NWA|Straight Outta Compton [1988] (by Thic Flair)

Outside of the very first rap album ever released, this is the most important album in the history of Hip-Hop music and culture. The effects of this monumental album live on not just in music, but in our everyday lives. There was a time when the overwhelming majority of Hip-Hop music was feel good party music, braggadocios rap, and storytelling. Enter Eazy-E, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, MC Ren, and DJ Yella here. Read more

Nas|Illmatic [1994] (by H20)

Nas first came into the rap game on his debut single, “Halftime”, which lyrically still blows me away with lines like: “I drop jewels, wear jewels, hope to never run it/With more kicks than a baby in a mother’s stomach.” It’s still hard to believe that Nas can keep up the same kind of consistency that he keeps today; Read more

Jay-Z|The Blueprint [2001] (by H20)

Reasonable Doubt was Jay’s first classic album, coincidentally his debut, just like Nas, Biggie, and Outkast. But after that, Jigga just wasn’t up to THAT level. Sure, he had Vol. 2 which sold extremely well, Vol. 3, and Roc La Familia, but none of those were ever placed on the level that Reasonable Doubt set. Then, in 2001, six years after his debut, Jay-Z and Roc-A-fella were on top of the world with what would be one of the best Hip-Hop albums ever made. Read more

Wu-Tang Clan|Enter The Wu-Tang [1993] (by King Jerm)

Released in 1993 during the East Coast Renaissance, a time which we saw Das EFX, Black Moon, Nas, Onyx, and many other NY groups were ushering in a new era in Hip-Hop. But no one was prepared for the worldwide impact of the Wu-Tang Clan. Boasting 9 members, RZA, GZA, Ol’ Dirty Bastard, Inspectah Deck, Raekwon, Ghostface Killah, U-God, Masta Killa, and last but not least Method Man. Read more

Group Home|Livin’ Proof [1995] (by SBK)

You take one of the all-time greatest music producers in Hip-Hop and add a gritty, street Hip-Hop duo from New York and what do you have? Possibly the greatest underrated Hip-Hop album in history. This undervalued album that I’m speaking of is entitled Livin’ Proof from the duo Group Home. Read more

Jay-Z|Reasonable Doubt [1996] (by SBK)

We’ve expanded! The redesign isn’t the only thing that we’ve been working on. We also added another member to the squad. I want ya’ll to give it up to the one, the only, SBK! This is the newest member to the nappyafro team! Be on the lookout for him and show him the same love ya’ll show us. You want to know some stuff about the dude, HIT THE STAFF PAGE UP! But once again lets all give SBK a round of applause! (CLAPS) NOW GET YO ASS OFF THE STAGE AND GET TO WORK!!! Read more

Eric B. & Rakim |Paid in Full [1987] (by Thic Flair)

It’s been a long time, we shudnt’a left you, without some Eric B. & Rakim to nod to. How do you have a classic section without arguably the best emcee of all time You don’t that’s how. This tape (when I bought it) is a staple in any Hip-Hop catalogue. Rakim revolutionalized the rap game with new ways of rhyming along with some of the most timeless beats ever done. Read more

South Circle|Anotha Day Anotha Balla [1995] (by P-Body)

I had to go on down to the old Houston, Texas duo South Circle from Suave House. They released Anotha Day Anotha Balla in 1995 around the time Eightball & MJG released On Top Of The World, and Crime Boss released All In The Game. Read more

dead prez|Revolutionary But Gangsta [2003] (by B-Easy)

After Outkast, dead prez is my favorite Hip-Hop group of all time. This is mostly based on their 2003/2004 sophomore release Revolutionary But Gangsta (or RBG). Now today, I’m not going talking about the retail release by Sony, I’m talking the leaked version I got months earlier before. Read more

Outkast|Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik [1994] (by King Jerm)

You didn’t think we would do Classic Week without Outkast did you? This album came out in 1994, which was one of the greatest years in Hip-Hop and held its weight against some heavyweights that year, Biggie, Nas, Redman, and Method Man. Read more

Next Page »