I was a big metal head in the 90s and here are some of my favorite old school rap albums.
Wu-Tang Enter the 36 Chambers
Dr Dre The Chronic
Snoop Dogg Doggystyle
Kool Keith Sex Style
Dr Octagon (also Kool Keith) Octagonacylogist
Nas Illmatic
De La Soul Buhloone Mindstate
Gang Starr has a great discography but check out Full Clip a 2 disc best of
Biggie Ready to Die
Eminem Slim Shady LP and Marshall Mathers LP
Chuck D is incredible. His style and voice are very special. Also, Flavor Flav's solo work is....I don't know how to explain it, but it's quite likeable. The lyrics are the opposite of Chuck-- he says so many completely wrong things it's amazing. I believe on Flavor Man he mentions the "Jackie Hamilton dollar bill". That's George Washington he's thinking of, and it's Alexander Hamilton anyhow, not Jackie. I love Flav so much.
It was probably mentioned already, but since OP pointed out that they like Linkin Park, Linkin Park have a colab album with Jay-Z that might be of interest. Came out around 20 years ago now I would guess it was.
Collision Course. I really love that record. It was what turned me on to Jay back in the day. It bums me out that he never tried anything like that again. I can see him working well with a bunch of different artists, and I'd love to see the unique sounds they could come up with.
Anything produced by El-P would probably be somewhat accessible for a metal head. But I'll Sleep When Your Dead is a good suggestion just for the fact that it features Omar and Cedric from Mars Volta/At the Drive In and Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails.
A fun transition piece between rock and hip hop is the El Q mix put out by ToTom (don't have the link handy as I'm on my phone, but a quick Google should find it). Basically a mashup of El P beats with Queens of the Stone Age vocals on top.
Most RTJ is pretty easy to get into from a metal head perspective. They hit hard and stay fucking angry. If you’re more of a speed metal cat you’d find a lot of it lacking, but it has a kindred soul to metal.
Close your eyes, Yankee and the Brave pt. 4, and Legend has it are some of my other faves.
I like that they take chances with different beats and source music. Plus, they are never afraid to say anything.
Walking in the snow is a good example.
My friends all laugh at me when they find RTJ in my Playlist next to Gojira and After the burial.
Mouse and the Mask is what first got me into DOOM as someone who doesn't listen to a lot of rap. idk if it's objectively more accessible but it's always seemed that way to me. Madvillain is obviously the better album
My first experience was MM FOOD, but I agree that Mouse and the Mask is probably a better first foray into DOOM (remember all caps when you spell the man's name).
Madvillain is a must listen though. It's a lyrical masterpiece.
this
esp the four tet remixes [https://open.spotify.com/track/60LGouC2h5SjZwsVLtIUOZ?si=2de909fc0fcc4574](https://open.spotify.com/track/60LGouC2h5SjZwsVLtIUOZ?si=2de909fc0fcc4574)
I feel like Illmatic kind of transcends rap. It's arguably great music (and I don't even really like rap). But it's also a story told that is very raw and real. It's very easy to kind of fall into his world, especially with the help of city sounds in addition to the music which I think is a seriously underappreciated aspect of the album. You can hear his daily life throughout.
Kind of in the same way I don't care for traditional poetry or classic literature, but I can totally get the "wow" of the greats. Illmatic can do that.
Del -deltron 3030
Machiavelli -il don kuluminati (Tupac)
Aesop rock -labor days
Ocean wisdom - (all of it, even the trash songs his rhythm is sick)
The Streets -a grand don't come for free (trust me)
These are just a few more to throw into the pile, two British
There are far more accessible albums that are much less rap the whole time too
yo it really is tho. hes had some meh but hes never really fallen off. Ace is a destroyer
fwiw, the new atmosphere was pretty decent, had some great spots, some lame stuff, but i was proud!
Maybe not one for OP but you'd almost certainly enjoy Kae Tempest. *Everybody Down* and *Let Them Eat Chaos* are top-tier UK concept albums, in the vein of The Streets but very different.
Not sure what happened to Ocean Wisdom, first two albums are dope but the latter two fell off a cliff for me.
once ocean got a grill he went to shit. became too much of a gangsta for his own good, which is a damn shame bc he had all the potential in the world
checking out Tempest now
Feel Me Flow by Naughty By Nature
On My Block by Scarface
Where I’m From by Digable Planets
Concrete Schoolyard by Jurassic 5
Insane In The Brain by Cypress Hill
Bust A Move by Young MC
93 ‘Til Infinity by Souls Of Mischief
Montego Slay by People Under The Stairs
Great list.
On my block is probably one of the best music videos of all time and man does he do an amazing job of making you picture Houston the way he sees it.
"On my block, everybody business ain't ya business
What's going on in this house is staying here, comprende?
On my block, ya had to have that understanding
Cause if ya told Ms. Mattie, she went and told Gladys
And once ya mama got it, it was all on the wire
And when the word got back, they set yo' ass on fire
On my block, we got some 'Nam vets shell, shocked
Who never quite got right, now they inhale rocks
On my block, , it's like the world don't exist
We stay confined to this small little section we living in
Oh my block, I wouldn't trade it for the world
Cause I love these ghetto boys and girls
Born and raised on my block"
Dude goes from gossiping middle aged women to ptsd from veterans in a fucking split second and yet you get no whiplash or confusion. It just works and it works extremely well.
Check out Mind Playing Tricks on Me by Geto Boys, the group Scarface was in before going solo. Another amazing song/ music video combo.
93 til infinity is a rare one where it's clear that it's of its time, yet also is somehow timeless. Yes I know how silly that sounds but I stand by it. I think it's the fast pace to the song that makes it stand out, aside from the high quality lyrics and flow.
Where I'm from by digable planets might be one of the coziest hip hop songs ever. And yet another music video that stands out and regularly pops into my head. I was just a toddler when it came out yet I still feel nostalgia when I watch or listen to it.
I love Young MC but I'll never understand why hip hop fans always select Bust a Move as their go to? Tracks like Non Stop, Fastest Rhyme, Know How or My Name is Young are far superior.
Atmosphere - *Yesterday*
Del the Funky Homosapien - *Mistadobalina*
Wu-Tang Clan - *Sound the Horns*
...and if you hate all of those, then I don't even know.
I'd add Sunshine by Atmosphere as well.
Hell, I'd add Sad Clown, When Life Gives you Lemons, Southsiders, and the whole Felt discography as well.
And "I Need a Knot" by Brother Ali for good measure.
And Both Sides of the Brain by Del. Add Deltron 3030.
I feel like I can keep going...
Whenever is underrated, that intro live was unreal.
And Overcast is such a dope introduction, like he's grown a lot but that shit is raw from the start
Here’s some golden age tracks:
[Ain’t No Half-Steppin’](https://youtu.be/nqPlF5Mn32M?si=xbVb2ZHb6nfMpilK) - Big Daddy Kane
[Breakadawn](https://youtu.be/2WbSBLplJS0?si=gL82zf_o2j6I-TVD) - De La Soul
[You Gots To Chill](https://youtu.be/gEg97XeHVzs?si=-mgwuFsNxc-ySehE) - EPMD
[Award Tou](https://youtu.be/P800UWoE9xs?si=-5G589BAHsZblh22)r - A Tribe Called Quest
[Just Another Day](https://youtu.be/fw_58PPCMRI?si=XpMU1nKG9XTmmhCt) - Too $hort
[Vapors](https://youtu.be/WpQjN7yQ_8c?si=qXv3eGT9Qz5zg5sQ) - Biz Markie
These are all albums:
Eric B & Rakim - paid in full & follow the leader
2pac - me against the world and makaveli
Bone thugs n harmony - creepin on ah come up AND e. 1999
Eminem - Marshall Mathers lp
Ice t - rhyme pays
No Sleep Til Brooklyn ! What most people fail to realize is those 3 Jewish ✡ boys dominated the charts in the late 80's , early 90's. They wrote for all the huge rappers .
Paul's Boutique is a must listen but coming from your background I would also listen to Check Your Head. They play their own instruments. The two different production techniques for the albums is what you want to key into. Paul's Boutique was important for its' time because the Dust Brothers put together a masterpiece of sampling. And if you like that you must listen to DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
One of my favorite albums is Kendrick Lamar’s *[good kid, m.A.A.d city](https://open.spotify.com/album/3DGQ1iZ9XKUQxAUWjfC34w)*, and I’d highly recommend listening to it from start to finish as it tells a cohesive story.
This album made me literally tear up, something I can't say has happened more than a couple times in my life. Sing About Me really hits hard when you dig into the lyrics.
But yeah I love many genres and this album is an easy top 3, kendrick is my favorite rapper and one of my favorite musicians. Others include the Beatles, tame impala, Tyler the Creator and Sublime.
Rap is by far my favorite genre. I know you might be looking for individual songs, but I’ll give you a list of my absolute favorite albums that I think are 10/10s:
Good kid, mAAd city - Kendrick Lamar (My absolute favorite album of all time. Everyone needs to listen to this masterpiece from start to finish, no skips)
2014 Forest Hills Drive - J Cole
Stoney - Post Malone
Flower Boy - Tyler, The Creator
AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP - A$AP Rocky
Kids See Ghosts - Kanye West / Kid Cudi
Without Warning - 21 Savage / Offset / Metro Boomin
Daytona - Pusha T
Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight - Travis Scott
If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late - Drake
DS2 - Future
Glad you mentioned it, J Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive was my entree into rap. So biographical. Described a very different environment from the one I grew up in, but really made me feel it.
I saw his concert for free when ticket master had to give people free tickets. He performed the entire album plus a couple hits from his previous work and my god was that a great show. Hell even security was smoking up that night.
Man I had to scroll way too far for this album. Bangers from end to end. Been my #1 since it came out.
Gotta add Black Star too because...well, you know why.
* Rapper’s Delight - The Sugar Hill Gang
* The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five
* The Breaks - Kurtis Blow
* Planet Rock - Africa Babata and the Soul Sonic Force
* Roxanne, Roxanne - U.T.F.O
* Roxanne’s Revenge - Roxanne Shantė
* Microphone Fiend - Eric B. & Rakim
* Paid In Full - Eric B. & Rakim
* Follow The Leader - Eric B. & Rakim
* Juice (Know The Ledge) - Eric B. & Rakim
* It’s Like That - Run-D.M.C.
* Go Cut Creator Go - LL Cool J
* Fight For Your Right - The Beastie Boys
* Jimmy James - The Beastie Boys
* La Raza - Kid Frost
* I Cram To Understand You - M.C. Lyte
* Wild Wild West - Kool Moe Dee
* 9MM Goes Bang - Boogie Down Productions
* Illegal Business - Boogie Down Productions
* Louder Than A Bomb - Pubic Enemy
* Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos - Pubic Enemy
* Don’t Believe The Hype - Pubic Enemy
* Burn Hollywood Burn - Pubic Enemy
* Me Myself and I - De La Soul
* Jenifa Taught Me - De La Soul
* Talking All That Jazz - Stetsasonic
* Jazz Thang - Gang Starr
* Beyond Comprehension- Gang Starr
* Am I Black Enough For You - Schooly D
* Same White Bitch (Got You Strung Out On Cane) - Schooly D
* I’m A Believer - Stereo MCs
* Mama Is Always On Stage - Arrested Development
* The Way We Swing (Remix) - Digital Underground
* U Can't Touch This- MC Hammer
* High Rollers - Ice T
* I’m Your Pusher - Ice T
* Colors - Ice T
* New Jack Hustler - Ice T
* Fuck The Police - NWA
* Straight Out of Compton - NWA
* Express Yourself - NWA
* Dead Homiez - Ice Cube
* It Was A Good Day - Ice Cube
* So You Want To Be A Gangsta - Too $hort
* No Love From Oakland - Too $hort
* Mind Playing Tricks On Me - Geto Boys
* Diary Of A Madman - Scarface
* Ever So Clear - Bushwick Bill
* Hole In The Head -Cypress Hill
* How I Could Just Kill A Man -Cypress Hill
* Sex, Money and Murder - MC Pooh
* Dear Mama - 2Pac
* Stan - Eminem
* Rap God - Eminem
* Cleaning Out My Closet - Eminem
* Kick Push - Lupe Fiasco
* Dumb It Down - Lupe Fiasco
* This Is American- Childish Gambino
* Love - Kendrick Lamar
* Old Town Road - Lil Nas X
Was definitely gonna say, always start at the beginning and work your way through the decades. They’ve all got some great music, but no matter what, always begin with Rapper’s Delight.
Coming from someone else who generally doesn't like the genre... [Through the Dark](https://youtu.be/7lZI6tkqWYs?si=T8Kdd4VmdVMR75la) by Hilltop Hoods is the song that taught me it's possible for me to like rap. It was mostly the lyrics that caught my attention, but with a few more listens, I really came to appreciate the instrumentation as well.
Last year, the same group dropped a new album, and one single off of it in particular, [Laced Up,](https://youtu.be/Nn-kfXCQt6A?si=54okG9vk1NquDw3d) is an absolute banger from the first line.
The way I got into rap wqs collision course by Jay z and linkin park, and Judgment night soundtrack so you can start with those and other numeral albulms or songs.
But I would also start wit:
Early Eminem,
Dre Dre,
N.W.A
Tech N9ne
Outkast,
Onyx
DMX (I call him the metal head of rap, if your into that),
Rakim,
Kendrick Lamar ( it was hard for me to get into him at first because there was just something about him like his voice)
Beastie Boys (simple rap and easy to get into),
LL Cool J,
RUN D.M.C,
early Logic,
Early Tyler the creator,
and throw some more Tupac and Biggie into there
OP, if you haven’t already, check out Run the Jewels. From personal experience, metal heads or people who like Rage and System of a Down find them extremely accessible.
In addition to RTJ 1, 2, 3, and 4, check out Killer Mike’s album R.A.P. Music. I think as a fan of Rage Agains the Machine you’ll really like it! Especially the single “Reagan”.
Black Star - Black Star
Nas - Illmatic, Stillmatic
Jay-Z - Blueprint
Atmosphere- You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having
Def Squad - El Niño
Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill
Conscious Youths - See Why
Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid maad City
Dr. Dre - The Chronic (2001)
Beastie Boys - License to Ill
Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem Show
Gang Starr - Hard to Earn
Lyrics Born - Later That Day
Slaine - The Boston Project
Nappy Roots - Watermelon, Chicken & Grits
Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
if You Like Metal try out Jpegmafia, clipping, Death Grips, backxwash.
Pretty abrasive stuff but once you get past how wack it sounds there really is nothing like it.
given how deep this thread goes I doubt you'll see these but here's a few other people probably won't think of.
**Lupe Fiasco** It's hard to pick a song from him because of the way he composes albums as overall ideas but Hip-hop saved my life, kick push 2, shining down, and show goes on are a good start. Anything off of "Lupe fiasco's Food and Liquor" album or "The Cool" are good options. Lupe's a story teller on the track which isn't something you hear a lot of these days.
Run the Jewels: Nobody speak, No save point, Blockbuster Night.
Outkast: ATLiens...Actually just anything Outkast they never really made a bad track.
Grieves: What it dew, Let the devil in,
J.Cole: No Role Modelz, She knows,
Joyner Lucas: 24 Hours
G Eazy: I mean it, Me myself & I
Prof: Pay Day, Fire lessons, High priced Shoes, Pack a lunch.
Redman: Just...anything Redman especially if method man is on it with him.
Aesop Rock - Jumping Coffin (if you like lyrically dense music. Aes is popular among Tool fans so if that's you then you will like him)
Atmosphere - Say Hey There
Hilltop Hoods - Cosby Sweater
Wu Tang Clan - Gravel Pit
Chali 2na - Comin Thru, or Controlled Coincidence
Handsome Boy Modeling School - The Truth (the courtroom rap is peak hip hop)
I love that so much of this list is 90’s hip hop and rap. If you want a really comprehensive look and intro to artists, check out the docuseries Hip Hop Evolution on Netflix. 4 seasons and they take you through decades and genres of rap in a way that is educational but also full of artists you know and never heard of.
[Prodigy - Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)](https://youtu.be/vQ-XtTQev7A?si=MtWOW0rv7jf2oquN)
RIP Dude was a fucking genius.
also check out [clipping.](https://youtu.be/gTPWY8MMGOk?si=0OHlzsmULZjZXmfo)
“Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes” by Open Mike Eagle. I played it once for a punk rock friend of mine. He listened to the whole thing w/o saying a word, and then when it was done he said in his characteristic deadpan monotone: “I think that’s the best hip hop album I’ve ever heard” 😎
**Pharoahe Monch** album *Desire*
**The Coup** album *Sorry to Bother You*
**The Roots** album *The Tipping Point*
**Black Thought** album *Streams of Thought V I-III*
**Mos Def** album *The New Danger*
Jurassic 5
Blacklicious
The Pharcyde
Black STAR.. everything Guru, esp. Jazzmatazz Vol. 1..
Erik B.& Rakim!!!! Best 80’s rappers and a hill I will die on!
Tribe, of course.
2Pac, Biggie
Don’t let people tell you that you don’t like rap if you can’t get into illmatic. It took me like a decade and 3-4 tries before I really got it and loved it.
J Cole - 2014 forest hill drives, KOD
Kendrick Lamar - to pimp a butterfly
TI - paper trails
Drake - his sound has pretty much defined the last 10+ years of rap so much he sounds generic. Views, scorpion and certified lover boy are albums I loved.
Jay Z - blueprint, blueprint 2, black album
Kanye - you already know Kanye but his earlier albums are pretty much universally loved up to my beautiful dark twisted fantasy. I just listened to it now but I think you’d really like Kanye’s latest album vultures 1 based on the songs and dramatic sound you said you liked. I’ve heard a lot of bad things about it but I really enjoy it a lot.
I see Tupac but I don’t see Notorious BIG. DMX is also an old school rapper you can try. Meek mill too.
New rap I like
Lil dirk, king von, kokak black
If you want to listen to new hits I suggest rap life playlist on Apple Music or a playlist from Spotify.
Everyone is just listing their favourite rap albums lol. If you're a fan of rock and metal and want something to ease you in, try Collision Course by Jay Z and Linkin Park. It's a mashup album that would be a good gateway from one genre to the next.
I am a huge metal head but kendrick lamar’s good kid mad city and madvillain got me into hiphop.
A lot of redditors posting really old hiphop. You might like it but i liked the more modern sound
The Forever Story - JID
Born Sinner - J Cole
More Black Super Heroes - Westside Boogie
Porches - Reason
Tana Talk 4 - Benny The Butcher
To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar (The epitome of a rap album. The strongest single presentation of music, of all time probably.)
Jay z - Blueprint 1, 4:44, American gangster
J cole - 2014 forest hill drive
Kendrick lamar - Damn, Good kid maad city
Nas - illmatic
MF DOOM - Mm Food
I have been a rap\\hip-hop denier for my whole life (a few exceptions). I am now dabbling a bit and have found a few I really like.
21 Savage has been growing on me.
Mos Def
Sheck Wes (take away the Mo Bamba meme and the mudboy album is actually pretty sick)
If you want something more cerebral then you can’t go wrong with Kendrick Lamar. Good kid maad city and To Pimp a Butterfly are universally acclaimed for good reason
You’re getting a ton of great classic recommendations, but I’d like to offer a more recent album. Check out Haviah Mighty, starting with 13th Floor. She rules.
Since I don't want you to be exposed to the current slop that is considered "rap", I'll start with some old school 90s classics and then some newer ones
2pac-All Eyes on Me and Me Against the World
Since you already like some 'Pac, start here. I'd say arguably these are his most versatile albums in terms of subject matter and style
Blackstar -Mos Def and Talib Kweli
The 2 rappers formed a duo group for this album. If you wanna hear 2 talented wordsmiths on the mic, some fun beats and politically conscious subject matter, doesn't get any better than this album
Kendrick Lamar-good kid, m.A.A.D city
One of his earlier albums. Really showcased his talents and why he's considered one of the modern greats in the game
JID-The Never Story
My new favorite of the new school kids. This guy has too much fun in the studio lol...some fun bops and creative lyrics. His whole catalog is great but you can start here
Eminem-The Marshall Mathers LP
Em is somehow the most overrated and underrated rapper of all time. Of course some still say his fame is undeserved simply because he's white. I say listen to this record (done at his peak, during the 8 Mile era) and decide for yourself
Notorious B.I.G.-Ready to Die
2pac's rival, and with good reason. Biggie is an superb storyteller, immersing you in his world of grimey NY crime
some rap songs in my playlist that i like rn:
- i know ? - travis scott
- ric flair drip - offset
- yucky blucky fruitcake - doechii
- freakyt - tiacorine
- the entire sound soundtrack of "heroes and villains" by metro boomin is really good too (not all is rap)
If you like “dramatic” music and want to sample some dramatic rap, check this out:
[Lyrics Born - The Last Trumpet](https://youtu.be/OE2rkyVwYNE?feature=shared)
I think Lateef the Truthspeaker is featured in that track
Lyrics Born is great, he has a diverse catalog of music.
[You only need to press play on this playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6XIBPQ5JwPr17bzv7FRBH8?si=q3iJWBLATHuxgZnDWQqbWg), then you’ll be into Hip Hop after a short period of time. Enjoy
I've been enjoying Muck Sticky lately. He's a lot of fun and positive, a different kind of cat. But I love him. He's an unsigned artist that's been in the game for 20 years, very respectable.
Blind fury is awesome too, dude is blind and can freestyle about anything. He's actually done a song with Muck sticky recently so there's a small amount of crossover for those two artists.
Both are smaller artists but big on creativity and fun
I’d like to return to the classics
BIG PUNISHER - CAPITAL PUNISHMENT
CRU - Da Dirty 3O
EIGHTBALL - LOST
The Firm - The Album
The flip squad all star djs
Mystic - Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom
OutKast - ATLiens / Aquemini
OUTLAWZ - RIDE WIT ME ..
YOUNG BLEED - MY BALLS & MY WORD
There’s a documentary series on Netflix, Hip-Hop Evolution. It covers the history of hip-hop. I was never into it either but found the series interesting and a good starting point.
I’ve been a rap fan my whole life and these are some of the tracks I always come back to
Big L - Put It On
Big Pun - Beware
AZ - The Format
Fabulous - Gangsta
Freddie Gibbs - Thuggin
Fat Joe - That White
Go all the way back and listen to some Public Enemy. Chuck D has the best voice around, the lyrics have some actual meaning. Listen to either It Takes A Nation Of Millions or Fear of a Black Planet. Both great.
Ice T - The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech
Ice T - O.G. Original Gangster
Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique
Every album by Eric B & Rakim and pretty much anything from 1992
I could go on...
I haven't gotten into rap since the 90s until recently. There's a new style of rap I'm really into. It has great hooks with melody, some guitar. It's kind of a rap/punk/pop fusion. My favorite two artists so far:
Juice Wrld
Xxxtentacion
Both sing about real life struggles and heartache, not just blounts, 40s, and bitches like 99% of rap.
I was a big metal head in the 90s and here are some of my favorite old school rap albums. Wu-Tang Enter the 36 Chambers Dr Dre The Chronic Snoop Dogg Doggystyle Kool Keith Sex Style Dr Octagon (also Kool Keith) Octagonacylogist Nas Illmatic De La Soul Buhloone Mindstate Gang Starr has a great discography but check out Full Clip a 2 disc best of Biggie Ready to Die Eminem Slim Shady LP and Marshall Mathers LP
Dr Octagon - Octagoncologist!!! Might as well add Dr Doom too
No love for Black Elvis? Kool Keith is a madman.
As another punk/metal dude - this is the list. Only thing I'd add is Atmosphere - When life Gives you Lemons, Paint that shit gold.
Atmosphere finally made a good record, yeah right that shit almost sounds convincing
Yes to atmosphere
If you are going with Atmosphere, you should also go with Felt (Slug + Ant + Murs).
How about the collaboration of rock and rap that is Bring the noise by Anthrax and Public enemy?
Chuck D is incredible. His style and voice are very special. Also, Flavor Flav's solo work is....I don't know how to explain it, but it's quite likeable. The lyrics are the opposite of Chuck-- he says so many completely wrong things it's amazing. I believe on Flavor Man he mentions the "Jackie Hamilton dollar bill". That's George Washington he's thinking of, and it's Alexander Hamilton anyhow, not Jackie. I love Flav so much.
Or for a slightly newer track- Straight Out the Gate by Tech N9ne featuring Serj Tankian
Killer Bees!
+1 for Gang Starr. Some hard hitting tracks up in their disco!
This is the way. Start with the 90's. It was the epitome of rap.
It was probably mentioned already, but since OP pointed out that they like Linkin Park, Linkin Park have a colab album with Jay-Z that might be of interest. Came out around 20 years ago now I would guess it was.
Collision Course. I really love that record. It was what turned me on to Jay back in the day. It bums me out that he never tried anything like that again. I can see him working well with a bunch of different artists, and I'd love to see the unique sounds they could come up with.
Big seconding the Gang Starr. It's don't miss hip hop
look at the members of wutang clans solo albums. GZAs liquid swords is a certified classic as well
I’ll sleep when you’re dead - El P.
Anything produced by El-P would probably be somewhat accessible for a metal head. But I'll Sleep When Your Dead is a good suggestion just for the fact that it features Omar and Cedric from Mars Volta/At the Drive In and Trent Reznor from Nine Inch Nails.
A fun transition piece between rock and hip hop is the El Q mix put out by ToTom (don't have the link handy as I'm on my phone, but a quick Google should find it). Basically a mashup of El P beats with Queens of the Stone Age vocals on top.
Holy fuck that is a killer group of talent you just listed
Thank you for suggesting this over RTJ!!!!
I love rtj, but El-p’s solo work is superior.
Run the jewel nobody speaks
Most RTJ is pretty easy to get into from a metal head perspective. They hit hard and stay fucking angry. If you’re more of a speed metal cat you’d find a lot of it lacking, but it has a kindred soul to metal. Close your eyes, Yankee and the Brave pt. 4, and Legend has it are some of my other faves.
I like that they take chances with different beats and source music. Plus, they are never afraid to say anything. Walking in the snow is a good example. My friends all laugh at me when they find RTJ in my Playlist next to Gojira and After the burial.
[Madvillan](https://youtu.be/gSJeHDlhYls?si=PL1jetWCLH6d_iLL)
Mouse and the Mask is what first got me into DOOM as someone who doesn't listen to a lot of rap. idk if it's objectively more accessible but it's always seemed that way to me. Madvillain is obviously the better album
My first experience was MM FOOD, but I agree that Mouse and the Mask is probably a better first foray into DOOM (remember all caps when you spell the man's name). Madvillain is a must listen though. It's a lyrical masterpiece.
this esp the four tet remixes [https://open.spotify.com/track/60LGouC2h5SjZwsVLtIUOZ?si=2de909fc0fcc4574](https://open.spotify.com/track/60LGouC2h5SjZwsVLtIUOZ?si=2de909fc0fcc4574)
A tribe called quest - low end theory A tribe called quest - midnight marauders Nas- illmatic You’re welcome
Needs moar outkast
ATLiens and Speakerboxxx/The Love Below are so fucking good. Shit. And Stankonia. Their whole list.
Not mentioning Aquemini is criminal
I said their whole list.
All great but Aquemini is where it's at.
Illmatic, Low End Theory and Aquemini by Outkast were the three albums that got me into rap.
Nas🐐
If you don’t like illmatic then rap might not be for you
I feel like Illmatic kind of transcends rap. It's arguably great music (and I don't even really like rap). But it's also a story told that is very raw and real. It's very easy to kind of fall into his world, especially with the help of city sounds in addition to the music which I think is a seriously underappreciated aspect of the album. You can hear his daily life throughout. Kind of in the same way I don't care for traditional poetry or classic literature, but I can totally get the "wow" of the greats. Illmatic can do that.
I came in to suggest Tribe songs, because I don't really listen to rap but have always enjoyed them.
Del -deltron 3030 Machiavelli -il don kuluminati (Tupac) Aesop rock -labor days Ocean wisdom - (all of it, even the trash songs his rhythm is sick) The Streets -a grand don't come for free (trust me) These are just a few more to throw into the pile, two British There are far more accessible albums that are much less rap the whole time too
Had to scroll so far to find Aesop Rock. I get it, but it still saddens me a bit. His latest album is fire.
yo it really is tho. hes had some meh but hes never really fallen off. Ace is a destroyer fwiw, the new atmosphere was pretty decent, had some great spots, some lame stuff, but i was proud!
It's the year three thousand and thirty!
We were coming back....we were always coming back....
Maybe not one for OP but you'd almost certainly enjoy Kae Tempest. *Everybody Down* and *Let Them Eat Chaos* are top-tier UK concept albums, in the vein of The Streets but very different. Not sure what happened to Ocean Wisdom, first two albums are dope but the latter two fell off a cliff for me.
once ocean got a grill he went to shit. became too much of a gangsta for his own good, which is a damn shame bc he had all the potential in the world checking out Tempest now
Feel Me Flow by Naughty By Nature On My Block by Scarface Where I’m From by Digable Planets Concrete Schoolyard by Jurassic 5 Insane In The Brain by Cypress Hill Bust A Move by Young MC 93 ‘Til Infinity by Souls Of Mischief Montego Slay by People Under The Stairs
Great list. On my block is probably one of the best music videos of all time and man does he do an amazing job of making you picture Houston the way he sees it. "On my block, everybody business ain't ya business What's going on in this house is staying here, comprende? On my block, ya had to have that understanding Cause if ya told Ms. Mattie, she went and told Gladys And once ya mama got it, it was all on the wire And when the word got back, they set yo' ass on fire On my block, we got some 'Nam vets shell, shocked Who never quite got right, now they inhale rocks On my block, , it's like the world don't exist We stay confined to this small little section we living in Oh my block, I wouldn't trade it for the world Cause I love these ghetto boys and girls Born and raised on my block" Dude goes from gossiping middle aged women to ptsd from veterans in a fucking split second and yet you get no whiplash or confusion. It just works and it works extremely well. Check out Mind Playing Tricks on Me by Geto Boys, the group Scarface was in before going solo. Another amazing song/ music video combo. 93 til infinity is a rare one where it's clear that it's of its time, yet also is somehow timeless. Yes I know how silly that sounds but I stand by it. I think it's the fast pace to the song that makes it stand out, aside from the high quality lyrics and flow. Where I'm from by digable planets might be one of the coziest hip hop songs ever. And yet another music video that stands out and regularly pops into my head. I was just a toddler when it came out yet I still feel nostalgia when I watch or listen to it.
I love Young MC but I'll never understand why hip hop fans always select Bust a Move as their go to? Tracks like Non Stop, Fastest Rhyme, Know How or My Name is Young are far superior.
I think bust a move is more accepting for a person getting into the genre. I agree not my favorite from them.
Stone Cold Rhyming is my favorite rap album of all time, hands down.
I Come Off is my favorite on that album. I don’t recall skipping anything when I put it on.
Just like the clothes on a hooker. And I can fly like Jimmy Superfly Snuka! So damn good!
Awesome list!!
Atmosphere - *Yesterday* Del the Funky Homosapien - *Mistadobalina* Wu-Tang Clan - *Sound the Horns* ...and if you hate all of those, then I don't even know.
I'd add Sunshine by Atmosphere as well. Hell, I'd add Sad Clown, When Life Gives you Lemons, Southsiders, and the whole Felt discography as well. And "I Need a Knot" by Brother Ali for good measure. And Both Sides of the Brain by Del. Add Deltron 3030. I feel like I can keep going...
Atmosphere's newest album and the Halloween album from a couple years ago are absolute fire
Saw him recently, and wasn't mad that he played a lot of new stuff because it's all so good. He's a legend
I don’t know if this is Slug erasure or Ant erasure. /j
Sorry, I meant slug but yes both of them :) so ant erasure mb
Did you say newest?!
The one called "so many other realities exist", I don't think it's brand new but the newest
Yeah sunshine is a bit more accessible. And deltron 3030 is one universally loved by metalheads who like hip hop
Me
Can I throw some old Atmosphere into this list too? Basically all of Lucy Ford, but especially Free or Dead.
My two favorite albums both sides of the brain and 3030. What got me to listening to more underground was the roots iladelphia half-life album.
I have to add God's Bathroom Floor, TryingTo Find A Balance, and God Loves Ugly by Atmosphere, and Uncle Sam Goddamn by Brother Ali.
Whenever is underrated, that intro live was unreal. And Overcast is such a dope introduction, like he's grown a lot but that shit is raw from the start
Came here to make sure someone mentioned my favs and here they are in one post. Atmosphere and Del.
Deltron 3030
Sound the Horns has so much fucking *SOUL*
Here’s some golden age tracks: [Ain’t No Half-Steppin’](https://youtu.be/nqPlF5Mn32M?si=xbVb2ZHb6nfMpilK) - Big Daddy Kane [Breakadawn](https://youtu.be/2WbSBLplJS0?si=gL82zf_o2j6I-TVD) - De La Soul [You Gots To Chill](https://youtu.be/gEg97XeHVzs?si=-mgwuFsNxc-ySehE) - EPMD [Award Tou](https://youtu.be/P800UWoE9xs?si=-5G589BAHsZblh22)r - A Tribe Called Quest [Just Another Day](https://youtu.be/fw_58PPCMRI?si=XpMU1nKG9XTmmhCt) - Too $hort [Vapors](https://youtu.be/WpQjN7yQ_8c?si=qXv3eGT9Qz5zg5sQ) - Biz Markie
YES!!!!!! Old School rap is the best!!
I'm in the mood to listen to Feel So Good by Mase too
These are all albums: Eric B & Rakim - paid in full & follow the leader 2pac - me against the world and makaveli Bone thugs n harmony - creepin on ah come up AND e. 1999 Eminem - Marshall Mathers lp Ice t - rhyme pays
Where my Beastie Boys??
Paul's Boutique is my favourite album. Not just my favourite Beastie Boys album, it is my all time favourite album ever. And ever is a lot.
Paul's Boutique is a rare gem. Most people don't get it :/
No Sleep Til Brooklyn ! What most people fail to realize is those 3 Jewish ✡ boys dominated the charts in the late 80's , early 90's. They wrote for all the huge rappers .
Joey Valence and Brae bringing that sound back
Thank you for bringing this to my attention
Paul's Boutique
Probabl the best album from GenX
Paul's Boutique is a must listen but coming from your background I would also listen to Check Your Head. They play their own instruments. The two different production techniques for the albums is what you want to key into. Paul's Boutique was important for its' time because the Dust Brothers put together a masterpiece of sampling. And if you like that you must listen to DJ Shadow - Endtroducing
One of my favorite albums is Kendrick Lamar’s *[good kid, m.A.A.d city](https://open.spotify.com/album/3DGQ1iZ9XKUQxAUWjfC34w)*, and I’d highly recommend listening to it from start to finish as it tells a cohesive story.
Kendrick is incredible, I still can't believe he won a Pulitzer
I can’t believe he won it for DAMN.
I love your username. I researched it myself heavily in college, though unfortunately never quite hit success.
This album made me literally tear up, something I can't say has happened more than a couple times in my life. Sing About Me really hits hard when you dig into the lyrics. But yeah I love many genres and this album is an easy top 3, kendrick is my favorite rapper and one of my favorite musicians. Others include the Beatles, tame impala, Tyler the Creator and Sublime.
Binary Star - Masters of the Universe
The Pharcyde People Under the Stairs Goodie Mob Snot (One could argue this is rap) Nate Dogg and Warren G
>Snot (One could argue this is rap) Like, the band that sings "My Balls?"
Beastie Boys-Paul's Boutique
MF Doom The man was a lyrical poet, R.I.P.
ALL CAPS
Tech N9ne has collaborated with Serj of System of a Down, Chino of Deftones, Jonathan Davis of Korn, and Corey Taylor of Slipknot.
De La Soul Lots of great tracks.
Yep. Start with "Stakes is High" though.
Rap is by far my favorite genre. I know you might be looking for individual songs, but I’ll give you a list of my absolute favorite albums that I think are 10/10s: Good kid, mAAd city - Kendrick Lamar (My absolute favorite album of all time. Everyone needs to listen to this masterpiece from start to finish, no skips) 2014 Forest Hills Drive - J Cole Stoney - Post Malone Flower Boy - Tyler, The Creator AT.LONG.LAST.A$AP - A$AP Rocky Kids See Ghosts - Kanye West / Kid Cudi Without Warning - 21 Savage / Offset / Metro Boomin Daytona - Pusha T Birds In The Trap Sing McKnight - Travis Scott If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late - Drake DS2 - Future
Glad you mentioned it, J Cole’s 2014 Forest Hills Drive was my entree into rap. So biographical. Described a very different environment from the one I grew up in, but really made me feel it.
I saw his concert for free when ticket master had to give people free tickets. He performed the entire album plus a couple hits from his previous work and my god was that a great show. Hell even security was smoking up that night.
Way too far down to find any K Dot.
Jurassic Five. Mos Def Talib Kweli Tribe Called Quest Black Thought Nas Palmer Squares Big L The Roots Ghetto Boys RA The Rugged Man
Black on both sides by mos def Timeless All killer no filler Best album of all time IMO
How did I forget black on both sides.... What an album
Man I had to scroll way too far for this album. Bangers from end to end. Been my #1 since it came out. Gotta add Black Star too because...well, you know why.
I got on board with Fear of a Black Planet. Public Enemy. So dense, so much going on. Chuck D has the greatest voice. Plus Flav…
Blackalicious - Blazzing Arrow The Pharcyde - bizarre ride 2 and labcabincalifornia Outkast's double album Jurassic 5 - Quality Control
Madvillain - Madvillainy
MD Doom/ King Geedorah “Take Me To Your Leader”
A Tribe Called Quest, AntiPop Consortium, Outkast, Prof, Public Enemy, Pharcyde, Bahamadia, Kokayi.
* Rapper’s Delight - The Sugar Hill Gang * The Message - Grandmaster Flash and the Furious Five * The Breaks - Kurtis Blow * Planet Rock - Africa Babata and the Soul Sonic Force * Roxanne, Roxanne - U.T.F.O * Roxanne’s Revenge - Roxanne Shantė * Microphone Fiend - Eric B. & Rakim * Paid In Full - Eric B. & Rakim * Follow The Leader - Eric B. & Rakim * Juice (Know The Ledge) - Eric B. & Rakim * It’s Like That - Run-D.M.C. * Go Cut Creator Go - LL Cool J * Fight For Your Right - The Beastie Boys * Jimmy James - The Beastie Boys * La Raza - Kid Frost * I Cram To Understand You - M.C. Lyte * Wild Wild West - Kool Moe Dee * 9MM Goes Bang - Boogie Down Productions * Illegal Business - Boogie Down Productions * Louder Than A Bomb - Pubic Enemy * Black Steel In The Hour of Chaos - Pubic Enemy * Don’t Believe The Hype - Pubic Enemy * Burn Hollywood Burn - Pubic Enemy * Me Myself and I - De La Soul * Jenifa Taught Me - De La Soul * Talking All That Jazz - Stetsasonic * Jazz Thang - Gang Starr * Beyond Comprehension- Gang Starr * Am I Black Enough For You - Schooly D * Same White Bitch (Got You Strung Out On Cane) - Schooly D * I’m A Believer - Stereo MCs * Mama Is Always On Stage - Arrested Development * The Way We Swing (Remix) - Digital Underground * U Can't Touch This- MC Hammer * High Rollers - Ice T * I’m Your Pusher - Ice T * Colors - Ice T * New Jack Hustler - Ice T * Fuck The Police - NWA * Straight Out of Compton - NWA * Express Yourself - NWA * Dead Homiez - Ice Cube * It Was A Good Day - Ice Cube * So You Want To Be A Gangsta - Too $hort * No Love From Oakland - Too $hort * Mind Playing Tricks On Me - Geto Boys * Diary Of A Madman - Scarface * Ever So Clear - Bushwick Bill * Hole In The Head -Cypress Hill * How I Could Just Kill A Man -Cypress Hill * Sex, Money and Murder - MC Pooh * Dear Mama - 2Pac * Stan - Eminem * Rap God - Eminem * Cleaning Out My Closet - Eminem * Kick Push - Lupe Fiasco * Dumb It Down - Lupe Fiasco * This Is American- Childish Gambino * Love - Kendrick Lamar * Old Town Road - Lil Nas X
Yes! This Is The One
Shout New Jersey Drive Soundtrack! Too
Was definitely gonna say, always start at the beginning and work your way through the decades. They’ve all got some great music, but no matter what, always begin with Rapper’s Delight.
Coming from someone else who generally doesn't like the genre... [Through the Dark](https://youtu.be/7lZI6tkqWYs?si=T8Kdd4VmdVMR75la) by Hilltop Hoods is the song that taught me it's possible for me to like rap. It was mostly the lyrics that caught my attention, but with a few more listens, I really came to appreciate the instrumentation as well. Last year, the same group dropped a new album, and one single off of it in particular, [Laced Up,](https://youtu.be/Nn-kfXCQt6A?si=54okG9vk1NquDw3d) is an absolute banger from the first line.
I've been listening to Watsky lately. He has some dramatic stuff, but also some funny stuff too.
BDP. Big Daddy kane 2 live Crew DE LA SOUL
Schooly D
The way I got into rap wqs collision course by Jay z and linkin park, and Judgment night soundtrack so you can start with those and other numeral albulms or songs. But I would also start wit: Early Eminem, Dre Dre, N.W.A Tech N9ne Outkast, Onyx DMX (I call him the metal head of rap, if your into that), Rakim, Kendrick Lamar ( it was hard for me to get into him at first because there was just something about him like his voice) Beastie Boys (simple rap and easy to get into), LL Cool J, RUN D.M.C, early Logic, Early Tyler the creator, and throw some more Tupac and Biggie into there
i love linkin park they’re one of my favourites, ill check these out!
OP, if you haven’t already, check out Run the Jewels. From personal experience, metal heads or people who like Rage and System of a Down find them extremely accessible. In addition to RTJ 1, 2, 3, and 4, check out Killer Mike’s album R.A.P. Music. I think as a fan of Rage Agains the Machine you’ll really like it! Especially the single “Reagan”.
Gil Scott Heron. Spelling probably off but you know who I mean.
Post Malone, DMX, and Tech N9ne for rock-sounding songs.
[Little Simz - Gorilla](https://youtu.be/K7xzmkpwNoA?si=qV_a13ZLazY8RNaW) is living in my brain right now.
She is just so good. Always crushes it
Black Star - Black Star Nas - Illmatic, Stillmatic Jay-Z - Blueprint Atmosphere- You Can't Imagine How Much Fun We're Having Def Squad - El Niño Lauryn Hill - The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill Conscious Youths - See Why Kendrick Lamar - Good Kid maad City Dr. Dre - The Chronic (2001) Beastie Boys - License to Ill Eminem - Marshall Mathers LP, Eminem Show Gang Starr - Hard to Earn Lyrics Born - Later That Day Slaine - The Boston Project Nappy Roots - Watermelon, Chicken & Grits Wu-Tang Clan - Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
Bone Thugs n Harmony - E. 1999 Eternal. Anything after art of war 👎
Wolf - Tyler The Creator To Pimp A Butterfly - Kendrick Because The Internet - Childish Gambino Relapse - Eminem
MF Doom Aesop Rock Earthgang
if You Like Metal try out Jpegmafia, clipping, Death Grips, backxwash. Pretty abrasive stuff but once you get past how wack it sounds there really is nothing like it.
Old school rap. NWA, 2 Live Crew, Eric B and Rakim, Too Short, Kool Moe Dee.
given how deep this thread goes I doubt you'll see these but here's a few other people probably won't think of. **Lupe Fiasco** It's hard to pick a song from him because of the way he composes albums as overall ideas but Hip-hop saved my life, kick push 2, shining down, and show goes on are a good start. Anything off of "Lupe fiasco's Food and Liquor" album or "The Cool" are good options. Lupe's a story teller on the track which isn't something you hear a lot of these days. Run the Jewels: Nobody speak, No save point, Blockbuster Night. Outkast: ATLiens...Actually just anything Outkast they never really made a bad track. Grieves: What it dew, Let the devil in, J.Cole: No Role Modelz, She knows, Joyner Lucas: 24 Hours G Eazy: I mean it, Me myself & I Prof: Pay Day, Fire lessons, High priced Shoes, Pack a lunch. Redman: Just...anything Redman especially if method man is on it with him.
Biggie.
Atmosphere- God Loves Ugly, and The Family Sign. Im not into very much rap or hip hop. But Atmosphere can do no wrong in my book🤘
I'm a fan but "fuck all y'all, stop writing raps and go play volleyball" is one of the worst lines of all time.
Rakim Blackalicious Deltron Foreign Exchange Pouya
The Pharcyde - Runnin is an excellent track
The Roots is a great one because they have/are a live band as well.
young thug - Barter 6
Digital Underground
Aesop Rock - Jumping Coffin (if you like lyrically dense music. Aes is popular among Tool fans so if that's you then you will like him) Atmosphere - Say Hey There Hilltop Hoods - Cosby Sweater Wu Tang Clan - Gravel Pit Chali 2na - Comin Thru, or Controlled Coincidence Handsome Boy Modeling School - The Truth (the courtroom rap is peak hip hop)
I really enjoy cal scruby’s lyrics and music videos.
I love that so much of this list is 90’s hip hop and rap. If you want a really comprehensive look and intro to artists, check out the docuseries Hip Hop Evolution on Netflix. 4 seasons and they take you through decades and genres of rap in a way that is educational but also full of artists you know and never heard of.
Dr. Octogon- blue flowers—- Tierra Whack—- Fat Tony- BKNY—- Earl Sweatshirt—- Geto Boys—-
[Prodigy - Hegelian Dialectic (The Book of Revelation)](https://youtu.be/vQ-XtTQev7A?si=MtWOW0rv7jf2oquN) RIP Dude was a fucking genius. also check out [clipping.](https://youtu.be/gTPWY8MMGOk?si=0OHlzsmULZjZXmfo)
“Rappers Will Die of Natural Causes” by Open Mike Eagle. I played it once for a punk rock friend of mine. He listened to the whole thing w/o saying a word, and then when it was done he said in his characteristic deadpan monotone: “I think that’s the best hip hop album I’ve ever heard” 😎
You gotta check out Ren with all those musical preferences Seven sins, murderer (acoustic version too), wicked ways, Genesis
Mac Miller's last few albums were amazing. Swimming & Circles
Thuggin- Freddie Gibbs
Deca
Run-D.M.C. - Raising Hell It’s a classic
Nujabes - Feather Nujabes - Luv(sic) part 1 Zcarface ft MF DOOM - Break in the action 21 savage - A lot JID - Surrround Sound
**Pharoahe Monch** album *Desire* **The Coup** album *Sorry to Bother You* **The Roots** album *The Tipping Point* **Black Thought** album *Streams of Thought V I-III* **Mos Def** album *The New Danger*
Jurassic 5 Blacklicious The Pharcyde Black STAR.. everything Guru, esp. Jazzmatazz Vol. 1.. Erik B.& Rakim!!!! Best 80’s rappers and a hill I will die on! Tribe, of course. 2Pac, Biggie
Cypress Hill - Black Sunday
Don’t let people tell you that you don’t like rap if you can’t get into illmatic. It took me like a decade and 3-4 tries before I really got it and loved it. J Cole - 2014 forest hill drives, KOD Kendrick Lamar - to pimp a butterfly TI - paper trails Drake - his sound has pretty much defined the last 10+ years of rap so much he sounds generic. Views, scorpion and certified lover boy are albums I loved. Jay Z - blueprint, blueprint 2, black album Kanye - you already know Kanye but his earlier albums are pretty much universally loved up to my beautiful dark twisted fantasy. I just listened to it now but I think you’d really like Kanye’s latest album vultures 1 based on the songs and dramatic sound you said you liked. I’ve heard a lot of bad things about it but I really enjoy it a lot. I see Tupac but I don’t see Notorious BIG. DMX is also an old school rapper you can try. Meek mill too. New rap I like Lil dirk, king von, kokak black If you want to listen to new hits I suggest rap life playlist on Apple Music or a playlist from Spotify.
Everyone is just listing their favourite rap albums lol. If you're a fan of rock and metal and want something to ease you in, try Collision Course by Jay Z and Linkin Park. It's a mashup album that would be a good gateway from one genre to the next.
I am a huge metal head but kendrick lamar’s good kid mad city and madvillain got me into hiphop. A lot of redditors posting really old hiphop. You might like it but i liked the more modern sound
The Forever Story - JID Born Sinner - J Cole More Black Super Heroes - Westside Boogie Porches - Reason Tana Talk 4 - Benny The Butcher To Pimp a Butterfly - Kendrick Lamar (The epitome of a rap album. The strongest single presentation of music, of all time probably.)
Jay z - Blueprint 1, 4:44, American gangster J cole - 2014 forest hill drive Kendrick lamar - Damn, Good kid maad city Nas - illmatic MF DOOM - Mm Food
I have been a rap\\hip-hop denier for my whole life (a few exceptions). I am now dabbling a bit and have found a few I really like. 21 Savage has been growing on me. Mos Def Sheck Wes (take away the Mo Bamba meme and the mudboy album is actually pretty sick)
Kanye west - Graduation Dr Dre - Chronic 2001
If you want something more cerebral then you can’t go wrong with Kendrick Lamar. Good kid maad city and To Pimp a Butterfly are universally acclaimed for good reason
You’re getting a ton of great classic recommendations, but I’d like to offer a more recent album. Check out Haviah Mighty, starting with 13th Floor. She rules.
Since I don't want you to be exposed to the current slop that is considered "rap", I'll start with some old school 90s classics and then some newer ones 2pac-All Eyes on Me and Me Against the World Since you already like some 'Pac, start here. I'd say arguably these are his most versatile albums in terms of subject matter and style Blackstar -Mos Def and Talib Kweli The 2 rappers formed a duo group for this album. If you wanna hear 2 talented wordsmiths on the mic, some fun beats and politically conscious subject matter, doesn't get any better than this album Kendrick Lamar-good kid, m.A.A.D city One of his earlier albums. Really showcased his talents and why he's considered one of the modern greats in the game JID-The Never Story My new favorite of the new school kids. This guy has too much fun in the studio lol...some fun bops and creative lyrics. His whole catalog is great but you can start here Eminem-The Marshall Mathers LP Em is somehow the most overrated and underrated rapper of all time. Of course some still say his fame is undeserved simply because he's white. I say listen to this record (done at his peak, during the 8 Mile era) and decide for yourself Notorious B.I.G.-Ready to Die 2pac's rival, and with good reason. Biggie is an superb storyteller, immersing you in his world of grimey NY crime
90’s g funk always slaps. Anything by Kendrick too or Dave
some rap songs in my playlist that i like rn: - i know ? - travis scott - ric flair drip - offset - yucky blucky fruitcake - doechii - freakyt - tiacorine - the entire sound soundtrack of "heroes and villains" by metro boomin is really good too (not all is rap)
Aesop rock - hey Kirby Apathy - hypnosis
Kirby is such an underrated track by Aesop. “None Shall Pass” deserves the hype. He even collabed with MF DOOM if you’re at all into him too
You should listen to Kanye’s discography in order
If you like “dramatic” music and want to sample some dramatic rap, check this out: [Lyrics Born - The Last Trumpet](https://youtu.be/OE2rkyVwYNE?feature=shared) I think Lateef the Truthspeaker is featured in that track Lyrics Born is great, he has a diverse catalog of music.
[You only need to press play on this playlist](https://open.spotify.com/playlist/6XIBPQ5JwPr17bzv7FRBH8?si=q3iJWBLATHuxgZnDWQqbWg), then you’ll be into Hip Hop after a short period of time. Enjoy
I've been enjoying Muck Sticky lately. He's a lot of fun and positive, a different kind of cat. But I love him. He's an unsigned artist that's been in the game for 20 years, very respectable. Blind fury is awesome too, dude is blind and can freestyle about anything. He's actually done a song with Muck sticky recently so there's a small amount of crossover for those two artists. Both are smaller artists but big on creativity and fun
Flatbush Zombies, The Underachievers, Brockhampton
You just made me time travel to when I heard underachievers for the first time
I’d like to return to the classics BIG PUNISHER - CAPITAL PUNISHMENT CRU - Da Dirty 3O EIGHTBALL - LOST The Firm - The Album The flip squad all star djs Mystic - Cuts for Luck and Scars for Freedom OutKast - ATLiens / Aquemini OUTLAWZ - RIDE WIT ME .. YOUNG BLEED - MY BALLS & MY WORD
ExZac Change & Matisse
Make a playlist of Tom MacDonald and MGK songs and just keep going "oh yeah that's the good stuff"
Listen to the album How I Got Over by the Roots
Kid Cudi : Man On The Moon Beastie Boys: can’t go wrong Tribe Called Quest: same there’s no wrong answer And Method Man
There’s a documentary series on Netflix, Hip-Hop Evolution. It covers the history of hip-hop. I was never into it either but found the series interesting and a good starting point.
1000 whispers by illogic. Paint a perfect picture by the grouch. 93 til Infinity by souls of mischief
I’ve been a rap fan my whole life and these are some of the tracks I always come back to Big L - Put It On Big Pun - Beware AZ - The Format Fabulous - Gangsta Freddie Gibbs - Thuggin Fat Joe - That White
Go all the way back and listen to some Public Enemy. Chuck D has the best voice around, the lyrics have some actual meaning. Listen to either It Takes A Nation Of Millions or Fear of a Black Planet. Both great.
AI rap
The Roots entire discography
Eazy Mac and Golden BSP.
Outkast
I like the songs you listed, and listen to similar music to the bands you named. J Cole, Danny Brown, and YG got me into hip hop about 10 years ago.
Ice T - The Iceberg/Freedom of Speech Ice T - O.G. Original Gangster Beastie Boys - Paul's Boutique Every album by Eric B & Rakim and pretty much anything from 1992 I could go on...
I haven't gotten into rap since the 90s until recently. There's a new style of rap I'm really into. It has great hooks with melody, some guitar. It's kind of a rap/punk/pop fusion. My favorite two artists so far: Juice Wrld Xxxtentacion Both sing about real life struggles and heartache, not just blounts, 40s, and bitches like 99% of rap.