This album spawned “aka’s” in hip hop among other things. You would be hard pressed to find a hip hop album that had such an impact and created as many trends as Only Built 4 Cuban Linx. Raekwon’s detailed crime narratives became standard fare for any rapper after this album came out.  Released on Loud Records in 1995 this album not only featured one of the best guest verses ever, Nas on “Incarcerated Scarfaces”, but it also launched the solo career of Ghostface Killah.

Now there’s finally a rep from the East Coast on the Top 10 list!  Arguably, Jay’s most soulful album, The Blueprint, catches him at the peak of his game.  With R &B samples all over the place, Jay takes shots at Nas, proclaims his innocence and trades verses with Eminem.

This album was where Jay figured out his comfort zone as an artist. He had reached the pinnacle of commercial success on Vol. 2 but was missing the artistry displayed on Reasonable Doubt.  Jay took a risk on The Blueprint going with two unknown producers, Kanye West and Just Blaze, and they delivered not only his two hit singles, “Izzo (H.O.V.A)” and “Girls, Girls, Girls”, but also redefined the sound of the genre.  Jay took a risk which was unheard of for a rapper of his stature and it paid off big time.