#GreatAlbums1990s – TOP 20 - #PublicEnemy - #FearOfABlackPlanet (1990). Bottomless sonic complexity, grooves that rock as hard as James Brown, and lyrics that manage to be both outrageous and hilarious made FOABP a furious delight that hasn’t dated a minute in the last 33 1/3 years. “911 is a Joke” and “Fight the Power” get the most air due their continuing social relevance, but the whole disc gave popular music a much-needed kick in the ass. A generational milestone.

#GreatRapAlbums, #HipHop

#GreatAlbums1990s – TOP 20 - #LaurynHill - #TheMiseducationOfLaurynHill (1998). A premier neo-soul album of the 90s, Hill’s only studio solo CD fused rap, reggae and new jack soul with incisive lyrics about love/ spirituality/ sexuality. Even diss songs like “The Lost Ones” are eloquent, and the rugged social commentary on “Everything is Everything” recalls Marvin Gaye at his best. The disc’s influence resonates in the music of Amy Winehouse, Beyoncé, etc. #GreatPopAlbums, #Soul, #GreatRapAlbums