It’s time for another edition of The Numbers Game and once again it seems like it’s another slow month in terms of releases. We only have  two new Hip-Hop/R&B debuts on the album charts this week. Uh, I really have nothing else to say…let’s look at the numbers…

First up is Mario’s 4th album D.N.A. Off the steam of the Gucci Mane & Sean Garrett assisted single “Break Up”, the album lands at #9 and moves around 31,000 units.

The second debut is a Snoop Dogg (or Snoop Doggy Dogg) album full of unreleased Death Row era tracks called Death Row: The Lost Sessions Vol. 1. Yeah, we didn’t review this album because it’s more of a compilation, but if you miss the early 90’s G-Funk, you probably should give it a listen. It lands at #129 and sells 4,000 copies. Sidenote: Did anybody else catch Snoop on WWE Raw?

#3 Jay-Z/The Blueprint 3 (Last Week: #5) – 54,900; Total: 1,116,500 (Platinum) [6 Weeks]
#6 Black Eyed Peas/The E.N.D. (Last Week: #23) – 25,500; Total: 1,195,000 (Platinum) [19 Weeks]
#9 Mario/D.N.A. (Last Week: NA) – 31,700; Total: NA [Debut]
#10 Mariah Carey/Memoirs Of An Imperfect Angel (Last Week: #7) – 31,000; Total: 254,300 [3 Weeks]
#15 Whitney Houston/I Look To You (Last Week: #13) – 23,900; Total: 731,300 (Gold) [7 weeks]
#27 Drake/So Far Gone (Last Week: #28) – 17,700; Total: 180,000 [5 Weeks]
#39 Trey Songz/Ready (Last Week: #40) – 14,000; Total: 270,600 [7 Weeks]
#43 Maxwell/BLACKsummers’night (Last Week: #41) – 12,400; Total: 825,700 (Gold) [14 Weeks]
#50 Kid Cudi/Man On The Moon: The End Of Day (Last Week: #46) – 11,000; Total: 174,500 [5 Weeks]
#129 Snoop Doggy Dogg/Death Row: The Lost Sessions Vol. 1 (Last Week: NA) – 4,400; Total: NA [Debut]

 Download: Eazy-E – “Real Muthphuckkin G’s”

Album: It’s On (Dr. Dre) 187um Killa
Year: November 5, 1993

The year was 1992 and I was a freshman in high school. Little did I know that this CD would forever change the climate of Hip-Hop. Everyone knew who Dr. Dre was, but the world wasn’t prepared for what was about to happen. Snoop Doggy Dogg, Dat Nigga Daz, Kurupt, Lady of Rage, RBX, The D.O.C, Nate Dogg, and Warren G were about to become household names after this album dropped. The album cover itself was a replica of a pack of Zig-Zag rolling papers. That isn’t what made this classic, what made it classic was the material on the inside. Dre had left Ruthless Records to start a new company, Death Row Records, with one of the most feared men in Hip-Hop history, Suge Knight. The two were about to usher in a new sound and shift the power from the East to the West. This album is deemed a classic by every publication that knows what Hip-Hop is about. Enough of the intro, let me tell you why this album is one of the best ever made. This album incorporates that Parliament Funkadelic sound to many of its songs. This sound along with the perfection of Dre behind the boards redefined what the West Coast sound is. The first released single “Nuthin but a G Thang” is still regarded as one of the best songs ever. This also introduced the world to Snoop Doggy Dogg, and what began his run in the top spot of the rap game. Who can forget the video of them playing volleyball, or the little kid dancing to the beat? The second single was “Fuck wit Dre Day” and I will never forget blowing the speakers in moms floor model TV when this video came on! The song, which was a diss to Eazy-E, Tim Dogg, and Uncle Luke, is still one of the best diss songs ever made. This album had introduced the world to life on the Westside with its gritty tales about street life “Lil’ Ghetto Boy”, about no good women “Bitches Ain’t Shit”, and current events of what was going on in the aftermath of the L.A. riots, “The Day the Niggaz Took Over”. This album not only cemented Dr. Dre in Hip-Hop history, but it also cemented Death Row Records as a major player in the industry. You don’t have to take my word for it, be the judge for yourself. If this album isn’t in your collection, stop reading this right now and go out and get it!

Okay, we know how cliché it is to have a Christmas Rap song for Song of the Week. But hey; what do you do? There were a lot of songs we could have gone with. Jerm was crying because he wanted Run DMC’s “Christmas In Hollis”, P-Body probably wanted something from 2Pac, and Thic probably wanted something by an rapper I never heard of. Naw, I love those guys and even though I not a big fan of X-Mas, I do wish all of you out there a good and safe holiday. So, back to the Song of the Week. I went with Snoop Dogg’s “Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto”. Other than being one of the best Christmas Hip-Hop songs ever, the cover of Christmas On Death Row is reason enough. Enjoy.

Download: Snoop Doggy Dogg feat. Dat Nigga Daz, Nate Dogg, Tray Deee, & Bad Azz – “Santa Claus Goes Straight To The Ghetto”

Album: Christmas On Death Row
Released: December 5, 1996
Label: Death Row

We had to take this one to the West Coast for this installment of SOTW. Ya’ll remember when Snoop was on top of the world? Don’t act like he wasn’t one of your favorites! Snoop was the man back in 93-94. That is why I had to pick him for this week’s highlighted song. So enjoy “Tha Shiznit” off of his classic LP Doggystyle.

Download: Snoop Doggy Dogg – “Tha Shiznit”

Album: Doggystyle
Released: August 1993
Label: Death Row/Interscope/Atlantic Records

Every month here at nappyafro.com we come out with a feature for all ya’ll Hip-Hop fiends out there. This month our feature is my Top Ten Albums of all-time. This has been one of the most heavily debated arguments of all-time. How many times have you and your peoples have had that debate about who had the best album? Well add this one to your list, because I want to be heard too!

10. Bigger and Deffer – LL Cool J (1987)

This album made me fall in love with Hip-Hop. I had never heard anyone rap with the swagger of a young LL. I couldn’t stop listening to this album. This is definitely one that is timeless to me.

9. Comin’ Out Hard - Eightball & MJG (1993)

This album made the Memphis duo legendary in the South. The album is only nine songs, but each one is a banger. If you from the dirty, you had to have this one in your collection.

8. Ready to Die – The Notorious B.I.G. (1994)

Biggie’s remarkable first LP, showcased his skills for all of the world. Some commercial production couldn’t outshine the Brooklynite, and Big ushered in a new era in Hip-Hop. Putting out many timeless classics on the album, Big did his thing on his first album.

7. Illmatic – Nas (1994)

One of the most highly acclaimed albums of all time. This album pushed Nas to the forefront with Hip-Hop’s elite. After Illmatic dropped, they anointed Nas the Hip-Hop lyrical genius. But with what he put out on the album, who could argue?

6. Doggystyle – Snoop Doggy Dogg (1993)

When Snoop dropped this one here, he had the game on lock! No one can argue that this isn’t one of the greatest LP’s of all time. This album made Snoop legendary and made the West Coast the best Coast.

5. Life After Death – The Notorious B.I.G. (1997)

This is Big’s best album, hands down. The lyrics are magnificent. The production is top notch, with minor slip ups. What more can you ask from a double LP. Most doubles are filled with filler, not this one. Only hot beats and smash mouth lyrics.

4. Atliens – Outkast (1996)

This was one of Outkast’s most misunderstood albums. People down south aren’t used to change, and when Outkast made this album, it went over a lot of peoples head. The subjects and artistic growth made this a winner in my book.

3. The Blueprint - Jay-Z (2001)

When Hovie attacked Nas and Mobb Deep on this album, it brought back the beef aspect back to Hip-Hop. But the beef doesn’t outshine the rest of the album. This has got to be Jay-Z’s best album from top to bottom. Even if you’re not a Jay fan, you will like this one.

2. Aquemini - Outkast (1998)

This is the best Outkast album lyrically and production wise. This album continued to showcase the growth of the ATL duo. On this album they actually extended beyond the Dungeon Family and had Raekwon on a track. But from top to bottom this one is a banger.

1. Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik – Outkast (1994)

While coming out in one of the best years in Hip-Hop history, Outkast delivered their stout debut, and took home critical acclaim. They showed that people south of the Tri-State could rap too. With rhymes that were felt by a million other country boys, the duo showed the world how they do it in Atlanta.