What albums do you think are considered classic simply because of timing?

Question

My cousin Kev said that the reason why Illmatic became a classic is because it dropped right when one of the golden eras of Hip Hop was ending and the east coast was fiending for the next golden era.

I agree with him somewhat, but for me it was the superior lyricism and production and Nas being an underdog.

So, are there any albums that are classic just because of WHEN they dropped?

Answer 1

I'm looking at a lot of these answers and none of the albums mentioned were classics ONLY because of the timing of their release. All of the aforementioned albums were classics because they pushed the envelope or because they were simply great albums to listen to.



With that said, I can't think of any album being considered a classic ONLY because of the time of it's release. Yes, timing is considered when talking about a classic album, but the main reason a classic album is a classic is because each of them had something special in it that most other albums don't have.

Answer 2

Timing definitely plays a part in it. A more important release based on time was Enter the Wu Tang: 36 Chambers. It came in at a time when west coast g funk was dominating mainstream hip hop. That said there are many other reasons why it's considered classic, most notably it uniqueness.



You can also look at timing as to why some hip hop albums didn't become classics. For example 1988 is almost ubiquitously considered the greatest year in hip hop history. It had Straight Outta Compton, It Takes a Nation of Millions, Long Live the Kane, Great Adventures of Slick Rick, Strictly Business etc etc...So for some really good albums released that year they got completely overshadowed. I will point to two in particular - Goin Off Biz Markie and Lyte as a Rock MC Lyte. If they were released in 1987 they would have been 5 mics by the Source.

Answer 3

I would give your cousin a personal foul(reaching) on that one. That album is a classic because of the material. As far as timing, a truly classic album is a classic based on the material, not because of when it came out. I was listening to the Havoc & Raekwon track on J Dilla's latest album and Havoc talked about coming from the era where lyrics mattered and if you didn't have the lyrics then you didn't have a career. Nowadays everyone's a rock star. That's what's wrong with a lot of rappers today. Lyricism is gone unless you're a rapper in his 30's. There are a few exceptions. All the albums that were mentioned that were categorized as classics based on timing would've been classics anyway. All Eyez On Me is not a classic IMO. It's probably his best album, but it's not a classic.

Answer 4

It also helps that illmatic was a great album...and pretty much a perfect example of hip hop in any stage.





Honestly since i don't rate based on timing i wouldn't be able to think of one....I don't throw the term Classic out much either....i only have about 5 albums i consider great while looking at it from other perspectives.



Classics are suppose to be timeless....So timing shouldn't be a issue really. At least thats what i think...



@Woodcock: Actually that was the only Album i could think of for this question...but when i think about it through other perspectives i believe that 50 and that album would of succeeded in any era....Even now... A lot of the sales were done through hype but it didn't change the quality. And the music is still enjoyable....But out of respect for myself...you will never find me blasting "In the Club" in my car.lol.





ChargerFan: Actually there you go....All Eyez on Me....Perfect example of a album which was only considered a classic because of its timing...i really haven't found anyone actually say it was great without seeming as if they were in love with the man. The man can rap, but probably is the most overrated rapper in Hip Hop history. And as far as double disc go, i think Speakerboxxx/The Love Below had better quality music.

Answer 5

There is a bit of a point lodged in there. The West Coast had quite honestly taken over hip hop and the East Coast was looking for artists to fill that void. That of course, is when Wu Tang, Nas, and Big debuted in what seemed to be a series. So you could make an argument that out of desperation for control of the rap game during the time, the East Coast gassed those albums up a slight bit. I personally wouldn't be willing to take that position though. And of course, I'm only answering about 1990-94.

Answer 6

It also helps that illmatic was a great album...and pretty much a perfect example of hip hop in any stage.





Honestly since i don't rate based on timing i wouldn't be able to think of one....I don't throw the term Classic out much either....i only have about 5 albums i consider great while looking at it from other perspectives.



Classics are suppose to be timeless....So timing shouldn't be a issue really. At least thats what i think...

Answer 7

Co sign Buzz, and I'll add that timing legitimizes an album's classic status later on...Marvin Gaye's What's Going On was genius not only because it melodically it was masterful, but became classic because its release coincided with the Civil Rights Movement's culmination of law passage.

Time and timing are truly of the essence but don't know of any album released that's now classic just because of When it Was released.

Answer 8

I can agree with taht a little on Nas Illmatic, although it took several years for people to call it a classic. When it first came out everyone was sleeping on it.



I will say Wu-Tang's 36 Chambers. It was very different and unique from the lyrics to the sounds, to the members of Wu. They are just some characters.

Answer 9

respectivly disagree with illmatic, that would have been a classic if it dropped in '89...i think the only effect timing has on a album is the initial sales/hype but illmatic has been out for almost 15 years...and people still talk listen to it regularly



I wish i had my cds with me so i could find a over-hyped album i cant think of one off the top of my head...



EDIT: Ok got one....Rakim - 18th letter overhyped due to everyone waiting to hear his first studio album in awhile (5yrs) and jumping to conclusions that it was a classic before it even came out! personally i think it was a big dissapointment

Answer 10

i do no longer probably be conscious of, i've got continually felt, being in user-friendly terms 15 myself, i'm able to in no way totally take exhilaration in albums that got here out before my time or at the same time as i replaced into too youthful to comprehend track top. possibly it truly is honest to maintain appreciate for the effect and effect that older albums achieved by way of fact, I recommend i don't be conscious of how previous you're, most of the "youthful technology" (i don't be conscious of what to call it) can no longer think of how floor-breaking or creative the albums have been while they have been initially released. needless to say if Paid In comprehensive replaced into released the next day it may get undesirable comments by way of fact hip hop has grown and adjusted lots by way of fact the 80's. incredibly, i think of human beings can no longer choose and evaluate previous "classics" against at present's hip hop till they have been alive and able on the time.

Answer 11

Co-sign the people who said GRODT but then again, I kinda disagree because GRODT, was simply that damn good. Yes it came during a time period where mainstream hiphop was falling off BUT, it was just that damn good. Ironically, 50cent the most candiest rapper nowadays, brought back "Gangsta Rap"!?!?



An album that I think is considered a classic simply because of timing is Biggies "Ready to Die". Enough said. Check the circumstances when that album came out and actually listen to that album, and it was just OK. The circumstances surrounding the album made it a classic.

Answer 12

A lot of people consider 50 Cent's Get Rich or Die Tryin a classic... I thought it was good...but I never really thought of it as a classic though... But it dropped in 03... and alot of the mainstream music was fallin off real hard...

Answer 13

Sgt. Pepper because it came out during the Summer of Love... if for no other reason. I mean listening to it these days? It has NOT aged well at all.

Bad Girls by Donna Summer. The last gasp of disco. People were just tired of it. Donna may have been, too as her next album, The Wanderer was not disco. BUT, with Bad Girls, the genre went out with a bang.

Answer 14

Is he serious?

WOW... I've never seen an album get so much praise by people who are actually in the Hip Hop Business and then get so much hate from fans...



"Straight Outta Compton" can fall into that category. It's a great album but it came out in 1988 when Hip Hop was dropping classics after classics and all the controversy surrounding the album so I think all that helped it...

Answer 15

all eyes on me is not a classic you are crazy and need to slap yourself. So you can wake up from your stupidity. It got 5 mics for a reason the beats and rhymes where on point. The subject matter and feeling can't be compared. To me it is the best double disc ever made. I can listen to every song. Even whats your phone number. You are probably to young. You don't know rap

Answer 16

Cosign NylGuess.



A classic is a classic is a classic. It doesn't matter WHEN it was released, late 80s or yesterday, if it's really that good.

Answer 17

All Eyez On Me would probably fall into that...it was the first double disc album and it was released when Pac was on top of the world...

Answer 18

Its kinda weird to say, but God's Son by Nas would've sucked as a whole if his mom hadn't died earlier that year....