10/20/07 - The 5 Elements Of A Classic Hip Hop Album

justincredible19 · 10-21-2007, 01:45 AM

Justin Hartfield

1) A classic album captures the time and the mood of its era

A great hip-hop album captures the mood and attitude of that particular slice of time. NWA's Straight Outta Compton did this exceedingly well. It was derided by critics for its vividly detailed and explicative-laden lyrics, yet it was simply the realism of its depiction of an early 1990's ghetto which was the most unsettling. The members of the group lived the songs, and U.S. had its first glimpse of what live was really like for some young men in the ghettos of Los Angeles. Finally the inhabitants of the slums of America were given a nationwide forum to voice their perspectives. Their talent was undeniable, and many of the members would prove to be visionaries in their own right. NWA spoke of LAPD corruption well before the Rampart scandal. They introduced the world to the "dope-dealer."

When the events, the people, and the style of the era is matched perfectly with the beat, the lyrics, and the production of the album, a classic is born. A classic record captures the all of the life experiences of the artist and beams them into your subconscious. Their fingerprint in that time and place is forever engraved into the laser etchings of the compact disc.

2) Thought-provoking songs are key to making a classic record

Talib Kweli forces his listener to actively listen to his records by creating clever and multifaceted metaphors. T.I. never uses metaphors, but instead relies on perfect tonality and confident attitude. The sparse production and simple beats of Mobb Deep's Hell On Earth differ wildly from the exacting polymorphic tracks featured on DJ Quik's Trauma. But all of these records are more than some singles for the club and a couple of love songs for the radio. These records were concieved with a purpose and a direction. The lyrics were chosen carefully. The beats were sampled or played with attention to detail. Classic albums are never rushed. They are polished smooth; they are the gems of hip-hop worked over with the meticulousness of an accountant.

3) A classic album evokes strong emotions

Some albums inspire us to achieve greatness, like Jay-Z's Kingdom Come. Others make us feel us great, like N*E*R*D's In Search Of.... You don't ask someone if you like a rap album, you ask someone if they feel the album. Does it touch them personally? Does it resonate in your core as truth? Albums can bring emotions which are hardly ever expressed, or even ones that you didn't even know you had. The bottom line is this - if your head's not bobbing for nearly the entirety of the album, it's not a classic.

4) A classic album is sonic revolution

Every single classic rap album redifines the boundires of the genre. The difference between a great record and a classic is uniqueness. Classic records always provide a fresh perspective on life and "the Game", in general. These classic records force us to rethink matters in our own life and the best ones actually give clarity and direction toward our aspirations. When DJ Quik urges his listeners to "change the game" on his title track to the classic Balance + Options, the Quik is preparing his listeners for something unique - and delivers.

Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001 (which incidentally debuted in 1999, but Dre named it 2001 because he knew people would still be listening to it years later) also "changed the game." Chronic 2001 will go down in hip-hop history as the definition of a comeback album. At a time when Dr. Dre was being heavily criticized for moving out of the ghetto and failing to produce a hit record to follow up The Chronic, he birthed a masterpiece that he painstakingly incubated for more than three years. It turned hip-hop's focus back to the West, and Dre suddenly became the most successful producer in the history of hip-hop. Now that's a comeback.

5) A classic album gives us a glimpse into the reality of the artist

The overall philosophy of the artist must be represented throughout the work in order for the album to be worthy of classic status. The more powerful the rapper's message, the more powerful the album. So while 18 tracks about thick-assed women may be entertaining for a few spins, it will certainly never be a classic.

Sometimes the message is as simple as loving life, like N*E*R*D's In Search Of..., or a tribute to a certain plant, like Pharcyde's Humboldt Beginnings. Sometimes the message is one of self-empowerment; other times its filled with anger and revenge like Tupac's All Eyez On Me. 50 Cent's albums sell because we know he was shot several times. We know he is speaking from experience when he raps about being involved in drive-bys or robberies. We experience his pain when he raps of a lost love. We experience his ferocity when he avenges a friend's death.

Listening to a great album can give you a deeper understanding of the world, although if only vicariously. The classic album imparts knowledge, like osmosis through your headphones and into your brain. Jay-Z realises this; he is successful because his self-assured attitude rubs off on his listeners. This, of course, is why we have changed the name of this think tank to the HOVA Institute.

The following list of artists have followed all of the 5 elements o make a hip hop classic. This is not in order but this is what i think. If I am missing anything please feel free to fill in the rest of the list.

1. Eternal
2. All Eyez On Me
3. Stillmatic
4. Blueprint
5. Get Rich Or Die Trying
6. 36 Chambers
7. Ready To Die
8. Life After Death
9. Marshall Mathers
10. Illmatic
11. Diary
12. Space Age Pimping
13. Doggy Style
14. Chronic
15. Chronic 2001
16. Thug Motivation(yes this was a classic and you cant deny it)
17. The Documentary
18. Ironman
19. ................

Dont for get to hit me with my propz!!!! Now you do the rest!!

Bkjj11 · 10-21-2007, 01:52 AM

Ok um.......... U actin like im tryna make a classic album, i dont give a shit. And i hope #16 isn't Jeezy shit. I rather put Banks H4M or Reasonable Fuckin Doubt up there. How u put Game and not Reasonable doubt

, bump

HipHopIsDead~P$C · 10-21-2007, 01:53 AM

its not a classic album unless it takes alot of talent to write
and thug motivation is definately not talented music imo
catchy? yes and it fit the time of lack of lyricists ill admit that
the documentary isnt because half of what was written wasnt his
i agree with all of the rest tho, obv there are more but too many to think about

some are:
Reasonable Doubt
Only Built For Cuban Linx
Slim Shady LP

justincredible19 · 10-21-2007, 01:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bkjj11

Ok um.......... U actin like im tryna make a classic album, i dont give a shit. And i hope #16 isn't Jeezy shit. I rather put Banks H4M or Reasonable Fuckin Doubt up there. How u put Game and not Reasonable doubt

, bump

ok thats y i fucking told you to put what im missing.. you think im gonna sit hear and name all of these???

justincredible19 · 10-21-2007, 01:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by HipHopIsDead~P$C

its not a classic album unless it takes alot of talent to write
and thug motivation is definately not talented music imo
catchy? yes and it fit the time of lack of lyricists ill admit that
the documentary isnt because half of what was written wasnt his
i agree with all of the rest tho, obv there are more but too many to think about

some are:
Reasonable Doubt
Only Built For Cuban Linx
Slim Shady LP

good shit homie!

G-Dengi · 10-21-2007, 01:59 AM

How bout Hunger For More? Straight Outta Casheville? Eminem Show? The Lost Tapes(Nas), most of NaS' albums have accomplished what the 5 things demand.
Most of Eminem's albums accomiplished what the five ratings demanded. Power of a Dollar also is classic, I can keep going...How bout Jay-Z's albums like Black Album and In My Lifetime volume anything? How bout ALL of Pacs music, Im gonna stop now cuz I'm tired

G-Dengi · 10-21-2007, 02:00 AM

O wait I completely missed that you missed Reasonable Doubt.

justincredible19 · 10-21-2007, 02:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Dengi

How bout Hunger For More? Straight Outta Casheville? Eminem Show? The Lost Tapes(Nas), most of NaS' albums have accomplished what the 5 things demand.
Most of Eminem's albums accomiplished what the five ratings demanded. Power of a Dollar also is classic, I can keep going...How bout Jay-Z's albums like Black Album and In My Lifetime volume anything? How bout ALL of Pacs music, Im gonna stop now cuz I'm tired

thats tight!

justincredible19 · 10-21-2007, 02:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by G-Dengi

O wait I completely missed that you missed Reasonable Doubt.

see i missed that shit myself.

YounG AleX · 10-21-2007, 02:08 AM

shity list

G-Dengi · 10-21-2007, 02:08 AM

I think the 5 elements of a classic album include
- Lyrics - Probably the most important aspect in a classic album. Does this album have songs that make you think? Do the lyrics make sense? Can you relate to these lyrics? Do these lyrics only reach to a specific audience or are they universal?
- Delivery - The flow of the artist. How the artist works with the beat he/she is given. Is it catchy? Does the delivery evoke emotion?
- Enjoyability - Is it annoying to listen to? Are the lyrics on point and the delivery perfect but the beats are garbage and the voice of the artist annoying? Can you bump your head to this? Sing along to it?
- Image - How does this album feel when it first comes out? Does it have a whole bunch of hype? Was is overlooked or under-rated?Overrated? This has a big effect on the actual experience of listening to the music
- Everlasting? - Can you listen to and relate to and enjoy the same album after 10 years?

G-Dengi · 10-21-2007, 02:09 AM

Now Im done posting for the night. Good night people

justincredible19 · 10-21-2007, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungAl3xG

shity list

damn u holla shit list but nigga those are classics in my book. everyone of those albums setted a trend in hip hop.

A.T.I. · 10-21-2007, 02:59 AM

good explanation, horrible list

mid block02141 · 10-21-2007, 03:20 AM

i disagree wit thug motivation a classic

Money_Bank$ · 10-21-2007, 03:34 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by YoungAl3xG

shity list

no it ain't...its straight, i wouldn't call Thug Motivation a classic tho. solid 4-4.5 mic album

MURDAGAME · 10-21-2007, 11:53 AM

Lmao Thug Motavation Classic?

HH Los · 10-21-2007, 12:02 PM

I love how some of you come on here and write up articles with authority. So you're so well-versed in the field of music that you can accurately breakdown what makes a classic? Too many critics, not enough listeners.

Phantom_rydaz · 10-21-2007, 12:19 PM

wow propz for the thread starter

T.K. aka Tha Kid Wonder · 10-21-2007, 01:55 PM

Man this nigga list suck ass. He put fuckin Eternal on there what the fuck. Not to mention No Reasonable Doubt, , Stillmatic, Death Certificate, and put fuckin Documentary, GRODT and Thug Motivation on there. What the fuck is you smokin. Then this nigga goin tell us Thug motivation a classic and we can't deny it. What the fuck kinda nigga are you.

districtx202x · 10-21-2007, 02:02 PM

dude picked thug motivation lol

u should replace dat wit raekwon-only built for cuban linx

Street Disciple · 10-21-2007, 03:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by T.K. aka Tha Kid Wonder

Man this nigga list suck ass. He put fuckin Eternal on there what the fuck. Not to mention No Reasonable Doubt, , Stillmatic, Death Certificate, and put fuckin Documentary, GRODT and Thug Motivation on there. What the fuck is you smokin. Then this nigga goin tell us Thug motivation a classic and we can't deny it. What the fuck kinda nigga are you.

GRODT & RD def classic.....shoulda put only build fo cuban linx and POTD......documentary...no...had some tight track but as sum1 said befo....it woz basically dre and 50...def not DA...overall aite

fromLAtoNY · 10-21-2007, 03:19 PM

how about The Infamous from mobb deep, or fuckin midnight mauraders from trible called quest

GodToYouKids22 · 10-21-2007, 03:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bkjj11

Ok um.......... U actin like im tryna make a classic album, i dont give a shit. And i hope #16 isn't Jeezy shit. I rather put Banks H4M or Reasonable Fuckin Doubt up there. How u put Game and not Reasonable doubt

, bump

cuz jayz sucks ass
but lmao at ur sig....are u the lil kid gettin smacked up for thinkin jayz iz better than nas lmaooo....or did u get smacked for bein the onli faggot wit a wide variety of gay porn on hiz computer??? GET A LIFE FAGGOT!!!

Skinny11 · 10-21-2007, 04:21 PM

add the infamous, hell on earth, and only built for cuban linx to that list, and take off thug motivation, and the list is alright

10-21-2007, 01:52 AM	#2
Bkjj11 Cuz u copied my trend Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Playboy Mansion Posts: 4,268 Repped: 219 Repped 6,920 Times in 628 Posts Neg Reps: 56 Neg Repped at 97 Times in 62 Posts	Ok um.......... U actin like im tryna make a classic album, i dont give a shit. And i hope #16 isn't Jeezy shit. I rather put Banks H4M or Reasonable Fuckin Doubt up there. How u put Game and not Reasonable doubt , bump __________________

10-21-2007, 01:59 AM	#6
G-Dengi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 915 Repped: 206 Repped 69 Times in 24 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 3 Times in 2 Posts	How bout Hunger For More? Straight Outta Casheville? Eminem Show? The Lost Tapes(Nas), most of NaS' albums have accomplished what the 5 things demand. Most of Eminem's albums accomiplished what the five ratings demanded. Power of a Dollar also is classic, I can keep going...How bout Jay-Z's albums like Black Album and In My Lifetime volume anything? How bout ALL of Pacs music, Im gonna stop now cuz I'm tired __________________ "Pressure turn kids into killers cause they grow up With losers and wanna live like the winners" P\|L\|K

10-21-2007, 02:00 AM	#7
G-Dengi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 915 Repped: 206 Repped 69 Times in 24 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 3 Times in 2 Posts	O wait I completely missed that you missed Reasonable Doubt. __________________ "Pressure turn kids into killers cause they grow up With losers and wanna live like the winners" P\|L\|K

10-21-2007, 02:08 AM	#10
YounG AleX AleX iS Like... Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Where haven't we been yet? Posts: 3,195 Repped: 892 Repped 5,210 Times in 714 Posts Neg Reps: 66 Neg Repped at 13 Times in 8 Posts	shity list __________________ I learned that everybody is not your friend. You have to watch who you associate with and surround yourself with positive things and people who want to do something positive.- Gucci!

10-21-2007, 02:08 AM	#11
G-Dengi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 915 Repped: 206 Repped 69 Times in 24 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 3 Times in 2 Posts	I think the 5 elements of a classic album include - Lyrics - Probably the most important aspect in a classic album. Does this album have songs that make you think? Do the lyrics make sense? Can you relate to these lyrics? Do these lyrics only reach to a specific audience or are they universal? - Delivery - The flow of the artist. How the artist works with the beat he/she is given. Is it catchy? Does the delivery evoke emotion? - Enjoyability - Is it annoying to listen to? Are the lyrics on point and the delivery perfect but the beats are garbage and the voice of the artist annoying? Can you bump your head to this? Sing along to it? - Image - How does this album feel when it first comes out? Does it have a whole bunch of hype? Was is overlooked or under-rated?Overrated? This has a big effect on the actual experience of listening to the music - Everlasting? - Can you listen to and relate to and enjoy the same album after 10 years? __________________ "Pressure turn kids into killers cause they grow up With losers and wanna live like the winners" P\|L\|K

10-21-2007, 01:45 AM	#1
justincredible19 Veteran Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 1,193 Repped: 555 Repped 208 Times in 33 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post	10/20/07 - The 5 Elements Of A Classic Hip Hop Album 10/20/07 - The 5 Elements Of A Classic Hip Hop Album Justin Hartfield 1) A classic album captures the time and the mood of its era A great hip-hop album captures the mood and attitude of that particular slice of time. NWA's Straight Outta Compton did this exceedingly well. It was derided by critics for its vividly detailed and explicative-laden lyrics, yet it was simply the realism of its depiction of an early 1990's ghetto which was the most unsettling. The members of the group lived the songs, and U.S. had its first glimpse of what live was really like for some young men in the ghettos of Los Angeles. Finally the inhabitants of the slums of America were given a nationwide forum to voice their perspectives. Their talent was undeniable, and many of the members would prove to be visionaries in their own right. NWA spoke of LAPD corruption well before the Rampart scandal. They introduced the world to the "dope-dealer." When the events, the people, and the style of the era is matched perfectly with the beat, the lyrics, and the production of the album, a classic is born. A classic record captures the all of the life experiences of the artist and beams them into your subconscious. Their fingerprint in that time and place is forever engraved into the laser etchings of the compact disc. 2) Thought-provoking songs are key to making a classic record Talib Kweli forces his listener to actively listen to his records by creating clever and multifaceted metaphors. T.I. never uses metaphors, but instead relies on perfect tonality and confident attitude. The sparse production and simple beats of Mobb Deep's Hell On Earth differ wildly from the exacting polymorphic tracks featured on DJ Quik's Trauma. But all of these records are more than some singles for the club and a couple of love songs for the radio. These records were concieved with a purpose and a direction. The lyrics were chosen carefully. The beats were sampled or played with attention to detail. Classic albums are never rushed. They are polished smooth; they are the gems of hip-hop worked over with the meticulousness of an accountant. 3) A classic album evokes strong emotions Some albums inspire us to achieve greatness, like Jay-Z's Kingdom Come. Others make us feel us great, like NERD's In Search Of.... You don't ask someone if you like a rap album, you ask someone if they feel the album. Does it touch them personally? Does it resonate in your core as truth? Albums can bring emotions which are hardly ever expressed, or even ones that you didn't even know you had. The bottom line is this - if your head's not bobbing for nearly the entirety of the album, it's not a classic. 4) A classic album is sonic revolution Every single classic rap album redifines the boundires of the genre. The difference between a great record and a classic is uniqueness. Classic records always provide a fresh perspective on life and "the Game", in general. These classic records force us to rethink matters in our own life and the best ones actually give clarity and direction toward our aspirations. When DJ Quik urges his listeners to "change the game" on his title track to the classic Balance + Options, the Quik is preparing his listeners for something unique - and delivers. Dr. Dre's Chronic 2001 (which incidentally debuted in 1999, but Dre named it 2001 because he knew people would still be listening to it years later) also "changed the game." Chronic 2001 will go down in hip-hop history as the definition of a comeback album. At a time when Dr. Dre was being heavily criticized for moving out of the ghetto and failing to produce a hit record to follow up The Chronic, he birthed a masterpiece that he painstakingly incubated for more than three years. It turned hip-hop's focus back to the West, and Dre suddenly became the most successful producer in the history of hip-hop. Now that's a comeback. 5) A classic album gives us a glimpse into the reality of the artist The overall philosophy of the artist must be represented throughout the work in order for the album to be worthy of classic status. The more powerful the rapper's message, the more powerful the album. So while 18 tracks about thick-assed women may be entertaining for a few spins, it will certainly never be a classic. Sometimes the message is as simple as loving life, like NERD's In Search Of..., or a tribute to a certain plant, like Pharcyde's Humboldt Beginnings. Sometimes the message is one of self-empowerment; other times its filled with anger and revenge like Tupac's All Eyez On Me. 50 Cent's albums sell because we know he was shot several times. We know he is speaking from experience when he raps about being involved in drive-bys or robberies. We experience his pain when he raps of a lost love. We experience his ferocity when he avenges a friend's death. Listening to a great album can give you a deeper understanding of the world, although if only vicariously. The classic album imparts knowledge, like osmosis through your headphones and into your brain. Jay-Z realises this; he is successful because his self-assured attitude rubs off on his listeners. This, of course, is why we have changed the name of this think tank to the HOVA Institute. The following list of artists have followed all of the 5 elements o make a hip hop classic. This is not in order but this is what i think. If I am missing anything please feel free to fill in the rest of the list. 1. Eternal 2. All Eyez On Me 3. Stillmatic 4. Blueprint 5. Get Rich Or Die Trying 6. 36 Chambers 7. Ready To Die 8. Life After Death 9. Marshall Mathers 10. Illmatic 11. Diary 12. Space Age Pimping 13. Doggy Style 14. Chronic 15. Chronic 2001 16. Thug Motivation(yes this was a classic and you cant deny it) 17. The Documentary 18. Ironman 19. ................ Dont for get to hit me with my propz!!!! Now you do the rest!!

10-21-2007, 01:53 AM	#3
HipHopIsDead~P$C G-Unit Promoter Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: 101ST AVE Posts: 847 Repped: 17 Repped 35 Times in 14 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	its not a classic album unless it takes alot of talent to write and thug motivation is definately not talented music imo catchy? yes and it fit the time of lack of lyricists ill admit that the documentary isnt because half of what was written wasnt his i agree with all of the rest tho, obv there are more but too many to think about some are: Reasonable Doubt Only Built For Cuban Linx Slim Shady LP

10-21-2007, 02:09 AM	#12
G-Dengi Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: New York Posts: 915 Repped: 206 Repped 69 Times in 24 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 3 Times in 2 Posts	Now Im done posting for the night. Good night people __________________ "Pressure turn kids into killers cause they grow up With losers and wanna live like the winners" P\|L\|K

10-21-2007, 02:59 AM	#14
A.T.I. Agitating the Ignorant Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Toronto, ON Posts: 7,606 Repped: 1,379 Repped 2,050 Times in 720 Posts Neg Reps: 156 Neg Repped at 163 Times in 130 Posts	good explanation, horrible list __________________ “At a snail's pace, I won this race that y'all trail"

10-21-2007, 03:20 AM	#15
mid block02141 Veteran Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: masschusetts Posts: 1,199 Repped: 728 Repped 9 Times in 7 Posts Neg Reps: 2 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	i disagree wit thug motivation a classic

10-21-2007, 11:53 AM	#17
MURDAGAME Banned Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: California Posts: 233 Repped: 13 Repped 180 Times in 15 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	Lmao Thug Motavation Classic?

10-21-2007, 12:02 PM	#18
HH Los Paper Chaser Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Kearny, NJ Posts: 1,712 Repped: 77 Repped 593 Times in 81 Posts Neg Reps: 2 Neg Repped at 1 Time in 1 Post	I love how some of you come on here and write up articles with authority. So you're so well-versed in the field of music that you can accurately breakdown what makes a classic? Too many critics, not enough listeners.

10-21-2007, 12:19 PM	#19
Phantom_rydaz Veteran Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Montreal Posts: 1,014 Repped: 133 Repped 141 Times in 36 Posts Neg Reps: 1 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	wow propz for the thread starter

10-21-2007, 01:55 PM	#20
T.K. aka Tha Kid Wonder Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 335 Repped: 0 Repped 44 Times in 30 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 12 Times in 9 Posts	Man this nigga list suck ass. He put fuckin Eternal on there what the fuck. Not to mention No Reasonable Doubt, , Stillmatic, Death Certificate, and put fuckin Documentary, GRODT and Thug Motivation on there. What the fuck is you smokin. Then this nigga goin tell us Thug motivation a classic and we can't deny it. What the fuck kinda nigga are you.

10-21-2007, 02:02 PM	#21
districtx202x Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: washington dc Posts: 178 Repped: 0 Repped 0 Times in 0 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	dude picked thug motivation lol u should replace dat wit raekwon-only built for cuban linx

10-21-2007, 03:19 PM	#23
fromLAtoNY KING OF FAME Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 820 Repped: 272 Repped 604 Times in 90 Posts Neg Reps: 0 Neg Repped at 0 Times in 0 Posts	how about The Infamous from mobb deep, or fuckin midnight mauraders from trible called quest __________________

10-21-2007, 04:21 PM	#25
Skinny11 chain smokin purple haze Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: chi town Posts: 3,359 Repped: 2,220 Repped 251 Times in 124 Posts Neg Reps: 10 Neg Repped at 11 Times in 8 Posts	add the infamous, hell on earth, and only built for cuban linx to that list, and take off thug motivation, and the list is alright __________________ 615 Ca$hville Records..Young Buck..Realest nigga in the game..Hottest in the south..Fuck G-Unit

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode