BLACK TRUTH NEWS PICKS THE BEST 25 HIP HOP GROUPS OF ALL TIME [Full List]

 

2. Outkast

Let the arguments begin. I got a feeling that a lot of people are going to disagree with this selection. It felt controversial when I selected Outkast as the number two group of all time. It was a war going inside me to appease the people who think it is blasphemous to put them over EPMD, Public Enemy or NWA. Maybe because they are from the South and did not fit in the prototypical box of influential Hip Hop groups from the East Coast. By the same token, I used the same reasoning to pick them as the number two group of all time. Before Outkast, I personally hadn’t seen a articulation of the South in a manner that represented their slang, culture and lifestyle. When I heard Outkast music and saw their videos it made me felt like I knew what Atlanta was. The same way I got that feeling from listening to the Wu and Black moon with Timbalands and army fatigue on. It made we want to visit New York and live their Hip Hop. That’s the same way I felt about Outkast and Atlanta. Second of all, I would put their music up against anyone. It could be argued that they have three classic albums. Southernplayalisticcadillacmuzik, ATLiens and Aquemini are Hip Hop gems. Low key Stankonia is good and their best selling album is Speakerboxx/The Love Below. Album sales: Check. Dope music: check. Cultural influence: check. Number two on my list: check

1. Wu-Tang Clan

First things first, I have to let it be known that the Wu-Tang Clan is my favorite group of all time. Not just Hip Hop group, but that includes any genre of music. With me saying that, it should be noted that I’m completely biased in this selection. I do, however have some opinions that you may or may not agree with to back it up. First I think historically they are the most influential rap group of all time. From a musical standpoint, some may argue that other groups might be their equal. On the other hand from a cultural standpoint, I think they are unmatched. That “W” logo that represents the group can be seen all over the world. People have tattoos and t-shirts of that logo from New York to Africa. They have somehow been able to turn their brand into a movement and a subculture within the culture.

Musically as a group, the Clan really only had two albums that are considered great. Their first album, Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers) is considered a classic by many Hip Hop critics and fans. Their second album Wu-Tang Forever, in my opinion wasn’t a classic, but it was good. The rest of their albums I wasn’t feeling that much. The thing that is unique about the group is that they had nine members who were all dope and played a significant part in the groups success. The method of dropping individual albums with other members on the album has strengthen their music legacy . Tical by Method Man, Supreme Clientele by Ghostface Killah, Only Built for Cuban Links by Raekwon, Liquid Swords by Gza and a few more are considered classics. The combination of the music, influence and my love for the group makes them number one in my book.

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