I really like Hip Hop, but I’ve barely touched the surface in what’s out there, including classics. Just listened to this, and it made me realise just how much I’ve missed.
Can you help me put together a list of ‘must listens’ please? Probably doesn’t really matter given what I’m trying to do, but I really like Run the Jewels, Danny Brown, ATCQ, OutKast, etc. I think a lot of what I like is the music element, rather than lyrics, but I’d like that to change too.
As a casual hip hop fan, I really enjoy the work of Q-Tip. Has more of a groove and soul to it than some of the harsh, aggressive side of the genre. ‘Amplified’ is a fabulous album.
Some of my faves are
Dm and jemini- ghetto pop life
Dangerdoom- the mouse and the mask
J dilla- donuts
Beastie boys- Paul’s boutique
Beastie boys- hello nasty
If you are talking about classics
Wu tang clan- 36 chambers
NWA- straight outta Compton
Public enemy- it takes a nation…
If you’ve not seen it, I strongly recommend watching Hip Hop Evolution on Netflix and checking out what you like the sound of through that. Does a really good job of going through the ‘main narrative’ in more detail than normal, but then goes through regional scenes/major trends as well. Features most of the big names as well as some slightly overlooked/forgotten stuff too. I love it.
Thanks all. Obviously I love the Beastie Boys, Pauls Boutique in particular, and I like Deltron and Little Simz. I put her 5th in my albums of last year.
I have seen Hip Hop Evolution. I found myself loving the bits I already liked, and switching off in the other bits, which defeats the point Might give it another watch.
The best Hip-Hop album ever is ‘Madvillainy’ a collaboration between MF Doom and madlib. Not sure I’d recommend starting there though as it might make all subsequent hip hop feel a bit flat by comparison.
Missing out! Acts like Mobb Deep fall into both of these buckets and made some of the greatest and most thoughtful examples of hip hop ever, IMO. Easy to be put off by the label.