49. Big Daddy Kane - Long Live The Kane

Big Daddy Kane's voice is deep without being gruff. He's always in command of his prose, never stumbling over words or pausing for a deep breath. He's capable of being funny, suave and serious all in the same verse, never overstuffing his bars with an unnecessary syllable. His 1988 debut, Long Live The Kane, is a superb documentation of his ability as an MC.

Super-producer Marley Marl recognized Kane's speed and precision and matched it sonically. Whiplash James Brown samples, cymbal-heavy drum loops and lightning-fast turntable work compliment Kane at every turn. They even accompany him on the R&B loverman oddity, "The Day You're Mine," which feels out of place in '88, but would saturate BDK's later releases.

The pinnacle of this collaboration is "Ain't No Half Steppin'," a contender for the best single display of rhyming ever recorded. It's an endlessly quotable paean to Kane's ability to demolish the competition, layered over smooth piano and a Billy Squire drum beat. BDK effortlessly moves from slow, molasses smooth vocals to a syncopated, choppy fast flow. Despite shifts in speed and tone, he always goes out of his way to annunciate, even noting that he speaks "clearly so you can understand."

Rappers understood all right. It's hard to pick out an important MC of the past 25 years who hasn't stolen a page from Kane's rhyme book, whether that be emulating his flow or heavily sampling his archetypal lyrics.

50. Jay-Z - The Blueprint

Versatility is the name of the game.

Jay-Z sounds like a seasoned vet, young battle rapper, wealthy playboy, career criminal, misunderstood genius and grateful success story over the course of 13 tracks. He's striving to show every facet of his personality, but The Blueprint never comes off as a plea for mainstream acceptance or approval. Jay knows he's the best, he's just detailing his ascent to the throne.

As with any hostile takeover, there are casualties. Critics get called out for scapegoating, absentee parents get blamed for loss of innocence, Nas and Mobb Deep get their feelings hurt. Jay even takes shots at himself on "Song Cry," eulogizing how the money got in the way of a close friendship.

Thankfully, that moment of self-deprecation is brief, leaving 12 tracks open for playful narcissism and effortless wordplay. Jay's megalomania never sounded better, thanks primarily to Kanye West and Just Blaze, who successfully shifted Jay's sound from electronic club jam to Jackson 5 and Bobby Byrd-sampled soul.

This regal mixture of suave vocal delivery and vintage urban soundscape make quite a convincing argument for Jay-Z's 21st Century dominance. What makes the album so addictively listenable is that you're rooting along with the champ as he wins the title belt.

THE RULES

All 258 LPs were given at least one focused listen (two listens were given to records that I wasn't previously familiar with). Records were given a score between 1 and 10 (1 being abysmal and 10 being masterful). Any record that received an 8 or higher in the first round moved on to the second round.

Exactly 100 LPs made it to the second round. Each of these overachievers were meticulously studied track-by-track. Additional points were rewarded for originality, continuity and brevity. Points were deducted for lack of originality, excess of filler/skits and lack of focus/ill-defined concept.

The 50 LPs with the highest scores made the squad.

FOR MY CONSIDERATION

From June 2012 to February 2013, I studied and analyzed 258 of hip hop's finest LPs, whittling down the list to what I believe were the 50 best. My intention was to create a spirited debate about a truly innovative and culturally important musical movement. 

This is obviously a completely subjective entity, so I'll apologize in advance if anyone disagrees with my selections, the order of those selections, the construction of lists in general or unpaid music criticism. My recommendation is to have fun with it... I did. 

Here's the full alphabetical list of all LPs considered for the HIP HOP TOP 50! 

Above the Law - Livin' Like Hustlers (1990)

Aesop Rock – Labor Days (2001)

Afrika Bambaataa – Looking for the Perfect Beat (1980 – 1985)

Akinyele – Vagina Diner (1993)

Alkaholiks – Coast II Coast (1995)

Alkaholiks – Likwidation (1997)

Artifacts – Between a Rock and a Hard Place (1994)

Atmosphere – God Loves Ugly (2002)

AZ – Doe or Die (1995)

Basehead – Play with Toys (1992)

Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill (1986)

Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989)

Beastie Boys – Check Your Head (1992)

Beastie Boys – Ill Communication (1994)

Beastie Boys – Hello Nasty (1998)

Beastie Boys – To the 5 Boroughs (2004)

Beatnuts – Intoxicated Demons: The EP (1993)

Beatnuts – The Beatnuts: Street Level (1994)

Big Daddy Kane – Long Live the Kane (1988)

Big Daddy Kane – It’s a Big Daddy Thing (1989)

Big Pun – Capital Punishment (1998)

Biz Markie – Goin’ Off (1988)

Blackalicious – Nia (1999)

Blackalicious – Blazing Arrow (2002)

Black Sheep – A Wolf in Sheep’s Clothing (1991)

Black Moon – Enta Da Stage (1993)

Black Star – Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998)

Bone Thugs-N-Harmony – Creepin’ On Ah Come Up (1994)

Boogie Down Productions – Criminal Minded (1987)

Boogie Down Productions – By All Means Necessary (1988)

Boogie Down Productions – Ghetto Music: the Blueprint of Hip-Hop (1989)

Boot Camp Clik – For the People (1997)

Brand New Heavies – Heavy Rhyme Experience: Vol. 1 (1992)

Brand Nubian – One for All (1990)

Busta Rhymes – When Disaster Strikes… (1997)

Cadence Weapon – Breaking Kayfabe (2005)

Cali Agents – How the West Was One (2000)

Camp Lo – Uptown Saturday Night (1997)

Cam’ron – Purple Haze (2004)

Cannibal Ox – The Cold Vein (2001)

Chill Rob G – Ride the Rhythm (1989)

Clipse – Lord Willin’ (2002)

Clipse – We Got It 4 Cheap, Volume 2 (2005)

Clipse – Hell Hath No Fury (2006)

Common Sense – Resurrection (1994)

Common – Like Water for Chocolate (2000)

Company Flow – Funcrusher Plus (1997)

The Coup – Genocide & Juice (1994)

CunninLynguists – A Piece of Strange (2006)

Cypress Hill – s/t (1991)

Cypress Hill – Black Sunday (1993)

Da Youngstas – I’ll Make U Famous (1995)

Danger Doom – The Mouse and the Mask (2005)

Das EFX – Dead Serious (1992)

Das EFX – Hold It Down (1995)

De La Soul – 3 Feet High and Rising (1989)

De La Soul – De La Soul is Dead (1991)

De La Soul – Buhloone Mindstate (1993)

De La Soul – Stakes Is High (1996)

De La Soul – Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump (2000)

De La Soul – AOI: Bionix (2001)

De La Soul – The Grind Date (2004)

Dead Prez – Let’s Get Free (2000)

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – I Wish My Brother George Was Here (1991)

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – No Need for Alarm (1993)

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – Future Development (1997)

Del Tha Funkee Homosapien – Both Sides of the Brain (2000)

Deltron 3030 – s/t (2000)

Devin the Dude – Just Tryin’ ta Live (2002)

Diamond D – Stunts, Blunts and Hip Hop (1992)

Digable Planets – Reachin… (A New Refutation of Time and Space) (1993)

Digable Planets – Blowout Comb (1994)

Digital Underground – Sex Packets (1990)

Dizzee Rascal – Boy in da Corner (2003)

Dizzee Rascal – Showtime (2004)

DJ Jazzy Jeff & the Fresh Prince – He’s the DJ, I’m the Rapper (1988)

DJ Shadow – Endtroducing….. (1996)

DJ Quik – Quik is the Name (1991)

DJ Quik – Way 2 Fonky (1992)

DMX – It’s Dark and Hell’s Hot (1998)

D.O.C. – No One Can Do It Better (1989)

Doug E. Fresh – World’s Greatest Entertainer (1988)

Dr. Dre – The Chronic (1992)

Dr. Dre – 2001 (1999)

Dr. Octagon – Dr. Octagonecologyst (1996)

Eazy-E – Eazy-Duz-It (1988)

Edan – Primitive Plus (2002)

Edan – Beauty and the Beat (2005)

El-P – Fantastic Damage (2002)

Eminem – The Slim Shady LP (1999)

Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)

Eminem – The Eminem Show (2002)

EPMD – Strictly Business (1988)

EPMD – Unfinished Business (1989)

EPMD – Business as Usual (1990)

Eric B. & Rakim – Paid in Full (1987)

Eric B. & Rakim – Follow the Leader (1988)

Eric B. & Rakim – Let the Rhythm Hit Em (1990)

Eric B. & Rakim – Don’t Sweat the Technique (1992)

50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003)

Freestyle Fellowship – To Whom It May Concern… (1991)

Freestyle Fellowship – Innercity Griots (1993)

Fugees – The Score (1996)

The Game – Doctor’s Advocate (2006)

Gang Starr – Step In the Arena (1991)

Gang Starr – Daily Operation (1992)

Gang Starr – Hard to Earn (1994)

Gang Starr – Moment of Truth (1998)

Genius/Gza – Liquid Swords (1995)

Geto Boys – Grip It! On That Other Level (1989)

Geto Boys – We Can’t Be Stopped (1991)

Geto Boys – The Resurrection (1996)

Ghostface Killah - Ironman (1996)

Ghostface Killah – Supreme Clientele (2000)

Ghostface Killah – The Pretty Toney Album (2004)

Ghostface Killah – Fishscale (2006)

Goodie Mob – Soul Food (1995)

Grandmaster Flash & The Furious Five – The Message (1982)

Group Home – Livin’ Proof (1995)

Guru – Jazzmatazz Vol. 1 (1993)

Guru – Jazzmatazz, Vol. 2: The New Reality (1995)

Heavy D &  The Boyz – Living Large (1987)

Heltah Skeltah – Nocturnal (1996)

Hieroglyphics  - Full Circle (2003)

Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (1998)

Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (1990)

Ice Cube – Death Certificate (1991)

Ice Cube – The Predator (1992)

Ice-T – Rhyme Pays (1987)

Ice-T – Power (1988)

Ice-T – The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech… Just Watch What You Say (1989)

Ice-T – O.G. Original Gangster (1991)

J Dilla – Donuts (2006)

Jay Lib – Champion Sound (2003)

Jay-Z – Reasonable Doubt (1996)

Jay-Z – The Blueprint (2001)

Jay-Z – The Black Album (2003)

Wyclef Jean – The Carnival (1997)

Jeru the Damaja – The Sun Rises in The East (1994)

Jeru the Damaja – Wrath of the Math (1996)

Jungle Brothers – Done by the Forces of Nature (1989)

Jurassic 5 – Quality Control (2000)

Juvenile – 400 Degreez (1998)

KMD – Mr. Hood (1991)

KMD – Black Bastards (1993)

Kool G Rap and DJ Polo – Road to the Riches (1989)

Kool G Rap and DJ Polo – Wanted: Dead or Alive (1990)

Kool G Rap and DJ Polo – Live and Let Die (1992)

Kool Moe Dee – How Ya Like Me Now (1987)

KRS-One – Return of the Boom Bap (1993)

Talib Kweli – Quality (2002)

Lil Wayne – Tha Carter II (2005)

Lil Wayne - Dedication 2 (2006)

Little Brother – The Minstrel Show (2005)

LL Cool J – Radio (1985)

LL Cool J – Bigger and Deffer (BAD) (1987)

LL Cool J – Mama Said Knock You Out (1990)

Lootpack – Soundpieces: Da Antidote (1999)

Lord Finesse & DJ Mike Smooth – Funky Technician (1990)

Ludacris – Back for the First Time (2000)

Madvillain – Madvillainy (2004)

Main Source – Breaking Atoms (1991)

Makaveli – The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (1996)

MC Lyte – Lyte as a Rock (1988)

MC Paul Barman – It’s Very Stimulating EP (2000)

MC Paul Barman – Paullelujah! (2002)

MC Shan – Down by Law (1987)

Method Man – Tical (1994)

Method Man & Redman – Blackout! (1999)

MF Doom – Operation: Doomsday (1999)

MF Doom – MM… Food (2004)

Missy Eliott – Supa Dupa Fly (1997)

Missy Elliott – Miss E: So Addictive (2001)

Mobb Deep – The Infamous (1995)

Mos Def – Black on Both Sides (1999)

Mystic – Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom (2001)

Nas – Illmatic (1994)

Nas – I Am (1999)

Nas – It Was Written (1996)

Nas – Stillmatic (1999)

Nice and Smooth – s/t (1989)

The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready to Die (1994)

The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death (1997)

N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton (1988)

O.C. – Word…Life (1994)

O.C. – Jewelz (1997)

Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Return to the 36 Chambers: The Dirty Version (1995)

Ol’ Dirty Bastard – Nigga Please (1999)

Onyx – Bacdafucup (1993)

Organized Konfusion – Stress: The Extinction Agenda (1994)

Outkast – Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik (1994)

Outkast – ATLiens (1996)

Outkast – Aquemini (1998)

Outkast – Stankonia (2000)

Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)

Paris – The Devil Made Me Do It (1990)

Peanut Butter Wolf – My Vinyl Weighs a Ton (1999)

Pete Rock and CL Smooth – Mecca and the Soul Brother (1992)

The Pharcyde – Bizarre Ride II The Pharcyde (1992)

Pharoahe Monch – Internal Affairs (1999)

Poor Righteous Teachers – Holy Intellect (1990)

Prince Paul – A Prince Among Thieves (1999)

Public Enemy – It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back (1988)

Public Enemy – Fear of a Black Planet (1990)

Quasimoto – The Unseen (2000)

Queen Latifah – All Hail the Queen (1989)

Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx… (1995)

Ram Squad – Operation Lock the City (1996)

Redman – Whut? Thee Album (1992)

Redman – Muddy Waters (1996)

Reflection Eternal – Train of Thought (2000)

The Roots – Organix! (1993)

The Roots – Do You Want More?!!!??! (1995)

The Roots – Illadelph Halflife (1996)

The Roots – Things Fall Apart (1999)

The Roots – Phrenology (2002)

The Roots – The Tipping Point (2004)

Run-D.M.C. – s/t (1984)

Run-D.M.C. – Raising Hell (1986)

Salt N’ Pepa – Hot, Cool & Vicious (1986)

Scarface – Mr. Scarface is Back (1991)

Scarface – The Diary (1994)

Scarface – The Fix (2002)

Roxanne Shante – Bad Sister (1989)

Special Ed- Youngest In Charge (1989)

Showbiz and A.G. – Goodfellas (1995)

Slick Rick- The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick (1988)

Slum Village – Fantastic, vol. 2 (2000)

Smif-N-Wessun- Dah Shinin' (1995)

Snoop Doggy Dogg – Doggystyle (1993)

Souls Of Mischief- 93 til' Infinity (1993)

Spice 1 – s/t (1992)

Sugarhill Gang - s/t (1980)

3rd Bass- The Cactus Album (1989)

Three Six Mafia – Most Known Unknown (2005)

T.I. – King (2006)

Too Short- Born To Mack (1987)

Too Short – Life Is… Too Short (1990)

Too Short – Cocktails (1995)

A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels and the Paths of Rhythm (1990)

A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory (1991)

A Tribe Called Quest – Midnight Marauders (1993)

A Tribe Called Quest – Beats, Rhymes and Life (1996)

A Tribe Called Quest – The Love Movement (1998)

2Pac – 2Pacalypse Now (1991)

2Pac – Strictly 4 My N.I.G.G.A.Z. (1993)

2Pac - Me Against The World (1995)

2Pac – All Eyez on Me (1996)

UGK – Ridin’ Dirty (1996)

Ultramagnetic Mcs – Critical Beatdown (1988)

Viktor Vaughn – Vaudeville Villain (2003)

Kanye West – The College Dropout (2004)

Kanye West – Late Registration (2005)

Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) (1993)

Wu-Tang Clan – Wu-Tang Forever (1997)

Wu-Tang Clan – The W (2000)

Wu-Tang Clan – Iron Flag (2001)

Xzibit – 40 Dayz and 40 Nightz (1998)