Top 20 Hip-Hop Albums of All Time: No. 12

'Doe or Die,' by AZ

Since the first line of Nas' 'Life's a B----,' the rap world was hooked on Anthony Cruz's ridiculously smooth delivery. Though 'Doe or Die' may be criminally slept on, it features incredible production, from the Buckwild-helmed cautionary tale 'Ho Happy Jackie' to Pete Rock's summer classic 'Rather Unique' and DR Period's 'Mo Money Mo Murda.' Overshadowed by 'Illmatic,' 'Doe or Die' paved the way for the N.Y. Mafioso rap albums that would follow.