Top Hip-Hop Albums of 2007
PEACE. Every year, Hip-Hop Linguistics creates two lists. One list contains the top hip-hop albums from major mainstream, underground and independent record labels. The other list contains the top hip-hop albums from minor independent labels and unsigned hip-hop artists. The first list contains artists you’ve likely heard of, while the second list contains artists you’ve probably not heard of.
This is that first list – the overall top picks for 2007. The list below represents the best albums hip-hop had to offer in the year 2007 from what we consider major record labels – whether mainstream, underground or independent. We highly recommend checking them all out!
The Best Hip-Hop Albums of 2007:
- Blu & Exile – Below The Heavens
- K-OS – Atlantis: Hymns for Disco
- X-Clan – Return From Mecca
- Aesop Rock – None Shall Pass
- C Rayz Walz – Chorus Rhyme
- Little Brother – Getback
- Talib Kweli – Eardrum
- El-P – I’ll Sleep When You’re Dead
- Brother Ali – The Undisputed Truth
- Wise Intelligent – The Talented Timothy Taylor
- NYOIL – Hood Treason
- Public Enemy – How You Sell Soul To A Soulless People Who Sold Their Souls???
- Common – Finding Forever
- Sage Francis – Human the Death Dance
- KRS-One & Marley Marl – Hip Hop Lives
In addition, we’d like to make a special shout out to Kanye West’s “Graduation,” which didn’t make the list simply because it made everyone else’s and we’re trying to hip y’all to some different shit, and One Be Lo’s “The R.E.B.I.R.T.H.” which didn’t make the list because it dropped after this list was compiled and will definitely be among the top picks for 2008.
If you haven’t done so already, pick up each album on this list. They are all examples of dope conscious hip-hop! Click here to view our list of the top 10 albums from minor independent labels or unsigned artists. Happy new year and PEACE!
josh wrote:
what about blue scholars bayani i can’t believe you didn’t even mention that. That was like ground breaking stuff.
Posted on 24-Dec-07 at 7:55 pm | Permalink
Scott wrote:
I cannot believe that Pharoahe’s “Desire” did not even make the list of top albums. Unreal. You guys didn’t even mention it. His album was dope and kills half the albums on your list. I was very disappointed because I feel HHL is usually on point.
Posted on 25-Dec-07 at 7:54 am | Permalink
Nathaniel wrote:
I feel ya Scott. I got mad respect for Pharoah. His style is unique and his flow revolutionary. However, as much as I truly tried, I just couldn’t get into “Desire.” At least not as much as the other 15 albums on this list. Thank you for your comment. PEACE.
Posted on 25-Dec-07 at 2:07 pm | Permalink
J wrote:
Blu & Exile’s album was average at best to me.
Posted on 27-Dec-07 at 11:55 pm | Permalink
Quews wrote:
The fact that El-P’s “I’ll Sleep…” continues to make these year-end-best lists is a HUGE indication of just how ATROCIOUS 2007 was for hip-hop. Quite simply, that album is garbage – from top to bottom – lyrics, production, theme – how can you call it conscious hip-hop with a straight face?!
Yikes.
Posted on 28-Dec-07 at 11:25 am | Permalink
Rob wrote:
When are you going to review Lupe’s “The Cool”? That’s top 5 material in my opinion. Some shit on their was just BONKERS.
Posted on 31-Dec-07 at 7:36 am | Permalink
Nathaniel wrote:
Lupe’s album dropped too close to the end of the year to make this list – the review will be coming in ‘08 – and it will definitely receive consideration for next year’s list. PEACE.
Posted on 31-Dec-07 at 9:18 am | Permalink
Tr3sDosUno wrote:
umh….. Kanye West album is the best i dont even know why u names a bunch of wash outs and their albums as best the only album i agree on ur top 10 is Talib and common, period.
Posted on 24-Jan-08 at 11:03 am | Permalink
kevin wrote:
I tihnk you guys should concider the album hard road restrung by Hilltop Hoods. They’re Australian if you didn’t know and I find outside of Australia don’t get much concideration. The instrumentals on it are amazing using orchestra. Also I saw your explaination of what Lupe’s the cool wasn’t on but I want to say it is one of the best albums I’ve heard in a long time
Posted on 30-Jan-08 at 8:40 pm | Permalink
Matt wrote:
What about 9th Wonder’s Dream Merchant 2?
Posted on 17-Feb-08 at 10:26 am | Permalink
Geoffrey wrote:
Alot of these guys are hatin on both of your lists but i think they’re both great and have helped me lots on finding good music thanks and just keep doin what you do
Posted on 02-Mar-08 at 6:09 pm | Permalink
Fisch wrote:
No doubt. These lists are on point. I can’t find any other hip hop site that comes even close to these collections.
Posted on 04-Mar-08 at 12:25 pm | Permalink
sayword wrote:
Marco Polo’s album is not on there??? I loved that… NYOIL – Hood Treason wasn’t that good expect for ‘Get Lynched’ and please excuse me but that KRS1 & Marly Marl album was just wack….
too bad the board is down….
come share your thought @ http://www.illfrequency.org/forum
Posted on 17-Mar-08 at 6:04 am | Permalink
smanns wrote:
Man, I got to say, leaving Bayani off of this list is ridiculous. I gotta assume you just have not heard the album.
Posted on 03-Sep-08 at 10:10 pm | Permalink
DJMaster wrote:
Why is Finding Forever so Low on the list though?
Posted on 12-Sep-08 at 10:39 pm | Permalink
Mattster wrote:
I’ll echo some previous comments, bayani was dope, and deserves to be on the list. The Scope of Things by Move.meant, definitely one of the best albums i’ve ever heard. go check them out if you haven’t listened to them!
Posted on 15-Sep-08 at 12:32 pm | Permalink
Rrich1016 wrote:
Glad to see Below the heavens topped the list. The combination of Blu’s lyrics and exile’s beats is unbelievable. Definitely the years best
Posted on 25-Sep-09 at 10:23 pm | Permalink