Thematic Rap albums?

[thebiglebowski]

Not sure if "thematic" is the right word, but I have a couple of rap albums I listen to regularly (Deltron 3030, A1 - After school special). I think I like that these have themes to them (Deltron has a futuristic/space travel theme and A1 is based off 90s TV shows).

So, are there anymore good rap albums that have themes that tie all the songs together rather than just a collection of random thoughts?

[gutzonborglum]

Classified - Self Explanatory is a pretty solid 'Name your own adventure' themed album. All the songs intertwine, and you have the option of skipping ahead to certain tracks depending on how you want the story to turn out. Sounds kind of campy, but his musical ability is great, along the line of Atmosphere. Good Canadian hip hop, with a theme!

[saxamaphone]

Dr. Octagon - Dr. Octagonecologyst

CunninLynguists - A Piece of Strange

Handsome Boy Modeling School - So... How's Your Girl?

Little Brother - The Minstrel Show

[AlexH.]

Is the phrase you're looking for "concept album"?

Tyler, the Creator's albums follow a loose continuous narrative if you can stomach rape references.

Also, Kanye's first 3 albums are kind of thematic. 808s & Heartbreak is too, but it's more of an R&B record.

[thebiglebowski]

Thanks for suggestions. Will look into them.

"Concept album" is probably a better phrase. I guess technically club rap has a "concept," just a dumb one. But yeah, a concept album with a studio feel (as opposed to laptop rap type stuff like MC Lars, which isn't bad but doesn't stick with me).

[almightyseancore]

pretty much every icp album is a concept album.

jus' sayin'.

[kriss]

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[astrangerwithcandy]

MF Doom does a lot of stuff like that (MMFood and Dangerdoom)

[kriss]

^ yes! I have the Special Herbs box which is just great if you want solid instrumental hip hop. His Madvillain album with Madlib is probably one of the best underground hip hop records of all time.

[bathroommonkey]

aceyalone - the book of human language

kunga 219 - tharapa's transcrips

[imaminorthreat]

mf doom's food album is fucking amazing. all of del's shit is worth having as well.

[plasma36]

Digital Underground - "Sex Packets"

Wu-Tang Clan - "36 Chambers: Enter the Wu-Tang"

Both are essential hip-hop albums, and both are meant to be listened to as full albums. "Game Theory" by The Roots doesn't follow much of a story but it, along with most Roots albums, has overlying themes in it.

[manicdogbert]

The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free

[kriss]

Digital Underground - "Sex Packets"

Wu-Tang Clan - "36 Chambers: Enter the Wu-Tang"

Both are essential hip-hop albums, and both are meant to be listened to as full albums. "Game Theory" by The Roots doesn't follow much of a story but it, along with most Roots albums, has overlying themes in it.

I know it's probably lacking in terms of overarching theme, but the first Roots record that they did back in the early 90's is some seriously incredible stuff.

[hickey]

Prince Paul - A Prince Among Thieves. This wins the "concept album" category for rap records.

[moe]

The Goats - Tricks of the Shade

[plasma36]

The Streets - A Grand Don't Come For Free

Damn, how did I forget about this? That album is incredible and everyone should own it.

[nicole]

Classified - Self Explanatory is a pretty solid 'Name your own adventure' themed album. All the songs intertwine, and you have the option of skipping ahead to certain tracks depending on how you want the story to turn out. Sounds kind of campy, but his musical ability is great, along the line of Atmosphere. Good Canadian hip hop, with a theme!

my first thought, exactly.