Listening to a lot of Nas’ Illmatic this past week I felt compelled to put together a list of the best hip-hop records of all time.

When I mean record, I mean a straight through classic, no filler, from the beginning to the end, not overblown with ‘skits,’ a classic record.

Here are the top ten hip-hop records compiled by Independent Media Magazine.

10. Eminem – Recovery: The seventh album from Marshall Mathers was the return record that Eminem wanted. While the whole world heard the songs “Love the Way You Lie,” “Not Afraid,” and “No Love,” but it’s also full of amazing songs in “Cold Wind Blows,” “Seduction,” and “Going Through Changes.” From top to bottom, it’s arguably Eminem’s best record and comes in at number 10.

9. Jay-Z – Blueprint: Mr. Hova put all the annie samples in his back pocket and stepped out B.I.Gs shadow on this record. He let the world know he was full real. He put together arguably one of the best collaborations with Eminem on “Renegade” and he had one of his most heartfelt tracks in “Song Cry.” We saw a different side of Jay-Z. He showed the potential to be a leader of the rap game he is today.

8. N.W.A – Straight Outta Compton: Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, and Eazy-E took the world by storm as N.W.A. It was the start of a new era in hip-hop. Each rapper in the group brought something different to the table and set the bar high with the title track, “Straight Outta Compoton,” “Fuck Tha Police,” and “Express Yourself.” These guys set the standard for rap groups today.

7. Dr.Dre – The Chronic – There is a reason why people are waiting on Dre’s new record, Detox. With tracks like “Let Me Ride,” “Nuthin’ but a ‘G’ Thang,” Dre put everyone on notice that he was more than just a producer, he could sling it on the mic.

6. Cypress Hill – self–titled debut: The debut record from Cypress Hill went double platinum. They brought ‘latin lingo’ to the hip-hop’s mainstream. You name it, this record had it. “Phuncky Feel One,” “Hand on The Pump,” “How Could I Just Kill a Man,” these songs just made your jaw drop.

5. Beastie Boys – Paul’s Boutique: They would always be remembered as the first white guys to start rapping but Paul’s Boutique solidified their stance as the real deal. They flowed, had fun, and could battle you if they had to. They still make music today, timeless music that’s hard not to love.

4. Wu-Tang Clan – 36 chambers: While rappers nowadays have about 10 people on stage with them doing one song, Wu-Tang had the brilliance to put eight/nine guys on one song, not get in the other’s way and still create great music. They put Staten Island on the map.

3, Notorious B.I.G – Ready to Die: Ready to Die unleashed the monster known as B.I.G. B.I.G’s monster swarmed over the game like no one else ever did. “Gimme the Loot,” “Ready to Die,” “One More Chance,” I could go on and on about this record. Gangster rap finally hit the suburbs. One great album after another from Mr. Wallace, he still lives on today because of Ready to Die and his music.

2. Tupac – All Eyez on Me: Easily the best double album of all time, this record has enough hits on it that would make up a career from a rapper today. Lyrically a genius, Tupac Shakur carried a passion and an intensity that was equaled with heart-felt emotion that left you believing every word he said.

1. Nas – Illmatic: The rap game started in New York and no other record put a feel of New York on a record better than what Nas did with Illmatic. Tracks like “N.Y. State of Mind,” just made you feel like you were chilling on the block with Nas. The LP also has “The World is Yours,” “Life’s a Bitch” and “It Ain’t Hard to Tell,” sealed the stamp of approval on his career before it even got started.

If you don’t buy another rap record for the rest of your life, make sure you have these 10 records. You can listen to them on repeat without growing tiresome.

Photo: WikiPedia