Wu-Tang Clan - The W
I remember being captivated by their music videos. Nine rappers with superhero names and each of them with their own flow: at 14, you have to be fascinated by such a group. It's my favourite rap album - I even prefer it to 36 Chambers. The mood is crazy. You listen to 'Careful (Click, Click)' and you feel like being in this old basement studio in New York. Like in the booklet, in fact. The way the microphone spits this muted sound. 'Chamber Music' is one my favourite rap songs, the groove is perfect, with the little cymbal ride. Everybody gives their best flow. The beats on that record, it's something you've never heard before and you won't hear again. After that I dug into NY rap, Mobb Deep, M.O.P., Onyx. I rediscovered this kind of mood again on Earl Sweatshirt and Tyler, The Creator albums. These guys should produce the Wu records (no offence to RZA).