The new trend with rappers is making sequels to previously successful albums. Now success means different things in different era's. For example Raekwon is planning to release a Cuban Links pt. II sequel to his early 90's classic LP Only Built for Cuban Links. This album had that raw gutter sound provided by RZA, top-notch lyrics, which is to be expected of any Wu-Tang offspring, and very creative and relavent topics. A sequel to this albums is highly anticipated for all these reasons despite lack luster record sales by today's standard.
Jay-Z who is now stranger to sequencing albums as proven by his In My Lifetime 1, 2, & 3 series is planning on releasing a Blue Print 3. Jay-Z's The Blue Print was largely driven by the beautiful melodic sound scaping of early Kanye West and Just Blaze. This album brought back a lot of the soulfulness hip-hop was missing at the time. Jay-Z displayed his unrivaled Brooklyn swagger mixed with a little bit of insight to the emotions of Hov. A sequal to this was very welcome, however, The Blue Print 2 fell short of what of what fans expected lyrically and musically. The double album disaster was way to long, lacked any central feel or focus, and was flooded with features unlike the original. The promise of a Blue Print I has ears eaching, however, some mouths are salty from the second Blue Print to accept the new opus with open arms.
This brings me to Lil' Wayne's The Carter series. On The Carter I Lil' Wayne displayed his new style for the world over the Cash Money signature sounds of Mannie Fresh. This album was not too well received until the second single "Go DJ" hypnotized us into saying this isn't so bad and gained comercial success. Although the Carter I was not classic by anyone's opinion, Wayne felt the need to drop a sequel The Carter II. Again the lead single "Fireman" was lack lustered but eventually saved by the second single "Hustla Muzik." The beat and hook and that song was so hot that it didn't matter that Wayne mumbled whisper through the verses. Wayne took time off from dropping solo albums and worked with Baby on an album before absolutely flooding the radio with features on everyone's remix. Wayne received much acclaim for his co-starring efforts even the selftitled "Greatest rapper alive" in the absence of relavent NY hip-hop. The anticipation of a Wayne album fueled the success of the most recent comercially successful rap album The Carter III. Now rumor is Lil'Wayne is planning on extending his series to 5 parts, so we'll just have to see.
Now here are some albums I would personally like sequels to in reverse order:
Myth Man's Top 5 Albums That Need Sequels
5.) Big Pun "Capital Punishment"- I know a sequel to this will never happen, but true lyricism was never more prolific than this album. Pun was spittin like nobody's business even on the commercial songs. There was not 1 song where Pun didn't excite you with his word play.
4.)The Fugees "The Score" - If you didn't have this tape when it came out you simply were not cool. It sounded like nothing else period. The unique dynamic of a mixed gender group lead by Lauren Hill's versatility and Wyclef's musical abilities lead to some incredibly put together songs with some of the most catchy hooks.
3.)Ghostface Killah "Supreme Clientele" - This was Ghostface in his prime over some of the best production ever on one album. When Ghost rhymes he puts you right there in the middle of his stories. That coupled with his crazy witty one-liners made this album an instant classic.
2.)OutKast "Aquemini" - This album was way ahead of its time. Dre and Big Boi put together song concepts that were so relateable mixed with the signature crazy sound OutKast was known for.
1.)Nas "Illmatic" - This is the best album of all time. One of the first albums to be produced by the top producers of the time DJ Premier, Pete Rock, Q-tip, and Large Professor. Nas's gritty dipiction of street life has been unmatched to this day. This album truly felt "Straight out the Dungeons of Rap." There was not a song on here that was weak or could have improved. Nas simply murdered every song with his cypher type style. The album was a landmark of how albums should be. If you have never heard this album its a shame.