20 Best Rap Albums to Come Out of Brooklyn Since Ready to Die

Representing BK to the fullest!

20 Best Rap Albums to Come Out of Brooklyn Since Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G. may have been rhyming live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, but the whole world felt him. When the Brooklyn-born rapper released his seminal debut, Ready to Die, on September 13, 1994, the impact was felt well beyond the famed New York City borough. Biggie set a high standard for fellow Brooklynite rappers to follow. Since Big’s groundbreaking effort, thousands of albums have been released by Brooklyn rappers, but we’re here to talk about twenty standout projects. Yeah, we know Jay Z’s discography could make up seventy percent of this list, but in a true reflection of the borough’s diversity we’re highlighting the range BK has been offering hip hop for years. Tip of the cap to Jeru the Damaja’s The Sun Rises in the East and Gang Starr’s Hard to Earn, two dope albums that were released in 1994 prior to Rea...
Company Flow, Funcrusher Plus - Company Flow kicked the doors open for Rawkus Records in July 1997 and helped bring the underground label to the forefront. The gritty production of the three-man crew consisting of El-P, Big Jus and Mr. Len proved to be just as adapt on the mic as well and stayed on heavy rotation throughout Medina. The critically acclaimed album boasted joints like "8 Steps to Perfection," "Blind," and "The Fire in Which You Burn." If you haven't, take a listen to this classic that kept heads nodding and made the group champions on the underground scene. (Photo: Rawkus Records)
El-P, Fantastic Damage - El-P demanded his respect with his solo release Fantastic Damage in 2002. The Brooklyn MC pushed the envelope with his distorted production and lyrical darts like "Deep Space 9mm" and "Delorean" featuring fellow underground emcees Aesop Rock and Ill Bill. The heralded classic also made his indie label Def Jux one of the most respected labels when it came to releasing un-watered down hip hop. (Photo: Definitive Jux Records)dead prez, RBG: Revolutionary But Gangsta - dead prez continued their pro-Black charge with their sophomore album, RBG. Revolting against the establishment, they even got their Brooklyn brethren Jay Z to rip a few bars on the pimp the system track "Hell Yeah." Too revolutionary for mainstream radio, stic.man and M-1 shook up the establishment, as the album was so truthful, Sony was scared to release it. The project marked the duos last release on a major label. (Photo: Sony Records)

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20 Best Rap Albums to Come Out of Brooklyn Since Ready To Die - The Notorious B.I.G. may have been rhyming live from Bedford-Stuyvesant, but the whole world felt him. When the Brooklyn-born rapper released his seminal debut, Ready to Die, on September 13, 1994, the impact was felt well beyond the famed New York City borough. Biggie set a high standard for fellow Brooklynite rappers to follow. Since Big’s groundbreaking effort, thousands of albums have been released by Brooklyn rappers, but we’re here to talk about twenty standout projects. Yeah, we know Jay Z’s discography could make up seventy percent of this list, but in a true reflection of the borough’s diversity we’re highlighting the range BK has been offering hip hop for years. Tip of the cap to Jeru the Damaja’s The Sun Rises in the East and Gang Starr’s Hard to Earn, two dope albums that were released in 1994 prior to Rea...

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