25 Greatest Hip-Hop Albums Of All Time
18. Jay-Z - Reasonable Doubt
Though his next dozen albums proved to bigger and more popular with critics and audiences, Jay-Z's debut is nothing short of perfection. Front to back, Reasonable Doubt is lyricism at its finest, with the rapper balancing his storytelling abilities with his freestyle capabilities, his daring with his meaty beats and catchy hooks.
Reasonable Doubt has also aged better in hindsight. Jay-Z has always been an artist digging into what makes him tick and how best to discuss society's woes, and Reasonable Doubt even today showcases a rapper way ahead of the game and in full control of his talents.
From the smooth "Friend or Foe" to the iconic "Dead Presidents II", from the freestyling "22 Two's" to the wonderfully confident "Can't Knock the Hustle", Jay-Z's debut remains an album for the ages.