10. Beastie Boys-Check Your Head, 1992

   The Beastie Boys were the precursor to Eminem’s stardom. They essentially opened up the door for White people to create in the world of hip hop. However, they were nothing like the stereotypical one hit wonder, Vanilla Ice. The Beastie Boys were a group of three young friends from Brooklyn, New York. They are known for their renowned hit songs: “Sabotage”, “Intergalactic” and “Fight for Your Right.” In 1992, at the height of the hip hop era, they released their third studio album, Check Your Head. This album was not known for being a strictly hip hop record; it incorporated live instruments to create abstract jazz, rock, and soul songs. This album’s versatility is really what made me love it as a young kid. It is without a doubt the Beastie Boys’ greatest work.

Favorite tracks: “Gratitude,” “Stand Together”

9. Kanye West-Late Registration, 2005

   Before I cause controversy about Kanye West being placed on this list– yes, the man is canceled in 2019 without a doubt. However, we cannot forget that he has arguably created classic hits that have impacted this generation in a positive way. In my opinion, his first three albums are absolutely incredible, but the particular album that stood out the most for me was his second album, Late Registration. Kanye West is renowned for his skill of sampling old tracks from different genres and fitting them perfectly into his production. In Late Registration, he samples a mix of jazz records to give this album an extreme feeling of nostalgia. It truly is the type of album your parents could genuinely enjoy (if they enjoy classical jazz). Apart from the jazzy production, the lyrical content on some of the songs is worth paying attention to. On tracks like “Crack Music,” “Diamonds from Sierra Leone,” and “Addiction,” Kanye addresses the systematic oppression that is put upon people of color in America. The album even includes various skits that give the album a humorous aspect. Overall, this album’s lyrical content, production, various features and use of playful skits are the reasons why it is Kanye’s best.

Favorite tracks: “We Major,” “Celebration.”

8.  A Tribe Called Quest- Midnight Marauders, 1992

 A Tribe Called Quest was one of the most renowned hip-hop groups to ever come out of New York. They helped shape the rap world which we know today and many rappers give credit to their influences. The one album that is always brought up is Midnight Marauders. It has gone down as one of hip-hop’s best, most experimental and unique albums. Just like Late Registration, Midnight Marauders incorporates jazz samples into the songs. It is not a hype album in the slightest; its chill and relaxing production allows you to sit back and enjoy the lyrics of each song. However, it is old school hip-hop and from time to time can sound a little bit corny, especially if you do not understand 90s slang. But nonetheless, the album is a timeless hit.

Favorite Tracks: “Electric Relaxation,” “God Lives Through”

7. J Cole- 2014 Forest Hills Drive, 2014

   I recall the exact moment when this album was released. I instantly fell in love with it. Every single song took me through different emotions I had felt as a biracial adolescent: fear, love, sorrow, loneliness, motivation and anger. The way J Cole was able to share his life story, while still making an album full of great metaphors and symbolism, has made J Cole renowned as a rap guru of the 2010s. In a number of songs he can sound repetitive and unnecessarily vulgar, but truthfully that’s just rap. On this self-produced album, Cole is able to use a variety of samples to make his beats full of flash and deep emotion. Besides speaking about his own experiences, he is able to urge people to recognize that materialism, violence, and ungratefulness are huge sins. Obviously, 2014 Forest Hills Drive has so far been the climax of J Cole’s career, and he has been consistently releasing albums that may not be as admirable, but still, they have their special qualities. Currently, the world is still waiting on a Kendrick Lamar and J Cole collab album; maybe this will be able to top 2014 Forest Hills Drive.

Favorite Tracks: “January 28th,” “Tale of 2 Citiez”

6. Led Zeppelin- Led Zeppelin IV, 1971

 If your parents are avid classic rock fans, this album will give you an instant flashback to hearing this record being played in the car. If you were like me, you genuinely appreciated the album’s versatility and constantly asked for a replay of each song. With a small number of eight songs, Led Zeppelin is still able to find a way to give the listener a wide range of different styles of classic rock. It incorporates a type of blues, authentic hard and bone jeering rock, a little bit of rock and roll, and even songs that are shy and poetic. With the almost over the top vocals by Robert Plant, killer guitar licks by Jimmy Page and the outstanding drum breakdowns by John Bonham, this album will make you feel like you are front row at a peace-loving festival back in the early 70s. Although this is considered a stone age album, it can still really connect with people no matter your age.  

Favorite tracks: “Misty Mountain Hop,” “Going to California”

5. Kendrick Lamar- To Pimp a Butterfly, 2015

   Known as his third studio album and arguably his greatest, To Pimp a Butterfly has left a substantial mark on the 2010 era. The successor of his second album, Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, To Pimp a Butterfly is theatrical, mournful, dark, melodic, funky and chaotic all at once. From the first song “Wesley’s Theory,” to “Mortal Man,” you are engulfed by the dark nation of oppression, drugs, violence put upon people of color, which is America. As well, he speaks about the ancestral pride, love, talent, and success that is a part of African American culture. This is by far the most complex album I have ever embarked on. Its release came at a very crucial time in the nation, with Donald Trump’s storm looming and the Black Lives Matter Movement in its beginning stages. The only reason why it is not higher on the list is due to its effect of sorrow and anger, and everyone hates those feelings. Nevertheless, I believe this is by far Kendrick Lamar’s greatest piece of work.

Favorite Tracks: “Blacker the Berry,” “Institutionalized”

4. Chance the Rapper- Acid Rap, 2013

Two words: “life-changing” — for me at least. At the first listen, you might think this mixtape is the weirdest thing you have ever heard, but it grows on you, quickly. This mixtape has everything that I love: the classic Chicago jazz beats, the trippy psychedelic production on songs like “Favorite Song” and “Paranoia,” the deep metaphorical lyrics, even the outrageous adlibs. Acid Rap is an outright masterpiece. With a plethora of different producers and a range of different features, Chance the Rapper is able to let us experience his wild young life while giving us a wave of different emotions. For me, Acid Rap was able to open up a world of laughter, love, and adventure. Since then, Chance the Rapper has been able to release music that has brought me pure joy. Acid Rap will forever be a beloved tape, but it is missing the essence of lyrical value and crisp production that it needs to be higher on this list.

Favorite tracks: “Favorite Song,” “Good A** Intro”

3. Nas- Illmatic, 1994

 If you ever take a trip to New York City, please put this album on. You can just feel the New York subway rumble, Timberlands stomping on the street and the smell of fried food from the bodegas as you glide through each song. Illmatic is renowned as being arguably the greatest hip hop album of all time. With poetic rhymes, a gritty flow and iconic production by the infamous Pete Rock, it’s obvious why Nas’s first ever album is so critically acclaimed. Nas takes you on a journey of his rough and tough life in Queensbridge, New York. He is able to capture the feeling of being young and trapped into a system of oppression, as well as the mentality of a youth trapped in a “projects” based mentality, meaning doing what you have to for survival. The knowledge dropped throughout Illmatic gives you a mix of life lessons that prove valuable. I sincerely believe that it is the best hip-hop album to ever be created.

Favorite tracks: “The World is Yours,” “It Ain’t Hard to Tell”

2. Queen- Queen II, 1974

   You’re probably shocked that I did not choose a Queen album that features some of the band’s more well-known songs. Personally, I appreciate earlier Queen tracks just because they were a lot more raw. Queen II presents itself as a series of adventurous scores that would fit perfectly as a tracklist for a Lord of the Rings movie. It begins with a peaceful setting, picks up with joyful heartfelt songs like “Father to Son,” then suddenly drops into great conflict with a song titled “Ogre Battle.” After this, it dives into deep sorrow in the song “Nevermore,” followed by a final battle “March of the Black Queen,” followed by a moment of passion and love with “Funny How Love Is,” finally concluded by the joyous ending “Seven Seas of Rhye.” Quite a lot is going on throughout Queen II; at moments it can seem overwhelming. That being said, Freddie Mercury does an unbelievable job as a vocalist along with the other members, not to mention Brian May does not hold back with his famous guitar riffs. This album is truly one for the ages.

Favorite tracks: “Seven Seas of Rhye,” “March of the Black Queen”

and #1… Michael Jackson- Thriller, 1982

   Closing in at the number one spot is the King of Pop a.k.a Michael Jackson. Thriller is the biggest selling album of all time! Let that sink in. Thriller represents the 80s, and if any piece of music represents a decade, it is something special. The album starts off with the hype, catchy, hip-shaking song known as “Wanna Be Startin’ Somethin’” which is thought to be the greatest intro to an album ever. This album peaks from different mountain ranges. From Thriller’s joke-shop horror, to the headbanging and break dancing “Beat It,” and the heart-warming “Human Nature,” to the smooth and upbeat “PYT,” this album embodies everything that Michael Jackson was — a musical genius. I grew up listening to this album, and I am positive that my future kids will likewise be raised on this album. It is a work of pure gold.

Favorite Tracks: “PYT(Pretty Young Thing),” “ Human Nature”

In closing, your head might be shaking at the sight of this list or it may be nodding in agreement. Let’s remember, this is only my opinion, and it is certainly not the best. That being said, I urge you readers to send in your own favorite albums of all time. We all need a little change in life from time to time, and I believe that discovering new music is a great idea. So please send in your list of favorite albums!