#3: Nas Albums, Worst to Best

Note: I've been sitting on this one for ages and ages. I always intended to publish this whole set as a trilogy, where I went over three artists I was listening to a fair bit at the time. I never got around to releasing this one due to other projects and the like, but I think it deserves a belated release as opposed to no release at all.


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This is the third discography set I've ordered based on my personal preference. The last one I did was Snoop Dogg's which was at times an excruciating experience. More often than not it was at least rather unpleasant where I had to fill up space with unauthorized releases. Like 2Pac though, Nas provides the listener with a rather good discography, where even on his most whack albums he delivers stellar world class rhyming.


11. Nastradamus (1999)

Nas' fourth album still stands as his all-time low. The rhyming is fairly good as always, although some of the lyrical themes border on being cringe-worthy. This album was very rushed, as Columbia was planning on releasing leftover (previously bootlegged) material from the I Am... sessions. Nas instead went ahead and recorded all new material. If he'd had more time he may have had a better chance of putting together something more listen-worthy.

Top cuts: Shoot 'em Up

10. Stillmatic (2001)

Stillmatic is Nas' comeback album after the poor critical reception of both I Am... and Nastradamus. While it gave him a chance to get even with Jay-Z ("Ether" is a brilliant response to "Takeover") it has its share of misses. That being said it is a decent offering that put Nas back on track, even if he does sound a bit outdated in places.

Top cuts: Ether, 2nd Childhood

9. I Am... (1999)

I Am... is not nearly as interesting as it could have been. If bootleggers had not made it their work to tear it apart and it was released as a double disc, it could have been very interesting. As it stands, there are some good moments, but many are mediocre. It's still appreciated that Nas attempted to find some middle ground between Illmatic and It Was Written.

Top cuts: Small World, We Will Survive

8. Hip Hop is Dead (2006)

  
Hip Hop is Dead is a fairly interesting album. It is first of three (so far) albums by Nas to attempt to stick to a particular theme. By no stretch of the imagination is it in any way a concept album, and it's fairly inconsistent (is hip hop actually dead? Make up your mind Nas!). It's also a bit of a silly and overly dramatic. That being said, there was a huge void in hip hop post-Biggie and 'Pac, which is a nice way of saying that virtually everything that came out in the last decade sucked something fierce (notable exceptions excluded).

Top cuts: Money over Bullshit, Can't Forget About You

7. Nigger (2008)

I'm gonna start with the title on this one. The album is called Nigger. I can already hear the gasps of horror. Well fuck you all! That's what Nas wanted to call this shit, and it's what he went on record saying that all of his true fans would call it, and know it as. I've heard people call it Nas or Untitled but Nigger is the best title for the album. That should give you a sense of the themes discussed on the album. It's a bit pretentious, like Hip Hop is Dead, but it marks an upward trend in Nas' music. There is some political shit at the end that is a bit misguided, but otherwise it's a very solid album. Fuck Chris Brown though, everyone should be boycotting his stupid ass.

Top cuts: Queens Get the Money, Hero, America

6. God's Son (2002)

Why this album gets more love than Street's Disciple always confuses me. This is Nas' real comeback album to be sure, but still it has it's fair share of ups and downs. He's still too focused on talking himself up, instead of just projecting his artistic vision. That being said you can find some terrific cuts here.

Top cuts: Last Real Nigga Alive, Thugz Mansion, Book of Rhymes

5. Distant Relatives (2010)

 
Nas' collaboration and crossover album with Damian Marley is one of his better offerings. While there are some preachy moments (especially considering neither of them are actually from Africa) it's some of the most inspiring rapping Nas has done. Damian Marley being in top form doesn't hurt either.

Top cuts: As We Enter, Count Your Blessings

4. Life is Good (2012)

All of Nas' post-Stillmatic work has been quite focused, with each album tackling a different theme or themes. The last several albums have had an increase in quality with this one being the closest at heart for Nas. While Hip Hop is Dead was contradictory and confused, and Nigger had some seriously misguided moments, Life is Dead is consistent and emotional. Production is tight and lyrics are heartfelt.

Top cuts: Daughters, Bye Baby

3. It Was Written (1996)

It Was Written is a bit difficult for me. When I first heard it I was fairly impressed, but as time went on I cooled off to it a bit. I think that part of the problem was that it feels that Nas is selling out. The skit with Dr. Dre is a huge turn-off for me. I get that everyone needs to get paid and is hungry and all that, but coming out and talking about how it's all about the money, who gives a fuck about anything else is kinda sad. It's a put-down to the whole East-West shit, which is cool. It would have been nice if more people (Dre included) spent more time talking about that. It's also far less lyrically impressive than Illmatic. All this being said, it's still a great album to check out and is worth your time, especially if you're into that Mafioso shit.

Top cuts: If I Ruled the World, The Setup, Street Dreams

2. Street's Disciple (2004)

I always felt this album didn't get the praise it deserved from most people. I actually think that it's Nas' most slept on work, and this is for two big reasons. 1) It is not a pop album, and doesn't have any radio tracks to appeal to the It Was Written audience. 2) It's not Illmatic, which is so acclaimed that even the It Was Written audience has to pretend that it's their favourite Nas album. Not being Illmatic, Street's Disciple is at a big disadvantage. This is probably Nas' most artistically ambitious work in its scope and vision.

Top cuts: Thief's Theme, American Way, Bridging the Gap

1. Illmatic (1994)

Ain't got shit to say that ain't been said. I'll say this though. It's not quite as good as a lot of people want it to be, but it's pretty damn good (same goes for 36 Chambers).

Top cuts: N.Y. State of Mind, Represent, all

#2: Snoop Albums, Worst to Best

I've been listening to lots of Snoop albums recently. In commemoration of this, I'm compiling a list of Snoop Dogg/Snoop Doggy Dogg albums that are being ranked from worst to best, in my opinion. Some unreleased material albums will be included and there may be some studio albums I had to ignore entirely (there's only so much shit I can take).

12. Malice N Wonderland (2009)

After listening to this one I wanted to never listen to Snoop Dogg again. It was painful. I hated the production, I hated almost all the songs, and I hated that Soulja Boy Tell Em was featured. After this album I couldn't bring myself to listen to Ego Tripping or Doggumentary.

Top cuts: "Secrets"

11. Da Game is to be Sold, Not to be Told (1998)

When I first started listening to this one I thought all the hate it gets might be unwarranted. That's just because the first track, "Snoop World" is actually alright. There's too much No Limit influence on the track though, and on the whole album, which keeps it down. Very far down.

Top cuts: "Snoop World"

10. R&G (Rhythm & Gangsta): the Masterpiece (2004)

This album was another polarizing one for me (barely though). I absolutely loathed sections of it, with "Can U Control Yo Hoe" being an all-time low for Snoop Dogg. It wasn't just the blatant (and violent) misogyny on that one- it's also just a really bad song. That being said there were some cuts that I sort of enjoyed.

Top cuts: "Pass It Pass It," "Oh No, Perfect"

9. Paid Tha Cost to be Da Boss (2002)

All around it's quite decent, not fluctuating that much to either bad or good. At this point Snoop's albums are feeling a bit contrived and uninspired in places. There are some decent cuts here, but on the whole definitely a bit unmemorable. That being said it's not really all that bad. Deserving of a listen (at least one) if one is a Snoop fan.

Top cuts: "From Long Beach 2 Brick City," "Pimp Slapp'd," "Da Bo$$ Would Like to See You"


8. Dead Man Walkin (2000)

This album was released by Suge Knight at the same time as Snoop's Tha Last Meal. The purpose of this was to hamper sales and attack Snoop. Suge Knight claimed at the time that this was "Snoop at his best." This was a blatant lie, especially in terms of the production (which isn't terrible, but is hardly all that praise-worthy). Snoop's rapping here is very focused and the few guest appearances are all solid in their own right (Nate Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound, etc.). This album is proof that Snoop has a decent back catalog of unreleased material.

Top cuts: "Head Doctor," "I Will Survive"

7.  Tha Blue Carpet Treatment (2006)

Good, not great, this release is one of the more consistent in Snoop's library. It does start to sag starting two thirds of the way through and before that there were a couple tracks I really didn't enjoy. On the whole this is a decent release for the dedicated Snoop fan to sink their teeth into, especially if they are modern production-inclined.

Top cuts: "I Wanna Fuck You," "Get a Light," "Imagine"


6.  No Limit Top Dogg (1999)

I have to admit that I had significantly lower expectations for this album than I did for every other Snoop release I've listened to recently. It's not quite as memorable as Tha Doggfather and it doesn't have the heights of Tha Last Meal. It also still has a fair bit of No Limit influence (albeit significantly less than Da Game) and that is one of the reasons it doesn't stand quite as tall.

Top cuts: "Bitch Please," "Ghetto Symphony"

5. Death Row: the Lost Sessions Vol. 1 (2009)

This is a compilation album of outtakes and unreleased material from Snoop Dogg's "Doggy Dogg" era (as is prominently displayed on the cover). I still attest that what would have been the best choice for Snoop would have been to spend some time recording a lot of great material, throw out some of the bad cuts and make a solid double album. That being said this Death Row/WIDEawake cash grab is still a great way to fill Snoop's repertoire with more of his earlier work.

Top cuts: "Doggystyle," "Put it in Ya Mouth," "Life's Hard"

4. Tha Last Meal (2000)

I'm actually very conflicted about this album. It has jumped around as high as third on this list, and has dropped as low as seventh. One of the Snoop albums that has some genuine personality (especially in its production). While there are some genuine heights on this one there are also some disappointing lows. I am not a fan of the last third of the album at all- this one goes out with a whimper instead of a bang.

Top cuts: "Hennessy n Buddah," "Lay Low," "Issues"

3. The Hard Life (2004)

This is an album by a reformed 213, the Snoop Doggy Dogg/Nate Dogg/Warren G trio from before The Chronic was being recorded. Unlike The Chronic this album doesn't just feature Snoop. Snoop doesn't overpower Nate Dogg or Warren G either. This is one of the strongest albums in any of their respective catalogs, and hearing them in top form matching Snoop line for line is a real treat (especially considering that this is the same year we were dropped the highly disappointing R&G). Every track is at the very least good. It's a shame that not every Snoop album hits this hard. Bonus points for the European release with its one great bonus track "Whistle While you Hustle."

Top cuts: "Gotta Find a Way," "Absolutely," "So Fly"

2. Tha Doggfather (1996)

 Snoop's last album as Snoop Doggy Dogg. The overall sound is very different from Doggystyle and may take a little while to warm up to (I initially hated it). However this is Snoop Dogg's most consistent album after Doggysytle. It doesn't sound as disorganized and filler filled as some of his later albums. The biggest faults with this album are the lack of 2Pac features and some of the production choices (the album should have been a bit more bass heavy, it's best played by maxing out the quality- iTunes, or turning up the bass- everything else).

Top cuts: "Gold Rush," "Doggfather," "Doggyland"

1. Doggystyle (1993)

 Snoop's best album is also his first. This album is a great sequel to The Chronic, which is another place to hear early Snoop Doggy Dogg, especially since he appears on 11/16 tracks. This album is a certified hip hop classic (as is The Chronic). Every single track is a banger, and it is highly recommended for all hip hop fans who haven't yet listened to it (are you kidding me?). Like all of Snoop's material, there is an excess of violence and misogyny (although it's largely there for a laugh). Listener discretion is advised in regards to the content.

Top cuts: "Ain't No Fun (If the Homies Can't Have None)," "Gz and Hustlaz," "Gin & Juice," ALL

#1: 2Pac Albums, Worst to Best 1991-1996

I love 2Pac. Not everything he did, and certainly not his unfair accusations of attempted murder directed at The Notorious B.I.G. As an artist though, he is a paramount in hip hop. I consider all of his albums to be pretty good, so even the ones I rate a little lower are albums I thoroughly enjoy. In this list I'm not including the posthumous albums that 2Pac didn't have any direct input in. Basically how it works is that if you think that one of those albums is his best then you're just wrong. Sorry (not really).

Agree? Disagree? Just stopping by and having a look? Leave a comment and say hello! :)

6. Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993)

2Pac's second album, and home to one of the best songs he ever graced on record- "Keep Ya Head Up." None of the other cuts come close to measuring up to that one. That doesn't mean the rest of the CD isn't very good, that song is just in a league of its own. Any fan of hip hop should at the very least listen to that song, and any 'Pac fan should listen to the album.

Top cuts: "Keep Ya Head Up"

5. 2Pacalypse Now (1991)

2Pac's first release stands slightly higher than his second one for me. While the rapping and production can be a bit rough in places it is fairly thematically consistent. There are a handful of tracks here that are very, very powerful, and the final five tracks in particular are quite strong.

Top cuts: "Part Time Mutha," "Brenda's Got a Baby"

4. The Don Killuminati: the 7 Day Theory (as Makaveli) (1996)

What pushes this ahead of 2Pacalypse Now is "Hail Mary" which I consider to be 'Pac's best song. What keeps this album behind some of the others is how none of the other cuts stand up in comparison at all. Tracks like "Toss 'Em Up," "Against All Odds" and "To Live and Die in LA" are good though, and none of the songs are boring or bad. It's a solid release, and a good cap to an unfortunately short career.

Top cuts: "Hail Mary"

3. Me Against the World (1995)

This one is often considered 2Pac's best. Some of his absolute best cuts can be found here. In fact this album is one of the ones I'd have the most trouble picking favourites out of. There are a lot of veritable classic tracks to be found here. It's probably the 2Pac album that I personally sleep on the most, but still one of my favourite hip hop albums.

Top cuts: "If I Die 2Nite," "Me Against the World"

2. Thug Life: Volume 1 (with Thug Life) (1994)

At only 10 tracks (8 of which 2Pac appears on) it is the shortest 2Pac release by far (blame Interscope for cutting everything they thought was controversial). It is also one of the best and also one of the most slept on. Each of the 10 tracks is a banger and it is completely filler-free (this may not have been the case if it had been a full release). Unfortunately there was never a Thug Life Volume 2. The other members of Thug Life keep up just as well (a favourite being Big Syke) which keeps things fresh and original. The only appearance is the very much welcome guest Nate Dogg on "How Long Will They Mourn Me."

Top cuts: "Str8 Ballin'," "How Long Will They Mourn Me," ALL

1. All Eyez on Me (1996)

This choice is going to be at least as controversial as putting Me Against the World in third place. A lot of people say that 2Pac went "full Thug" on this one, but the case is just that each 2Pac album reflects a different aspect of the artist. This album (as explained by 2Pac himself) was to be a celebration of life, and what a celebration it is. It's sad that this is the last album that Pac was able to see released before he died moved to Cuba. While there are some people who feel that this album has a lot of filler, I can sit and listen to the whole thing start to finish and love every second of the ride. Everyone involved pulled out all the stops and delivered what is not only one of the finest double disc in hip hop, but also one of the finest hip hop albums, period. The first disc contains all the singles, but the second disc is just as good. Not only is this 2Pac's finest work, it's also the best album that Death Row Records ever released.

Top cuts: "Ambitionz Az A Ridah," "Only God Can Judge Me," "All Eyez on Me," "Heaven Ain't Hard to Find," ALL