88 Public Enemy NWA Big Daddy Kane Kool G Rap 94 Outkast Nas Wu Tang Biggie just to name a few who dropped incredible albums in those years
doggystyle (the album, not the actual..well anyway) is so freakin overrated. its nothing but an extension of the chronic and not a very good one
i guess i should focus on the word important more than better. i guess you really can't argue that 94 isn't better. my favorite from 94 btw is mobb deep. but anyway, i think the introduction of gangsta right to mainstream is totally underrated in this discussion.
Chronic is greatness, but Doggystyle does have Gin N Juice, Who Am I, Ain't No fun, etc. In terms of popularizing "gangsta" rap, it has great importance. Mobb Deep was sensational though, agree there.
Dude is a genius. Nas' flow remains so tight regardless of topic. I think you have to put '88 as more important, though. Kool G, BDK, Rakim, Biz Markie...these guys were huge influences on Wu, Nas and Biggie. They laid groundwork. Nas took it and ran with Illmatic.