25 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time
2. Wu-Tang Clan - Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
From the brutal beat of the opening track to the iconic "Protect Ya Neck" and "CREAM", Wu-Tang Clan's 36 Chambers was poised to achieve status as an all-timer. Gritty and heavy, the record helped usher in the hardcore rap era.
But it wasn't all shock, as Ghostface Killah, Method Man, Ol' Dirty Bastard, RZA, GZA, Raekwon and Inspectah Deck all proved to be as humorous as they were dark. They all loved to play with words, mess about with cadence and toy with tone at every corner.
Perhaps the strongest aspect of the album is what it proves. Though each of the Clan are all phenomenally gifted artists in their own rights, 36 Chambers proves that when brought together they're close to unstoppable. It's harsh and blunt in places, but it's also playful and witty. It's beats are booming, but it's never over-the-top.
Enter the Wu-Tang is the perfect rap album, and will forever be a classic of the genre.