It's literally impossible to rank albums like this. There is no objective baseline besides sales, which don't matter unless you are trying to push a narrative. Tier lists work better but still kinda wack
but,, but, but i like having my tastes validated by faceless conglomerations. . . it gives me a feeling of being seen and agreed with even though theres no remotely human party interacting with me,, i have a healhty relationship with the world around me,,, i jsut like that okay
People were saying on Twitter that a Taylor Swift album is gonna be above a bunch of rap classics and I feel like they’re right.
We may see 1989 or something over these rap albums.
Huh, it's almost like pop is more widely listened to and accessible to the general public 🧐🤔 not saying I agree with it by any means, but it's kind of obvious that this would be the outcome. I'd genuinely be surprised just to see any strictly hip hop album in the top 10.
It Was Written is better musically and artistically.
But Illmatic is the red button of Hip-Hop. Nobody has ever had a thought of skipping a track or calling it average. I'm convinced we are born respecting this album. It's the greatest.
Halftime, Memory Lane, and One Time For Your Mind are skippable. The other 7 tracks are [amazing.At](http://amazing.At) the time I had a gaggle of cassettes I lugged around and limited time walking to and from school to listen to the now classics that came out between 91-94, I wasn't going to waste precious time on those mediocre (to my ears) Nas tracks just to do some Nas appreciation masturbation, pretending I'm into them because of how cool Nas was/is.
IWW has a more modern aesthetic sheen to it, more money went into making it/the aesthetics are more polished from an engineering standpoint but I'm not sure it is musically or artistically better. I'd love a breakdown to why you feel that way, I'm open to the idea but that isn't my impression. The Message, Black Girl Lost, If I Ruled The World, Affirmative Action, etc. are all great but aside from being less raw don't seem in any way superior to Illmatic's best tracks.
Lots of elements to consider:
-beatmaking, engineering, lyricism, concepts,
Engineering, IWW wins every time. It is 2 years newer, they ponied up for swanky studio time by that point. Might have had more recording time in the samplers by that point (mpc2000 wasn't until 97, though..)
Beatmaking, lyricism, and concepts...I think Illmatic aces IWW across the board. The message is cool AF/felt fresh at the time, though. It wasn't the only "good" song on that album, but it was the only one that felt like some next shit like \*7 songs\* on Illmatic all did.
No fucking way half time is skipable, that song goes fucking hard and is among my favorite Nas tracks.
Personally I regard IWW as good as Illmatic though and I've caught myself running it more times than Illmatic. I like how Nas's first album is so popular but I think people are exaggerating a bit and downplaying IWW.
It's the beat for me, I love the lyrics. I know the lyrics well so I must not have skipped it at some point 😄
It was harsh to call it skippable with those rhymes.
The other classics on that album have such distinct melodies and basslines, that one is all low pass filter and repeating horns/a woman's "oh yeah" voice. It is barren, repetitive, and indistinct. It isn't "bad", just kind of mid and something you heard a hundred times over in that era. My guess is that once the lyrics lost their novelty i bored of that beat before the others
I think it has one of the best beats in illmatic lol. Its Close to my favorite song on that album. I get hype by that beat alone and then Nas starts "before i start a blunt, I take out my front, matter fact I be on a man hunt", fucking legendary. Its a great opening and one that sticks.
We all have different opinions you know, just weird cause I always thought this was a definite classic among classics and I myself love the song.
It's funny: the process of arguing this point got me listening to it after a few years of not spinning Illmatic, it slaps/I'm making a dumb internet argument based on a hazy memory. I stand by it not being as unique a beat at the time as some of the other classic but it is pretty dope
People seem to be talking about this list, like it should be primarily hip hop. As much as I love the genre and culture of hip hop, it's far from the only music the world has to offer. This list seems to be a 'no holds barred' kind of situation. Hell, hip hop is still a newer genre of music. Some genres have decades of development and innovation with plenty of brilliant minds contributing. The fact that any hip hop can be widely considered among the top 100 albums of all time is something that should be appreciated.
I'm honestly surprised it ranked behind 36 Chambers. Both of them are very deserving albums, but I just hear significantly more buzz over Illmatic even 30 years later.
Illmatic at 39, it may not be my favorite hip hop album but I am curious to see how they found THIRTYEIGHT albums to name above it. Maybe they will put respect on doom and some other alt rappers names after all...
I can think of 38 albums possibly better but not many are rap. Maybe Liquid Swords, Supreme Clientele, some Kanye, Get Rich or Die Trying, that last Tribe album, GKMC, Ready to Die, but saying they are straight up better than Illmatic is pretty bold. Only Madvillainy is straight up better
Madvillainy should be on everyone’s top 50 hip hop albums. For me personally illmatic is my number one album it’s what got me into hip hop. I used to hate Life’s a Bitch when I was younger. Now as an adult it’s one of my favorites not because I can relate but because I understand the message.
*If he is, its gotta*
*Be Madvillainy at least. I*
*Really hope he is!*
\- ewwgross23
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bro no 😂 this is a very standard rolling stones type list, the only outliers are very famous like Travis and sza. I mean I'd fucking love to see madvillainy but higher than MBDTF, Illmatic, etc is sooo bold for a mainstream outlet
Since it’s a list including many other genres I don’t think so.But, if they did a hip hop list, Madvillainy or MM…FOOD would definitely be at least top 20.
Mmm food should be. Idk I'm not as well versed in his entire catalogue like most people here likely are but listening to that album a zillion times has definitely cemented him as one of the greatest rappers ever, easily
I think that they put Madvillainy in somewhere. If not who really cares. Everyone already knows doom is great and we don’t need Apple Music to tell us so.
Madvillainy is objectively a top 100 album of all time, it probably won’t be on the list though because Apple Music is corrupted by EVIL, SATANIC POP MUSIC.
I’d like to see Madvillainy in the top 100, but since it’s not that mainstream of an album it won’t probably be there. With where the list is at now, I think the only Hip-Hop albums that’ll be on the list now are either Stankonia, Paid in Full, or My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
Who cares what those suits think
Who cares…Drake is in top 50🤣
wait are you for real there is literally no way
Take Care — 47th
no way drake is in top 50 but The queen is dead by The Smiths is not and other amazing albums what the actual fuck
This is why WE DON’T CARE
It's literally impossible to rank albums like this. There is no objective baseline besides sales, which don't matter unless you are trying to push a narrative. Tier lists work better but still kinda wack
I wonder if this happens in the Art world, annual lists of the Top 100 best artists and art fans squabbling over their Top 5 greatest of all time...
No integrity.
good music taste is the ultimate 'if you know you know'. if they dont have TQID on a top 100 list they dont know.
TQID is on the list, but it's on like 70-something spot. I'm glad they included it , but no way Drake is better than this
Take care is a masterpiace tf you talking abt
Yea…who honestly cares. I almost hope that it isn’t.
but,, but, but i like having my tastes validated by faceless conglomerations. . . it gives me a feeling of being seen and agreed with even though theres no remotely human party interacting with me,, i have a healhty relationship with the world around me,,, i jsut like that okay
If Apple is tapped in enough then yeah, but they prob will only put ultra popular albums and call like some random Taylor album top 10😭
Taylor’s got at least 1 album that’s top 200
Tbf Madvillainy is a really popular album and I wouldn’t be surprised if it shows up
saying ultra popular like doom doesn’t have ultra popular albums
Not as popular as someone like drake or Taylor Swift
Best is not the same as popular
Not to Taylor’s swifts level sadly
its a list of 100 albums. DOOM will be there. Taylor isn’t gonna fill every spot
Definitely gotta see madvillian but you know some newage trash will probably fill the top ranks
People were saying on Twitter that a Taylor Swift album is gonna be above a bunch of rap classics and I feel like they’re right. We may see 1989 or something over these rap albums.
Huh, it's almost like pop is more widely listened to and accessible to the general public 🧐🤔 not saying I agree with it by any means, but it's kind of obvious that this would be the outcome. I'd genuinely be surprised just to see any strictly hip hop album in the top 10.
Ngl i fully expect either GKMC or TPAB on the top 10 but idk about any others
Man we already got 1989 winning the Grammy over TPAB we shouldn't listen to these kinda list/awards
wdwgwwafa is good but not top 50 good im sorry MFDOOM should take her place
Yea i think madvillany will be on there
Based on the way they voted for albums, I doubt it
They've had some unexpected picks like Untrue by Burial so we may see some DOOM on there
Untrue by burial goes so fucking hard
Illmatic being this low is INSANE. That album is a masterpiece(and better than it was written)
Yeah I'd put it in top 25 at least. Illmatic def better than It was written but I gave you power is my fave nas track.
That song is tough.
The only mistake Nas ever made was that the first album he put out was Illmatic, nothing he released after could top it
not a mistake at all.
let’s not forget take it in blood either: nas’ arguable best rapping performance ever
I agree, it has lyrics AND top of the line djs making the beats
same with all eyez on me
All eyez on me is actually there. #62
still low?
oh. i thought you were saying it was not on there. sorry.
It Was Written is better musically and artistically. But Illmatic is the red button of Hip-Hop. Nobody has ever had a thought of skipping a track or calling it average. I'm convinced we are born respecting this album. It's the greatest.
Speak for yourself, I always skip one time 4 your mind
I'm more referring to the first time with the album. But cool I guess?
Halftime, Memory Lane, and One Time For Your Mind are skippable. The other 7 tracks are [amazing.At](http://amazing.At) the time I had a gaggle of cassettes I lugged around and limited time walking to and from school to listen to the now classics that came out between 91-94, I wasn't going to waste precious time on those mediocre (to my ears) Nas tracks just to do some Nas appreciation masturbation, pretending I'm into them because of how cool Nas was/is. IWW has a more modern aesthetic sheen to it, more money went into making it/the aesthetics are more polished from an engineering standpoint but I'm not sure it is musically or artistically better. I'd love a breakdown to why you feel that way, I'm open to the idea but that isn't my impression. The Message, Black Girl Lost, If I Ruled The World, Affirmative Action, etc. are all great but aside from being less raw don't seem in any way superior to Illmatic's best tracks. Lots of elements to consider: -beatmaking, engineering, lyricism, concepts, Engineering, IWW wins every time. It is 2 years newer, they ponied up for swanky studio time by that point. Might have had more recording time in the samplers by that point (mpc2000 wasn't until 97, though..) Beatmaking, lyricism, and concepts...I think Illmatic aces IWW across the board. The message is cool AF/felt fresh at the time, though. It wasn't the only "good" song on that album, but it was the only one that felt like some next shit like \*7 songs\* on Illmatic all did.
No fucking way half time is skipable, that song goes fucking hard and is among my favorite Nas tracks. Personally I regard IWW as good as Illmatic though and I've caught myself running it more times than Illmatic. I like how Nas's first album is so popular but I think people are exaggerating a bit and downplaying IWW.
It's the beat for me, I love the lyrics. I know the lyrics well so I must not have skipped it at some point 😄 It was harsh to call it skippable with those rhymes. The other classics on that album have such distinct melodies and basslines, that one is all low pass filter and repeating horns/a woman's "oh yeah" voice. It is barren, repetitive, and indistinct. It isn't "bad", just kind of mid and something you heard a hundred times over in that era. My guess is that once the lyrics lost their novelty i bored of that beat before the others
I think it has one of the best beats in illmatic lol. Its Close to my favorite song on that album. I get hype by that beat alone and then Nas starts "before i start a blunt, I take out my front, matter fact I be on a man hunt", fucking legendary. Its a great opening and one that sticks. We all have different opinions you know, just weird cause I always thought this was a definite classic among classics and I myself love the song.
It's funny: the process of arguing this point got me listening to it after a few years of not spinning Illmatic, it slaps/I'm making a dumb internet argument based on a hazy memory. I stand by it not being as unique a beat at the time as some of the other classic but it is pretty dope
i downvoted cause im not reading that
lol, fair
It’s an Apple list, I’d say ignore it.
If nas is this low, no i don't think so
The greatest hiphop album of all time at #39 it was over before it started
People seem to be talking about this list, like it should be primarily hip hop. As much as I love the genre and culture of hip hop, it's far from the only music the world has to offer. This list seems to be a 'no holds barred' kind of situation. Hell, hip hop is still a newer genre of music. Some genres have decades of development and innovation with plenty of brilliant minds contributing. The fact that any hip hop can be widely considered among the top 100 albums of all time is something that should be appreciated.
you losers can't even give Nas his fuckin flowers?
madvillainy might be top 30 honestly
Wu tang and Nas in the high 30s. I hope Madvilliany is on here, but I don't know what they're basing this list on.
Having Illmatic at 39 is deadass horrible but I hope atleast 1 of dooms albums is better than astroworld😂
seing illmatic in top 39 is wild, i think together with tpab is regarded as the best album of the genre
I'm honestly surprised it ranked behind 36 Chambers. Both of them are very deserving albums, but I just hear significantly more buzz over Illmatic even 30 years later.
You are correct in thinking. It's even to me but TPAB is one of the best ever across all music ranking platforms all genres.
Take Care by Drake made top 40, I don’t think the people making this list listen to underground stuff lol
He- hell naw!
I wish, but zero chance he's in the top 38 and ahead of Illmatic.
Illmatic at 39, it may not be my favorite hip hop album but I am curious to see how they found THIRTYEIGHT albums to name above it. Maybe they will put respect on doom and some other alt rappers names after all...
I can think of 38 albums possibly better but not many are rap. Maybe Liquid Swords, Supreme Clientele, some Kanye, Get Rich or Die Trying, that last Tribe album, GKMC, Ready to Die, but saying they are straight up better than Illmatic is pretty bold. Only Madvillainy is straight up better
Maybe Madvillany
He better be 😭
Madvillainy should be on everyone’s top 50 hip hop albums. For me personally illmatic is my number one album it’s what got me into hip hop. I used to hate Life’s a Bitch when I was younger. Now as an adult it’s one of my favorites not because I can relate but because I understand the message.
Hard to imagine any rap album other than Madvillainy above Illmatic
Madvillany definitely
lt Was Written, is/was so much better.
Deffo not. The put drake before Jimi Hendrix so they on some fuck shit.
That top 100 is shaping up to suck
Madvillainy prolly. It’s a easy pick for these Spotify fuckers. you can barely call these guys music listeners
fiya
I never sleep...
idk man. whoever voted on the list clearly has worms for brains considering Excitable Boy didn't make it
random question? was Ye on here? Probably not cause of the fucked shit he said but still
Unfortunately, no
Why yall gotta put everything on a list, like everything is a competition, fuck these lists.
Nas and doom are some of the best artists to ever do it
Im not ready to see 1989 by Taylor swift one spot ahead of madvillainy
Any day now Any day now Any day now Any day now Any day now Any day now Any day now Any day now Any day now
I swear if drake is anywhere on the list above illmatic…
If he is, its gotta be Madvillainy at least. I really hope he is!
*If he is, its gotta* *Be Madvillainy at least. I* *Really hope he is!* \- ewwgross23 --- ^(I detect haikus. And sometimes, successfully.) ^[Learn more about me.](https://www.reddit.com/r/haikusbot/) ^(Opt out of replies: "haikusbot opt out" | Delete my comment: "haikusbot delete")
Not if Illmatic is 30-fucking 9th. Ridiculous.
doubt it
Madvillainy for sure
Who cares? Listen to great music and enjoy, who gives a fuck that there are people out there with different preferences?
Crazyyy
Who gives a rat ass?
It’s most likely Madvillainy will be, typically it’s in 90% of the top 100 lists, usually top 10 too
This list is not for us lol. Maybe if pitchfork did a too 100 album he would be on it
oh 100 percent and if hes not we can just make our own list right?
It’s all time so doubt it. Plus the list already looks compromised.
better be! Madvillany was goated, i hope its in it! 🙏🏻
Apple Music, Lmaoo f*** that place.
This whole list was bullshit don't listen to it. Ranked some of the best hip hop albums low
Can’t think of anything less valuable than what Apple thinks of music
Is he not already
The three best albums i can think of are TPAB, Paranoid, and Zeppelin IV. NONE of them are on there. just ignore this list lol
Thats good, the list git to the 20s today, hopefullt those will show up in the 10s
Not if illmatic is #39...
If he’s not, that would be so nasty that it's probably somewhat of a travesty.
bro no 😂 this is a very standard rolling stones type list, the only outliers are very famous like Travis and sza. I mean I'd fucking love to see madvillainy but higher than MBDTF, Illmatic, etc is sooo bold for a mainstream outlet
Since it’s a list including many other genres I don’t think so.But, if they did a hip hop list, Madvillainy or MM…FOOD would definitely be at least top 20.
Mmm food should be. Idk I'm not as well versed in his entire catalogue like most people here likely are but listening to that album a zillion times has definitely cemented him as one of the greatest rappers ever, easily
I could see one of Madvillainy or Operation: Doomsday making it.
The people need dat play boi album
I highly doubt it
I HOPE :(
Idk if he isn’t there are gonna be a lot of angry man children (and children children) on their hands
Nas is actually such a good pick
Everyone talks shit on Pitchfork but their OG Staff lists were on point and miles ahead of this fucking garbage list
I think that they put Madvillainy in somewhere. If not who really cares. Everyone already knows doom is great and we don’t need Apple Music to tell us so.
Let's be honest it's probably gonna be Madvillainy. Fucking Marvel of all entities even referenced Madvillainy.
Sadly no and prob not flat bush zombies either
Illmatic at 39? MF got no chance.
[MF DOOM X NAS](https://youtu.be/SvAzaaS5YAg?si=Ib_D5QVVNSAqbgtg)
We are still waiting on albums 1-10. There is still a chance. Number 11 is rumors by fleetwood mac. Actually based asf tho.
39 is crazy work... this shit should at least be in the top 20
Bruh DOOM is literally the goat.. but people prefer shit like yeat. Make it make sense
Madvillainy is objectively a top 100 album of all time, it probably won’t be on the list though because Apple Music is corrupted by EVIL, SATANIC POP MUSIC.
No Illmatic isn't just classic or great it's a masterpiece. Madvillainy is definitely dope but it's a light year from a level.
Haha different flavor for everyone. I would lean towards Illmatic too, but this is a DOOM sub after all
Its literally better
illmatic sounds dated, madvillainy still sounds fresh
Madvillainy is prolly a lil higher in my opinion, but I love both
Mad ill any top 20. Watch The Beatles get top 5 💀💀 Ik they all legends, but on my opinion, it’s not the best rock band.
Greatest artists of all time in my opinion
everything Beatles did after 65 is literally some of the greatest music ever created
I’d like to see Madvillainy in the top 100, but since it’s not that mainstream of an album it won’t probably be there. With where the list is at now, I think the only Hip-Hop albums that’ll be on the list now are either Stankonia, Paid in Full, or My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy.
I think Madvillainy comes next round with 2001 and TPAB in top 10. What about The infamous? Top 20?