25 Best Rap Debuts of the 21st Century

Will 2 Chainz match up to these new-millennium classics?

The 25 Best Rap Debuts of the 21st Century - As you probably already know, today, August 14, 2 Chainz is dropping his much-hyped solo major-label debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story. After his amazing mixtape work in 2011 and sick guest verses this year, Chainz is no doubt aiming to make a classic. Here, in honor of his sky-high aspirations, BET.com counts down the 25 greatest debut rap albums of the 21st century. Though we doubt Chainz will reach the stratospheric heights of the standard-bearing debuts of rap's 20th-century golden age (Nas' Illmatic, Eric B & Rakim's Paid in Full, Biggie's Ready to Die, etc.), 2 Chainz may be able to barge his way into this list's upper echelons. —Alex Gale  (Photos from left: PacificCoastNews.com, Mark Davis/Getty Images, Jemal Countess/Getty Images)
25. Wiz Khalifa, Rolling Papers - Led by the monstrous chart-topper "Black and Yellow," Wiz's 2011 major-label bow found him blending catchy, sing-songy hooks and synth-heavy beats to adapt his college-dorm stoner rap to the masses.  (Photo: Atlantic Records)
24. Rick Ross, Port of Miami - Though it doesn't reach the cinematic heights of his later work, 2006's Port of Miami effectively introduces Ross' larger-than-life Bawse persona — particularly on the undeniable juggernaut of a lead single, "Hustlin'."  (Photo: Def Jam Records)23. Lloyd Banks, The Hunger for More - With ice-cold wordplay and beats by Eminem, Havoc and Timbaland, Lloyd Banks successfully graduated from mixtape mastery to mainstream success with his chart-topping 2004 debut, confirming 50's golden touch.  (Photo: Interscope Records)

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The 25 Best Rap Debuts of the 21st Century - As you probably already know, today, August 14, 2 Chainz is dropping his much-hyped solo major-label debut, Based on a T.R.U. Story. After his amazing mixtape work in 2011 and sick guest verses this year, Chainz is no doubt aiming to make a classic. Here, in honor of his sky-high aspirations, BET.com counts down the 25 greatest debut rap albums of the 21st century. Though we doubt Chainz will reach the stratospheric heights of the standard-bearing debuts of rap's 20th-century golden age (Nas' Illmatic, Eric B & Rakim's Paid in Full, Biggie's Ready to Die, etc.), 2 Chainz may be able to barge his way into this list's upper echelons. —Alex Gale (Photos from left: PacificCoastNews.com, Mark Davis/Getty Images, Jemal Countess/Getty Images)

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