Explore every episode of the podcast The Liner Notes: Defining Hip-Hop's Classic Albums

Time to say goodbye to season 2!

We're going to remember the highs, the lows, and most importantly...the classics.

Enjoy and we'll see you soon!

- The Liner Notes Crew

"Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube

From the gang called Niggaz With Attitudes

When I'm called off, I got a sawed off

Squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off"

- Straight Outta Compton

Final album review of season 2. NWA changed the game with Straight Outta Compton. This put the west coast on the map and the rest of Hip-Hop on notice.

Is it a Classic?

"I know you want lots a jewels and stuff

Backyards with swimming pools, bars with stools and stuff

Fancy foods - Lobster, Sushi

Gear - Versace, Gucci, crazy Lucci"

- Nuttin' But Love

Next album up: Nuttin' But Love by Heavy D. Dropped in 1994, this album contained some of Hev's biggest hits.  

Is it a classic?

I got bass, tone, I use cologne

And then I rock the funky rhyme on the microphone

- Perfection

Next album up: Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C. This was the first platinum Hip-Hop record and sent the group to super stardom.

Is it a classic?

"Real ass bitch, give a fuck 'bout a nigga

Big Birkin bag, hold five, six figures"

- Act Up 

Next album up: Girl Code by the City Girls. The City Girls dropped their debut album in 2018 and it put the girls on a national stage. 

Is it a classic?

"Need to know, I'm a product of a dead poet rhyming at his low

Equals Maya Angelou, my emphatic flow can rise the status quo"

- Outside

Next album up: Book of Ryan by Royce Da 5'9.  Dropped in 2018, This  is seen as Royce's most introspective album.

Is it a classic?

"Yeah, this shit way too formal, y'all know I don't follow suit

Stacey Dash, most of these girls ain't got a clue"

- Sicko Mode

Next album up: Astroworld by Travis Scott. Travis dropped this in 2018 to critical acclaim and commercial success.

Is it a classic?

"Y'all can have the bars, nigga, I spit hard metal gates

Henry Louis Gates when I cop me some new estate"

- Nina

Next album up: Eve by Rapsody. Rapsody dropped her 3rd album in 2019 and it received widespread critical acclaim.

Is it a classic?

"Virginia's for lovers, but trust there's hate here

For out-of-towners, who think that they gon' move weight here

Ironic, the same place I'm makin' figures at

That there's the same land they used to hang niggas at"

- Virginia 

Next album up: Lord Willin' by the Clipse.  Their major label debut dropped in 2002 and was entirely produced by the Neptunes.

Is it a classic?

"Said lil' bitch, you can't fuck with me if you wanted to

These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes"

- Bodak Yellow

Next album up: Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B.  Cardi's debut took the music game by storm and was a massive commercial success.

Is it a classic?

"We could trade places, get lifted in the staircases

Word up, peace, incarcerated scarfaces"

- Incarcerated Scarfaces

Next album up: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon. Raekwon's debut was loved by critics and peers alike.  Is it a classic?

- Can't Touch This

Next album up: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em by MC Hammer. The first Hip-Hop album to go Diamond. 

Is it a classic?

Who am I? Someone that's afraid to let go, uh

You decide if you're ever gonna let me know (Yeah)

Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh

I'm sad, I know, yeah, I'm sad, I know, yeah

- Sad

Next album up: ? by XXXtentaction.  This album has over a billion streams on Spotify and created a strong cult following.

Is it a classic?

Drop your glasses, shake your asses

Face screwed up like you having hot flashes

Which one? Pick one, this one, classic

Red from blonde, yeah, bitch, I'm drastic

- Blow Ya Mind

Next album up: Scorpion by Eve. Eve's second album was nominated for a Grammy and helped certify her standing as a star.

Is it a classic?

Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years

I'm rocking my peers, putting suckas in fear

- Mama Said Knock You Out

Next album up: Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J.  People thought LL went soft after Walking with a Panther dropped.  His grandmother told him to knock the critics out on the next one.

Is it a classic?

My voice physically fit, tracks I'm bench-pressin'

The mic chord is an extension of my intestine

Delicate MC's sliced in my delicatessen

My mind state is that of the S-P connection

- Table of Contents

Next album up: Things Fall Apart by the Roots.  This album gave the Philly legends critical acclaim and mainstream exposure. 

Is it a classic?

Spoke some things into the universe and they appeared

I say it's worth it, I won't say it's fair

Find your purpose or you wastin' air

Fuck it, though, y'all niggas scared

- Victory Lap

Next album up: Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle.  Nipsey Hussle dropped his debut album in 2018 which helped cement his status as one of Hip-Hop's icons.

Is it a classic?

Who me I'm cooling in New York
I'm chilling in New York
The hoods is on my block and the brother's at the court

-Pacifics

Next album up: Reachin' (A new Refutation of Time and Space) by Digable Planets. This debut album put Digable on the map, gave them a name and critical acclaim. 

Is it a classic?

Last time I checked I was the man on these streets

They call me residue, I leave blow on these beats

-Trap or Die

Next album up: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 by Young Jeezy. This album helped kick in the door for Atlanta and the Trap Music sound. 

Is it a classic?

On a rainy die day early morn', my lethal legacy was born

Ask any rapper around, 'bout the fuckin mics I left torn

- Get Me

We're on album debate #50. Today we're discussing Kamikaze by Twista. Twista dropped this after a 7 year break and this album eventually went platinum.

Is it a classic?

Hey kid, you could use a little bit of your imagination

It could do you right, improve a life you busy wastin'

Said it's your money if you make it

Otherwise, it's just a conversation

Conversation, Pt. 1

Next album up: Swimming by Mac Miller. Mac's fifth album and the last one to be released during his lifetime. This gave a window into Mac's life  and his inner thoughts.

Is it a classic?

So that's how I'm livin', I do as I please, you see

A younger brother that's up on reality

'Cause everybody knows you have to be stomping

If you're born and raised in Compton

- Born and Raised in Compton

Next album up: Quik is the Name by DJ Quik. This debut laid the foundation for a legendary career and Quik has been a household name in the culture, ever since.

Is it a Classic?

Nate Dogg still here 'cause of niggas like me

Police still scared 'cause of niggas like me

In the hood, like a dollar sweet tea or a Louis Burger

You ain't with the business, nigga, who you murdered?

- Norf Norf

Next album up: Summertime 06 by Vince Staples. This was Vince's debut and is full of memorable bars and bangers.

Is it a classic?

I'm from the home of Red Fox, Ced the Entertainer

Jettin' off with Brian Cox, I'll see ya later

Maybe not 'cause I got somethin' hot

In the Navigator, waitin' in the parkin' lot

-St. Louie

Next album up: Country Grammar by Nelly.  Nelly's debut was a smash hit and made him a superstar.

Is it a classic?

"This is a message for our people chasing benjamins

With real rhymes and skills they believing in

Keeping them bad tapes rolling like Michelins

It don't matter, 'cause niggas ain't listening"

- The Listening

Next Album: The Listening by Little Brother.  This debut concept album put Litle Brother on the Hip-Hop map. 

Is it a classic?

And I'm bout as wicked as a wicked-ass witch from the west

So you and Toto better know that it's Yo-Yo

I'm cute, I loot, and if you dispute

Ice Cube taught a nigga how to shoot

- You Better Ask Somebody

Next album up, You Betta Ask Somebody by Yo-Yo. Released in 1993, this was her 3rd album.

Is it a classic?

Like the mob ties in Houston, we got rag ties

I pray the Lord forgive me the day that I got baptized

'Cause I'ma clutch the sticky every time a car passin' by

I don't wanna be Ricky or another victim to homicide

- War Baby

Next album up: Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial by Roddy Ricch.  Roddy's debut was a commercial success and had a diamond single with The Box.

Is it a classic?

Bitch say he want a show, you got nine grand?

I ain't rappin' shit until my money in my hand

South Texas, motherfucker, that's where I stay

Gettin' money from your bitches every goddamn day

- Murder, Pimp C

Next album up: Ridin' Dirty by UGK. Released in 1996, This is UGK's third album and one of their most influential. 

Is it a classic?

"All these bitches is my sons

And I'ma go and get some bibs for 'em

A couple formulas, little pretty lids on 'em

If I had a dick, I would pull it out and piss on 'em"

- Did it on em

The next album we're reviewing is Pink Friday.. Nicki's album debut dropped in 2010 and pushed her right into the spotlight.

Is it a classic?

"Let me entertain you and interphase you,    with the new sound.  Sound is the side and the Phar is the cyde And no matter who you are, you know you can't hide"

For our 40th debate, we're hitting up Pharycde's second album, Labcabincalifornia.  The group had a change in sound on this one and it had a big impact on how the album was received.

Is it a classic?

Next album up, The Incredble True Story by Logic. This Sci-fi themed concept album was Logic's second LP. Did logic follow his debut with a classic? 

Basically y'all could get eight twice like Lynn Swann plus get ate like pussy

Get ate like Mickey D’s after the hydro when you push me

Get ate like cannibalism and sliced surgical, In any extremity, y'all get infinity vertical"

- Right Here

Next album up: Internal Affairs by Pharoahe Monche. Pharoahe dropped this debut in '99 and has been celebrated as a lyrical beast since then. This album has quite the backstory and left us with a giant what if.

Is it a classic?

Is this album a classic?

 "Discos don't open till after dark                                                       And it ain't till twelve till the party really starts.                             And I always had to be home by ten.                                           Right before the fun was about to begin"

THE FREAKS COME OUT! next album up, Escape by Whodini.  released in 1984, this album helped make Hip-Hop what it is today. Coming with Friends  and Freaks Come Out At Night, this has to be a classic right.

"On the microphone I stand alone - sike.                                      Pepa P got the left, I got the right.                                                      As if you didn't know the flow got better with the weather            Fall off never that never, never wack ever"

The next album up: Very Neccessary by Salt-N-Pepa. This album was released in '93 and covered a variety of  controversial topics that were very prominent at the time. This album was critically acclaimed and sold millions of copies. 

Is it a classic to the Liner Notes Crew?

"I just thought that I should mention
'89 is the Lyte year
Now's the time to roll like a rhinoceros
Step to Lyte, that's preposterous"

- I Am The Lyte

The next album we're going to review is Eyes On This by MC Lyte. One of the leading ladies of Hip Hop dropped this in 1989 with all eyes on her after her debut. 

Is it a classic?

- A Milli 

Time to review Tha Carter III by Lil Wayne.  Wayne is often hailed as one of the greats of his era and this album received plenty of attention and spins when it came out. 

Does that make this a classic?

- Rated R

The next album for classic status is Redman's debut Whut? Thee Album.. Released in 1992 this set the stage for Redman to make his place in Hip-Hop. 

Is it a classic?

- Poor Fool 

The next album up for debate is Pretty Girls Like Trap Music by 2 Chainz.  2 Chainz's 4th effort has memorable songs, hooks and bars.  

Is it a classic?

- Ain't no Half Steppin

Next up, we review Long Live the Kane by Big Daddy Kane. We're taking a trip back to the golden era to pay homage to a legend and to see if his debut holds up as a timeless piece of art.

We hope you enjoy.

- Ground Zero

We're baaaaack! New Season, New Albums. First up, Diplomatic Immunity by the Dipset. Ay! We're starting this season off right. Was this double disc debut by the New York crew a classic?

Let's find out.

This season is a wrap. The liner notes is taking the summer off to rest and review more albums for season two.

We're also welcoming our newest member, Alicia Nicole! Enjoy this episode as we relive the past year and look forward to the next!

We rate our albums by scoring five categories:

• Lyrics
• Production
• Replayability
• Concept 
• Impact

On this episode, we're breaking down our thought process and what we consider before we give each album its final score.  This is how we make classics.

- Ill Na Na

Next album: Ill Na Na by Foxy Brown. Released in 1996, this was Foxy's album debut. This album showed a young star in the making and Foxy took the game by storm with her style and delivery.

Is it a classic?

-Ready Or Not

Next album: The Score by The Fugees. Released in '96 this was the second and final album by the group. The Fugees, Consisting of Lauryn Hill, Wyclef Jean and Pras, left an everlasting impact on Hip-Hop with this album.

Is it a classic?

- Child of the Night 

Next up: Red Light District by Ludacris.  This was Luda's 4th album and it was released in 2004. Anchored by singles such as Pimpin' All Over The World and Get Back, this album eventually went double platinum.

Is it a classic?

-Twinz (Deep Cover '98)

Next album up: Capital Punishment by Big Pun.  Released in '98, this was Pun's debut. This was also the first solo Latin Hip Hop record to go platinum.  Pun established himself as one of the greatest lyricists ever with this album.

Is it a classic?

- Award Tour

The crew decided to take on Midnight Marauders by A Tribe Called Quest.  This album came out in '93 and was applauded for its production.  Is the hype and acclaim warranted? Is this a classic album? 

“Bodies on top of bodies, IV’s on top of IV’s                        Obviously the coroner between the sheets like the Isleys         When you hop on that trolley, make sure your colors correct Make sure you’re corporate or they’ll be callin’ your mother collect"

- m.A.A.d city

This episode, we're back to the west coast with one of the leaders of the new school.  Kendrick Lamar dropped GKMC in 2012.  With multiple critically acclaimed albums in his repertoire, we decided to take a closer look at his debut, Good Kid, M.A.A.D City. We need to find out if it's as good as advertised.  

Is this a classic?

- Over

For Debate #22, we are going to debate Drake's debut LP, Thank Me Later. The buzz for Drake was huge before this album dropped and he's been a household name ever since.

Will this debut stand the test of time?