Top 5 albums released in 1996

Welcome to another loaded year full of classics. This one is going to be another challenge. My picks, after considerable thinking, would be:

Nas- It Was Written
Jay-Z- Reasonable Doubt
Fugees- The Score
Ghostface Killah- Ironman
Mobb Deep- Hell On Earth

OMG Honorable Mention
UGK- Ridin Dirty
Busta Rhymes- The Coming
The Roots- Illadelph Halflife
De La Soul- Stakes Is High
Redman- Muddy Waters
2Pac- All Eyez On Me
2Pac/Makaveli- The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory
Geto Boys- The Resurrection
Outkast- ATLiens
Heltah Skeltah- Nocturnal
Jeru The Damaja- Wrath Of The Math
Westside Connection- Bow Down
Xzibit- At The Speed Of Life

Hot damn, another loaded year.

The Roots- Illadelph Halflife
Jay-Z- Reasonable Doubt
Nas- It Was Written
Fugees- The Score
Outkast- ATLiens (which Wayne overlooked in his honorable mentions)

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

The Roots- Illadelph Halflife
Jay-Z- Reasonable Doubt
Nas- It Was Written
Fugees- The Score
Outkast- ATLiens (which Wayne overlooked in his honorable mentions)

And after reading this, I did go back and edit it too, lol.

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

The Roots- Illadelph Halflife
Jay-Z- Reasonable Doubt
Nas- It Was Written
Fugees- The Score
Outkast- ATLiens (which Wayne overlooked in his honorable mentions)

And after reading this, I did go back and edit it too, lol.

LOL cool

Remember Muddy Waters? Better than any album listed so far...as is Cloud 9.

Add Makaveli, ATLiens, UGK and The Roots...I have to take six. None can be dropped.

Add Makaveli, ATLiens, UGK and The Roots...I have to take six. None can be dropped.

Kid Joe wrote:

Remember Muddy Waters? Better than any album listed so far...as is Cloud 9.

Wow, lol, I must've had some things on my mind this morning because Muddy Waters slipped my mind also, and I bumped it last week, lol

Wayne wrote:

Kid Joe wrote:

Remember Muddy Waters? Better than any album listed so far...as is Cloud 9.

Wow, lol, I must've had some things on my mind this morning because Muddy Waters slipped my mind also, and I bumped it last week, lol

Well you did mention it as an honorable mention. So are you now saying it's among your Top 5 for 96?

I like Muddy Waters too, it'd make my Top 10 for that year.

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Kid Joe wrote:

Remember Muddy Waters? Better than any album listed so far...as is Cloud 9.

Wow, lol, I must've had some things on my mind this morning because Muddy Waters slipped my mind also, and I bumped it last week, lol

Well you did mention it as an honorable mention. So are you now saying it's among your Top 5 for 96?

I like the album too, it'd make my Top 10 for that year.

I went back and added it after Kid Joe mentioned it, lol. Top 5 for 96, naw, respectively. Probably top 10.

ATLiens is number 1

hmmm:

in no particular order:

Outkast-ATLiens (album of the year IMO)

Mobb Deep-Hell On Earth

Nas-It Was Written

Ghostface Killah-Ironman (his greatest solo offering IMO)

Makaveli-Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory

how people are listing It Was Written as top 5 is beyond me...trash album...

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

how people are listing It Was Written as top 5 is beyond me...trash album...

I personally don't think it has any business in anyone's top 5 for 96 considering the dopeness of 96, but All Eyez On Me would be in my top 5. I'm sure there would some who would take offense to that pick so it's really different strokes for different folks.

T. Myers wrote:

I personally don't think it has any business in anyone's top 5 for 96 considering the dopeness of 96, but All Eyez On Me would be in my top 5. I'm sure there would some who would take offense to that pick so it's really different strokes for different folks.

I can understand the different strokes. But even amongst east coast fans who like that style, I still think 1996 had better albums in that style than It Was Written. It Was Written is not even Nas's second or third best album.

SRP, why do you have to diss Nas everytime he's brought up in a thread? If you don't like his albums it's whatever, but respect the fact that others do.

You say that I need to respect other people's opinions, well then you need to practice what you preach.

I listed It Was Written for 1996 because I think it's a great album and easily one of the best of 96, I don't care who disagrees.

I am not trying to diss him, I admit calling it a trash album is a bit harsh and inflammatory, so that's my bad, but I just don't think it's a classic or even close to Nas' best, so I am surprised it is being listed over other 5 star classics is all.

Personally, I have IWW ranked as Nas' 4th best album behind Illmatic, Stillmatic, and Lost Tapes.

Do you have a 5 star rating for IWW? Because I don't think I've heard you give it a 5 star rating before.

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

I am not trying to diss him, I admit calling it a trash album is a bit harsh and inflammatory, so that's my bad, but I just don't think it's a classic or even close to Nas' best, so I am surprised it is being listed over other 5 star classics is all.

Even with Nas being my favorite artist, I still stand by my very strong 4 star rating for It Was Written, and when you look back at 96, this was one of the best albums of that year. I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it. It's not close to his best, I'll admit that, but it's still excellent.

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

Do you have a 5 star rating for IWW? Because I don't think I've heard you give it a 5 star rating before.

Yes I have, you must have me confused with Wayne. It's one of 4 Nas albums that I have rated at 5 stars.

Wayne wrote:

I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it.

Co-Sign!! This album bumped well into 1997 as well.

The Message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

Do you have a 5 star rating for IWW? Because I don't think I've heard you give it a 5 star rating before.

Yes I have, you must have me confused with Wayne. It's one of 4 Nas albums that I have rated at 5 stars.

I didn't know you give IWW 5 stars KJ. I can respect that.

I think Wayne has a reasonable score for the album and obviously his fanaticism of Nas accounts for the higher ranking.

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it.

Co-Sign!! This album bumped well into 1997 as well.

The Message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I remember one time I was at a store in my area, one car was already there bumping "Live bunny Rap", then another car pulled bumping "The Message". Memorable times.

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

Do you have a 5 star rating for IWW? Because I don't think I've heard you give it a 5 star rating before.

Yes I have, you must have me confused with Wayne. It's one of 4 Nas albums that I have rated at 5 stars.

I didn't know you give IWW 5 stars KJ. I can respect that.

Yeah, I can bump this album from front to back easily. Watch Dem N****z is a skippable track but I can stand to listen to it.

Besides Illmatic, Stillmatic, and Lost Tapes, what Nas albums do you have ranked over this Wayne?

Wayne wrote:

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

I am not trying to diss him, I admit calling it a trash album is a bit harsh and inflammatory, so that's my bad, but I just don't think it's a classic or even close to Nas' best, so I am surprised it is being listed over other 5 star classics is all.

Even with Nas being my favorite artist, I still stand by my very strong 4 star rating for It Was Written, and when you look back at 96, this was one of the best albums of that year. I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it. It's not close to his best, I'll admit that, but it's still excellent.

In what world is a 4 star album better than stone cold classics?

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

Do you have a 5 star rating for IWW? Because I don't think I've heard you give it a 5 star rating before.

Yes I have, you must have me confused with Wayne. It's one of 4 Nas albums that I have rated at 5 stars.

I didn't know you give IWW 5 stars KJ. I can respect that.

Yeah, I can bump this album from front to back easily. Watch Dem N****z is a skippable track but I can stand to listen to it.

Besides Illmatic, Stillmatic, and Lost Tapes, what Nas albums do you have ranked over this Wayne?

Hip Hop Is Dead and Untitled.

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it.

Co-Sign!! This album bumped well into 1997 as well.

The Message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I remember one time I was at a store in my area, one car was already there bumping "Live bunny Rap", then another car pulled bumping "The Message". Memorable times.

Yeah!!! I remember that I was the first among my friends to buy this album. I went to Nobody Beats The Wiz on my lunch break to cop it. My friends all went to the store later to do so and it was sold out. They were pissed and 3 of them asked me to make them copies and I charged them 5 bucks each. That was an easy 15 bucks!! The others drove to stores 30 minutes away to cop it. Great times!!!

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Southern Rap Pro wrote:

Do you have a 5 star rating for IWW? Because I don't think I've heard you give it a 5 star rating before.

Yes I have, you must have me confused with Wayne. It's one of 4 Nas albums that I have rated at 5 stars.

I didn't know you give IWW 5 stars KJ. I can respect that.

Yeah, I can bump this album from front to back easily. Watch Dem N****z is a skippable track but I can stand to listen to it.

Besides Illmatic, Stillmatic, and Lost Tapes, what Nas albums do you have ranked over this Wayne?

Hip Hop Is Dead and Untitled.

I have Untitled at 4.75 stars and HHID at 4.25.

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it.

Co-Sign!! This album bumped well into 1997 as well.

The Message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I remember one time I was at a store in my area, one car was already there bumping "Live bunny Rap", then another car pulled bumping "The Message". Memorable times.

Yeah!!! I remember that I was the first among my friends to buy this album. I went to Nobody Beats The Wiz on my lunch break to cop it. My friends all went to the store later to do so and it was sold out. They were pissed and 3 of them asked me to make them copies and I charged them 5 bucks each. That was an easy 15 bucks!! The others drove to stores 30 minutes away to cop it. Great times!!!

Yep, I hear you on that. I had the cassette version then I bought the CD later.

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it.

Co-Sign!! This album bumped well into 1997 as well.

The Message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I remember one time I was at a store in my area, one car was already there bumping "Live bunny Rap", then another car pulled bumping "The Message". Memorable times.

Yeah!!! I remember that I was the first among my friends to buy this album. I went to Nobody Beats The Wiz on my lunch break to cop it. My friends all went to the store later to do so and it was sold out. They were pissed and 3 of them asked me to make them copies and I charged them 5 bucks each. That was an easy 15 bucks!! The others drove to stores 30 minutes away to cop it. Great times!!!

Yep, I hear you on that. I had the cassette version then I bought the CD later.

Same here, and I was PISSED that the CD version didn't have Silent Murder on it!

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Wayne wrote:

I remember that summer when it dropped (July 2nd), almost everywhere I went someone was bumping it.

Co-Sign!! This album bumped well into 1997 as well.

The Message>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

I remember one time I was at a store in my area, one car was already there bumping "Live bunny Rap", then another car pulled bumping "The Message". Memorable times.

Yeah!!! I remember that I was the first among my friends to buy this album. I went to Nobody Beats The Wiz on my lunch break to cop it. My friends all went to the store later to do so and it was sold out. They were pissed and 3 of them asked me to make them copies and I charged them 5 bucks each. That was an easy 15 bucks!! The others drove to stores 30 minutes away to cop it. Great times!!!

Yep, I hear you on that. I had the cassette version then I bought the CD later.

Same here, and I was PISSED that the CD version didn't have Silent Murder on it!

So was I, lol. I have a copy of that song on one of my CDs though thank God. You'd think the bonus track would be on the CD and not the cassette.

Pac- AEOM
Geto Boys- Resurrection
Kast- ATLiens
Mr. Mike- Wicked Wayz
UGK- Ridin Dirty

Hon. Men.
E-40- Hall Of Game
Dayton Family- FBI
Westside Conn.- Bow Down
Nas- IWW
Pac- 7 Day Theory

I guess I'll start taking part of these threads, I usually don't because they seem rather self-masturbatory.

And I get pissed when people list more than 5 to try and cover bases with shit they didn't like as much. That shit is gay and should be banned, with all due respect.

1. All Eyez On Me (Album of the year)
2. Ironman
3. Kilimunati - The 7 Day Theory
4. Hell on Earth
5. Soul on Ice

Probably the #2 year of all time behind 1995

KRob86 wrote:

Pac- AEOM
Geto Boys- Resurrection
Kast- ATLiens
Mr. Mike- Wicked Wayz
UGK- Ridin Dirty

Hon. Men.
E-40- Hall Of Game
Dayton Family- FBI
Westside Conn.- Bow Down
Nas- IWW
Pac- 7 Day Theory

I'm always surprised at how much people like Bow Down...that album just isn't that great to me.

Bow Down is a dope album but not anywhere near the top 25 for the year

Steve wrote:

Bow Down is a dope album but not anywhere near the top 25 for the year

I can see why someone would think Bow Down is a classic, but to me it's 4.5 stars.

Eastern Rap Pro wrote:

Steve wrote:

Bow Down is a dope album but not anywhere near the top 25 for the year

I can see why someone would think Bow Down is a classic, but to me it's 4.5 stars.

Cosign.

Ghostface Killah - Ironman
Outkast - ATLiens
Mobb Deep - Hell On Earth
Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt
Nine - Cloud 9

Honorable Mentions:

M.O.P. - Firing Squad
Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst
Geto Boys - The Resurrection

1.OutKast - ATLiens
2. The Roots - Illadelph Halflife
3. DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
4. Ghostface - Ironman
5. Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst

1. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt (My GOAT album)
2. Outkast- Atliens (These cats were killing the game back than.)
3. 2Pac- All Eyez on Me (My GOAT rapper)
4. Makaveli- The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (His darkest album. Fucking dope...Pac>>>Nas)
5. The Roots- Illadelph Halflife (My favorite album by them. Classic in every sense)

Kool John>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>C Tran

It's actually many more arrows than that, but I'd have to hold my finger on the button forever.

Lol the lying fuck is your new name

Wayne how does a 4 star album make your top 5???? Only 4 albums that year got 4 stars or better?

I'm surprised at Reasonable Doubt,Tran. Are you just saying that because Steves been picking on hippie rap?

Steve wrote:

Wayne how does a 4 star album make your top 5???? Only 4 albums that year got 4 stars or better?

Steve, speaking for my top 5 in 96 or any other year, every album I select doesn't have to be 5 stars, respectively.

smh no. I've been saying this since the Amazon days. Reasonable Doubt is my favorite album of all time.

Victor Shade wrote:

Lol the lying fuck is your new name

I'm better than you, and my rap taste is superior to yours, those two statements are the TRUTH!