--- title: The Best East Coast Albums Turning 20 description: For decades East Coast rappers have made major contributions in Hip Hop. From living legends like Jay Z and Nas to classic groups like A Tribe Called Quest image: https://blog.a3cfestival.com/hubfs/4r3jn4t52.jpg --- [**](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/the-best-east-coast-albums-turning-20#) - Oct 8-13, 2019 - [Home](https://www.a3cfestival.com) - [Schedule](https://a3cconference.com/shows/index.html) - [Lineup](https://a3cconference.com/lineup/index.html) - [Oct 8-13, 2019](https://www.a3cfestival.com) - [Blog](https://blog.a3cfestival.com) - [Buy Tickets](https://www.a3cfestival.com/tickets) ![](https://udxsva.com/tag?id=11009) - [Home](https://blog.a3cfestival.com) - [Artist Advice](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/topic/artist-advice) - [Music Industry](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/topic/music-industry) - [A3C Updates](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/topic/a3c) - [Events](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/topic/events) - [Atlanta](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/topic/atlanta) - [Opportunities](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/topic/opportunities) # The Best East Coast Albums Turning 20 ![Allison Hazel](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/hubfs/ally.jpg) Posted by [Allison Hazel](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/author/allison-hazel) on Aug 2 ![4r3jn4t52.jpg](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/hs-fs/hubfs/4r3jn4t52.jpg?width=1024&name=4r3jn4t52.jpg) For decades East Coast rappers have made major contributions in Hip Hop. From living legends like Jay Z and Nas to classic groups like A Tribe Called Quest and The Fugees; East Coast MC’s deliver a unique style and sound to the game. Perhaps it’s the hard core rhymes, swift flows, and heavy-bass tracks that distinguish them from their West Coast and Southern counterparts—even till this day. Since we’re celebrating [the year 1996](http://www.hiphopmyway.com/1996-the-greatest-year-ever-in-hip-hop/?ipp=3), a major time in Hip Hop history, here’s a list of the top East Coast albums that changed the game 20 years ago! **Lil Kim - Hard Core** Lil Kim aka “Queen Bee” made her debut in November of ’96 with the album* Hard Core*. Kim’s debut is considered raunchy and gangster, featuring appearances by Puff Daddy, Biggie, Jay Z, Lil Cease and more. **Jay- Z - Reasonable Doubt** Jay-Z also made his debut in 1996 with [*Reasonable Doubt*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MquyMZadfKE), which is credited as “one of the greatest rap albums” by several publications. **Nas - It Was Written** Nas’ second album It was Written debuted at No.1 on the Billboard 200. Popular singles include “If I Ruled the World, “Street Dreams”, and “The Message”. **Lost Boyz -** **Legal Drug Money** *Legal Drug Money* was the debut album of the Hip Hop group [Lost Boyz](http://www.allmusic.com/artist/the-lost-boyz-mn0000809527). The album became certified Gold by the RIAA in August of 1996. **A Tribe Called Quest - Beats, Rhymes and Life** *Beats, Rhymes and Life* was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Rap Album and Best Rap Performance by Duo or Group. **Ghostface Killah - Ironman** Wu-Tang Clan member Ghostface Killah’s solo project *Ironman* has been called one of the greatest [Wu-Tang solo albums](http://www.mtv.com/artists/wu-tang-clan/). It features fellow Wu-Tang members Raekwon and Cappadonna with the production of RZA. **Foxy Brown - Ill Na Na** Foxy Brown’s debut album *Ill Na Na *sold 109,000 copies in the first week! The album was released a week after Lil Kim’s Hard Core and features Blackstreet, Havoc, Method Man, Kid Capri and Jay Z. **The Fugees - The Score** Known for its sampled melodies and multi-genre influences, *The Score* is the second and final album from Hip Hop trio The Fugees. The 13-track project [earned a Grammy](http://www.grammy.com/videos/39th-annual-grammy-awards-best-rap-album) the following year (1997) for Best Rap album. Photo Credit:[donbleek.com](http://donbleek.com/) ![Allison Hazel](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/hubfs/ally.jpg) ### Written by [Allison Hazel](https://blog.a3cfestival.com/list/author/allison-hazel) Allison Hazel is a music blogger/journalist from NYC. She enjoys live music, steetwear shopping, trying new foods and traveling across the country. 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