Hip Hop Best Sellers

The album Tribe Called Quest wanted to make from the very beginning. It's their most even, consistent album of the original trilogy that also includes People's Instinctive Travels... and the Low End Theory. But in spite of this, or maybe because of it, it's also their most uninteresting. With so many competent tracks, there's no chance for something to stand out above the pack, like "Scenario" did on Low End Theory or "Can I Kick It" did on People's Instinctive Travels. The celebration is there ("Stir It Up"), the jazz drums kick ("Oh My God"), and the stand-up bass dribbles, keeping perfect pace with Q-Tip's unmistakable mic-touch ("Electric Relaxation"). There's even a Native Tongues armistice/reunion with de la Soul ("Awards Tour"). Although it comes together like a seamless tutorial in jazz hip-hop style, it comes together so damn well that it's hard for any one track to excel, cursing the album with consistent quality.

Vinyl LP pressing. This debut emerged as one of the most influential rap albums of the '90s. It laid the groundwork for the rebirth of New York hip-hop, an underground, hardcore new sound that went on to influence Biggie, Jay-Z, Nas, and Mobb Deep, among others. Rap became at once theatrical and cerebral, MCs lyricists and powerhouses capable of violence, metaphor, humor and revolution in their performing. The album is full of hard, gritty beats, references to pop culture and martial arts, eclectic piano and string sounds, as well as surrealist overtones, and there truly was nothing like it in the hip-hop world at the time. Even now, it's an original album in a league of it's own. Get it. You won't regret it.

The fifth full-length release for the Pittsburgh rapper features guest appearances from Dām-Funk, Dicaprio, Dev Hynes, Snoop Dogg, Syd, and Thundercat.

de la Soul are remembered as the premier Native Tongues posse, those rappers who got low-key, self-consciously thoughtful, and jazzy in the face of gangsta's hardcore threats. But A Tribe Called Quest may have been even stronger, especially on their excellent second album, the bass-thumping, heavily jazz-sampled the Low End Theory. According to the opening "Excursions," rapper Q-Tip's old man says the disc's jazz-rap "reminded him of bebop," and Q calls himself "prominent like Shakespeare." But if Charlie Parker had ever written poetic couplets and backed them with funky-drummer and Ron Carter-on-bass grooves this irresistible, he might have been as big as the Bard and Brother James combined. - David Cantwell.

People's Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm is, quite simply, one of the finest albums in hip-hop. It's easy to argue that a Tribe Called Quest reached their zenith on this, their debut album: though they went on to produce another world-class disc (The Low End Theory) and broadened their palates and their consciousness, never again were they quite this naturally free and easy. Q-Tip and Phife's delivery is deceptively simple, flowing like wine and tasting like candy, and Jairobi adds some contrast. The music, so self-assured that it never raises it's voice to make a spectacle, follows suit. Four albums later, on their last tour, songs from Paths of Rhythm still were at the top of the set list. - Randy Silver.

Explicit version 1999 2 X vinyl LP pressing collection featuring the best tracks from the NYC hip hop group's previous five albums including "I Left My wallet in El Segundo", "Can I Kick It", "Bonita Apple bum", "Check the Rhime" & many more. Guests include Busta Rhymes & Faith Evans.

Vinyl LP pressing includes digital download. Invasion of Privacy is the Billboard 200 topping, double platinum full-length debut album from history-making hip-hop phenomenon Cardi B. The record breaking release was heralded by the now 5x platinum, twice Grammy-nominated breakout hit "Bodak Yellow" and follow-ups "Bartier Cardi" feat. 21 Savage, "Be Careful," "I Like It" with Bad Bunny and J Balvin and "Ring" feat. Kehlani. Comprised of a contagious mix of street rap, Latin music and R&B buoyed by a stack of famous guest artists like Migos, Chance the Rapper, YG and SZA, the self-made 25-year old Bronx native not only asserts herself as a force to be reckoned with here but proves she's a perfectly timed modern pop star with staying power in the process.

BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE was nominated for a 1997 Grammy Award for Best Rap Album. "1nce Again" was nominated for a 1997 Grammy for Best Rap Performance By a Duo Or Group. A Tribe Called Quest seem to grow, both musically and lyrically, with every LP, constantly setting standards for other rappers to follow. But they rarely stray from their chosen path. Since their 1990 debut, hip-hop has gone through numerous phases (new jack swing, gangster, hardcore), but the Tribe have remained focused on the music's true elements: BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE. Produced by the Ummah, which consists of the Tribe's Q-Tip and Ali Shaheed Muhammad along with newcomer Jay Dee, BEATS, RHYMES AND LIFE sports the usual jazzy beats, and reintroduces Tribe as the all-around hip-hop group. Muhammad's use of funky samples, Phife's self-satisfying attitude, and Q-Tip's abstract poetry are only part of the reason why the trio keeps rap music on lockdown. There are other bands capable of experimenting with new sounds while delivering lyrical positivism, but they often forget how to simply rock the crowd. A Tribe Called Quest does that, too.

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2015 release from the Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania rapper. He is also a noted record producer under the pseudonym Larry Fisherman. Miller is also becoming known for taking on multiple alter-egos, under the aliases Delusional Thomas, Larry Lovestein and The Velvet Revival, respectively. In early 2013, Miller launched REMember Music, his own record label imprint, named after a friend who died. In October 2014, it was reported Miller signed a record deal for him and his label REMember, with Warner Bros. Records. Over the years, he has released solo albums as well as popular mixtapes

2016 release from the rapper. The Devine Femenine is an album about women and for women. It features guest appearances from Kendrick Lamar, CeeLo Green, Anderson Paak and Ariana Grande, among others. Includes the singles 'Dang!' (produced by Pomo) and 'We' (produced by Frank Dukes). The album's first single, "Dang!" was released on July 28, 2016. The track features guest appearance from American recording artist Anderson Paak, with the production that was handled by Pomo. The album's second single, "We" was released on August 19, 2016. The track features guest appearance from American singer-songwriter CeeLo Green, with production that was handled by Frank Dukes and Kaan Gunesberk. The album's third single, "My Favorite Part" was released on September 9, 2016. The track features guest appearance from a fellow American recording artist Ariana Grande, with production that was handled by MusicManTy.

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2012 release from the Compton-based Hip Hop artist. Currently signed to Top Dawg, Aftermath and lnterscope. Lamar is a member of Hip Hop supergroup Black Hippy, along with fellow West Coast rappers and label mates Jay Rock. Schoolboy Q and Ab-Soul. He first gained major attention after being mentioned by Dr. Dre resulting in a buzz for the, then upcoming. release of his fourth mixtape. Early in his career, Lamar amassed a large internet following, and had already worked with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Wiz Khalifa, Game, Drake, Rick Ross, Meek Mill, Talib Kweli, Lady Gaga, Kid Cudi, Busta Rhymes, E-40, Warren G, Bun B, Tech N9ne and Lil Wayne among other popular artists.

FLOWER BOY, is the new and long awaited album from Tyler, The Creator. The album follows up 2015's Cherry Bomb, and is available as a vinyl LP.

Limited edition triple vinyl LP. The words "Kanye" and "vinyl" don't sound like they go together in the same sentence, but this triple vinyl LP pressing will prove you wrong. The 14-time Grammy-winner mixes some raw, rattling tones with brass, woodwinds and string instruments, and the 70-minute set he produces here taps into anger and naked emotion. The album famously came together with the help of 42 people, some of whom are Nikki Minaj, Jay-Z, Rick Ross, Justin Vernon of Bon Iver on the single "Monster," and Pusha T on "Runaway," a single that received the "Best New Music" stamp from Pitchfork. Collectors, excite: The record comes in a die-cut double gatefold sleeve, with 5 inserts and a 24" x 24" poster of George Condo artwork.

DAMN. [Explicit] by Kendrick Lamar - Damn (stylized as DAMN.) is the fourth studio album by American rapper Kendrick Lamar. It was released on April 14, 2017, by Top Dawg Entertainment, Aftermath Entertainment and Interscope Records. The album features production from a variety of record producers, including executive producer from the Top Dawg Entertainment label-head Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith, Sounwave, DJ Dahi, Mike Will Made It and Ricci Riera; as well as production contributions from James Blake, Steve Lacy, BadBadNotGood, Greg Kurstin, The Alchemist and 9th Wonder, among others. Kendrick Lamar ?- DAMN.

Double vinyl LP pressing. Kendrick Lamar's highly anticipated 2015 album, To Pimp a Butterfly: "honest, fearful and unapologetic". The album is the follow-up to the rapper's critically-acclaimed 2012 Effort Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. The album was recorded in studios throughout the United States, with executive production from Dr. Dre and Anthony "Top Dawg" Tiffith. Boi-1da, Flying Lotus, Terrace Martin, Pharrell Williams, Knxwledge, Sounwave, Thundercat and several other hip hop producers also contributed. It's music was influenced by aspects of funk, jazz and spoken word. To Pimp A Butterfly debuted atop the Billboard 200 and received widespread acclaim from critics, who praised it's musical scope and the social relevance of Lamar's lyrics.

Special edition double vinyl LP. The week this debut album came out, Kanye's name was all over the Top 20s for his hit singles "Through the Wire," "Jesus Walks," "All Falls Down" and "Slow Jamz." What's even more remarkable is that this breakthrough came during his recovery from a car wreck that nearly took his life-the song "Through the Wire" is about the accident, and was recorded two weeks after he was in the hospital, with his jaw still wired shut. He's hailed the event as both the worst thing that could've happened to him, and the best. The record sold 441,000 copies in it's very first week and has been named both by "Time" and "Rolling Stone" as one of the greatest albums of all time. Guest appearances here include Jay-Z, John Legend, Ervin "EP" Pope, Miri Ben-Ari, Syleena Johnson and Jamie Foxx.

Late Registration is the second studio album by American hip hop artist Kanye West, released on August 30, 2005, by Roc-A-Fella Records. Recording sessions for the album took place over the course of a year at Record Plant Studios, Chalice Recording Studios, and Grandmaster Recording Studios in Hollywood, and at Sony Music Studios in New York City. West collaborated with American record producer and composer Jon Brion to produce Late Registration, and the album features guest contributions from artists such as Jay-Z, Common, Lupe Fiasco, Jamie Foxx, Nas, Brandy, and Adam Levine, among others. Upon it's release, Late Registration received rave reviews from music critics and earned West several accolades, including a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 2006 Grammy Awards and an Album of the Year nomination. It appeared at the top of several publications year-end lists of top albums. Rolling Stone named it the best album of 2005, and included it at number 118 on it's list of the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time in 2012.

The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill is the debut solo album studio by Lauryn Hill. Released August 25, 1998, the album swept the Grammy Awards in 1999, being nominated for 10 and winning five. As of 2009, the album has sold over 19 million copies worldwide and over 10 million copies in the US alone, with the RIAA giving it Diamond status.

Man on the Moon: The End of Day is the debut studio album by American hip hop recording artist Kid Cudi, released on September 14, 2009, by Dream On, GOOD Music, and Universal Motown. A concept album, narrated by fellow American rapper Common, it follows the release of his first mixtape A Kid Named Cudi (2008). Production for the album took place during 2007 to 2009 and was handled by several record producers, including Cudi, Kanye West, Emile Haynie, Plain Pat, No I.D., Dot da Genius and Jeff Bhasker, among others. The album debuted at number four on both the US Billboard 200 and Billboard Top Rap Albums chart, selling 104, 000 copies in it's first week of release in the United States. It later became certified Gold by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments exceeding 500, 000 copies in the US. Outside of the US, the album was less commercially successful, generally peaking outside of the top fifty positions of album charts.

Madvillain: Madlib, MF Doom. Additional personnel includes: Lord Quas, M. E. D. , Wildchild, Viktor Vaughn, Stacy Epps. Two years in the making, and combining two of the best underground hip-hop artists of the early 2000s, this collaboration between MF Doom and Madlib has been appropriately dubbed MADVILLAINY. With both men known for their stunning soundscapes, rhyming skills, and schizophrenic personalities, the duo decided to have Madlib concentrate on the beats and let Doom handle the lyrics. In mixing their comic-book-like personas, Madlib and Doom play to their nearly superhuman strengths; while some other collaborations of this caliber seems forced and lop-sided, there is absolutely no filler here-just undiluted beats and rhymes, best exemplified by the singles "America's Most Blunted" and "All Caps. " Lib's inventive production leans towards the jazzy side of his repertoire, and Doom unleashes outrageous lyrics on par with his solo efforts (and even his work as Zevlove X in his stint with K. M. D. ). Never flashy or glamorous, MADVILLAINY is served straight up, the way hip-hop was meant to be.

2018 debut collaboration between Kanye West & Kid Cudi plus special guests including Pusha T, Ty Dolla Sign & Mos Def. Features 'Feel The Love' & 'Reborn'.

RSD. 180 gram with download insert; Full-length vinyl exclusive to RSD store for 4 weeks and preceeding the 4/24 CD release

The seven-track release from the rapper was streamed live from Wyoming and featured guest appearances from 070 Shake, DeJ Loaf, Jeremih, Kid Cudi, John Legend, Nicki Minaj, PARTYNEXTDOOR, Ty Dolla $ign, Valee and Charlie Wilson.

Vinyl LP pressing. 2018 album from the late rapper. Known for cathartic honesty that's turned millions of fans into believers, Xxxtentacion's ? showcases his most poignant, powerful, and personal writing to date. He personally contributed guitar and keys in addition to writing every single song. Close collaborator John Cunningham handled the bulk of production and features include Travis Barker, Matt Ox, JoeyBada$$ and PnB Rock. Fans have taken the charge now and officially made him the post-millennial Generation Z's answer to Kurt Cobain. Xxxtentacion began writing music after being released from a youth correction center and released his first song on SoundCloud in June 2013, titled "News/Flock". He was a popular figure in SoundCloud rap, a trap scene that takes elements of lo-fi music and harsh 808s.

Double vinyl LP pressing. 2014 release, the third album from the rapper. The album was named after his childhood home address 2014 Forest Hills Drive. Produced by J. Cole with guest producers Elite, Ron Gilmore, Tray Samuels, DJ Dahl, Illmind, Cardiak, CritCal, Vinylz, Organized Noize and Jproof. Cole calls out white rappers Justin Timberlake, Eminem and Macklemore on the track "Fire Squad" hinting "history repeats itself" ala the Elvis rip-off controversy in the '50s.

The third solo release for the rapper features guest appearances and contributions from such artist as 21 Savage, James Blake, Drake, John Mayer, Frank Ocean, Pharrell, Quavo, Swae Lee, Tame Imapala, Sevn Thomas, Thundercat, and The Weeknd.

Doggystyle is the debut album from American rapper Snoop Dogg, then known as Snoop Doggy Dogg, released by Death Row Records on November 23, 1993. The album was recorded soon following the release of Dr. Dre's landmark debut album The Chronic (1992), to which Snoop Dogg contributed significantly. The style he developed for Dre's album was continued on Doggystyle. Critics have praised Snoop Dogg for the lyrical "realism" he delivers on the album and for his distinctive vocal flow. Despite some mixed criticism of the album initially upon it's release, Doggystyle has earned recognition from many music critics as one of the most significant albums of the 1990s, as well as one of the most important hip hop albums ever released. Much like The Chronic, the distinctive sounds of Doggystyle helped introduce the hip hop style of G-funk to a mainstream audience, bringing forward West Coast hip hop as a dominant force in the early 1990s. As of 2008, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has certified Doggystyle quadruple platinum in sales, and it serves as Snoop Dogg's highest-selling album. Doggystyle debuted at number one on the Billboard 200 chart, and sold 802, 858 copies in it's first week alone, which was the record for a debuting artist and the fastest-selling hip hop album ever until Eminem's The Marshall Mathers LP in 2000. Doggystyle is included in The Source magazine's list of the 100 Best Rap Albums, as well as Rolling Stone magazine's list of Essential Recordings of the 90s. About.com placed the album in number 19 of the greatest hip hop/rap albums of all time.

Vinyl LP pressing. 2011 album from TV writer, actor, standup comedian and rapper Donald Glover AKA Childish Gambino. A unique blend of Hip Hop with multiple genres, combined with lyrical genius, Gambino has gone from a viral cult following to a mega sensation.

Stankonia is the fourth studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released October 31, 2000 on La Face Records. The group's previous release, Aquemini (1998), played a significant role in introducing Southern hip-hop to other areas of the United States. In the spring of 1999, OutKast began working on Stankonia in the duo's recently purchased Atlanta recording facility, Stankonia Studios. The band's ownership of the studio allowed for fewer time constraints and subsequently, more musical experimentation. Stankonia features appearances from many local Atlanta musicians whom the group discovered while visiting clubs in the city. On Stankonia, the duo hoped to create a chaotic musical aesthetic, and incorporated a diverse array of musical genres, including drum and bass, gospel, rock, salsa, funk, and psychedelia. Recording sessions became difficult as André 3000 wished to abandon his rapping vocal style in favor of a more melodic technique, an approach to which Big Boi and other producers were unaccustomed. In order to maintain musical cohesion with Big Boi and continue his musical evolution, André 3000 incorporated both techniques on Stankonia. Lyrically, the duo touches upon topics such as politics, misogyny, and personal introspection in an irreverent manner. The album debuted at number two on the U.S. Billboard 200 chart, selling over 530, 000 copies the first week. Stankonia received universal acclaim from music critics and holds an aggregate score of 95 out of 100 at Metacritic. The album produced three singles, "B.O.B", "Ms. Jackson", and "So Fresh, So Clean"; "Ms. Jackson" became the group's first single to reach number one on the Billboard Hot 100. At the 2002 Grammy Awards, OutKast won Best Rap Album for Stankonia and Best Rap Performance by a Duo or Group for "Ms. Jackson". In 2003, the album was ranked number 359 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

4 LP vinyl 2001 reissue. Fresh out of the slammer and eager to prove himself on Suge Knight's Death Row Records, 2Pac created the most ambitious album in rap history up to that point. The very first double album in rap, "All Eyez on Me" was a critical and popular success, shooting all the way up to number 1 on the Billboard Top 200 album chart. All of the biggest players on the West Coast Rap scene are featured prominently: Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, Nate Dogg, Method Man, Redman, Tha Dogg Pound and even George Clinton makes an appearance. The singles "How Do U Want It" and "California Love" each hit #1 on the Billboard Hot 100 Singles chart. "Rolling Stone" magazine consider this one of the most influential albums of the 1990s. On vinyl, this double album is spread over 4 LPs. Death Row Records.

AT Liens is the second studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released on August 27, 1996, by LaFace Records. The duo wanted to improve on their 1994 debut album Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik and gain respect for their growing Southern hip hop scene. OutKast recorded AT Liens in sessions at several Atlanta studios-Boss town Recording Studios, Doppler Recording Studios, PatchWerk Recording Studio, Purple Dragon Studios, and Studio LaCoCo-as well as Chung King Recording Studio and Sound On Sound Recording in New York City. AT Liens debuted at number two on the US Billboard 200 chart, and it sold nearly 350, 000 copies in it's first two weeks of release. The album was very well received by music critics upon it's release, who praised the record's lyrical content. It has been certified double platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), for shipments of two million copies in the United States. The album spawned the singles "Elevators (Me & You)", "AT Liens", and "Jazzy Belle". Since it's release, AT Liens has been listed by several magazines and critics as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time.

The Score is the second and final studio album by the hip hop trio Fugees, released worldwide February 13, 1996 on Columbia Records. The album features a wide range of samples and instrumentation, with many aspects of alternative hip hop that would come to dominate the hip hop music scene in the mid-late 1990s. The Score's production was handled mostly by the Fugees themselves and Jerry Duplessis, with additional production from Salaam Remi, John Forté, Diamond D, and Shawn King. The album's guest raps are from Outsidaz' members Rah Digga, Young Zee and Pacewon, as well as Omega, John Forté, and Diamond D. Most versions of the album feature four bonus tracks, including three remixes of "Fu-Gee-La", and a short acoustic Wyclef Jean solo track entitled "Mista Mista." Upon it's release, The Score was a commercial success, peaking at the number one spot on both the Billboard 200, and the Top R&B/Hip Hop Albums chart (it was a number-one album on the latter in 1996 on the year-end chart). The singles "Killing Me Softly, " "Fu-Gee-La, " and "Ready or Not" also achieved notable chart success, and helped the group achieve worldwide recognition. On October 3, 1997, The Score was certified six times platinum in sales by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA). In addition to receiving mostly favorable reviews upon it's release, the album has garnered a considerable amount of acclaim over the years, with many music critics and publications noting it as one of the greatest albums of the 1990s, as well as one of the greatest hip hop albums of all time. In 1998, the album was included in The Source's 100 best rap albums list, and in 2003, it was ranked number 477 on Rolling Stone magazine's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.

Aquemini is the third studio album by American hip hop duo OutKast, released on September 29, 1998 through LaFace Records. The title is a portmanteau of the two performers' Zodiac signs: Aquarius (Big Boi) and Gemini (André 3000), which is indicative of the album's recurring theme of the differing personalities of the two members. The group recorded the majority of the album in Bobby Brown's Boss town Recording Studios in Atlanta, Georgia. Released as the follow-up to the duo's 1996 album AT Liens, Aquemini expands on the previous record's outer space-inspired compositions by incorporating live instrumentation. The commercial success of AT Liens allowed for more creative freedom for the group, which led to the members self-producing the majority of the tracks. The band employed a large number of musicians for the album, who frequently entered and exited the studio throughout the recording process and had a major influence on the writing development of the album's songs. Lyrically, Aquemini explores various themes including human nature, addiction, and interpersonal relationships. The album was certified platinum in November 1998, only two months after it's release, and was certified double platinum on July 2, 1999 by the Recording Industry Association of America. Aquemini peaked at number two on both the Billboard 200 and the Top R&B/Hip-Hop charts. Four of the album's tracks had already or would later become singles, although some were limited (promotional) releases and not available commercially. The record also received nearly universal acclaim from music critics, who praised the album's musicality and unique lyrical themes. It was ranked at number 500 in the book version of Rolling Stone's 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.

The Black Album is the eighth studio album by American rapper Jay-Z, released November 14, 2003, on Roc-A-Fella Records. It was promoted as his final studio album, which serves as a recurring theme, although Jay-Z returned to solo recording with Kingdom Come in 2006.The album debuted at number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, selling 463, 000 copies in it's first week. The Black Album has sold 3, 516, 000 original copies in the United States as of July 2013. It produced three singles that attained Billboard chart success, including Hot 100 top-ten hits "Change Clothes" and "Dirt Off Your Shoulder".Upon it's release, The Black Album received acclaim from music critics. It was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album at the 47th Grammy Awards, [4] ultimately losing to Kanye West's The College Dropout. The album was ranked #349 in Rolling Stone's list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.Jay-Z had announced that The Black Album would be his final album. He went on a retirement tour following the release of the album, but he later came out with releases of various songs and collaborations.

Dark 2018 album from US rapper exploring issues of drug abuse, depression & African-American culture featuring 'ATM' & 'The Cut Off'. Pressed on 180-gram vinyl.

2015 debut album from the Houston-based rapper and record producer. He released his first official full-length project, a mixtape titled Owl Pharaoh, on May 21, 2013. He then released his second mixtape Days Before Rodeo on the 18th of August 2014. The buzz has grown, making way for this highly anticipated release. (2 X Vinyl LP)