10 Rap Albums That Rock Fans Need To Check Out

2. The Eminem Show - Eminem

In the early stages of the '00s, no other rapper could hold a candle to Eminem. Off the strength of his outrageous brand of humor on the Slim Shady LP and the heart behind his somewhat biopic 8 Mile, this was the kind of adulation that you didn't see since the days of Prince. As much as Mr. Mathers was starting to get more and more vicious in his delivery, The Eminem Show showed him taking his sound into the arena.

Looking to make something more in tune with rock, most of this album sees Em and Dr. Dre making one of the most maximalist things they would ever create, having just as many blown out drumbeats as he did harsh bars. Just the first few seconds of a song like White America tell you what you're in for, with a scathing flow from Em that is anchored by a beat that seems to be as informed by acts like Led Zeppelin as it with something like the Dust Brothers.

Even some of the standout tracks from this album take some inspiration from the classic rock of old, with Sing for the Moment having the chorus from Dream On sprinkled in and Joe Perry dropping some fresh lead licks to suit Marshall's flow. Rap may not be the most healthy antecedent to rock, but this is the kind of music that someone like Guns N Roses might have made if they decided to trade in the guitars for 808s.