Well, let me first say that you will more than likely not agree with this list which is the great thing about Music. There is no right or wrong answer when it comes to preference. Music hit each of us differently. There are songs and albums released at a point in our lives that strike a certain emotion. In Hip Hop, you have your famous albums and you have some that you personally feel never received it's proper respect. Below are 10 albums that I feel are "Slept On" and could be considered Underground Classics. So, without wasting too many words on this introduction, my list is below and in no particular order. If you haven't heard these albums before or can't remember some of the tracks, hit Youtube and check them out.
1. O.C. - Jewelz (1997) - O.C. was coming off a 2 year hiatus from his amazing debut Word Life when he dropped an amazing album called Jewelz. On this album you will hear amazing production and guest appearances from Bumpy Knuckles and Big L.
2. Bahamadia - Kollage (1996) - While Lil Kim and Foxy Brown were trading Sex Stories, Bahamadia crept in and dropped one of the best albums of a flooded year. Her voice, flow and beats are flawless. Premo did some of the production. Check out the track "True Honey Buns" at your leisure.
3. Little Brother - The Listening (2003) - Right before Kanye West made the "Backpack Rap" popular again three guys from North Carolina Central University created an underground classic. Phonte, Big Pooh and 9th Wonder helped change the game and influence the likes of Drake, Wale, Big Sean, J. Cole and Kanye West and it all started with this album.
4. Bone Thugs - E. 1999 Eternal - (1995) This album made Bone Thugs Superstars but it's rarely mentioned among other classic albums so I feel it's slept on. The album also has "Crossroads", which is one of the best songs in Rap History.
5. Jeru Da Damaja - Wrath Of The Math (1996) - Jeru managed to follow his legendary debut, The Sun Rises In The East with another stellar album. Jeru and Premo would put together their last project and they didn't miss a beat.
6. Onyx - All We Got Iz Us - (1995) - Talk about a dark album with raw beats and rhymes...During one of the best era's in hip hop, the bald headed manics on the mic managed to release their best album in my opinion.
7. The Foreign Exchange - Connected (2004) - Phonte' from Little Brother met a Producer over the internet that goes by the name of Nicolay and they made this incredible album without meeting each other. The Dutch Producer eventually moved to America and they've made great music every since.
8. Pete Rock - Soul Survivor (1998) - Pete Rock beats on this album are legendary and having MC's like Method Man, Big Pun and Kurupt slaying the tracks don't hurt. This is one of the best albums I've ever heard in our genre.
9. Souls of Mischief - (1993) 93 Till Infinity - This is pretty much the West Coast Midnight Marauders to me. I don't need to add anything else to this choice. Please go check it out.
10. Masta Ace - (1990) Take A Look Around - During the height of Marley Marl's Production, Masta Ace delivered an awesome album but was overshadowed by his more famous peers at the time. Trust me, Masta Ace has influenced some of your favorite MC's and it started here.
Peace
"A Brave New World" by The Foreign Exchange
While I do agree with the notion that these albums are slept on, I don't necessarily agree with your definition of "sleeping". I think if I take the time to listen to the record and decide I don't like, I just don't like it. But if I choose to ignore the record all together knowing that it's received high praise, then I'm sleeping on it. My 2 cent... Great article. Keeping em coming... Peace...