15 Random #Timeless Hood Classics

Many hip hop fans felt these albums and even if they wasn't necessarily trappin' by definition, their everyday life revealed the need for tales of survival, hustle, motivation, recovery, victory, defeat, betrayal and loyalty. I know as a soldier deployed, many of these albums were just the necessary medicine in such a tense environment. Not bad work out music either. Just my opinion on the albums. Some of them I play, some of them I merely recognize their impact. THERE IS NO ORDER OR RANKING. Just Riding Music, At High Volume.... Peace  - K.S.

15. Twista & the Speedknot Mobstaz - Mobstability: On the heels of the anniversary of the release of this album, it is hard to forget. I remember when Twista was rolling with these brothers. The Midwest definitely has is own sound with hard driving lows, smooth flows, and riding percussion. It still shows in the independent artist I work with from this region. A classic no less and one when you play at night, puts your mind in "hustle" mode. Tracks include: Mobstability, Front Porch and Legit Ballers.

14. Pastor Troy - Face Off: Sometimes you put a album on just to feel the intensity and use it as motivation to work toward a goal. The crunk era was all energy and with hard driving bass and artist who spoke with authority, it brought a different era. This artist is probably  largely responsible for development of that entire era. This album also with its southern roots reveal the same human conflicts such as racism, classism and the need to survive the times. A definite classic. Tracks include: No Mo Play In Ga, Vice Versa and Eternal Yard Dash

13. Hot Boys - Guerrilla Warfare: This album is associated with so many terms, I can't even remember them all. In fact, I was at a nightspot in Jacksonville this past month (2013). They played tracks off this album, and the crowd still was reciting the lyrics in unison...flawlessly. (The album was released in 1999). The content introduces the world to New Orleans Bounce and pretty much launches Cash Money, Manny Fresh, Juvenile and an artist by the name of Lil' Wayne whose 113 singles charted on the Billboard Hot 100 broke a 57 year record held by Elvis. Tracks include: I Need A Hot Girl, We On Fire and Respect My Mind. 

12. Trick Daddy - Thug Holiday: Before Rick was Trick. There was a certain dialect of the deep southern rapper, and it was probably copyrighted by this artist. Most of his albums are trap classics so I will just list this one. His songs are still loved by his fans globally and provide that historic Miami bass with the hard core uncensored lyrical realism we expect. Tracks include: In Da Wind, Bout Mines and Thug Holiday.

11. Project Pat - Crook By The Book: The Fed Story: Probably one of Project Pat's most slept on albums and one I heard in the streets more than on the radio. It contains detailed stories of "How It Goes In The Gutta". Project Pat may not what some call a traditional "lyricist", but his storytelling ability and realism rivals some of the greats. Tracks include: Raised In The Projects, N*gga Got Popped, and Cause I'm A Playa

10. Mobb Deep - The Infamous: In my "earlier" years, I once played this album on repeat while driving in a car for 18 hours straight. The curiosity and wisdom which is revealed in the "New York State Of Mind" has always been one of the hip hop lovers favorite. The album transports the listener to Queensbridge and reveals epic battles between the good and evil of men. All from a point of view of a young hustler. Tracks include: The Start of Your Ending (41st Side), Eye For An Eye (Your Beef Is Mine) and Up North Trip.

9. Goodie Mob - Soul Food: The South has tales of struggle and strife amongst the people, the legal system and among "the devil". The challange for the southern hustler is to continue to survive under such conditions as the jim crow south provides. This mental struggle is always a process that is dealt with, even with the "hustler". This album is also very influential and true artistic representation of the mind of the southern hip hop artist and "southern survivalist" in Atlanta. Tracks include: Cell Therapy, Dirty South and Thought Process.

8. Raekwon - Only Built For Cuban Linx: Ok, no the word "trap" is not contained in this album. However, as a hood classic and an album that clearly chronicles the happenings of the hood at an elevated level, I had to enter it into the discusssion. Probably in the deck or in the center console of most hustlers cars, this album has the historical perspective of the Chef with the credibility of one of the greatest hip hop groups of all time. Tracks include: Ice Cream, Rainy Dayz and Heaven and Hell

7. Dr. Dre - The Chronic: What exactly do you expect out of an album named after the preferred libation of choice for that generation (and possibly this one). The album, as with many great hip hop classic, takes the listener on a journey through the eyes of the artist from "where they are located". Your mind is transported to South Central LA, perhaps one of the largest "traps" on earth. Tracks include Nuthin' But a G Thang, Let Me Ride and B*tches Ain't Sh*t.

6. Lil' Kim - Hard Core: Now why did every lady in the hood want to be "Kim". Kinda of the same way everyone now wants to be like "Nikki". Nevertheless, Lil' Kim delivered many anthems on this album which is one of the earliest chronicles of the female hustler and bosses. Her raw perspective revealed the mindset and survival tactics when dealing in the male dominated field of "life" in the fast lane. Original, Valid, and Not watered down. A classic. Tracks include: Big Momma Thing, No Time and Not Tonight

5. The Notorious BIG - Ready To Die: I do realize that the word "trap" may not have been "officially" a public word when this album came out, but I guarantee you that someone right now in the "trap" is listening to it. In fact, this album never goes out of style for the hustler. Never. Tracks include: Big Poppa, The What, Everyday Struggle and Unbelievable.

4. Scarface - The Untouchable: Mr. Scarface has always been a "trap" favorite. His roots with the Geto Boys have produced some of the most thought provoking songs of all time. This album renders one a look into Houston, Texas. Still dealing with the struggles of race, poverty, under-education and over incarceration combined with just everyday struggle and survival. This album also contains one of the most memorable tracks in hip hop history. Tracks include; Smile, Mary Jane and Game Over

3. Outkast - Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik: The Atlanta Revolution: One of the most influential albums of this age. This album reveals us to Big Boi and Andre', two southern lyricist of a different breed. With no direct stories of "trappin", they quickly take you through different time periods into the present hustler mind state. That of the "the hood intellect". Tracks include: Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik, Players Ball, Git Up Get Out and Crumblin' Erb.

2. T.I. - Trap Muzik: Undeniably a trap classic to the point where it more than likely "formally" introduced the world to the term. Many late nights of listening to this song reveals some of the most details and visual stories of Atlanta. This was the take off for T.I. who kept getting better and better. Tracks include: Rubberband Man, 24's and Be Easy. 

1. 2Pac - All Eyes On Me: Why is it whenever there is a hater, or somebody messing with you, or you hustlin', or your boss is a punk, or the cops harassing you, or you going through it with your mate, or you lose a homie, or your homie gets locked up, or anything, that the first album you reach for is this one. So much power in one album, it's the trap's favorite, the people's favorite and possibly the greatest hip hop album ever. Just timeless. Tracks: Ambitionz Az a Ridah, Got My Mind Made Up, I Ain't Mad at Cha (feat. Danny Boy) and Wonda Why They Call U B*tch.