The Liner Notes: Defining Hip-Hop's Classic Albums
The Liner Notes was created for one mission: to define the true hip-hop classics of all time. What albums and artists rise above the others to withstand the test of time? We’re here to shed light on the albums that still feel fresh and will continue to dazzle listeners for years to come—a sign of intensely high quality. Ever wondered what makes a classic album? Stay locked in for The Liner Notes—a podcast dedicated to defining what hip-hop albums rise above the rest.
Episodes
Time to say goodbye to season 2!
We're going to remember the highs, the lows, and most importantly...the classics.
Enjoy and we'll see you soon!
- The Liner Notes Crew
"Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube
From the gang called Niggaz With Attitudes
When I'm called off, I got a sawed off
Squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off"
- Straight Outta Compton
Final album review of season 2. NWA changed the game with Straight Outta Compton. This put the west coast on the map and ...
"I know you want lots a jewels and stuff
Backyards with swimming pools, bars with stools and stuff
Fancy foods - Lobster, Sushi
Gear - Versace, Gucci, crazy Lucci"
- Nuttin' But Love
Next album up: Nuttin' But Love by Heavy D. Dropped in 1994, this album contained some of Hev's biggest hits.
Is it a classic?
I got bass, tone, I use cologne
And then I rock the funky rhyme on the microphone
- Perfection
Next album up: Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C. This was the first platinum Hip-Hop record and sent the group to super stardom.
Is it a classic?
"Real ass bitch, give a fuck 'bout a nigga
Big Birkin bag, hold five, six figures"
- Act Up
Next album up: Girl Code by the City Girls. The City Girls dropped their debut album in 2018 and it put the girls on a national stage.
Is it a classic?
"Need to know, I'm a product of a dead poet rhyming at his low
Equals Maya Angelou, my emphatic flow can rise the status quo"
- Outside
Next album up: Book of Ryan by Royce Da 5'9. Dropped in 2018, This is seen as Royce's most introspective album.
Is it a classic?
"Yeah, this shit way too formal, y'all know I don't follow suit
Stacey Dash, most of these girls ain't got a clue"
- Sicko Mode
Next album up: Astroworld by Travis Scott. Travis dropped this in 2018 to critical acclaim and commercial success.
Is it a classic?
"Y'all can have the bars, nigga, I spit hard metal gates
Henry Louis Gates when I cop me some new estate"
- Nina
Next album up: Eve by Rapsody. Rapsody dropped her 3rd album in 2019 and it received widespread critical acclaim.
Is it a classic?
"Virginia's for lovers, but trust there's hate here
For out-of-towners, who think that they gon' move weight here
Ironic, the same place I'm makin' figures at
That there's the same land they used to hang niggas at"
- Virginia
Next album up: Lord Willin' by the Clipse. Their major label debut dropped in 2002 and was entirely produced by the Neptune...
"Said lil' bitch, you can't fuck with me if you wanted to
These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes"
- Bodak Yellow
Next album up: Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B. Cardi's debut took the music game by storm and was a massive commercial success.
Is it a classic?
"We could trade places, get lifted in the staircases
Word up, peace, incarcerated scarfaces"
- Incarcerated Scarfaces
Next album up: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon. Raekwon's debut was loved by critics and peers alike. Is it a classic?
- Can't Touch This
Next album up: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em by MC Hammer. The first Hip-Hop album to go Diamond.
Is it a classic?
Who am I? Someone that's afraid to let go, uh
You decide if you're ever gonna let me know (Yeah)
Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh
I'm sad, I know, yeah, I'm sad, I know, yeah
- Sad
Next album up: ? by XXXtentaction. This album has over a billion streams on Spotify and created a strong cult following.
Is it a classic?
Drop your glasses, shake your asses
Face screwed up like you having hot flashes
Which one? Pick one, this one, classic
Red from blonde, yeah, bitch, I'm drastic
- Blow Ya Mind
Next album up: Scorpion by Eve. Eve's second album was nominated for a Grammy and helped certify her standing as a star.
Is it a classic?
Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years
I'm rocking my peers, putting suckas in fear
- Mama Said Knock You Out
Next album up: Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J. People thought LL went soft after Walking with a Panther dropped. His grandmother told him to knock the critics out on the next one.
Is it a classic?
My voice physically fit, tracks I'm bench-pressin'
The mic chord is an extension of my intestine
Delicate MC's sliced in my delicatessen
My mind state is that of the S-P connection
- Table of Contents
Next album up: Things Fall Apart by the Roots. This album gave the Philly legends critical acclaim and mainstream exposure.
Is it a cl...
Spoke some things into the universe and they appeared
I say it's worth it, I won't say it's fair
Find your purpose or you wastin' air
Fuck it, though, y'all niggas scared
- Victory Lap
Next album up: Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey Hussle dropped his debut album in 2018 which helped cement his status as one of Hip-Hop's icons.
Is...
Who me I'm cooling in New York
I'm chilling in New York
The hoods is on my block and the brother's at the court
-Pacifics
Next album up: Reachin' (A new Refutation of Time and Space) by Digable Planets. This debut album put Digable on the map, gave them a name and critical acclaim.
Is it a classic?
Last time I checked I was the man on these streets
They call me residue, I leave blow on these beats
-Trap or Die
Next album up: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 by Young Jeezy. This album helped kick in the door for Atlanta and the Trap Music sound.
Is it a classic?
On a rainy die day early morn', my lethal legacy was born
Ask any rapper around, 'bout the fuckin mics I left torn
- Get Me
We're on album debate #50. Today we're discussing Kamikaze by Twista. Twista dropped this after a 7 year break and this album eventually went platinum.
Is it a classic?
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