The House That Puffy Built: The Best From Bad Boy

What's up folks?!  I know I said that we had concluded the label salutes, but it had occurred to me that there was one last very prominent label I left off the list.  Towards it's downward slide, it became more known for R&B than hip-hop, but at its peak, it was every bit as strong as any other label around.  It produced an icon and generated many stars, and behind it all was an ambitious visionary from Harlem that still stands as one of the most powerful figures in music and entertainment.  Without further ado, let's get into the best to come from Bad Boy Entertainment.

15. Machine Gun Kelly- Lace Up

Straight outta Cleveland comes a young, brash, yet talented young caucasian emcee this side of Eminem.  Okay, maybe he's not quite that lyrically crazy, but make no mistake about it, he's dope, very dope.  His Bad Boy debut, Lace Up, was a promising debut that was filled with decent to dope cuts.  One of which became the theme to John Cena for his Wrestlemania match against The Rock at Wrestlemania 28, "Invincible".  His rapid-fire delivery and story-telling abilities were on display here and he represented.  Admirable effort by Cleveland's newest hitmaker.

14. Ma$e- Double Up

Harlem's own Mason Betha (OKA M-A-dollar sign-E) had delivered a commercial smash of a debut with Harlem World (see later), but the pressure was on to duplicate the success of his debut.  His answer was in the form of Double Up, which had much of the same elements that made Harlem World such a hit.  This was evidenced from the first single, "Get Ready", which featured Blackstreet crooning over an excellent Shalimar sample of "Night To Remember".  From there, cuts like the posse cut "From Scratch"(or as many would call it "24 Hours To Live Pt. 2"), "Blood Is Thicker", and the searing "Make Me Cry" showed that Mase's debut was no one-hit wonder.  

13. Craig Mack- Project: Funk Da World

Poor Craig Mack.  This Long Island representative was dope, and his debut was almost top to bottom excellent.  The majority of the debut, Project: Funk Da World, was handled by close Bad Boy affiliate Easy Mo Bee.  From his jump off debut single, the sizzling "Flava In Your Ear", we knew he was a dope cat.  On top of that, the classic remix featuring LL Cool J (in a show stealing verse), Busta Rhymes, Rampage, and label-mate Biggie Smalls was KILLING the airwaves.  Although damn near impossible to follow, he did it with bangers like "Get Down" and "Making' Moves With Puff".  This debut was sadly greatly overshadowed by Biggie's landmark debut (see later), thus he became lost in the shuffle.  

12. P. Diddy & The Bad Boy Family- The Saga Continues

In 2001, Diddy dropped his third album, The Saga Continues, which was his second group album after his fantastic debut, No Way Out (see later).  Although lacking some of the more epic cuts like his debut, this album still had hits a plenty.  Clearly, he had the formula for the radio, as cuts like "Bad Boy For Life" and "Let's Get It" stayed on the radio consistently.  Expanding his sound than on his prior two albums (the sophomore album Forever didn't fare as well critically), it was more hit than miss, and cuts like "Diddy", "Blast Off", and "If You Want This Money" were more than capable of holding down this overall great album.  Seen just as much as a compilation album, Diddy delivered the goods on this commercially accessible treat.

11. Eightball & MJG- Living Legends

A pioneering act from the South was Memphis' Eightball & MJG.  Known for southern staples like On Top Of The World and In Our Lifetime, they got down with Diddy's Bad Boy South brand, and their debut, Living Legends, continued to solidify their labels as two of the fathers of the southern sound.  This album was filled with anthems for both longtime fans and new fans alike.  Cuts like the riotous "Don't Want Drama", the anthemic "Don't Make Me", and the insane "We Do It" made this album among the best in their entire discography.  Living legends indeed.

10. G-Dep- Child Of The Ghetto

Harlem's G-Dep was known for his appearances on Diddy's aforementioned The Saga Continues album, and then came the sizzling "Special Delivery".  Just like that, anticipation grew for his debut, Child Of The Ghetto.  Raw and personal, this album had bits of definite promise.  Who could front on the incredible remake of Eric B. & Rakim's "Microphone Fiend" with "Doe Fiend" or the cut "Everyday"?  While not quite as commercially or critically accepted as others on this list, G-Dep had a debut that should still be mentioned as a considerable part of the label's success during that particular time period.

9. Notorious B.I.G.- Born Again

This album was met with a lot of mixed opinions, reviews, and viewpoints.  Released nearly three years after his death, the album served as a point of combining unreleased verses with current emcees at that time such as Nas, Snoop Dogg, Busta Rhymes, and Ice Cube.  Most cuts were fairly respectable and matched his intensity and exceptional talent.  Case in point: the insane first single, the Eminem-annihilated "Dead Wrong".  Another case: the phenomenal "Come On Muthafuckas" with Sadat X.  This had a lot more hits than misses, but one could only wonder if any of the collaborations on the album would've taken off the ground had he been alive to be apart of the project.  In any case, Biggie was overall represented very well, and this was the last excellent posthumous album with Biggie's name on it.

8. Ma$e- Harlem World

Bad Boy's golden boy around '98 was Harlem's Mason Betha, also known as Ma$e.  Previously known as Murda Made when he was in a crew known as Children Of The Corn (which featured Herb McGruff, Cam'ron, Big L, and Bloodshed), he abandoned his hood cat appeal for a more commercially acceptable sound, which included flashy suits, money talk, and chasing hos.  First appearing on his classic track with Diddy "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", the buzz was high for his debut, and it did reach every level of expectation.  Like it or not, this album had hits, a lot of them.  While many hardcore backpackers frown upon such cuts as his first single "Feel So Good" and the 112-assisted "Jealous Guy", there were also cuts like "Wanna Hurt Ma$e", "Niggas Wanna Act", and the dramatic "24 Hours To Live" featuring The Lox and DMX that also turned heads.  This was commercially a certified hit, as it sold upwards of four million units, which made it one of the most successful debuts of that time period, and Bad Boy officially crowned their new star post-Biggie.

7. The Lox- Money, Power, & Respect

From Yonkers, NY came three young, hungry grimy kids named Jadakiss, Sheek Louch, and Styles P named The Warlox.  After getting up with Diddy, they became The Lox, and they first got their shine on the touching Biggie dedication, "We'll Always Love Big Poppa" and the mega smash "All About The Benjamins" with Diddy and Lil' Kim.  Along with another collaboration cut with Jenifer Lopez, the hype was very much building for their debut, Money, Power, & Respect.  Out the gate, they hit us with the catchy "If You Think I'm Jiggy", but followed that up with the now classic title track with Kim and DMX that made this album official.  There were definitely bangers on here such as "The Heist", "Everybody Wanna Rat", and the sick Swizz Beats-crafted "All For The Love" that satisfied street heads, and overall it was a definite listening experience.  Although they went all the way back to their gritty origins once they went to Ruff Ryders with their epic sophomore album, We Are The Streets, we did get a taste of their trio power.  They unquestionably put the game on notice that they were here.  This platinum debut showed people Bad Boy was handling things.

6. Black Rob- The Black Rob Report

How do you follow up a huge debut success like Life Story?  Well, Black Rob attempted to do so with his highly anticipated sophomore album, The Black Rob Report.  Although not as big as his debut, this was formidable in its own right.  Arguably the most slept-on album to get released from the label that was simply dope, this album had knockers like "Star In The Hood", "You Know Who Killed Him", and "Fire In The Hole" that maintained the street appeal Bad Boy was needing at that time, as The Lox left the label, G-Dep was quiet, and Shyne was incarcerated.  Perhaps the last true rugged release from the label, Black Rob presented a very decent follow up to his incredible debut and needs to be in the conversation of best albums of '05.

5. Shyne- Shyne

Was there a more controversial star in the rap game in 2000 than this enigmatic cat than this Belize born Brooklynite named Shyne?  Obviously, once you heard this cat, the resemblance to Biggie in his voice and rhyme style is beyond scary.  Most thought they were hearing Biggie resurrected, but it was really Jamal Burroughs.  While not as lyrically blistering as the late icon, we couldn't get past his voice.  Not to mention, his tales of drugs, crime, and intriguing story-telling abilities were similar as well.  We automatically deemed him a fraud from Diddy, but once his debut single "Bad Boyz" hit the streets, we stopped caring about that, as the cut was bananas.  He followed it up with the equally captivating "Bonnie & Shyne", and we knew his debut self-titled album was a monster.  Unfortunately, he was incarcerated during the release of his album due to the whole incident at the nightclub that Diddy was accused of assault with his then girlfriend, Jenifer Lopez.  Many deem this is as the best solo debut on that label since Biggie's Ready To Die and it's not hard to see why.  Other cuts like "The Hit" and "The Life" solidified that the streets were with Shyne and his fantastic debut album.

4. Puff Daddy & The Family- No Way Out

Reeling from the death of his signature artist, and close friend, Biggie Smalls, the artist then-known as Puff Daddy wanted to release an album with his Bad Boy family, primarily The Lox, Ma$e, and Black Rob, called No Way Out.  Say what you will about the fact that he introduced a new era that was highly commercialized and filled with designer clothes, expensive champagne, and the like, this debut album is considered a classic in many circles.  While the radio and dance floors were highly familiar with cuts like "Can't Nobody Hold Me Down", "All About The Benjamins", and "Been Around The World", there were also epic cuts on there such as the Black Rob-solo cut "I Love You Baby", "Pain", and "Young G's".  Not to mention, the album had one of the most incredible openers with the fabulously dramatic Rocky-sampled "Victory" with an animated Busta Rhymes on the hook and a blistering posthumous Biggie verse.  This album was Diddy as his highest and stands as his best album to date.

3. Black Rob- Life Story

Straight from Brooklyn came a gritty cat named Robert Ross, aka Black Rob.  Shining on cuts with Faith Evans, Total, and his memorable performances on the aforementioned No Way Out, it was time for BR to drop his highly anticipated debut, Life Story.  He blessed us with his anthemic single, "Whoa", that spread like wildfire, but that was far from it as far as infectious cuts from the album.  While previously heard cuts like the fantastic and cinematic "I Love You Baby" and "I Dare You" from the Slam soundtrack are featured, new cuts like the sultry "Spanish Fly", the cautionary "You Don't Know Me", "PD World Tour", and "Jasmine" complete this amazing debut.  One could argue that this debut could fall in line with classic debuts during this time such as Beanie Sigel's The Truth, C-N-N's War Report and DMX's It's Dark & Hell Is Hot that made substantial impacts on the game as a whole.  The production was unbelievable, and his penchant for telling gripping narratives was highly commendable, plus who could front on his rendition of Slick Rick's "Children Story" with "Thug Story"?  This album showed that Bad Boy had it's new gritty street star that would've made Biggie proud.

2. Notorious B.I.G.- Life After Death

The great Biggie Smalls.  After delivering one of the stellar debuts of all-time with Ready To Die, heads worldwide were ready for the follow-up album, Life After Death.  Unfortunately, we all know how events would play out, as he would never live to see the fruits of his incredible labor work.  This album solidified Biggie as a hip-hop martyr, dying just trying to bring peace to an ugly hip-hop world.  While the album isn't all the way dark with cuts like the extremely haunting "You're Nobody (Till Somebody Kills You)", "My Downfall", and "Somebody Gotta Die".  There are also highly infectious cuts like "Mo Money, Mo Problems", "Hypnotize", and "The World Is Filled" that will put asses on the floor quickly.  That's what Biggie specialized in better than practically anyone.  The ability to keep it gutter and sinister for the streets but can also bring the ladies to the floor and have them get down and sweat to his cuts as well.  One of the most renowned double albums in hip-hop history, this album sold upwards of ten million units and immortalized Christopher Wallace as an icon.

1. Notorious B.I.G.- Ready To Die

In the summer of '94, the world was introduced to a young man named Christopher Wallace, a big six-foot plus, three hundred pound emcee who's tone and delivery were simply vicious.  This young Brooklynite was making rounds for his now legendary freestyle on the corner by his Bedstuy residence.  Before long, he was on cuts by Mary J. Blige and Super Cat, paving the way for his debut, Ready To Die.  Capped off with his anthemic rags-to-riches ode "Juicy", the album dropped, and to say we were floored was an understatement.  The streets were still reeling from the release earlier that year of Illmatic, and then we were hit with this almost as equal monster debut.  From the onset, the album started out bloody and brutal with cuts like "Machine Gun Funk" and "Gimme The Loot".  However, it was his smoother than butter second single "Big Poppa" that made the ladies fall for him, along with his third single, the remix for "One More Chance", which featured Mary J. Blige and a then relatively unknown Faith Evans that made the album sell upwards of four million units.  With other blazing cuts like the Premo-classic "Unbelievable", the tragic "Me & My Bitch", and the surreal closer "Suicidal Thoughts" (considered one of hip-hop's darkest moments on wax), a new star had emerged from Brooklyn, and remains as one of the game's landmark albums.  Along with Illmatic, the game would never be the same in the year of '94.

As you can see, Bad Boy had superb releases and at its highest point, it was every bit as potent as rival labels like Deathrow, Roc-A-Fella, and Ruff Ryders.  While their R&B roster such as Faith, Carl Thomas, Total, and 112 eventually outdid their fledging hip-hop roster, as emcees were dead, in jail, or just left for greener pastures, the hip-hop that did get released was some of the most important and crucial music to get released during that era, and some remain so to this day.  Sean "P-Diddy" Combs was a visionary, and love him or hate him, he founded a label that was just as critical in the success of  hip-hop as anyone.  Salutes to Bad Boy.  Until next time!

  

NetFlix & Hip-Hop

What's the word folks!  Hope everyone has had a great weekend and is ready to conquer a new week. I've been getting lots of love about my label salutes, and I promise there's one very credible and substantial label I left off that I'll mention and shoutout this week, but for right now, I'm diving into something that is all about hip-hop, but it involves the nation's most popular streaming tv/video service.

Speaking of conquering, how about the Netflix premier of Marvel's Luke Cage?  How impressive was that series?  It definitely met and surpassed expectations going into it, and all involved should pat themselves on the back for an amazing job.  While we all were floored by the storytelling aspect of Luke Cage and his struggles with Cottonmouth, Diamondback, the police, Moriah, and others, this series was undeniable and emphatically hip-hop.  Yes, we all noticed that we have a big, menacing-looking Black dude who donned a hoodie and had the abilities of quick healing, supernatural strength, and had impenetrable akin, but the score was ridiculous.  It was produced by vanguard producer Adrien Younge (responsible for Ghostface Killah's Twelve Reasons To Die and its sequel, plus member of PRhyme with DJ Premier and Royce Da 5'9") and legendary producer Ali Shaheed Muhammed of A Tribe Called Quest fame.  The score was mostly very vintage- seventies soul sounding, but sometimes you would catch some Gangstarr and other blistering hip-hop within the series.  Hell, even the titles of each episode were Gangstarr song titles ("Just To Get A Rep", "Suckas Need Bodyguards", "You Know My Steez", etc.)  No wonder this reached all spans of Blacks, from the hip-hop heavy to the conscious.  However, this is not the only hip-hop flavored movie or documentary on the Flix.

A few months ago, Netflix presented The Breaks, A Nas-executive produced series that chronicled a young teen and his friends from the Bronx trying to come up and establish themselves within a fresh new genre of music called rap in the late seventies.  This series is without question an intriguing series in that we see the formation of hip-hop told in fiction story.  It had all the elements: rapping, partying, graffiti, and b-boying.  In fact, Mamoudou Athie played the iconic Grandmaster Flash, in which the kids of Ezekiel, Boo Boo, Ra-Ra, and Shaolin Fantastic are mentored under.  In fact, pioneers DJ Malibu and Kool Herc are represented in the series as well in a couple of episodes.  This is a series for the tried and true hip-hop lover, especially the ol' school heads, but it's also for the younger generation to see how hip-hop culture was established through the eyes of a fictional character.

Let's not forget about a couple of documentaries.  The first is the stellar look at underground hip-hop label, Stones Throw Records.  Entitled My Vinyl Weighs A Ton, this documentary highlights founder and creator Peanut Butter Wolf, and the vision he and his late partner in crime, Charizma, had for the label, especially in terms of authenticity and the notion of not changing an artist's creativity.  With interviews from the likes of heavyweights such as Kanye, Quest-Love, Common, and Taleb Kweli, the documentary highlights talent such as Madlib, MF Doom, Lootpack, and Mayer Hawthorne.  The segment dealing with J Dilla's passing is especially gripping.  For the underground enthusiast, this documentary is essential viewing and makes you salute more labels like Stones Throw.

Another documentary that is more accessible is The Art Of Noise, which is a look at the rise and fall of seminal Southern production group, Organized Noize.  Responsible for a breakthrough sound in the South, the production group known for bringing us Outkast and Goodie Mob documents their history from crafting music in high school to signing a multi-million dollar deal with Interscope, this is a vivid look into a time where the South were underdogs and came through to become the champions of hip-hop as it stands today (like it or not folks).

Also, don't sleep on a documentary called Fresh Dressed, which documents the rise in hip-hop fashion.  Giving props to the likes of fashion icon Dapper Dan to other designers such as the guys from Fubu, as well as Puffy Combs with Sean John and even the ones behind Cross Colors, this shows the evolution of where hip-hop fashion came from and how it eventually took over the world.  Let's not forget about the unapologetically hip-hop Dope, which had cameos galore from the likes of A$AP Rocky, Vince Staples, Casey Veggies, and Tyga in an extremely entertaining coming-of-age flick.

As you can see, there are several hip-hop series, movies, and documentaries that show the force of hip-hop in mainstream media, as if anyone needed any reminders.  Of course there are others we've seen including standup comedies from Katt Williams and Cedric The Entertainer, as well as a documentary of Jay-Z, Netflix has a lot of relevant hip-hop movies and documentaries to cater from the casual to the aficionado to the seasoned head.  While we wait for Time Is Illmatic and Beats, Rhymes, and Life (the Tribe Called Quest documentary), one can only imagine what other hip-hop centered pieces will get featured on Netflix, especially original productions.  Most are very informative while producing the ability to entertain, which is what movies and docs are supposed to do.  With these documentaries and series, they do their jobs well and then some.  Have fun checking out these and other titles that I may not have mentioned here.  Until next time, take it easy!

Legacy Of An Icon: Twenty Years Since The Passing Of Tupac

What's going on folks?!  Glad to have you back with me one more time.  Forgive me for my inconsistencies, as real life tends to take up more of my time these days.  However, today is an especially poignant day in hip-hop.  Twenty years ago today, we lost a genius.  A prophet. An icon.  Tupac Amaru Shakur was gunned down on September 6th in Las Vegas after a fight at the MGM, and finally was pronounced dead seven days later on the 13th, a Friday much less.  I can remember that day all too well.  I was a high school sophomore, and it was high school football going on that night.  I was supposed to be in attendance for a game, but I was slightly under the weather so I decided to stay home and listen to the radio.  All throughout the evening, there were news reports saying he was in grave condition, as doctors had removed a lung and other disturbing details looking less likely of survival.  Suddenly, it was just past eight o' clock and the music was interrupted by the announcement of 2Pac officially being declared dead.  The DJ was obviously saddened and shaken up, and within no time, my phone was ringing.  Friends of mine were either in a state of shock or were literally crying like they lost their homeboy.  I, too, was greatly impacted by his death, as I was greatly in shock.  Tears came to my eyes before too long, as I was a fan of his.  Even though I wasn't a fan of how he was acting during his beef with Biggie during this time, and how he was going after so many people unnecessarily like De La Soul, Nas, Jay, and others.  Nonetheless, he was a powerful figure within the game and he was the creator of timeless cuts.  I remember the radio station playing the statement and press release from the hospital from the chief surgeon confirming his death.  Quickly, the station started playing "If My Homie Calls", and it became an all evening ode to, now, the late 2Pac.  Just the sound of "the late" Tupac Shakur was almost nauseating. Then, MTV aired two days later "I Ain't Mad At Cha", which had tears falling from my eyes as I watched it.  The video was the most surreal thing I had ever seen up to that point, as the video had him murdered and in Heaven with greats like Redd Foxx and Nat King Cole. Calls kept coming in.  Again, a few in shock, others actually had cracked voices.  It dawned on me that Pac had a deeply impactful presence within peoples lives, as many young men especially felt that Pac spoke for them.

All weekend there were tributes to Pac, on BET and MTV, plus hip-hop radio stations were playing non-stop Pac.  It became all so surreal.  I could not believe that this man was gone.  At first, my natural instinct was that he would pull through.  Most of us were familiar with the shooting in a Manhattan recording studio literally just before he was to get sentenced for sexual assault.  He took numerous bullets in that robbery, but survived.  We just knew he would pull through this time as well.  Unfortunately this was not the case.  I started playing every Pac album I had, which was every album he had put out, as well soundtracks he had appeared on like Above The Rim and The Show (his cut "My Block" remains one of single all-time favorite cuts from him to this day).  The more the tributes and solemn commentary was being seen and heard, the more overwhelming it was starting to be for me.  In school, of course I was the hip-hop guy, even more so I was one of only a couple dozen Black kids that attended this school so I was asked all day Monday how I was feeling and "Did I hear that Tupac died", like I seriously didn't know that hip-hop's most impactful star hadn't just gotten murdered.

I remember the Rap City that aired that afternoon, and as you would imagine, it was very melancholy and somber.  It was two hours of Pac videos and interviews.  This basically became the remainder of the week.  In February of '97, Biggie's interview with Rap City was aired, in which he stated how shocked he was that Pac had died and in spite of their beef, he never wished death upon him.  Ironically, his death came a month later.  I remember that once the hoopla surrounding Pac's death slowly started to fade, most of my people were ready for the new Biggie album, Life After Death, and I'm thinking to myself, "That didn't take long at all did it?"  However, the hood started getting all these Makaveli bootleg tapes.  Keep in mind, his Makaveli album, Don Kiluminati: The 7 Day Theory, had just been released and it was his most aggressive and forward album within his discography, and still remains that to this day.  The album was recorded in seven days and I was thinking that no album this good was recorded in seven days.  I remember the Makaveli tapes were huge in the hood because all the cuts were unreleased cuts and of course overtime you have something nobody else has musically, you think you're the man.  I ended up owning Makaveli's one through six, plus I believe I owned nine and ten.  I've been told there were up to twenty but that's unconfirmed.  Of course as time went along, I would hear most or all of these cuts on later releases such as R U Still Down? Remember Me, his album with Tha Outlawz, Still I Rise, and the Gang Related soundtrack.

In the years since his death, we've heard so many people influenced by his music and his words.  Artists like The Game and Kendrick Lamar have openly stated on many occasions that Pac was the greatest that ever lived in their opinions.  In fact, Kendrick's masterwork of an album, To Pimp A Butterfly, was a highly vivid conceptual album that ended with him reciting a poem to 2Pac and having an "interview" with him, only for him to find out he was dreaming.  In fact, the original title of the album was Tu Pimp A Caterpillar (Tu.P.A.C.)  How crazy would that have been?  Also, many people have dedicated cuts to him such as the aforementioned Game, Nas, Scarface, Master P, and many others.  However, in this current era, a lot of the younger artists seemingly disrespect his legacy like Kodak Black, saying he's better than Pac or Biggie.  There are also some that never even listened to his music, nor do they care to.  Thus, this is one of many reasons why there's such a gap between eras and generations in hip-hop today: disrespect to the era before them.  If one wants to be considered great, one must study the greats.  That doesn't exist anymore but you can peep my blog piece that explains the generational gap.

Tupac is often considered the greatest of all-time by many, just in terms of influence and impact alone.  Poetic and prophetic, Shakur was as passionate about the Black community as one could be.  While often times contradicted, as it showed on cuts like "Brenda's Got A Baby" and "Keep Ya Head Up" and would get followed up by "Hit 'Em Up" and "I Get Around", he LOVED the children, as he often never considered himself a role model, but would often let kids know how to act and how not to act.  Go to school.  Change the system.  Be an individual.  Stand up for injustice.  Arguably the most polarizing figure hip-hop has ever known, one thing is for certain, Shakur is missed, whether passively or passionately. In hip-hop, he was our Michael, Whitney, and Prince.  An icon.  A game changer.  A Revolutionary. One has to wonder in terms of music, is he sleeping comfortably or is he constantly rolling over?  That's probably a subjective question, but it's a valid and important one.  Long live the great Tupac Amaru Shakur, as now his mother has joined him in the gates of Heaven.  We will always remember Mr. Shakur.

A Legacy Unparalleled: The Best Albums From Def Jam

What's going on folks?!  I've really enjoyed doing these label salutes highlighting some of the best and influential hip-hop labels ever.  We've covered labels such as Roc-A-Fella, Ruff Ryders, Aftermath, and Deathrow.  All these labels plus others have definitely impacted the game in  major ways, and in some cases historic ways.  However, there would be no major hip-hop label (post-Sugar Hill Records) without the vision of Russell Simmons and a young Jewish NY college student named Rick Rubin.  Together, they created, what would be, the most impactful and celebrated label in the history of hip-hop.  With that being said, let's highlight the best projects to emerge from this label from over the years.

30. Kanye West- My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy

Kanye West is an anomaly, a cleverly orchestrated genius to some.  To others, he's halfway indecipherable and walking the lines of needing some help.  Whatever your stance is on Mr. West, one thing you must say about him is he's the epitome of the word 'star'.  After delivering one of the classic debuts of our times with The College Dropout (see later), he conintued with exceptional releases like Late Registration, Graduation, and his most recent The Life Of Pablo.  After dropping the depressing 808s & Heartbreaks,he dropped out of sight for a minute, he returned with an album that's widely considered nothing short of a masterpiece.  With My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy, this celebrates his star status and enjoying the fame, while also tackling his desire to help change humanity and pointing out stress points through music.  Incredibly lush and dramatic production throughout the album and impactful arrangements, this album has been considered his magnum opus, which considering Dropout and Registration is not an easy task.

29. Jay-Z- The Black Album

For the majority of the Def Jam era, in it's prime, there were two rulers: LL and Jay-Z.  We'll get more into LL later, but this is the first one a few incredible albums from Shawn Carter.  This album was billed as his retirement album, and was a concept bitten off his late friend Biggie to have ten tracks with different producers for each track.  Among the best albums within his catalogue, Jay blisters cuts such as "Lucifer", "Threat", and more radio-happy cuts like "Change Clothes".  Many out this album up with most noted albums, The Blueprint (see later) and his magnum opus Reasonable Doubt.  After peeping this, it's not hard to see why.

28. The Roots- How I Got Over

When it was announced that the legendary Roots crew was coming to Def Jam thanks to then-label president Jay-Z, heads were slightly worried that The Roots would adapt a more commercial sound for radio accessibility.  Fortunately this was far from the case, in fact they remained incredibly consistent.  While their albums of Game Theory, Rising Down, and Undun were certainly outstanding albums within their discography under Def Jam, none were more heavy and more brooding than the exquisite How I Got Over.  Widely considered as their best overall work since Things Fall Apart, this album beautifully covered the despair and depressive state of the working class in today's times.  Not a single flaw on this release, if you didn't believe they were legendary before, best believe after peeping this, you're definitely a believer.

27. Redman- Muddy Waters

After overcoming his dark days with Dare Iz A Darkside, Redman reemerged with perhaps his most complete work to date, his third effort, Muddy Waters.  Heralded now as a classic, this album showed a more confident and shoulder-chipped emcee with no more time to play around, and boy did he deliver.  So many inescapable hits on this album like "Rock Da Spot" or the insane duet with one-time brother-in-arms K-Solo "It's Like Dat" make this album a constant rotator, plus with excellent production from Erick Sermon and Rockwilder, this album became the most defining album of his career from a critical standpoint.

26. MC Serch- Return Of The Product

All hail MC Serch.  The emcee responsible for discovering a certain young nasty emcee from Queensbridge was also a decent emcee on the mic.  As one half of 3rd Bass, along with Prime Minister Pete Nice, Serch was that white boy that BLED hip-hop and everything within it.  This solo debut from Serch was a knocker and was one of the most slept-on solo debuts of its time period, although heads that really were checking for him knew he had quite a dope one on his hands.  Don't believe me, peep cuts like "Social Narcotics" and the Nas-assisted "Back To The Grill".  Enough said.

25. Ghostface Killah- Fishscale

The most prolific members of the mighty legendary Wu-Tang Clan is Mr. Tony Starks himself, Ghostface Killah.  When he left Epic Records to head to Def Jam, the fear was much like other artists such as The Roots and Nas, in which the switch would compromise the "Ghost" sound we were accustomed to on such amazing albums such as his thrilling debut Ironman and his stunning classic Supreme Clientele.  Not the case whatsoever.  In fact, his material went right in line with he rest and in some cases even improved.  His most acclaimed Def Jam album was Fishscale, a twenty-four track (including skits) headcaracker that was noticeably RZA-less in terms of production.  Did it need it? Nah.  Beatsmiths like Pete Rock, MF Doom, and the late Dilla more than made up for it, and this immediately got the term 'classic' based upon how lyrically sharp GFK was and how the production sounded like vintage Wu.  The master criminal storyteller, cuts like the INSANE Wu-collab track "9 Milli Brothers", "Jelly fish", and "Dogs Of War" blended perfectly with other soulful cuts like "Big Girl" and the excellent "Whip ME With A Strap".  While people would automatically say Ironman or Supreme Clientele in terms of his best album, Fishscale needs to be next in line for that title.

24. Method Man & Redman- Blackout

If there was more fitting tag team in the early millennium and near the end of the nineties, it was Redman and Method Man.  Affectionately known as America's Most Blunted, these two had been collaborating since their anthemic "How High" single, as well as the cult classic movie of the same name.  Their long-awaited album finally hit and was definitely worth the wait.  There was hit after hit on this album, and it was hard to actually state what the best cut on this album was, which is always a good thing.  Over some of the knocking Erick Sermon and Rockwilder production heard in the game, Blackout was an instant favorite, and still stands as a benchmark for both men and their respective careers.

23. Nas- Life Is Good

One of the true greats within all of hip-hop is Nasir Jones.  Many actually consider him as the G.O.A.T., which is a valid argument as well.  When he buried the hatchet with Jay-Z after their game-changing beef on wax, Nas joined Def Jam and his results haven't been too bad.  His Def Jam debut, the much controversially titled Hip-Hop Is Dead, was a decent debut that was met with lots of acclaim.  Later releases like Untitled (see later) and his breathtaking collab album with Damien Marley, Distant Relatives, solidified that he belonged in the iconic Def Jam family.  As incredible as these albums were, it was Life Is Good that was a complete package for him.  More of a celebratory album than Hip-Hop Is Dead and Untitled, he affirmed that he had returned and stands as one of his best efforts.  With cuts like "A Queens Story", the BANGIN' "The Don", and the beyond wonderful collaboration with the late, great Amy Whinehouse, Life Is Good isn't just good, it's absolutely great.

22. 3rd Bass- Derelicts Of Dialect

Prime Minister Pete Nice, Richie Rich, and MC Serch had tasted acclaim and success with their ambitious debut, The Cactus Album (see later).  These cats has sparked a buzz in the game with fairly hard-hitting, speaker-shortening beats from the likes of The Bomb Squad, and definitely earned a formidable place in the game.  As is the case with basically every follow-up album that was preceded by a very nuts album, 3rd Bass brought forth the sophomore album, Derelicts Of Dialect.  It was a test to meet the expectations of their first album, but they absolutely did it.  The album was notable for the fairly huge hit "Pop Goes The Weasel", which had a hilarious video dissing Vanilla Ice and showed him getting his ass kicked.  This was far from the only bit of niceness on this album, as other cuts like "No Master Plan, No Master Race", the Nice & Smooth-assisted "Microphone Techniques", and the attention-grabbing "Green Eggs and Swine" made this album a must have, albeit it stands as one of Def Jam's most under appreciated albums to date.

21. Nas- Untitled

If there was a more socially conscious album that Nasir Jones has delivered to our ears, I would like for you folks to point it out to me.  Originally titled Nigger, the pressures of retail made him succumb to their demand, and instead just left it without a title.  However, one still can't front on the awesome album cover.  Highly emphasizing the pride and struggles of the Black community in a "bigger than hip-hop" way, this is a damn impressive look at our history and our future.  He rips up the controversial Fox News Network on "Sly Fox", highlights stereotypes within the Black community involving nutrition or lack thereof with "Fried Chicken", and celebrates the empowerment of the notorious N-word on "Y'all My Niggas".  This is part tough love, part celebration, part education.  In other words, another Nas victory.

20. EPMD- Business As Usual

Long Island's illest duo came ready for war with their Def Jam debut (third overall), Business As Usual.  Following up two classics like Strictly Business and Unfinished Business isn't easy, but they did a very vaialnt job with this one. Yes you'll notice (for those late cats) there are quite a few cuts that have been sampled from this album for later hip-hop anthems such as "How Mane Emcees" and "Daytona 500", which shows the craziness of the production from this album. Who can front on the neck snapping effects of cuts like "Rap Is Outta Control", "Give The People", the superb LL Cool J-assisted "Rampage", and the ode to the thirsty women of the land "Gold Diggers"?  This was another smack to the head of all so-called nice duos in hip-hop, and showed that they still reigned supreme.  Yes, this was also another Gold album for them as well.

19. Jay-Z- Vol.2...Hard Knock Life

Jay's official Def Jam debut was the half decent In My Lifetime Vol. 1, which was a blatant attempt at radio accessibility and crossover appeal.  It did just that, but heads in the street that were crowning him as NY's next legend with Reasonable Doubt wanted that kind of Jay as well.  The result was Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life, which mixed the best of Vol. 1 and Reasonable Doubt for outstanding results.  Basically every song was a hit, and about ninety percent was already played heavily across radio airwaves anyways.  From "Jigga What, Jigga Who" to "Can I Get A..." and "Money, Cash, Hoes", there was no escaping Jay, but other cuts like "A Week Ago" and "Ride Or Die" were just as hard-hitting.  Along with the fact that the album sold upwards of five million units, this album officially made Hovi Baby a star.

18. Method Man- Tical

In '94, besides Illmatic and Ready To Die, you tell me a better debut album.  Go ahead, I'll wait.  The Wu's original solo star delivered his dark, blunted out album Tical to high acclaim.  Capitalizing off the game changing momentum of his Wu brothers, his brothers incorporated much of the same elements that made Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) such an iconic record.  While we're all familiar with his Grammy-winning collaboration with Mary J. Blige on "All I Need" (unfortunately that version is not on the album, but the original isn't anything to sneeze at whatsoever) and his other singles of "Release Yo' Delf" and the searing "Bring The Pain", there were several other notable cuts like the lyrical sparring between he and Wu brother Raekwon "Meth vs. Chef" and "Biscuits".  This album stands as one of the Wu's most beloved treasures and will continue to do so for years to come.

17. DMX- It's Dark & Hell Is Hot

Speaking of impactful debuts, a certain Yonkers, NY emcee struck hip-hop with the appetite of ten thousand pit bulls.  Earl Simmons, otherwise known as DMX, knocked the game on its ass with his much heralded debut, It's Dark & Hell Is Hot.  In that particular era of shiny suits and materialism, X brought forth a grittier, ugly sound to show that shit still ain't sweet out here.  Often times riot-inducing, It's Dark...stands as X's most acclaimed album and with anthems like "Ruff Ryders Anthem", "Stop Being Greedy", and "Get At Me Dog", this album established a star in X, and the game wouldn't be the same afterwards.

16. Redman- Whut? Thee Album

Let's continue with momentous debuts and highlight the debut album from Brick City's finest.  A young emcee named Reggie Noble, otherwise known as Redman, brought a distinctive sound and rhyme formula with him that was animated, gritty, blunted, and witty.  First heard on EPMD's aforementioned Business As Usual, he dropped his debut, Whut? Thee Album to high acclaim and definite praise.  Combining elements of funk, reggae, and hardcore, Redman came for cats' throats with cuts like "Time 4 Sum Akshion", "Mid Blown", and "Redman Meets Reggie Noble".  Essentially more light hearted than his follow-up effort, the aforementioned Dare Iz A Darkside, this is still gutter enough to wile out to, while cool enough to know that this cat's hilarious and bugged out.  Regardless, this was the entertaining start of a great career and a very respectable legacy.

15. Scarface- The Fix

When you mention southern hip-hop, there's one name that will immediately come to mind in terms of true king status, and that's the legendary Scarface.  Considered one of the most influential and compelling storytellers of any generation, Face commands respect from all walks of hip-hop.  In '02, he started Def Jam South, which would feature more southern artists for the Def Jam empire.  His debut artist was Ludacris and we all know how much his career took off.  However, Face dropped his Def Jam South debut, The Fix, which was more of a spiritual coming of age for the great emcee.  Although still containing street parables and cautionary tales, he also balanced them out with highly introspective cuts like "Heaven" and "Someday" that showed the growth of the emcee known for classics like "Hand Of The Dead Body", "Mind Of A Lunatic", and "I Seen A Man Die".  Rightfully given a five-mic rating by a then-credible Source magazine, this album is a treasure for all Face fans, both casual and hardcore.

14. EPMD- Business Never Personal

In '92, EPMD were on a roll.  They had two of the strongest back-to-back albums in all of hip-hop with Strictly Business and Unfinished Business, but also had a formidable follow-up with the aforementioned Business As Usual.  They continued their strong momentum with their fourth effort, Business Never Personal.  More aggressive and rugged than albums in the past, this was also the last album from them for five years due to the much publicized beef between the two emcees.  Before the break up and beef, this album was a hard-hitter, with incredible cuts like the anti-commercial rap ode "Crossover", the rather dope "Chill", and especially the classic posse cut with K-Solo and Redman "Headbanger".  Some have even stated that this is the best album they've ever put out.  Regardless of where this ranks on your best-of-EPMD list, this album is sincere and solidified them as one of the most influential duos in history.

13. Warren G- Regulate...G Funk Era

Straight outta LBC comes a young emcee/DJ/producer named Warren Griffin, affectionately and professionally known as Warren G.  Coming up with close friends Snoop and the late Nate Dogg, he was also the stepbrother of the iconic Dr. Dre.  Originally getting reportedly rejected by Deathrow Records, he snagged a Def Jam contract to release his debut album, Regulate...G Funk Era.  Establisher and co-creator of the "G funk sound", his sound was way more mellow and laid-back than the hard-hitting funk of his stepbrother.  In fact, his sound is very reminiscent of fellow west coast legend, DJ Quik.  Already widely known for his classic single with Nate "Regulate", he continued his momentum with the HOT coming of age single, the Grammy-nominated "This DJ", as well as other cuts like "And Ya Don't Stop", "Recognize" and "Do You See".  This was heavily considered a wet coast classic, and for good reason.  Unfortunately he was never able to duplicate the triple platinum success of this album, but in spite of this fact, this remains one of the west's best debut albums, and the world officially knew that Warren was no longer under his friends' shadow.

12. Beanie Sigel- The Truth

During the late nineties/early millennium, the Roc was arguably the strongest label family in the game.  There was truthfully no stopping Jay and company.  There was one cat outta Philly that had the entire rap world heavily buzzing.  This cat's name was Beanie Sigel.  After appearing on cuts by Jay and Memph Bleek, the anticipation was strong for Beans, and the result was one of the grittiest debuts ever recorded in The Truth.  Regarded as the best Roc-A-Fella album not done by Jay-Z, this was as raw and unfiltered as any album you'll hear to this day.  While his thunderous debut single, named after his album, is still considered one of his premier singles, others packed a wallop like the video-game sampled "Mac Man", the cautionary "Stop, Chill", and the album's climax, the brilliant "Whatcha Life Like".  During this time period, there wasn't a more brutal and honest debut anywhere, and belongs up there with such classic albums as The Infamous, Illmatic, Mr. Scarface Is Back, and his mentor's Reasonable Doubt.

11. Kanye West- The College Dropout

Every so often, an album comes out that rearranges the structure of the game as we know it.  A landmark release if you will.  Albums like Illmatic, Madvillainy, The Low End Theory, and Aquemini come to mind.  In '05, Roc-A-Fella producer turned emcee Kanye West delivered what is still considered one of the game's most golden releases, The College Dropout.  Based around the concept of finding yourself in life and establishing your coming of age story, Kanye excellently handled subjects such as religion, school, struggle, near-death experiences, and the quest for stardom.  Tracks like "Jesus Walks", "Two Words", "Through The Wire", and "All Falls Down" were crafted in genius-like fashion, yet was relatable to club hoppers, church goers, and backpackers alike.  The production introduced a new level of soul sampling not quite heard before and as a result, he sold upwards of three million units and won him some Grammy Awards.  Needless to say, this was the start of an iconic career.

10. LL Cool J- Mama Said Knock You Out

After a less-than-stellar album called Walking With A Panther, LL Cool J started getting somewhat clowned for soft, bubble gum cuts that were missing the firepower cuts like "Radio", "I'm Bad", and "My Rhyme Ain't Done".  Not to mention, cats like Hammer and Ice-T were gunning for him lyrically.  All that ended abruptly with the release of his fourth album Mama Said Knock You Out.  If cuts like the answer dis to his haters, specifically the aforementioned and Kool Moe Dee, "To The Break Of Dawn", the KNOCKING "Boomin' System", and the overall dope "Around The Way Girl", it was the title track that showed LL still had it.  It didn't go anywhere, but James Todd Smith had to remind people just who he was.  The album, produced by legend Marley Marl, was a formidable return to greatness for Ladies Love Cool James, and became his biggest album to date.

9. Jay-Z- The Blueprint

If there was a pivotal moment in the discography of Hov, it would be this album.  Everyone was waiting on that album that would match the instant classic feel of Reasonable Doubt, and while albums like Vol. 2...Hard Knock Life, Vol. 3: Life & Times Of S. Carter, and The Dynasty: Roc La Familia were all notable albums, it as this album that filled in that gap.  His album, The Blueprint, had taken the formula of Vol. 2's radio smashes meets superb lyricism and occasional street delight to another level.  Of course the album was highlighted by one of the most venomous dis records ever recorded in "The Takeover", directed at Prodigy and Nas, but he had other smashed like "Girls, Girls', Girls" and "Heart Of The City" as well, in which with only twelve tracks, there was no room for error, and there wasn't.  This was his most complete album since Reasonable Doubt and should be rightfully regarded as one of hip-hop's greatest albums.

8. 3rd Bass- The Cactus Album

Straight from NYC came two emcees and one DJ and they called themselves 3rd Bass.  The emcees of MC Serch and Prime Minister Pete Nice were two white boys with chips on their shoulders.  Their debut, The Cactus Album, is often heralded as a forgotten about epic release that showed the skills of these young emcees.  Going after everyone from The Beastie Boys to MC Hammer and even X-Clan, these cats pulled no punches with cuts like "Sons Of 3rd Bass" (a pretty brutal dis cut to the Beasties) and "The Gas Face", which featured KMD- a crew that included a young MF Doom.  For the period this album was released in, this was a hell of an album and one that tends to be overlooked in terms of classic releases of the golden era.  Do yourself a favor: recognize one of the illest debuts one could ask for.

7. Public Enemy- Yo! Bulrush The Show

In '87, we were introduced to a group of highly charged activists that put their message of anti-establishment to wax in a way the music world would never recover from.  The group was Public Enemy, and the boys of Chuck D, Flavor Flav, and DJ Terminator X presented their volatile debut album, Yo! Bumrush The Show to high acclaim.  While not considered in the same class as Fear Of A Black Planet and definitely incomparable to the perhaps the most important hip-hop record of all time in It Takes A Nation Of Millions... (see both later), this was by no means a sleeper album, in fact cuts like "My Uzi Weighs A Ton", "Public Enemy No. 1" and "You're Gonna Get Yours" set the standard for what would be a fantastic album in its own right.  We had no idea what the hip-hop world was getting itself into from this album on.

6. Slick Rick- The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick

All hail the ruler!  That's what we still say to this day whenever MC Ricky D, otherwise Slick Rick, enters the stage.  Considered one of hip-hop's greatest storytellers, Slick Rick had lit the world on fire with his mega classic with Doug E. Fresh "The Show" and its b-side "Ladi Dadi".  You already know the stage was set for a masterful debut, and that it was. His debut, The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick, is as close to a perfect album as you'll get, and many would say it is subsequently that perfect hip-hop record.  His ability to narrate some of the most creative and innovative stories during the early stages of the golden age of hip-hop was something to behold.  Nothing but classics appeared on this seminal release, as cuts like "Children's Story" and "Hey Young World" laid the path for a Hall Of Fame legacy.  While his follow-up The Ruler's Back and his third effort The Art Of Storytelling were both very impressive albums (don't sleep on his Behind Bars album as well), he'll always be known for his game-changing debut, and hopefully that's just fine with him.

5. LL Cool J- Bigger & Deffer (BAD)

The king of Def Jam became a household name by the time '87 was here.  Establishing his spot in the game with his mighty debut, Radio (see later), he had to step it up one more level, and dude did he ever.  His sophomore effort, Bigger and Deffer, was even more focused, and even more fluid than his debut.  Not to mention there were anthems the entire album's worth.  This album had HARD cuts like the timeless "I'm Bad"and the lyrically hungry "The Breakthrough", but also contained the first commercially successful hip-hop ballad, the lovely "I Need Love".  James Todd Smith officially became the new jack in charge with this release.

4. Beastie Boys- Licensed To Ill

Three young Jewish kids from NYC came upon the scene with a partying-rock star-meets-hip-hop culture edge that got them a ton of notoriety.  In '86, Mike D, Ad-Rock, and the late MCA released Licensed To Ill, which contained anthems such as "Hold It Now, Hit IT", "Fight For Your Right To Party", and "Brass Monkey" anti became a staple during the early formative years of Def Jam.  It was clear these guys had talent, and while attempting to break down a wall that seemingly didn't want to own white people in hip-hop, with this album, the Beasties became very loved and was up there with Run-DMC as biggest group in hip-hop.  While many claim their follow-up, Paul's Boutique, as their far and away magnum opus, this was the album that started them on their way to immortal status, and we're very satisfied with it.

3. Public Enemy- Fear Of A Black Planet

How in God's name do you follow-up what many consider the greatest hip-hop album to ever exist that's not named Illmatic?  Public Enemy answered that in spades, capitalizing off the monstrous success and acclaim with It Takes A Nation Of Millions... with Fear of A Black Planet. Easily as well received as their prior album, this was every bit as afrocentric, anti-establishment, and aggressive, only with a slightly more accessible and commercial sound.  Also much like its predecessor, it became a platinum plus smash, and was in heavy and constant rotation with cuts like the comical Flavor Flav cut "Can't Do Nothin' For Ya" and the POWERFUL collab with Big Daddy Kane and Ice Cube, "Burn Hollywood Burn", which was one of PE's most controversial cuts from the album.  This album is heavy and is easily one of the single greatest hip-hop albums ever released.  PE was here to stay!

2. LL Cool J- Radio

This became the album that put Def Jam on the map.  A young Queens kid named James Todd Smith was rhyming in his grandmother's basement and the rest was history.  It was clear, with cuts like the title track, "I Need A Beat", and "Rock The Bells" that the Def Jam's first official star was here and with his boyish good looks and ferocious rhyme style, this was the future of hip-hop.  A landmark album to say the least, this album became the stamp the label needed to be officially recognized in the game, and his debut, Radio, became, other than Mama Said Knock You Out, his most noted album.

1. Public Enemy- It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back

The argument has been made over the years as to which album is legitimately the greatest hip-hop album to ever be released would be: Illmatic or this monumental album?  Public enemy's masterful second album, It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back, is to hip-hop what Metallica's self-titled "black album" is to rock/metal music: iconic.  They pumped the aggression and angst from Yo! Bumrush The Show and turned it up by a thousand.  This is anti-establishment at its best and threw a distinctive middle finger to all right wing conservatives, oppressive racists, and upper-class snobbish Black people who were ignorant or in denial of the plight within the Black community.  The pro-Black album ever recorded, this was THE game changer during the golden era.  With massive cuts like "Night Of The Living Bassheads", "Don't Believe The Hype", and "Black Steel In The Hour Of Chaos", this album hit like a sonic missile and it destroyed every hip-hop album in its path that was previously content with party records and records with no substance.  The most politically charged album ever made, it laid the groundwork for other important albums like Straight Outta Compton and Let's Get Free.  Never had one album inspired an entire movement for its day.  This was that album that was bigger than hip-hop culture.  This was an album for Black culture,period.  Chuck, Flav, and X had officially arrived.  Whatever your stance, the fact is that this is the most important and essential hip-hop album you'll ever need in your discography.  While Illmatic changed the way we saw hip-hop, It Takes A Nation Of Millions...changed the way we saw our community, or should I say woke us up even more.

Honorable Mentions

Kanye West- Late Registration

Kanye West- Graduation

Nice & Smooth- Ain't A Damn Thang Changed

Redman- Dare Iz A Darkside

Ludacris- Chicken & Beer

Ludacris- Word Of Mouf

Ghostface Killah- The Pretty Tony Story

The Roots- Game Theory

The Roots- Undun

The Roots- Rising Down

Various Artists- The Show OST

Onyx- Bacdafucup

Public Enemy- Apocalypse '91...The Enemy Strikes Back

Foxy Brown- Ill Na Na

Redman- Doc's Da Name 2000

Method Man- Tical 2000: Judgement Day

DMX- And Then There Was X

Jay-Z- Vol. 3: Life & Times Of S. Carter

Jay-Z- American Gangster

Slick Rick- The Art Of Storytelling

Young Jeezy- Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101

Big Boi- Sir Lucious Leftfoot: The Son OF Chico Dusty

Beanie Sigel- The Reason

Ludacris- Theater Of The Mind

Freeway- Philadelphia Freeway

Jay-Z & Kanye West- Watch The Throne

Big K.R.I.T.- Cadillactica

Big K.R.I.T.- Live From The Underground

Logic- Under Pressure

Vince Staples- Summertime '06

Nas & Damian Marley- Distant Relatives

As you can see there are tons of stellar and classic albums that Def Jam has produced.  No other label has done more for hp-hop than Def Jam and no other label has made more stars.  If it wasn't for Def Jam, none of these other labels that I've been giving props to would ever exist.  This is why Def Jam is the perfect label to close my label salutes on, and this was fun to do.  Stay tuned as I resume more lists and topics within the world of hip-hop.  Until next time, one love!