The 25 Best Posthumous Albums of All Time

The fifth anniversary of MJ's death sparks a look back.

Eazy-E, Str8 Off tha Streets of Muthaph--kin' Compton - After years of clowning at the hands of Dr. Dre, Ice Cube and Death Row, Eazy was looking to make a comeback with this sophomore album. He died from AIDS-related complications in 1995 before he could finish it, but the LP, released later that year, showed E linking up with former N.W.A mates Ren and Yella, revitalized and defiantly ignorant as ever on "My Baby'z Mama" and other standouts. (Photo:  Ruthless Records)
Otis Redding and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Historic Performances Recorded at the Monterey International Pop Festival - Released three years after Redding's death in 1967, this album captured the soulful singer's brief but impactful performance at Monterey, which helped him break through to mainstream audiences for the first time. It also contains Hendrix's first major show stateside, though he was still alive at its release.  (Photo:  Reprise Records)
Otis Redding, The Immortal Otis Redding - Pulled from a three-week span of recording work just days before his 1967, this 1968 release contains Redding classics like "Hard to Handle" and "I've Got Dreams to Remember," which featured his voice at its aching but agile best.   (Photo: Atco Records)
The Notorious B.I.G., Born Again - Released in 1999, this album, which features unreleased Big verses paired with updated production and guest verses, isn't as cobbled together as it seems. "Dead Wrong," in particular, matches up with the very best of Biggie's near flawless catalog.  (Photo: Bad Boy Records)Pimp C, The Naked Soul of Sweet Jones - Started by Pimp himself but finished by his wife and Rap-A-Lot don J. Prince three years after his 2007 death, this album is a mixture of classic UGK, with sleek soul samples over laid back 808-laden percussion, and bombastic guest appearances from the likes of Drake, Rick Ross and other Pimp acolytes.  (Photo:  Rap-a-Lot Records)

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Otis Redding and the Jimi Hendrix Experience, Historic Performances Recorded at the Monterey International Pop Festival - Released three years after Redding's death in 1967, this album captured the soulful singer's brief but impactful performance at Monterey, which helped him break through to mainstream audiences for the first time. It also contains Hendrix's first major show stateside, though he was still alive at its release.  (Photo:  Reprise Records)

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