5 “Groundbreaking” But Horrendously Overrated Hip Hop Albums From 50 Cent To Kanye West

[So what are 5 ‘groundbreaking’ hip hop and rap albums that are horrendously overrated? First, let’s acknowledge that none of these platters were included because they were not successful. They are on this list because they were praised for somehow being “groundbreaking” and that is what eventually led to their being considered “horrendously overrated.” SOHH correspondent Jessica Kane serves up her top five below.]

5. Lil Wayne’s Tha Carter III (2008)

Lil Wayne commercially peaked in 2008 when this album sold over 1 million copies in its first week of release. numerous sources agree though that this is actually far from his best work no matter how many copies it initially sold. (Many critics and fans alike believe the previous platter, Tha Carter II deserves that honor.) Does anyone truly believe that tracks like “Phone Home” and “La La” would be on a truly groundbreaking album that was yet another sequel?

4. 50 Cent’s Get Rich or Die Tryin’ (2003)

Let’s face it, it might have been fun at some point, but 50 Cent’s crossover arrival into the musical mainstream was–as the saying goes–”more style than substance.” The disc does have its moments and it obviously did capture the true presentational public persona of the next massive hip hop star. The filler, such as “Poor Lil Rich” and “Blood Hound” betray it for what it is. If you consider the quality of the entire album, it is not the classic to be some folks once thought it was.

3. Outkast’s Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003)

Do you remember when this record garnered the Grammy for Album of the Year in 2004? It has indeed gone on to become Outkast’s most famous disc. Unfortunately, it is also the performing pair’s least spectacular release. While critics may praise the highs, can anyone name more than two tracks from the album? The lows, however, led by Andre 3000’s experimental insert “The Love Below,” fail to measure up to the act’s four prior classics.

2. Dizzee Rascal’s Boy In Da Corner (2003)

Rascal was a newbie when he released this work. Still, while it has moments, the LP is, as they say, “more of a hard-drive dump” than an actual album. The UK press was so happy to have a hip hop CD that was actually not an embarrassment that they oversold him. They pushed him as the “high priest of grime.” The release has some great production values and some great lyrics. “Fix Up, Look Sharp”, Jezebel” and “Jus’ A Rascal” aren’t enough to hold up the remainder of the record.

1. Kanye West’s My Beautiful Dark Twisted Fantasy (2010)

Kanye West is more musical myth than man. Face it, West doesn’t make perfect albums. The noteworthy Late Registration and other offerings might demonstrate he can make messiness work but his narcissism cuts his insights off at the knees. While the use of auto-tune and King Crimson samples may score high ratings from music critics upon release, once one sits down and listens carefully it is obvious that this album’s scope and drama are tainted by bad puns and pieced together soul backdrops.

Jessica Kane is a music connoisseur and an avid record collector. She currently writes for SoundStage Direct, her go-to place for all turntables and vinyl equipment, including Rock Vinyls.