The 20 Best Albums From White Rappers - Page 17
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White rappers have evolved tremendously since the days Snow sold us all reggae huff in a Diet Coke can. Yelawolf’s new album, Love Story, is already garnering strong reviews for the Alabama native’s incorporation of other genres and still able to call it Hip-Hop.
While it remains to be seen how Love Story will stand the test of time, we decided to put togther the twenty best albums from white rappers ever created. Feel free to agree or disagree in the comments.
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Photos: DJ Whoo Kid, VEVO
20. Vinnie Paz – Season Of The Assassin (2010)
Notable Producers: Madlib, DJ Muggs, Lord Finesse, Da Beatminerz
Much like the album cover alludes to, the entire record is dedicated to brutalizing rival (and wack) so-called MCs. Nothing wrong with that.
19. Yelawolf – Radioactive (2011)
Notable Producers: Eminem, Diplo, WillPower, J.U.S.T.I.C.E. League
Although it wasn’t the commercial version of Trunk Muzik everybody hoped for, Catfish Billy still aligned his upbringing and viewpoints of America to mirror the culture’s m.o. As he should have.
18. Atmosphere – When Life Gives You Lemons, You Paint That Shit Gold (2008)
Notable Producer: Ant
The unapolegetically nuanced group gave all their fans inspiration and food for thought scraped from a Midwesterern plate on their most well-received released.
17. Evidence – The Weatherman LP (2007)
Notable Producers: Alchemist, Jake One, DJ Khalil, Evidence
Dilated Peoples’ very own was able to capture the eye of a hurricane and transform into mood music worth revisiting on his debut album. No easy feat.
16. Mac Miller – Blue Slide Park (2011)
Notable Producers: I.D. Labs, Clams Casino, Mansions on the Moon, Mac Miller
By releasing the first independent album to go No. 1 on the Billboard since Tha Dogg Pound’s 1995 project Dogg Food, questions about Miller’s credibility begin to vanish around the Internet and the guest appearances on other artist’s work began to pile up.
15. Paul Wall – The People’s Champ (2005)
Notable Producers: Kanye West, Juicy J, DJ Paul, Mike Dean
Back when Houston had a stronghold on the Hip-Hop game, along came Paul Weezy, “Sittin’ Sidewayz,” and proving he could hang with the boys on the block–and the radio.
14. Action Bronson & Statik Selektah (2011)
Notable Producer: Statik Selektah
Bronson’s metaphors are arguably overcooked nowadays but when he and Statik (one of the best composers doing it at the moment) decided to go half on a steak, they marinated and sizzled up some incredible Hip-Hop.
13. Brother Ali – Shadows on the Sun (2003)
Notable Producer: Ant
Regardless of race, this album remains a Hip-Hop purist’s best friends for its ability to work commonplace topics into rationalized thought.
12. El-P – Cancer 4 Cure (2012)
Notable Producers: El-P, Nick Diamonds, Little Shalimar, Wilder Zoby
If you’re looking for the orgin of the Run the Jewels takeover, look slightly past Killer Mike’s R.A.P. Music and park it here when the El-P intentionally spread a disease worth being exposed to.
11. Macklemore & Ryan Lewis – The Heist (2012)
Notable Producer: Ryan Lewis
No matter how you feel about this album erroniously trumping Kendrick Lamar’s good kid, m.A.A.d city in the public eye, there’s no denying the massive hits this record spawned.
10. Asher Roth – Asleep in the Bread Aisle (2009)
Notable Producers: Don Cannon, Oren Yoel
Simply put, this is one of the most unique-sounding albums of its kind. Young Asher was no slouch on the mic, either.
9. Mac Miller – Watching Movies with the Sound Off (2013)
Notable Producers: Pharrell, Flying Lotus, Alchemist, Clams Casino
After deciding to find himself on the dark side of the moon, Miller delivered a polarizing yet enjoyable album that remains his best work to date.
8. 3rd Bass – The Cactus Album (1989)
Notable Producers: The Bomb Squad, Prince Paul, 3rd Bass
MC Serch & Co. made their mark on the game in the true-school era by understanding what was wack and what could fly.
7. Eminem – The Slim Shady LP (1999)
Notable Producers: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Bass Brothers
Marshall Mathers was far from the inventor of Hip-Hop shock value but as for the perfectionist of the occult? He had a case on his debut album.
6. Eminem – Relapse (2009)
Notable Producers: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mark Batson
This was Slim Shady on steroids, which was ironic since he was in the process of sobering up.
5. Bubba Sparxxx – Deliverance (2003)
Notable Producers: Timbaland, Organized Noize
Everyone remembers Bubba Sparxxx for “Ms. New Booty” because they slept on this album. A honest portrayal of a fan of the culture who was raised a little bit different than what you were accustomed to.
4. Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill (1986)
Notable Producers: Rick Rubin, Beastie Boys
The world wasn’t ready for the Beastie Boys, which why they probably embraced them upon this monster album’s release. The first Hip-Hop album to top the Billboard Charts, we may add.
3. Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique (1989)
Notable Producers: Beastie Boys, Dust Brothers, Mario C.
It was a pretty bold move to shy away from the formula that made Licensed to Ill a success but they did, and created their own flavor of Hip-Hop in the process. Classic.
2. Eminem – The Eminem Show (2002)
Notable Producers: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mark Batson
In retropsect, it can be safely said that Eminem was in his prime when this album dropped. And records like “Cleanin’ Out My Closet” and “Sing for the Moment” showed he wasn’t down to hold his tongue, even with the popularity.
1. Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP (2000)
Notable Producers: Dr. Dre, Eminem, Mel-Man
What can be said about MMLP that hasn’t already been said? As the best release from the best white rapper, who just happens to be one of the best rappers of all time, it tops the list.
What’s missing?
Alchemist & Evidence (Step Brothers) – Lord Steppington (2014)
Too soon.
La Coka Nostra – A Brand You Can Trust (2009)
Just missed the cut.
Eminem – Encore (2004)
A second listen will tell you it’s more than fart sounds and Michael Jackson jokes.
Eternia & MoSS – At Last (2011)
Heavily slept on.
Beastie Boys – Ill Communication (1994)
Too many songs, not enough illness for the list.
Eminem – Infinite (1996)
Just because a legendary artist has an obscure album, doesn’t automatically make it great.
Alchemist – 1st Infantry (2004)
Revered in the underground but truthfully, the leaner, more healthy, The Alchemist’s Cookbook was better.