G.O.A.T.

Last week an edict was issued by Straight Bangin: what are your top 25 Hip Hop albums of all-time? Being one who follows instructions, I decided to toss my fitted New Era cap into the ring. It became one of the hardest lists I ever compiled, even more than when I'd shop at Liquor Mart and had to decide between Natural Ice and Keystone Light.

I had some loose rules for myself, even though overall there were no rules. One, I would try to only select an artist or even his crew once. Two, no compilation albums, R&B and/or rock fusion albums. Three, no albums from 2006 or 07 would be eligible.

As set forth each album will receive 25 points for being #1, down to 1 point for #25. Unlike the ESPN coaches poll, my assistant/SID/trash man did not fill out my ballot.

SLUSHY GUTTER'S TOP 25 OF ALL-TIME
1-The Cold Vein- Cannibal Ox (2001)
2-Supreme Clientele- Ghostface Killah (2000)
3-Runaway Slave- Showbiz & AG (1992)
4-Enta Da Stage- Black Moon (1993)
5-Here Come the Lords- Lords of the Underground (1993)
6-Criminal Minded- Boogie Down Productions (1987)
7-Cypress Hill- Cypress Hill (1991)
8-Moment of Truth- Gangstarr (1998)
9-Death Certificate- Ice Cube (1991)
10-Yo! Bum Rush the Show- Public Enemy (1987)
11-Enter the Wu Tang- Wu Tang Clan (1993)
12-Straight Outta Compton- NWA (1989)
13-Unfinished Business- EPMD (1989)
14-Illmatic- Nas (1994)
15-Between a Rock and a Hard Place- Artifacts (1995)
16-Tougher Than Leather- Run DMC (1988)
17-Ready to Die- Notorious BIG (1994)
18-Midnight Mauraders- Tribe Called Quest (1993)
19-Follow the Leader- Eric B & Rakim (1988)
20-Beauty and the Beat- Edan (2005)
21-Am I Black Enough For You?- Schoolly D (1989)
22-Black Album- Jay-Z (2003)
23-Vaudeville Villain- Viktor Vaughn (2003)
24-Stress: The Extinction Agenda- Organized Confusion (1994)
25-XO Experience- Tha Alkaholiks (2001)

LAST SIX OUT: Bizarre Ride to the Pharcyde- Pharcyde (1992), Nine Livez- Nine (1995), Long Live the Kane- Big Daddy Kane (1988), Internal Affairs- Pharoah Monch (1999), Tical- Method Man (1994), Muddy Waters- Redman (1996)

SURPRISES IN THE MIX: Capital Punishment- Big Pun (1998), Lord Willin- The Clipse (2003), Sex Packets- Digital Underground (1990), Back in Black- Whodini (1986)

MID MAJORS: Bakooka Tooth- Aesop Rock (2003), Both Sides of the Brain- Del (2000), Date of Birth- The Arsonists (2001), Die Rugged Man Die- RA the Rugged Man (2005), The Platform - Dialated Peoples (2000), The Sun Rises in the East- Jeru the Damaja (1994), Home Field Advantage- High and Mighty (1999), Further Adventures of Lord Quas- Quasimoto (2004)

OLD SCHOOL BANGERS: WC & The Maad Circle- Aint a Damn Thing Changed (1991) The Cactus Album- 3rd Bass (1989), Naughty By Nature- S/T (1991), Original Gangster- Ice-T (1991), Youngest In Charge- Special Ed (1989)

DUPLICATION DUPLICITY: Entire Alkaholiks catalog, Wu Albums pre 1998, entire EPMD catalog, Fear of a Black Panet- Public Enemy (1990), Most Boot Camp Click albums pre 1997, Amerikkkas Most Wanted- Ice Cube (1990), KRS-One- S/T (1993), entire Tribe Called Quest catalog (excluding their final), about half of the MF Doom solos and collabos, entire Eric B & Rakim catalog, More Fish- Ghostfaace Killah (2006)

INELIGIBLE BUT HOT: What's the 411?- Mary J Blige (1991), Check Your Head- Beastie Boys (1992), Soul Survivor- Pete Rock (1998), Duck Season Vol 1- DJ Babu (2002), Juice Soundtrack (1992), Food and Liquor- Lupe Fiasco (2006)