r/Honest2HipHop

The "Sophomore Slump" is one of the most storied hurdles in hip-hop. After a lifetime of preparation goes into a debut, the pressure to evolve while maintaining momentum often leads to a flop. However, the artists below didn't just avoid the slump, but they used their second outings to expand their sound, sharpen their lyricism, and cement their place in Hip-Hop.

• The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
• OutKast – ATLiens
• Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d city
• Nas – It Was Written
• Lupe Fiasco – The Cool
• Kanye West – Late Registration
• DMX – Flesh of My Flesh, Blood of My Blood
• Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
• Mobb Deep – The Infamous
• A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory
• Jay-Z – In My Lifetime, Vol. 1

Whether they took a more commercial turn to reach the masses or retreated into a darker, more experimental world, these albums represent the moment these rappers proved they were more than just one-hit wonders. They turned the slump into a springboard, delivering albums that are not only classics, but that many fans argue are even better than their debuts.

What do you guys think of the list? Which albums are missing from this list? Let me know in the comments ✌️✌️

The 90s gave us the greatest era of hip-hop groups, hands down. No other decade compares to this period for collective talent and lyrical depth. With that said, who are the best groups of one of the most competitive eras? The below list focuses on the essential crews, duos, and collectives that defined the sound of their respective regions:

• Wu-Tang Clan
• OutKast
• A Tribe Called Quest
• Mobb Deep
• The Roots
• UGK
• The Fugees
• De La Soul
• Gang Starr
• The LOX
• Cypress Hill
• Goodie Mob
• 8Ball & MJG

Who did I miss? Either way, no list can be complete without the above groups.

L.A. Rap is not only its own genre, but it’s the backbone of West Coast Hip-Hop. From South Central to Long Beach, and the shift from the G-Funk sound in the 80s/90s to the new wave of conscious rap in the 2010s/2020s, LA has created a variety of rap styles that have conquered the airwaves and have even influenced other cities.

This list doesn’t revolve around hype. It’s about the names that actually built the sound and kept the city on the map for decades. Below is a long list of rappers that should be considered the best from LA:

Ice Cube
Kendrick Lamar
Dr. Dre
Snoop Dogg
The Game
Nipsey Hussle
Eazy-E
Kurupt
Tyler, The Creator

Every one of these names did something to move the needle for the city. Depending on when you grew up or what neighborhood you’re from in LA, your “best” is probably going to look different than many others here.

So, who’s your undisputed #1? Is there someone from the underground or the new era that deserves a spot on this list? Drop your thoughts below and let’s see where the city really stands.

1988 wasn't just a good year for Hip Hop, but it can be considered the year that birthed the blueprint of lyrical mainstream music for the genre over the next four decades. From the birth of the West Coast's gangsta dominance to the smooth and lyrical style of the East Coast, these are the albums that defined and shaped the golden era of Hip-Hop:

Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back
N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton (release date debated)
Big Daddy Kane – Long Live the Kane
Slick Rick – The Great Adventures of Slick Rick
EPMD – Strictly Business
Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary
Ultramagnetic MCs – Critical Beatdown
Jungle Brothers – Straight Out the Jungle

Pretty wild how many dope projects were released in 1988. These albums took hip hop from the block to the global stage and the genre pretty much never looked back.

What you think? Any albums I missed?

It’s about time! We have to take it uptown to the birthplace of style. Harlem has always been the trendsetter for the culture. Not just in music, but in fashion and personality. From the pioneers like Doug E. Fresh to Dipset and the A$AP mob, the talent here is heavy, albeit limited.

Here is my list of the best rappers coming out of Harlem:

1. Big L
2. Cam'ron
3. Ma$e
4. A$AP Rocky
5. Doug E. Fresh

Honorable mentions include Juelz Santana, Ferg, Jim Jones and Dave East. In this case, these honorable mentions are heavy hitters that can arguably be included in a Harlem’s Top 5.

Who’s on your list? Did I miss out on anyone?