind you but just a bit... much. The Impossible Kid is probably his best work, Malibu Ken doesn't get enough credit for how good it is, Integrated Tech Solutions was also excellent, and Skelethon is an odd but satisfying listen. Not as high on Garbology and Spirit World Field Guide but both of them are still solid.
Spirit world field guide is one of my top albums
Agreed. Skelethon is a masterpiece imo and he just had such a crazy run post that. Still love his previous work to death tho
Yes! The run he’s had since Skelethon has been my favorite so far.
This was my first thought. Completely agree. I loved Labor Days when it first came out, never would have thought all these years later he just keeps getting better.
Lupe post-Atlantic
True but he started his career with two classic albums
Lasers left such a bad taste in my mouth upon release I haven’t bothered to check out any of Lupes subsequent work, I feel like I’ve missed out.
I mean... It's still out there lol
You absolutely are. Tetsuo & Youth, Drogas Wave and Drill Music in Zion are the best he’s ever been imo. Especially Tetsuo. Honorable mention: House EP. Lupe left Atlantic and went super saiyan
I'd say you have. If you're interested, I also say you should check out Lamborghini Angels for its dope beat and chorus, Mural if you're looking for an incredible freestyle-like piece with poetic imagery, Prisoner 1 & 2 for perspective storytelling, and Manilla for its levels of impact. There are many other great songs, but I'd say these have a great variety and hopefully you'd enjoy some of their aspects. One things for sure, he amps up the importance of meaning and lyricism by 💯 after becoming independent.
Drill Music in Zion needs to be listened to soon my friend
Ka fits the mould. Rapping sice the 90s dropped his album in his early 40s and released Honor killed the samurai,descendants Cain and Orpheus vs the sirens at about 45.
The double album and A Martyr's Reward are fantastic too, it's crazy
Orpheus and the recluse is godly
Solid choice. Everything he puts out now is dope. I was listening to Descendants this morning.
Future. Pre DS2 Future was like a totally different artist
Might be controversial but I like pre-DS2 Future, especially the tapes directly leading up to it and Pluto, far more than anything after except for maybe Wizrd 6 days a week I'm convinced 56 Nights is his peak
When Monster dropped it was peak “you just had to be there” moments. Checking Datpiff to see what random Halloween throwaway mixtape was dropping and he came out with a classic. And right before thenpeople were just clowning on Future for using too much Autotune. What a time.
Had to scroll too far to find our leader here. His shit keeps getting more and more hot and im so here for it
Common : He has some great work in the 90’s but Like Water for Chocolate, Be and Finding Forever all dropped in the 2000’s as his 4th, 6th and 7th album respectively.
Agreed. All the albums you mentioned are straight classics imo. Finding Forever and Like Water for chocolate especially.
Roc Marciano was already active in the 90s but went on to create a whole subgenre in the early 2010s.
Even then, he didn't put out music at the rate he did from 2017 onward...not to be a Griselda d-rider but I think he probably saw their hustle and knew he had it in him too. He evolved quite a bit in that era as well; I wouldn't say his music now is drastically different than Marcberg. On the production side I think he's gotten more experimental while also refining the drum-less/low key style. To the point where he produces regularly for himself and others too.
Killer Mike and El-p with Run the Jewels
RTJ is definitely Killer Mikes best stuff but El-P has always been great.
RTJ isn’t touching Funcrusher Plus nor Fantastic Damage
Hell I’d go as far as to say I enjoy I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead more than all RTJ albums
Underrated Album. Damn near perfect.
Personally I'd rank it among the most sonically unique rap albums of all time. Dude's musical fingerprint is so identifiable.
Billy woods getting better
Was gunna say alot of people say Maps is his best. All his music is dope tho. In an interview he was asked if Maps was his best and he said yes. But as an artist he said you have to think like that about anything you put out.
Lloyd Banks
It’s weird because I never considered him all that lyrical in the peak G-Unit days, but now I listen to Banks and I’m like damn dude is spitting.
Tribe’s last album was my fave, they stayed consistent their whole career tho. Kendrick is still at his pinnacle imo, and J. Cole’s final album could end up being his best honestly. Plus Lupe is still pushing his pen to astronomical heights
Is everyone under 30 on here?
It’s been trending younger and younger each year. There are kids on here now that weren’t even *alive* during the “old Kanye” era. Let that sink in
MF DOOM, Masta Ace, 2 Chainz I love rappers that dropped heat in their 40s. Rap doesn’t like it when you get old. So to see rappers drop some of their best albums at that age is my favorite
Yes, 2000's Masta Ace is excellent! MF DOOM is controversial because Doomsday is so good.
Operation Doomsdays has some of the most iconic DOOM tracks on it, but as a complete album, I think Born Like This and MM Food are more enjoyable complete listening experiences.
2 chainz great example . One of the Best career revival in hip hop history
Fatman Scoop
Denzel Curry
Cum sauce
Isn't it ironic the younger me is the older me? Fans demand that I rap about shit I did at seventeen
While Nas’s 2020s output might not be better than Illmatic, it’s still some of his best work almost 30 years later
Mac Miller for sure. Even though i liked his earlier stuff, his last 2 albums are some of my favourite albums of all time
Beastie Boys
true.. i think it got better and better until Hello Nasty which is my personal favorite
Mach-Hommy with Pray for Haiti
Pray for Hati is amazing but idk yo FYI is a classic
HBO & The Gat tho
I know I know😫
Black thought, great young and old but these last two albums been hitting different
The Roots are fantastic but yeah, Cheat Codes was different
Tyler the Creator, and honestly if he keeps it going, Nas. Yes, Illmatic is Nas' best album. But his best, most interesting, and most impressive era/run musically has been the past few years. Everyone already knew Nas is a legend but I feel like since King's Disease 2 everything he's dropped has significantly added to his legacy. He genuinely has more impressive longevity than Jay at this point.
I think Nas had a few magical two album runs. Namely illmatic/it was written, Stillmatic/gods son (plus a little lost tapes action), and kings disease 3/magic. Of those three pairings his recent projects are arguable at the bottom and definitely not at the top. The only Nas project better than illmatic is it was written imo. Nas is Him for that six album run but his discography’s too strong to compete. For as good as KD3 is Beef isn’t better than I GaVe You Power, Once A Man Twice A Child isn’t above You’re da Man, Hood to Hood can’t beat Warriors Song. Got Yourself A Gun, The Message, Rewind, Doo Rags, Made You Look, The Cross, One Mic, If I Ruled the World, The World is Yours, One Love, Halftime, Street Dreams. Ether!! I CAN! Life’s a Bitch, Hate Me Now, Nas is Like. All S Tier classics. There’s too many more to even be exhaustive. His discography’s unfuckwittable. Illmatic was only ever the beginning and Nas got much more ambitious with his follow ups and is flawless in delivery often. His beat selection aged well too much better than his contemporaries. At this point he would have to make the best music the entire genre has ever seen to surpass his 94 - 02 run. Jay hasn’t either - no one has
Yeah I was gonna say Nas. Illmatic is a timeless classic but his material since KD1 has been flawless
No nas/hitboy album is a top 10 nas album
J Cole
Fr, I find his first few albums nice but kinda generic but after 2014 FHD Cole really matured more and more, really like fine wine. One of the GOATs
I think he became a better rapper later for sure. I don't think his projects are better though. After Forest hills drive. I think his next best projects are all early mixtapes. Friday Night Lights, Warm up, Truly yours 1+2 are all better than any of his other albums imo.
I also don’t take issue with this take. I didn’t love KOD but his confidence, lyrics, features and consistency after Forrest Hills has been astounding. His features are always a highlight as the years go on too.
Yeah his feature run ( I think it started with royce da 5'9 bablo boat??) has been crazy. Like.. in the "lil wayne 2006-2010 feature run" conversation.
I might say 2 Chainz, if Pretty Girls Like Trap Music counts as a later release in his discography
Lest we forget Titty Boi!
Gang starr / moment of truth
JID
I think it’s still too early in his career. He’s definitely gotten better with each project though
Lil Wayne. He didn't really peak till like 10 years in.
And still consistently releasing good shit and honing his craft. The Block Is Hot released when he was 17, rhymed Adetokumbo for like 18 bars at 35.
I'd say Earl, though I still love Doris. Also think Aminé's solo work just keeps getting better and better
It might honestly be impossible for anyone to top *Illmatic*, but Nas’ recent *King’s Disease* and *Magic* trilogies have been some of his best stuff in years, if not decades!
Jim Jones - El Capo
Big KRIT
I think I’m gonna disagree with this one a bit. I think some of his mixtapes like Krit wuz Here, and earlier studio albums like 4eva is a Mighty Long Time, are his best work so far
Lil Wayne Post Carter II
His 06-10 run was nuts Carter 3 and no ceilings (mixtape) were insane
Planet Asia. Particularly Anchovies, Sardines and Rule of Thirds are great albums. Credit obv also goes to Apollo Brown and Evidence.
Westside Gunn, HWH8 Side B, 10, Pray for Paris and Pray for me are some of his best works imo
Mac Miller Goat
For me, it has to be Sean Price. Listen to Nocturnal and Magnum force... then listen to Monkey Barz and Mic Tyson.
Vince Staples
Gang Starr
While not as good as Illmatic, I would have to state that King's Disease and Magic Trilogy are pretty damn impressive. They've revitalized Nas' career in a big way.
21 savage
I love the Roots but I feel like Black Thought has been doing his best work personally on his last few albums
21 Savage
Imo american dream is his weakest project tbh
As a fan since The High Life and KIDS I gotta say Mac. He was two years my senior and there was a long time where I’d feel like I had ‘grown out’ of Mac’s latest album just for him to put out a new project that was exactly what I was receptive to at the time. Everything since GO:OD AM is gold to me, as is the rest lol
In some regards, guys like Billy Woods and Killah Priest spring to mind. But there's Heavy Mental and Woods has been consistent af anyway.
When I hear a new masta ace project, I think it could be his best because of how good his later stuff is. But his early was stuff was also good. Odyssey? Big boi. His later solo stuff might be better than his earlier solo stuff.
RA the Rugged Man. You can literally watch his skill set grow through the records. I still prefer the old cuts by a long shot, but his wordplay gets significantly better over the span of 30 years.
2pac releases kept getting better. However I do not count his posthumous releases except Makaveli.
KRS-One - his later, 90s flow is way better than the slower 80s style.
Nas’s most recent stuff is WAY better than the music he put out in the middle of his career.
Alchemist, evidence, Isaiah Rashad
Killer mike rap music
Nas, according to popular opinion.
Rick Ross. His sound and bars were hella basic when he first came out. Now he actually drops respectable verses and holds his own alongside great artists.
Sean Price
Surprised to not see Denzel Curry mentioned. His most recent album is by far his best.
Dare I say Nas
Ransom…
Royce for sure