100 Greatest Rap/Hip-Hop Albums of the 90s
Criteria: These are the albums that epitomized all facets of hip-hop music/culture in the 1990s. They were chosen and ranked according to quality, popularity, timelessness and influence.
Rap/Hip-Hop Albums 1990s
1. Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers
Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
2. Illmatic
Nas (1994)
3. The Chronic
Dr. Dre (1992)
4. The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest (1991)
5. Ready to Die
The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
Wu-Tang Clan (1993)
2. Illmatic
Nas (1994)
3. The Chronic
Dr. Dre (1992)
4. The Low End Theory
A Tribe Called Quest (1991)
5. Ready to Die
The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)
6. The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Lauryn Hill (1998)
7. Me Against the World
2Pac (1995)
8. Aquemini
Outkast (1998)
9. The Score
The Fugees (1996)
10. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon (1995)
11. The Slim Shady LP
Eminem (1999)
12. Endtroducing...
DJ Shadow (1996)
13. All Eyez On Me
2Pac (1996)
14. Reasonable Doubt
Jay-Z (1996)
15. Daily Operation
Gang Starr (1992)
16. Liquid Swords
GZA (1995)
17. The Infamous...
Mobb Deep (1995)
18. Black On Both Sides
Mos Def (1999)
19. Life After Death
The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
20. Fear of a Black Planet
Public Enemy (1990)
21. Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Black Star (Mos Def/Talib Kweli) (1998)
22. 2001
Dr. Dre (1999)
23. Breaking Atoms
Main Source (1991)
24. Things Fall Apart
The Roots (1998)
25. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Big L (1995)
26. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube (1990)
27. Enta Da Stage
Black Moon (1993)
28. Step In the Arena
GangStarr (1992)
29. Midnight Marauders
A Tribe Called Quest (1993)
30. Bizarre Ride II Tha Pharcyde
The Pharcyde (1992)
31. DoggyStyle
Snoop Doggy Dogg (1993)
32. Resurrection
Common (1994)
33. Check Your Head
Beastie Boys (1992)
34. Death Certificate
Ice Cube (1991)
35. The Sun Rises in the East
Jeru the Damaja (1994)
36. A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
Black Sheep (1991)
37. Whut? Thee Album
Redman (1992)
38. Don Killuminati: The 7-Day Theory
2Pac/Makaveli (1996)
39. Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Ol' Dirty Bastard (1995)
40. It Was Written
Nas (1996)
41. Nia
Blackalicious (1999 )
42. Hello Nasty
Beastie Boys (1998)
43. Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott (1997)
44. ATLiens
Outkast (1996)
45. Wu-Tang Forever
Wu-Tang Clan (1997)
46. 93 Til Infinity
Souls of Mischief (1993)
47. De La Soul Is Dead
De La Soul (1991)
48. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest (1990)
49. Vol. 1: In My Lifetime
Jay-Z (1997)
50. Operation: Doomsday
MF Doom (1999)
51. Capital Punishment
Big Punisher (1998)
52. I Am...
Nas (1999)
53. Apocalypse '91: The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy (1991)
54. Moment of Truth
Gang Starr (1998)
55. Reachin': A New Refutation of Time and Space
Digable Planets (1993)
56. Word...Life
O.C. (1994)
57. One For All
Brand Nubian (1990)
58. Soul Food
Goodie MOB (1995)
59. Steal This Album
The Coup (1998)
60. Soul on Ice
Ras Kass (1996)
61. War Report
Capone-N-Noreaga (1997)
62. Runaway Slave
Showbiz & A.G. (1992)
63. Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion (1991)
64. Wrath of the Math
Jeru the Damaja (1996)
65. Internal Affairs
Pharoahe Monch (1999)
66. Ironman
Ghostface Killah (1996)
67. Labcabincalifornia
The Pharcyde (1995)
68. Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
Jay-Z (1998)
69. 6 Feet Deep
Gravediggaz (1994)
70. Black Sunday
Cypress Hill (1993)
71. Jewelz
O.C. (1997)
72. Tical
Method Man (1994)
73. Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Organized Konfusion (1994)
74. Mecca and the Soul Brother
Pete Rock and CL Smooth (1992)
75. southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Outkast (1994)
76. Wanted: Dead or Alive
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1990)
77. Do You Want More?!!!??!
The Roots (1994)
78. The Diary
Scarface (1994)
79. Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon/Kool Keith (1996)
80. Uncontrolled Substance
Inspectah Deck (1999)
81. Doe Or Die
AZ (1995)
82. Heavy Mental
Killah Priest (1998)
83. Live and Let Die
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1992)
84. Take a Look Around
Masta Ace (1990)
85. Don't Sweat the Technique
Eric B. and Rakim (1992)
86. I Wish My Brother George Was Here
Del the Funkee Homosapien (1991)
87. A Prince Among Thieves
Prince Paul (1999)
88. Funcrusher Plus
Company Flow (1997)
89. The Main Ingredient
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (1994)
90. Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop
Diamond D (1992)
91. O.G.: Original Gangster
Ice-T (1991)
92. Hell on Earth
Mobb Deep (1996)
93. Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J (1990)
94. Dah Shinin'
Smif-N-Wessun (1995)
95. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Eric B. & Rakim (1990)
96. Illadelph Halflife
The Roots (1996)
97. Hard to Earn
Gang Starr (1994)
98. Muddy Waterz
Redman (1996)
99. KRS-One
KRS-One (1995)
100. E. 1999-Eternal
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (1995)
Lauryn Hill (1998)
7. Me Against the World
2Pac (1995)
8. Aquemini
Outkast (1998)
9. The Score
The Fugees (1996)
10. Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Raekwon (1995)
11. The Slim Shady LP
Eminem (1999)
12. Endtroducing...
DJ Shadow (1996)
13. All Eyez On Me
2Pac (1996)
14. Reasonable Doubt
Jay-Z (1996)
15. Daily Operation
Gang Starr (1992)
16. Liquid Swords
GZA (1995)
17. The Infamous...
Mobb Deep (1995)
18. Black On Both Sides
Mos Def (1999)
19. Life After Death
The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)
20. Fear of a Black Planet
Public Enemy (1990)
21. Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star
Black Star (Mos Def/Talib Kweli) (1998)
22. 2001
Dr. Dre (1999)
23. Breaking Atoms
Main Source (1991)
24. Things Fall Apart
The Roots (1998)
25. Lifestylez ov da Poor & Dangerous
Big L (1995)
26. AmeriKKKa's Most Wanted
Ice Cube (1990)
27. Enta Da Stage
Black Moon (1993)
28. Step In the Arena
GangStarr (1992)
29. Midnight Marauders
A Tribe Called Quest (1993)
30. Bizarre Ride II Tha Pharcyde
The Pharcyde (1992)
31. DoggyStyle
Snoop Doggy Dogg (1993)
32. Resurrection
Common (1994)
33. Check Your Head
Beastie Boys (1992)
34. Death Certificate
Ice Cube (1991)
35. The Sun Rises in the East
Jeru the Damaja (1994)
36. A Wolf In Sheep's Clothing
Black Sheep (1991)
37. Whut? Thee Album
Redman (1992)
38. Don Killuminati: The 7-Day Theory
2Pac/Makaveli (1996)
39. Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version
Ol' Dirty Bastard (1995)
40. It Was Written
Nas (1996)
41. Nia
Blackalicious (1999 )
42. Hello Nasty
Beastie Boys (1998)
43. Supa Dupa Fly
Missy Elliott (1997)
44. ATLiens
Outkast (1996)
45. Wu-Tang Forever
Wu-Tang Clan (1997)
46. 93 Til Infinity
Souls of Mischief (1993)
47. De La Soul Is Dead
De La Soul (1991)
48. People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm
A Tribe Called Quest (1990)
49. Vol. 1: In My Lifetime
Jay-Z (1997)
50. Operation: Doomsday
MF Doom (1999)
51. Capital Punishment
Big Punisher (1998)
52. I Am...
Nas (1999)
53. Apocalypse '91: The Enemy Strikes Black
Public Enemy (1991)
54. Moment of Truth
Gang Starr (1998)
55. Reachin': A New Refutation of Time and Space
Digable Planets (1993)
56. Word...Life
O.C. (1994)
57. One For All
Brand Nubian (1990)
58. Soul Food
Goodie MOB (1995)
59. Steal This Album
The Coup (1998)
60. Soul on Ice
Ras Kass (1996)
61. War Report
Capone-N-Noreaga (1997)
62. Runaway Slave
Showbiz & A.G. (1992)
63. Organized Konfusion
Organized Konfusion (1991)
64. Wrath of the Math
Jeru the Damaja (1996)
65. Internal Affairs
Pharoahe Monch (1999)
66. Ironman
Ghostface Killah (1996)
67. Labcabincalifornia
The Pharcyde (1995)
68. Vol. 2: Hard Knock Life
Jay-Z (1998)
69. 6 Feet Deep
Gravediggaz (1994)
70. Black Sunday
Cypress Hill (1993)
71. Jewelz
O.C. (1997)
72. Tical
Method Man (1994)
73. Stress: The Extinction Agenda
Organized Konfusion (1994)
74. Mecca and the Soul Brother
Pete Rock and CL Smooth (1992)
75. southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
Outkast (1994)
76. Wanted: Dead or Alive
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1990)
77. Do You Want More?!!!??!
The Roots (1994)
78. The Diary
Scarface (1994)
79. Dr. Octagonecologyst
Dr. Octagon/Kool Keith (1996)
80. Uncontrolled Substance
Inspectah Deck (1999)
81. Doe Or Die
AZ (1995)
82. Heavy Mental
Killah Priest (1998)
83. Live and Let Die
Kool G Rap & DJ Polo (1992)
84. Take a Look Around
Masta Ace (1990)
85. Don't Sweat the Technique
Eric B. and Rakim (1992)
86. I Wish My Brother George Was Here
Del the Funkee Homosapien (1991)
87. A Prince Among Thieves
Prince Paul (1999)
88. Funcrusher Plus
Company Flow (1997)
89. The Main Ingredient
Pete Rock & C.L. Smooth (1994)
90. Stunts, Blunts & Hip Hop
Diamond D (1992)
91. O.G.: Original Gangster
Ice-T (1991)
92. Hell on Earth
Mobb Deep (1996)
93. Mama Said Knock You Out
LL Cool J (1990)
94. Dah Shinin'
Smif-N-Wessun (1995)
95. Let the Rhythm Hit 'Em
Eric B. & Rakim (1990)
96. Illadelph Halflife
The Roots (1996)
97. Hard to Earn
Gang Starr (1994)
98. Muddy Waterz
Redman (1996)
99. KRS-One
KRS-One (1995)
100. E. 1999-Eternal
Bone Thugs-N-Harmony (1995)
Honerable Mentions
Comin' Out Hard
Eightball & MJG (1993)
Business Never Personal
EPMD (1992)
We Can't Be Stopped
Geto Boys (1991)
Still Standing
Goodie MOB (1998)
One Day It'll All Make Sense
Common (1997)
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
DMX (1998)
Black Reign
Queen Latifah (1993)
3 Years, 5 Months, and 2 Days In the Life Of...
Arrested Development (1992)
Uptown Saturday Night
Camp Lo (1997)
Blacks' Magic
Salt-N-Pepa (1990)
400 Degreez
Juvenile (1998)
Make Way For the Motherlode
Yo-Yo (1991)
Harlem World
Ma$e (1997)
On Top of the World
Eightball & MJG (1995)
Funkdafied
Da Brat (1995)
Sex Packets
Digital Underground (1990)
Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
DMX (1998)
Sun Rises In the East
Jeru the Damaja (1994)
Efil4zaggin
N.W.A (1991)
Down With the King
Run-D.M.C. (1993)
No Way Out
Puff Daddy (1997)
The Coming
Busta Rhymes (1995)
Short Dog's In the House
Too Short (1990)
Ghetto D
Master P (1997)
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill (1991)
Hardcore
Lil Kim (1996)
To the East, Blackwards
X-Clan (1991)
Quik's the Name
DJ Quik (1991)
Ill Na Na
Foxy Brown (1996)
Home
Spearhead (1994)
Homebase
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1991)
Future Without A Past
Leaders of the New School (1991)
Peaceful Journey
Heavy D. & the Boyz (1991)
The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World
Keith Murray (1994)
Naughty By Nature
Naughty By Nature (1991)
Blowout Comb
Digable Planets (1994)
Eightball & MJG (1993)
Business Never Personal
EPMD (1992)
We Can't Be Stopped
Geto Boys (1991)
Still Standing
Goodie MOB (1998)
One Day It'll All Make Sense
Common (1997)
It's Dark and Hell Is Hot
DMX (1998)
Black Reign
Queen Latifah (1993)
3 Years, 5 Months, and 2 Days In the Life Of...
Arrested Development (1992)
Uptown Saturday Night
Camp Lo (1997)
Blacks' Magic
Salt-N-Pepa (1990)
400 Degreez
Juvenile (1998)
Make Way For the Motherlode
Yo-Yo (1991)
Harlem World
Ma$e (1997)
On Top of the World
Eightball & MJG (1995)
Funkdafied
Da Brat (1995)
Sex Packets
Digital Underground (1990)
Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
DMX (1998)
Sun Rises In the East
Jeru the Damaja (1994)
Efil4zaggin
N.W.A (1991)
Down With the King
Run-D.M.C. (1993)
No Way Out
Puff Daddy (1997)
The Coming
Busta Rhymes (1995)
Short Dog's In the House
Too Short (1990)
Ghetto D
Master P (1997)
Cypress Hill
Cypress Hill (1991)
Hardcore
Lil Kim (1996)
To the East, Blackwards
X-Clan (1991)
Quik's the Name
DJ Quik (1991)
Ill Na Na
Foxy Brown (1996)
Home
Spearhead (1994)
Homebase
DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince (1991)
Future Without A Past
Leaders of the New School (1991)
Peaceful Journey
Heavy D. & the Boyz (1991)
The Most Beautifullest Thing In This World
Keith Murray (1994)
Naughty By Nature
Naughty By Nature (1991)
Blowout Comb
Digable Planets (1994)
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Edited By: R. Thomas
Last Updated: 2010-01-29Newly added names are in Red