In the hip-hop arena, competition reigns supreme.

If you’re not willing to bring your A-game, then take yo ass home! Period.

Throughout the culture, there have been some hits and some terrible misses, but its the classics that we all yearn for, the albums that can play from top to bottom without skipping a track, that keeps hip-hop alive.

The Source Magazine has acted as a gate keeper for hip-hop, providing us with refreshing new talent and has also helped keep tabs on those records that stood above the rest. Take a look back at some of hip-hop’s greatest work that earned the highly respected 5 Mics.

Nas-Stillmatic

Released December 18, 2001