A Fresh Mess: My Favorite Hip Hop Albums

1. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt

We all know Hip Hop very well. Either you like it or you dont. I was never a huge hip hop fan in my early teens. I knew of certain rap songs but nothing seemed good to me. I was the guy who always said "all music is okay except rap". Then one day in high school a friend of mine loaned me Reasonable Doubt by Jay-Z. At that point I thought Shawn (Jay-Z) Carter seemed very fake and full of himself. I only knew of a few tracks by him and none of them interested me at all. Well I went home that day with Reasonable Doubt playing in the car and I'll admit, something happened...I liked what I heard. The first thing that I noticed and liked was Jay-Z's voice, he sounded much younger. He had more energy and everything seemed clear. I actually understood what he was saying. Granted the songs we're about drug dealing, women and money but Jay-Z was living a very different lifestyle in 1996. We all know he has grown a lot in 12 years. I wanted to ignore the subject matter but, I knew Jay was being honest in these songs. He was discussing the difficulties he went through as a drug dealer while at the same time trying to be a moral person. His true self didnt enjoy dealing drugs and killing his own people with crack but when you're in a situation like him, you have to survive. The albums messages were apparent and I couldnt help but relate to Jay-Z's honesty. I still focused on his flow and the beats more though. He had a certain way of rhyming on Reasonable Doubt that I still cant put my finger on. His flow was fast but yet understandable and I picked up on the words right away. I had memorized more than half the lyrics on this album in one weeks time. The music on Reasonable Doubt almost feels soulful...like a gospel album. The music and the beats put me in a trance the first day I heard it and still does to this day. When I listen to this album, I get a visual that I always like. Reasonable Doubt paints a vivid landscape for me. This album is to blame for my love of hip hop. That is why it clocks in at number 1. Jay-Z has always had my respect since that day. He can flow very well and the fact that he never actually writes any of his lyrics on paper always blew my mind. If there is anyone who dabbled with underground status and mainstream status at the same time...it's Jay-Z. I know fans of both worlds who all agree Reasonable Doubt is a masterpiece. If you like East Coast gangster rap or like amazing hip hop beats then check this album out now!

Top Tracks: "Feelin' It", "Dead Presidents II", "Regrets"

2. Pigeon John - ...and the Summertime Pool Party

Pigeon John is a rapper from California and he is very different than other MC's in the hip hop world. He is one of the most unique hip hop artists in our time. He is refreshing, funny and at the same time, smart. He raps about pool parties, hip hop shows, paying bills, dancing like a pigeon and meeting God in the rapture. If you think about it... he covers everything! This is the first Pigeon John album I ever purchased and it's absolutly amazing. He is so fun to listen to, all the while making you concentrate on the subject matter. I also love the fact he doesnt cuss and he is kind of a nerd. He is actually cooler than most rappers becuase he isn't trying to be someone else. He is honest with the audience and himself. If you think all hip hop is drugs and money, ...And the Summertime Pool Party will definitely change your mind about hip hop.

Top Tracks: "Do the Pigeon", "Freaks! Freaks", "As We Know It"

3. Boogie Down Productions - Ghetto Music: the Blueprint Of Hip Hop

Have you ever heard a hip hop album without slangs and "street lingo"? Well if you havent, you need to hear Ghetto Music. It literally was the first hip hop album I heard and completely understood what was being said. The Boogie Down Productions started in 1986 and consisted of 3 members. The MC was KRS-One, Producer and beatboxer D-Nice and the late DJ Scott La Rock, who was gunned down in 1987. This particular release only has KRS-One and D-Nice. In the liner notes, KRS-One dedicates this album to Scott La Rock. The album is very anti-gang violence which im sure was a major issue for them after there DJ and best friend was murdered a few years earlier. It also deals with Police brutality, racism and trying to maintain peace in America. After hearing this album I noticed an obvious connection between this album and Sublime's 1992 release, 40 oz. To Freedom. The lead singer of Sublime, Brad Nowell, used some similiar vocal sounds of KRS from Ghetto Music. There is even a song called "KRS-One" on 40 oz. To Freedom which is dedicated to the MC. KRS-One has obviously had an influence on the hip hop community but he clearly has influenced rock and reggae also. Ghetto Music is a very conscious yet simple. It truly is a hip hop classic. If you're only listening to Lil' Wayne and other youngblood MC's, try this album. Learn your hip hop roots. You will not be let down!

Top Tracks: "Who Protects Us From You?", "Bo! Bo! Bo!", "You Must Learn"

4. Cage - Hell's Winter

Chris (Cage Kennylz) Palko has had a rough life. His dad was a heroin addicted army freak who held his son (Cage) and wife at gun point back in the early 80's. Cage's dad definitly affected his outlook on life, which is why Cage was in a mental institution in late 80's and early 90's. The instituion is where he learned to rap and rap well! On Hell's Winter, he paints a picture for you and it is quite disturbing. This was an album that creeped me out when I first heard it. I'll be honest...it still does. The beats are eerie and the lyrics are brutaly honest. Some might say its Cage's gimmick but it seems very real to me. Cage also had a fued with Eminem back in the late 90's but I have yet to notice any songs on Hell's Winter where he brings it up. Originally Eminem claimed Cage was stealing his style and image. Cage never directly commented but he did diss Eminem on a few older underground released tracks. The fued seems to be forgotten about at this point. One thing Cage and Eminem do have in common though is controversy. Cage received a lot of heat for his prvious efforts where he used the word "bitch" and "slut" quite often. Hell's Winter is his first album to not have the word "Bitch" on it. Cage definitely started out rapping with more of a bragadocious and sexest approach. He clearly has left the Misogyny in the past which is a great decision on his part. He seems to finally be growing up while taking us along for the ride. Hell's Winter is Cage's biggest release so far and it's definitely his best. The production is top notch and the lyrics are so honest that you cant help but listen closely. Listening to this album is like watching a train wreck...you just cant look away. If you enjoy underground hip hop or hardcore rap, check Hell's Winter out now.

Top Tracks: "the Death Of Chris Palko", "Peeranoia", "Hell's Winter"

5. Sole - Live From Rome

Don't let the title scare you, it's not a live hip hop album! This was the last Sole Record I have purchased simply because I didnt want a Live album. Once I put it in my CD player, I was shocked to find great music with no live sounds. I regret purchasing this last because it is literally my favorite Sole album. I have never been a fan of Live recordings. My motto is..."If it's live, I should be there". Live From Rome is all over the place musically. There are some beats that sound like a cat could of made, not to mention all the old hip hop and soul samples. Sole has always picked some weird beats for his albums and this one is no stranger to wierdness. One of Sole's tactic's is not rhyming. It sounds crazy, I know, but he doesnt rely on rhyming which I find absolutly amazing. He see's himself as a poet, not a rapper. He feel's a negative connotation with the term "rapper". I dont blame him. In todays world, Hip Hop is looked at as noise, a gimmick or simply, a pop culture nuisance. Sole is completely on the other side of the pop culture spectrum. Most Hip Hop fans dont even know of Sole because his music is so different. Live From Rome was originally released in 2005 but he is releasing all his new albums staright out of his basement. He is taking a step backwards in the distribution dept. He always does something wierd and different, which I respect whole heartedly. This album has some of the greatest and most interesting lyrics ever written. I could quote lines from this album all day if you let me but, I wont do that. I want you to find them and hear it for yourself. Support Sole and purchase this album ASAP.

Top Tracks: "Sin Carne", "Manifesto 232", "Atheist Jihad"

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