My Bass Rocks

I thought this would be a good opportunity to let our readers understand the people behind the site a little better.  To do so, I have comprised three separate lists of Top 5 albums according to each contributor (Jerry Nice, Benner, and Neilsix). Each list is pretty diverse and gives you a good idea of where we’re coming from. From my East Coast bias (don’t get it twisted), to Benner’s love for all things Wu-Tang , it gets pretty interesting.

Check it out…

DJ Jerry Nice:

1) Nas: Illmatic

What more can be said about this album? Not only is this a pure classic, but it is flawless in every way. Nas was his hungriest during this period and the beats were of the golden-era freshness (Large Professor + DJ Premier + Pete Rock + Q-Tip = bananas).

2) The Notorious B.I.G.: Ready to Die

As far as I’m concerned, Biggie is the GOAT. That being said, Ready to Die completely blew my mind when I first listened to it all the way through. This was when he was fresh out the crack game, and the animosity and anger was unlike anything I’d heard before. There are even some lyrics that get edited out because they were too raw, even with the “parental advisory” sticker on the front. For me, it’s a toss up between this and Illmatic for the #1 spot.

3) Slum Village: Fantastic Vol. 2

J-Dilla has been and will always be one of the biggest influences in my life. From his work with Tribe all the way through his later material with Stones Throw, Jay-Dee continued to evolve unlike any other producer before him…And it was all ridiculously dope too. However, this is my favorite Dilla project to date. Even though T3 and Baatin weren’t the best lyricists out, there are too many classics on this album to sleep (“Fall in Love,” “Get This Money,” “Raise It Up,” “I Don’t Know,” “Players”….etc.).

4) De La Soul: Stakes Is High

When I think of De La Soul, the album that comes to mind is Stakes Is High. Not to downplay any of their other classics (i.e. 3 Feet High and Rising, Buhloone Mind State), but to me this is their definitive album. Without the guidance of Prince Paul for the first time in their careers, the outcome was a very raw, New York-sounding LP (without the cartoony skits and obscure guest appearances). It’s a 17-track banger that never gets old and can be listened to all the way through, over and over again. 

5) Black Star: Black Star

My good friend once referred to this record as “our Illmatic,” and he couldn’t have been any more correct. I was a little too young to have such albums as The Chronic and Illmatic growing up, so in replacement I had Black on Both Sides, and Black Star. Where old-school heads had Def Jam Records, I had Rawkus Records to fall back on. Due to my history with Black Star and the amount of heat on this LP (“RE: Definition,” “Respiration,” Brown Skin Lady,” etc.), this particular record will always make the list.

Big Benner:

1) Ice Cube: Death Certificate

Death Certificate is the closest thing to a perfect rap album that there ever was. Try me. Musically it was the Chronic before the Chronic was the Chronic, except that it sounded more like a rap record and not so much like an RnB record, as The Chronic did (not hating… my infatuation with TC is thick). The Boogie Men (basically DJ Pooh), built the album around a collection of samples that were used to create some of the most timeless beats ever to be recorded. With a young Ice Cube in his prime (and mad as f**k), and a political backdrop that naturally incited strong dissent, the timing was perfect. From beginning to end this album delivers. Even the skits, which Sir Jinx and the Boogie Men weave in seamlessly through the album are classics. Each song has individual identity but they are tied in musically and conceptually to each other.

2) Ol’ Dirty Bastard: Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version

Wowzers… Absolutely nothing could prepare somebody for this album. His appearances on Wu’s debut album clued me in a little about what Dirty was like. Then came Tical, and I was like… uhhhhh, that was weird (in a good way). Still I was totally floored the first time I listened to Dirty’s debut all the way through. Dirty’s vocal performances on this album were incredible. Combined with RZA’s production, which is at its rawest and most experimental, it was potent.  Listening to this album is an experience unlike any other

3) Raekwon: Only Built for Cuban Linx

It feels silly coming up with reasons why OB4CL is in my top 5. Without getting into all the stuff about the influence of this record (which is humongous, for good or for bad), or how its timing was perfect, or how the concept was amazing, one can still feel how fantastic this album was. This album is the best work that RZA has done. And with Raekwon (in his prime) brilliantly paired up with Ghostface (who was just entering his prime) on most of the songs, the album was destined to be a classic. What more can I say.

4) Nas: Illmatic

Do I really need to explain myself here?

5) Cypress Hill: Cypress Hill

It’s hard for me to put in writing why I like this album so much. There are no grand concepts to grasp. No controversial political messages (aside from all of the ”make weed legal” undertones). No wacky gimmicks. Just straight gangster rap. The beats that DJ Muggs selected for CH’s debut perfectly matched B-Real’s nasally flow. Sen Dog’s work as hypeman was also perfectly executed. Although Muggs used familiar drum breaks for the majority of his beats, the overall sound of the album seemed to come out of left field. Due in large part to the obscure funk samples that Muggs chose to lay on top of the drums.

DJ Neilsix:

1) The Roots: Things Fall Apart

Beautiful music. That’s what this album is. Everything about this album was perfect. Concept, production, lyrically. At this point in the game, some criticized The Roots to go the heavy-electronic route after Illadelph Halflife. They felt that they were moving away from the organic sound they entered the game with, and decided to do what the others around the world have done. They came back to their original identity, and a whole lot more, crafting this seamless album that, from start to finish, is refreshing to hear.

2) Dr. Dre: The Chronic

Being that I’m from the west coast (Sacramento to be exact), it would be wrong of me to not include this album on the list. California is the birthplace of gangsta rap, and no one took the feel of it nationwide like Dre. His sound, his people, and his style personified the G Funk era, showcasing it around the world with this album.

3) The Wu-Tang Clan: Enter the 36 Chambers

This album was a spark for the east coast underground. 9 emcees together doing it as grimy as can be. Track after track of the rawest lyrics, dirtiest production, and a vibe that’d get anyone ready to bring the mutha f’in ruckus. This album spawned a movement that was unstoppable for the better half of the last 20 years.

4) Slum Village: Fantastic Vol. 2

The first time I put this into a CD player, I was just floored. I’ve known of Jay Dee for a while prior to this release, first hearing him with the Pharcyde on Runnin and then via the Ummah, but his production on this album was just too much. Some would argue that their rhymes are weak, but the overall sound worked so well that you can just let that slide and just take in the music.

5) A Tribe Called Quest: The Low End Theory

Have two of the biggest hip-hop jump offs (Check the Rhyme, Scenario), mix in some really smooth and jazzy production, lace it with the pinnacle of Q-Tips and Phife’s abilities, and you have one of the most important albums to date. It’s timeless music during (what some would consider) the golden years of hip-hop, where it wasn’t about the guest stars, but the actual group making the music. This was the most consistent effort from Tribe, and that in itself is saying a lot.