Wired 25: 25 Hip-Hop Collaboration Albums You Should Have In Your Collection - Page 15

Accepting the unexpected when it comes to Hip-Hop collaboration albums can be a tough pill to swallow, especially with so much garbage dropping annually. (Gucci Mane and V-Nasty anyone?) Yet, artists with a few degrees of separation have occasionally shown us that a dope project can evolve from great chemistry in the studio.

Since DJ Premier and Royce Da 5’9″‘s upcoming album has been well-received thus far, we decided to give you an expert’s guide of must-have Hip-Hop collaboration albums. Do yourself a favor a boost your collection if you missed any of these.

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Photo: VEVO, PRhyme Records

Curren$y & Alchemist – Covert Coup (2011)

Arguably Spitta’s best release thus far.

Buy

Freddie Gibbs & Madlib – Cocaine Piñata (2014)

Gangsta music and the underground met in the middle on a harmonious accord.

Buy

Wale & 9th Wonder – Back To The Feature (2009)

Guest appearances were being taken for granted so these two decided to do something about it.

Buy

Jay-Z & The Roots – MTV Unplugged (2002)

After winning a Grammy and remixing Jigga’s greatest hits (at the time), The Roots began to thrive in the mainstream.

Buy

MF DOOM & Madlib – Madvillainy (2004)

A backpacker’s night’s dream.

Buy

The King of Crunk & BME Recordings Present: Trillville & Lil Scrappy (2004)

Although Scrappy opposed the move, this project still remains his best work to date and a key pillar in the infamous crunk movement.

Buy

2Pac & Outlawz – Still I Rise (1999)

Most posthumous Tupac releases have been a gooey brown stain for his discography but definitely not this one.

Buy

Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens (2007)

“Dope beats, dope rhymes what more do y’all want?” ~ Phonte

Buy

TRU – TRU 2 Da Game

The Miller Boys (Master P, Silkk The Shocker, C-Murder) struck gold (literally and figuratively) with this breakout album from the No Limit imprint.

Buy

Statik Selektah & Termanology – 1982 (2010)

Boom-bap greatness from the mean streets of Boston.

Buy

Westside Connection – Bow Down (1996)

Ice Cube, Mack 10 and W.C. a.k.a. The Gangsta, The Killa and The Dope Dealer.

Buy

Killer Mike & El-P – R.A.P. Music (2012)

Before they were running the jewels, Killer Mike and El-P woke our collective asses up with a sense of urgency that was missing in…rap music.

Photo: Okayplayer

Like the album covers hint, this project dabbled in classic Hip-Hop elements and has stood the test of time. (Even before it was officially released.)

Jean Grae & 9th Wonder – Jeanius (2008)

Buy

Stalley & Rashad – Lincoln Way Nights

The sounds of Ohio in high-definition stereo.

Buy

A well executed album that also gets cool points for its innovative packaging.

Freeway & Jake One – The Stimulus Package (2010)

Buy

Marco Polo & Ruste Juxx – The eXXecution (2010)

No hyperbole; this is one of the best albums Duck Down Records has ever put out.

Buy

Lil Boosie & Webbie – Gangsta Musik (2003)

When these two Trill Ent. stars were in their prime, they could do no wrong.

Buy

Snoop Dogg & Tha Eastsidaz (2000)

It’s rare that a superstar can put his homies and they can actually rap (and produce) with the best of them.

Buy

Gangrene – Vodka & Ayahuasca (2013)

Alchemist and Oh No perfected their vices on their second release.

Buy

Random Axe (2011)

Black Milk, Guilty Simpson and Sean Price had all their bases covered and made the playoffs in the process.

Buy

Reflection Eternal – Train Of Thought (2000)

In the same vein of Gang Starr, Hi-Tek embalmed the tracks and Talib Kweli bodied them.

Buy

Jay-Z & Kanye West – Watch The Throne (2011)

The two Hip-Hop legends coasted to greatness once the world got wind on how they acted in Paris.

Buy

Jaylib – Champion Sound (2003)

A J Dilla/Madlib battle of beats and rhymes that only fans were able to select the victor.

Buy

Mos Def & Talib Kweli Are Black Star (1998)

Since we’re never getting another one, this classic will have to do.

Buy