The 25 Best Underground Rap Albums of All Time (Part 7)

 (Image taken from: biggreenbeats.com)

9. Mr. Lif-I Phantom

Released in 2002

Label: Definitive Jux

If you’ve never seen Mr. Lif in concert, you need to. His energetic style is probably the best performance you’ll ever see from a rapper in your entire life, and his debut album, I Phantom, exudes some of that energy and excitement. But never one to shy away from heady topics, Mr. Lif travels all over the place with this concept album (Yep, another one on this list). It explores both death and rising from the ashes…only to be destroyed again by nuclear residue. Nobody said this album would be UpLIFting. No? Too corny?

Best track: Iron Helix 

 

(Image taken from: sesosduckblood.blogspot.com)

8. Non Phixion-The Future is Now

Released in 2002

Label: Uncle Howie Records

Non Phixion had been tearing it up for quite awhile before this major release, but this is the album that the hardcore hip-hop heads had been clamoring for. It fulfilled all of our wishes and then some and it’s a shame Warner Bros. didn’t distribute it as originally planned, because it might have made a big difference in the group’s longevity. As it was, they split up shortly after its release. But this album, with just monstrous tracks by Ill Bill, Sabac Red, and Goretex (With Necro and many others supplying the amazing beats), just works so well. “Cult Leader” by Ill Bill is a standout and could have even found a good place on his own solo release, What’s Wrong With Bill?, but every track is golden on here. The general public doesn’t know what it’s missing. 

Best track: Black Helicopters 

 (Image taken from: yuforum.net)

7. Killarmy-Dirty Weaponry

Released in 1998

Label: Wu-tang/Priority/EMI Records

Out of all of the many Wu-tang side groups and projects over the years, we’re going to call this one the best. The military (But not militant, if that makes any sense) raps of the group go above and beyond with rattling machine guns in the background and women screaming. It truly gives you the sense of being in the midst of warfare, which we’re sure was the group’s intention (Hello, they’re called Killarmy-It’s pronounced, Killa army). “Galactics,” “Allah Sees Everything,” and “The Shoot Out,” are probably its most recognizable songs, but “Bastard Swordsman,” shall always be our favorite track on the album, mostly because of Holocaust’s killer second verse. You have to hear it to believe it. It’s incredible.

Best track: Bastard Swordsman