2Pac \u2013 All Eyez on Me (February 13, 1996)<\/p>\n
Considered the gold standard for rap double albums, All Eyez on Me was 2Pac\u2019s last studio album released during his lifetime. A seminal work in West Coast rap, the\u00a0 G-funk sound, orchestrated by producers like Dr. Dre, Daz Dillinger, and Johnny \u201cJ.,\u201d yielded classic anthems like \u201cCalifornia Love\u201d and \u201c2 of America\u2019s Most Wanted.\u201d<\/p>\n
The Fugees \u2013 The Score (February 13, 1996)<\/p>\n
The Fugees\u2019 The Score stands as a classic that seamlessly connected underground East Coast hip-hop with mainstream soul, reggae, and pop crossover appeal. Driven by Wyclef Jean, Pras, and a breakout performance from Lauryn Hill, the album produced hits like \u201cFu-Gee-La,\u201d \u201cReady or Not,\u201d and \u201cKilling Me Softly.\u201d<\/p>\n
Busta Rhymes \u2013 The Coming (March 26, 1996)<\/p>\n
After leaving the Leaders of the New School, Busta Rhymes did not disappoint with his debut album, The Coming. Busta proved he could command an entire project with his distinct, hyper-animated flow. Backed by groundbreaking production from The Ummah (Q-Tip and J Dilla), Easy Mo Bee, and DJ Scratch, the album was set off by the single \u201cWoo Hah!! Got You All in Check.\u201d<\/p>\n
JA\u0178-Z\u2013 Reasonable Doubt (June 25, 1996)<\/p>\n
JA\u0178-Z\u2019s Reasonable Doubt is a bona fide classic that elevated mafioso rap with razor-sharp wordplay and rare emotional honesty. With soulful production from DJ Premier, DJ Clark Kent, and Ski, the album brilliantly highlights street hustling. \u00a0Singles such as \u201cAint No N*gga,\u201d \u00a0\u201cCan\u2019t Knock the Hustle,\u201d and \u201cFellin\u2019 It\u201d remain go-tos in JAY-Z\u2019s canon.<\/p>\n
De La Soul \u2013 Stakes Is High (July 2, 1996)<\/p>\n
Hailed as one of the greatest groups in rap history, De La Soul didn\u2019t miss a step with Stakes Is High. On their first project with Prince Paul handling the production and frustrated by the era\u2019s rising commercialism, De La Soul used the album as a sharp-tongued defense of the culture that was ahead of its time.<\/p>\n
Nas \u2013 It Was Written (July 2, 1996)<\/p>\n
Following up a debut that is regarded as one of the best albums ever is no easy task, but Nas was up for the challenge with It Was Written. Seamlessly, \u00a0Nas transitioned from Queensbridge poet to commercial powerhouse as \u00a0\u201cNas Escobar\u201d with big hits like \u201cIf I Ruled the World\u201d and \u201cStreet Dreams. Nas showed that his legend was just beginning.<\/p>\n
UGK \u2013 Ridin\u2019 Dirty (July 30, 1996)<\/p>\n
Representing the Lone Star State, \u00a0UGK\u2019s Ridin\u2019 Dirty is a definitive masterpiece of Southern hip-hop that solidified Port Arthur, Texas duo Bun B and Pimp C as absolute legends of the genre. Built over Pimp C\u2019s soul-infused production that incorporated classic funk, gospel, and R&B, the album delivered standout tracks like \u201cOne Day\u201d as UGK was well on their way to legendary status.<\/p>\n
OutKast \u2013 ATLiens (August 27, 1996)<\/p>\n
OutKast\u2019s sophomore masterwork ATLiens permanently redefined Southern hip-hop, elevating Atlanta from a regional player to the genre\u2019s epicenter. Moving away from their player personas in Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Big Boi and Andr\u00e9 3000 embraced the culture on a space trip with tracks like \u201cElevators.\u201d Without question, ATLiens left an indelible mark on the rap game.<\/p>\n
The Roots \u2013 Illadelph Halflife (September 24, 1996)<\/p>\n
The Roots\u2019 third studio album, Illadelph Halflife, established them as a formidable, serious force in hip-hop. Instead of jazz-influenced jam sessions, The Roots came with a darker sound that critiqued the current state of hip-hop with timeless tracks like \u201cWhat They Do\u201d and \u201cClones.\u201d Illadelph Halflife was a watershed moment for 90s conscious rap.<\/p>\n
Ghostface Killah \u2013 Ironman (October 29, 1996)<\/p>\n
Ghostface Killah\u2019s solo debut, Ironman, is a soul-drenched masterpiece and one of the most emotive projects in the Wu-Tang Clan catalog. As RZA used soul samples and guest-starred Raekwon and Cappadonna, the album showed that Ghost was more than a sidekick on \u201cWildflower\u201d and f \u201cAll That I Got Is You. Iron Man solidified Ghostface as a one-of-a-kind MC.<\/p>\n
Makaveli (2Pac) \u2013 The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory (November 5, 1996)<\/p>\n
Released just two months after his murder, 2Pac\u2019s first posthumous work, The Don Killuminati: The 7 Day Theory was an instant game-changer. Using the alias Makaveli, the album is full of venom, rage, and vengeance. \u00a0Written and recorded in an astonishing total of seven days, the album captures Tupac at his most uncompromising on tracks like \u201cHail Mary\u201d and \u201cBomb First.\u201d<\/p>\n
Lil\u2019 Kim \u2013 Hard Core (November 12, 1996)<\/p>\n
Wielding unabashed sexuality, Lil Kim stormed onto the rap scene with her impeccable debut album, Hard Core. Kim shattered the mold for women in hip-hop, while becoming a powerhouse and a high-fashion icon. Executive produced by The Notorious B.I.G., the album featured chart-topping hits like \u201cNo Time,\u201d \u201cNot Tonight,\u201d and \u201cCrush on You,\u201d catapulting it to double platinum status.<\/p>\n
Foxy Brown- Ill Na Na (November 19, 1996)<\/p>\n
Foxy Brown\u2019s debut album Ill Na Na immediately established the 18-year-old Brooklyn prodigy as a dominant force in hip-hop. Featuring production from the Trackmasters and guest appearances by Blackstreet and Method Man, the project blended raw mafioso lyricism with unapologetic glamorous sensuality.<\/p>\n
Mobb Deep \u2013 Hell on Earth (November 19, 1996)<\/p>\n
The quintessential essence of New York hardcore hip-hop, Mobb Deep\u2019s Hell on Earth is a cold-blooded masterpiece of 1990s hardcore hip-hop. Havoc and Prodigy\u2019s organic chemistry gave the world some of the hardest raps and production of all time. Havoc\u2019s minor-key production and Prodigy\u2019s masterful storytelling were at their peak on \u201cDrop a Gem on \u2018Em\u201d and \u201cG.O.D. Pt. III.\u201d<\/p>\n
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