When Grandmaster Flash brought rap into the music scene in 1979, skeptics said it would never last. Disco didn’t even survive the ‘70’s, and many thought rap would follow suit. In the mid-80s, however, a few acts would prove them wrong.

In 1986, rap would have its first major FM hits. Run D.M.C. teamed up with Aerosmith to deliver the smash hit "Walk This Way," while the Beastie Boys crossed racial boundaries.

In the late 80’s, rap needed some new blood. Dr. Dre, a member of the monumental group N.W.A., led rap’s evolution into the G-Funk era. G-Funk incorporated toe harder edge of gangster rap with the relaxing grooves of more laid-back rappers.

Rap music has produced a multitude of influential artists and classic albums in 20 years. It is always a hard task to single out a select group of albums as the essential collection in any genre. Rap music exhibits such a wide range of talent and diversity in music, making it even harder to designate 20 albums as the essential collection.

These albums cover two decades worth of rap evolution and featue artist from many different backgrounds. Rap music is not a fad, and the artists mentioned in this collection have definitely proven that.

1. Lauryn Hill: The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill (sony 1998)

"Girls, you know you better watch out. Some guys, some guys are only about that thing, that thing, that thing...." Soul sister No.1 is how some people refer to her. With Miseducation, Lauryn Hill has combined rap, hip-hop, R&B and soul to make a collective album expressing self-love, life and understianding. Lauryn Hill hasbeen extremely successful in her 10-year career. Along with group members Pras and Wyclef(The Fugees), she released The Score and sold over 10 million albums world-wide. Alone, Lauryn has sold over five million copies of Miseducation, won five Grammy Awards and topped the Post list of 20 best hip-hop albums of all time.

2. 2PAC: All Eyez On Me (Death Row, 1996)

2PAC left behind a monumental collection of albums, but this double album is definitely the essential pick-up. 2PAC’s lyrics served as a testimony to his real-life tragedies. "California Love" showcased his G-Funk skills alongside Dr. Dre and intorduced his music to anyone not yet exposed to his brilliant songwriting. IN terms of record sales its 9 million copies sold not only set the standard for rap albums, but also set the tone for all double albums.

3. Dr. Dre: The Chronic (Death Row, 1992)

If you are looking for the most influential rap album of the ‘90s, then The Chronic is it. Producer/rapper Dr. Dre finely crafted the G-Funk sound on this triple-platinum solo debut, with a little help from his first protege, Snoop Doggy Dogg. This album reinvented a tired genre and brought originality back to the mix. "Nothin’ But a G’ Thang" and "Dre Day" became summer time anthems, cementing Dre’s godlike status in the rap production world.

4. Snoop Doggy Dogg: Doggystyle (Death Row 1993)

Following shortly behind his mentor, Snoop perfected the G-Gunk formula. If dre didn’t reach the masses with "Nothin’ But a G’ Thang," then Snoop surely did with his classics "Gin and Juice" and "What’s my Name?" Everyone who listened to pop music during the early 90s should remember the chorus to "Gin and Juice." Unfortunately, he could never recreate that "laid-back" feeling on future albums.

5. Notorious B.I.G.: Life after Death (Bad Boy Entertainment 1997)

The late Biggie Smalls left not only the legacy of his children, but also some of the best rap hits of all time. With hists like "Hyponotize," "MO Money, Mo Problems," "Another," "Going back to Cali," "Player Hater," Sky’s the Limit," and "Notorious Thugs," Life After Death is a timeless classic everyone should own.

6. OutKast: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik (La Face, 1994)

Atlanta’s pride and joy had a big hit with Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik. The album went plainum, selling over 1 million copies and producing the hits "Player’s Ball," "Hootie Hoo," "Git Up, Git Out," "Ain’t No Thang" and the title track.

7. Wu-Tang: Clan 36 Chambers (RCA 1993)

The Wu’s first commercial album sold over 1 million copies and set the tage for a new style of rap. Some even preceived them as the N.W.A. of the 90s. Buoyed by the success of 36 Chambers, all but one member has gone on to release his own album, each becoming very successful in his own right.

8. Nas: Illmatic (Columbia, 1994)

This New Yorker is one of the truest rappers on the scene. The best rappers reveal true-life stories in their lyrics, and Nas certainly applied that style to his music. Even though this album struggled to go gold, the clarity of his message is virtually unmached among contemporary rappers.

9. Jay-Z: Hard Knock Life (Vol. 2) (Def Jam, 1998)

Over a decade aft4er Russell Simmons brought us the Beastie Boys, he brought another brilliant artist to the mainstream. The album sold 4 million copies and is widely regarded as Jay-Z’s best songwriting effort to date.

10. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony: E. 1999 Eternal (Ruthless, 1995)

"Bone! Bone! Bone! Bone! Bone! Bone! Bone! Bone! Tell me what ya’ gonna do.....I’ll see you at the crossroads....." A remix of this classic became the best single of all time. Bone Thugs-N-Harmony ruled the charts in the summer of 1995. It sold over 10 million albums and produced hits like "the 1^st of the Month," "Cross Roads," "Bud-Smokers Only," and "Mr. Bill Collector."

11. Master P: Ghetto D (No Limit, 1997)

Master P is the Russell Simmons of the ‘90s-he runs one of the most successful record companies and finds the best talent. This man from Louisiana is a true rap mogul, and other rappers know it. When Snoop needed to leave the self-destructing Death Row label, the obvious choice became P’s No Limit Records. P’s expertise in business crosses over to his art, and Ghetto D Truly showcases his powerful music. If you listen to his extrordinary rapping skills, you will know why he became a rap superpower.

12. Eric B. and Rakim: Paid in Full (Fourth and Brodway, 1987)

Old-school rap is responsible for a majority of the extrordinary music heard on the airwaves today. These tow rappers brought a unique flavor to a then fledgling scene. Their style of rap is not exactly the same as Run D.M.C., but this effort is one of early rap’s noteworthy efforts.

13. N.W.A.: Straight Outta Compton (Priority 1988)

In all musical genres there is one supergroup that produces some of the most influential artists ever. N.W. A. gave birth to future rap gods Dr. Dre, Eazy-E and Ice Cube. Tis can be seen as the original gangster rap group. They never apologized for their feelings- these men lived the life, and the lyrics spoke of the hardships they overcame.

14. Queen Latifah: Black Reign (Motown, 1993)

"Who you callin’ a bitch!" The summer of ’93 was all about the U.N.I.T.Y. Latifah’s sophomore effort Black Reign had us all hailing the queen. Black Reign was dedicated to her late brother, Lance, who died in a motorcycle accident. The record went gold, selling over 500,000 copies to date and producing hit songs like "I Can’t Understand," "Just Another Day," "Weekend Love" and of course, "U.N.I.T.Y." Latifah carved a niche in hip-hop history as the supreme female M.C.

15. DMX It’s Dark and Hell is Hot (Def Jam, 1998)

Just when we all thought "true" hardcore rap had gotten too soft, Dark Man X hit us with a rawness that we thirsted after for a very long time. With hot joints like "How’s It Goin’ Down" and "Ruff Ryders Anthem," DMX had us all screaming "Get at me dog!" It’s Dark and Hell is Hot sold over 3 million copies to date and won over "true" hip-hop heads the world over. This album is a must have!

16. Beatie Boys Licensed to Ill (Def Jam, 1986)

Cool samples, funky melodies, live instruments and three white boys from Nwe York City ushered in a kickass new brand of rap. Ad Rock, MCA and Mike D rapped about everything from their "Brass Monkey" to White Castle fries. Producer Rick Rubin helped mold the album’s 13 tracks into some of the most melodic raps of the ‘80s. From standard rap fare like "Posse In Effect" to the earliest example of rap-rock with "Fight For Your Right," the Beasties made a dynamite, universal debut.

17. Run D.M.C. Raising Hell (Profile, 1986)

Only one ramp group can be credited with filming a video featuring Steven Tyler to help break rap into the mainstream. In 1986, Run D.M.C. teamed with early rap moguls Rick Rubin and Russell Simmons to craft the genesis of pop rap. Raising Hell is the first hip-hop album that went gold, featuring three of the funniest rap poets in history. "Walk This Way" featuring Aerosmith, may be the most important rap tune ever recorded, as it brought rap to the mainstream kids. But don’t forget the album’s other classics like "Peter Piper" and "My Adidas."

18. LL Cool J Mama Said Knock You Out (Def Jam, 1990)

Not many 80s rappers continued to make and impact on the 90s scene, but LL certainly proved his worth. In fact, his biggest single came in the 90s—the title track of this album. Maybe his R&B infected hip-hop, or maybe his large scope appeal enabled LL to cruise unharmed through the changing times. "Illegal search" could be seen as a premonition of the Rodney King/Mark Fuhrman incidents to come. All in all, the music is solid.

19. A Tribe Call4ed Quest The Low End Theory (Jive, 1991)

"Here we go yo, here go yo, so what’s the scenario" was the expression of 1991. When "Scenario" hit the airwaves, true hip-hop heads felt this song the first time they heard it. The Low End Theory was a compilation of rap, hip-hop and jazz, something new for the ever-evolving Tribe. Although "Scenario" was a hot song, it was not the first time A Tribe Called Quest had experienced a hit song or a hit album. Their past hits include "Bonita Applebum," "Award Tour," "Find A Way," "oh My God" and "Hot Sex" as well as many others. Unfortunately, as of 1998, each member decided to go his own way, but their timeless music will always be remembered.