Album that you think is a masterpiece

[dead prez]

Lately the word masterpiece has been confused with classic, and people overuse both words where they lost whatever inherent meaning that they once stood for. Basically people think that any album that they like regardless of how many blemishes it has, it could still be called a "masterpiece".

So yeah what album(s) do you think are masterpieces? No I don't want shit that you like because of nostalgia and you can't find any inherent flaws in them, because you have your head up your ass. I'm talking about landmarks in the genre that have come so close to perfect that it's pretty scary, and oozes with originality, delicacy, intricacy, emotion, or anything that makes music great infused with it's own unique touch so that very few albums could replicate it. Albums where you feel it can't be improved upon anymore, and if you do try to change anything in it, it would ruin the album.

So yeah, don't just post a slew of albums you like and be on your way, I want reasons, in detail why you think said album(s) is great and a pinnacle of the genre. I want your insight as to why the album(s) is more than just good or even great, and what makes it great whether the lyrics, instrumentals, vocals, or a combination off all three.

Refrain from anecdotes, because we all know nostalgia taints and impedes us from seeing clearly. I'll post mine later, but I'd like to get the general idea of what a masterpiece is. Though I expect this thread to be filled with SSLP-TES. If you can't give reasons as to why they're masterpieces and are just going to fill this thread with useless chatter, than GTFO.

[Block]

God Loves Ugly is a musical masterpiece for more than one reason. I could probably write a doctoral thesis on why Slug is one of the greatest lyricists of all time. God Loves Ugly (GLU for short from now on) was groundbreaking when it was released. The only one enacting a style even remotely similar to what's seen in GLU, at the time, was Aesop Rock. Even then the styles--even though both abstract--bore no resemblance to one another. GLU set lyrical presidence. Not only for Slug's amazingly arrogant (yet ever so delicate) delivery, but his content was other-wordly. Even today, almost a decade later, very few albums live up to GLU. That's saying something profound.


My personal favorite album of all time. ('lemons' for short) embraces the type of storytelling that Slick Rick pioneered and takes it to another dimension. Not only does Slug manage to articulate amazingly well-written stories that everyone can relate to, he does it in the most artistic way possible. He encompasses Hip Hop with every breath spit at the mic. From his caricatured portrayal of the tobacco industry in 'The Skinny', to his metaphorically abstract views on the War On Terror in the song 'Your Glasshouse'.. Slug never fails to amaze with his lyricism. Still keeping that abstract edge that he made a name for himself with in GLU.


'US' is an album that, in my opinion, was needed. 'US' talks about struggles never before seen in hip hop. I mean, who talks about being homosexual? That's not exactly what makes 'US' a masterpiece, though, that is part of it. What makes 'US' a masterpiece is the portrayal of such subjects. The emotion behind every word spoken over the most delicately placed instrumentals. If you doubt what I'm saying, just listen to the two songs 'Tight Rope' and 'Babygirl'. You won't doubt any longer. Every word that Brother Ali speaks on this album seems to be carfully placed. Every word has a meaning to it. Nothing is left to chance. Not only this, but the entire album is a call for peace. A call for acceptance. Something I don't think has ever been done before in hop hop history. An entire album devoted to bringing people together, and done-so in the most artistic way possible.


Emotion. Emotion. Emotion. Easily one of the biggest rollercoaster rides I've ever been on when listening to an album. The emotion behind the wildly articulated lyricism on this album is beyond amazing. I've said it before and I'll continue to say it: Eyedea was, and still is, one of the greatest lyricists to ever live. This album should be considered a masterpiece purely on its originality alone. That's only half of what makes it great, though. The other half, beside the amazing emotion, is the lyricism.. Eyedea puts words and phrases together that I would never, ever fathom.


I can't find the image for Drawn With An Eraser, but it's there.

^^ Drawn With An Eraser is a masterpiece in my eyes. Basically for the same reasons By The Throat is. Except Spoon isn't nearly as good as putting words together as Eyedea. The originality in what's being said, in culmination with how it's being said, and the instrumentals it's being said over.. Simply astounding.






Only 5 albums I've ever listened to and been genuinely astounded by what is being portrayed.

[dead prez]

I was wondering why you deleted your post, good shit man. Looking foward to reading it.

[momentsgolden]

tbh, SSLP MMLP TES, are masterpieces, classics, whatever great adjective u wanna throw at them

WHY?!! OK, Lello, i understand you like the albums but WHY do you think "they cannot be improved" "come close to perfection" etc?

Honestly, from where i stand, the only album i can confidently call that is TES.
First off, its concept of a show might not be "groundbreaking" but it certainly was not cliche. Then you come to the exectution.... as close to perfection as i have heard. The lyrics are complex yet comprehensible, the flows alternating yet of consistent quality.

The production is awesome with some Alluring beats which engage and capture the listener's ear. Its extra special production because it complements his voice/tone/style rather than go on a tangent. From Rock samples in sing for the moment, to variations in the track (My Dad's gone crazy) to the skits! Homogeneous throughout- something becoming increasingly rare. All the Guest collaborators provide welcome yet quality Variety. They are perfectly placed throughout the album to argument the Show. The line up of Dre, Obie, D12, Nate Dogg and HAILIE is mouthwatering.

Two singles "Without Me" and "business" are incredibly funny while "cleaning out my closet" is scary, sad and awe-inspiring all at once. Even the videos for the tracks are perfectly in sync with the themes portrayed. The stand-out tracks on the album are simply amazing to hear. Soldier, say goodbye to hollywood, Till i Collapse, White America

Now, where the thin line is drawn is on the "low points". Superman might be a bit of a let-down but for a record label company... it should be understandable. Drips is the only other track which detracts from the masterpiece blueprint. Here, i concur, is something which could be improved. Luckily, its removed on the clean version.

The album DID impact the game and even more so.... America as a whole. It created a musical icon out of an enraged youth. It captured a time of civil discontent and disillusionment perfectly. It is a contender of the greatest musical piece across any genre.

[Trimss]

Lately i felt in love with Distant Relatives.

It's a masterpiece because i've never seen an album that chill, that inspirationnal, that good musically. I never skip any tracks, Damian Marley's hooks are just off the chain and so are Nas's verses.

It might be my favorite album ever.

[Devil'sAdvocate]

Joell Ortiz - Free Agent
Tech N9ne - Anghellic
Pharoahe Monch - Desire/W.A.R
Kanye West - The College Dropout
Warren G - Regulate... G Funk Era
Talib Qweli - Quality/Beautiful Struggle
D12 - Devil's Night
Xzibit - Restless
Hopsin - Gazing At The Moonlight
Slick Rick - The Great Adventures Of Slick Rick
Brotha Lynch Hung - Dinner And A Movie
Joe Budden - Halfway House

Not all what's there in my favorite albums list though, just masterpieces

no nas and Eminem,Fuck outta here.

anyway the only 3 real masterpieces to me are StillMatic,SSLP and MMLP.

i can literally find no flaw in these albums,they are PERFECT,musically and lyrically.

[momentsgolden]

Lately i felt in love with Distant Relatives.

It's a masterpiece because i've never seen an album that chill, that inspirationnal, that good musically. I never skip any tracks, Damian Marley's hooks are just off the chain and so are Nas's verses.

SUCH a chill album

[MikeNUFC]

The Slim Shady LP - This album is flawless. From the amazing rugged, stripped down production to the magnetic flows to some of the best use of multi-syllabic rhyming ever displayed, it epitomes everyone hip-hop should be. But what makes this album special is the pure anger and frustration, masked so beautifully by this slim shady persona - there is so much seriousness under the humour. 'Just Dont Give A Fuck' is his desperation and frustration at not getting the respect he feel he deserves veiled with punchlines aimed at anyone and everyone. '97 Bonnie & Clyde' is the pure rage he felt towards his baby mother twisted towards his love for his daughter. 'Brain Damage' is his anger at the school system so hilariously potrayed through an amazing anecdote, purposely hyperbolic to emphasise his point. 'Role Model' is the laughable reaction from the media towards different types of art, making Em look a Nostradamus when thinking of the reaction to his music only a year later. 'Guilty Conscience' is the idea that the 'devil' will win over the 'angel' in various situations in society, executed in the most hilarious concept. Then there's the not-so-subtle songs. Rock Bottom & If I Had are epics, made so haunting through his vocal tone and amazing word choice. The pure emceeing tracks, Bad Meets Evil & Cum On Everybody for example, show a rapper sounding as hungry as you're ever likely to hear, bursting with more personality than you can shake a stick at. The album is a reaction. A reaction to his life. It's haunting, beautiful, funny, shocking, witty and amazingly crafted from start to finish. It's a master of his craft with so much to say. But the execution of what he has to say, now what he actaully says, is what makes the album so special - executed with such a concept that, I doubt, will ever be matched.

[classthe_king]

I'm not goona type up huge paragraphs but I'll just say

Jedi Mind Tricks- Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
Sadistik- The Balancing Act



Those are the only two albums that fit your description of masterpiece to me.

[dead prez]

Thanks Momentisgolden and Mike, I have a general idea of which albums I think are masterpieces. Although it's hard to explain it without soundling a fanboy or stan, thought subjectivity will always play a part no matter how hard you try to be objective in evaluating music.

I'm not goona type up huge paragraphs but I'll just say

Jedi Mind Tricks- Servants in Heaven, Kings in Hell
Sadistik- The Balancing Act



Those are the only two albums that fit your description of masterpiece to me.

You lazy fuck.

[Innovation]

The Eminem Show.

[JUMPDMC]

Chronic 2001 , this album just flows from start to finish. the beats,lyrics, skits. features. definitely a masterpiece.

[Sam.]

cmon stans

[Devil'sAdvocate]

since mike spoke about the SSLP,i have too elaborate on the MMLP.

why is this album a masterpiece,because a clash of every thing an MC could posses is displayed impressively in it,the album has an amazing display of tracks,from stan,the story of an obsessive deranged fan,how he took this concept and stretched,the dialogue,how the story is told flows well toghether is beyond anybody,going to the vintage sickest hip hop track ever,kim,the vocals on the track,how hard it is to execute them this well,and the raw rugged emotion,all taking away the fact that the dude had great rhyming fit in there,but then Em's hops over everybody was speaking his mind on the album in a way none other can,did or ever will do,shaking the media and mainstream with tracks like kill you and The Real Slim Shady,killing whatever stands in his way with Im Back,and causing this much controversy,litterally saying what he feels on the 'marshall mathers" track and how all this is wrapped up and delivered formed an album,which has every right to be called perfect,the technicality is off the charts,some of the concepts are so simple yet innovative,this album with SSLP define a masterpiece.

nikkaz who think not are cwazy son!

[Sam.]

since mike spoke about the SSLP,i have too elaborate on the MMLP.

why is this album a masterpiece,because a clash of every thing an MC could posses is displayed impressively in it,the album has an amazing display of tracks,from stan,the story of an obsessive deranged fan,how he took this concept and stretched,the dialogue,how the story is told flows well toghether is beyond anybody,going to the vintage sickest hip hop track ever,kim,the vocals on the track,how hard it is to execute them this well,and the raw rugged emotion,all taking away the fact that the dude had great rhyming fit in there,but then Em's hops over everybody was speaking his mind on the album in a way none other can,did or ever will do,shaking the media and mainstream with tracks like kill you and The Real Slim Shady,killing whatever stands in his way with Im Back,and causing this much controversy,litterally saying what he feels on the 'marshall mathers" track and how all this is wrapped up and delivered formed an album,which has every right to be called perfect,the technicality is off the charts,some of the concepts are so simple yet innovative,this album with SSLP define a masterpiece.

nikkaz who think not are cwazy son!

atta boy