In a recent conversation with my best friend, we discussed what we are often known to discuss whenever we are together — music. In this particular talk, we were in a heated debate about what the greatest rap album of all time is. During this chat, one of the qualifications brought into play was whether or not the album in question received a Grammy award. We then quickly realized that the Grammys have been neglecting rap artists way before Macklemore was a household name. Some of our favorites were nominated, but a lot of the disappointment has to do with the fact the Best Rap Album category wasn't a thing until 1995. This category missed a giant chunk of integral albums that molded the very foundation of what rap is today. The New Jersey natives Naughty by Nature won the first Grammy in this category for Poverty's Paradise at the 38th Grammy Awards in 1996.
There’s a long list of albums that won’t get the honor but here are 11 I think most of us can agree on:
Dr. Dre, The Chronic
Photo: Death Row Records
The Chronic was such a high point in rap. The debut studio album by Dr. Dre has nostalgia written all over it. Dre, Snoop and Kurupt had the whole world throwing up westside and buying low riders. Unfortunately, The Chronic was three years too early for a Grammy nomination but “It Ain’t Nothin But a G Thang.”
Wu-Tang Clan, Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Photo: RCA Records
Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) had banger after banger after banger. The lyrical ability and incredible production on this album are close to if not pure perfection. When the album dropped in 1993, The Grammys weren’t on the wave yet. If they did get a nom, I would've warned anyone who was in the running to protect their neck.
The Notorious B.I.G., Ready to Die
Photo: Bad Boy Entertainment
Ready to Die is The Notorious B.I.G. busting down the door on the rap game screaming “gimme the loot /gimmie the loot /I'm a bad bad man.” I don’t think anyone would have argued with him if he took the award that was rightfully his.
Run-D.M.C., Raising Hell
Photo: Genius
Raising Hell broke down so many barriers for what rap could do. The album went triple-platinum and shut up every hip-hop hater known to man at the time. They single-handedly put Adidas on the on map with their song “My Adidas.” The track list for this is bananas. It was just 10 years too early.
N.W.A, Straight Outta Compton
Photo: Ruthless Records
Straight Outta Compton needs no introduction. The trailblazing album of gangster rap that went on to birth so many more of our favorite songs and artists came way before the category was dreamt of. Yeah, that means it didn’t receive a Grammy or an Oscar either. Easy E has a ratchet pointed at you while you’re looking at the cover. They could have won on intimidation alone. Can we take a moment and imagine N.W.A accepting a Grammy Award?
Beastie Boys, Licensed to Ill
Photo: Genius
Licensed to Ill was the first rap LP to top the Billboard album chart. The Beastie Boys came way out of left field with this one. The trio has undeniable talent and really had a gem on their hands here. They’ve been fighting for the right to party decades before people started handing out recognition for it.
2Pac, Me Against the World
Photo: Interscope Records
Me Against The World is 2Pac at his peak. Strictly brilliant is how I look at it. Yes, this album was nominated but Naughty By Nature beat Pac out for the win along with Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, Skee Lo, and Ol’ Dirty Bastard.
A Tribe Called Quest, The Low End Theory
Photo: Jive Records
The Low End Theory is Ali Shaheed, Q-Tip and Phife Dawg’s best work. It solidified them as one of the best rap groups of all time. It has layer on top of layer of unique genius.
Paid in Full, Erik B. & Rakim
Photo: 4th & B'way Records
Paid In Full is stylin' on rappers with lyrical ability rather than boasting about particulars. The pair painted pictures so vividly with rhymes which is why this album would be Grammy-award winning if it came out eight years later.
Public Enemy, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
Photo: Def Jam Recordings
Public Enemy dropped a classic when It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back hit the streets. No topic was safe! Racism, social injustice, dirty cops, profiling, the whole nine. The impact of this album alone should receive a reward.
MC Lyte, Lyte as a Rock
Photo: Genius
MC Lyte's debut, Lyte as a Rock, paved the way for rappers who were talented, had mad skills and just happened to be women. This album's tracklist can go toe-to-toe with any credible hip-hop hit you can think of. It's got bars for days but no, this classic came too soon for the Gram'.
Nas, Illmatic
Photo: Columbia Records
Every "Best Rap Album" award ever given should be collected, melted down and molded together to create the Best Rap Album Of All Time award and given to the 1994 release, Illmatic. Point. Blank. Period.
What are some of your favorite rap albums that didn't get a Grammy? Let us know in the comments below!
