Some would say it’s all about killer lyrics, others would say they can’t get through an album without good beats, but what really makes a good hip hop album ? Well it takes more then a few good singles and some filler tracks thats for sure. I surveyed some of the top hip hop bloggers from around the web what they think makes a good hip hop album and here are their responses (well at least the ones that replied to me lol)..
 
 
KINGGS from illRoots says :
 
First of all, Subject matter that is at a constant change. thats the most important thing. You also need to be lyrically talented to a above average level. You should try to loop in a good theme, but never cross the line an become a gimmick. add some good production and there you have it.
 
Enigmatik from Boo Goo Doo Boom says :
 
A good hip hop album has to have strong lyrical content first and foremost. Combine the dope lyrics with an excellently produced musical backdrop and you’re almost there. The album should be cohesive as well and not just a random collection of songs. If the artist creating the album does so with the intent on making a classic rather than simply a hit, I believe that they will at the very least put out a good hip hop album.
 
Fresh From 33jones says :
 
A good hip hop album to my ears is one that has a cohesive sound from start to finish: one production team doing the majority of the beats and the MC(s) focusing on a general theme throughout the album. Without that, even if all the tracks are dope, its just a good collection of singles rather than a good “album.” For me, it would be an album that relies heavily on samples and contains at least several verses that have me hitting the rewind button to hear them again. A good hip hop album is hard to find these days.
 
John from RealTalkNY says :
 
Whats makes a good album is diversity. A great album has tracks that have you ready to hit the club along with songs that will have you reflecting on life. Listening to a great album is like like reading a good book, it brings a range of emotions and feelings.
 
eskay from Nah Right says :
 
I’d have to say cohesiveness. The songs should compliment each other or at least flow into each other well. Obviously the material, lyrics and accompanying beats, have to be up to par. The artist should have some kind of depth. Whether it be depth while talking about selling dope, or a deep conversation with his audience about saving the world, they should be saying something.
 
Gotty from The Smoking Section says :
 
- pushes the current limits in lyrics - way of spit;/phrasing, content
- Ex - Illmatic, Paid In Full, By Any Means Neccessary.
 
- pushes the current limits in production - introduces a new sound,
even if minimal, while still working w/the boom-bap elements -
scratches, heavy basslines, samples - Pete & CL - Main Ingredient,
damn near anything out of Gangstarr’s catalog.
 
- cohesive in mindstate expressed or theme(s). Ex - OBFCL, Scarface’s
catalog but especially The Fix
 
- a good fuckin title lol.
 
M.Dot from Model Minority says :
 
3 Things that it takes to make a dope album.
 
1.A Hot Cover.
 
Come on.
 
a. The Carter, that clean @ssed Bently or whatever luxury vehicle he was
standing in front of.
 
b. Midnight Marauders. All them faces. That sh* looked like a labor of love.
 
c. OB4CL. Not only was the cover fresh w/ ghost and rae, but a purple tape.
Hotness.
 
2. A Controversial Track.
 
Nothing gets sh*t cracking like controversy.
 
Hip Hop is Dead had Black Republicans.
 
Game had Never Get Far.
 
Ye ye had Gold Digger.
 
That One Song.
 
a. You know that song that makes you cover your mouth and your eyes get big,
b/c
 
1. You can’t believe he freaked that sample.
2. You can’t beleive he said that in the rhyme.
3. You can’t believe Primo came THAT hard on a beat.
 
Tell me Im wrong.
 
LOL.
 
 
What do you think makes a good hip hop album?? Leave you opinions in the comments.