The American rapper and respected visual artist blazed a trail as a founding member of Jurassic 5. Here, he puts forward his all-time top 10 albums…
Run-D.M.C – Tougher Than Leather
“Run-D.M.C solidified my love of the back and forth routines of old. Although the routine of back-and- forth rap was done to perfection by The Cold Crush Brothers and The Furious Five, Run-D.M.C brought this style to the masses of the world.”
LL Cool J – Radio
“This album was an introduction to the beast known as LL Cool J. He made me see that it wasn’t about age more than it was about skill and confidence. Maximum respect to James Todd Smith.”
Beastie Boys – Licensed To Ill
“The Beastie Boys are where punk rock and rap melted together very well. Licensed To Ill not only crossed colour lines, but genre barriers as well. Arguably one of the most innovative rap albums to date.”
Eric B. & Rakim – Paid In Full
“Eric B. and Rakim were like aliens that came to earth to teach a new way of thought…”
Chill Rob G – Ride the Rhythm
“Chill Rob G has to be one of the greatest MCs of all time. His lyrical prowess and wordsmith ability puts him among the greats! Not to mention the production by The 45 King. Before he would go on to create masterpieces with people like Queen Latifah, he was standing firm with Chill Rob G.”
Big Daddy Kane – Long Live The Kane
“Big Daddy Kane is not only one of the top five lyricists to date, but he is also one of the greatest showmen to grace the stage still to this day. Any time you watch him or listen to him, it’s as if he’s either teaching a class or preaching a funeral.”
Public Enemy – It Takes A Nation Of Millions To Hold Us Back
“Chuck D‘s father figure voice and the lessons taught through his message in his music made me search for
my identity, my history and my place within American society. Thank you Public Enemy!”
KRS-One – Criminal Minded
“KRS-One was way, way ahead of his time with this album. In my opinion, he has one of the greatest underdog stories of all time. And, hey, who doesn’t like to root for the underdog?”
De La Soul – 3 Feet High And Rising
“De La Soul has to be regarded as the most abstract yet skilled group to date. In this who is cooler than who world
of rap, I think of them as revenge of the nerds on steroids!”
A Tribe Called Quest – Beats, Rhymes and Life
“ATCQ picked up the baton and kept the Native Tongues clock alive. Their hippy approach to what De La was doing, combined with Afro-centric messages and the greatest boom bap, solidifies them as one
of the greatest for sure!”