This is my
top 10 list of albums that had an influence on my music experience growing up.
THIS IS NOT a top 10 list of my favorite albums by no means, that’s for a later
discussion. This list basically signifies different stages in my life where rap
and hip hop had exposed me to something different. I DID NOT include albums I
listened to in my mid/ late teens because by then you’re already put on game on
so many things. Just albums that changed my listening experience growing up young.
With that being said here we go in descending order...
10. Ma$e "Harlem World"
~ Hands down Puff and Ma$e had the most swag before it became a household phrase in upper suburban homes. Ma$e was the young'n of badboy and had flow. He even had brandy sprung at the time.
http://youtu.be/oCdE_bl0q1g
9. Eminem "The Slim Shady LP"
~ Eminem hit the scene with a whole new crazy stupid wild style when I was growing up. Not to mention being white and co signed by Dr. Dre. His over the top overkill subject matter set him apart of other rappers a that time.
http://youtu.be/Xbw_BxDwdjk
8. NAS "I Am..."
~ Nas and his grimy rhymes will get you for at least one album. For me, it just so happened to be "I am..." that put me on to him. I didn't catch his flow when he first came out, why? probably my age, but after hearing "Hate me now" and peeping he video of the whole crucifixion it was a done deal for me.
http://youtu.be/dKSJN3WWR3E
7. Jay-Z "Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life"
~ What's a list without a Jigga man album. This was the first Hov album I listened to, Stole it from my sister and never gave it back, for good reason too. After the first listen it was evident he was gonna be that
nigga for life.
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x10ji2_jay-z-nigga-what-nigga-who_music
6. Kanye West "College Dropout"
~ "If this is your first time hearing this you are about to experience something so cold man". He was right this was straight dope and soulfully original that when I first heard it, it changed the way I listen to music. Not to mention the cameos by the late great Bearnnie Mac.
http://youtu.be/uvb-1wjAtk4
5. Joe Budden "Joe Budden"
~ I know what yall are thinking. Joe Buddn? The pump pump pump pump it up guy?? Yes, that guy Joe Budden Mr. Pump it up and don't front that track was hot. But I probably bumped this album everyday for a year when I first got it. It was one of those albums that just clicked with me. If you get a chance check out the track 10 mins. In the meantime though>>>
http://youtu.be/ySfwW_xSRU4
4. The Notorious B.I.G. "Life After Death"
~ Big came at an interesting time for me, I was too young to fully appreciate his art at the time, but listening to this album was something serious, it had the whole world jumping. Even today you can go into a club and hear at least one track from this album being played. Words cant describe the inspiration Big gave you. This album help me introduce me to a different side of rap baby baaabbbyyy!
http://youtu.be/ktDeFS8KZPs
3. 2Pac "All Eyez on Me"
~ Like Big, I was still young at the height of his career, but if there was one thing you needed to know back then it was 2Pac songs. If you didn't know your Pac songs it was a sad day for you a school even elementary school. Pac single handily shaped the way I would act, walk, talk, speak after hearing this album. He had so much love and influence over a culture.
http://youtu.be/BL6dWDfs5x8
2. Juvenile "400 Degreez"
~ So this was like a whole new rap to me and all my friends. This album was borrowed and bough by every person in the hood. This album was more than an album, it was a movement that if you were in the right age group you were able to experience it. This album got banged in my crib all year when it dropped in my headphones so my mom couldn't hear. I bumped this so hard I use to make multiple cassette tapes for my Walkman just in case I couldn't barrow a cd player from my friends. Being from the Midwest this opened the door to all types of music I was never exposed to.
http://youtu.be/Ww9VlmXKYgs
1. Master P " Ghetto Dope"
~ So This album dropped when I was about in 5th grade! This was around the same time that Pac and Big had both passed and even though there were still a lo of artist in the game killing, I cant remember anything bigger than "Ghetto D". The most common phrase was "bout it bout it" you had to make sure you bout it bout it about anything or someone would pull your card. The hard hitting bass was stupid before that even meant a good thing. Straight classics up and down the track listing. They took over with the music they had, their clothing, and their jewelry. This was the album that had the biggest impact on me growing up considering culture, peers, and music.
http://youtu.be/d5ZvzIOO6aU
Thanks for checking it out. Stay tuned in for more music reviews on the way! more Top 10 list on the way!
