We’ve already gone over most of these but there are still a few we’ve never discussed. I’m not sure if these are all of the albums that received 4.5 mics/broken records (through 1995) but it’s a start. You be the judge. Was the rating correct? If not, what should have been the rating on all of these albums?
FYI – Instead of wasting a ton of time searching through every Source I own, I swiped some of these reviews from http://ifihavent.wordpress.com/ so thank SLurg when you get a chance.
~Vincent~
THIMK 
Here are my views, and I’m going to focus squarely on the ratings:
Ice Cube – Death Certificate
This album should’ve been 5 mics. Cube fires on all cylinders, and this my friends is his best album hands down.
Boogie Down Productions – Sex And Violence
I wouldn’t have given this 4.5, but I feel the rating for this album should’ve been 3.5, respectively. KRS is a legend, no doubt, but this album was the lesser of the BDP albums.
EPMD – Business Never Personal
I agree w/ the 4.5 rating for this album. I wouldn’t change it.
Redman – Whut Thee Album
For Red’s debut album, I have to listen to this one again, but I’m pretty sure my rating would be 5 mics.
Dr.Dre – The Chronic
5 mics hands down. Nuff said. NO filler, other than that “Doctor’s Office” skit, but even that pointless skit can’t drag this awesome album down.
De La Soul – Buhloone Mind State
Very good album that I would’ve given 4 mics.
Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
My 3rd favorite album of all time. 5 mics completely.
Outkast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
I’ve been back and forth about the rating for this album, but w/ hindsight being 20/20, I’d go the full monty on this one and give it 5 mics.
Mobb Deep – The Infamous
5 mics material here. This is Mobb Deep’s best album.
And last but not least…….
Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
My #2 favorite album of all time. A VERY COMPLETE 5 mic album, and anyone who thinks otherwise is crazy, lol.
By: Wayne on December 10, 2008
at 3:53 pm
another good post vincent, bringin back mad memories son, im glad i have most of these issues. so here we go!
Ice Cube: i have this LP, it is pretty dope. im gonna go ahead and stick with the orig. rating on this one. 4.5 sounds right. at this time Cube was that MC, he had the torch then. This LP also has one of Cube’e best tracks “True 2 The Game”!!
KRS-One: i know im gonna get killed for this, but i never heard that LP yet. so i cant say much on this one. and im not gonna disrespect KRS for trying to give him a rating on this. so this will be continued at a later date……
EPMD: i have this one as well, its another dope LP. i would say 4 or 4.5 will do. U just cant front on “Crossover” or “Headbanger”, those are timeless classics.
Redman: this is one of my fav’s right here, i would say the Source got it right with 4.5. I kinda remember when this 1st dropped, “Time 4 Sum Aksion” was that joint, i mean Tyson came out to it so u already know what time it was when that came on!
Plus u cant forget about “Tonights da night” & “Blow ur mind”!!
Dr.Dre- this LP is beyond a 5 mic rating to me. This changed the whole landscape of hip-hop when this came out. I was in the 5th grade when this came out and everybody and their mama was playin this joint!! so i cant see how the Source messed this up. beyond 5 mics!
De La Soul: this LP is pretty dope as well. i think the Source got it right with 4.5. i mean all i bang on this album is “Breakadawn” & “Ego tripppin”. so a 4 or 4.5 is appropriate for this.
Wu-Tang: this LP to me again is beyond 5 mics. This album changed hip-hop again and put the east coast on top! I remember when my boy 1st told me about this group in the 7th grade. all he told me was that they used kung-fu sounds. i was like what? but when i seen the CREAM video, i was hooked. those images stay in ya head forever. They had like 4-5 singles just off this LP, thats crazy! 5 mics isnt enough for this LP!!
Outkast: u kidding me 4.5? please, this is a 5 mic classic easy!! They was the 1st ones to break through aTL & the south period!! (props to UGK & Eightball & MJG) but how can u front on “Players ball” & ‘Git Up & Get Out” and etc!! my joint was “Aint No Thang”, i remember bangin that tape like 4-5 times a night. I loved these dudes right from the jump. like Andre said at the ’95 Source awards “the south got somethin to say!!” who knew?
Mobb Deep: beyond 5 mics, no questions asked. I remember seeing that “Shook Ones pt.2” video, another one of vivid images that stay in ur mind. Same goes for “Survival of the Fittest” video, that record just brings out the grimiest in u. I remember hearing their album for the 1st time at school, a friend let me hear it and i couldnt get past “Give Up the Goods”, i must have repeated that song like 10 times. Then next was “Temperature’s Rising”, i repeated that song like 10x and so on and so on. That album means alot to me, beyond mics!!
Raekwon: u already know how i feel about this album from ur last post!! Beyond 5 mics, no questions asked. Legendary LP.
By: brandan on December 10, 2008
at 4:01 pm
Southernplayalisticadilacmuzik received 3.5 (not 4.5).
By: Grogan on May 12, 2019
at 11:11 am
I don’t have time to check all my back issues now, i’m sure Main Source had 4.5 also but I can’t think of any other right now. May be Run DMC’s best of. I’m surprised there were not more than that, especially during Reginald C Dennis ”5 mics embargo”.
By: SLurg on December 10, 2008
at 8:02 pm
@ SLurg
Yeah they did. And it got bumped up to 5 in 2003. The album was pure granite.
The biggest flaw The Source exhibited during the reign was their blatant East Coast bias.
Like I said earlier, they saw firsthand the immediate impact The Chronic made, so a 4.5 (and the 4 they gave to Doggystyle for that matter) was just inexcusable.
So the rating for Sex & Violence is bullsh*t. That’s a 3.5 easy. (Like Wayne stated). Matter fact, the 5 Mics they gave to Edutainment ain’t cuttin’ it either.
FTR: Only Built 4 Cuban Linx, Death Certificate, Enter The 36 Chambers, The Infamous, & The Chronic were all eventually corrected. (Rightfully so too).
I still don’t see how that Cuban Linx review justifies the rating. And I always point out there would be NO Menace II Society without Death Certificate. Look at the songs. Every scene influenced the Hughes Brothers to put that side of humanity on the big screen.
Back to it:
Outkast- The thing about Kast is they continued to get better as they got more experienced. Even when their albums kept growing more ecletic hair, the styles continued innovate. Now Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik is cool @ 4.5 Mics but when you consider what ATLiens and Aquemini brought to the table, realistically, it’s a 4. Dudes got talent.
Redman – Reggie is one of the rawest MCs that ever lived but his first 3 albums are 4 Mics. Nothing more, nothing less. One big maxi cipher session. You could switch out songs and it wouldn’t change things not a bit.
De La Soul – Buhloone Mind State may be their best album in terms of fludity and accessibility, but it’s just a 4.
EPMD – This could go either way. At the time of it’s release, this joint was definitely crack on the streets — with a touch of Nino Brown, but now, it’s just another good album. I’ma say 4.
By: TC on December 11, 2008
at 4:52 am
@SLurg – Kool G Rap‘s Killer Kuts also received 4.5 mics but since it was a compilation, I didn’t post it up.
By: vincentlopez on December 11, 2008
at 5:42 am
Can you add all reviews for all the albums that got 4.5 or 5 from 1988-1999?
By: Trey on November 15, 2010
at 5:49 am
@Trey – Soryy but I don’t have time for that.
By: vincentlopez on November 15, 2010
at 8:40 am
I updated thread with 4 mic albums
By: Peco on January 30, 2022
at 5:49 pm
[…] Atoms in The Source (1991) Review of Main Source classic album, by Jon Shecter in may 1991. Over there Vincent Lopez has an almost complete run down of all the almost classic album rated in The […]
By: Classic Review : Breaking Atoms in The Source (1991) « Press Rewind If I Haven’t… on December 11, 2008
at 6:28 am
HERE IS A LIST OF ALL ALBUMS THAT RECEIVED 4.5 OR 5 MICS EVER IN THE SOURCE…
East:
A Tribe Called Quest – People’s Instinctive Travels And The Paths Of Rhythm (5 MICS)
Eric B. & Rakim – Let The Rhythm Hit ‘Em (5 MICS)
Brand Nubian – All For One (5 MICS)
De La Soul – De La Soul Is Dead (5 MICS)
A Tribe Called Quest – The Low End Theory (5 MICS)
Main Source – Breaking Atoms
Boogie Down Productions – Sex And Violence
EPMD – Business Never Personal
Redman – Whut? Thee Album
De La Soul – Buhloone Mindstate
Wu-Tang Clan – Enter The Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Nas – Illmatic (5 MICS)
The Notorious B.I.G. – Ready To Die
Raekwon – Only Built 4 Cuban Linx
Mobb Deep – The Infamous
The Roots – Illadelph Halflife
Mobb Deep – Hell On Earth
The Notorious B.I.G. – Life After Death (5 MICS)
Gang Starr – Moment Of Truth
Jay-Z – Vol. 2 Hard Knock Life
Nas – I Am
Mobb Deep – Murda Muzik
Made Men – Classic Limited Edition
Black Rob – Life Story
Beanie Sigel – The Truth
Ghostface Killah – Supreme Clientele
Wyclef Jean – The Ecleftic
Jay-Z – The Dynasty
Jay-Z – The Blueprint (5 MICS)
Ghostface Killah – Bulletproof Wallets
Nas – Stillmatic (5 MICS)
Lil Kim – La Bella Mafia
Dead Prez – Revolutionary But Gangsta
Lil Kim – The Naked Truth (5 MICS)
Jay-Z – Kingdom Come
Nas – Untitled
Reflection Eternal – Revolutions Per Minute
The Roots – How I Got Over
Fat Joe – The Darkside
West:
Ice Cube – AmeriKKKa’s Most Wanted (5 MICS)
Ice Cube – Death Certificate
Dr. Dre – The Chronic
Westside Connection – Bow Down
Dr. Dre – 2001
The Game – Doctor’s Advocate
South:
OutKast – Southernplayalisticadillacmuzik
OutKast – Aquemini (5 MICS)
Hot Boys – Guerilla Warfare
Scarface – The Last Of A Dying Breed
Scarface – The Fix (5 MICS)
Little Brother – The Minstrel Show
Big Boi – Sir Lucious Left Foot
Bun B – Trill OG (5 MICS)
Mid-West:
Kanye West – The College Dropout
Common – Be
Kanye West – Late Registration
By: Trey on November 15, 2010
at 5:46 am
Hi,
Where did you get this info? Where can you find the 4.5 mic list? many thanks
By: Low-D on December 30, 2010
at 8:14 am
If you are talking about my list I created it going through all my Source magazines from 1993-present time plus research online
By: Trey on August 14, 2013
at 6:13 pm
Didn’t Pharoahe Monch – Internal Affairs get 4.5 mics?
By: Goodfella on April 26, 2014
at 5:29 am
I HAD THE ISSUE IT WAS REVIEWED ON & IT RECEIVED 4 MICS.
By: TELLTHEWORLDMYNAME on October 11, 2015
at 12:12 pm
i wonder if someone could let us know albums that got 4 mics
By: dima on May 13, 2015
at 8:49 pm
4 Mic Albums 98 to 02 (close to everything)
Big Pun – Capital Punishment
Big Pun – Yeah Baby
Eightball – Lost
DMX – It’s Dark and Hot
DMX- Great Depression
DMX – Grand Champ
Eminem – MMLP
Eminem – Eminem Show
Eightball & MJG – in my lifetime
EPMD – Out of Business
Def Squad – El Nino
Redman – Malpractice
Busta – Anarchy
Busta – Genesis
Busta – When Disaster Strikes
Common – Life Water for Chocolate
Mos Def – Black on Both Sides
Reflection Eternal – Train of Thought
Pharoahe Monch – Infernal Affairs
Sticky Fingaz – Black Trash
Fat Joe – Don Cartegena
Fat Joe – J.O.S.E
Fat Joe – Loyalty
Prodigy – HNIC
M.O.P – Warriorz
M.O.P. – First Family 4 Life
Slick Rick – the art of storytelling
De La Soul – Bionix
Mob Deep – Infamy
Tha Liks – XO
Jay Z – Volume 3
LL Cool J – GOAT
TI – Trap Muzik
Outkast – Stankonia
Outkast – Speakerboxx/Love Below
2Pac – Until End of Time
Foxy Brown – Broken Silence
Big L – Big Picture
Beatnuts – Musical Massacre
DJ Quik – Rhythmalism
DJ Quik – under the influence
Snoop – Top Dogg
Snoop – the Last meal
Snoop – Paid the Cost
Eastsidaz – Snoop presents
Masta P – da last don
Jadakiss – Kiss game goodbye
Styles P – a gangster and a gentleman
Wu Tang – Iron Flag
Petey Pablo – Diary of a Sinner
Tony Touch – Piece Maker
Prince Paul – a Prince among thieves
ODB – Ni##a Please
Kurupt – Streetz is a Mutha
Kurupt – Space Boogie
Black Moon – Warzone
Akinyle – Aktapuss
Juvenile – 400 degreez
Mack 10 – the Recipe
Noreaga – N.O.R.E
Twista – Mobstability
Scarface – My Homies
Goodie Mob – Still Standing
Geto Boys – Good Bad Ugly
Too Short – Can’t Stay Away
Big Mike – Hard to Hit
Nas – God’s Son
E-40 – Element of Surprise
Beanie Sigel – the reason
WC – Shadiest One
Daz Dillinger – Retaliation, Revenge , and
P Diddy and Fam – Saga Continues
Heavy D – Heavy
The Roots – Things Fall Apart
Jim Crow – Crows Nest
Nappy Roots – Watermelon, Chicken , & Grits
Not Rated
– Redman – Docs da Name
– Eminem – Slim Shady LP
– Method Man – Tical 200
– Busta – ELE
– Lauryn Hill – Miseducation
– DMX – It’s dark and hell is hot
I definitely could’ve left off some albums but tried to capture as many 4 Mic reviews as I could from my collection (issues 105 to 155).
This is all off the dome
By: Peco on January 30, 2022
at 2:57 pm
Updates
DMX Flesh of my Flesh was not reviewed
Trick Daddy – Thugs are Us – 4 mics
Jay Z – Black Album – 4
The Game – Documentary – 4
AZ – Aziatic – 4
50 Cent – Get Rich – 4
By: Mike Pecora on March 19, 2022
at 11:04 am
I’ve found a bunch to add to this list! Trying to get them all, if possible
By: DonCorleoneGF on September 10, 2023
at 5:27 pm
How Cuban Linx wasn’t rated 5 mics from the get makes no sense. That album is a movie!!!!
By: Nelson Ortiz on June 22, 2015
at 3:42 pm
I find this rating system by the source to be very difficult to digest. By this I mean, what do they rate this ranking on. Is it is based upon the time period it came out, or overall. Also is it about lyrics or culture impact, production, album quality? I personally think they should state like 10 categories, and give each of those categories a ranking out of 5, then give the overall average of those categories. That would make it more fare across the board. I say this, because there is many albums that they give 4.5 mics for that are better than the 5 mics they give for other albums. Like seriously, how can you give 36 chambers by wu-tang, and the chronic by dr dre 4.5 mics, when you give “the score” by the fugees 5 mics… that’s hilarious!
By: DJ Platform on October 25, 2015
at 10:22 pm
As I remember it, The Score originally got 4 mics. It’s one of the many that was re-ranked years later. If I have any complaint at all, it’s that the magazine felt the need to go back and re-rank. 5 mics seemed almost unachievable back then… which made records like Illmatic so special.
By: Craig on March 27, 2016
at 2:30 pm
A lot of the 4.5 mic albums were later given 5 mics by the Source.
By: Due on November 15, 2015
at 12:04 pm
Whats the latest albums up to 2017 any additions from the ones we already know about?
By: goodfella on January 24, 2017
at 10:49 am
4.5 Mic Ratings (as of late)
Dr. Dre – Compton
Kendrick Lamar – good kid, m.A.A.d. city
Kendrick Lamar – To Pimp A Butterfly (should’ve been 5)
Nas – Life Is Good
Pusha T – My Name Is My Name
Royce Da 5′ 9” & DJ Premier – PRhyme
Run the Jewels – Run the Jewels
Vince Staples – Summertime ’06
By: Thanh on March 14, 2017
at 2:18 pm
Saigon – The greatest story never told 4.5 mics
By: BlueFella on March 9, 2017
at 9:20 am
[…] Quincy Jones “Summer in the City” (perhaps more famously sampled by Pharcyde) sample and the 4.5 mic-sized chip on their shoulder from their debut album and we were in for some trouble. This was foreshadowing to […]
By: Long Live The First Six Tracks Of ATLiens - Hip Hop Golden Age Hip Hop Golden Age on May 1, 2017
at 2:08 pm
2 errors on one page with Outkast and Coolio albums. It Takes A Thief is easilly a 3.5 Dope. They messed up a year later giving Ganstas Paradise something like 4 mics (3 mics at best). And Penicillin on Wax 4.5?!? 3.5 would have been fair.
By: Grogan on May 12, 2019
at 11:28 am