Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z.Artist: 2Pac
Community Score: 7.11
Fulfilling much of the promise showcased on 2Pac's debut album a year earlier, Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. offers a wealth of thoughtful moments such as "Keep Ya Head Up" yet still makes plenty of room for good-time celebrations such as "I Get Around." These two hits in particular make Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. a noteworthy, if sometimes...
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The Nine YardsArtist: Paperboy
Community Score: 6.50
In the late '80s and early '90s, rap invaded the pop music world to the point where many rappers were considered mere pop artists. As a result, the genre produced an abundance of one-hit wonders who failed to reconnect with either rap or pop audiences after their moment of glory. Along with artists like Young MC, Candyman, Domino, and Positive...
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Hummin' Comin' at 'ChaArtist: Xscape
Community Score: 9.67
Xscape's debut had some intriguing variations that distinguished it from others in the ever-crowded distaff end of the urban contemporary circuit. Their shared leads were more gospel-edged than those of En Vogue or SWV; their first hit, "Just Kickin' It," had a bawdy undercurrent that made it genuinely appealing, and Xscape demonstrated grit and...
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IllmaticArtist: Nas
Community Score: 8.76
Often cited as one of the best hip-hop albums of the '90s, Illmatic is the undisputed classic upon which Nas' reputation rests. It helped spearhead the artistic renaissance of New York hip-hop in the post-Chronic era, leading a return to street aesthetics. Yet even if Illmatic marks the beginning of a shift away from Native Tongues-inspired...
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TicalArtist: Method Man
Community Score: 8.05
The first Wu-Tang Clan solo album to follow the seismic impact of Enter the Wu-Tang, Method Man's Tical similarly delivers an otherworldly wallop, one that instantly sets the madcap MC apart from his clansmen as the collective's shining star. Not only is Meth madcap, both in terms of mentality and delivery, he's also incredibly witty and wordy....
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