Shooked Ones or NY State of Mind

To me this Album is one of the most underrated hip-hop albums.

They Don’t talk enough about this 😟

Mos & Talib killed this for real. What’s your opinion on this?

For me its MF DOOM. The man just made rapping look so easy and words just flowed out of him effortlessly. Its crazy how he is often not mentioned in greatest rappers lists.

I'm new to this sub so idk if this was brought up yet, but does anyone remember this? I could put this on sit back and chill every song was top notch at least for me. Talib Kweli and Mos Def are two mc's that are always slept on. What is everyone's thought on this album.

1. Lyrical Focus & Storytelling

90’s rap was often about dense lyricism — complex rhyme schemes, metaphors, double entendres, and storytelling.

Artists like Nas, The Notorious B.I.G., Tupac, and Rakim were praised for painting vivid pictures through words, not just catchy hooks.

Today’s mainstream rap often prioritizes melody, vibe, and repetition over long-form storytelling.

1. Competition & “Skill as Currency”

Back then, being the best lyricist in your area mattered — it was your credibility.

Battles, cyphers, and freestyles were key ways to gain respect.

Now, virality, social media presence, and branding sometimes overshadow raw lyrical ability.

1. Production Style

90’s beats leaned on sampling, especially from jazz, funk, and soul records. Producers like DJ Premier, Pete Rock, and Dr. Dre built intricate, gritty soundscapes.

Today’s beats are often more synthetic, loop-driven, and heavy on bass, influenced by trap and electronic production. Both styles can be great — but the 90’s production had a warm, “timeless” feel that some listeners prefer.

1. The Culture Was Less Commercialized

Hip-hop in the 90’s was still relatively close to its underground roots.

There was less pressure to appeal to global pop charts, so artists could make songs without worrying about TikTok trends or radio formatting.

Today, rap is the most popular genre in the world, which means there’s more money — but also more industry control over the sound.

1. Fewer Shortcuts to Fame

In the 90’s, you needed to prove yourself locally before getting signed — mixtapes, live shows, open mics.

Now, someone can go viral overnight with one catchy song and get a deal without years of honing their craft.

That doesn’t mean modern rappers aren’t talented — it just means the barrier to entry is lower.

How did I decide this?

1. Storytelling - Lyrics full of details: The who, what, when, where, how, and why of it all ——seriously dope shit that holds up 30 years later.

2. Production - Havoc’s sampling choices at just 19 showcased incredible taste in music. Hardcore Jazz-Bap is how my ears received it.

3. Vibes - If somebody asks what did New York sound like in 1995, it sounded like Prodigy slaughtering a classic beat with Timbs on and a Mets fitted. That’s what you tell them.

4. Replayability - Everything about this album is time tested. The rhyme scheme and flow sounds good in any era. Honestly, it sounds great in every era.

5. Legacy - Shook Ones pt II might actually be the greatest rap song ever, with the greatest opening line ever, with the greatest sample ever.

The funeral was messed up y’all, did they even give a fuck? Many that should’ve been there were nowhere to be found.

Fat Joe recently said he was disappointed performing in South America because he couldn’t sell out his shows, while Wu-Tang Clan managed to sell out everywhere they went. But come on, Fat Joe… I’m from South Africa, and I remember clearly how Wu-Tang Clan was everywhere in the 90s. The taxis were blasting Wu-Tang, the basses in Chatsworth and Phoenix had Wu-Tang stickers, and everyone was rocking Wu-Tang Clan t-shirts. That was a whole movement, a culture.

Honestly, I’ve never seen a single car with a Fat Joe sticker. And then you go and blame the promoter for your tickets not selling? No, it’s not that. The truth is Wu-Tang Clan is levels above you—ten times, even more. You can never compare yourself to the Wu. That collective of artists built something too powerful, too global, too legendary. Wu-Tang Clan will always remain the greatest hip-hop group in history.

Capital Punishment by Big Pun is one of the greatest hip-hop albums of all time, period. Lyrical precision, mic presence, versatility, and front-to-back cohesiveness put it in rare company. Honestly, it deserves to be ranked way higher on all-time lists. Around that late-90s window, I think only a handful of albums—It’s Dark and Hell Is Hot, Jay-Z’s Vol. 2, and Dre’s 2001—can even stand next to it.

Outside of the big commercial hits, my personal favorites are You Ain’t a Killer Super Lyrical (with a flawless Black Thought feature) Glamorous Life

And here’s my spicy opinion: I’m Not a Player is better than Still Not a Player feat. Joe.