1992

During my illustrious career as a blogger, I think I've started at least two top 100 or top 10 (or whatever) lists that I haven't finished. I figured the easiest way to see this particular list through is to knock it out in one post. I'm doing that 1992 party tonight in New York and while I don't consider 1992 a banner year for rap albums, here's my top 5 list anyway.

1.BEASTIE BOYS - CHECK YOUR HEAD
This might seem a little mean or unfair but the Beasties to me are like Tribe and De La; they each only have 3 albums I'm willing to acknowledge. What I love about the Beastie's trilogy of classics is that each one is so remarkably different from the other and absolutely perfect for what it is. That said, I definitely won't play anything off this album tonight.

2. GANG STARR - DAILY OPERATION
Darker than Step In The Arena and also just a little bit better. Includes the crazy underrated "The Illist Brother" which is one of the sickest Primo beats you'll ever hear.

3. ERIC B AND RAKIM - DON'T SWEAT THE TECHNIQUE
This is their grown and sexy album. Rakim proves he can out-do Kane even in the Luther Vandross of rap category on "What's On Your MInd" and "Keep The Beat." Of course this also has "know The Ledge' and "What's Goin' On." This is one of the few rap albums I think I can rap every word to.

4. EPMD - BUSINESS NEVER PERSONAL
I love how every EPMD album gets progressively more hardcore, culminating with this underrated classic. This album is so raw, some songs don't have much more then a dirty drum loop. Personal faves are "Can't Hear Nothing But The Music" and "Chill".

5. PETE ROCK AND C.L. SMOOTH - MECCA AND THE SOUL BROTHER
Should this be higher on the list? I think the simple fact is this album is just a bit too long. Regardless, trim a little fat and you have a stone cold masterwork. As played out as it might be "T.R.O.Y." is pretty much the defining classic of my high school years and definitely a top 10 all time rap single in my opinion.

So there you go, I finished a list!
If you're in New York tonight, come out...




Oh no I forgot about Redman's first album!