Illmatic vs. Reasonable Doubt

by **Relapse.LP** » Jul 30th, '09, 00:13

Which album is better? Which one do you prefer?

For me, personally Illmatic, by a bit.

by **DrRapid** » Jul 30th, '09, 00:15

Illmatic by miles to me. I'm not saying Reasonable Doubt is bad, in fact, it's really good but Illmatic is way too good for me at least. Illmatic and Me Against The World together make my favorite albums. I can't really give a reason to be honest. I just love it.

by **Makaveli525** » Jul 30th, '09, 01:26

Illmatic.

By a lot.

by **Muchacho21** » Jul 30th, '09, 01:53

Illmatic. Reasonable Doubt is Jay-Z's best album, though, in my opinion.

by **slimsoxshady** » Jul 30th, '09, 02:23

Illmatic is more overrated than Tupac.
Reasonable Doubt

by **Fa-Q** » Jul 30th, '09, 05:11

Citamlli....even though I enjoy listening to reasonable doubt more....but Illmatic is just a classic....kinda like I hate Public Enemy but I know ..million cant hold,back <<wow Im lazy>> Illmatic in my opinion is the best hiphop album of all time just because it was so gritty and no bullshit. Jay by now had been discovered and actually had time to perfect his flow.

by **Sleepy** » Jul 30th, '09, 11:46

although,reasonable Doubt is a great album,Illmatic is almost perfect.Production is amazing as are the lyrics.

So Illmatic>Reasonable Doubt

by **James R.** » Jul 30th, '09, 17:16

Reasonable Doubt

And before someone says I'm just biased towards Jay-Z let me explain. Illmatic is a more classic album because of the pure rap nostalgia around it. It got 5 stars in the source, there were no features, it helped spawn one of the best hip hop songs of all time and the best song on RD (Dead Presidents), and lyrically it's almost in a league all by itself. But I'm assuming we're voting for what album is better OVERALL.

Reasonable Doubt (to me at least) was a better body of work because it touched so many more bases than Illmatic. Illmatic was straight hood poetry and I love that album to death, but Doubt had the grimy street shit, the shit that made you feel like you were living the high life, the shit that made you stop and think, the story telling, just about everything you could ask for in an album. Because of the diversity I enjoy Reasonable Doubt more as an album than I do Illmatic, though honestly I'd like to see a "tie" button.

by **Relapse.LP** » Jul 30th, '09, 19:26

James-word to Slimm wrote:Reasonable Doubt

And before someone says I'm just biased towards Jay-Z let me explain. Illmatic is a more classic album because of the pure rap nostalgia around it. It got 5 stars in the source, there were no features, it helped spawn one of the best hip hop songs of all time and the best song on RD (Dead Presidents), and lyrically it's almost in a league all by itself. But I'm assuming we're voting for what album is better OVERALL.

Reasonable Doubt (to me at least) was a better body of work because it touched so many more bases than Illmatic. Illmatic was straight hood poetry and I love that album to death, but Doubt had the grimy street shit, the shit that made you feel like you were living the high life, the shit that made you stop and think, the story telling, just about everything you could ask for in an album. Because of the diversity I enjoy Reasonable Doubt more as an album than I do Illmatic, though honestly I'd like to see a "tie" button.

I feel you. Reasonable Doubt touches more corners of rap, although it's slightly inconsistent. I don't particularly like Cashmere Thoughts or, especially, Ain't No Nigga. The beat just can't make me like the song. And I wish Jay-Z (in this album) rapper closer to the mic... the music occasionally outshadows his voice volume, sadly.

But I do think Illmatic is a better album. Consistent, straight-up, street poetry. It was the influence of Reasonable Doubt, as well. Dead Presidents II sampled the hook for The World is Yours of course. Dope album is general...

Yes, you are biased towards Hov. :tounge2:

by **James R.** » Jul 30th, '09, 19:32

BEEF!

by **AnalKiddo** » Jul 30th, '09, 19:43

they're close, both are top rap albums for sure and id choose jay over nas anyday but illmatic wins this one..

by **James R.** » Jul 31st, '09, 01:00

^I agree. The Black Album is Jay's best music, but I think that Reasonable Doubt was Jigga's best work if you know what I mean.