“Comin Out Hard” was the debut release of Memphis, Tennessee duo 8ball and MJG. Only 9 tracks long, it still captured the complete essence of their down south lifestyle over soulful beats.

9. Maroon 5 “Songs About Jane”

Songs About Jane is the 2002 debut album by Los Angeles rock/pop band Maroon 5. The title refers to Jane Herman, lead singer Adam Levine’s ex-girlfriend. The record included the hits “Harder To Breathe”, “She Will Be Loved”, and “This Love”.

8. Thug Life “Thug Life: Volume 1″

Thug Life: Volume 1 was the first release by the group Thug Life, created by late rapper Tupac Shakur.

7. The Velvet Underground “The Velvet Underground and Nico”

The Velvet Underground & Nico is the debut album by American rock band The Velvet Underground and vocalist Nico. It was recorded in 1966 during Andy Warhol’s Exploding Plastic Inevitable multimedia event tour, and the band would gain notoriety for its experimentalist performances, as well as its focus on controversial subject matter expressed in many of their songs.

“The Velvet Underground and Nico” was ignored by many on its original release in 1967, but has since become one of the most influential and critically acclaimed rock albums in history. The album makes an appearance on Rolling Stones 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list at number 13.

6. Goodie Mob “Soul Food”

Goodie Mob released their debut album Soul Food in 1995. Its title track was a hit single and the album included the first use of the term ‘dirty south’, on the track of the same name.

5. N.W.A. “Straight Outta Compton”

Straight Outta Compton is the 1988 album by Compton, California based hip hop group N.W.A, released on the late Eazy-E’s record label Ruthless Records. The production was handled mostly by Dr. Dre with DJ Yella given co-production credit. The record is considered one of the first records to pioneer and popularize gangsta rap.

4. The Rolling Stones “Exile on Main Street”

Exile on Main St. is the tenth studio album by English rock band The Rolling Stones. It was released as a double LP in 1972 and drew on influences from rock & roll, blues, country and soul. Initially the record was greeted with lukewarm reviews, but is now widely considered among the band’s finest work and one of the defining masterpieces of the rock era.

3. Outkast “ATLiens

ATLiens is the second album by Outkast released in 1996. Many songs on ATLiens feature more unconventional subject matter for hip hop. It also has a notably more laid-back, spacey production sound than their debut.

2. Nirvana “Nevermind”

Nevermind is the second studio album by Nirvana released in 1991. Frontman Kurt Cobain sought to make music outside of the restrictive confines of the Seattle grunge scene, drawing influence from groups such as the Pixies and its use of loud/quiet song dynamics.

1. The Beatles “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band”

Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band is the eighth studio album by English rock band The Beatles. Released June 1, 1967 it became a defining album in the emerging psychedelic rock style. The album is considered by prominent critics and publications as one of the most influential albums of all time.