LISTEN: These Unforgettable Hip-Hop Albums Turn 25 In 2025

By Tony M. Centeno
JAY-Z, Lil' Kim, Nelly & Ghostface Killah

Photo: Roc Nation/Undeas Recording/UMG/Razor Sharp Records

Ready to feel old? It's been 25 years since Nelly released his classic song "Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t)."

The rapper out of St. Louis, MO released his debut single on February 29, 2000. The song, produced by Jason "Jay E" Epperson, quickly spread around the country and instantly put Nelly on the map especially after he landed at the top of the charts in the U.S. and the U.K. He rapped his catchy hit in front of the Gateway Arch in his hometown during the unforgettable music video for "Country Grammar" featuring appearances from his St. Lunatics crew and fellow Midwest rapper Chingy.

"Country Grammar (Hot Sh*t)" is the lead single for Nelly's debut album Country Grammar. The 17-track album dropped a few months later in June and contains other early hits by Nelly including "E.I.," "Ride Wit Me," "Batter Up" with the St. Lunatics, "For My" featuring Lil Wayne and more. The album topped the charts for weeks and eventually became the ninth Hip-Hop album to reach Diamond status according to the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).

Nelly's first studio album, along with other iconic projects by The LOX and Ghostface Killah, helped kick off a vital year in Hip-Hop history. Artists like Boosie Badazz and Trina also delivered their debut albums in 2000. Meanwhile, heavy-hitters like Beanie Sigel, Three 6 Mafia, Lil' Kim, Busta Rhymes, De La Soul and others dropped projects that strengthened their legacy in the rap game. Rap fans also received two powerful projects from Big Pun and Big L, who both passed away before their respective albums (Yeah Baby and The Big Picture) were released.

These classic raps albums will be a blast from the past, especially on Nostalgia Day! In honor of National Nostalgia Day, iHeartRadio is highlighting songs turning 25 this year featuring exclusive audio from their radio interviews in 2000. Jam out to these throwback tracks on the official playlist here and scroll below to hear more iconic rap albums.

  • 1 of 55
    The LOX, We Are The Streets -

    Photo: Ruff Ryders/Interscope Records

  • 2 of 55
    Boosie Badazz, Youngest of da Camp -

    Photo: Camplife Entertainment

  • 3 of 55
    Ghostface Killah, Supreme Clientele -

    Photo: Razor Sharp Records

  • 4 of 55
    Dead Prez, Let's Get Free -

    Photo: Loud Records

  • 5 of 55
    Trick Daddy, Book of Thugs: Chapter AK Verse 47 -

    Photo: Slip N Slide/Atlantic

  • 6 of 55
    Diggin' In The Crates Crew, D.I.T.C. -

    Photo: Tommy Boy Music

  • 7 of 55
    Beanie Sigel, The Truth -

    Photo: Def Jam/UMG Recordings

  • 8 of 55
    Bone Thugs-N-Harmony, BTNHResurrection -

    Photo: Ruthless Records

  • 9 of 55
    Black Rob, Life Story -

    Photo: Bad Boy Records

  • 10 of 55
    Ice Cube, War & Peace Vol. 2 (The Peace Disc) -

    Photo: Priority Records

  • 11 of 55
    Trina, Da Baddest B***h -

    Photo: Slip-N-Slide Records/Atlantic

  • 12 of 55
    Common, Like Water for Chocolate -

    Photo: Geffen Records

  • 13 of 55
    Big Pun, Yeeeah Baby -

    Photo: Loud Records

  • 14 of 55
    Rah Digga, Dirty Harriet -

    Photo: Elektra Entertainment

  • 15 of 55
    Da Brat, Unrestricted -

    Photo: Columbia Records

  • 16 of 55
    Del the Funky Homosapien, Both Sides of the Brain -

    Photo: Hiero Imperium

  • 17 of 55
    Cypress Hill, Skull & Bones -

    Photo: Columbia Records

  • 18 of 55
    Ying Yang Twins, Thug Walkin' -

    Photo: Collipark Records

  • 19 of 55
    Big Tymers, I Got That Work -

    Photo: Cash Money Records

  • 20 of 55
    Dilated Peoples, The Platform -

    Photo: Capitol Records

  • 21 of 55
    Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP -

    Photo: Aftermath/Interscope Records

  • 22 of 55
    Sauce Money, Middle Finger U -

    Photo: Priority Records

  • 23 of 55
    Slum Village, Fantastic, Vol. 2 -

    Photo: Barak Entertainment

  • 24 of 55
    Three 6 Mafia, When The Smoke Clears: Sixty 6, Sixty 1 -

    Photo: Loud Records

  • 25 of 55
    Busta Rhymes, Anarchy -

    Photo: Elektra Entertainment

  • 26 of 55
    Nelly, Country Grammar -

    Photo: UMG Recordings

  • 27 of 55
    Lil' Kim, The Notorious K.I.M. -

    Photo: Undeas Recordings/Atlantic

  • 28 of 55
    Ruff Ryders, Ryde or Die Vol. 2 -

    Photo: Ruff Ryders/Interscope

  • 29 of 55
    Lil' Flip, The Leprechaun -

    Photo: Suckafree Records

  • 30 of 55
    Big L, The Big Picture -

    Photo: BMG

  • 31 of 55
    De La Soul, Art Official Intelligence: Mosaic Thump -

    Photo: AOI Records

  • 32 of 55
    Wyclef Jean, The Ecleftic: 2 Sides II a Book -

    Photo: Sony Music

  • 33 of 55
    Daz Dillinger, R.A.W. -

    Photo: Dogg Pound Online

  • 34 of 55
    LL Cool J, G.O.A.T. Featuring James T. Smith: The Greatest of All Time -

    Photo: Island Def Jam Music Group

  • 35 of 55
    Cam'ron, S.D.E. -

    Photo: Untertainment Records

  • 36 of 55
    Mystikal, Let's Get Ready -

    Photo: Zomba Recording

  • 37 of 55
    Shyne, Shyne -

    Photo: Bad Boy Records

  • 38 of 55
    Bow Wow, Beware of Dog -

    Photo: So So Def Recordings/Sony Music

  • 39 of 55
    Phife Dawg, Ventilation: Da LP -

    Photo: Groove Attack

  • 40 of 55
    Scarface, The Last of a Dying Breed -

    Photo: Rap-a-Lot 2K Records

  • 41 of 55
    E-40, Loyalty and Betrayal -

    Photo: Zomba Recording

  • 42 of 55
    Ja Rule, Rule 3:36 -

    Photo: Island Def Jam Music Group

  • 43 of 55
    M.O.P., Warriorz -

    Photo: Loud Records

  • 44 of 55
    Ludacris, Back For The First Time -

    Photo: Island Def Jam Music Group

  • 45 of 55
    JAY-Z, The Dynasty: Roc La Familia -

    Photo: Roc-a-Fella/Def Jam Recordings

  • 46 of 55
    OutKast, Stankonia -

    Photo: RCA Records

  • 47 of 55
    Prodigy, H.N.I.C. -

    Photo: Infamous Records

  • 48 of 55
    Wu-Tang Clan, The W -

    Photo: Columbia Records

  • 49 of 55
    Capone-N-Noreaga, The Reunion -

    Photo: Tommy Boy Music

  • 50 of 55
    8Ball & MJG, Space Age 4 Eva -

    Photo: JCOR Entertainment/Interscope Records

  • 51 of 55
    Master P, Ghetto Postage -

    Photo: Priority Records

  • 52 of 55
    Memphis Bleek, The Understanding -

    Photo: Roc-a-Fella Records

  • 53 of 55
    Xzibit, Restless -

    Photo: Loud Records

  • 54 of 55
    Lil Wayne, Lights Out -

    Photo: Cash Money Records

  • 55 of 55
    Snoop Dogg, The Last Meal -

    Photo: Priority Records

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