10 Sophomore Albums Compared To Debuts

Kendrick Lamar is gearing up to release the sequel to his debut good kid, m.A.A.d city, as you well know. With the release of the untitled album’s first single (or rather "statement") “i” this Tuesday putting everyone in a frenzy, it’s only a matter of time until we get the full product. While Kendrick is a lyrical and creative genius who looks to be a mainstay in hip-hop for years to come, the bar has been set high for his second album. We won’t abandon him if he doesn’t live up to those expectations. After all, Jay Z’s In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 was met with mixed reviews—and he turned out all right.

Some artists come out the gate on fire and face the pressure of delivering a sophomore album that reaches the same heights. Others have something to prove when their debut doesn’t leave a lasting impression. Before everyone has the opportunity to critique and dissect Kendrick’s upcoming album, let’s look at sophomore efforts from some of hip-hop’s biggest artists and see how they stack up to their first releases.

Eminem - The Marshall Mathers LP / The Slim Shady LP

Technically Infinite is his debut, but The Slim Shady LP was his first on a major label and introduced the world to arguably the greatest rapper of all time. It was raw and showcased Eminem’s amazing wordplay, creative rhyme patterns and storytelling ability. He refined everything and thus, stepped it up a notch, for The Marshall Mathers LP. It features some of Eminem’s biggest songs, “The Real Slim Shady,” “The Way I Am” and “Stan.” It’s the second highest-selling hip hop album in history, and Shady grabbed two more Grammys for his effort. The album helped establish him as one the biggest artists in, not just hip hop, but music.

Kanye West - Late Registration / The College Dropout

The College Dropout is great, but Late Registration is better. Yeezy ditched the sped up samples for a live orchestra, unique instrumentals and Maroon 5’s Adam Levine for the chorus on “Heard ‘Em Say.” He touched on political, social and personal issues adding more depth to his songs. Winning three Grammys and “Gold Digger” going number one, it was both a critical and commercial success. The only real knock against Late Registration is Jay Z embarrassed Kanye on the remix to “Diamonds from Sierra Leone.”

50 Cent - The Massacre / Get Rich Or Die Tryin'

What can you say about Get Rich or Die Tryin'? It’s more a moment in hip hop than an album. Following it up would be an impossible task for anyone, but not 50. The Massacre was a commercial success and sold over a million copies first week (one of only three hip-hop albums to do so). It spawned three top five singles, including the chart topping “Candy Shop.” Taking into account everything 50 had his hands on between solo projects, it’s even more remarkable. You have to wonder what he gave away (cough… cough… “How We Do” and “Hate It or Love It”). The Massacre hasn’t aged as well as his debut album, but it’s more successful than most artists' albums ever could dream to be. 

Drake - Take Care / Thank Me Later

Thank Me Later had a number of issues. It was overloaded with big name features wanting to ride the Drake wave, no clear concept and the pressure of being the most anticipated debut in release memory. It had good songs, but it lacked polish. Take Care fixed all those issues. Drake created his own braggadocio sound and style that has defined him as an artist since. It had bigger hits, greatly outsold his debut, and took home “Best Rap Album” at the Grammys. Not to mention “The Motto” can be credited with giving the world every college girl’s favorite phrase—Y.O.L.O.

Dr. Dre - 2001 / The Chronic

It took almost a decade for the good doctor to follow up his debut. With The Chronic being widely considered one of the best-produced hip hop albums of all time, that’s no easy task. Perfection can’t be rushed. 2001 is overloaded with features and a little too long, but has outstanding production and timeless classics like “Forgot About Dre” and “The Next Episode.” Selling 7 million albums, one for every year in between 2001 (99’) and The Chronic (92’), and getting Dre two Grammys, it’s no wonder we’ve yet to see a follow-up.

T.I. - Trap Muzik / I'm Serious

T.I.’s debut I’m Serious didn’t sell well and was met with mixed reviews, but when he came back with his sophomore effort Trap Muzik, he came correct. The singles “24s” and “Rubberband Man,” along with DJ Toomp’s production, helped usher in T.I. and his trap music to a national audience. Considered by some as a southern classic, Trap Muzik was T.I.’s first platinum-selling album and gave validity to his self-proclaimed “King of The South” title.

The Clipse - Hell Hath No Fury / Lord Willin'

Label issues delayed the release of Hell Hath No Fury for over two years, but it was well worth the wait. The Neptunes mesmerizing production once again set the perfect backdrop for Pusha T and (No) Malice’s vivid drug dealer imagery and storytelling. It didn’t put up big sales numbers, or have the singles like Lord Willin’, but it’s one of the most universally acclaimed albums of the last decade. It’s an indie flick of albums; it’s gritty and dark and not commercial. You’d be hard pressed to find better lyricism anywhere else.

The Game - Doctor's Advocate / The Documentary

With no help from 50 Cent or Dr. Dre, and a new label to call home, The Game was out to prove himself with Doctor’s Advocate. He made sure to not stray from the things that made The Documentary so successful. The distinct LA sound and gangbanging narratives are throughout. It’s just missing one chart-topping single to match his debut. A worthy follow up, it established The Game as one of the West Coast’s biggest artists.

Jay Z - In My Lifetime Vol. 1 / Reasonable Doubt

Reasonable Doubt is an undisputed classic and a landmark album. In My Lifetime, Vol. 1 however, is not. Jay Z strived for commercial success. The singles "(Always Be My) Sunshine" and "The City Is Mine” were panned for blatant attempts at commercial appeal. Having Diddy and his production team handle the majority of the album gave it a completely different, and much less gritty sound than his debut. While it featured classic cuts like “Streets Is Watching” and “Where I’m From,” it’s not one of Hov’s better albums, and he even ranks it middle of the pack.

Young Jeezy - The Inspiration / Let's Get It: Thug Motivation 101

Much like T.I.’s Trap Muzik, Jeezy’s debut helped establish trap music and the south’s domination of hip hop that began in the mid 2000s. The Inspiration was Jeezy’s follow up, but it didn’t have the same impact. While “Go Getta” and “I Luv It” were successful, nothing touched the success of “Soul Survivor.” The production was too cinematic and didn’t match Jeezy’s style. It’s an underwhelming album and not a very memorable one either.