As of recent, there hasn’t been many notable singles or albums to come out that I felt like talking about. Instead I’m going to recommend some 90s-early 2000s records that I’d recommend to the non-rap fan. All of these albums are essentially classics, and they carried a lot of influence on rappers to come in the future. So without further ado, here’s the list I came up with:
Wu-Tang Clan – Enter the Wu-Tang (36 Chambers)
When this LP dropped in November of 1993, it was one of the most groundbreaking projects in hip-hop history. It featured a cast of upwards to 10 rappers, something that had never been done before on a single album and is still rarely seen. Despite this, the chemistry between all the members was solid, with each having their own distinct sound, style, and personality. Among the group, the standouts were the RZA, the lead producer/beat-maker; Method Man, a gruff-voiced lyricist with quirky humor; ODB, a zany and wild character with strong flow; and a few others, such as Raekwon, GZA, Ghostface Killah, etc. I could really go into full detail about each one as they are all great individual rappers on their own, (as proven by their successful solo careers) but it could fill an article on its own. Just know that if you’re looking for a gritty, entertaining crew of rappers all popping in and out on one project together, this is a great start.
Favorite tracks: C.R.E.A.M., Wu-Tang Clan Ain’t Nuthin’ to F’ Wit, Method Man, Da Mystery of Chessboxin’
There’s no album mentioned more frequently as ‘the greatest rap album of all time’ than 1994’s Illmatic. Once you hear it, it’s pretty difficult to dispute. Across 10 tracks and 40 minutes Nas crafts his debut project with in-depth stories of the streets, contagious flow, and earworm beats that sound great even in 2018. Not to mention, the song “NY State of Mind” instantly became one of the decades defining anthems, a tribute to the ghettos of Brooklyn and Queens. Others, like Life’s a Bitch, detail the sorrows and worries of coming up in poverty. Overall this LP is one of New York’s music treasures, fully immersing the listener into the city through Nas’s eyes.
Favorite tracks: NY State of Mind, Life’s a Bitch, Halftime, The World Is Yours, It Ain’t Hard To Tell
Kanye West – The College Dropout
Released in 2004, The College Dropout was Kanye’s debut into the industry as a rapper and not a producer. Famously known as Jay-Z’s beatmaker, West’s first album displayed his original style, lyricism, personality, and emotions. It utilizes skits to its advantage, humorously poking fun at the stigmas around college and its effect on the youth in current society. Spanning over an 75 minutes, no song is filler as every track hits just as hard as the last. There’s introspective songs (“Through the Wire”, “Jesus Walks”), fun songs (“We Don’t Care”, “The New Workout Plan”), slow songs (“Slow Jamz”), and hard-hitters (“Get Em High”, “Breathe In Breathe Out”). Clearly there’s something for anyone to enjoy, and if you’re looking to get into some of Kanye’s older material, this is a great place to start.
Favorite tracks: All Falls Down, The New Workout Plan, Two Words, We Don’t Care, Slow Jamz, Never Let Me Down