What is the best mainstream crossover rap album of all time?

These albums brought hip-hop to the widest possible audiences without sacrificing quality. Which mainstream rap album is the ultimate crossover classic?

Eminem – The Marshall Mathers LP

Eminem's 2000 blockbuster, the fastest-selling rap album of all time that crossed hip-hop into every living room in America.

1/15

Jay-Z – The Blueprint

Jay-Z's 2001 album that brought sophisticated rap to rock fans and redefined what a hip-hop classic could be.

2/15

Kanye West – Graduation

Kanye's 2007 stadium-rap album featuring synth-pop crossover sounds, released in a historic chart battle with 50 Cent.

3/15

Lil Wayne – Tha Carter III

Lil Wayne's 2008 commercial zenith selling over a million in its first week, with crossover hits on every radio format.

4/15

Drake – Take Care

Drake's 2011 album that brought emotional rap to pop radio and spawned a new generation of melodic hip-hop.

5/15

50 Cent – Get Rich or Die Tryin'

50 Cent's 2003 debut, one of hip-hop's biggest crossover phenomena with 12 million copies sold worldwide.

6/15

MC Hammer – Please Hammer, Don't Hurt 'Em

MC Hammer's 1990 blockbuster, the first rap album certified Diamond, selling 18 million copies worldwide.

7/15

Run-DMC – Raising Hell

Run-DMC's 1986 rock-rap crossover that introduced hip-hop to rock audiences through their Aerosmith collaboration.

8/15

Beastie Boys – Licensed to Ill

Beastie Boys' 1986 debut, the first rap album to reach number one, beloved by rock and hip-hop fans alike.

9/15

Will Smith – Big Willie Style

Will Smith's 1997 debut album, a polished family-friendly crossover that brought rap to the widest possible audience.

10/15

Outkast – Speakerboxxx/The Love Below

Outkast's 2003 Grammy-winning double album that crossed into rock, jazz, and pop while selling millions.

11/15

Kendrick Lamar – DAMN.

Kendrick's 2017 Pulitzer Prize-winning album that made rap history while topping pop and R&B charts globally.

12/15

Cardi B – Invasion of Privacy

Cardi B's 2018 debut that dominated pop charts and became the first rap debut by a woman certified Diamond.

13/15

Travis Scott – Astroworld

Travis Scott's 2018 psychedelic trap album that crossed hip-hop into rock festivals and mainstream pop radio.

14/15

Puff Daddy – No Way Out

Puff Daddy's 1997 debut, a Bad Boy Records commercial juggernaut that blended hip-hop with pop and R&B production.

15/15