I'm no rap-aficionado, some rappers speak to me...most don't. I can make it about 3 bars in to a Jay-Z album before I grab George Jones Superhits and a doobie. I guess it depends on how you weight the attributes of "greatness". Rakim is very technical, has a distinct style and flow, and is a visionary who remained relevant across generations of rappers. Doom is a genius. I can't keep up with the stuff he's doing, but it's still incredibly palatable to this cracker from a pig farm in Iowa. I could throw Andre 3000 in there with GZA, for the same reasons, although I think Andre brings a more unique flavor and arrangement.
Personally, my favorite hip-hop album is Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury...but I just attribute it to that album hitting a sweet spot with me when it came out. It was a level of consciousness above Public Enemy, but way grittier than N.W.A.
Personally, my favorite hip-hop album is Hypocrisy Is The Greatest Luxury...but I just attribute it to that album hitting a sweet spot with me when it came out. It was a level of consciousness above Public Enemy, but way grittier than N.W.A.