In honor of ‘The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill’ going Diamond, I wanted to explore all of the incredible Diamond albums that Hip-Hop has given us.
This is PURELY for fun, don’t take this list too seriously, and stay out of my mentions (@sweezyradio).
10) Please Hammer, Don’t Hurt Em
I have much love for the bay, and much love for MC Hammer. Hip-Hop would not have found its way to the mainstream if it wasn’t for ‘U Can’t Touch This’
I’m not jealous of Hammer (like Ice-T may elude to), but this album (to me), definitely sticks out as a #10. Hammer was known for his videos and performances, not necessarily his album tracks.
9) 2Pac – Greatest Hits
A 2Pac album at #9?! I know, and I’m a huge Pac Stan. The reason I put this low is simply, because it’s a greatest hits record. Almost half of these cuts are on All Eyez On Me, which you’ll find much higher in the list.
8) Eminem – The Eminem Show
Here’s another artist with two Diamond records. I feel like Stans will be mad if I put Eminem Show above Marshall Mathers LP, so let’s place the Show at #8.
7) Nelly – Country Grammar
This is where the list got SUPER difficult to place records. I had to set my personal feelings on this record aside. As a midwest kid, this record was HUGE for me. I would have placed it higher, but I know it didn’t have the same impact for everybody. Nelly gets the 7 slot.
6) Outkast – Speakerboxxx / The Love Below
Again, I had to set some personal feelings aside for this one. HUGE impact, but maybe too mainstream for some.
5) Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP
We’re in the back half now, and it’s getting even tougher to place these albums. Just looking at the rest of the records, again the Stans will be mad, but I feel like this album goes here.
4) Lauryn Hill – The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
I feel like the only way to place these last few records it to put some personal bias back in my placement. I LOVE Lauryn, but the album just doesn’t bang’ like the next ones do. It’s also worth mentioning that The Score went Diamond overseas.
3) The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death
If you’re losing count, don’t worry, New York still takes the #1 spot. If you question this placement I just ask you one question: Which Biggie album do you bump, Ready To Die, or Life After Death?
2) 2Pac – All Eyez On Me
The PINNACLE of West Coast Hip-Hop. I don’t think a better record kicks off an album than Ambitionz Az A Ridah. The entire book 1 is bangers, and book 2 holds its own as well. I said I brought back my bias, and I am definitely a 2Pac STAN!
1) Beastie Boys – License To Ill
Yeah…there’s no way this wasn’t getting #1. I won’t get into a soapbox here, but this is one of THEE most important records in Hip-Hop culture. Oh, and Slayer’s Kerry King played guitar on No Sleep Till Brooklyn
