The Best Hip Hop Albums

What are the best hip hop albums of all time? The answer, of course, is totally subjective. Everyone has differing opinions about which hip hop and rap albums should be ranked on top, and that's what this list is all about. Vote for your personal favorite hip hop albums ever, and vote down those albums listed that you don't feel are worthy of the honor. And, while you're at it, head over to the best hip-hop/rap albums of 2012 list and cast your ballot there as well!

The hip-hop albums here represent decades of great music from notables rappers and hip-hop artists -- some we've lost, and others who continue to make great music year after year. Some of the biggest and best hip hop albums ever made include classics like 'The Chronic' from Dr. Dre, 'Fear of a Black Planet' by Public Enemy, 'Paid in Full' by Eric B. and Rakim and 'N***az4Life' by N.W.A. And no list of amazing hip hop albums would be complete without 'Enter the Wu-Tang: 36 Chambers' by Wu-Tang Clan and 'Life After Death' by The Notorious B.I.G.

If your favorite hip hop album isn't listed here, by all means, add it. And don't forget to include whatever great 2012 hip-hop albums you loved. They might be new, but some are instant classics.