Albums From The Other Side: Top 5 Posthumous Rap Projects

Whether we like it or not, our minds begin becoming more and more susceptible to believing in the supernatural whenever Halloween comes near. While prevailing theories regarding the afterlife of some of our favorite emcees still burn year-round, the flame burns with even more heat the closer Hallow’s eve approaches on our calendar.

For hip hop fans, it's a time for reflection on some of our "local haunts" so to speak. Sure, some of our favorites have been lost over the years, though it doesn't mean the death of their music. Whether you believe in ghosts or not (or in the case of Tupac, you might not even believe in death at all), time has been proven that the mortal coil of an artist does not limit their music from beyond the grave.

If you’re one of those fans hopelessly holding out for the triumphant resurrections of some of your fallen hip hop heroes, you can find solace in the fact that their posthumous releases are welcomed additions to their regular discographies. So, light your candles and set up your ouija board. It’s time for us to honor the fallen and countdown albums from the other side.

A Son Unique is also a unique instalment on this list. Never released officially, the publication of the final Ol’ Dirty Bastard album (originally to be released under his new Dirt McGirt alias) has fallen victim to label and estate qualms. With most of the record leaked to the web, the album is a must a listen for any ODB or Wu faithful. The whimsical and ever-entertaining ODB is on full display, with his trademark affinity for offering up belly-busting bars alongside classic New York grit.

Released a mere six months after Dilla’s all-too-soon death at 32 from cardiac arrest, The Shining is a perfect tribute and collection of what makes J. Dilla’s legacy so impressive, despite having only one studio releases during his lifetime to his name. Of course it doesn’t hurt to have a little help from his friends, with the likes of Busta Rhymes, Pharoahe Monch and Common appearing on the record. Though, just as it is with almost any beat Dilla touched - there’s something to enjoy with or without vocals.

While its predecessor All Eyez On Me is heralded as his finest work, many people are still chewing on the dense and aggressive 7 Day Theory by Pac’s alter-ego, Makaveli. On this album, Pac fully embodies Makaveli as a sort of separate character, exploring deeper and darker trenches in his music than ever before. Tracks like “Hail Mary” and “To Live and Die in LA” make the album undeniable, but its cryptic lyrics that often foreshadowed Shakur’s untimely demise and the inspiration of the real-life Machiavelli (who faked his own death, before resurrecting himself to shock and awe) have kept The Don Kilumminati: 7 Day Theory relevant in both hip op and conspiracy theory circles.

Rest assured, though, this record is relistenable for more than just its potential clues. It's actually sort of a shame that that is exactly what it's remembered for, as opposed to the rap legend Shakur going out in a blaze of rage and glory.

There have been many unsuccessful attempts at going back to the well, to channel the spirits of emcees soon after their demises. Whether it's for monetary or more humbled reasons-- tributes like Notorious B.I.G.'s Born Again often are nothing more than hodge-podge offerings that don't do much to service the legacy of the great emcees they pay homage to. Luckily, in the case of Big L's The Big Picture, the punch-line prince of hip hop was presented just as we remembered him. Not only that, he was alongside legendary rappers ranging from another fallen hero, Tupac, to Big Daddy Kane. DJ Premier and Pete Rock handled the reworking of unreleased material, as well as material L was working on at the time of his murder, to not only help cement the legend of Big L, but also to create their own legacy as producers. To this day, the Emmy-nominated (somehow for best Rock Gospel album category?) The Big Picture remains a go-to album for all Big L listeners-- super fans and novices alike.

Unfortunately for Biggie and Biggie fans, his only proper posthumous releases were pretty sour. Born Again was a failed Frankenstein project, and Duets: The Final Chapter oftentimes felt like straight up pandering. However, Life After Death was the perfect sequel to his Ready to Die classic, and albeit tragic, a perfect ending note for Biggie to ride off into the proverbial sunset with. The double-disc effort ranks among the all-time best releases from any hip hop artist to this day. Released just a mere sixteen days removed from his drive-by-murder, songs like "Hypnotize" and "Mo Money Mo Problems" helped transform Biggie from rap legend to pop culture icon.