Rapper/actor 2Pac is arguably still as revered and respected in 2025 as he was in 1996.
Although there are four elements of hip-hop (MCing, DJing, graffiti artists and breakdancing), there is still something special about the number three, especially in hip-hop culture.
Some of the best hip-hop groups of all time consisted of three members from Run-D.M.C. to Geto Boys.
Three regions of the United States (East Coast, West Coast and Dirty South) have often dominated hip-hop culture.
Apologies to the Midwest.
But unlike R&B, hip-hop artists have created actual trilogies.
Therefore, some of the best three-album runs did not happen consecutively.
Nevertheless, RegalMag.com would like to honor the best three-album runs and/or the best trilogies in hip-hop history.
Check it out!
- Bun B (“Trill,” “II Trill” and “Trill O.G.”)—Although the Geto Boys were the first major rap group from Texas to take over the world, U.G.K. was often Texas hip-hop heads’ favorite rap group. But when Pimp C got locked up, many doubted how Bun B would survive without his producer and partner-in-rhyme. Well, Bun hooked with Rap-a-Lot Records and some of the best artists in the genre and created three great albums beginning in 2005. The Trill O.G. has since gone on to release several collaborative albums with artists like LE$ and Cory Mo, became a professor at Rice University and served up the best burgers in the country.
- Scarface (“The Diary,” “The Untouchable” and “My Homies”—Few Dirty South artists are as revered by East Coast hip-hop purists as Brad “Scarface” Jordan. The Geto Boys emcee began releasing solo albums in 1991. But when he dropped “The Diary” in 1994, he finally had his masterpiece. He quickly followed that up with another G.B. album (“The Resurrection”), and then more solo projects, which featured hip-hop legends like 2Pac, Ice Cube, Dr. Dre, Master P, Devin the Dude and Too Short.
- Nas (“Magic,” Magic 2,” and Magic 3”)—Hip-hop journalists like DJ Vlad criticized Nas’ beat selections so much that he teamed up with producer extraordinaire Hit-Boy to create six fantastic albums. The “Magic” series proved that artists from hip-hop’s golden age still had something to say. The three “Magic” albums featured tracks with D.J. Premier, ASAP Rocky, 50 Cent, 21 Savage and Lil Wayne.
- Nas (“King’s Disease,” “King’s Disease II” and “King’s Disease III”)—It is hard to say that a rapper reached their peak 30 years after their classic debut. But Nas definitely found new life when he hooked up with super producer Hit-Boy. The Queens, N.Y. did not have a three-album run like many iconic artists. The Mass Appeal record executive had a six-album run, and still counting thanks to his upcoming collaborative album with Houston native, D.J. Premier.
- Jay-Z (“The Blueprint,” “The Blueprint 2: The Gift & The Curse” and “The Blueprint 3”)—Although Nas dissed Hov for dropping an album with a similar name as a KRS-One classic, in 2001 Jay-Z was the blueprint in hip-hop. Released on Sept. 11, the first in “The Blueprint” trilogy quickly became one of the best rap albums ever, thanks to production from legends like Timbaland, Kanye West and Just Blaze in addition to Jigga’s potent lyricism. He followed that album up with two sequels, featuring collaborations with Beyoncé, Dr. Dre, Rakim, Alicia Keys, Rihanna and Drake.
- Lil Wayne (“The Carter,” “The Carter II” and “The Carter III”)—If Scarface is not the G.O.AT. of Southern hip-hop, the title must go to Lil Wayne. Sorry ATLiens, Andre 3000 does not rap enough to receive that moniker. “The Carter “series started with certified bangers like “Go DJ” and “Fireman.” But when he released the third installment, the New Orleans native had his magnum opus thanks to hit songs like “A Milli,” “Mrs. Officer” and “Mr. Carter” featuring Jay-Z.
- Dr. Dre (“The Chronic,” “2001” and “Compton”)—Many people might not consider Dr. Dre’s third album “Compton” on par with his first two solo projects. But Dre’s worst is much better than most artists’ best. “Compton” did not change the game. However, in 1992 “The Chronic” changed hip-hop forever just like N.W.A’s “Straight Outta Compton” changed the music industry four years earlier. Not only did Dre have the best production. But he introduced the world to some of the biggest rappers and singers of the 1990s on his albums like Snoop Dogg, Nate Dogg, Tha Dogg Pound and The Lady of Rage.
- Outkast (“Aquemini,” “Stankonia” and “Speakerboxxx/The Love Below”)—If ever a rap group deserved to be in the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, it was Outkast. Salute to those brothers from the ATL, shawty. Although fans do not get to hear Andre 3000 rap much these days, he and Big Boi gave the game so much that he does not need to give us anymore. On every album, the duo from the Dungeon Family stretched themselves and gave us some new sounds, which is missing in today’s repetitive and copycat hip-hop culture.
- 2Pac (“Me Against the World,” “All Eyez on Me” and “Makaveli”)—Believe it or not, people like late filmmaker John Singleton thought 2Pac should have stopped rapping early in his career because he was a better thespian than emcee. Although his first two albums showed flashes of greatness, the next three albums he completed during his lifetime made him many people’s favorite rapper of all time. “Me Against the World” topped the charts while he was incarcerated, which filled him with venom. And when Suge Knight bailed him out of jail and signed him to Death Row Records, the son of two Black Panthers went on a run that might be unmatched in hip-history. He filmed movies and recorded multiple songs each day, leaving his fans with a catalog that still knocks 30 years after the fact.
- Kanye West (“The College Dropout,” “Late Registration” and “Graduation”)—The RegalMag.com staff misses the old Kanye. Do you remember when West had some consciousness to his songs? Do you remember when his music contained some fun? Do you remember when his music provided some laughs like when he joined the fraternity of Broke Phi Broke? Many hip-hop heads could relate to the old Kanye because he was an ordinary brother, not one trying to be gangsta or hardcore. Despite the recent controversy behind his politics, anti-Semitism and anti-Blackness, his first three albums did not create much controversy amongst rap fans because they were just that great. So instead of trying to Make America Great Again, hopefully Kanye will settle on making great music again. One can only hope.
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