Lamont's Lists

Lamont’s Lists #21 Written: August 28, 2002 The GOATS NOTE: THIS LIST IS NEARLY 4 YEARS OLD AND I HAVE SINCE REFINED MY THINKING. I FEEL COMPELLED TO DEVELOP AN UPDATE. STAY TUNED FOR A REVISED LIST THAT WILL CERTAINLY INCLUDE EMINEM AND NAS. IT WILL ALSO SEND JAY-Z WAAAY HIGHER ON THE LIST... The Top 10 Rappers of All time “Cause who is number 1, if not best then better? Here’s a hint: the 18th letter” 1. Rakim – Isn’t it a little bit amazing to think that if not for Hip Hop as a creative outlet, Rakim probably would never have been given a chance to share his gift for rhythm and poetry with the world? What makes him the best ever? Consider that he pioneered the slow, melodic, multi-layered, introspective delivery style that single handedly changed the way emcees approached the craft and showed us all that so much more was possible with this art form. Consider that he introduced the concept of allusion into hip hop: “so when you see me come up freeze, or you’ll be one of those seven ...

Lamont’s Lists #25 Written: February 12, 2004 The Albums The 10 Greatest Rap Albums of All Time 1. Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation of Millions To Hold Us Back (1988) – There’s no such thing as a unanimous pick when it comes to something like selecting the best album of all time, but with Nation of Millions, P.E. nearly pull it off. A riot on wax, it was a once in a lifetime piece of art that instantly converted hip hop into a major political and cultural force. The Bomb Squad’s production, a flurry of intricate samples, disturbing background noises and hell-raising sound effects, proved to be the perfect complement to Chuck D’s fiery, hyper-intelligent lyrics. And Flava Flav’s timely doses of humor perfectly rounded out the sound, adding just enough humility to tone down the rhetoric and keep the party going. This album pulses with a sense of purpose and it still sounds every bit as urgent today. You don’t have to be a rap fan or a revolutionary to love it, just someone...