Season 2 Finale
Time to say goodbye to season 2! We're going to remember the highs, the lows, and most importantly...the classics. Enjoy and we'll see you soon! - The Liner Notes Crew
Aug 29, 2022•2 hr 12 min
The Liner Notes: Defining Hip-Hop's Classic Albums
The Liner Notes was created for one mission: to define the true hip-hop classics of all time. What albums and artists rise above the others to withstand the test of time? We’re here to shed light on the albums that still feel fresh and will continue to dazzle listeners for years to come—a sign of intensely high quality.
Ever wondered what makes a classic album? Stay locked in for The Liner Notes—a podcast dedicated to defining what hip-hop albums rise above the rest.
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Episodes
Classic Album Debate #68: Straight Outta Compton
"Straight outta Compton, crazy motherfucker named Ice Cube From the gang called Niggaz With Attitudes When I'm called off, I got a sawed off Squeeze the trigger, and bodies are hauled off" - Straight Outta Compton Final album review of season 2. NWA changed the game with Straight Outta Compton. This put the west coast on the map and the rest of Hip-Hop on notice. Is it a Classic?
Aug 22, 2022•1 hr 37 min
Classic Album Debate #67: Nuttin' But Love
"I know you want lots a jewels and stuff Backyards with swimming pools, bars with stools and stuff Fancy foods - Lobster, Sushi Gear - Versace, Gucci, crazy Lucci" - Nuttin' But Love Next album up: Nuttin' But Love by Heavy D. Dropped in 1994, this album contained some of Hev's biggest hits. Is it a classic?
Aug 15, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Classic Album Debate #66: Raising Hell
I got bass, tone, I use cologne And then I rock the funky rhyme on the microphone - Perfection Next album up: Raising Hell by Run-D.M.C. This was the first platinum Hip-Hop record and sent the group to super stardom. Is it a classic?
Aug 08, 2022•1 hr 25 min
Classic Album Debate #65: Girl Code
"Real ass bitch, give a fuck 'bout a nigga Big Birkin bag, hold five, six figures" - Act Up Next album up: Girl Code by the City Girls. The City Girls dropped their debut album in 2018 and it put the girls on a national stage. Is it a classic?
Aug 01, 2022•1 hr 54 min
Classic Album Debate #64: Book of Ryan
"Need to know, I'm a product of a dead poet rhyming at his low Equals Maya Angelou, my emphatic flow can rise the status quo" - Outside Next album up: Book of Ryan by Royce Da 5'9. Dropped in 2018, This is seen as Royce's most introspective album. Is it a classic?
Jul 25, 2022•1 hr 52 min
Classic Album Debate #63: Astroworld
"Yeah, this shit way too formal, y'all know I don't follow suit Stacey Dash, most of these girls ain't got a clue" - Sicko Mode Next album up: Astroworld by Travis Scott. Travis dropped this in 2018 to critical acclaim and commercial success. Is it a classic?
Jul 18, 2022•1 hr 49 min
Classic Album Debate #62: Eve
"Y'all can have the bars, nigga, I spit hard metal gates Henry Louis Gates when I cop me some new estate" - Nina Next album up: Eve by Rapsody. Rapsody dropped her 3rd album in 2019 and it received widespread critical acclaim. Is it a classic?
Jul 11, 2022•2 hr 11 min
Classic Album Debate #61: Lord Willin'
" Virginia's for lovers, but trust there's hate here For out-of-towners, who think that they gon' move weight here Ironic, the same place I'm makin' figures at That there's the same land they used to hang niggas at" - Virginia Next album up: Lord Willin' by the Clipse. Their major label debut dropped in 2002 and was entirely produced by the Neptunes. Is it a classic?
Jul 04, 2022•1 hr 35 min
Classic Album Debate #60: Invasion Of Privacy
"Said lil' bitch, you can't fuck with me if you wanted to These expensive, these is red bottoms, these is bloody shoes" - Bodak Yellow Next album up: Invasion of Privacy by Cardi B. Cardi's debut took the music game by storm and was a massive commercial success. Is it a classic?
Jun 27, 2022•1 hr 12 min
Classic Album Debate #59: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
"We could trade places, get lifted in the staircases Word up, peace, incarcerated scarfaces" - Incarcerated Scarfaces Next album up: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx by Raekwon. Raekwon's debut was loved by critics and peers alike. Is it a classic?
Jun 20, 2022•57 min
Classic Album Debate #58: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em
"Can't Touch This" - Can't Touch This Next album up: Please Hammer Don't Hurt 'Em by MC Hammer. The first Hip-Hop album to go Diamond. Is it a classic?
Jun 13, 2022•1 hr 14 min
Classic Album Debate #57: ?
Who am I? Someone that's afraid to let go, uh You decide if you're ever gonna let me know (Yeah) Suicide if you ever try to let go, uh I'm sad, I know, yeah, I'm sad, I know, yeah - Sad Next album up: ? by XXXtentaction. This album has over a billion streams on Spotify and created a strong cult following. Is it a classic?
Jun 06, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Classic Album Debate #56: Scorpion
Drop your glasses, shake your asses Face screwed up like you having hot flashes Which one? Pick one, this one, classic Red from blonde, yeah, bitch, I'm drastic - Blow Ya Mind Next album up: Scorpion by Eve. Eve's second album was nominated for a Grammy and helped certify her standing as a star. Is it a classic?
May 30, 2022•1 hr 9 min
Classic Album Debate #55: Mama Said Knock You Out
Don't call it a comeback, I been here for years I'm rocking my peers, putting suckas in fear - Mama Said Knock You Out Next album up: Mama Said Knock You Out by LL Cool J. People thought LL went soft after Walking with a Panther dropped. His grandmother told him to knock the critics out on the next one. Is it a classic?
May 23, 2022•1 hr 45 min
Classic Album Debate #54: Things Fall Apart
My voice physically fit, tracks I'm bench-pressin' The mic chord is an extension of my intestine Delicate MC's sliced in my delicatessen My mind state is that of the S-P connection - Table of Contents Next album up: Things Fall Apart by the Roots. This album gave the Philly legends critical acclaim and mainstream exposure. Is it a classic?
May 16, 2022•1 hr 46 min
Classic Album Debate #53: Victory Lap
Spoke some things into the universe and they appeared I say it's worth it, I won't say it's fair Find your purpose or you wastin' air Fuck it, though, y'all niggas scared - Victory Lap Next album up: Victory Lap by Nipsey Hussle. Nipsey Hussle dropped his debut album in 2018 which helped cement his status as one of Hip-Hop's icons. Is it a classic?
May 09, 2022•1 hr 57 min
Classic Album Debate #52: Reachin'
Who me I'm cooling in New York I'm chilling in New York The hoods is on my block and the brother's at the court -Pacifics Next album up: Reachin' (A new Refutation of Time and Space) by Digable Planets. This debut album put Digable on the map, gave them a name and critical acclaim. Is it a classic?
May 02, 2022•1 hr 26 min
Classic Album Debate #51: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101
Last time I checked I was the man on these streets They call me residue, I leave blow on these beats -Trap or Die Next album up: Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101 by Young Jeezy. This album helped kick in the door for Atlanta and the Trap Music sound. Is it a classic?
Apr 25, 2022•1 hr 37 min
Classic Album Debate #50: Kamikaze
On a rainy die day early morn', my lethal legacy was born Ask any rapper around, 'bout the fuckin mics I left torn - Get Me We're on album debate #50. Today we're discussing Kamikaze by Twista. Twista dropped this after a 7 year break and this album eventually went platinum. Is it a classic?
Apr 18, 2022•1 hr 38 min
Classic Album Debate #49: Swimming
Hey kid, you could use a little bit of your imagination It could do you right, improve a life you busy wastin' Said it's your money if you make it Otherwise, it's just a conversation Conversation, Pt. 1 Next album up: Swimming by Mac Miller. Mac's fifth album and the last one to be released during his lifetime. This gave a window into Mac's life and his inner thoughts. Is it a classic?
Apr 11, 2022•1 hr 54 min
Classic Album Debate #48: Quik is the Name
So that's how I'm livin', I do as I please, you see A younger brother that's up on reality 'Cause everybody knows you have to be stomping If you're born and raised in Compton - Born and Raised in Compton Next album up: Quik is the Name by DJ Quik. This debut laid the foundation for a legendary career and Quik has been a household name in the culture, ever since. Is it a Classic?
Apr 04, 2022•1 hr 46 min
Classic Album Debate #47: Summertime '06
Nate Dogg still here 'cause of niggas like me Police still scared 'cause of niggas like me In the hood, like a dollar sweet tea or a Louis Burger You ain't with the business, nigga, who you murdered? - Norf Norf Next album up: Summertime 06 by Vince Staples. This was Vince's debut and is full of memorable bars and bangers. Is it a classic?
Mar 28, 2022•1 hr 55 min
Classic Album Debate #46: Country Grammar
I'm from the home of Red Fox, Ced the Entertainer Jettin' off with Brian Cox, I'll see ya later Maybe not 'cause I got somethin' hot In the Navigator, waitin' in the parkin' lot -St. Louie Next album up: Country Grammar by Nelly. Nelly's debut was a smash hit and made him a superstar. Is it a classic?
Mar 21, 2022•1 hr 21 min
Classic Album Debate #45: The Listening
"This is a message for our people chasing benjamins With real rhymes and skills they believing in Keeping them bad tapes rolling like Michelins It don't matter, 'cause niggas ain't listening" - The Listening Next Album: The Listening by Little Brother. This debut concept album put Litle Brother on the Hip-Hop map. Is it a classic?
Mar 14, 2022•1 hr 38 min
Classic Album Debate #44: You Better Ask Somebody
And I'm bout as wicked as a wicked-ass witch from the west So you and Toto better know that it's Yo-Yo I'm cute, I loot, and if you dispute Ice Cube taught a nigga how to shoot - You Better Ask Somebody Next album up, You Betta Ask Somebody by Yo-Yo. Released in 1993, this was her 3rd album. Is it a classic?
Mar 07, 2022•1 hr 20 min
Classic Album Debate #43: Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial
Like the mob ties in Houston, we got rag ties I pray the Lord forgive me the day that I got baptized 'Cause I'ma clutch the sticky every time a car passin' by I don't wanna be Ricky or another victim to homicide - War Baby Next album up: Please Excuse Me For Being Antisocial by Roddy Ricch. Roddy's debut was a commercial success and had a diamond single with The Box. Is it a classic?
Feb 28, 2022•1 hr 8 min
Classic Album Debate #42: Ridin' Dirty
Bitch say he want a show, you got nine grand? I ain't rappin' shit until my money in my hand South Texas, motherfucker, that's where I stay Gettin' money from your bitches every goddamn day - Murder, Pimp C Next album up: Ridin' Dirty by UGK. Released in 1996, This is UGK's third album and one of their most influential. Is it a classic?
Feb 21, 2022•1 hr 25 min
Classic Album Debate #41: Pink Friday
"All these bitches is my sons And I'ma go and get some bibs for 'em A couple formulas, little pretty lids on 'em If I had a dick, I would pull it out and piss on 'em" - Did it on em The next album we're reviewing is Pink Friday. . Nicki's album debut dropped in 2010 and pushed her right into the spotlight. Is it a classic?
Feb 14, 2022•1 hr 48 min
Classic Album Debate #40: Labcabincalifornia
"Let me entertain you and interphase you, with the new sound. Sound is the side and the Phar is the cyde And no matter who you are, you know you can't hide" For our 40th debate, we're hitting up Pharycde's second album, Labcabincalifornia. The group had a change in sound on this one and it had a big impact on how the album was received. Is it a classic?
Feb 07, 2022•1 hr 32 min
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